My dentist retired so I was "between dentists". Lying in bed and my tooth breaks. Top left side, visible when I smile. I freaked. I had heard about this place so I make an appt. This turns out to be a quick check up which revealed I have a bigger problem on a lower tooth. "Fix it NOW or lose the tooth!" Oh god, ok...schedule it, receive an estimate for $350 and pay $65 for this visit. Filling day comes...new dentist...ok, whatever. He does his thing and tells me to schedule a complete work up...xrays, cleaning...no problem. I go to the desk. She schedules me for 2 Wks out at hands me my bill. $475. I'm flustered by the dental work so I pay and make my appointment and go. But before i go, i ask "Hey. Just a quick guess-timate...how much for an implant?" "Well, that depends on a few factors but best case scenario is $2000 and worst is $3000. Once I pull myself together I decide to write a list of "talking points" before I go further.
I arrive for my Checkup and I ask to speak to the doctor first. I explain that I have a list of talking points. And I begin.
1. My tooth wasn't hurting but now that he filled it, it's hurt non stop for 2 weeks. Why? And can we make it stop ?
He said "I filled it?? Really?? Me??? I don't know, maybe it's hitting a nerve. It could hurt the rest of your life"
2. I received an estimate of $350 and the bill was $475. That's a jump of one third. Is this a common business practice and can I expect the same when it comes time for my implant?
He said "Things happen! You start working on a tooth and it turns out to be worse than you thought. That's not my fault."
3. I started here a month ago with an urgent matter. This is my 3rd visit, I'm down $640 and you've yet to address my matter at hand. When will we discuss my implant.
He said "oh, you want an implant? Where? Oh yea, I can write you a treatment plan today and email it to you. I'll be back after your cleaning to take a look"
4. On my way out the door, I produced the 50% coupon that we all get in the mail. The receptionist looked confused and had to ask for help as to how to deal with this. Like she'd never seen one before. I'd guess they want you to show that at the beginning so they can charge you accordingly. $218 bill just became $109 and my tally just reached $749 and no implant.
When he returned, the hygienist told him how I almost jumped out of the chair when she touched the tooth he worked on. He decided that was the opportune time to tell her she had cleaned the light with the wrong product and how it left spots. He thought they had made this clear to all the new people but obviously not. He then blew cold air on that tooth and I squealed. I said that's the tooth that made me go through the roof a few min ago. He said "You HARDLY went through the roof!!" As if he thought I meant it literally!! I locked eyes and said It's. A. Saying. thinking if I talk slow he'd get it. I decided he was no longer my dentist at that moment.
I got the email for the implant $5700. Well, that's quite a jump from his receptionist's guess. My guess is he doesn't like to be challenged either on his dental skills or his business practices. They are all shady in my opinion. A quick assessment...DO NOT GO TO THIS DENTIST. Easton is FULL of dentists. There is no need to go to one that wants to swindle you out of as much money as possible but isn't willing to discuss things that are making you uncomfortable or confused. I've been in customer service my whole life and I would never treat a client like I was treated. The acronym for complaint resolution is LAST. Listen. Ask. Solve. Thank. That's it. No other words. No excuses. No defensive behavior. And certainly no bullshit estimate designed to make a trouble maker go away. Wrong again, Dr. Hiers...I'm just getting started. read more