If I could leave zero stars, I would. Unfortunately, Yelp requires at least one…read more
I scheduled an appointment at Aspen Dental in Hazlet because I wanted to take care of my oral health. My goal was simple: get a full set of X-rays, have my teeth examined, and receive a routine cleaning that is covered by my dental insurance.
After my exam and X-rays, I was told that they recommended a deep cleaning instead of a regular cleaning. I was quoted approximately $1,200 out of pocket because my insurance would not cover the recommended treatment. While I appreciate that providers can recommend additional treatment when they believe it's necessary, I respectfully declined because I simply could not justify that expense.
Since they couldn't fit me in for a cleaning that day, I returned the following day expecting to receive the routine cleaning covered by my insurance. Instead, I was told they would not perform a regular cleaning because they were not comfortable doing so unless I agreed to the deep cleaning.
That left me completely frustrated.
As a patient, I sought preventive care. I took time off, made the appointments, completed the examination and X-rays, and made the effort to be proactive about my dental health. Being refused a basic cleaning after declining an expensive treatment plan felt incredibly disappointing.
I'm not a dentist, so I'm not questioning their clinical judgment if they genuinely believed a deep cleaning was medically necessary. However, from a patient perspective, the experience felt like I was given an all-or-nothing choice: either agree to a costly procedure or receive no cleaning at all. Whether that was the intention or not, that's certainly how it came across.
The communication throughout the process also left a lot to be desired. Had I been informed upfront that declining the deep cleaning recommendation would mean they would refuse to perform any cleaning, I could have saved myself two trips, time away from work, and a great deal of frustration.
What bothers me most is that I actually wanted to take care of my teeth. There are many people who wish they had dental insurance or access to dental care. I have insurance, I showed up for my appointments, and I was ready to receive preventive treatment that my plan covers. Instead, I walked away without any cleaning at all.
The entire experience left me feeling that my time, my effort, and my commitment to my own health were not respected. Patients deserve clear communication, transparency about their options, and to feel that their concerns are heard--not pressured into a treatment they cannot afford.
Based on my experience, I cannot recommend this office. I left feeling frustrated, disappointed, and no better off than when I walked in. I will be taking my dental care elsewhere and would encourage others to ask detailed questions before scheduling, especially if they are hoping to receive a routine cleaning through their insurance.
I also spoke with the office manager, Marina Montalvo, hoping she could help resolve the situation or at least provide an alternative solution. Unfortunately, my experience was that she was not helpful, and I left the conversation feeling that my concerns were dismissed rather than addressed. There was no attempt to work with me, explain my options in a way that was helpful, or find any reasonable resolution. Instead, I left feeling just as frustrated as when I arrived.
