AMAZING Doctor and an even more AMAZING human
I hadn't been to the dentist for about 4 years (tsk tsk, I know, but single mom life means you shift what is "necessary expenses" and that usually means....No Care For You!! Haha! (said in a Seinfeld soup man voice!)
But, due to tooth pain I could no longer avoid it. I visited a dentist in downtown Sacramento (lovely 16th story view from the dentist chair) who promptly shamed me for my lack of dental hygiene and then said she needed to send me to get a root canal before she could do anything else (She literally shook her head in dismay, then caught herself and apologized!!....too late, I see your truth and will NOT help you pay your lease ).
The root canal couldn't be done for Two days (...the receptionist called to book it for me while I stood there holding my face). There was no offer of pain medication or antibiotics. The dentist told me that I would have to return after I was done with the root canal for a crown and she would "try" to save another tooth she didn't think could be saved...
The root canal visit turned into a sales pitch using fear factor verbiage where I was told I would need an ADDITIONAL TWO, aside from the ONE that I was there for (and this is a glimpse into why I had been avoiding the needed visit....I mean, who wants to be in pain, scared and then told that it is going to cost hundreds of dollars to take away the pain...especially when you don't know if you can afford it).
I just nodded and said I'd have to return another time for the unexpected dire services and to please just complete the ONE that I was there for. (I was given a cost of OVER $1,800 dollars!!!---some cost covered by insurance of course, but out of pocket for me would have been approx. $700 for all the "NEEDED" work!)
So, after the procedure I called Dr. Barakat's office to schedule the crown and told the receptionist that I had been told I may need additional root canals. (There was no way I was going back to the other dentist and I had previously been a patient of Dr. Barakat...years ago.....pre-mommy )The receptionist said they would do their own Ex-rays and go from there.
October 31st (what better day to go right!) I find myself sitting in the waiting room mentally preparing myself for the sticker shock.
Dr. Barakat is AMAZING!
First he says he will have to extract one tooth...he couldn't save it. No maybes, just upfront truth. And then he says that I have two CAVITIES that he'll have to fill......NO MENTION of a root canal!!!!....hmmm....
As we're talking, he's having his staff check my remaining coverage for the year and then, based on the info, comes back with a plan of action that will help to SAVE ME MONEY!! (I should mention that I had my 4 year old with me due to unforeseen circumstances and the entire staff were so accommodating and kind!! Even rustled up a balloon that the Doctor filled with his dentist tool)
The game plan was as follows:
-Take antibiotics due to inflammation/gum disease and return November 8th for the extraction. (WOW btw...I visited Two separate dentist and NEITHER one prescribed me anything for the gum disease)
-Return November 14th to remove the extraction stitches and for TWO cavities to be FILLED....no root canal!!hmmmm......
-Then, return January 7th and 8th (new year = restored FULL dental benefits) for crown and deep cleaning.
And now....the heart warming, touch your soul stuff----
While I was so happy with how the visit was panning our...THE MOST MEMORABLE and heartwarming moment for me was when my son and I were leaving and he asked the Doctor,
"hey what's your name?"
And Dr. Barakat knelt down to his level, reached out his hand and said
"my name is John. What is yours sweetheart?"
My heart melted. My son is like any other 4 year old....rambunctious and fidgety and there were a couple of moments during the Ex-ray and oral exam where I was SO embarrassed because he was trying to get into EVERYTHING!! (everyone remained kind and patient, more so than I Hahaha!)
But at the end of the "patience trying ordeal", for Dr. Barakat to kneel down, and with NO arrogance, impatience or annoyance, introduce himself as John, not Doctor or Dr. Barakat....well THAT moment is why you who are reading this review find me here; writing this VERY lengthy one.
I'm happy to report that my return visit for the extraction (w/o the kiddo) was a success and my most recent visit for the cavities filling procedure was smooth and pain free too!! My out of pocket cost was $50.00 dollars!!!! ---That's two cavities (with the pretty white "natural tooth" color) and one wisdom tooth SURGICSextraction (that was NOT wanting to say farewell to my mouth btw!! Haha!!)
In conclusion, I look forward to my new year NEW ME visit for the crown, deep cleaning and radiant smile! And I WILL be more diligent with my regular office visits....all because of Dr. Barakat, a professional and skilled dentist that is a most importantly, a good human read more