ComplaintsforMake a Smile Childrens Dental

• Initial Complaint

  12/14/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was referred to Make a Smile by my general dentist for extraction of tooth # 4. I was seen by this office on 11/18/22 by *********************************. After this dentist examined me, he told me that he will only do extraction if I agree to get a bone graph which is not covered by my insurance and will cost me $650 out of pocket. When I asked him Why do I need to get a bone graph? his reply was so water wouldnt go into your sinuses and wouldnt be coming out of your nose. Of course, this made me freak out and I agreed. Once I came home and started thinking about this, this made no sense to me, how would water come out of my nose if after few days the gum would heal. I also consulted w/ my friend who is a DDS if a bone graph is absolutely necessary. After he reviewed my Xrays, he stated that bone graph is always recommended but not absolutely necessary. So, I called the clinic to schedule my extraction, but mentioned that I will be declining the bone graph as I am not planning an implant in the future and dont have these kind of money ( $650 ) to pay out of pocket for the bone graph. The front desk rep kept telling me this is not optional, if you dont get a bone graph, we wont extract your tooth I kept explaining I cant afford to pay for the bone graph, and I just want thus tooth taken out, because I am having severe pain at this point. The receptionist told me well you can fine a diff office to do it for you then. I have asked to speak w/ the manager and was told she will give me a call back because she is busy. I didnt received a call back the next day, so I called them again on 12/7/22-was told manager is in the meeting the whole day, she will call you when she is done I never got a call, so I called again on 12/8/22 around 3:50 was waiting for 30 min and was told to leave a msg. Called again on 12/9/2022, spoke w/******** and was told manager is with a patient right now, she will give you a call in about 7 min. I NEVER got a call back and I was really waiting for it. Finally, I called them again on 12/13/2022 at 2:20 pm, spoke w/ *******, asked for a manager again. Of course, was told manager is w/ a pt, she will give you a call later, which I know it wont happen. My tooth is in so much pain at this point, I cant sleep or eat and just want this tooth to be taken out. The managers name for the oral department at make a smile is ************** How can someone treat a patient this unprofessionally? How can a dentist demand for a patient to get a bone graph, or else he wont extract her tooth? This is malpractice!! ************************************************ has no right of making someone get a bone graph. He is pushing me to pay for unnecessary services just so I would pay out of pocket, even though this service not needed. He is just hungry for money and doesnt care that I am in severe pain. I though dentist were there to help patient and not to just run after out money and make us pay for unnecessary service. This whole experience is horrible and has caused me a lot of stress and pain. Nobody should be denied service that is covered by their insurance, especially when pt is in horrible pain.

• Initial Complaint

  12/20/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On May 21,2021 ***************************** got his braces taken off after a two and a half year treatment plan from Make A Smile. I was not satisfied with his results as he was left with buck teeth and when I mentioned to ************** he said there is nothing you can do as that is how his bone structure is unless you take permanent teeth out. He was given clear retainers and told to wear all day for six months. I also ordered him the wire retainers which he wore diligently and only had the clear for a backup pair. On 9/27/2021 ******* saw his primary dentist for his six month cleaning. The hygienist and dentist stated that he developed some spaces on both top and bottom and on both sides from the wire retainers. We were told to see the orthodontist to close the spaces. On 10/8/2021 we saw the orthodontist to discuss the spaces and were told that he would need to wear braces again and that I would be responsible for the costs. On 10/15 I disputed the charges to get braces put back on with the office manager. On 10/25, the office manager ******** advised me the braces would be covered at 100%. On 11/23 ******* got four permanent teeth extracted along with his wisdom teeth. On 12/13 we went to the office to get braces on and were told to come back on Friday, 12/17 for a revaluation. At appointment told the treatment plan changed to 12-18months thus we are responsible for $3,420 even though we were previously told getting the braces on a second time to close the spaces caused by the them &they recommended to remove teeth to fix the overcrowding aka buck teeth-which is what we did. Yet when we did just that now we are told otherwise.Now Im responsible to pay just because the treatment plan got extended. I just paid almost $3000 for all eight extractions. The initial spaces were their fault: it was the Ortho that said in to fix the buck teeth I would have to remove teeth, since I did just that now I have to pay. Bad customer service, they spam you to pay for braces twice.

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