My experience at The Smilist/Oral Health Center of Delaware was disheartening and emotionally…read moretaxing, so I feel compelled to share, especially for those who may feel uncomfortable doing so.
I was referred to their periodontist, Dr. Andriy, who removed leftover bonding from a previous office and instructed me to return in two weeks if symptoms persisted. When I attempted to follow up, I was denied and told I needed updated x-rays and a cleaning, even though I'd followed all protocols. I was instead funneled to Dr. Blackhurst, a general dentist, who dismissed my concerns. When I tried to show him the area causing pressure on tooth #7, he slapped my hand away. he literally slapped my hand away. I have never inmy life experienced this, i just looked at him. A hygienist witnessed this. Despite this, I remained respectful and reported the incident to the office manager, Victor, but nothing was done.
Dr. Blackhurst told me it was all in my head and discouraged me from seeing Dr. Andriy again. This went on for weeks, and I eventually had to see another periodontist before I was finally allowed to follow up with Dr. Andriy. He performed flap surgery on me, confirming I was right all along. I had to endure unnecessary dismissiveness to receive the treatment I was initially told I needed.
I tried to remain gracious throughout the ordeal. When their phones went unanswered, I came in person, apologizing for walking in, and even offered to bring Dunkin' Donuts as a thank-you. Yet, I was eventually labeled "an annoyance."
One day, a front desk staff member, Olivia, gave me the middle finger while texting Victor about me. I reported it, but Victor said he didn't do anything because he was too sidetracked. When I confronted him, he called me "an annoyance" and implied my persistence was the problem. I reminded him that I was only showing up because their phones were never answered, and I was always kind and respectful. This treatment was disgraceful.
Victor also promised to remove an unfair note in my file from a previous dentist, but later claimed he felt "forced" to do so, contradicting his original offer to help. It became clear that the office had become toxic. Gossip, dismissiveness, and blame-shifting were constant. Finally, Victor agreed to let me see Dr. Andriy for my rightful follow-up.
As a dark-skinned Black woman, I couldn't help but question if I would have had to fight this hard if I looked different. The subtle hostility, the mockery, and the feeling that I was being tolerated rather than respected felt racially motivated. Victor, who had shared his own experiences with discrimination, ultimately turned around and mistreated me. It was deeply painful.
Victor offered a discount on my surgery, which I appreciated, but it wasn't enough to undo the emotional toll I endured. A few weeks later, he said I didn't need to pay for the visit as an apology, which I appreciated. But these gestures didn't erase the gaslighting, the time and money wasted, and the emotional pain caused by their unprofessionalism.
This should have been a simple two-week follow-up, but it turned into months of frustration, unnecessary expenses, and feeling unheard. I will never return to this office again. This was not just poor service, but painful, discriminatory, and deeply unprofessional. This isn't to slander the practice or staff, but to share my experience. Victor kept asking me to leave a good review, but I kept silent for so long in that office while being mistreated, too long, and I needed to share my experience so I can move on. I pray others have a better experience. My grandmother passed during all this and it would have been nice to be treated fairly. When given the chance, please choose kindness. You never know what someone is going through. I didn't deserve to be denied care, and told its all in my head, only to need a surgery from this same dental office for the same issue. I wasn't believed, I wasn't heard and it costed me money, sleepless nights, and unnecessary time from work. I will never step foot in this place again and I am just grateful for the lessons learned. At the 1st sign of disrespect, Leave.
I just still can't believe he slapped my hand like that. No respect. I just know he wouldn't do that had it been someone else. And I will never forget that. Even his own staff said how mean he is and how he has an outdated way of thinking. I am moving on in peace. I cannot hold on to the hurt I experienced at this office. I hope they improve and I pray you have a better experience than I did. I will never return and have never in my life been treated this way. He really slapped my hand away as I tried to show him where i felt tooth pain, no respect. Its been something I still think off. But I am writing this post with the hopes I can move on. Thank you for listening.
God bless.
