I can't give this practice a worse rating and would strongly suggest considering alternatives, as they appear to be more focused on money than patients. Before my treatment, my wife and children all had teeth alignment done by Carter Orthodontics and were satisfied. However, my experience with Carter Orthodontics as a whole was mediocre, capped by an ugly final appointment. The practice did a reasonably good job of straightening my teeth, with the exception of a persistent small gap and slightly twisted upper incisor. At my next to last appointment in October 2019, the office wanted to declare my treatment completed, but I pointed out that there was still an issue with my upper teeth. One of the orthodontists, Dr. "Buddy" Donaldson, did some adjustments to my teeth and I was told to return in 8 to 10 weeks for a retainer check, wearing my retainer as much as possible. Any needed appliances would be prescribed at the retainer check because my teeth might move. The recheck appointment wound up scheduled for April 2020 but the office canceled it, presumably due to the Covid pandemic. It was rescheduled for July 2020. When I showed up, instead of getting a retainer check as expected, the orthodontic assistant insisted that my treatment was complete and that any services would be at additional cost. I thought she was mistaken and asked to see a doctor. Dr. Donaldson, who treated me at the October appointment, showed up and immediately assumed a defensive and aggressive attitude. He repeatedly told me that they had treated my teeth for a long time for free, insinuating that I was asking for additional free service. Among other things, he said "we've done all we can, there's nothing more we can do for you" - unless of course I paid. I pointed out that there was a contract with their practice to straighten my teeth and that I paid over $6200 for their services, meaning the treatments most certainly weren't free. The tone of the exchange with Dr. Donaldson was developing into an argument. Out of respect for other patients undergoing examinations in the same room I decided not to continue the discussion, which had simply become embarrassing. Even so, Dr. Donaldson made a number of unprofessional, confused and misleading claims, including saying that my signature on the "retainer contract" meant that treatments were complete. When I returned home I recovered the "contract" and it, with his signature on it, had a box checked that said I should return in 8-10 weeks for a retainer check. This was the appointment that I thought I was going to have. He also had one of the staff produce a payment schedule, which showed I agreed to make payments over 24 months, asserting that this meant my treatments were only to last 24 months and that I'd gotten off for free past that time. Insultingly, he thought I was stupid enough to believe a payment schedule is the same as a contract for treatments. It's good that I didn't pay my bill immediately, because according to him I'd only be entitled to 1 day to have my teeth aligned. This doctor would benefit from courses in patient relations, business management and perhaps ethics. Even if the practice were to relent and do what they said they would do, I'd decline because I really wouldn't want a dental procedure performed by someone with an attitude. Bottom line, I was given an appointment that I was instructed to make, took time off from work, and then was ambushed by being told that I was ineligible for treatment in front of other patients in the same room. Never did get that final retainer check. read more
