First, I would like to say that my daughter has been a patient of the Syosset location office for several years. We think Dr. Michele, Dr. Dan and Lisa (hygienist) are excellent at what they do. We are repeat customers because of the good relationship my daughter has with them and level of care my daughter has been provided by them. This is not a poor review for their dental services at all.
This is a review strictly of the front desk experience only. I did call and make a complaint yesterday, but after reading some of the reviews posted here, I was hoping maybe Dr. Michele would see this herself and better educate the desk staff in the Syosset office on customer relation skills.
My daughter was scheduled for an appointment yesterday morning for a routine cleaning only. My family lives roughly 50 minutes from this office. We travel there because of the level of care, and that they are close to my daughter's school. This dental practice also comes in to give dental education to the younger children at our school. We like to keep giving business to someone who they have a working relationship with.
Because of traffic and our distance away from the office we were legitimately 15 minutes late for our appointment. I make no dispute of that. I did try to call them to make them aware but could not get through. However, on my last visit to the office we had to wait in the waiting area for over an hour. I didn't think we would be turned away for 15 minutes, so we continued to drive to the office. Often, we have wait times at the office and we understand sometimes things can happen. I would have liked it if we were met with the same understanding. Instead, we encountered a combative front desk employee by the name of Caitlin C.
From the moment we walked in Caitlin was not nice. She rudely jumped on us the second we walked in the door. Told us we were late, absolutely could not been seen today period. I told her that often we wait in the lobby, last time we waited for an hour, and I come from a far distance. I said I was sorry for the delay but would have appreciated a call. She said she did try to call. I said I have nothing from you. I showed her my phone. She dismissed me basically.
Then I told her I had been sending an email to an employee who used to help me with back-to-school dental forms. I was looking for the form back at this visit. She insinuated I was a liar and said the person I was looking for is not an employee of Kiddsmiles. Then proceeds to tell me that she herself has been there 5 months and would know. I found this unbelievable. I guess it never occurred to her there could be employees who just don't work there anymore. I actually had to go through my phone to show her a prior email exchange to prove that this employee did exist and asked if there was anyone who gets these emails now that she is gone. Caitlin dismissed that too, and just told me to forward to her email which I did. She filled out my form on the spot. I ended up making a new appointment for a later date and left.
When I got into the car, I couldn't believe the exchange that had just happened. Mind you, I have my daughter with me standing right there listening to this entire thing as well as, any other patients. I honestly left feeling like a criminal. The way she received us at that desk was terrible. If we couldn't be seen, then I understand that. But don't pretend to call patients and then insinuate they are liars.
I really feel a front desk customer service type position is not the right fit for Caitlin and she should probably find a line of employment she is happier with. She is the first encounter when a patient walks in the door. That is a big deal. If it was not for the dental care my daughter receives at the Syosset location this front desk encounter would make me not want to come back. read more