Western Dental Services Inc

Review: My problem with Western Dental is that in they have filed a false claim towards my credit. On 10-16-2013 I had gone into the office and got a FREE evaluation on Ortho for braces to see how much they would cost. They quoted me $4654.00 dollars. That day I had signed a treatment plan contract for the cost of the braces and services. I work at a dental office and my boss the next day had told me that he can give me a better deal because I work for him and I can get an employee discount. On 10-17-2013 I had called western Dental back to see if I can cancel my contract with them because I have not received any services from them and that I would be getting the services from my work. I spoke with [redacted] (Wester Dentals Manager of the Ortho Department) she told me that it will be no problem and that she was canceling my contract. I asked if there was any fees I need to pay or sign any papers I was told NO. That they will handle it in office and there is nothing ells I need to do on my end.

In the month of February I had tried applying for a house and I got denied because I have a claim of $4,654.00 on my credit from Trans Union for a false claim that is not true. I was in total distress and shock of this I contacted Western Dental right away calling the main office I called and spoke with [redacted] and left a message about this urgent matter to me and to please have [redacted] contact me! I did not receive a phone call back so on March 4th about this issue I called and finally got to speak with [redacted], I never got a phone call back from her in the first place I was upset and when I did speak with [redacted] she acted like it was no big deal and that she would get it taken care of right away. I called again March 20th and NOTHING was done about this issue, speaking with [redacted] from corporate told me no one has done anything with the claim. I have called OVER multiple times in the past 5 months and NOTHING has got done on my CREDIT at all! THIS IS FRAUD!Desired Settlement: I want this false claim of $4654.00 taken off of my credit completely so I can apply for a home with out any issues and not have to worry about my credit any more. I have been stressed and depressed about this whole situation it has taken a toll into my personal life as well as my work life, and I don't know what to do any more, I have contacted everyone through Western Dental (No one has helped me I am falling through the cracks) and I have talked to my credit and have been trying to get this off of my credit for 5 months now for a false claim that has no intent at all of being on there. If someone can contact me about this complaint I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you so much

Consumer

Response:

see attached for authorization release form.

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") appreciates the opportunity to address the concerns filed by the patient with the Business Bureau. WDS has reviewed and resolved the patient's inquiry. The following is WDS' resolution to this matter:

I have reviewed the patient's account and it shows that the contract was canceled and the account was closed. A zero balance letter was sent to patient. Please be advised that a request was submitted to have negative credit reporting removed. If you have any further questions or

concerns, please contact me directly at 714-571-3309.

Review: I am a current client with Western Dental as they have contracted to take care of my braces. In August 2013 I was notified that I had to have a crown on one of my back teeth. The doctor put the crown on and I left. ON THE WAY HOME the crown FELL OFF! I went back to the location on Oracle, they re-cemented the crown back on the tooth. July 4th, 2014 THE CROWN FALLS OFF AGAIN! I look inside the crown and it is all black and green! Western Dental was not open so I went to a dentist that was open, and the other dentist told me "THE CROWN THAT WESTERN DENTAL HAD PUT ON WAS MADE TOO SMALL AND THAT IS WHY IT KEEPS COMING OFF!" He made a new crown and put it on for me. Western Dental charged me 1400.00 for a crown that I now carry around in a plastic bag. I have made about 10 attempts to speak with a customer service person about the matter, but no one really can give me an answer, and I just paid the crown off on the payment plan as if I had NOT Western Dental would turn me over to collections! For a crown that I don't even have in MY MOUTH! I even emailed the customer service department and they told me to speak with someone at the location. The people at the location tell me to call the Corporate office! Its a TOTAL SCAM! I paid 1400.00 for a crown and it's NOT IN MY MOUTH!Desired Settlement: Refund of the 1400.00 and they can have the crown back gladly! Or a credit for the 1400.00 to MY BRACES!

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") is in receipt of the Revdex.com's inquiry regarding this case. Please note that although WDS has obtained the required release from patient, WDS has not finalized its review and resolution of this matter. Please note that this case is under a grievance review and is due for resolution on or before 09/16/2014, at that time, WDS will forward any pertinent information to the Revdex.com.

Business

Response:

As

previously mentioned, Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") is in

receipt of the Revdex.com's inquiry regarding this case. Please

note that although WDS has obtained the required release from patient, WDS has

not finalized its review and resolution of this matter. Please note that this

case is due for resolution on or before 09/16/14, at that time, WDS will

forward any pertinent information to the Revdex.com.

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") appreciates the opportunity to address the concerns filed by the patient with the Business Bureau. WDS has reviewed and resolved the patient's inquiry. The following is WDS' resolution to this matter:

The Patient Relation Committee has finalized patient's complaint. A resolution letter was mailed to patient on 9/15/14 with an explanation from the peer review committee of their findings and a resolution to patient's complaint.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

The letter from the company accepts NO responsibility for the ill fitting crown. It does state that I should have brought the matter to their attention sooner, I would've thought that would have been OBVIOUSLY APPARENT each time I RETURNED TO HAVE THE CROWN PUT BACK ON! AFTER THREE TIMES OF IT FALLING OFF, people get TIRED OF THE BAD PRACTICE AND SEEK REAL PROFESSIONAL HELP!

Review: I had paid in full for services that where not rendered to me back in 11/29/2008. I had entered in contract with them to provide me with dental services, I had issues with my wisdom teeth that I had toes one of there specialist. The schedule they had for this Dr. never worked for my schedule as at that moment I worked in San Diego, but lived in Anaheim. I ended up going somewhere else as this office could not accommodate me in any way. Years passed and recently my wife [redacted] contacted the office as I had not had my issues fixed with my wisdom tooth as of yet. It was April 17, 2014 I had my appt my wife specifically advised them of the reason I was going in for my issues that I had gone in contact with them back in 2008. I went to my appointment they did not have my records as they said it was in "storage" and had to be pulled to contact a manager so that it could be located, I left the office a pointless appt. Nothing accomplished. Since I didn't hear back from them my wife [redacted] called on 5/29/14 manager was not in would call us back the following day at noon. He never called us so my wife called again 6/2/2014 she was on hold for a very long time and they had not updated my personal info on file, the "manager" [redacted] was calling our old disconnected number they had on my file. Note: I had updated all my personal info back in April when I went for my appointment. Another week passed as my file was not available yet, my wife [redacted] called again, on hold for a long time once again, [redacted] came on the line he said a refund check was issued to us and he was to wait for corporate to get back to him to see if check was ever cashed. My wife [redacted] told [redacted] we had never received a refund check but would wait for him to call us back. On 6/24/14my wife called [redacted] again as he had not called us back yet, he stated to her no refund would be issued to us since the insurance paid less then what was billed, I asked him to send me EOB, as my wife stated to him that services where not performed.Desired Settlement: I am not happy with the way the office/manager handled my issues. I got the run around every time my wife would call. She also called corporate on 6/24/14 to file a complaint and they gave her a different answer, they stated my "credit" on my account was credited to my wifes account. They would get back to us once they look into account within 30 days. I have not received any emails, calls, or regular mail regarding this issue. I need my monies refunded to me as they never completed services.

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") appreciates the opportunity to address the concerns filed by the patient with the Business Bureau. Western Dental sincerely apologizes for any miscommunication or misunderstanding that may have occurred.Due to the time lapsed that had occurred from the last office visit in 2009 patient's chart was sent to storage due to patient not returning to office after 3 years. An audit has been completed for all the treatment that patient received in 2008 and 2009. Audit findings show that patient still had a remaining balance of $554.30 due to insurance underpayment, patient's insurance maxed out. Patient's insurance did not pay the estimated amount, therefore any insurance shortfall is patient's responsibility. Due to the time that had elapsed the amount of $554.30 was adjusted to zero since we can no longer bill the patient. Patient is not being charged for extractions he originally contracted for. Patient is not warranted a refund. An itemized statement will be mailed to patient reflecting all treatment completed. all patient payments, and all insurance payments. Patient can contact his insurance company, Metropolitan, to obtain his Explanation of Benefits for further verification. EOB's were sent to patient by his insurance company when claims were processed in 2008 and 2009.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I have a signed contract with the Dental Office to perform teeth extractions that where never performed. If I owed anymonies to Western Dental they would have harassed me until they got their payment. Not once did I hear from them phone/mail in regards to a balance due. If so I am a man of integrity and I pay my bills in full, my credit history can prove that!!! I find it unproffesional that they would keep money for services never performed on me. I will wait to recieve the EOB that I already have from them to compare. The way the company is unprofessional and shady. I have never dealt with such situation. I paid for my wisdom teeth to be extracted and it was never performed, plain and simple I deserve my refund.

Regards,

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") appreciates the opportunity to address the concerns filed by the patient with the Business Bureau.When patient first presented to the office in 2008 he did contract for extractions, however patient did not have the extraction completed. Patient had a credit on his account. An amount of $251.70 was transferred to patient's wife account on 6/15/2009, still leaving patient with a credit. Patient then returned on 6/23/2009 to add more treatment. Patient signed a contract for new treatment and treatment was completed. Patient's insurance did not pay for the entire treatment for 2009 due to insurance maxing out. The credit left on the account from 2008 was applied to the 2009 balance due to insurance short fall, therefore no billing statements where generated to bill patient for insurance underpayment. In the contract that patient signed it indicates insurance benefits are estimated and patient's actual insurance benefit and patient share may be different. Patient is responsible for payment for all services. An itemized statement was mailed to patient reflecting all treatment completed and payments applied to his account. Patient was also provided with Explanation of Benefits from his insurance company in 2009 indicating that he had maxed out and patient would be responsible. Patient is responsible in obtaining additional copies of his Explanation of Benefits thru his insurance company. The itemized statement will confirm to the patient that although his credit of 2008 was applied towards his 2009 balance there was still a remaining balance of $554.30. Due to the statue of limitations that would not allow us to bill the patient, the remaining balance of $554.30 was adjusted off as good will leaving patient's account at a zero balance.

Review: When I schedule the appointment, the lady on the phone told what to expect from my visit. X-rays, discuss any treatment I may need, affordable dental plans, etc. I even visited the website. Everything sounded great. When I arrived for my 5:00 pm appointment, I fill out all the paper work. I got called at 5:45 pm, to tell me that they could not see me, they had to reschedule me because they were closing. The sign at the door said that they closed at 7:00 pm. I asked to speak to a supervisor, I did not get a supervisor. He was there and was aware of the situation. They decided to just get me in and out right away so they all could go home. I went to the x-ray room, they wanted only to take one x-ray of the tooth that was hurting. I told them, if I was paying 104.00, I wanted them to at least take x-rays on the side that was hurting. While they were taking the x-rays, the receptionist was charging me for the visit(very unprofessional). I took out the cash to pay and she said they don't take cash(maybe their cash box was already balanced). I paid with my card. Finally a lady comes, takes a look at the x-rays. She starts saying I think, I think. What? Shouldn't they KNOW? I told her I went to the doctor 2 weeks prior to the visit and the doctor gave me antibiotics (amoxicillin). Everyone was in such a rush to get out of there, that she gave me a prescription. The name of the antibiotic she wrote was AMOXICILLIN. Then I ask if they could show me the plans. She said the person already went home. The Supervisor was there. No one wanted to help me, they just wanted to go home. This experience was HORRIBLE. Nothing was done right, customer service was terrible, and the same way I went in, is how I went out. My visit lasted 15 mins(45 mins waiting time, 15 mins service). I don't think it's right what they did. I paid $104.00 to get a 15 min visit. You definitely don't get what is advertise:(

Order_Number: [redacted]Desired Settlement: DesiredSettlementID: Other (requires explanation)

I want all $104.00 back.

Consumer

Response:

Hello,

Review: This is on behalf of my daughter [redacted] for whom I signed a contract for orthodontics. I made all payments since then and each and every month from 2010 to 2013 for the amount of $108. One payment for $111 was paid upfront as well. We entered the contract back in 2010 for less than the amount of $4049. There are billing discrepancies from the business which has not been addressed until October 2014 when I received a bill for $158 stating that I should pay again for the plan fee and a missing month. I am surprised with a bill for $158 and more again with it being raised to $183 today per their statement and when I asked what the bill is for I was not given a straight answer and was hung up on several times and when I asked what month I am missing they could not give me an answer either and been transferred from one customer to another to be hung up on. It has been a month I am inquiring about the bill with no answer and when I got the bill again I had to copy the contract and the history of my payment and ask for a refund of over payment. I called today to be hung up by them again without a straight answer for the amount which was raised and for the fee that I have already paid upfront.When I went to the office I found out that the discrepancies is done from their end where they charged me twice for one month back in February of 2011 and they did not catch their mistake until recently. I believed that I paid the contract in full because when I asked about the pay off balance back in august of 2013 a customer service representative told me that the pay off balance was $327 remaining balance to pay off the amount of the contract which I paid in full in August of 2013,without proper notice they send me a bill for $158 stating now they did not get the payment for one month and other fees that I am not aware of nor I should be paying. The fee for $50 according to the contract is already paid back in 10/06/2010 for the plan fee and nothing in the contract states otherwiseDesired Settlement: The Revdex.com looks at their discrepancies and adjust the contract amount to what is stated in the contract and each one of us abide by the contract and if they breached the contract even if the Revdex.com finds that there is any money owed to them it should not be recovered because they breached the contract and I would like a refund of $108 over payment as my refund.

Business

Response:

Western Dental Services, Inc. ("WDS") appreciates the opportunity to address the concerns filed by the patient with the Business Bureau. WDS has reviewed and resolved the patient's inquiry. The following is WDS' resolution to this matter: Responsible party was contacted and contract terms were reviewed. Please see attached copy orthodontic contract verifying that responsible party contracted for the amount of $4049.00. Also, attached is the itemized statement reflecting all payments made on account. Responsible party has paid a total of $3,941.00, leaving a remaining balance of $108.00. Included is also the Western Dental Orthodontic Treatment Policy signed by responsible party. Please refer to page 2 #5 were responsible party was made aware that the $50 yearly plan sale will be added automatically to the balance and is obligated to pay under the installment contract with Western Dental. One plan sale of $50 was added to remaining balance of $108.00, therefore remaining balance of $158.00 is correct. A refund of $108.00 is not warranted since there is no overpayment and there has been no breach of contract from Western Dental. Western Dental sincerely apologizes for any miscommunication or misunderstanding that may have occurred.