I am a senior citizen and I believe that Universal Dentistry is a scam; and I will demonstrate how they operate.
Universal Dentistry provides a form that I filled out stating why I was there for services. I clearly stated that I was there for repair of three fillings and a cleaning. This was not done.
Gregory Smith, Manager, spent quite a bit of time talking to me while I waited in the dental chair thinking that I was going to have the work that I requested done. He was very affable; he gave the impression that he was keeping me company while I waited for the dentist, Brian Guentter (about a half an hour). In hindsight, this was a sales pitch tactic). In the meantime, he said the assistant would take me for x-rays. I told him that I did not want to have x-rays, especially since it was a short time ago that I had x-rays from my regular dentist; I was concerned about too much radiation exposure. Mr. Smith said that today's x-rays are harmless. Then why do they place the radiation proof cover on people and the technician leaves the room. Mr. Smith said that no dentist would consider working on a patient without an x-ray. Thinking that they were going to do the work that I requested, I warily agreed.
After the dentist examination, Mr. Smith came in and explained the work that needed to be done. Additionally, the dentist did not even notice the damaged filling in my last upper left molar, which is part of the reason that I went there. I had to show him. I told Mr. Smith that the dentist missed this.
Keep in mind that the form that I filled out stated that payment is required up-front for my repairs and cleaning. Mr. Smith did not even mention the work that I requested and the reason I was there. Instead he showed me the work that they said needed to be done. I requested a copy of the description of dental work that was presented to me and total cost up-front of over $6,000 that they said I needed. They would not provide it.
They wanted to do several implants, crowns and fillings. They firmly steered me away from repairing my two front teeth with dental filling which is what I wanted, saying that this would not last and I would again need to have the two teeth repaired; that I needed implants (which was very costly). I asked if I could just get crowns because that was a bit cheaper. Mr. Smith went into his sales pitch as if I was purchasing a car; starting with the most expensive work first and upon my distress of the cost, he went down a check list to lower the cost. As I looked at the description and cost and dental work needed, I became confused and overwhelmed.
As we all know, dentists are expensive. Thus, that is why I tried Universal Dentistry. When I finally went to my regular dentist who I have been going to for many years, she advised me that my two front teeth could not be crowned because my teeth were too thin due to age; there is not enough tooth to place a crown. The other option would be implants, but she would need to remove some of my gum below the gum line where there is bone and this is extremely costly. My dentist did not recommend either of these options. She repaired my two front teeth with state-of-the art material and corrected the problem, which is what I wanted in the first place. And she repaired my molar. No other work was needed. The bill was $550. I did not tell her that I had gone to Universal Dentistry.
I am 74 years old and I feel that I was taken advantage of by their methods of operation. Clearly, Mr. Smith's role was to pitch as much work as possible. I was so flustered that I said that I needed to think about it. I was so overwhelmed that I paid the $160. I just wanted to get out of there.
As an aside, when I told my friend about the scam that Universal Dentistry played on me, she told me that her sister, who is 83 years old, went there a year ago and was talked into paying up-front over $20,000 of repair and implants. She is still going to them to finish the work and she has trouble with pain and eating after all that time. She still has stitches in her mouth. She said that she would never have agreed to this work if she knew this but she had already paid for it up-front. I ask you, why would someone 83 years old need all those implants? I believe that they took advantage of her. And they surely tried to do the same to me.
Additionally, I am a highly principled woman. I will stand-up to abuse and injustice. I firmly believe that Universal Dentistry takes advantage of senior citizens. I believe that the American Civil Liberties Union will be very interested in the practices of Universal Dentistry.
Kathleen T. Jackman
Horsham, PA 19044 read more
