Gentle Dental

On February 24th, 2012, I went in for a free consultation with Dr. **. As I was sitting in the dentist chair, the assistants starting doing x-rays. And I said, "I am not paying for the x-rays because I was told when I did the appointment it would be free." Both Dr. ** and her two assistants agreed that this was all free. I did not get a copy of the x-rays. I did not like the estimate for the work on I needed on my teeth. I thought it was very high compared to other places I have gone to. So I told Dr. ** this and left. On February 29th, I received a charge bill in the amount of $23 for x-rays and infection control (whatever that means). I immediately called and spoke to Ivy in billing and explained that I did not sign anything to agree to pay for x-rays and I was told I was getting a free consultation and no for x-rays. I also advised Ivy to call me back within 24 hours so we can resolve this issue.

To this day, Ivy never called me back. I called the dentist office again the very next day and spoke to Jennifer ** (office manager) and explained that I was not responsible for this bill of $23 and I would like a full credit. I also wanted proof that I agreed to pay this amount. She told me she would call me back within 24 hours. As of today, I have not heard from her. On March 5th, I emailed Jennifer ** and advised her in an email that if I do not receive a credit for the amount of $23, I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and Consumer Affairs and the Florida Dental Board. I will also voice my opinion on consumer website like Angie's List, Healthgrades, Doctoroogle, Yelp for misleading your patient, telling them it is free consultation and x-rays and then you send them a bill. As of today, I have not heard from anyone at Gentle Dental to resolve this.

I had quite a bit of trouble with a dental office and I want it to be noted since I am afraid the dental work is shoddy. I may need to get my money back and I wanted it documented by you so you are aware of this. My son's father picked out this dentist's office since he carries the insurance.

Here is the series of events that took place:

July 29: I took my son to Gentle Dental in Mission Viejo. I was told my son needs an inlay on a bad cavity. I told Patty that my son was leaving to go out of town on August 6 so maybe I should wait until he returns. I was told by Patty that his permanent inlay would be back from the lab on the following Friday, August 5, and that it should not be a problem. That day, they prepped my son's tooth and gave him a temporary. The assistant dropped his temporary on the floor and could not find it for about 10 minutes. The tooth that fell on the floor was put into my son's mouth.

August 2: The temporary tooth cracked and fell out when my son was lightly brushing his teeth.

August 3: I took my son back to get another temporary tooth. I was told that the permanent tooth would be ready on August 5.

August 5: I was told over the phone that my son's permanent tooth was not ready and would not be available until the following week (when my son would be out of town). So, I made an appointment for August 15, the first available day that my son would be back from his trip.

August 15: I took my son back to Gentle Dental to get his permanent tooth. As we were walking out the door, my son mentioned that he needed to come back. I asked why and he told me that the dentist broke his permanent tooth and had yet to put another temporary back in. I went in to get an explanation and Patty said that when they opened the box from the lab, the permanent tooth was already broken. I asked why they took his temporary out without inspecting the tooth. She had no answer.

When I spoke to the dentist, she explained it to me differently. She said that the tooth broke after it was in my son's mouth and after the x-ray was taken. I was not very happy with getting two stories. I explained that my son and I were going to Costa Rica for a business trip and that I was supposed to leave on August 20 with my son. The dentist said that she was afraid to keep a temporary on my son that long so Patty assured me that they would work with the lab (since they sent a broken tooth to them) and get a rush job. She explained that they have done this before and that it would definitely not be a problem this time. I made an appointment to have the second permanent tooth put on August 19.

I was also told by the receptionist that the permanent inlay is guaranteed for 5 years and that if anything should happen, it would be replaced at no charge. I was getting concerned about the integrity of the teeth the lab made.

August 19: I got a call one hour before the appointment that my son's permanent tooth was not ready. I asked what happened and was told that they forgot to communicate to the lab to do the rush job. I had to cancel my business trip at work and the tickets were not refundable. I was let go from work since I was missing work, taking my son to these dentist appointments and to other doctor appointments. I found out that my son had tonsillitis and needs to have his tonsils out on August 29, the earliest appointment I could get.

Patty said that the tooth would be available on August 23, Wednesday. I told her that August 23 is on a Tuesday. After clearing up, the tooth would be back from the lab on August 23, Tuesday. I asked her if we should come in on the 24th to give them time to inspect the tooth. We then made the appointment on August 24. I then asked to speak with the office manager and was told that she was not available. I asked for her number and was told that I could not have it. I asked for who owned Gentle Dental and was told that they could not give out that information. I could not believe it and was very upset. Patty then put the dentist on the phone, who could barely speak English, and I could not understand a word she said.

August 21: My son's temporary tooth cracked again while brushing his teeth. I am now getting concerned that these teeth are made poorly and that his permanent tooth would have issues as well. I took my son back to Gentle Dental on August 22. As my son was again fitted for another temporary tooth, I asked a person in the office who owned Gentle Dental. I was told that it is owned by investors and that no one would be available to speak to me.

At that point, the office manager Xiomara ** took me back to her office and told me that she had Dr. ** and Ms. ** on the phone to speak to me. I asked them for my money back for all the inconveniences and was told that they could not do that; they offered me a free bleaching instead. I could not believe that. The last thing I want is any more dental care or lack of from them.

I said that since they could not give me my money back, I would like it in writing that if anything should happen within 5 years of putting the permanent tooth, Gentle Dental would give me my money back because I would not like to continue going there and getting the same treatment. Dr. ** refused and said that it is common for an inlay to break and that it happens all the time. I told him that I have a couple of inlays in my mouth and it never happened to me. They have been replaced after as many as 10 years in my mouth. I now have no choice but to go back and have the permanent tooth put in with no guarantee.

After I left, I called my own dentist and asked about inlays cracking. I was told that this is not a thing that happens to them; it only happens once in a blue moon. I now feel that we will have trouble with the tooth they put in. This is why I am writing this letter and informing you of this in case I do need to get my money back.

August 24: I took my son back to get his tooth put in with huge reservations and the dentist kept murmuring things that made my son very nervous. Her English was very hard to understand and all I heard was something about normal patients. The appointment was supposed to take half hour but it took one whole hour. I was also asked to sign some waiver about the tooth, which I have never done in my life and which I did not sign.

I believe that the integrity of the tooth may be an issue because the dental office could not even guarantee a refund if anything goes wrong with the tooth. Please keep this on file so if I run into any issues, I might get some assistance on getting my refund. I would also like to file a formal complaint. Please send me the form to do so.

My husband and I started going here in 2008. We went for cleanings. They said both our teeth were fine. They did xrays when I was there. I did just come from my dentist, I had 2 crowns replaced a filling and more to be done. She lost the crown and said it was the lab's fault.

So far my insurance is already used up. How could they tell us there was nothing wrong with our teeth. My husband had a bridge put in. Plus we put out of pocket for his $3,600 and mine is $1,100. My question is who holds these people responsible for the damage that they have caused?

I went to Gentle Dental in May 2010 to have four crowns redone and a bridge. June 7 they prepped for the bridge. June 30, it was placed and right away I told Dr. Nguyen that it was way too high. He said wait until we re-do the crowns, leave it for now. I was in excruciating pain because I was hitting the front and not the back of my teeth. I hung in their thinking that everything would be fine when the crowns came back. After the crowns were placed, things only got worse. They were just as high, if not higher. The jaw pain has been excruciating. I have neck pain that is severe. I have tingling in my right arm and both legs. I have been in pain 24/7 since this work has been done.

I went back to him several times for adjustments. No difference. I asked to see another dentist in the office. I already paid close to eight thousand dollars and if I went someplace else I would have to pay again. They should make it right. I went to see D. Nasr. She took an impression and showed me that I was not biting down in the back at all. She did several adjustments. She conferred with the owner, Dr. Cox. I met with him on Friday (August 27). He was rude and drowned out everything I said. Unfortunately, I let him file down the front. He filed down too much. That night the pain was unbearable in my jaw and my neck. I went to urgent care on Sat. An x-ray was taken and it showed my teeth have been pushed back because of all the clenching because of my bite problem. My neck is very inflamed because of the bite problem. It is straight, instead of curved like it should be. I was put on medication.

Called dentist Mon. and said the work has to be re-done. I can't deal with the pain. The dental work that they did was made way to high. Before anything was done by them, all my bottom teeth were the same height. Even after all the filing you can see a difference from one side to the other. They really made a big mistake and they won't do the right thing. I was given an appointment. Dr. Cox came in and yelled "we are not doing anything over again". I told him my bite was so off and he yelled again "first you say their too high and now you say they are too low". "We are not doing anything and I am not checking your bite again. I will give you a referral for a prosthodontist", and he stormed out of the room. He was so very rude and when I left there I was shaking. I actually stopped off at my doctor's office because my heart was pounding and I thought I was going to have a heart attack. I paid them so much money and the only thing I got was pain and suffering. I have appointments for consultations with other dentists to have the work redone and I am still very much in pain.