Complaint Review: Western Dental - Vacaville California

My wife went into Western Dental in great pain.  At the time we did not have any insurance and she needed a root canal.  We went into Western Dental and paid some money up front for services and received a payment plan for the rest (services that were to come later...we paid for this visit)

My wife went in for the root canal and when she came out, she was literally crying and in great pain.  I did not really think much of it, because it was, afterall, a root canal.  By the time we got home, the pain was so bad that she threw up and her jaw was swollen twice its size.  I called Western Dental and explained what was happening and the first thing the person on the other end of the phone did was barraid me for pushing 1 on the phone for new appointments.  Fianlly I got through to another person who asked if we could come back in and we did.  At that time, they had the Dr give her a perscription for pain.

After several weeks of pain and complaining (jaw still slightly swollen), they finally brought her back in.  The SAME Dr. took a look at her, did x-rays and basically said he didn't know why she was back, everything was fine, when clearly it wasn't.

To make a long story short, it was told to us that the Dr. who did the procedure wasn't qualified to do it. After SEVERAL weeks (again) of going back and forth (and still in pain), she was able to go see a specialist, at Western Dental's expense.  Meanwhile, we were getting bills for a crown and services for a crown for my wife, that had not even been done (she was supposed to return for the crown at a later date).

The specialist stated that there were still exposed nerves left and basically, it was a hack job (my words, not his).  After a few months (procedures had to be followed for him to get paid by Western Dental), he was able to fix the problem. 

During this time Western Dental PROMISED not to send us to collections because the case was still open.  Next thing we know we get a letter from a collection agency from Western Dental!  I called Western Dental and the lady on the phone actually told me that she didn't know why I was so concerned about it and I told her because it affected my credit and she basically didn't care.  We called the collection company, but they have little they can do.

After spouting off on Facebook about it, my wife got a call from Wetsern Dental's headquarters who seemed concerned, but that was short lived.  He talked a good game, but nothing was done.

When it was time to get a crown on (about a year later), my wife was scared to death to go back to the Western Dental Dr. and we stayed with the specialist and used our now new insurance to pay for it.

I again called Western Dental to let them know and that they sent us to collections for services they did not provide.  I asked that they remove it from collections and every time we call, we get a promise of a call back and never get one.  If I go to the office, I will probably leave in handcuffs.

I want it removed from collections is all.  If I have to go to court, I will also ask for pain and suffering.

All of the "pesons" and "lady", we have the names of, but I left them off of here because I didn't know if I could get into trouble using them.  We also have dates and times of contacts.

\Thank you Rip Off Report for allowing me to sound off.