I absolutely have no words for the way I was treated today at this office. This all started when I went in for a checkup, as I was in pain. X-rays and an exam were done and it was decided that I needed a root canal at an endodontist. I paid my share of the bill that was given to me by the receptionist. She said she checked my insurance and I was responsible for 1/2, which I paid. Then a few days later, a tooth cracked on the bottom of my mouth. I had complained about pain in this specific area during my first visit, which was not at all taken seriously. So anyway, back I was again. I again paid my prorated share of the bill. I then went and had a root canal with an endo, but had to go back to Alvarez for a crown. So I made the appointment and the day before the appointment, I get a text that my insurance denied everything and I was responsible for thousands of dollars for tomorrow's visit. I was in total and completely shock and told them that I couldn't not afford that and I'd just keep the hole in my tooth and shop around the 1500.00 crown charge. Dr alvarez called me and told me that he would lower the price if I bought their insurance. I told him that I bought another policy that kicked in Monday and no thank you. Then he made me feel that they would work with me on the price. So today I go to the appointment. This is where it goes sideways and I felt like I was at a used car dealership. The office secretary immediately talked money the minute I walked in. Offers were made back and forth and then she told me that Dr alvarez wanted to see my benefits before any work was done. I called the insurance agency and had to put them on speaker. This was a HUMILIATING EXPERIENCE to say the least. Then they call me back. I thought everything was squared away as I sat in the dentist chair. The Dr comes in and talks about different options and different prices and I am so filled with anxiety I start to cry and say I was about 9/10" from getting up and leaving. Then they walk out.
Then receptionist comes back in with a break down of one of the options we discuss, including forcing me to sign up w their insurance and INSISTENT that I cancel the insurance I just bought which goes into effect on Monday (6 days from now). I told her NO. Then she then walks over to my purse, picks it up, hands it to me on my lap and tells me she needs my credit card before the work was done. I am speechless. I was treated with such disrespect and I completely felt degraded, taken advantage, embarrassed and humiliated. I looked at her and said, " wait you need my credit card right now? I'm sitting in the dentist chair you're gonna take my credit card right now? You've got to be kidding me!" She said, "well the office is about to close, and I need all the books squared away before that happens."
Well the office wasn't closing for another two hours and I had already been to this office twice for work, and no one has ever ever told me I needed to pay before dental services were done, and to make it even worse while I'm sitting in a chair riddled with anxiety and crying! I would rather rip all my teeth out with pliers than EVER be treated with such humiliating, degrading disrespect that I experienced today. I have never been made to feel this way. Ever. I asked her do you think that I'm not gonna pay you? And she said no we just need to close the books before the end of the day. I said I was never not going to pay you! I'm utterly disgusted.
It was about the same feeling as dealing with a used car salesman in a trailer. Not for me. I hope they read my review. You can't degrade people in a vulnerable, anxiety ridden, and terrified position. They had me over a barrel and they knew it. Never EVER AGAIN. And let me also throw in that my 75 year old mother sat in the waiting room for THREE HOURS for me. I kept pleading with them to tell her to go home and I'll take an Uber. They did not honor this request I made a number of times. I am completely disgusted.
Dr Alvarez, you all made me feel small, like I didn't matter, anxious, under pressure, degraded, and humiliated. I think you need to take a hard look at what happened today. When you sent in your receptionist in twice to the procedure room, I felt singled out, as I was the only person this happened to. I almost wanted to die when your receptionist handed my purse to me, as I sat in the dentist chair, demanding my credit card before services were rendered.
So clear that don't care what happens to me or my teeth, only about being paid, which has NEVER BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THEM, as I've always paid every cent they were due, when it was due. Used car salesman is a generous description of The Who I felt I was dealing with. read more
