If you like a dental practice who is deceptive, performs unnecessary testing and x-rays, uses fear tactics and pressure to get you to consent to procedures you don't need, and if you never ask any questions, then Olathe South Dentistry is the place for you.
My bad experience started before I even had my first appointment. There were red flags there I should not have ignored. I moved a few months ago and was looking to establish a new dentist here. I am a senior woman who has good oral health, all of her teeth, and only two amalgam fillings (one when a teenager and another in my early twenties.)
Knowing my insurance would cover a cleaning and bite-wing x-rays (with an in-network dentist) I was hoping I could get that done in December with only a few business days available, and get a new dentist established. I thought I would give it a try. The first red flag (in retrospect) was that they could get me in right away.
I did first look at reviews online, and Olathe South Dentistry has good reviews on Yelp, Google, and their Facebook page.
The next red flag was when I walked in to ask about insurance and costs. Next year my dental plan will be different, and I was asking how much a cleaning would cost if I paid out of pocket. Also, how much for bite-wing x-rays and exam by the doctor. They would never tell me. Our conversation circled around and around, them saying they would run it through insurance first, as that would provide a discount. And I kept telling them that my insurance next year will not have dental coverage. However, I could pay a fee upfront (maybe $119.00) and then get a discount on cleanings and other work. But I could never get an answer to a simple question of how much does it cost to get my teeth cleaned.
***Next red flag. Even though my mouth does not show any indication of gum disease or inflammation, they insisted I take their free saliva test. They assured me it wouldn't cost anything.They showed me a print out page with lots of colors and all the vital organs telling me that the inflammation would basically destroy my body, and insisted I get, right then and there, some kind of laser treatment to kill the bacteria under the gum. I declined.
As it turns out, they did bill that to my insurance, and insurance denied it. It required a three way call with my insurance company, me, and the dental office.
*** In addition to the bite-wing x-rays and panoramic x-rays, they took a Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). When I commented I'd never seen a panoramic x-ray where one has to stand up...no one clarified and explained to me that this was a different and additional procedure. Which I didn't need. I came in for a cleaning. I only learned what it was when I looked at the coding used for the excessive billing.
(The CBCT provides detailed 3D images of teeth, bones, soft tissues, and nerve paths in the head and neck, primarily used in dentistry for precise treatment planning in areas like dental implants, orthodontics, oral surgery (impacted teeth, jaw tumors), root canals, TMJ issues, and airway analysis for sleep apnea, offering higher accuracy than traditional X-rays with lower radiation.)
***Next red flag: I was told that the crack by one of the fillings (that I've had for over a decade) was full of bacteria and needed an immediate CROWN before all the root was gone. They make the crowns on location and can do it THE VERY SAME DAY! I told them I would think about it, and I made the mistake of making an appointment in a couple of days to come back and have the crown done. But they don't like when patients ask questions. I simply asked what was going to be done in my mouth, what to expect, and if a rubber dam would be used since they would be drilling into an amalgam filling.
I was told no rubber dam would be used, it wasn't necessary, that the amount of mercury was totally harmless. She went and got another dentist, and I was told, as I'm laying back in the dental chair: "We see red flags with you. Just like you need to feel comfortable with your dentist, we need to feel comfortable with you. And we don't feel comfortable, so you'll have to find another dentist". That was followed up by a letter delivered by FED EX terminating our "relationship".
I did call my previous dentist to ask her opinion, and the first thing she asked was "Is the (cracked) tooth bothering you?" I said "no". She went on to say she had the benefit of knowing my mouth and teeth for over a decade, and she said unless I wanted to be proactive, there was no reason to have a crown. read more
