Gentle Dental Reviews

After my first visit, I went in Nov and today. In Nov, I declined the extra add-ons (I can't remember the cost but it was around $100). I only wanted what my insurance covered. They didn't say that it was an issue or that I required any of this next visit. I had flossed every day since my first appointment here. I told the hygienist I was really proud I flossed every day. She told me I wasn't doing it right and needed to bring it across the entire tooth. She proceeded to try to sell me on braces again the entire cleaning. She told me if I had straighter teeth, I would be "so pretty". I didn't really care, because she cleans so well. I can see this really hurting someone's confidence though, so I wasn't very happy about the way she was talking to me. I still scheduled another appointment. I figured I can just tune out the braces pitch as long as I am getting clean teeth.

Today (Aug), I again declined the extra add-ons ($163). After xrays, the same hygienist came in and asked if I had any concerns. I said I wanted to see if my insurance would cover a night guard (I get them made with Pro Teeth Guard at the moment since it's cheaper). She wanted to see my bite. She aggressively told me "You need braces". I wasn't in the mood to do the braces song and dance, so I told her "you always tell me I need them and I am always going to tell you no, I don't want them". She said why not. I said I cannot afford them. She told me I needed them. I told her I am almost 40 and I do not want them and cannot afford them. She was visibly angry/irritated. She briefly looked at my teeth, jammed my gums with the measuring device (it hurt), and then told me I have two cavities. I have never had a cavity in my adult life. I have been brushing and flossing regularly.

When I saw her in Nov she made no mention of signs of cavities. Today, she vaguely pointed to my cheek and said I have a cavity there and one in the front which she didn't point out at all. She brought up the x-rays saying I had inflammation under my gums. She didn't show me where on the x-rays. She told me I needed irrigation. I told her I only wanted to do the standard cleaning insurance covers. I always get a second opinion on any major dental work. She said she'd go talk to the doctor. I waited.

The insurance lady came in and explained the cost. I told her I declined it and only wanted standard cleaning. She told me I cannot do a cleaning without the $163 add-ons. We went back and forth, but the result was they refused to give me cleaning service without paying additional because my "gums are inflamed". I am going to get a second opinion from a dentist that I trust. They don't take my insurance so it costs a lot, but I rather put that money into someone I know isn't trying to upsell me or going to act angry if I decline a luxury service like braces.

From the start, the dental hygienist was very pushy but she acted nice the first two appointments. She did look unhappy when I declined in November, but this time she was very rude and trying to bully me. I can't imagine how she treats people who are less likely to stand up for themselves. I am sure many people just assume they have to pay their grifter upsell costs to even get their teeth cleaned, so I am sure they have ripped off many clients. You shouldn't be required to pay this extra fee, especially when you have healthy teeth/gums. I wasted time off from work thinking I would have my teeth cleaned. I will have to find a new dentist after this experience.

I do not recommend going here unless you have good insurance. If you end up going here just expect the hygienist to constantly try to upsell you on braces and other minor treatments. I am extremely disappointed with this experience. Good dentist are very hard to find when you have basic insurance, so just protect yourself from getting grifted. Places like these do this all the time. Most people do not get a second opinion on major dental work or are easy to push into things/spending more money and places like this know that.

Months later after my partials were finished I received a bill from Gentle Dental saying I still owed them $626.46 because my insurance would not pay for the procedure. So why did they tell me what my portion would be and what my insurance would pay when I first asked about the price of partials? My only income is Social Security and I do have a retirement fund. I normally am very careful about my budget and have good credit because I pay my bills. Now I find I owe $626.46 which I did not budget for. Gentle Dental is not an honest business. Do yourself a favor and look for another dental business to deal with. I believe Gentle Dental is unethical and they should write off what they told me my insurance would cover.

When I contacted them, the SAME woman, said it must have been someone else that I talked to.. Nope, same woman. It was at THIS POINT, the manager said "I am going to be brutally honest with you. This office has been through 9 dentists, in the last three years. We now have one dentist one day, twice a month. I don't know whether that's from the main office, or what." You folks better read that. So, last week one of the remaining teeth broke off, on Thursday, and put me in a ton of pain. I called them Friday, and said I need to either come in, or get some pain medication. I was told the manager would call the Dr., get it OK'd and call me back... Nope.

So, I called Saturday, and left a message about courtesy, and respect for clientele. So, they left me, in agony, over the weekend, for what? This morning I get a call from the manager and let her have both barrels. Yes, I was pretty nasty, with her. She MORE than deserved it. I told her that according to their "plan" I should have been done several months ago, and that they had driven so far off the trail that even they had no idea of where they are or what to do.. I also let her know that I do not have the time, disposition, or patience to put up with phony lip-service, and a diet of horse manure. I told her she is lucky I don't come into the office and absolutely humiliate her, in front of clients. I may yet. So, I told her to have a plan in order and call me by noon, today with it. There's more, but let me tell you: beware of this outfit. Deadbeat company.