Based on previous yelps I expected a 5 star experience at the Sherman Way Dental Group. I'm tentatively putting down 1 stars as Yelp's criteria describes it as "Eek! Methinks not" but I will update this review when all is said and done.
I'll start by saying that my dental insurance no longer covers the services from my long-time preferred dentist but instead offers the Sherman Way Dental Group as one of their providers.
OK... change is good, right? In an effort to roll with it, I chose to go with Dr. Wahba based on the reviews here and seen elsewhere on the Internet. With such glowing "yelps" it seemed worth a try. Plus I liked the fact that his offices are super conveniently located.
An issue arose when I first tried to set up an appointment as I was told I was not in their office's system. I have a "proof of insured" card from my insurance dated since July that said indeed I was in the system, so we (the receptionist and I) were both a bit puzzled.
It turned out to be a simple enough fix as I got my insurance to fax over the paperwork directly to Wahba's offices. After that the receptionist found my file in their records and explained that she had written down my name wrong.
Fair enough...no problem. But as I found out in a later fumble the front office seems to be confused and that may be because their seems to be two receptionists: one for the morning and one for the afternoon so apparently they may be getting their communications crossed.
Dr. Wahba himself is pretty affable as described in other reviews. But I think a little bit overrated. Since it's my first time working with him he wanted to see full x-rays of my teeth. My former dentist had a full mouth series done earlier this summer. They included 18 intraoral films comprising 4 bite wing films and 14 periapical.
It's worth noting that my insurance only covers a full mouth series of x-rays once every 3 years and 4 bite wings once annually. I procured the x-rays from my old dentist and provided them to Dr. Wahba upon my first visit.
Much to my dismay Wahba wanted to take another set of 4 bite wing x-rays although I'm not really sure why since the ones he was given were only 15 weeks old. I mean, they're practically still a kitten!
Anyway, I was uncomfortable with doing another set of x-rays this year on two counts: re-exposure to harmful radiation and the fact that my insurance wasn't going to cover it for the second time in a year so it was going to be expensive. Needless to say I declined.
(FWIW, it's wise for all patients to know the limitations or restrictions of their dental benefits plan. To control their own costs, some insurance plans limit reimbursement to a single type of radiographic survey. Take it from me: read your policy).
After declining another x-ray, Wahba that rolled with it and said it was OK. Following a brief examination he said my teeth were looking good and that for the time being all I would require was a cleaning with his hygienist.
Excellent! When I booked this first examination with Wahba I also booked a follow-up for a cleaning with a hygienist a few days later. However somehow that appointment got lost. My second appointment for a teeth cleaning is not in their records. Now it's turning into a bit of an issue, as they don't have appointments available for at least six weeks.
Six weeks? Really? I'm not impressed. My former dentist had several hygienists on staff every day, not just one that's available every other Thursday. Seeing as the Sherman Way Dental Group has two receptionists and four dentists, I'm left to wonder why they don't have more than one hygienist on staff? It would be better to accommodate patients for necessary cleanings rather than attempt to subject them to another round of unnecessary radiation. But then, perhaps that just me.
At any rate, one yelper said they LOVED Dr. Wahba's hygienist and that the teeth cleaning was the best part of their whole experience so as soon as I finally get in to see him/her I'll let ya know how it goes and may update my review accordingly. Hopefully my appointment will be sooner than later and hopefully it won't get lost. read more