I normally don't leave negative reviews. If I have a bad experience somewhere, I simply choose not to return. However, after my experience with Dr. K Dental, I feel people need to know what they may be walking into. I strongly recommend reconsidering this office if you value communication, organization, and professionalism.
Dr. K came highly recommended by a coworker, and because the office was able to get me in so quickly, I initially thought I had found a good dental office. Unfortunately, I was VERY wrong.
From my first appointment, things felt disorganized. I explained that my previous dentist had closed and that I couldn't obtain my previous X-rays. Dr. K insisted that my insurance might not cover new X-rays and had me call my insurance company while I was literally sitting in the dental chair waiting for my examination. My insurance confirmed that I was covered. Shouldn't insurance verification be handled before the appointment whenever possible?
After the examination, I was told I needed a deep cleaning and a crown before I could be cleared for an upcoming surgery. The office submitted a prior authorization to my insurance, and then the communication practically disappeared. I called multiple times and repeatedly received messages saying they hadn't heard back from my insurance.
After nearly a month of this, I contacted my insurance company myself. I was told the approval had been faxed to the office four days earlier! Meanwhile, my surgery was approaching, and I was still trying to get answers. When I was told that the office hadn't received the approval and that the treatment would cost approximately $2,300 without it, I was scheduled for a Saturday appointment at 8 a.m.
I arrived at 7:50 a.m., only for Dr. K to arrive around 8:10 a.m. She treated one side of my mouth and told me I would need to return Monday for the other side.
Then came another issue with the crown. I was told my insurance had denied it because of the X-rays. I was also told that the tooth would eventually need a root canal because the previous root canal had been done poorly. I questioned why I should invest in a crown if the tooth would likely need further treatment and ultimately decided to have it extracted instead.
I was given a referral to an oral surgeon. When I went to have the tooth extracted, the surgeon was already numbing me when they realized the referral listed the WRONG TOOTH! Thankfully, the surgeon caught the mistake before extracting the wrong tooth. Imagine how serious that could have been!
The oral surgeon's office had to contact Dr. K's office for a corrected referral. Despite the office hours indicating they opened at 7 a.m., no one answered, and I had to deal with additional delays. When I finally received a response by text, the receptionist even insisted that the tooth listed was correct, when it was not.
Eventually, the referral was corrected, and I was able to have the tooth extracted.
But the problems didn't end there. I was STILL trying to get the dental clearance I needed for my upcoming hip replacement surgery. When I reached out about how difficult it was to contact the office, the receptionist explained that she was the only person answering phones and emails and that it was difficult to respond to everyone.
I understand that being understaffed can be challenging, but that is an issue management needs to address. Patients should not have to chase an office for updates, repeatedly contact their own insurance company to find out what is happening, deal with an incorrect referral, and worry about whether necessary paperwork will be completed in time for surgery.
Thankfully, I eventually received my surgical clearance, but the amount of time, stress, and effort it took to get there was completely unnecessary. I was preparing for a hip replacement and should not have had to repeatedly call, text, and follow up just to get answers and paperwork completed. Patients have enough to worry about without having to manage the dental office themselves.
Getting an appointment quickly means very little when communication, organization, and follow-through are lacking. Based on my personal experience, I would not return to Dr. K Dental, and I encourage others to do their research before choosing this office. read more