I scheduled an appointment with Dr. Elizabeth Van at the Great Expressions Dental Center on Mack Avenue in Grosse Pointe. She performed an initial exam, during which I confirmed that I brush and floss daily. She asked if I ever experienced bleeding gums, and I reported that I do not. Nevertheless, she referred me to the Great Expressions Specialty Center on 12 Mile in Warren, MI for a 'deep cleaning,' an invasive procedure that involves scaling and planing below the gum line. Before the procedure, I was required to get clearance from my heart doctor because I have a heart condition, and it could be dangerous for me. I did. During my appointment at the Warren Specialty Center, I was examined by Dr. Rabbani and told the deep cleaning would cost $928 and be completed in two appointments. I was then informed by a staff member that my insurance wouldn't cover the work, and I was urged to apply for Care Credit. Believing that I needed the procedure, I agreed to complete the credit application while sitting in the chair. I also paid $300 with my debit card. The $628 balance was charged to Care Credit as soon as I was approved. After I napped in the chair for about 30 minutes, Dr. Rabbani returned, scraped and polished the surface of my teeth above the gum line in 20 minutes. She told me I would be scheduled for a follow-up appointment to check on the success of her work. What? When I questioned her about the cleaning, she assured me that she had completed a deep cleaning. I have had my teeth deep cleaned before; it's a painful process that required scraping (and caused bleeding) below the gum line and took place in multiple sessions. I have also had standard cleanings, which is exactly what she provided. My teeth were not scaled and planed below the gums. I know the difference between deep and standard cleaning, and I was charged $928 for a regular cleaning. I must expose Great Expressions Dental Centers and these dentists as I was definitely taken advantage of. During one call to the Grosse Pointe office, a staff member looked at my file and read aloud a notation that I had minimal tartar. She also insisted I had no recourse but to attempt to have Dr. Rabbani reverse/refund the charges. I did so to no avail. After persistent calls to GE, I was given a corporate office phone number to call with my complaint. Unfortunately, there appears to be no corporate office, only an unresponsive phone number at which I listened to a recording, left messages, held the line for long periods, and requested call backs. Despite placing over a dozen calls, I have received no response. I'm a senior on a fixed income, so scams like this are particularly hurtful, both financially and emotionally. I understand that my insurance coverages are not what they were when I was working, and I frequently have co-pays for medical procedures. However, to be charged (upfront) for a procedure that was not performed is straight out theft. What happened to me is complete fraud. Do not trust this corporate dental office. Go to an independent dentist with a credible reputation. Get a referral. Pay attention to the reviews! This has been so disheartening, especially because I recently returned to the Detroit area from Alabama where I received excellent medical and dental care. Welcome home. read more
