To Dr. Barry Howell 2/02/02
From James Osterbur
RE: the billing and evaluation received, due to the appointment attended by jim on 12/27/01
In response to said billing the following determines the time and method of payment
A: I waited 3 months for you to create an opening for me/ while it is true I could have gone elsewhere, AT your guarantee, that this appointment would be for the purpose of my call/ repair of a broken tooth, I did choose to wait.
it is expensive to attempt to find any dentist as there is always the $100.00 billing for nothing (we need this for our records). The assumption of at least limiting this expense, was as usual brushed aside for, the evaluation and NO treatment of any kind as was provided to me. You explained I needed dental work/ I was aware.
B: After waiting 3 months for an appointment wherein I did expect to be treated with a minimum of respect. I am told that it would be an additional 4 months before any treatment could be expected, and further that it would be July and countless other appointments before I would actually get most NOT all of the problems solved.
It is fair to say that the granting of an appointment means a reasonable expectation to the service expected within what anyone else in society would expect to receive. This is a medical matter and as a consequence does have penalties, for failure to respond appropriately as needed. While it is true, this is my responsibility to care for my own teeth. It is your responsibility, to NOT aggravate the situation by unreasonable and unwarranted actions. YOU are also responsible for any additional deterioration as becomes present. YOU selected to give the appointment, I did not force you to do so. YOU selected to NOT do any work, as would be expected by any normal American citizen. YOU selected the time table, and the length of time necessary to get the work done/ by providing no more than one filling per visit, when I asked for 3 filings per visit, as that is the norm in these situations.
C: I did not beg or plead, you elected to give the appointment, and I expected a reasonable professionalism with regard to your acceptance of my request for dental services. YOU have not properly carried through with a reasonable respect for the duties between a patient and a doctor.
If no appointment had been given, I would simply have looked elsewhere. No harm done. The lack of respect for me, initiates the consideration of a legal response, prejudice and discrimination would be included. This means you will be required to defend
Athis is a common and ordinary practice in your business, an expectation of the common patient/ in situations where cash in advance was offered.A However at this time, I merely inform you that the billing sent will receive an appropriate similar respect to that given me. I will intend to pay it, at least the film work in December of 2002, this will be in consideration of the 9 months you selected to make me wait. Plus the 3 additional months required to actually begin the work, which means it would be 9 months before part of the work would be done, from the initiating call. If you send billing before December of 2002, add fines or interest/ it is very likely that I will take the necessary steps to file a legal matter. The intent is not to collect/ rather the purpose would be, to inform you, in real terms, that we all do deserve a reasonable respect in this life, and to inform the public, that this is the norm, in your office and they should in fact expect such treatment from you/ in the matter of discrimination, it is not how you perceive yourself or others / it is how you respond. I do hope you learn better!D: I have not yet searched for another dentist, your lawyer will find this useful. However I may not, as would be the clear & certain expectation of your behaviors. Instead, I will tell you that the appointments given, will not be canceled by me, you seem to need room in your scheduling, If I do not call or show up prior to one hour of the appointed time you may give it to someone else. If you do schedule me out due to this letter and I am in fact depending upon you / then I will surely sue you.
IN REVIEW; THIS PRELIMINARY LETTER PROVIDES A FAIR APPRAISAL TO THE SITUATION. IT asserts a clear and certain future response, and gives an understandable warning of consequence. The defendant prefers to ignore.