I have been coming to this dental practice for approx. 20 years (all the way back from when Dr. Bornstein used to own the practice). Approximately 1-2 years ago they started placing very strong air fresheners in the waiting area which subsequently wafted throughout the whole practice into the examination rooms (no doors). I have sensitivity to air fresheners and fragrances (even so called "natural ones") and every time I would come in here for an appointment I would get terrible headaches, nausea, itchy nose and throat. These air fresheners are extremely toxic (just do a search on the web or go to the American Lung Association's website: www.lung.org). When I requested that the doctor remove these air fresheners from the waiting room because of my health concerns (backed up by evidence) he refused. Dr. M did offer to walk me into the office through the back entrance to the (to avoid the waiting area), but given that there are no doors on these exam rooms & the air fresheners are so strong- the smell permeated the entire practice (so it was a futile gesture).
Given the above situation I was facing, I knew I was going to have to leave Dr. M's practice after 20 years and go through the hassle of finding a new dentist (the only option I had because I was continually getting sick when I came here). When I finally found another practice nearby, the new practice only wanted my most recent bitewing x-rays emailed to them (not my entire chart). When I requested that Dr. M's office email over only my most recent bitewing X-rays, they kept insisting that I pay a $25 fee. Just to send one email with a few pics attached? I felt this fee was an obvious money-grab when the only reason I'm looking for a new dentist in the first place is because Dr. M would rather have the office smell "springtime fresh" (using phony & toxic chemicals) rather than concerning himself with the health & welfare of both his employees and patients -which should be any doctors first and foremost priority.
After repeated emails (3) and stressful phone calls (2), the office ultimately did email my X-rays over to the new practice. However, I was (am) very disappointed that this practice treats their patients this way after years of loyal patronage (never owing them a dime in overdue bills). Shocked really. I will now only patronize doctors who put my health first (not aesthetics & pretty smelling waiting rooms). read more
