My daughter had her four wisdom teeth out this week. In an age where oral health providers take every possible precaution to make procedures smooth and pain-free, Dr. Doner's attitude was cavalier to the point of cruelty. My daughter actually woke up during the procedure, was thrashing, kicking and crying (her eyes were bloodshot red) but they did nothing to sedate her, give her a break, ask her what they could do. Just another Novocaine shot for "the pressure". She even overheard them talking about her being a bad patient. When I complained afterwards he spoke of her suffering as what happens to "the patient," even though she was sitting right there next to us. read more

I've gone back and forth a lot whether to write a review of this doctor. But as he is close to/past retirement age I believe I have to if only to spare other people what I was put through here, and this is the most anonymous way for me to do so. Besides this he already has lackluster reviews on Health Grades, and I think I have grounds to file a malpractice complaint but will not do so. Essentially, he is very old school. He is UPenn grad and clearly knows what he is doing, but his "bedside manor" or lack thereof leaves a lot to be desired. And especially when it came to explaining the anesthetic he would use. Terms like "in this day and age", "conscious sedation" "quicker down time" were thrown around. I am not sure if I was even given the choice of full anesthesia, but regardless I was at least pointed strongly in the direction he went for. And as you might imagine by now, "twilight" was definitely not the adjective to describe my experience. I felt nearly everything, could hear him communicating with the nurse and more or less everything else. But I was incapable of saying anything or even signalling for help. It hadn't even occurred to me until much later that I could have moved my feet as I was certainly sedated- but obviously not enough. EVEN AFTER THIS I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, and that this was only because he was/is old school and yes, the recovery was quicker than average. I went back a week later to get me sutures removed, and after some friendly small talk he left to have an assistant/nurse explain the syringe provided to me for food stuck in potential gaps. Their explanation boiled down to "if you get food stuck, use this." Not a word on how much water pressure to use or how to angle it in my mouth, but at the time I didn't think I needed such information. Fast forward two days and a piece of bread is stuck in a gap. I use the syringe as I was (minimally) instructed to do so. I use a little too much pressure and blood comes out. The next day my saliva tastes funny and it's clear this was infected. I leave a message with the doctor and he calls back in a few hours. Nobody told him about what I said in the message, but not too surprised there. He is very helpful with this issue, but the next day something ELSE gets stuck in there, and by that point when I call him back I am just a burden to him as he is getting no additional payment. I ask his advice to see a doctor near me as I have left for school. He insists I drive back and see him. But of course he can't schedule me the next day as he'll be in the city all day for surgery. After pleading my case long enough and emphasizing that even he said the issue was fairly mild, he is generous enough to name a practice near me that MAY take me. After this point though, enough is enough and I Google a practice near me that was actually extremely helpful and actually took the time to explain my post-op care. What it comes down to is that he is still in the pre-Internet mindset that patients are essentially stuck with crappy care and can't find other providers that meet their needs, or even post a review like this.And for someone who likely makes a generous living off of wisdom teeth surgeries, a little generational sensitivity and better communication could go a long way. read more

To start, if I could give zero stars, I would. My wife was scheduled to have 3 wisdom teeth removed. During the procedure, she was given anesthesia that DID NOT work properly. SHE FELT EVERYTHING! I heard her crying loudly from the waiting room, mid-procedure. When I confronted the doctor about the crying, he said that is how some people react to when their coming off of anesthesia. However, that was 10 MINUTES before he came out to tell me that she was finished. Which means, he knew she was in pain, and LIED to me about it. The nurse who was in the room was rude to both me and my wife after the procedure, indicating that she would NOT remember what was discussed, and that she DID NOT feel anything. Yet, she was able to recant everything to me afterwards, and sure as ever FELT the PAIN during the procedure. When she went back to the doctor, and told him everything, he said that he would NOT refund our money that we spent on anesthesia (over $1000), because she signed off on a line that stated she might feel pain. May feel pain? Maybe that should be more clearly stated to patients before the doctor starts, because she was nervous and riddled with anxiety. How exactly was she supposed to know what that meant? She was also immobilized due to the anesthesia, and could NOT tell the doctor that she was in excruciating pain. She has NEVER had anesthesia before, and told him this. So, we basically paid for her to be put through excruciating pain, and he will NOT do anything to compensate us. Additionally, he did NOT use dis-solvable stitches, so she has to go back to him TWICE! Once for removal, and now AGAIN to have something else taken out. Now, she to miss two days of work, which she will NOT be compensated for. I had my wisdom teeth taken out (years ago), and never had to go back to the doctor, or experienced any of this! I cannot say it enough, DO NOT go to this oral surgeon! I usually do not complain, or write reviews, but I need to warn whomever I can. read more