The problem with your math is you’re taking it all individually, like 1 filling only has to pay for that thing. Back here in reality that 1 filling has to pay for EVERYTHING on your list AND the rent AND the dental assistant AND the office aids AND the computer AND the insurance AND the taxes AND the electricity AND the water AND the advertising AND all the other junk neither of us thought of. Plus the guy would like to make a little money to live on himself.
Now when you open the door to insurance there’s a whole other problem. One of the things you need to understand about insurance is they don’t pay the bill that’s offered. Insurance companies all pay a percentage of the bill that comes from the doctor, each insurance company sets the percentage different. Which causes the doctors and the insurance companies to play a really stupid game. If the doctor needs $100 from the insurance company but has learned (well really his accounts payable person has learned, there’s another somebody he has to pay for) that said insurance company will only pay 80% of the bill that comes to them then he has to send them a bill for $125, knowing that they’re going to chop off the top $25 and only send him a check for $100. Problem is then the insurance company figures out that he’s figured out their percentage so they lower, so the next time he sends them a bill for $125 when they send him a check for $75 he finds out they’re now only paying 60%. That’s why all doctors drop their prices dramatically when you say you’re paying with cash not insurance, because then they know you’ll pay what they’re asking, not some percentage you dreamed up on your own, so they can just go ahead and bill you for what they need to perform the procedure profitably.
As for the OTHER overhead, of course they have over head, I realize that. I am saying that I know for a FACT that I get my dental services for half the stated price, because I PAY CASH. that is why I know it is a profitable business. They are RAPING most people. They can do so because the guy down the hall prices the same services at relatively the same price. It is PRICE COLLUSION and the ADA should be up on charges.
I am as much of a capitalist as anybody, more so than most, but the dental profession is little more than the local auto mechanic writ large. That lift costs allot too and that flugal valve cost $275.
Anecdotal evidence of SO many dentists forced to drive high end luxury cars and live in McMansions shows the poverty that they continue to suffer as a profession.
Want to save some real money? Ask the price up front and offer half in cash, you may be really surprised. Go in strong with three other dentists on speed dial on your cell phone and start calling for prices. He will make a deal with you. He knows he is ripping you off.