My experience with Dr. Kharmouche's clinic was deeply disappointing--both medically and ethically.
My antibiotic treatment was delayed for five days, despite repeatedly texting Dr. Kharmouche directly and calling the clinic from Wednesday to Friday. I spent the weekend without antibiotics, with an active infection that ruptured on Sunday night. I finally received antibiotics on Monday. Instead of an apology or accountability, the office manager responded in a dismissive tone and showed disbelief.
When inflammation returned, I was not treated as an emergency--even though I texted Dr. Kharmouche explaining that the antibiotics were no longer helping. I endured a second, avoidable round of antibiotics and inflammation that could have been prevented had my symptoms been taken seriously from the beginning. I walked around with active inflammation, waiting for my extractions for three more weeks
After my extractions, I was given a poorly designed flipper. I complained about the discomfort and mismatching relief. Later, I texted the doctor about bleeding under the flipper and received no help--only a delayed response: "Sorry, didn't check the phone during the day." Further complaints about pain, irritation, and redness were dismissed. As a result, I suffered significant gum loss, which ultimately prevented placement of the second implant as originally planned.
My new provider confirmed the flipper was improperly designed and directly contributed to the gum loss--and it took him only a few minutes to recognize what Dr. Kharmouche failed to acknowledge over several months, despite watching me wear it and repeatedly complain about discomfort. I now need additional gum grafting surgery and must wait at least four more months before I can resume implant treatment.
Beyond the clinical issues, I encountered serious ethical concerns. I was misled about my insurance coverage, denied access to treatment estimates and plans despite repeated requests, and faced direct manipulation and dishonesty from the office manager. My insurance claim was sabotaged with poor-quality submissions that delayed reimbursement, and Dr. Kharmouche failed to hold his staff accountable even after being made aware of their conduct.
I trusted this clinic with my care, and that trust was broken.
After repeated mistreatment, I left the clinic and sought post-surgical care elsewhere--but then faced active refusal from Nova Perio to cooperate with me or my new provider:
They left me without any information about when my after surgical stitches needed to be removed, despite knowing I had left the clinic and was seeking care with a new provider.
The refund for a second implant (which I paid for but was never placed) was withheld for nearly two months.
Dr. Kharmouche refused to release the second part of the prepaid implant to my new provider, forcing me to purchase a new one.
The clinic repeatedly sabotaged my insurance reimbursement by submitting unusable x-rays.
Ultimately, I was forced to return and complete the implant with Dr. Kharmouche due to financial reasons. I brought up the ongoing insurance issues and hoped we could resolve everything amicably. I gave Nova Perio a chance to fix it all, and I gave Dr. Kharmouche time to analyze, investigate, and take action. Initially, Dr. Kharmouche promised to complete the implant and address the gum loss. However, my calls and repeated requests for treatment estimates were again ignored.
Every patient deserves responsive care and honest communication. I was denied both.
Dr. Kharmouche did not offer to correct the damage to my gums free of charge or even with a discount. In fact, he shifted the blame, saying: "We offered you a choice between the flipper or aligners--and this is what you chose." He also took no responsibility for the repeated mistreatment I experienced from his staff. Since realizing I could no longer trust this clinic or Dr. Kharmouche with my care, I decided to fix my gum loss elsewhere.
Dr. Kharmouche is both the treating provider and the owner of the clinic, there is no higher authority within the practice to hold him accountable when something goes wrong! read more