We recently realized that Dr. Ferrari's approach to dentistry is far too aggressive for our family…read more I've worked in dentistry (front office) and am familiar with treatment planning, insurance coverage, and how clinical options should be discussed. Unfortunately, our experiences at this practice over the past year have completely eroded my trust in its communication, transparency, and judgment.
1. Sealants on Adults
My husband, who's never had a cavity in 40 years, was told he needed four fillings--and once in the chair, twelve sealants as well. (For anyone counting, that is every single molar and premolar in his mouth.) Sealants aren't covered for adults and cost $76 per tooth here. No printed treatment plan or cost estimate was offered before he was told to sign his consent, only a verbal declaration that fillings were planned before they asked him to sign for it, and then a per-tooth quote on sealants chairside. Had he known the full cost ($500+ out of pocket, followed by another nearly $600 bill when insurance denied the claim), he would never have agreed, especially if given the option to monitor or informed of the next step (fillings, if decay even occurred).
I will note that the office waived the difference between the initially quoted discounted dental insurance rates versus the (nearly double) office rate for half the sealants when I pointed out that they had adjusted our balance upwards when insurance denied it. Still, this was an unnecessary and stressful cost, and we would have much preferred to spend that money elsewhere, on our child's education or activities, or, you know, food.
No one discussed monitoring as an option, despite his spotless dental history. When we raised our concerns, Dr. Ferrari defended the recommendation by saying she and her kids have sealants--without acknowledging that hers were free and her children's were covered.
2. Painful, Rough Fillings
While Dr. Ferrari is excellent at administering anesthesia, she doesn't place her own fillings. Her RDA-EF performs them, and though qualified, the results were rough and uncomfortable. My most recent filling remains sensitive and catches floss--issues I've never had before. Given this and the sudden increase in "needed" work, I now question whether the fillings themselves were even necessary.
3. Poor Follow-Through with Specialist Care
My child was referred to an oral surgeon over a year ago, but follow-up was never addressed despite multiple visits since. Instead, attention was repeatedly redirected to diagnosing fillings (which would require an unfamiliar medication!) that our new dentist later said could safely be monitored. The original surgical concern, however, has since become urgent--something that should have been caught months earlier.
4. Scheduling Inefficiency
Routine recall exams here consistently require two separate visits--one for the cleaning and another for the exam--because the dentist isn't always available. I understand separating appointments for complex cases, but it's unreasonable for standard six-month visits and adds unnecessary hassle and childcare coordination.
5. Hidden Costs and Local Reputation
After leaving the practice, I learned that this office is well known locally for aggressive treatment plans and extra fees. They charge separately for intraoral photos and desensitizers--items typically considered part of standard care--and, in some cases, even added tax. When I mentioned our sealant experience to other dental offices, they immediately knew which practice we'd been referring to. Apparently, we're not the first family to raise these concerns.
Bottom Line
This office tends to over-diagnose, recommend immediate treatment, and charge full office rates for services not covered by insurance--all without providing printed treatment plans or transparent cost discussions. Expect surprise fees for extras like intra-oral photos and desensitizers, and assume insurance won't cover them.
That said, there are a few positives: Dr. Ferrari is genuinely gentle with injections, the office can schedule quickly, and same-day treatment is often available. If you prefer an extremely proactive, "fix everything now" approach and aren't concerned about costs, this practice may suit you.
However, if you value conservative care, transparency, and financial clarity, I'd strongly recommend looking elsewhere--or at least:
1) Ask for a printed treatment plan before signing anything.
2) Request full disclosure of alternatives and costs.
3) Schedule your follow-up cleaning when the dentist is available to do the exam.
I don't think Dr. Ferrari is malicious, just entirely misaligned with our expectations. While her technical skills may work well for some, for us, this experience was costly, stressful, and not a good fit.
