Avoid this dental practice as if it's going out of business....because it essentially did. The way…read morethey make money is to practice the art of bait and switch on their patients. I first visited in February 2018 to have a consultation of fixing an injury that took place in July 2014. The front office staff was pleasant and welcoming. They even sat down after my appointment to put the entire plan into writing to make sure I could manage the finances of the repair and feel comfortable it would fit my budget. My hygienist was friendly and calming. These people have all been with the practice for 5, 8, 10+ years!! And Dr. G was just great. I felt like I had FINALLY found the perfect place to get me past all my fears of dentists. And for a minute, it did.
Fast forward 4 appointments later, I go in for my final appoint to seat 3 crowns in March 2018. The ENTIRE front office staff is different. Every single last one of them. Every single hygienist was different. They all had on different uniforms. There wasn't a single familiar face (except for later, Dr. Gagliardi). I was completely disoriented and asked what was happening and she casually says "oh the practice has sold, but don't worry this won't affect you." But where did everyone go? "Oh every one was given the opportunity to stay but they chose a different path." Well that in and of itself is rather disconcerting that people that have been in this practice working together for over 10 plus years chose within a matter of DAYS since my last appointment that they would rather just leave immediately than to work for this new practice. And I'm talking at least 7 or 8 long term employees. Why did they all leave so abruptly? And how did this franchise already have 7 brand new people waiting in the wings to come in? What made all of this happen in the space of time between an afternoon appointment on Monday and an afternoon appointment 2 days later on Wednesday? But there was nothing I could do to stop and ask more questions, I had a temporary crown mold covering 3 front teeth, this appointment was to settle 3 porcelain crowns that were ready to go. This was not the time in which I could ask questions or switch practices if I didn't like the answers. I was stuck. The final appointment went fine, but I was still just so completely weirded out by what had happened.
A month goes by, I get a very large bill for more than $2000. WHAT?? I call the office, in a panic. What is happening? Trudy and I had gone over everything, I prepaid my portion, I have everything in writing and I have receipts. So I get an apology "so sorry, we just took over, just a billing glitch, please ignore." Ok. Another few months goes by, another statement, $2000. Another phone call to their offices, another apology, "still working out the kinks, disregard". Another few months go by, another statement, $279, "your insurance has paid their portion, this is yours." No, no, I worked with Trudy ahead of the appointments and paid my portion upfront, this must still be a glitch. January 2019, statement, "Friendly reminder, your prompt payment will be greatly appreciated."
I just got off the phone. It's paid.I put it on my credit card. Then I made sure they sent me a statement of "paid in full", as well as cancel all further appointments I had previously scheduled for cleanings before I got off the call.
Moral of the story: this practice sold out their customers, but worse yet they sold out their employees, and they even will pull a bait and switch over $300. Unethical and not even remotely worth the stress. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!! And it's a real shame, too, because I really thought Dr. G was a good guy. Back to the drawing board to find one.
