I have been going to Latah Creek Family Dentistry on Cheney Spokane Road for about 10 years, and my…read morehusband, daughter, and parents have all been patients there as well. During that time, Dr. Kerst has always treated my family with kindness and made us feel comfortable and cared for. My parents have been especially well taken care of by Dr. Kerst over the years, and my husband has also received wonderful care from him. This has truly felt like a family dental practice to us.
I have had many dental issues over the years, and I have walked into his office embarrassed and anxious, only to have Dr. Kerst make me feel calm, respected, and cared for. That has meant a great deal to me.
My daughter was born with congenitally missing teeth, and Dr. Kerst has taken beautiful care of her throughout all these years as well. One of the things I have always appreciated most about Latah Creek is that it felt like a family practice. We were never treated like a number. We felt like people who were known and cared about.
Unfortunately, what happened on August 11,2026, completely changed that for me.
My daughter, who is a college student, went in to have cavities treated. My husband and I were both working, and the office required her to pay $800--approximately half of the bill--before she could leave. I am listed as the guarantor and responsible party in their system. When my daughter called me afterward, she was extremely upset and crying, I felt so bad she was in this situation, I called my husband in tears, he works out of town and the last thing he wants to hear is that both of his girls are in tears because of a dentist office that we have trusted for years, the payment was taken from her account, essentially draining the money she had available as a college student. She said she felt like she was being detained. I know it's so hard to do any paperwork when you've been in the Dental chair and you're numb, that definitely made everything even worse. Those are the moments we need the most care when we're a little out of it.
I was honestly shocked and heartbroken. After 10 years of being a patient and bringing my family there, I never expected my daughter to be put in that position. Regardless of the office's billing policies, I believe there was a much more compassionate way to handle the situation, especially when the responsible party was already on file.
I want to make it clear that this is not a reflection of Dr. Kerst. He has always made me feel safe and comfortable, and he has taken wonderful care of my entire family. That is a huge reason this situation is so upsetting. Naomi and Tuesday at the front desk have also always been kind to us.
Unfortunately, my experience with Audrey Collins at the front desk has damaged the trust I had in this practice. My daughter will not be returning, and I am honestly unsure whether I will continue as a patient myself. Finding a new dentist is a very difficult step for me because of how comfortable Dr. Kerst has made me feel over the years.
I am leaving this review because I hope the practice understands how much one interaction can affect a relationship that took 10 years to build. I truly hope this situation is addressed, because I have always valued the care, compassion, and family feeling that Latah Creek Dentistry provided to my family.