Complaint Review: Artistic Smiles Family Dentistry And Orthodontics Dr. Jonathan Greenburrg

I started visiting Artistic Smiles about 2 years ago and while the front office staff was not very friendly, the dentist was very nice and made me feel comfortable and at ease. I was explained all the fees and I agreed to them, however after I had work done I was charged an extremely expensive amount.  When I asked the front office to double check they assured me that my insurance co. had come back and denied some "cosmetic" work and now I had to pay the difference.  I explained I had a set amount of money set for the work and due to this I now had to place the amount on a credit card (which by the way had a zero balance).

They assured me they would refund me if it turned out wrong.  A couple months went my and while I was on the phone with my insurance co. about another subject, I casually mentioned the incident.  This is when I found out it was not the case and the insurance company had covered all my services.  I was overcharged close to $800 (which is a lot for a student).  I immediately called the dentist office and I was cut off and told this was not true and harshly told me they would look into it and call me back.  They never called me back until about the 2nd message I left and told me they would credit my card back but that the interest charges I incurred would be my responsibility because I need to be responsible with my "stuff".  Not one apology for overcharging me or any type of compensation for my troubles.

A couple months later, I was called for a scheduled cleaning and I explained that I was dissatisfied with my previous experience.  The woman named Jamie assured me that this time this would not happen as they had recently restaffed their entire front office and she had heard similar complaints.  She said she would take care of me as she specialized in working with insurance companies, blah, blah.  Anyway, I stupidly went back because I really liked the dentist.  As many know its difficult to find a good one.  Once I'm in the chair I find out the dentist no longer works there and they have no idea who he is.  Like the other RipOffReport said, he was a third party doctor.  I decided to get a root canal done because by this time it was really hurting me so since I was already there ok.

Again, a few weeks later I called my insurance company to make sure I had paid the correct amount and find out I AGAIN was overcharged close to $400!  This time the front office girl "Jamie" says she cannot credit the amount back she has to request a check which conviniently will take 8 weeks!

I call back after 8 weeks and they tell me the check has not been sent out due to a balance my husband has for previous work he had done.  When I asked why we were never notified she gave me several excuses, none which made sense.  I immediately paid the balance after verifying with my health insurance company and this time used my Health Expense Account.  She assured me that the check would now be sent.  Another 8 weeks pass, no check.  I call back and they say that they are going through a "merger" and no funds are being distributed and they have no idea when they will send out my money.  They also let me know they have several other customers that are in the same position as me!  I keep calling every week for the next 4 weeks until they assure me that a "check" directly from a Dr. Greenburg (supposedly the owner) has been sent. 

I only live 5 miles from the office, yet it took close to 3 weeks to arrive.  When it arrived (mind you, this is now approximately 6 months after the fact) I was on a business trip.  When I got back I took it to the back and it BOUNCED! The account was CLOSED and I was incurred $280 in fees from my bank! I called and they blamed me for not depositing the check immediately upon receipt! I have been calling everday this week only to be given excuse after excuse.  Just like the other RipOff Report, it seems like Dr. Greenburg is always outta town until next week.  If you check the Better Business Bureau they have a FAIL rating.  To this day, I have not received an apology or been offered to compensate me for anything.  I will let everyone I know about my horrible experience and advise everyone NOT to go there! I am not one to make a fuss obviously since this has gone on so long and have been very patient.  So for me to take the time to create an account here, really says a lot about how dissatisfied and horrified I am that this type of establishment exists in Santa Clarita.

The following is a minor complaint but worth mentioning. They also advertise on their website that they will give you 2 movie tix for referrals.  I referred at least 3 people and never received anything even after letting them know.l