Dr. Pontynen and his staff only care for patients when patients are completely happy with everything but as soon as a patient asks them to fix a mistake, they all treat you horribly.
I've been going to Dr. Pontynen since 2010. I was very impressed at first because of his honesty and care. I liked his staff as well and always felt comfortable being there. I would drive an hour to see him (one way)even with a new born baby that I had no babysitter for despite my husband's suggestion to go to his own dentist only a few miles away from where we live.
However, I've been more and more disappointed with his office and his bedside manner ever since he hired a new receptionist there.
His new receptionist, Patty, has on several occasions made mistakes big time. The main problem is that he won't listen to the patient's side but takes her word each time!
My first issue with his new receptionist started when she went ahead and made an appointment for me without telling me although I specifically told her not to since I had to wait for authorization from my insurance regarding a procedure. Then she called me on the day of the appointment (that she made by herself) and was wondering why I didn't show up. I had to explain to her once more that I still had not heard back from her as to whether my insurance would pay for some of the costs. She said she understood. Then she sent me an invoice charging me $100 for "missed appointment"!!! When I told her about it, She said she doesn't remember the conversation about not making an appointment or about me explaining that I needed to wait!!! what a big lie!! Dr. Pontynen took her side and brushed off my argument ( I guess since money was involved).
Second issue: We finally received a letter from my insurance explaining the costs. My husband and I got on the speaker phone and called Patty and verified our cost and she confirmed everything. On the day of the appointment (after the procedure), she pulled out a paper and told us our cost which was almost twice the amount verified previously. When my husband and I asked why she told us a different number before, she totally denied the whole thing and said that she doesn't remember that conversation...again!
Third issue: I wanted my teeth cleaned by dr. Pontynen as he did it once and I was pretty happy about the result. Very little did I know, she had scheduled me with a different person in that office which I believe she might have accidently chipped my tooth( small chip that is hard to see right away but easy to see if one pays attention to it). When I called Patty to tell her about that, she had a disrespectful and accusatory tone and hinted that I am being dishonest and that my chipped tooth didn't happen then (without any investigation or seeing my tooth). I had no reason to lie about that as my insurance probably would have taken care of the whole cost since it was a tiny chip that could have easily been smoothed out.
This made me very mad and I told her that I'd had enough with how she communicates and that I needed to talk to the doctor. Well, He didn't call back and when I called his cell phone to talk to him directly, I asked if he can call so we can discuss the issue with my tooth, he still ignored my call! I have never had any issue with him or his previous receptionist but for him to ignore a patient who is obviously uncomfortable about a situation, or at least hear what she/he has to say, shows very bad bedside manner and ruthlessness. I feel I was mocked, accused and ignored whenever I needed them to fix their own mistake. I would never go to this doctor again and I don't recommend him to anyone any longer. I could easily escalate this matter and contact my attorney but for now, I will transfer my medical records to my husband's dentist since I desperately need this problem fixed. read more