My old dentist retired, and I was looking for a new one in the area. On July 12th, I called and spoke with the office manager, Mylene, who came off polite, and asked me for my dental insurance info, which I obliged. I have a nice PPO through Delta Dental at my work, which is above-average coverage.
She took initiative and called and figured out my coverage amounts and limits and then called me back, and asked for my social security number. I told her I was not comfortable giving this, and she said, "At some point we're going to need this."
I told her flat out, I was not comfortable giving that out, and that I had never done so at any doctor or dentist's office, and that I never would; no medical / dental office anywhere in this country needs it (even though I know they all like to ask), especially when I've provided her my full name / insurance ID number / group number, and I have the finances to pay for the copay.
She said that I would need to pay the full amount prior to treatment then, in case the insurance amount doesn't come through, in case I quit my job or cancel my insurance AFTER my insurance provides pre-authorization. I was like what? That makes no sense, what's the point of a pre-authorization? You think I'm going to cut and run a day after I get my treatment, and that Delta Dental is going to go defunct and not give your money? I was so irate and insulted. I told her I wouldn't be going there, and she gave some BS reason about her needing to follow "their rules." (You mean the arbitrary rules YOU make for YOUR practice?)
I've never been to any dentist who has been this insistent on getting a social security number. They don't need it to get paid, they want it for collections, and if you're reading this, please do a quick internet search for whether or not doctors and dentists need your social security number. They do not. Don't ever give it out, and if they're this pushy, don't give them your business.
Medical and dental offices are huge targets for burglars, and my last dentist (which happens to be just a few blocks away off Atlantic Avenue) literally had a break-in this past year, and a laptop was stolen. Good thing those thieves didn't get my social security number because I know I didn't give my last dentist my number either.
Since July 12th, I've visited a different local dentist and a separate endodontist in Long Beach, and given them my patronage of about $2000-3000 worth of services, and I've paid of my copays without giving them my SSN, and I had zero issues. (I'll post reviews as soon as my dental work is complete.) It's absolutely absurd that Dr. Jung's office doesn't want your money unless you're willing to put yourself at risk for identity theft or willing to give them full collateral, including the insurance company's payout portion.
I don't care how many other reviews talk about how "nice" Mylene is. I'm not caving in to her demands or giving her a DNA swab, hair sample, or my first-born child just to get my teeth looked at. Do better.
No one besides your employer, your financial institutions, or the government should have your social security number. Billion dollar companies have data breaches every day, what makes you think Dr. Jung's little office is going to be able to protect your info from a tweaker walking past the office with a brick? Is Mylene or Dr. Jung going to help you when a Nigerian prince opens up lines of credit with your stolen identity?
This place is a hard pass. read more