When Dr. Brenda Roman places a crown in a patient's mouth, the dental work has a paper
trail.
"We're very confident saying we know exactly where our lab work is coming from," Roman
said.
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Every patient file has a sticker that lists materials and origin of the work. Her
Columbus dental lab includes it with the crown.
As 10 Investigates' Lindsey Seavert discovered, the same procedure is not always
occurring.
An estimated 15 percent of dental work in the U.S. is outsourced but the information does not
always travel from the foreign lab to the patient.
"I think part of the problem is the dentists are too trusting and the labs are not being very
honest – trying to cut corners," Roman said.
A lab technician, who requested anonymity, claims to know that all too well.
"I couldn't say anything because I knew I would lose my job," said the former lab
technician.
The former employee said their former dental lab forces technicians to pass off Chinese crowns
as its own work.
"If there (were) adjustments that need to be made, they would make those adjustments and
package it back up in a lab box," the ex-technician said. "It would not have China on it, or
any bill from China or anything."
The technician said dentists never knew the lab ordered work from China.
"If they could get a crown for $35 made in China and charge the doctor $120 some dollars, what
is the point in saying anything?" the former employee said.
The lab where the former employee worked told 10TV that it outsources only about 15 percent of
its work. It extensively researched Chinese labs to balance quality with low prices.
The lab told 10TV News that the percentage will likely increase but did not outline how or if it
discloses to dentists.
Dave Kiser, who runs one of Columbus' largest labs, said that he constantly turns down offers
to outsource because he cannot replace the quality at his own fingertips.
"I think it boils down to money – boils down to how much a laboratory then can send it
offshore – get it done for a lot less money, bring it back and send it to a dentist," Kiser
said.
The anonymous employee believes money is the driving force and said the lab's outsourcing
increased.
"They were going to close the crown and bridge department -- that is what I was told," the
ex-technician said.
The employee was laid off but worries the dentist and patient could lose much more.
According to the National Association of Dental Laboratories and American Dental Association
surveys, the average cost of a foreign crown is $30 to $50. Labs in the United States charge
dentists $150 for a crown and the dentist may charge someone as much as $875.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
