Columbia Dental, P.C.

Review: The dentist was unprofessional and inappropriate. She chastised the dental assistant as they were working on me for the second visit, to fix the same tooth. The dentist thought I was angry with her for needing to come back, which I was not. She was rushing and squirting way too much water in my mouth without having it sucked out. I felt like I was drowning. I had to stop her at one pint after she told me to stop spitting on my self. It was so uncomfortable. I decided to get my records and get out of there. The billing is another issue all together. Thats the main office in [redacted] CT. In July I got a letter for collections on a bill I never received. I have insurance. When I called, I was told there was a glitch& with insurance and they received many calls regarding this problem. I received another bill today and was told not to worry about it. The manager, Debra, was rude and unhelpful. This is the first letter I have sent and feel really strongly It need to be heard. Thank youDesired Settlement: No further contact or bills from columbia dental. I am paid up in full. I would like conformation that I have been heard. Thank you

Business

Response:

Dear Ms [redacted],I want to assure you that you've been heard. I apologize for the poor experience you had both in [redacted] and with our billing department. Your experience is not a common occurrence and I'm happy you reached out to voice your concern. We will strive to make sure no one else has such experiences.Sincerely,Jeffery S[redacted]General ManagerColumbia Dental, PC

Review: Last December I lost a crown from one tooth that had been in for at least 20 years. Visiting several dentists, I settled on [redacted] whose dentist put in a filling. In June that filling fell out and going from one of their offices to another [redacted] says I should get a root canal on the tooth that never had a root canal and none of the several dentists I visited before [redacted] indicated a need for a root canal.The office manager at the [redacted], never returns phone calls, his boss [redacted] does not return phone calls and an email to the owner, [redacted], was never answered. It has now been over a month that I've gone with no filling, no replacement crown and I'm concerned I could easily break the weakened tooth due to their inaction.Desired Settlement: I need a new crown on the affected tooth, they need to return calls, provide a reasonable estimate of the costs (I have dental insurance) and fix the problem that they caused with a filling that did not last over 6 months.

Business

Response:

A response with a treatment plan was made directly to Mr. [redacted] which I'm also copying here.From: [redacted]Date: July 22, 2015 at 12:15:58 PM EDTTo: [redacted]Subject: Proposed Treatment plan attaché for Tooth # 20.

Review: 607.70 was paid on 2/11/2013 via check and send to the new haven office. Billing office ignores this and sends a charge of 607.70 to collections.

Dr. [redacted] was seen by my insurance company as a non participating dentist since she was new and columbia dental did not complete her paperwork with [redacted] as a participating dentist.

After incurring a charge at [redacted] and paying a copay the insurance company mailed payment to me for the balance of the bill. I called the insurance company and they told me to deposit the check in my account. I did. I then mailed a personal check for 607.70 to the new haven office and they deposited it in their account.

I then spoke to [redacted] who said the payments should be sent to her office rather then the new haven office. I sent all future payments for other services at columbia dental that the insurance company sent to me to The billing office but I continued to receive a bill for 607.70. I submitted proof of the payment via a canceled check to the billing office but [redacted] has now submitted this to a collections company even though my check for 607.70 was already deposited in the columbia dental account.

Columbia Dental is double billing for service because they do not keep proper records of payments.Desired Settlement: I would like the company to confirm that I paid them and also confirm that the collections attempt is invalid.

Business

Response:

Business Response /* (1000, 8, 2013/08/14) */

Contact Name and Title: [redacted]

Contact Phone: XXXXXXXXXX

Contact Email: [redacted]

Mr. [redacted] had indicated that he was going to stop by

the office and pay his balance. I wrote to him in February,

indicating that we had not received the payment.

Then I wrote to him again, indicating that if he in fact sent

or came in the office to pay his balance that we had no record

of the payment and if he would send me a copy.

Once he e-mailed me a copy of the CASHED check, I apologized

to him and told him that whoever was responsible for posting the

checks, apparently had missed posting his payment to his

account. I then posted the payment to his account on the date that

was indicated in was cashed on.

By this time, he had been sent to the written demands of [redacted], but

I told him that this was not true collections and would not hurt his credit

in any way. I alerted ** that his account had been paid in full on 7/26/13.

Consumer Response /* (-5, 10, 2013/08/15) */

After months of asking for this to be resolved I've heard from the billing department that they only use the collections company as a billing service even though the letter the collections company sent to me says they have been authorized to collect 607.70 from me unless I mail them a letter saying I dispute the charges within 30 days. The billing contact at Columbia Dental said that the charge of 607.70 has been "Taken care of". If I am contacted by the collections company again or receive another bill for 607.70 from columbia dental I will assume that it is not taken care of.

Review: I have been going to columbia dental for year because of the convience of there hour I was told before stating any procedure the my root canel was coverd 100% 2 month later I recieve a bill for 1500 that was never discused, Ive call the office muliple time and talk to a girl name Tanish and angie and all I get told is there there working on it but its now going on a year and nothing been retified so now they send my bill to a collection agency [redacted] that when you call there number [redacted] listen to the promp so you pree 2 and the call just hangs up on you.

Also as far my son also recieved a bill from the collection agency that I was never billed on by the atual company for filling when I was told that there covered by my insurrance company now I gor send to the collection agency again.

call columbia dental in regarding again about the bill and they asking whos calling and screening the call to avoid conversation bad on there part of doing business this wayDesired Settlement: never good answerd

Business

Response:

We very much appreciate Ms. [redacted] desire to giver us a second chance to make amends with her. We understand what she was told but it did not consider that it was a weekend at the end of the year and the insurance company was closed so all the correct information was unavailable. Our hours do not closely align with the insurance company hours meaning we're open and they are not. It is our hope otherwise that you were satisfied with the work. What we have decided to do is credit her account 593.20 and her son $100.00 Thank you

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.

Sincerely,

Review: I am writing here to report Columbia Dental of Norwalk, CT for unfair practices, misrepresentation, and outright lyingI, [redacted], made an appointment to have all four of my wisdom teeth removed by Columbia dental on 11/22/The reason for the appointment was because at a previous routine cleaning, the dentist suggested that I get the procedure done sooner rather than later to avoid possible future complicationsBefore scheduling the procedure, I let the receptionist know that before I can even proceed I need to know what the out of pocket cost would be and how much my insurance would be coveringShe said that she would be able to get the information from my insurance and give me the estimateThey assured me that they had reached out to my insurance company and based upon the amount my insurance ([redacted]) would pay, the cost for all wisdom teeth to be removed was $This estimated cost of the procedure was printed out for me at this time on 11/14/(the signed document is available in PDF form)I signed the form with the estimated cost and went ahead with the procedureOn November 22, I had the surgery done and paid the $then and thereIn addition, upon my request, my fiance asked the receptionist to make sure and verify that the $paid at this moment was the total and final amount owed for the procedure of all wisdom teeth removedShe assured us it was the correct amount and we left the facilityUnfortunately, a few weeks later I received a bill from my insurance company breaking down the dental procedure and the reimbursement ratesAfter the insurance paid its portion, I apparently owed Columbia Dental an additional $421.50, not including the previous $I was confused so I reached out to Columbia Dental and I was put on hold, they told me to call back, they gave me none existing phone numbers and had me leaving voice mails, in which no one returnedI finally received an email from [redacted]On Jan 4, stating (email is available as well) that they acknowledge our concerns and we owe $
My fiancé and I replied to the email on 1/4/16, stating our displeasure with this service and this "new" bill while disclosing what was provided to us by the local Norwalk clinic (email is provided at the end of this letter)Since this email there has been no further email correspondence by Columbia Dental or ourselves, however, on my behalf, my fiancé reached out to Columbia Dental on 1/12/via phone (a record should exist with Columbia Dental as the phone conversation was recorded per their representative) in response to a final bill notice (document available in PDF form)During this interaction, my fiancé expressed our displeasures with not only this bill, but the lack of professionalism and correspondenceHe discussed the emails, both [redacted]and ours, and the representative told him that a supervisor would be contacting us soonThis phone call or email has yet to happen and as far as we are concerned this "new" bill is not our responsibilityI am an understanding person, and realize that estimates are exactly that, a guessHowever, estimating a cost of a procedure at less than 50% of actual cost is preposterous and should not be the burden of the patientMore importantly, Columbia Dental lied about contacting my insurance company prior to performing the procedureAfter the procedure Columbia Dental submitted the bill to my insurance company, [redacted]At this time [redacted] had no prior knowledge of the procedure indicating that Columbia Dental lied about reaching out and contacting them to ascertain an estimated reimbursement prior to surgeryMy fiancé, my attorney, an independent practicing dentist, and myself feel that Columbia Dental is trying to take advantage of me while attempting to extort money by issuing a final bill notice without returning any inquiries about said bill
Thank you for looking into this matter and I hope this can be resolved quicklyI appreciate your time and understand that this may not be a priorityI have not paid this additional bill and do not plan on it until final judgement is passed, in which, my lawyer will be involved, if necessaryPlease do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address or at ###-###-#### (personal cell) or ###-###-#### (finance's cell - [redacted])
Thank you,
[redacted]Desired Settlement: To settle owed amount to what we were estimated at and have already paid, also avoiding collections harming my credit
Business
Response:
Dear Ms[redacted],I am sorry you are having billing issuesTrying to predict exactly what an insurance company is going to pay for a procedure is an inexact scienceWe don't know if or why they are going to downgrade a procedure so we do our best to get to a number as close as we can but it is only an estimateThis procedure was also done on a Sunday so there is no one to check with at the insurance company for the time of serviceHoweverOur billing department is in receipt of your medical insurance so we've submitted a medical claim to see if anything else would be paid on your procedureMany times there will be a fax back request put in for the breakdown of the insuranceThe true answer is that the patient is responsible for the balance, however we're not so cuand dried as thatThe manager of the Norwalk office has been attempting to reach out to speak with your directlyHis name is [redacted]His phone number directly is ###-###-####.Mistakes do happen and I apologize for our mistakeThee was no intent to mislead youIf you are not happy after speaking with [redacted] please do not hesitate to contact me.Sincerely,Jeffery [redacted]General ManagerColumbia Dental, PC###-###-####[redacted]

Review: I have received [redacted] braces through this center. The total cost is $5000. I have paid a majority of it and have a balance of around $1200 left over. I do not have dental insurance and have paid around $10,000 worth of services between cavity fillings, teeth whitening, wisdom teeth removal, and braces. They have me on a payment plan of $300 a month.

The issue occurred when I came to my appointment today to get my braces removed. [redacted] (billing coordinator) asked to see me and denied me my service saying that I had to pay the entire balance in order to get my braces removed. I told her no one has ever told me that I had to pay the balance and had I known I wouldn't have wasted my time setting up an appointment. She again goes on telling me that I have been told ( which is completely not true). She was very rude and told me if we allowed you to get your service " you probably wouldn't pay us" The right to refusal was based on a stereo typical judgment. I asked her to look through my records and see how I have been paying my balance and that my credit score is important to me and that I would not want to interfere with that. She continued to deny me and act in an inhumane fashion yelling and screaming very unprofessionally that there is nothing we can do and asked me to leave.

I then called the billing department manager [redacted]. (also a [redacted]) where they ignored my request for allowing my dental removal and started asking me for higher monthly payments. I also explained how I have no dental insurance and how I have been making payments for the past 2 years totaling around $10,000 and She said that didn't matter. She too was extremely rude and when I told her that I was no longer going to do business with them anymore she said " fine I don't care if you are or your not. We will do business our way and that is how it is going to be." I then responded by saying the I was going to make a complaint with Revdex.com and in a sarcastic laughing tone she say " Like that is going to do anything to us. I don't have time for your type of people" Extremely rude and obnoxious interaction where I tried to have a civil and understanding conversation.

My question is why put me on a payment plan that doesnt coincide with the removal of my braces if the total balance needs to be paid. I find the interactions with the staff completely rude and unhelpful. They both were very judgmental and horrible to customers.Desired Settlement: People should be aware of the horrible customer service that comes along with Columbia Dental. This is not a way to treat a long term customer.

Business

Response:

I have reviewed the patient's complaint. I apologize for any miscommunication or misunderstanding . The psatient has been notified time and again that he balance should be clear before procedding to the next steps. This should not have been a surprise to Mr. [redacted]. Almost from the beginning of his treatment at [redacted] there has been an issue of paying for his services. He had set up a payment contract which had to be dissolved as his credit card was denied multiple times for payment processing. He has repeatedly missed appointments without notification taking appointment time that someone else could have used but then went empty. Speaking of rude he would call demanding an appointment and telling the office he will just come in to get what he needs. He promised payments for both of his accounts and then did not honor his promises. He acts as if this is his first time hearing that payment is due before services are rendered. This is the standard practice for any medical/dental office. You don't go to a restraunt and order a meal, eat it and then say I'll pay you later, especially when you've demonstrated a history of not paying on time as well as DEMANDING service.He has a balance of $1,176.32 for his [redacted] Case and has cleared his second account.

Review: Multiple Complaints:(1) Columbia dental told me they would contact my dental insurance to get an estimate for services. The estimate they provided was incorrect by 117%. My dental insurance confirmed that they did not receive any "predetermination estimate" about these services. I would have done this if they told me at the beginning they wouldn't have.(2) I was lied to on the first visit. I was supposed to get at least 1 cavity filled and when I arrived, they only had time for x-rays.(3) For the second appointment, I booked for 4 cavity fillings and they decided to tell me when I arrived they only do two fillings per visit... after some questioning, they made time to get the others done.(4) Also for the second appointment, the dentist was 40 minutes late and absolutely no apology was given -- as if my time is worthless.(5) Dental quality appears poor, one of my fillings consisted of filling in between two of my teeth - eventually leading to the filling breaking and causing pain in my mouth.Desired Settlement: What I would like:(1) The additional or a major portion of the $233 removed from my bill.(2) Another dentist (may be from Columbia dental), besides the one doing the original work, to fix my filling that broke.

Business

Response:

[redacted]

I had to research this one and one of my people reached out to the patient and all should be fine.

Thank[redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me as long as I get a discount on dental work performed in the upcoming visits.

Sincerely,

Review: The primary complaint involves the following as well: an unreasonable or excessive delay in completing a repair. I first went to Columbia Dental on 7/25. My son had a cleaning appointment (his first visit as well). I had an "emergency" appointment because I had a filling that had fallen out. When I was seen, the dentist told me that I could not get a filling in the tooth because it was too big and that I would have to get a root canal. My tooth did not hurt, it just had a missing filling and food continued to get stuck in it. The dentist then proceeded to tell me that I would need a crown because of the large hole in my tooth to keep my tooth from fracturing. I was not happy about that due to the cost that I was not prepared to pay. Then the dentist said that I could get a bridge which would place a missing tooth where I did not have one currently also. He then proceeded to tell me what a bridge was and gave me a pamphlet. I was uncertain so he brings me to the Office "car salesman", [redacted]. I sit at a desk while this salesman typed stuff in the computer then he brought me to his office. He sat down with me and explained the difference in price and dental benefits. He said the bridge (which involved 3 teeth) would cost only $700.00 more than the one crown. I contacted my husband via text and we decided to do the bridge. [redacted] then scheduled me to see Dr. [redacted] for the bridge prep on 8/1. When I arrived on 8/1, Dr. [redacted] was rushing around and did not explain anything to me or ask me any questions. He just numbed me up and started working. When he finished, I asked him if he had completed a root canal. He replied, “No, did you want a root canal?” I said, “Well, no, not if I do not have to have one.” I was totally confused. I explained to him that the other doctor told me that I needed a root canal but Dr. [redacted] said that my chart just said bridge and that he didn't know anything about a root canal. Again, I am confused. Dr [redacted] was not helpful or useful. He was brass and unconcerned. His work was reckless and uncomfortable. Dr. [redacted] prepared a temporary bridge for me after he took an impression for my permanent bridge. That temporary bridge broke on that Sunday night while I was eating a piece of bread. I called and got another appointment to have another temporary bridge done. After the second temp bridge was received my back tooth, which I had originally been told needed a root canal started hurting. I then had an appointment to get fitted for the framework for the bridge. At that appointment I told Dr. [redacted] that I was in a lot of pain when I touched the back tooth even with the temporary bridge on. He reached in and grabbed the tooth along with the bridge and I had so much pain I almost jumped out of my seat. It was excruciating. I was in tears. He walked out the front desk and told the staff that I was crying and that I am making him feel bad and something else sarcastic. My son was in the waiting room and told me he said that but did not know he was talking about me. Dr. [redacted] came back in and numbed me up then took the temp bridge off then had me have an emergency root canal because their specialist on that day was available. After the root canal, they were unable to locate the framework for the bridge – it was missing. He reapplied the temp bridge and fitted me again for the framework for the bridge. He said that they would call me as soon as it came in. I didn’t receive a phone call for 2 weeks. I called them to see if the framework had come in and if I could make another appointment. By this time the temporary bridge had broken again. I made the appointment but when I got to the office they did not have either framework. They couldn’t find the old or new framework that was supposedly complete. Dr. [redacted] fitted me again with a temporary bridge and he said he reinforced it and put better glue this time. They said they would call me when they found the framework because it must be at the other office. In the meantime, I called the office and asked to be seen by another doctor. At this point I had already asked on 2 different occasions not to see Dr. [redacted] again but they told me that I had to because he started the work. I asked to speak to the office manager. Apparently, the office personnel explained my nightmare of a situation to the office manager who called me back. She told me that another doctor could not just finish the work that I would have to have a consultation with another doctor. She scheduled me with Dr. [redacted]. When I arrived to see Dr. [redacted], I explained this entire ordeal to her. I also brought the 3rd temporary bridge with me as it had fallen out on that Sunday night while I was eating soup. Dr. [redacted] examined my mouth and cleaned the 3rd temp bridge as well as resized it to have a better bite. I was scheduled to come back for the framework fitting with Dr. [redacted]. My next appointment they had the framework! However, it did not fit properly so Dr. [redacted] adjusted my teeth to try to make it work. It was useless. It was not working so Dr. [redacted] had to fit me for another bridge frame. She reapplied my temp bridge. Very soon after my front tooth #29 started hurting terribly bad. I called the office and scheduled a visit. Dr. [redacted] examined me and did some test to see what the issue was. Again, the pain was excruciating and I was told I needed another root canal on the front tooth that was part of the bridge but was never hurting before. I asked if I was going to have to pay for it because my yearly maximum had been used from my insurance and I had already paid $1,000 out of pocket and was on a payment plan. She said that I would have to pay. I asked how much and I was waiting forever before I decided enough is enough and I got up and grabbed my coat and purse. As soon as I was walking out of the room, [redacted] (Mr. Car Salesman) arrives to greet me. He asks me if I was going to make a payment, I told him I was on a payment plan. He shows me the cost estimate of the new root canal and I told him forget it. He asked if the tooth hurt. I said, “YES, it hurts.” He said, “Then you have to have the root canal.” I kept calm and went to the front desk and asked to have a copy of my records. [redacted] told the receptionist to schedule me for the root canal and check my credit card to make sure she had the right one. He then leaves in a hurry. The receptionist gave me my records as of 8/1. I said, I first came her on 7/25/14. She looked it up in the computer and said, “Yes”, you did but there are no notes here. I wonder why he didn’t put in any notes.” I left the office and sat in my car and cried for about 15 minutes because so frustrated and in pain. I did not know what my options were. I didn’t want to be in pain anymore. This had been going on for 3 months and this process should have taken 2/3 weeks at the absolute most. It was at that point I weighed my options, contact Revdex.com, Insurance Commission, my insurance company, and possibly small claims court. This is my first step. The following week I get a call from [redacted]. He asked if I was still in pain and I told him I was. I was not happy to talk to him but I was civil. He told me that he is not going to charge me for this root canal and that he was sorry for all the trouble I had been through. I said, okay and he scheduled me for the root canal that Thursday. I though the worst was over. However, my tooth was so inflamed that all the [redacted] I was given didn’t help the pain at all. The dentist told me that she could not give me any more Novocain. I was SCREAMING and CRYING in pain. I told them to just stop and pull the tooth. They said they couldn’t because I would still feel that too and it would mess up my dental plan and cost much more. The dentist then offered me laughing gas. I asked if it would stop the pain. I was told that it would not but it would relax me to make me not care about the pain. I took it. Even with the [redacted] that she continued to give me in and outside my tooth along with the laughing gas, it did not help. I was in the most pain I have been in my life. Finally, after an agonizing 2 hours, she had killed the nerve. Then she had to reapply the temp bridge even though she went through it for the root canal because Dr. [redacted] had advised her to. However, it came off in the end. The root canal specialist set me up for another appointment to finish the root canal. I was in shock. She said the worst part was over. She advised me that the framework would not have to be done again. I set up the next appointment. The day before that appointment, my temporary bridge broke to pieces and my front tooth that needed part 2 of the root canal broke off! I was eating chicken pot pie. I called to cancel my appointment and left a message for the dentist about what had happened. I am done. I know that another framework will have to be completed now that my tooth has broken. My teeth still hurt as well as my gums. They have ruined my teeth good and bad ones. They have caused me so much pain, time, and money. I will not go back to them.Desired Settlement: I want a full refund of the money I paid as well as a refund to my insurance carrier. I want reimbursement for lost time from work and the unnecessary pain and suffering they have caused me - loss of a perfectly good tooth as well which is unreplaceable. I also want a letter of apology and corrective action such as an investigation so that this does not happen to anyone else.

Business

Response:

I'm very sorry that Ms. [redacted] had such a difficult experience at Columbia Dental.Ms. [redacted] came into ColumbiA dENTAL ON 7/25/2014 for treatment and was seen by Dr. [redacted]. On 8/1/14 Dr. [redacted] prepped her mouth for a three tooth bridge. The cost was $3516 of which $1,733 was to be paid with insurance and $1783 was the expense of Ms. [redacted]. She didn't have the money and was unable to obtain a loan through normal channels so we took the financing ourselves to help her out. She put down $200 to secure the appointment and start the procedure. At that point it the patient needed to have a root canal on tooth #31. The patient agreed to have it done but was unprepared for the cost. We put her on a plan for $2540 at $275 per month for 10 months (again financed directly by Columbia Dental). Then the patient needed a root canal as well for tooth #29. Knowing still she could not afford another charge we waived the fee so she received that root canal at No Charge. We were doing our best to make the patient happy and finally put the bridge on her.Ms. [redacted] was informed along the way, signed the treatment plan for the bridge, signed the payment agreement, Again, I apologize that her experience was not everything either we or Ms. [redacted] desired. I do not believe her solution is the correct one, but we would be more than happy to work something out coming to Columbia Dental to make her whole and satisfied. [redacted]Columbia Dental, PC

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]I am rejecting this response because: Not only are they providing incorrect information across the board, I have given them ample time and patience to make me "whole". 3 months isn't enough time????? I would not bring my rabid dog to this place after what I have had to deal with and experience. #1 on 7/25/14 I was not seen by Dr. [redacted]. I saw an Indian dentist who told me I needed a root canal because my cavity was too big to put a filling in - refer to my previous submission. #2 After discussing my portion of the proposed bridge on 7/25 with [redacted], I said, "No". [redacted] said, "Can you put $500 down?" I said, "No". He said, "okay, we will charge you $1,500 right now for your portion. How much can you put down on it, $200?" I said, "Yes, I think I can do $200." Then he comes up with the $1,733 figure and uses my $200 down as a way to say I am paying $1,500. He is a bully, liar, and very inappropriate. Also, while I was seeing Dr. [redacted], he kept saying to me, this is "Corporate Dentistry for you!" Like that is an excuse for the pain and suffering I had to endure? He also said he has his own practice. (Thanks for warning me!) By the way, when I asked for a copy of my file, they gave me it starting with 8/1/14 and I said to the lady, "I first came here on 7/25." She said, "Let me see, yes, you did but for some reason he didn't put in any notes." I was like uh huh, I bet (to myself). I imagine she was talking about the Indian dentist who was also a male.

Anyway, I did not see Dr [redacted] until 8/1. If I needed a root canal at the point of paying the $200 down, then why wasn't I given one on 8/1? Why didn't doctor [redacted] know anything about a root canal and just prepped my tooth for a bridge? I asked him on that appointment if he had completed a root canal. Refer to my previous submission (it seems it was not read and comprehended). After Dr. [redacted] prepped my teeth my back tooth started hurting when it never hurt before. I had to make and appointment to get it checked. Again, refer to my previous submission. And later, my perfectly good tooth #29 has been destroyed in this process for no reason other than incompetence. If they knew I couldn't afford it, why did they keep pushing me? They offered to do the root canal on #29 at no cost because they know they are liable. I DID NOT RECEIVE A ROOT CANAL ON #29, ONLY THE FIRST STEP WAS PERFORMED. Read my previous submission. I NEVER RECEIVED MY BRIDGE. I was informed along the way and signed paperwork because I had no other choice. I was in the middle of treatment and in pain. I had to sign to get relief. I signed under duress!!! I am not stepping foot in Columbia Dental ever again. I have waited a month for their response. They are not being accountable for their mistakes/malpractice.

If they do not resolve to my request, I am going to the Media/social media, Consumer Affairs, and small claims court. Refund my insurance company and me in full and forget all the other "demands" as long as they also pay to have my teeth fixed by a reputable dentist of my choosing. My teeth still hurt and are exposed. I am unable to get them fixed because Columbia Dental has exhausted my dental insurance and my personal finances. I will wait until January 16th for my request to be met before I take additional action.Sincerely,[redacted]

Review: Patients and consumers beware!!!! Initially my daughter made an appointment because she was experiencing mouth pain. The office told her to come in for a 2pm appointment. As it would turn out, they told 7 other patients to come at 2pm as well. My daughter had to wait >2 hours to be seen without an apology. Each person's time is valuable and they made no show of respecting that fact. During the visit, she had X-rays performed. During this procedure, it appeared that the X-ray tech had difficulty turning on the machine as if [redacted] was unfamiliar with it. Furthermore, it took over 20 minutes to complete a panoramic X-ray. My daughter was then notified that she needed to have all four of her wisdom teeth extracted. They made an appointment for 8am the following month, as it is the only day the oral surgeon comes to that office. They requested that my daughter fill out all of the paperwork and sign all of the consents at that time because they were giving her a Rx for [redacted] and didn't want her signing the consent while impaired. We arrive to her appointment on the day of extraction to find out that she wasn't on the schedule at all! The receptionist places her on the schedule, and now we are waiting behind 3 other people. Then the receptionist announces that the surgeon is running an hour behind... We are finally seen 2 1/2 hours after her initial appointment. Upon sitting down with the surgeon, he explains that there is only time to extract 2/4 wisdom teeth. He then steps out and returns to say that he can do them all... The office manager comes into the room with my daughter in the chair and asked how we plan on paying for this procedure and do we want to applying for financing? I explained that I have insurance, and I'd like to pay the balance that is owed after the insurance company pays their portion- what he had on the bills was "an estimate of charges". The office manager told be that I had to pay at that moment, because "nobody gets anything for free." Realizing that I could not go to another dentist because they had already submitted the claims for the first exam, my hands were tied. I explained to him how horrible the experience has been at this office and he asked if I'd "like to deal in the now?" This man was incredibly insulting and disrespectful. If I had know this, I'd never ever had given the name to my daughter to make an appointment.

Business

Response:

This experience sounds less than optimal and I apologize for the experience overall. The issue here though is the writer of this complaint is not the patient and she does not identify who the patient is or at which office this took place. We have 15 offices in [redacted] and without narrowing down where and whom was involved, it is much harder to investigate and give a more directed, specific answer.. I'm certainly not discounting what Ms. [redacted] is saying, but it certainly bears more weight coming from the actual patient versus an observation.

Consumer

Response:

Review: [redacted]

I am rejecting this response because: