As someone who has dealt with significant dental issues over the past 10 years, I can confidently…read moresay this was the worst treatment I have ever received at a dental office.
The only consistently kind, professional, and personable person I encountered at this office was Luis at the front desk. He was wonderful every time I came in.
I visited Smile Designers three separate times: once for a cleaning and twice for extractions with bone grafts. I genuinely tried to give the doctor multiple chances because I understand that everyone can have an off day. Unfortunately, after three visits, the same pattern of dismissive, rushed, and unprofessional treatment continued.
I initially chose this office because it was one of the only offices in my area that accepted my insurance.
During my cleaning, the dental assistant/hygienist did not speak to me at all. She never explained what she was doing, checked on my comfort, or told me how to signal if I needed her to stop. The cleaning felt extremely aggressive and rushed, and her demeanor came across as irritated and demanding.
My second visit was for an extraction and bone graft. The doctor had virtually no bedside manner and did not explain the procedure before beginning. What concerned me immediately was that he entered the room and asked me what he was doing that day. I would expect the dentist performing an extraction to have reviewed my X-rays and treatment plan beforehand.
He then numbed me without explaining what he was doing or giving me any way to indicate that I needed him to pause. I have been numbed many times at dental offices, so I know the process, but this felt unusually rushed and heavy-handed.
After numbing me, he promptly left the room. I was left sitting there while saliva accumulated in my mouth. After trying to get someone's attention without success, I actually ended up using the suction myself.
When the doctor returned, he simply told me to open my mouth. He did not ask whether I was ready, explain what was about to happen, or establish any signal I could use if I needed him to stop. At one point, I heard him tell the assistant, "hold her tongue back," and he proceeded with the extraction.
Once the tooth was removed and the bone graft completed, the doctor left the room without giving me any aftercare instructions whatsoever. I sat there confused until a staff member laughed and told me, "you can go."
I went to the front desk crying because I had no idea what I was supposed to do after the procedure. I asked for aftercare instructions and whether I needed antibiotics. The doctor never came back out to speak with me, and I was simply told to take ibuprofen.
About a month later, I returned because I needed another tooth removed. Unfortunately, the experience was very similar.
This time, the male dental assistant working during my procedure was talking and joking with other staff while the extraction was taking place, to the point that the doctor had to remind him to stay focused.
After the tooth was removed, the assistant began commenting that he believed part of my tooth had been left behind. The doctor corrected him and explained that what he was seeing was part of my jawbone. Having an assistant speculate like that while I was still in the chair was incredibly unsettling.
Then, without saying anything or warning me, the assistant took a paper towel and aggressively wiped my face.
Once again, after the extraction and bone graft, I was given essentially no aftercare instructions.
About a week later, I developed severe pain and sought a second opinion from another dental provider. That provider recommended antibiotics and expressed surprise that I had not been prescribed them following my procedure.
I am leaving this review because I would want someone else to know what they may be walking into. If your insurance assigns this office as your primary dental location, I strongly recommend asking whether you can change providers.
My biggest issue was not simply that the appointments were unpleasant. It was the complete lack of communication, patient reassurance, explanation, and basic bedside manner during invasive dental procedures. I repeatedly felt as though procedures were simply being performed on me rather than anyone actually caring for me as a patient.
The best way I can describe the experience is that it felt like being at a mechanic shop, except you are the car.
I am genuinely appalled by the way Dr. Hage communicated with and treated me throughout these visits, and I would never return to this practice.
Luis, however, deserves recognition for being the one consistently positive part of my experience at Smile Designers. Thank you for always being kind, helpful, and professional. You're the best.
