Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Connecticut

Old dentist bill

I have a 12 year old debt from a dentist I had used years back. I made an appointment to see the dentist as I am in pain. I was remined by the office of this old bill and then stated that it was more than seven years ago. Tonight I received several calls from the dentist's wife to again remind me of the past bill and if not paid my appointment was to be cancelled.

I stated I will then cancel my appointment.

My question is "is the dentist office right for not treating me over this bill and can they collect on the bill? Thank you.


Asked on 9/20/00, 10:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Silverberg Silverberg Law Office

Re: Old dentist bill

Let me see....you are saying that, even though you have proven you can't be trusted to pay your bill, the dentist should still be required to treat you. Is that it?

Put another way, say you're in the business of making and selling something. You have a customer who has stiffed you on a previous purchase. You sold him stuff, nothing was wrong with it, he used it, but he just never paid for it. Now he wants to buy more stuff from you, ON CREDIT. Would you really be dumb enough to sell to him on credit AGAIN? Have you ever heard the saying (my mom taught me this), "Fool me once, shame on YOU, fool me twice, shame on ME!"?

So, no, the dentist is under no obligation whatsoever to treat you now, or ever. Basically, you have two choices -- pay the old bill, UP FRONT, or find another dentist. And no, I won't send you to mine.

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Answered on 10/20/00, 9:01 am


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