Due to a loose tooth that had been treated a few years ago for root canal and had developed two divergent roots, my primary dentist referred me to the dental office of Dr Matthew Clemente located in Troy, a specialist in endodontics in order to have these roots extracted. On a Monday 6 of Jan '25 , I contacted his office requesting an appointment to be sooner than later for which the operator stated that she had to ask the Dr. for a possible next day appointment and confirm. Asked me several times to assure her I had a Benefits Master Card Prepaid Card issued by my Insurance Company. Next day (Tuesday) I received a text for an appointment scheduled for Wednesday 8 of '25.
The day of the appointment was a total disappointment: I presented the referral letter from my primary dentist, the Dr. did not introduce himself, only addressing his assistant for the work to be done based on the x-ray slide. An arrogance and condescending attitude that showed his lack of any level of social skills and lack of any professionalism . Did not listen or answer any questions, nor giving any explanation of the procedure or expectations, and while working on my mouth he kept talking with his assistant on criticizing a recent customer. His only words to me were the shady work from my primary dentist, that I needed lots of work and that I could benefit of his implant specialty.
Upon receiving my bill, I noticed a charge of $ 200.00 for Same Day Appointment Fee. I contested the fee with no avail since the receptionist could not explain its reason. The Rx had been supposedly sent to my pharmacy the same day, however, I had to call them several times for the Rx prescribed as it took 3 days to reach my pharmacy.
Two days later Friday 10 of Jan'25, I contacted their billing dept. on a 3 way telephone call with a representative from my insurance company in order to contest the excessive $ 200.00 charge explaining reasons it had not been a same day appointment, that I was not originally informed of this fee in advance, nor seen it on their website. Billing dept. reply was that had to have Dr. Clemente's decision and would get an answer in a few days. After several calls to seek an answer it took them 6 days to get back to me with a resounding "no refund given". Their reason: it was doctor's policy, and normally the minimum time for an appointment was 6 weeks.
Dr. Matthew Clemente's arrogance, condescending attitude, communication ignorance and total lack of social skills, in addition to taking advantage and abusing of a healthcare payment system not monitored by authorities makes him an undesirable person in the dental profession. read more
