After experiencing Dr Garcia for three years, we are not fans. Here's why, several reasons: 1) My son has an exceptionally small mouth, so taking the mold to send to his insurance for approval was a challenge because the mouthpiece is so large. Especially at this time when he had the overbite, it was impossible for him to open as wide as they were demanding. His lips literally don't open that wide. Staff told my son repeatedly that he wasn't trying hard enough and if he couldn't open big enough they'd keep having to do it again (as if that helps). After repeatedly trying to shove something that didn't fit and making him cry, I learned that all they had to do was cut the plastic device down the middle to make it smaller. They finally did that and were able to do the mold. 2) Dr Garcia initially quoted pulling two teeth and getting braces for 3 years the proper solution when we had expensive insurance. Before getting the braces, his insurance changed to IEHP. When we went back to sign up for braces, suddenly Dr Garcia's solution changed to braces and jaw surgery. I was shocked. Surgery?! I reiterated that he'd previously said just pulling two teeth and braces was the plan. He looked flustered and backtracked to that original plan. My son never needed surgery. 3) When I'd sit and observe techs while my son would get his bands changed, I watched staff working on other kids use the dental instruments they were using to also open the drawers the rubber bands etc were in and then put the tools back into the kids' mouths. Gross! 4) Staff repeatedly misgendered him, we had to freq correct them on pronouns. No one is so daft they constantly forget your proper pronouns in one conversation, it felt purposeful. 5) When it was finally time to get my son's braces off, Dr Garcia did it. He was anxious to get it done fast because they were behind and everyone was going to go to lunch. So he took over the task of taking the glue off of my son's teeth and began really rushing the job. He told my son to raise his hand if he was causing him pain and he would stop. Because he was rushing, he was sanding my son's teeth for way too long/hard without lifting the tool, which causes the tooth to become hot and hurt really badly. So my son raised his hand and jerked in his seat, I could tell he was in pain. But whenever he raised his hand, Dr Garcia kept going anyway, saying he knows it hurts. So then my son is in tears and holding onto the seat with white knuckles. I stopped the doctor said, "he's raising his hand!" and my son said, "Why did you say to raise my hand if you weren't going to stop!?" Dr replied he knows it hurts he just had to keep going anyway so he could get it done. All this so he could get to his lunch break.
I'm so glad we never have to go back there again. They present in the lobby as a great office but when it comes down to treating the kids well and operating ethically, that was not the priority from our experience. read more