March 23, 2023
I took my teenage son to the Newcastle Dental Group in Newcastle on December 19, 2022. During this visit, the dentist informed me he had twelve cavities. Now keep in mind that this young man has never had a cavity. His last dental visit was around June 2022 at the Okaloosa County Health Department in Florida. He left with a clean bill of health. We returned to the Newcastle Dental Group on January 23, 2023, to fill one quadrant of the worst cavities highlighted by the dental assistant. Going from zero cavities to twelve cavities in roughly six months would naturally raise a red flag with any concerned parent. My wife and I spoke more about the situation and decided to have a second opinion. We chose to visit Dr. James Cox, D.D.S., in Newcastle. Dr. Cox's finding was documented as locating eight small cavities, four of which were compared to the initial x-rays taken by the Newcastle Dental Group, where he validated the four filled by the Newcastle Dental Group were cavities, and he had four additional cavities totaling eight not twelve. All the cavities are about the size of an ink pen tip. On the 22nd of March, we returned to the Newcastle Dental Group to have the remaining four fillings repaired. I informed the receptionist of Dr. Cox's findings, as he gave us a second opinion on the situation. I gave the receptionist the list of the four teeth that required repair. She gave the list to the dentist while the patient was in the chair. Minutes later, he was escorted back to the waiting room where we were told since we received a second opinion and questioned her diagnosis, "we should take him elsewhere." The hygienist told me the dentist told her she "will not go off of any other dentists' recommendations." Dr. Cox verified the same teeth she did, although he did say four of the teeth, she initially said had cavitied in fact did not have anything wrong with them.
Any medical professional who maintains a reputable practice should, and without question, adhere to a higher ethical standard of conduct and welcome a second opinion from a fellow physician in the same field. This would only strengthen the patient's trust in their current physician. It has become apparent that her ethical values as a licensed medical professional are in question as she attempted physically alter teeth that did not require attention. Additionally, I personally spoke to three individuals. One current employee of the Newcastle Dental Group told me she is a "very aggressive dentist." The expression on her face and the way she said it, as she told me a lot. Clearly, she knew something was going on that was dishonest within that office. Anyone who is looking for a dentist, be very cautious of this provider. read more
