I want to share my experience in a fair and balanced way. While my overall visit did not leave me…read morefeeling comfortable enough to return, this review is not meant to tarnish the office or its providers. I understand that there are many moving parts that go into a patient feeling heard and comfortable, and sometimes things don't land the way they're intended.
To begin, I'd like to highlight the dental assistant, Melecia, who completed my comprehensive imaging and blood pressure and made a wonderful first impression with her warm, patient, and attentive approach. She also made genuine conversation, which helped personalize my experience and put me at ease.
Unfortunately, there was confusion regarding the purpose of my appointment. I had scheduled what I believed to be a cleaning with the hygienist, but the visit turned out to be an establishing appointment only. This was not clearly explained beforehand or during the visit. I later learned that a full assessment is required prior to scheduling a cleaning, which I understand; however, this could have been communicated more effectively. Had I known, I would have attempted to schedule both appointments on the same day, but that was not presented as an option. The lack of clarity left me feeling uneasy, created a feeling of mistrust and uncertainty about the office's priorities--I questioned whether quantity was prioritized over quality.
When I expressed my frustration, I felt my concerns were not fully acknowledged. The interactions with the providers created discomfort, and my concerns appeared to be passed along to other providers (Dentist to Hygienist) rather than addressed directly, which ultimately led me to request my imaging and recommendations to continue care elsewhere.
Once a negative interaction occurs, timely acknowledgment and follow-up can make a significant difference in restoring patient comfort. While I have decided to seek care at another office, I hope this feedback helps improve communication for future patients. I do want to give credit where it's due -- Melecia was exceptional, and I also appreciate the office manager, Tami T., who took the time to speak with me afterward to understand my experience and potentially resolve the situation. That effort did not go unnoticed.
As someone who advocates for patients professionally, I believe it's important for patients to feel empowered to direct their own care, choose providers thoughtfully, and seek environments where they feel both heard and respected.
