Can a dentist charge for services not yet rendered?

I visited a dentist today and was not impressed with the office or the employees. I was told I needed extensive work and was given an estimate for the work. My insurance covers most all of it but they told me I needed to open an account with Citi Health to cover most of the remaining cost and also work out a payment plan with them. They proceeded to charge my account for $2300 yet I have had absolutely no work done yet. I will admit I am completely naive about all this and actually thought they were trying to help me. When I told my co-worker he said they cannot do that. I checked their website and all the reviews said they were a total scam! I already spoke with the Citi and told them I would like to keep the card but I do not want to return to that dentist. They said I would just need to speak with the dentist's office and they should return the charge since they have done no service yet. Is there anything I should know when before I go speak with them to get the charge refunded?

They can, but if you do not get the work done, you should be refunded in full. Many offices will charge you, make you prepay. However, if the work is not done, they have to refund.

No, they can't. What they can do is get an approval from the insurance company and then get your co-payment after the treatment has begun. You can pay on your first visit or work out a payment plan. I've done it this way with every dentist I have ever visited. If you can, try to stop the payment from your account and maybe check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been other complaints. You sound like you have a legal case here. Don't go back to that dentist.