Beware ...
While traveling I experienced tremendous pain and ended up in the ER up in Sedona. I called Smile Max and spoke to a lovely receptionist and explained my pain and that I needed to see someone immediately. She said they could get me in the following day (Saturday) and that "they would fix my problem". My fiancé and I drove straight from Sedona, to Phoenix for my appointment the next day and when we arrived I was told that I owed $65 for the "consultation". I've never paid in advance for an appointment and I was confused by her word "consultation" but I paid. Once I got in the assistant took X-rays and I had to be numbed because the pain was so unbearable (my tooth, not her x-rays).
We waited for Dr. Espinosa. He came i after 20 minutes, looked at my mouth, asked me where it hurt, and then said I had the wrong tooth. He immediately said I needed a root canal and then said they could schedule it for the following Monday. Obviously our visit was over. He walked us out to the reception area and turned us over to the appointment gal.
In order to schedule the appointment they wanted the full amount for the "root canal" close to $1,300.00 ... to which I balked. I've NEVER paid upfront for any procedure at any doctor or dentist, anywhere. Then she said she could hold my appointment for $500.00. I wasn't happy about that either. Finally she agreed the $250.00 would be okay. I made sure that that amount was going to be refundable, because I wanted to think about the next steps, and not be pressured.
Horrible pain, and no solution, is not how I thought I'd leave this office!! Besides I was leaving town on Monday, and was supposed to fly after having a "root canal" earlier that day? Ouch!!!
The next day I decided that it would be best for me to get my tooth looked at by my dentist at home, and so I called to cancel the appointment and get my refund. Thankfully, I did receive my refund, but I had to get firm with the receptionist after she told me it could take a few hours for the gal to call me back and process the refund.
The next day, Sunday, I realized that I paid for my x-rays, taken during the consultation, so I called to have them sent to my dentist in Massachusetts. Of course they'd be happy to send them for a THIRTY FIVE DOLLAR fee. Oy!!!! I have NEVER, in my life, paid to have MY records mailed, or emailed, to another doctor or dentist.
This place is NUTS!
We got in the car, drove back to this office and filled out the paperwork, included all of the information requested and paid the damn $35.00. I was told they would send out the information, to my dentist, in 2 to 3 days!
I have called on several occasions, at different times, and the phones went to an automated system and that they could not take a call. I have left 2 messages specifically asking them to confirm that the records were sent, and when they were sent. And yet, not ONE returned was made to me.
13 days later, they had never sent my x-rays!!!! Today I called the office, this time getting an answer, and Matthew was extremely helpful. He pulled up my records, apologized that they were never sent, and he finally sent them to my dentist and me. It took him 10 minutes to accomplish what the gals told me would take 2 -3 days!!! (Mind you my appointment was last week, but at least I have my x-rays now!)
The business practices here are horrible! It's all glass and glimmer, but underneath the surface, I believe they are scamming people.
By the way, my dentist here is sending me to an oral surgeon, to verify what is going on, because he's not 100% that I do need a root canal. I'll find out more this week. I'm grateful that I trusted my gut, and didn't buy into the pressure tactics here. Just be aware, pay attention to their words, and NEVER pay in advance for a service that you have not received! read more