I scheduled an appointment, as a new patient, for a cleaning and repair of a broken tooth. I was assured that if I arrived early, this could be done in one visit. I arrived early, and immediately the confusion began. They gave me a clip board of papers which gave them permission to use my pictures and likeness in any manner they chose, which I declined. Then, they said they weren't aware of my request for a cleaning. I was told comments like "all I know about is the broken tooth and that's what we're going to focus on that today" by one assistant who took pics in one room. Then, a second assistant, the dentist's assistant took me to another room where she checked my mouth. Immediately, she put her finger to her nose and stated that I had halitosis that was due to periodontal disease. I explained that I had eaten fish and a salad an hour before the appointment and thought brushing and flossing was enough. But she insisted that it was halitosis due to periodontal disease which had a distinctive smell, and I would need more than a regular cleaning. She said she suspects that I had "a lot going on in there" as she held her finger to her nose. I then explained that I had been seeing an orthodontist regularly for my Invisalign treatments and she belittled that. Then, she said that she could not give medical advice. She continued by stating that she was the "buffer" who explains the costs to patients. Though she said they didn't know what my insurance would cover, she said a crown on my broken tooth would be about $1,600, leaving me with $800 to pay out of pocket, not including the cost to build the tooth. Then, she said it would take several appointments before I could get my teeth cleaned. I asked for an explanation why, which clearly annoyed her. Next, the dentist entered the room and immediately stuck the numbing needle in my mouth. I asked him what was going to occur (since he hadn't examined my mouth), and he sarcastically said that he was there to fix a tooth. I explained again, that I didn't understand why I was not receiving a cleaning as promised, nor did I understand why they were projecting so many appointments based upon what an assistant said (the dentist listened to what the assistant recommended without checking for himself or taking full x-Rays of my mouth. At this point, I had been in their office 1 hour and 20 minutes, yet they were telling me that my questions, left no time for him to fix my tooth, though I was told that they were behind schedule when I arrived 20 minutes early for my appointment. He said they had other patients. Both he and she took very aggressive tones with me: huffing and rolling their eyes as I stated my disbelief that I suddenly had so many things wrong with my mouth though I see an orthodontist regularly, and my confusion about their process (being shuffled between so many people). I told them I felt uncomfortable, as I sat between them. He said he did not have to take this from me. He did agree that they would not charge me, after I told him that I was not ok with being charged. They also didn't bother to tell me that they were "out-of-network" with Aetna PPO, which means I would have to pay more out of pocket. Needless to say, I scheduled an appointment with one of "Baltimore's Best Dentists" the next day. They said that no dentist would treat me for Invisalign with periodontal disease. I don't have periodontal disease or halitosis. They said my teeth and gums were in great shape considering I hadn't had regular cleanings. And, the small break in my tooth was no emergency either. They are going to temporarily fill it, as my Orthodontist recommended, and repair it permanently when I finish my Invisalign treatment. Everything was done in one hour, the dentist checked my teeth, and they are in-network (they explained the difference). Avoid these blood suckers! All they want is money! read more