CAVEAT EMPTOR
First, the good:
*The office staff is wonderful. The receptionists and dental hygienists were always friendly, courteous and respectful and always worked with me to schedule a convenient time.
*The technology. I liked receiving automated text message and email reminders regarding my appointments - very helpful. They always came in plenty of time so that on the rare occasion I needed to re-schedule, I met the requirement of 24 hours notice.
The Bad:
SHORT VERSION:
I got a 2nd opinion and J-Brun went into attack mode. He was reduced to the behavior of a 3 year old and told me that if I didn't trust him, I should find a new dentist.
IN DETAIL:
Dr Brunson advised me that I had recession along my gums and that I needed to meet with a periodontist. I was told surgery would be the next logical step. Needless to say, this was somewhat disconcerting.
Having grown up in a home where my Mother was a CRNA, I knew to always get a second opinion, get educated, learn everything about the condition and be your own best advocate. I did exactly that. I made an appointment with another local dentist. I also made an appointment, in another state, with my Dentist I've been going to since childhood. In other words, I took Dr. Brunson's advice regarding my gums very seriously. This however, proved to be extremely dissatisfying to Dr. Brunson.
When I returned to Brunson Dentistry for a routine cleaning, I was asked about the corrective steps I'd taken regarding my last visit. I explained that I consulted a local dentist for a 2nd opinion and that I was going to see my childhood dentist and then weigh a course of action. This was met with an explosion of anger. If you've ever seen a 2 year old throw a temper tantrum where they get angry, red-faced, hostile, and whiny then you've essentially seen the reaction with which I was met. I was rendered apoplectic by Dr. Brunson's bush league reaction and left to wonder: why do I have to explain to a DOCTOR that I want to be well informed?
Dr. Brunson first personally attacked the local Austin dentist I'd consulted saying that she had a "unique" way of doing things but that HIS office "believes in science". He also asked how I found her and when I said I'd used a Groupon he hissed: "well that should tell you she's not on top of her game right there!" (While it's true that Forbes and The Wall Street Journal have not yet noted Dr. Brunson's astute observations, I'm sure they'll catch up shortly). I was also unaware that a DDS served as an MBA in digital media marketing and social networking but should you need the polymathic expertise of a dentist in a low rent shopping center, I know right where to point you. But I digress....
J-Brun's head nearly exploded when I told him I was going to see my childhood dentist for a third and final opinion. It was at this point that he angrily told me, "I'VE TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO AND YOU HAVEN'T DONE IT! IF YOU DON'T HAVE TRUST IN ME, THEN WE SHOULD PART WAYS."
Ummm, OK. Done.
As this infantile acting man attempted to put another bow in his verbal quiver, I explained that it was not a lack of trust, but that I will do this on MY timeline, at MY own pace, when I'M fully educated and fully comfortable with the procedure. Again, why do I have to explain this to a DOCTOR??
This was unacceptable to him and he told me (I'm paraphrasing now) that I should get another dentist. I was so shocked at his behavior that I said nothing. I've always, always been told that if your doctor is afraid of a 2nd opinion, then s/he shouldn't be your doctor and folks, J-Brun isn't just afraid of them, he's INFURIATED by them.
Needless to say, I had all of my records transferred to another dentist - for which I was charged $10 dollars (classy) and am no longer being subjected to the tongue lashing I endured that day.
Oh, by the way, my childhood dentist agreed with Dr. Brunson's initial diagnosis and has referred me to a periodontist. So it's not that Dr. Brunson is incompetent -- he clearly is not. He was smart enough to give the right diagnosis and is smart enough to surround himself with great help. Regrettably, however, he conducts himself like an insecure, angry little toddler. That's not the kind of guy I want drilling into my skull. read more
