After being a patient for approx. 10-15 years, and having had my children also receive dental care there, I had the most horrific experience this week. Trigger warning for any Neurodiverse/Autistic people DO NOT GO HERE EVER!!! I have sent hundreds of people here through the years and plan to let every and anyone know about the discriminatory and offensive treatment I rec'd by Owner Stuart MacDonald. As a Psychiatric Clinician and well-known/esteemed Autistic advocate/trainer, and public speaker, I was horrified at the way he talked to and treated me during my most recent visit. Any patient paying for ANY out-of-pocket costs, are legally entitled to a Good Faith Estimate under the Federal No Surprises Act. This is the law. I was paying for my visit out of pocket and was aware of the cleaning charge ahead of time. (https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises/consumers/understanding-costs-in-advance). After my cleaning, Mr. Macdonald came into the room, did not introduce himself to me and started talking about x rays. I explained I am paying out of pocket and needed to know the costs of these things. Stuart immediately sighed/sucked his teeth and told me "I am telling you the prices now" as he rambled off different prices for different types of x-rays. I stopped him and stated, "I am Autistic - I can't process all these numbers and amounts verbally and am asking for a written GFE, which I am entitled to by law, which is what I am asking for". He immediately became upset and told me I was "being combative". My voice was not raised, nor was I in any way upset, but kept repeating myself and my rights and I stated I "did not appreciate you giving me a hard time and I am demanding what I am legally supposed to be given and you are giving me the runaround". I explained I am also a provider and that the GFE has to legally be on everyone's website too, which it is NOT for B & G. (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.cms.gov/files/document/faq-providers-no-surprises-rules-april-2022.pdf)
Mr. Macdonald then stated "Well I don't appreciate you threatening me with lawyers and legal action", to which I responded I was not threatening anything, but was merely again explaining I want what I am entitled to, again, by law. Mr. Macdonald proceeded to call me "combative" again twice and again refused to give me what I asked for, so I told him I was leaving as I was not going to stand there and continue to be verbally abused and called "combative" which was just offensive and false. I went to the desk to discuss my options around complaints and was told I was being discharged from all care at the office and was handed a sheet of paper to sign, to release all my records. I was also told that I would have to google the ADA and how to file a complaint, as they do not have the posters publicly posted (which is also law). The whole experience was horrific and beyond unbelievable. Official complaints have been filed with the MCAD and Office of Civil Rights, who both advised this was highly illegal and clear discrimination. The irony about all of this is I make a living teaching people about Autism and how to enact ND-friendly services in health care and for-profit settings. Clearly B & G are missing the mark and I feel sorry for anyone who is not as strong a personal advocate as I am, and gets mistreated and verbally abused by the owner. A complaint will also be filed with the state Dental Board. read more