I have been a loyal patient of Dr. Mar for approximately 8 years. For most of that time, he and his staff have been stellar at meeting my minimal dentistry needs and have cared for my teeth twice a year, occasionally more often than that. However, in the last year, I told Dr. Mar and his staff about a serious illness I developed that was going to cause me to be permanently disabled; therefore, I would have to retire early and lose my health insurance. Though they acted sympathetic, they suddenly became less accommodating regarding appointments, resolving my complaints about tooth pain of unknown origin, and failing to return phone calls. It took one of their amazing dental hygienists, Trish, insisting that they schedule my routine cleaning by having her stay late so as to accommodate my health needs, which meant I needed a later appt in the day. Prior to that, but after I relayed that I would be losing my ins, they told me I'd have to wait indefinitely for an appointment to become available. In all the years past, this NEVER has happened. They always found a later time for me when I couldn't leave work earlier. Furthermore, in the last few months, the receptionist, Patty, has failed to return numerous phone messages regarding a bill I was sent in error due to her incorrect billing. I still have not heard from her to this day, 2 months after my messages. Normally, Patty has been as kind as I could ever wish, and she would never have failed to return calls or be so rigid about accommodating my need for a later appointment due to my health issues. Moreover, Dr. Mar has always stopped in after routine cleanings, and particularly if I had problems in the recent past, to evaluate my teeth and gums after the cleaning was finished. Although he was there in the next stall at my last appt, he failed to check my teeth or even stop in to say hello, as he has always done in the past. So after almost a decade of loving my dentist and his staff, believing in their integrity and professionalism, as well as their caring hearts, without question, and recommending him to all my friends, I now question whether his concern and interest in me, my life, and my teeth was genuine, or merely an effective method of professional growth. It's the only conclusion I can come to, as his behavior, and that of his staff aside from Trish, who has remained as caring and awesome as always, has changed from day to night since I told him I may not be able to continue as his patient after I am put on permanent disability and lose my health insurance.
After being such a loyal and enthusiastic patient of his for so long, from when he worked out of a closet-sized office on El Camino Ave., to his larger, modern office of present, I'm shocked and deeply hurt by the change in attitude and behavior through no fault of mine, but simply because I may not be able to continue as his patient for too much longer.
Even after using my retirement to purchase COBRA ins. and remain his patient for at least a year, the change has remained. I'm truly puzzled and disappointed. If you have steady health insurance and a job with the possibility of good networking, you will be treated well. I recommend that if you suspect this may change in the future, you keep it to yourself if you want that level of service and care to continue. It seems that he will act as your friend only for as long as it may benefit his business. That holds true for most of his staff as well, as they take their cues from him, with the one exception noted above. read more
