I recently moved to Colorado and needed immediate dental care for a problematic tooth. Fit to Smile…read moreDental got me in the very next day, which I initially appreciated. I have a severe fear of the dentist and was very upfront about it; despite that, my experience here was nothing short of a nightmare.
1. In-House Insurance & Quoted Costs
* They sold me their in-house insurance (around $300-$400), which was supposed to include two yearly exams/cleanings, x-rays plus discounted rates on additional work.
* I was given a quote for a multi-step procedure to remove and replace my tooth. Everything seemed straightforward at first.
2. Conscious Sedation Fiasco
* Dr. Redfearn strongly recommended "conscious sedation." He prescribed six pills, telling me to take two before the procedure, assuring me I would have "amnesia" and would not remember a thing.
* I paid approximately $300 extra for the sedation alone.
* On the day of the procedure, I followed instructions, but I was fully awake and aware the entire time. When I mentioned this, the dentist crushed two more pills and told me to put them under my tongue. Five minutes later, he proceeded--even though I clearly stated I was not feeling any sedation. It felt rushed, as though he didn't want to disrupt his schedule.
3. Payment Confusion
* They insisted I pay in full before the procedure, giving me no warning until the day they needed payment. I was out of town until the evening. The next morning at the time of procedure, my friend drove me and handed over a sealed envelope with the exact cash amount I had withdrawn from the bank.
* Immediately after the procedure, the receptionist claimed I was over $200 short. This was impossible.
* When I called the next day, they doubled down, saying the manager had also counted and confirmed I was short. Finally, after I insisted they recount and told them I had the bank receipt, they admitted it was a "miscommunication." It felt more like they made a mistake or were trying to take advantage of the situation.
4. Lack of Post-Procedure Support
* I was in significant pain and felt loose stitches. The on-call staffer told me I could either come in within the next hour before they closed or cut the stitches myself with small scissors. That was outrageous advice for a patient who just had a tooth extraction and bone graft.
* I did come back in the next week, and the staff member said it was "healing fine." No real compassion or thorough check-up. She admitted that the follow up instructions they had texted me after I had to call to receive were incorrect and she needed to delete part and that was most likely the reason I had irritation.
5. Gaslighting About Sedation
* At the next follow-up, Dr. Redfearn claimed I was snoring during the procedure, which was an outright lie. His assistant had admitted right after the procedure they were waiting for me to fall asleep but said I never did.
* He even suggested that "sometimes people who weigh a bit more need more medication," but conveniently did not offer more pills before or during the procedure when I clearly stated I was fully alert.
6. Rude Attitude & Hidden Costs
* The staff seemed annoyed and made rude comments about my outfit (a long-sleeve, long-length dress in winter) as I was leaving.
* After initially telling me my in house purchased insurance plan would cover cleanings, I was suddenly handed a bill for $1,100 for a "deep cleaning." While I admit I do most likely need a deep cleaning, this was never mentioned in the original quote or during the first visits. I was taken aback and said I had to think about it. I left and the staff knew I was not pleased.
7. Zero Follow-Up & Record Discrepancies
* I still had stitches in my mouth and never received any follow-up call to check on my healing or schedule the next step in the process.
* When my new dentist asked me to request my records, Fit to Smile Dental avoided my calls for three days. I had to show up in person to obtain them.
* The records did not accurately reflect the procedures, dates, or the sedation issues. It felt completely unprofessional.
Overall, my experience at Fit to Smile Dental under Dr. Trent Redfearn was disturbing and unprofessional. From the botched "conscious sedation" to the payment confusion and rude staff interactions, I felt disrespected and misled every step of the way. I would not recommend this practice to anyone--especially those with dental anxiety--due to their poor communication, questionable billing practices, lack of compassion, and refusal to acknowledge or correct mistakes. I have since found a new dentist who is respectful, transparent, and genuinely concerned for my comfort and well-being.