Orthodontist Passed Away

This is the place to post general questions and comments about all areas of orthodontic treatment. Before you post a question, use the forum's SEARCH tool to see if your question has already been answered!

New Members: YOU MUST MAKE A POST WITHIN 24 HOURS OF REGISTERING OR YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE DELETED. In other words, don't sign up unless you plan to actively participate in the message board immediately. This is necessary to keep out spammers and lurkers with bad intentions. Of course, you can read most forums on the board without registering.

DO NOT POST FULL-FACE PHOTOS or personal contact information on this website. We have had problems with people re-posting members' photos on fetish websites. Please only post photos of your teeth, not your whole face. Keep your email and your personal information private. Thank you.

Moderator: bbsadmin

Post Reply
Message
Author
randirocks
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2010 5:24 pm

Orthodontist Passed Away

#1 Post by randirocks »

So I was scheduled to get debanded this Thursday but my dentist/orthodontist (I had a one stop shop) got into an accident and passed away over the weekend. His assistant told me that she would still deband me (though next week) but there was still some minor corrections to be done.

The practice that I went to was very small and my ortho was the only one there. I'm assuming that I'm going to need to try and work with the office to either get my records sent to another ortho or they'll need to bring someone in? Has anyone had any similar situations? Does anyone have any suggestions?

I don't want to cause any waves. I'm being respectful of the situation and understand that this may not be as simple as it would have been. I just don't want to end up with problems because I wasn't finished properly.

Thanks!
Image

Chicagogal
Posts: 149
Joined: Mon Sep 17, 2007 7:22 am
Location: USA

Re: Orthodontist Passed Away

#2 Post by Chicagogal »

Wow, I never even THOUGHT about that happening (and my ortho is elderly so perhaps I should, but it feels weird). I think if there's still even tweaks to get done that you should at least go see another ortho (perhaps they have a referral?) they should absolutely provide you all your records. The tricky thing is if you've already paid for all your treatment, not sure how you might feel about another ortho charging you to finish your treatment. this sounds terrible, but at least you were almost done. yikes, so sad.
Update: 4-2013 Back in Brackets :(
lower braces: 3/2/10
hyrax palate expander: 3/29/10
upper braces: est. 6/2010 (8/6/10 actual)
bone plate surgery: 1/2011 actual
bone plate removal: 7/2011 actual
Debracing: 10-25-11 ACTUAL!!! advanced hawley retainer
Rebracing: 4-3-13...front teeth rotated #2s lifted.

Snowglobe32
Posts: 1224
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 9:05 pm

Re: Orthodontist Passed Away

#3 Post by Snowglobe32 »

I am sure you office has or is working on a plan for current patients. I would go to your scheduled appointment, ask a few questions and see what they say.

I would think any great ortho and his/her staff would work as hard as they needed to, to deal with tragedies such as this.

klobird
Posts: 1375
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:45 pm
Location: Washington State, USA

Re: Orthodontist Passed Away

#4 Post by klobird »

Wow, that must have been shocking! And so sad.....for everyone....

Well, at least you weren't halfway in or something. His practice is probably worth quite a lot financially, so maybe the other orthos in town will absorb his patients, or someone will come in and take care of things part-time or something. You must know that his patients aren't the only ones concerned, and other professionals are trying to figure out a solution too, so that everyone isn't left hanging. This is a tragedy for everyone in the community. I bet you will have your answers soon.

Amethyst
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Sep 01, 2011 2:07 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: Orthodontist Passed Away

#5 Post by Amethyst »

My orthodontist recently retired at the age of 52. Luckily, I haven't gotten braces on yet (I'm getting them later this month). Anyways, a different orthodontist came in and took over the practice, as well as getting all of the patients and all the original assistants and secretaries still work there. Obviously this is a different case than yours because mine had time to find someone to take over. However, I'm sure the staff at your past orthodontist's practice are working hard to come up with a solution.

Best of wishes.

DrJasonKTam
Posts: 847
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:50 pm
Location: Toronto and Markham
Contact:

Re: Orthodontist Passed Away

#6 Post by DrJasonKTam »

An unfortunate part of life...

In our area, an elderly orthodontist passed away and nearby orthodontists each took on some of the patients so that no one practice would be overloaded. I believe they came to some kind of agreement with regards to fees with the estate of the deceased. Hopefully your orthodontist was well-liked by his peers :).
Dr. Jason Tam
Toronto Invisalign, Scarborough braces, and Markham Orthodontist
Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider
Thrice Published in the Invisalign Case Gallery

http://www.mcosmiles.com

Learn all about Toronto Invisalign at http://www.torontobraces.ca.

Before and After Invisalign Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTVxoTQqR8
Before and After Invisalign Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywcwlyL-sg8

Post Reply