ComplaintsforCanarsie Family Dental Office

• Initial Complaint

  10/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Took advantage of me while in pain by over selling a procedure & using my signature for a loan without disclosing the correct details surrounding the loan. The procedure needed at the time was covered by my insurance, but I was told I couldn't get what I needed without having a bone graft done because their office doesn't do extractions alone. I was told I would fill out an application with my information & see how I qualified for because the procedure was 6K. I gave all my ******************** 1 form. As I was being prepped Dr. **** then comes back with another form tells me I missed a signature. I gave it without being able to review the form however when he comes back 15 minutes later, I was told I didn't qualify for the 6k, but I do for 5K he will see if the supervisor will allow him to do it for that price it's such an amazing deal & so forth. Assistant then comes back with more forms already on signature pages, proceeds to tell me I will owe $5K with payments of $212 a month for 36 months. That is all she said didn't allow me to review anything she excused ************** started the procedure. their staff pushing care credit on patients who can't afford it but still in my time of pain, confusion, vulnerability they took advantage of the situation had a nurse sweet talk me into considering the offer. Then constantly changing the amounts of the procedure,. I feel pressured into the procedure & when I disclosed my concerns with the Dentist after I received emails regarding the loan that didn't share the same SMALL details we did discuss I was told that he "thought the representative mentioned it" and tried to offer me a different deal that wasn't legit according to the lending company Didn't received all my documents from the loan company All forms have different amounts for the procedure they refuse to work with me because they want to keep the loan open to receive the 30 percent interest I was not informed of I feel bamboozled & helpless in the matter

  Business response

  10/13/2023

   I spoke to *******, we had a very lengthy conversation about her experience at the office. She did not sound upset at the time but brought up some questions and concerns about her visit and how it happened. She stated that she still did not understand the difference between an installment loan and credit card and interest payments being added (I explained this again to her in detail and reminded her she signed all the documents which clearly state financial terms). She was under the impression that it was only $5000 payment plan total and when she got home she got an email from allegro stating it would be like $7000 payback she said she was not made aware of that and if she knew it was this much she would have never signed because she can not afford it. She also said that the doctor did not explain anything to her about the treatment that he went in and told her what she was getting done and that's it (I explained that an xray and images were taken and the doctor takes a look before going in and is aware of what's going on) She said that she just felt like this was all rushed to get the loan and it was not explained properly. I offered her a partial refund and she did not seem satisfied. 

  Customer response

  10/24/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID# ********, and have determined that my complaint has NOT been resolved because:

  I am not satisfied with the resolution offered to me by this business. Firstly, on the BBB response the name *********************************** is not familiar with me and I have never spoken to anyone with that name from the business. So I can't understand how someone who never spoke with me can attest to how the situation made me feel. Secondly, I have only been in contact with a representative by the name of ****** who calls and texts me. She was very respectful and seemed to understand my frustration at first, but once I shared with her how unprofessional I felt *********** was and that I strongly believed the office was manipulating patients into predatory lending and  the Doctor was blaming the dental assistants and nurses for not properly representing the forms I felt that made her uncomfortable. This business has made sure the entire time they disregard my trust issues for them and has only offered me to pay the lending company ***** with an option to pay them $1,200 out of pocket because they INSIST that I proceed with getting an implant. Once again forcing a procedure on the patient. I have contacted both the lending company and dental office numerous times. My account with the lending company is now past due. I have asked both the dental office and lending company for a full copy of the 13 page contract for the loan and still haven't received it. Instead they insist I sign a new form for a partial return. I strongly feel as if I was manipulated and taken advantage of. I have tried to offer a different form of payment and because they want the *****% APR payment that was not disclosed to me prior they are insisting to proceed with a loan I can not afford. Once aging I did not give this office permission to use my signature. I was under the impression I was ONLY applying for care credit. Which I was denied for. They used my signature inappropriately and I am not satisfied with the decision at all. And I would like to know what my options are. 

   

   

   

  In order for the BBB to appropriately process your response, you MUST answer the question above.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* ***
  
  
   
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/01/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  During open enrollment I began searching for an in network dentist and orthodontist. I called Canarsie Dental as I found their information on my provider's website. When I called to confirm their dental & orthodontist services were in network, I was reassured both services were, I then made an appointment for November 21st. During my appointment my 2 children and I were scheduled for a cleaning, my daughter for an braces consultation. I asked again if the orthodontist was in my network since it was in a different office 3 blocks away. **** reassured they were but I had to complete a credit application to cover the expenses for the braces and my insurance will reimburse me on the back end. I complied. I then took my daughter to the orthodontist as instructed and her braces were placed immediately. A few days later at work I spoke to my Personnel director about the braces and was told our insurance does not make you pay and will not reimburse me. We then immediately looked into the matter and it was found that the orthodontist was not in my network and I was purposely mislead to complete a credit application for $7000 as my insurance provides free braces for in network orthodontist. Canarsie Family Dental purposely mislead me and forced me to apply for credit that I didn't need which is now on my credit report. I obtain the credit for $7000 through *********** who's affiliated with Synchrony. I am requesting this be immediately stricken from my credit report and Canarsie Family Dental is held liable for their defrauding practices which I'm sure is a pattern.

  Business response

  09/27/2023

  Patient was seen on 11/21/2022 at Canarsie office. **** presented Orthodontic Treatment to the patients mom in the amount of $7000. Patient signed Care Credit application agreement to run her credit. She was approved and signed the disclosure sheet and Care Credit loan terms.
  
  ************ started same day treatment at ****** * and bonded U6-6; 14 NT. The patient was to return to bond the lower teeth.
  
  On 11/28/22, the patients Mom called and asked why we would see the patient at our office when we are out of network with her insurance and had questions about financing and insurance coverage. The call was transferred to Kiomara.
  
  When ******* spoke with the patient, she was asked if we are out of network with her insurance and ******* responded in the affirmative.
  
  We also received a call from Healthplex regarding the patients orthodontic coverage. This call was transferred to the *** extension.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩