ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNPROFESSIONAL! DO NOT GO HERE!…read more
This was one of the most frustrating, disrespectful, and unprofessional dental experiences I have ever had. The complete lack of consideration for patients, disregard for informed consent, and hostile behavior from the staff were absolutely unacceptable.
I recently suffered a serious ankle ligament injury and am currently unable to drive or walk without crutches. Despite my condition, I had to ask a friend to drive me to this clinic for a 10:00 AM appointment because I was experiencing a toothache and needed three fillings. I struggled to get there on crutches and explained my situation to the dentist, hoping for at least some basic understanding and compassion.
Instead, I waited THREE HOURS.
Dr. Shah finally appeared around 1:00 PM, only to tell me that she needed to go eat lunch. After making me wait three hours, she couldn't even spare approximately 20 minutes to complete a single filling! Following an eight-minute discussion, she informed me that she would not be performing any of my fillings. She then promised to send a manager to speak with me but completely disappeared. Neither she nor the manager ever came back.
Apparently, the staff's lunch breaks are more important than a patient's time, pain, or medical needs.
After further coordination, another dentist eventually agreed to perform ONE filling. However, what happened next was even more disturbing.
When I got home, I discovered that the dentist had used SILVER AMALGAM WITHOUT EVER DISCUSSING IT WITH ME OR OBTAINING MY INFORMED CONSENT.
I was NEVER informed that silver amalgam would be used. I was NEVER presented with alternative filling materials. I was NEVER given the opportunity to make an informed decision about what would be permanently placed in my tooth.
Silver amalgam is a highly visible metallic filling material, and many patients today prefer tooth-colored composite fillings. Regardless of whether amalgam is an accepted dental material, patients deserve to be informed of their treatment options and given the opportunity to consent before a material is placed in their bodies.
My tooth now has a very noticeable, dark-colored filling that I never knowingly agreed to. This raises serious concerns about the clinic's informed consent practices and professional standards. I intend to have this matter reviewed to determine whether appropriate dental care and informed consent requirements were followed.
AND THE UNPROFESSIONALISM DIDN'T STOP THERE.
When I approached the front desk to request the name of the dentist who had refused to treat me, the two front desk employees refused to provide it. Instead of calmly addressing my concerns, they accused me of interfering with their lunch break, misrepresented the situation, and actually began shouting and arguing with me at the front desk.
I was absolutely shocked. Is this how a healthcare facility treats a patient who has already waited hours, is in pain, and is struggling to walk on crutches?
I left home at 10:00 AM and didn't return until 3:45 PM -- nearly SIX HOURS of my day wasted. During that entire time, I had nothing to eat or drink. All of this for an appointment that was supposed to address three fillings, yet only one was completed, using a material I had never knowingly authorized.
What makes this experience particularly upsetting is the complete absence of empathy, accountability, and respect. I made every effort to attend my appointment despite a painful injury, only to be met with excessive delays, dismissive treatment, unanswered concerns, and outright hostility.
Patients are human beings, not inconveniences. Our time, health, dignity, and right to informed consent matter.
I will be filing formal complaints with Medi-Cal Dental and the Dental Board of California regarding my experience, particularly the lack of informed consent, the treatment delays, and the conduct of the staff.
SAVE YOURSELF THE STRESS, DISRESPECT, AND NIGHTMARE. FIND ANOTHER DENTAL CLINIC THAT ACTUALLY VALUES ITS PATIENTS.