I don't usually leave reviews, but I feel strongly that people should be aware of this experience…read morebefore coming here.
I went in with a locked jaw and significant pain on the lower left side, expecting to receive care that would at least begin to relieve my symptoms. I was seen by Dr. Farshid Ariz. I had previously come across negative reviews about him at another location, but when I booked at the Northridge office, I was not aware he would be the one conducting my exam.
To be fair, the doctor appeared knowledgeable and performed a thorough consultation. However, that is where the patient care essentially stopped. The moment the treatment coordinator stepped in, the entire focus shifted away from treating my pain and toward selling a HIGH-COST treatment plan.
After nearly two hours, instead of initiating any form of relief as discussed, I was presented with a treatment plan exceeding $5,500. When I clearly stated that I could not afford that and asked to begin with the oral appliance the doctor himself recommended, I was told they would not proceed unless I committed to the full plan. The price was slightly reduced by couple hundred dollars as a "gesture," EVEN after I mentioned I did not expect anything over $1000 to relieve some pain but the expectation remained the same--pay thousands upfront or receive nothing.
For context, I have over 15 years of experience in the dental field, working in both general and specialty practices. I am fully aware that the lab cost for a night guard-type appliance is minimal, and that fees should reflect clinical care--not be used as leverage to force patients into bundled, long-term programs!
I was also told that part of the treatment would involve seeing a "specialist" via Zoom from their office regarding a possible deviated septum--but only if I agreed to the entire plan. No detailed breakdown of the treatment was provided, despite the significant cost and me asking multiple times to get a breakdown. In reality, addressing a deviated septum through a licensed ENT specialist would likely be more direct and cost-effective than committing to a year-long program of weekly visits and vague "therapy" that may or may not help!
A dentist's responsibility is to help relieve a patient's pain--not simply give an opinion and then hand the case off to a coordinator whose primary role is financial. The treatment coordinator showed no empathy for my condition and made it very clear that the priority was securing the full fee, not helping me manage my pain or offering reasonable, step-by-step care.
Despite multiple requests to begin with the appliance to get some level of relief, they refused unless I agreed to the entire treatment plan. That directly contradicts what was initially promised and, in my opinion, is both unethical and misleading.
Based on my experience, this office operates in a way that feels predatory. The priority is not patient care--it is enrolling patients into expensive, all-inclusive programs with no flexibility. I left feeling that this is not a practice focused on treatment, but one focused on maximizing revenue.
I will include the picture below of the appliance the doctor recommended--a simple plastic mouth guard to wear for 10 weeks. They refused to let me start with just this, and the coordinator claimed most of the $5,000+ cost was tied to this appliance.. ha ha... Honestly felt like they expected me to believe this small piece of plastic justifies that price. I can tell it for 100% this costs less than $250 from the lab!
I cannot recommend this office, as stated in other reviews, RUN don't WALK!