Complaint Review: Gentle Dental

A member of my family went to this business on short notice due to a broken tooth. The appointment lady on the phone demanded the patient's social security number to make an appointment. When she did not get it she stated it was company policy and kept trying to pressure me into providing the social security number. I continued to refuse to give it knowing they did not need it. With all of the identity theft going on I am really concerned about providing it to anybody. Even with dental insurance that their office accepts, she insisted she would not bill the insurance without the social security number. The insurance company does not use that number for identification. Finally she relented and made the appointment.

The patient was told she needed a crown. A temporary was put in to last until the crown was ready. Temporary fell apart within two days.

Before the next appointment to get the crown installed, the office called and said to be sure to bring cash for paying the entire bill. The business accepts VISA but the lady insisted cash was required unless provided with social security number! She still did not get the social security number and finally relented, saying they were making a "special exception."

The patient went to get the crown put in when it was ready. The dental assistant made insulting and demeaning comments and was extremely rude throughout the entire visit. The dentist installed crown and was told not do grind one tooth, to adjust the crown instead. She understood the concern and did not grind it. The dentist stepped out and the rude assistant came and started grinding the tooth anyhow. Then the assistant grabbed and tried to extract the crown that the dentist had just installed!

Needless to say, my family will never return to that office. I have never heard of anybody being treated so badly at a professional office.

Jim
Vancouver, Washington
U.S.A.