ComplaintsforWestern Dental & Orthodontics

• Initial Complaint

  07/21/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  2/2/24 went to western dental at *************************************************** Spoke with office manager **************** about bottom extractions and implants for snap in dentures. DR. *************** Took xrays and pulled 3 of 11 bottom teeth. I was still in surgery chair when ************** Handed me the treatment plan to sign. I did, assuming it i was making it in two installments that it would only be $7117.20. 2/28/24 came in for a bite try in. DR. **** had a set of poorly made removable dentures I asked why they made a top denture when I only wanted bottom? She said I needed to talk to ******.3/15/24 My mother and I visit with ****** he apologized for the miscommunication between the doctor and him. Said he would be at my next app. Another treatment plan he was wanting another $3170. I asked if I could think about it first? He agreed, and we left. 4/1/24 I got a call from Dr. **** saying that i am responsible for %50 of their mistake . 4/9/24 next appointment where I don't feel comfortable **** she clearly doesn't listen very well.**** still there and Making wrong denture. ****** was no show so I was sent out the back door because I was upset nothing done. Was told would be done in 5 visits 4/10/24 not happy I explain to ****** that our verbal agreement didn't match the printed one and the printed one is wrong. I was told one thing and charged for another. He said I would get my money back and his boss approved my refund for the $4000 but in order to get all of it, file a complaint with patient relations, wait 30 days, that's the way I would get the full amount $5400.4/11/24I filed with patient relations like ****** told me, they denied any refund because they didn't do their job to investigate anything. Had they called ****** or **** they would have the answers. 13 app. nothing done. Embarrassed less teeth, tired of waiting. not paying more to a dentist I am uncomfortable with. I went elsewhere and had all my teeth pulled, implants, snap ins all done in one day.

• Initial Complaint

  07/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On April 30th, I had an appointment for check up and I wanted a tooth looked at. They told me my gums were bad and I needed a deep cleaning and they forced me to buy a gum treatment that isnt covered by insurance. They told me I can buy that or an implant. Didnt give option to not. They were very pushy and scared me. They even took my payment while I was still in the dentist chair. I have extreme anxiety at dentist and felt very uncomfortable with all this. They didnt explain ingredients or how to use gum treatment just pushed me to purchase. Im extremely sensitive to lots of ingredients and found out this is mostly hydrogen peroxide! If I have to put that on my teeth and let it sit, Im going to be very sensitive and it will make me sick. Ive used it sparingly before and I didnt have good reactions. I called next day to cancel and tell them Im allergic to this and it will make me sick. They said I cant cancel it bc it was already sent to the lab. That if I did they would still charge me half of the price. I filed a grievance with them but havent heard much. Im on medi-cal and they sent in authorization for the work they said I needed, including a deep cleaning. Medi-cal denied all the work they wanted to do bc they said it wasnt necessary. The one thing that did need to be done they didnt document properly. This office is rude and just out to make money. Im on medi-cal I cant afford this gym treatment but they scared me into thinking there was no other option! I believe this office is dishonest and they falsely sell this product which is extremely expensive and not worth it. In fact in their website the gel is sold for like $100 for 6 tubes, yet I was charged like $1187.50 for what? I dont trust this place. Also they never called me to get the product, just took my money. I have another dentist appointment and of August with a new dentist and Ill see what they say. I just want to be refunded for this unnecessary charge.

• Initial Complaint

  07/16/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On 2/23/24 contracted to do bone graft first to then be able to do implant. They required half the amount to schedulle the doctor to perform work. Xrays were taken, the dentists on duty reviewed, led me to believe doable and even told me if I didnt need bone graft I would not be charged the extra amount for it.On 3/23/24 went in to do bone graft. Outside dentist Western Dental contracted with for the work reviewed my x rays and told me I did not have enough bone to do a graft. Would run the danger of hitting a nerve which would cause unending pain.I thanked him for being straight with me and asked him to just pull a tooth that I was told not salvageable.They quoted me $258 for that, a little more as my regular dentist ************* would charge but I was having pain.I asked for a refund for the balance $3, 000.00. Was told would have to wait for corporate to issue check.There is not enough room for me to tell you all the jerking around, excuses and lying I have been subjected to. *********************************, one of managers and the person who did contract with me failed to put in request for refund. When he finally did I was then told would have to wait ***** business days.I waited, no refund. Called accounting. Was told they closed case because did not contain enough information to issue refund.Drove to see ******* in person 6/26/24 was told would get a refund that day or next. Approval #*****.Many days go by, no refund. Called accounting said another request was put in 6/25/24. I would have to wait ***** business days.7/10/24 Called corporate in ************* ************. Spoke to **** in billing.Told me he would not make me any promises but would forward my grievance to *********************** who is in charge of issuying refunds.I asked for someone to call me back. Said no. No one will call you.I have driven to *********** 4 times to see ******* in person, have made dozens of phone calls, spoke to others at that location. They lie and they are scamming me.

• Initial Complaint

  07/15/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On 6/19/24 I had an appointment for a routine teeth cleaning at Western Dental in *****,**. The staff had booked 2 cleanings at the same time for one hygienist. Since the hygienist couldnt be in 2 rooms at once, I left. Western Dental billed my insurance company for x-rays and a cleaning that never happened. This can be proven by looking in my folder they have on file but I cant get anybody to help me. *** left several messages with the manager, ********. Ive called, emailed and chatted with people in the billing **** at the headquarters and not one single person will look into this. My insurance company has paid the bill in full even though I had called them and told them not to. This place is a scam. They bill for services that never happened.

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  On November 18, 2023, a ************ who was employed by Western Dental at ***************, failed to complete a dental implant procedure correctly. I immediately knew something was wrong, so I reached out to **************************** for a second opinion. After consultation, many mistakes were found and had to spend $20,000.00 more to have my implants corrected. I paid Western Dental a little over $6,000.00, in which I feel should be refunded to me. I tried to complain to Western Dentals corporate office, but they insist I gather records from the **** office and FPC. FPC cooperated but Western Dental has made no attempt to hand over my records. Many attempts were made. Not only did I have to spend my life savings on the corrections, but I was also literally tortured during the procedure with Western Dental's Dr. I have witnesses but since they were staff, i believe they will not come forward in fear of losing their jobs. A few days after the procedure on 11/18/23, which was approximately 1202/23, while attempting to gather my files at Western Dental is when I discovered ************ no longer worked at the **** office.

• Initial Complaint

  07/09/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Sales and Advertising Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Please note description doc (WDentalBBB.docx) exceeded 2000 characters so posted as attachment.

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I went to western dental in march to get a wisdom tooth extracted but I kept getting pressured to receive other services. I declined letting them know I wasnt in the best financial situation. I never went back not even to get my tooth pulled and my insurance should have covered my visit. I am now receiving invoices for services I never received. They are threatening to send me to collections but I never received the services they are claiming.

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  My dentist referred me to an endodontist for 2 root canals. When they were completed, I went back to my dentist who said they couldn't do any work on me without a medical release from my primary Dr due to my medical history. I got them that release and they say on it for a month saying that it was "too much for the Dr to read" because it was 12 pages of records. After contacting them several times re when I could come in again, I was told it was company policy not to work on any tooth that was previously referred out. Meaning, I had no way to get my permanent crowns done without finding a new dentist to do them. I closed my account and was told my Sunbit loan would be adjusted accordingly. It has been months and I have reached out to corporate and the local office both in person and by phone multiple times and been told they have contacted Sunbit and adjusted my loan to reflect work was not done. This is not true. ****** has never been told this. Every time I go back to Western Dental they say their is no evidence of it being done previously, that a manager has to do it and they don't have a manager, or that this time it is really complete. Every time it is a lie. They are putting my credit and finances in jeopardy with these fraudulent charges

• Initial Complaint

  07/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Where do I start they scared me into getting gumx which cost 1100 but it's 30 over the counter. They said they had a payment plan which I signed up for but it's not a payment plan it's a loan. They signed me up for a loan. I would not have done it knowing it was a loan. They ran my credit report and signed me up for sunbit loans. ****** said since they didn't tell me it wad a loan they can cancel it but would need western dental to send an approval to cancel. I feel beyond scammed. I never would have gotten anything if they mentioned it was an actual loan and not a payment plan.

• Initial Complaint

  07/04/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I went to the dentist today. The doctor did a very quick exam. Then gave me an estimate for $15000 dollars. He did not measure and record the mm of gum pockets. He just looked in my mouth and then called out " stage one, no stage two" to his assistant in the other room. That was it. Then he told me I was in bad shape. He said my gums were full of plaque and needed to be cleaned ASAP. He reiterated this multiple times. He explained ( ********** was his name i think) that I needed to be numbed and have a very exspensive and deep cleaning as well as a take home a $1400 device to maintain the health of my teeth. He also told me he wanted to do a crown on my back tooth. I have no issue with my back tooth which I told him. He said " okay well this would be a preventative measure then". So he wanted to shave down a perfectly healthy tooth and crown it for 1000s of dollars for preventative care? In addition, I went to a dentist a little over a year ago and also a year before that. My gums were tested both times with zero concerns. I use a waterpick, and electronic toothbrush. I asked what the depth of my pockets were but got no answer. When I tried to just get my regular cleaning they told me I couldnt because the doctor didn't reccomend it. I argued that my insurance covers one free basic cleaning per year and I wanted it. They finally agreed. After about 10 minutes they finished.it was painful, rushed and terrible. Hands down the worst cleaning I've ever had! I'm 44 years old. This whole thing took nearly 3 hours. I missed all yhat time from work for what?! I feel it's a scam and they have you wait and wait to wear you down and hope you will pay for unnecessary things! I have given consent to view my medical records. Please do. I'm sure I don't need $15000 worth of dental work.

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