I'm a new patient here within the past year and have had 2 cleanings and 2 emergency visits. Have loved them and recommended them to everyone until the most recent trip. I broke a tooth and they got me in right away but UPON ARRIVAL told me they'd have to charge me a $23 inflation charge on top of any service. Tooth requires a filling they didn't have time to do so, of course, you have to come back to pay a 2nd inflation charge.
Got to the checkout to make the appointment and they can't get me in to fix my tooth for 8 days!!! And that $23 fee? It's if you see a hygienist. The fee for seeing the dentist is $49 per visit!!!
I refused to pay it because they didn't tell me in advance not even when I made the appointment. No voicemails, no letters sent out like a proper business would do. I was so mad I almost blacked out, heh, so I forget what they said my estimated costs for the repair were but it was like $100...$50 something for the portion not covered by insurance and the $49.
Inflation fee??? C'mon...we're all hit hard by the economy right now and making our own budget adjustments to survive. Perhaps letting go one of the angry office women would help theirs.
I've called around and no other dentist is doing this. The kicker was 3 things:
1) Gal at the front desk lied when she said I knew about the fee beforehand because she called me the day before. Uh, no don't think so, honey. Showed her my call log and reminded her I made the appointment just the previous day and she never mentioned it. She then said "well, we try to let everyone know in advance".
2) They try to make it sound like they're saving you money by charging you this fee because otherwise they would have to go out of network with every insurance company which would result in their services costing me more money so it's a "savings". Please don't insult me. As if customers don't have the right to take their business elsewhere.
3) The unpleasant woman checking me out was so rude about the whole issue so I asked to speak to an office manager, owner, etc. Out walks the dourest faced woman of them all stating she is the business manager asking what she can do. I let her know the fee was not communicated prior to my visit so I wouldn't be paying it. Told her they should have been more forthright about the fee actually being $23 and not $49. Told her I was not happy they couldn't fix my tooth that day and certainly not happy it would be 8 days before they could. She straight faced looks at me and said "So what do you want? I'm not going to stand here and argue this with you all day".
Nothing. I want nothing from this office ever again which is a real shame and hurts me deeply because I love Dr. Ollom and will really miss my hygienist, Holly. She made getting my teeth cleaned a real treat. The tech I saw yesterday was also fabulous beyond belief and I feel bad I forget her name but she's worth a mention here too.
Clinical staff - 5 stars, some of the best around
Availability of appointments - 0 stars
Friendliness of office staff & billing policies - Will make you so mad your blood pressure will go high enough to make you see a thousand stars. read more