The question of the almighty dollar.

Yes, we have a fee schedule.  And, yes, I can look up the cost of any procedure completed in the clinic.  In most cases [75-95%], I will be right-on.  The other 5%, however, I'm not comfortable trying to anticipate the exact dollar amount.  So, I've learned to respond, "I don't know right now."

I take my time when treatment planning, and in many cases arrive at a different treatment option than I first thought as optimal.  Many times, my preceptors introduce concepts and considerations I haven't had experience with.  Therefore, I schedule another appointment to discuss treatment options and cost.  This way I give myself time to think through all of the options, and also save myself from giving the impression of being indecisive and unreliable [among other things, I'm sure].