Western Dental & Orthodontics Reviews

Because the braces is already in the final stage when we went to them July 2016, which actually they dont have plans to stop until I made a second opinion to another orthodontist which advises me to tell Western Dental that it should stop since, and now they are telling to pay the full amount of the contract which 3500 usd for a 8 months treatment of just adjusting the wires. I hope and pray that Western Dental Services should consider what they had told to their patients and not making the excuse that the person who made the contract before is no longer employed in the company. I want to seek legal advice.

I complained to dentist and she tried to get the stains off to no avail. Then they show me this video about an antibiotic called ** which she says dentists use after scaling instead of laser. Well she does this treatment and then I see the detailed bill. $660 for the **. Now I'm getting upset because I do not recall lined items on the bill and I would never have agreed to $660 for an antibiotic! Anyway, I feel screwed because I signed the contract. I truly believe they added the line items after I signed but can't be certain. Anyway, there are so many complaints about this company that they should be shut down for their business practices. Run away from Western Dental!

A little over a week later I get another message saying to call them. Again I'm told, "Just making sure you'll make the appointment." Again I tell them YES! I had to go to the hospital on 4-28 but I rescheduled so I can get this bad tooth out. Today 4-24 I get my third call. I tried for a half an hour to understand them. I couldn't so I asked my friend to listen after 15 min. We think we got the call back number. I get the same man I talked to the first time. Again he doesn't understand why I'm calling.

I told him, "This is the third time you've called me and you don't know why you keep calling me!" Then he says, "Oh here. There is a note. We need to reschedule your appointment!" I asked if he was kidding. "I to go to the hospital but cancelled it to get this rotten tooth out. Now you're telling me you have to reschedule my appointment!" He wants me to come back June 8 to have my tooth out. I told him, "The tooth is making me sick. It's so bad and now you want me to wait 4 months to remove one tooth!!!" He tells me that's the soonest appointment they have! He couldn't understand why I was upset! I hung up and will find another dentist.

Look this Manager is not being held accountable for the Standard of Care, she continually treats patients with discrimination and is very rude and uncaring. I don't think an Office Manager Should be making emergency dental work decisions, let alone have the final decision on which of the 9 ruptured broken teeth should the Oral Surgeon remove. Especially when in my case... all the most painful infected teeth were not approved by this woman. WTH??? This is what they left me with! Old wore out rotten teeth.

I contacted BBB and they chose to accept my complaint. They told me that Western Dental never responded! I have now contacted Senior Service Legal Firms. I will not give up and I will not give in. Western Dental ripped me off big time! They offered me to "appeal" with their appeal department!! I will have no more to do with Western Dental or with any of their departments. They are just too inept. Instead, I will seek legal advice in order to obtain my proper refund. What a rip off!

I got 7 fillings done and haven't been able to eat right since and it's been a year I kept going back to them to tell them to fix it or at least try to fix the situation, but I guess they got tired of me because on my second visit after my work one of the dentist yelled at me and she wasn't even the one who did my work. She tried to tell me I have to come back to see why are my filling causing me sensitivity. She made a appointment for me saying "come back when your insurance starts again." I clearly said I'm not coming back.

Next appointment five days later after seeing my mouth never felt like the pain was decreasing still on pain pills. I trusted the dentist in doing the right thing three temporary crowns insured. All staff had left the office with just a dental assistant to put on the last temporary crown on my molar tooth. I sat there so long waiting. She place the crown on. I left. It broke just as I got home. I called 800 number the Western Dental appt. desk. She sent me back to the same location. The same dental assistant put a second crown on we were leaving together. I watch her turning some of the out the lights. I got home (10 minutes away) drove in the driveway the crown broke again. I called appt. Receptionist center 800 appt. desk she had left yet the receptionist stated to me what are they doing in that office? She said go back. I did just that. She put another temporary crown on the same molder.

Once I got home and closed my mouth the same crown she placed on the same molar it broke so I called her once again. She stated the dental assistant has left for the night to come in the morning be the first appointment in the office. I did that. The dentist arrived after waiting over a hour. I ask the dentist why didn't he say he was leaving me without finishing my services. He walked out without saying anything. I was still alarmed. The other assistant placed a temporary crown on the tooth the next day. My mouth never stopped hurting even after placing the permanent crowns. I go back and get permanently placed crowns inserted. He does impressions for dentures none I'm thinking it's a crown bridge because I had told the dentist I didn't want any more metal.

By this time I am on ** the pain still hasn't stop. My mouth is turning gray inside. Each other day I'm taking pictures with my cell phone. I leave nine days later my mouth is turning black inside. I called the receptionist 800 number. She makes a next day appt. At this time I am on panic mode. I asked the dentist what is going on with my dentist services. At this time the dentist looked in my mouth and I saw the panic look on his face. I started crying and he left me sitting in the examine chair returning with two prescriptions handing me a previous one written on the date I had a tooth pulled and one have the current date. And Ask me why Didn't I take the Voided slip of medicines. I was scared at this point because I just realized they didn't know what's going on. The dentist at this point told me to go to Kaiser Emergency NOW. GO NOW.

The dentist told me I had diabetes that is why your teeth won't heal. He went back to talk with the office manager telling he want a copy of my entire medical records and X-rays. At this time I truly realized how unprofessional the entire staffing were in the front office. I just wanted this to be over. I had no teeth. My mouth is in a serious condition and my insurance is their HMO so now I starting asking about a second opinion and saw that was going to be very difficult. I went to the next appointment because this office makes all your appointments in advanced even the last appt. on the first date of services. The dentist place the temporary dentures in my mouth. I felt like I was going the puke. He started taking pictures and writing taking pictures of both sides of my mouth.

When I open my mouth to tell he the fix was very uncomfortable I couldn't move my tongue. The top area of the denture laid on top of my tongue. I removed the denture to asked him is it supposed to fix where you can't talk? He replied it's only temporary. Now I'm not at anytime being disrespectful and at this point realizing he is just becoming abusive towards me and both my dentist don't like me. And I say both because at one time I thought my second dentist in the office was a dental assistant simply because he didn't do anything without asking the first dentist. So now I've gone the farthest I'm going to go without starting research. Went to the dental board making sure they are licensed.

Texted online researching the corporation office to speak to the head person in charge. (There was no luck calling to get this information because some of the numbers will tell you there is no one person in charge. Many numbers will tell you they don't know if there is a number because each location is in charge of itself.) I was giving fabricated information after realizing once I the particular subject is to file a complaint. I'm filing a complaint I will not get the information I'm looking for. I have proof once I contacted this location telling them everything that's happen to me to five different locations which were 800 numbers. I was assaulted tell all details of this first visited to date and to be told this is the wrong complaint's department. I call the HMO insurance and tell them this is a health concern five weeks after the first surgery. I want a second opinion and do not pay this bill. My mouth is in horrible condition.

At this time I had four different doctors stating there's still an infection and a host of other findings. I don't want these two dentist paid without services render. I don't pay in advance. I filed a complaint on everybody involved. The Head of the HMO told me to return to the dental of for a referral to get a second opinion. I walk in the door, saw the dentist was extremely angry while watching him trying to attack the office manager and the staff holding him back. I was in shock! I sat in the waiting area then they called me to go back in the examine chair. THE DENTIST CAME IN AND SHOUTED AT ME USING THE HIGHEST LEVEL spoken words ever. So close I could feel his hot breath in my face! The dentist he waved his finger in my face told me, "I don't care about you! I don't want to touch you! I don't care if you are sick!"

HE REPEATED "I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE SICK. I DON'T WANT TO TOUCH YOU! WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU REPORTED ME TO THE insurance company. I don't want to touch you!" My eyes started tearing up. I just said "I have major pain in my mouth. It hasn't stopped hurting since your appointment and I want a second opinion." The Dentist Yelled at the assistant and told her to take a Xray of my tooth. I ask the Xray tech for copies of all my Xrays in this office. I saw this was a unsafe moment. I didn't know what to say so I apologize for making him upset and told him I don't know what was said to him. I just want to be made whole! He shook my hand. I knew at this point he should not be a doctor. How many people has he hurt?

I now have out of pocket expenses and no teeth. My fillings has fell out and needed addition surgery plus a referral to two different dental surgeries. Went to small claims court. Filed lawsuit. The dental office told the Marshals they had the wrong address!!! As if I was never there! So now I went to legal services referred by the courts. Now filing law claim against Western Dental Corporation. They rotate these dentist from office to office making it impossible to locate EACH DENTIST AFTER THEY CAUSE MAJOR DAMAGES AND FEB.1st 2017 THIS YOUNG MAN 26 YEARS OF AGE DIED FROM A TOOTH INFECTION. This case is a senior abuse and the dentist malpractice should be majorly corrected!!!

She refused to give me any more numbing medication even though I was in tears and didn't want to stop. After the procedure, I was very angry and in so much pain. She did not care that I was in pain and didn't give me in antibiotics or anything for my pain. I would never ever in my entire life go back to this place again. They do not care about their patients, well at least this woman didn't.

3 days later Western Dental withdrew $115.00 from my bank account. I have been on the phone with Western Dental's incompetent employees ever since trying to get my refund. I called the local office and they told me to call corporate, corporate told me to call customer service Refunds. No one answers the phone, you can only leave a message and hope that Western Dental staff will call back but they don't. I was told by Western Dental in a Texas office to contact Patient Relations and speak with a complaint staffer named Jessica who was absolutely no help at all. As a matter of fact she didn't want to help me at all and told me to go back to the local office in Hawthorne. I have contact a channel 2 investigative reporter to look into all the similar complaints about how horrible Western Dental is. Just a word of advice and warning DO NOT GO TO ANY WESTERN DENTAL OFFICES, they are the worst!!!

I pay the balance and sign another EFT authorization. Now these guys charge me twice a month for $77 and $99. I did not notice right away so here I go again to the office to fix it. So far the payments are ok now. Now today in the mail I got a collections notice for $176 past due. I called right away to the Western Dental billing to see what is going on. Earlier this year I had gone for a general dental checkup but due to the wait in the lobby and then waiting in the back for a dentist I had decided to reschedule. A week after that I get a call from collection due to not paying. How can I be billed when no services were rendered? I remember getting an estimate. I had to call back to the billing department and make a claim but I guess these idiots never actually processed it after I was told it would be ok. Nothing but problems. Stay away from here. Now I have to fix the mess this office has made.

Dr. ** spent five minutes yelling at me. I was wrong, he was right. That to take the sides down would reduce the surface area of the dentures. Finally he did reduce them slightly. The bottom ones still gouge into the back of my mouth and the lower areas, under my tongue and the front of my gums. Dr. ** began the session by yelling at me after I said they don't fit, without listening to the problems. The other comment I remember during his rant is that my gums would grow into the new dentures. I found no research to back that. Rather my gums will continue to shrink, especially with loose fitting dentures. Because of my disorder there is not much else I remember of what he said. The nurse just stood there looking at the floor and did nothing.

I have chronic post traumatic stress disorder. Being in a dentist office causes me severe anxiety and distress. No one wanted to know that. Dr ** would not listen. I did yell back, by that time I was in tears and embarrassed, humiliated. I left. I will not return. I need the dentures adjusted to fit my mouth. I have tried to eat, wear them, but I cannot. I know I have to adjust to a new pair, I get that, just as I had to adjust to the first ones. The dentist I saw 20+ years ago took great care in educating me in this process. I did my homework, I know a hard lining can be put in that will help adjust them to my mouth. Even a soft lining can be used for a short time. Dr. ** refused.

The first dentist I saw there passed me to Dr. ** because he did not want to deal with a difficult patient. Had I been listened to, rather than ignored, I would not have been distressed and "difficult." I was told not to expect them to fit like my old ones. That I could not expect to have these new ones fit like them. I get that. But I do expect to have them adjusted to fit my mouth. I do not do well with being yelled at, no more than I do when I am hungry and have to take time out of work, for which I do not get paid, to be told that I cannot be helped. I apologized for my outburst and did my best to make it right.

I was told not to go to Western Dental, that they have a poor reputation for this type of treatment for the patients, that their services are poor. I did more homework after the fact, I found no complimentary reviews that convinced me that I made the right choice. I want my dentures adjusted to fit my mouth. Denti-cal paid for them, but I pay my taxes, so I am not a charity. I believe those of us on government services deserve the best treatment available. Yet I am finding that to be a misled belief.

Went to the Vacaville, CA office, gave them both cards, was told "We'll use this one first, then this one". Was taken in for xrays and exam. The assistant went out of the exam area and returned with a proposal of $10k+. I said thanks, but no. She left and returned with an update to $6k+. Had they applied any discounts from the cards I gave, these would have been factored in already, so they either didn't apply them at first, or padded the estimate anyway. She handed me the only paperwork I got from them, one page with my FICO at the top and two payment plans for services that were not itemized. She said to hurry up before the end of the month when they change their financing schemes.

I said I'm ill prepared to agree to such a deal right now, but thanks. She said, as she deleted line by line a bunch of stuff on her screen, that today's visit was my free exam and xrays anyway so I wouldn't be charged. All I could see on there were several entries in one column that read "400-something", maybe some code. She went pretty fast. I asked at the desk on the way out, and they said all done.

This week I took from the mail a notice apparently from their collections people for 'an attempt to collect a debt' of $321.30, of which I'd paid $0.00. Nice trick, scammers. I entered into NO agreement for the services, received NO service that I was told was not free, NO detail of charges or work to be done, and NO prior bill. This agency is supposedly correspondent with both discount/coverage plans for which I presented eligibility.

Calls to the their central number only get me "That department is closed right now" or a voicemail. This is abuse of process, fraud and deceit. In light of WD's hideous record of fraud, malfeasance and lies, I am preparing to file suit for damages, including impact of having to pay this bogus fee and deleterious effect upon my immediate plans for travel for work pursuit imposed by an expense that I both said I did not agree to and was told was free.

I can file IFP at my level of finances, and I'm considering naming those individuals who were part of this process as well - they were part of the scam and they have incomes and assets that may help to redress what threatens to become a protracted loss - it's already consumed several hours' worth of time that should have been better spent before the flight for which I've saved, bought and was on my way to a better job environment. I am further, today, filing complaints with any pertinent State and Federal agencies.

Now I'll have plenty of time to sit here and do nothing productive but seek proper redress for this crime against my financial security and good name, as now I have to stay here to receive any further mailings regarding their next scam or risk having my credit shot while I'm in the dark for months to come. It looks like a quick $321.30 to them; now paid, it hits me well hard right now. What do they care? I'll make them care, for a change.

I couldn't wait as I live an hour away from the office and had to pick up my son from school. I made appointment for the next day at 10:30 am. I was given 1 vial of numbing medication for 3 different teeth. I was told that if I felt any pain to raise left hand. Well a little bit of drilling into the first tooth I could feel it and raised my hand. I was told that she (dentist) was almost done drilling. Then she had to scrape and drill a bit more I raised my hand again. She said that she was done. Started drilling on my next tooth which hurt as well and raised my hand. She said "you are feeling it because the numbing med I gave you is not as strong and the regular stuff we use." Why wouldn't they give more if they know it doesn't work as good? (I have a reaction to **.) She refused to give me more so I had to bear it. Really don't understand why I had to suffer when they get paid for the items they use.

I now have rough fillings. They are not smooth like all the other ones from several other dentists I have used. Showed up to appointment early. It was at 10:30 I got there at 10:00. At 10:55 I asked how much longer it was going to be. I wasn't having any work done I just needed my stay plate. I was told I was next. Around 11:05 I was called back. Guess what my stay plate that only takes an hour to fix was NOT done. So I waited until 11:25. When it was brought out it looked funny. So I gave it a try. It didn't fit in my mouth I couldn't get it to click into place. So the girl who made it adjusted the wires that hold it in place. It still wouldn't fit. So I got mad and also said that they could have cleaned that holes out not just seal the food in it. I was told I would have to wait for a dentist. Every chair in the back was occupied. They only have 2 dentists that I am aware of at this office.

I waited until 11:55 am (1.5 hours after appointment time) and I wasn't there for any work. So I took my stay plate up to the front. Told them I wanted my money back that this was a joke. I have had a stay plate for 7 years and have never had this problem. I was told that I would have to wait for the manager to call me about the money. Another girl from the front said that the dentist wanted me to wait. I did enough waiting I want my money back. So now I am waiting to hear from the manager.

After sitting in the waiting room fro 38 minutes to be seen, my daughter went back and saw Dr. ** who told her that everything was fine and that the pain is normal and would last for a week or more. Upon my daughter telling me this, I immediately asked to speak with the Doctor myself, the Doctor's assistant when asked about the pain medication informed me that she was sent home on Saturday with pain medication and antibiotics, to which I informed her that no she was not, just the antibiotics.

We are far from junkies and my daughter is in a lot of pain, can't eat, so what am I supposed to do?? Over the counter ** does nothing for her, she has never even taken pain medication before, so telling me that this is normal??? This is far from normal, I have had several teeth extracted in my lifetime and have ALWAYS been sent home with some sort of pain medication. Do yourselves a favor and don't use Western Dental. They could care less about their patients.

However upon reading the contract that night I found it murky and open ended in which extras not mentioned in the contract could be added. I found the identification as to the type of implants were simply called bone. The very denture itself was billed at only 130.00 which made no sense for an all-on-four denture. Further there were no guarantees expressed or even implied as to the work to be done. The only point expressed in the contract other than the money I owed was that called through the truth in lending practice.

So six days after signing the contract, I cancelled it formally in the dental office. I was told that I would need to wait to receive the 1,500.00 deposit money according to their processing. Well after many calls and waiting, I received only 500.00 and this after 5 and one-half months of waiting. After disputing the charges with corporate and the dental office I was told that I had another 700.00 coming but I would need to wait again. I have so far been treated with disdain and without the professionalism one would expect with a company so well known.

I still don't expect a resolution any time soon But I advise that anyone before signing with Western Dental or any contract, please take it home and read it. I was not even offered a chair to sit down in to read mine in the dental office I was in and like a fool I hurried up and signed it. My own experience showed me that Western Dental will foot drag as long as possible so if anyone does sign and change their mind, like I did, prepare for a very, very, long wait as I am still waiting.

When I called to dispute the charges, I was told Western Dental didn't charge me late fees and amount owed was the remaining Tricare Dental didn't cover. Good thing I believe in keeping my bills. I found the bill sent to me that noted a $25 late fee that had been accessed to the account. The customer service representative backtracked on his previous statement that Western Dental had not assessed late fees. He then offered me a 'discount' of $179 off of the disputed charge. I paid the $333 to be rid of the company. Had I not kept the bills, Western Dental would have probably continued to bill me late charges and noted a negative remark on my credit report. I am waiting for the Class Action lawsuit.

They royally ** me over badly. When I tried to seek treatment from Brident Dental that was 11 minutes away from my residential, they told me that I had to get audit, close my account with Western Dental (via paying off my braces - $1,800 worth) and start a whole new contract with them (with treatment ranging up to $3,000+). They told me that they done away with merging accounts 1.5 month ago without notifying me. I asked if I was the exception to the rule since I'm a old patient. NO! I talked to everybody from the old office to their corporate office. They don't give a ** about their patients, but their money! A newly veteran from US Navy, this company was the first thing that screwed me.

I decided to pay them off once I liquidated my TSP funds and go with Invisalign with Groupon for $1,500 total price treatment. I'll be saving way more money than if I stayed with them. And you know what, I liked them to the point I would've have stayed. Thank God! I hope this company go bankrupt! Preying on people who don't have insurance. Do yourself a favor and don't go to this company. Western Dental/Brident Dental are **!

Ditch my insurance, extend my CareCredit to $10,000 and the bill to WD will only be $13,000 for a total of $23,000. The condo I live in now I paid $50,000 for. OK, I've been to three different dentist this year and paid $900 for a root canal and $900 for a crown. In all of the x-rays I've had no other dentist told me that I needed a tooth extraction until today! My complaint is that when I was leaving the office, I was informed that my insurance does not pay for whole mouth x-ray with pictures, $94.000. Thanks for coming in. WD are crooks. They take the respect out of the trade of robbing people by adding insult to injury... going after people's money when they know some people can't pay! DO NOT GO TO WD!

I was asking if I could have implants, so they suggested I get another x-ray and appointment with another specialist to give me advice. Another appointment, they added the cost to my contract. After three specialist and x-rays, (Yes, they do not have a resident dentist in that area. Instead, they have a different doctor each time you visit) who had different opinions each time, they were charging me for each visit and each x-ray. Of course, different specialists have different opposing opinions, so even though nothing tangible is happening to my person, my bill is getting huge.

Finally, they wanted me to get a tooth extraction. Well before the extraction, they fitted me to a tray in my mount -- to get a better fit on the dentures, they say. Well, during the tooth extraction, the doctor said I needed two bone grafts, to better fit the dentures, he said. That added another $800.00 to my bill, and since I am under anesthesia, and I am not a medical person, I reluctantly agreed.

Each time the doctor makes suggestion, they had me sign more amendments to the cost. They had me come one week later to see how my gums were healing. Another bill for a three second look see from their specialist. They said this is necessary because they can address infections or such. Then another fitting on the gums, but this one is one of five other fittings, so five other appointments before I even see the dentures. Then they brought another tray, just to make sure that there is a perfect fit for the dentures. Another very uncomfortable tray fitting. Finally, the dentures came, but these are just temporary ones. The real ones would, as they said, be perfect. I should hope so, because I already wasted seven trips with all the fittings, each one I did not know were being added to my final bill.

The permanent ones came. Oh-oh, they are very painful in my mouth. Besides, I could not close my mouth because there is a gap to my mouth. Obviously, they must have made a mistake. I told them I could not talk, close my mouth, or let alone bite into anything with them. The dentist told me to keep them in my mouth and suffer the pain, because these are new ones, I can adjust in two weeks.

Three weeks later, I still have the stabbing pain in my gums each time I wear them. The doctor says this is but natural for new dentures. But, "doctor, how come I could not talk without gagging or could eat anything with them". He said they just needed a little adjustment. So I had a series of appointments with, not a dentist, but dental technician to chisel the imperfections.

After the fifth attempt to fit them into my mouth without pain and to at least be able to perfectly close my mouth so I can function as a normal human being, they said they cannot do anything to it. I told them that maybe another denture is appropriate because clearly, this does not fit my gums or even my mouth. With them inside my mouth, I can only talk with a slur, and since I go to school, I do not want anybody taking me to the hospital thinking I am having a stroke. I speak like I just had a stroke every time the dentures are in my mouth, I said to them. They said that unless I am willing to pay for a new set, they cannot help me because that is too much money. That I do not need to go them anymore because they can not help me.

Now I am stuck with an $8,500.00 bill, for an unsatisfactory experience and then after two years of paying them, I cannot even afford to go pay for a real competent dentist in my area. After paying them for two years, I still owe them more than three thousand dollars. They arrange with me an automatic bill pay, which I agreed as long as they won't bother me again. Who would have thought that not only are they staffed with incompetent dental people, but the office bill collectors are as well. I got a bill from them that states that they are automatically getting paid from my checking account.

A few days later, I kept getting calls from them all throughout the day, collecting money again. I told them I do not want to be bothered and besides, I got crappy service from them and absolutely no use for their product, which, by the way, they are not willing to take back because they said, "We cannot re-use the product ourselves and it would be too expensive for us to replace it for you. Just go somewhere else to help you with your own problem."

Well, right now, I am out of money and cannot afford to go to a real dentist because of the humongous bill they kept sending me. I do not believe they even took out the denture bill, which is absolutely no use to me. They are telling me to pay up on the automatic machine they use to harass me with or suffer bad credit score. I may have to sue them to get justice for this hellish nightmare for trusting them with my business.

I have been fighting them for 9 months. In order to sue them, I have to have disposable funds, which as a disabled senior I don't have, so I'm forced to take them to small claims, and how do I fight their lies? The CA dental review board stated they would only get involved if the offending dentist made a habit of pulling the wrong tooth. Can you believe that! Western Dental should get their license to practice revoked or put on suspension for the way they handle things. I intend to do as much as I can to get justice for their dishonesty.

So #1 billed my insurance, #2 billed my Care Credit, #3 sent me the exact same bill. They are flat out criminals. While I was there a little man comes and tells me I need fillings and the silver will be in the 60 dollar range and the white will be in the 70 dollar range I get to the counter the receptionists says they will be from 90 dollars to 120 dollars. I call the Corporate Office. I got transferred to 4 different people and none of them could help me and to file a grievance which I will and report to the BBB and maybe go to small claims court. Lost money, time and sanity. This is the worst criminal activity I have seen followed by the worst customer service I have ever seen in a company that calls themselves a business.

Anyways in June a lady actually sat down and reviewed my account because my insurance covered 484 dollars for my crown and Western Dental charged me 623 because they thought my insurance didn't cover it. I got a printout of my receipt and owed 493.80 from what the lady fixed. I was overcharged 500 dollars. In July I made my monthly payment and it's saying I owe 900 dollars. I asked the girl that isn't right. She said keep my receipts and "wait until you make another payment." I called the corporate office but all they tell me is it's the office who has to fix it and when I call the workers don't know if the manager's in. But when the corporate office calls they say she won't be in today. So I still have to get my account fixed, which I thought since the lady made adjustments it was good, guess not. Some of the receptionist are unprofessional and ignorant.

After this experience I will not go back for my general, and I am hoping I can finish with braces over there because I wish I would have done research and went to a private dental office because I would have gotten way better service. If they don't fix it I might just take them to small claims court or something because my insurance paid a portion which they did not inform me and were still charging me the full amount. I'll file a complaint with my insurance saying they're committing fraud.

He has being treating me like this every visit for the past 2 years but I didn't care about he being rude, unfair, full of himself because he don't think that he should treat his client with proper respect, because he is a doctor and know what he is doing, and I'm not. I didn't care because I am not going there to be friends with him, I just want him to do the job I was paying him to do. I never liked him or was ever comfortable with him. So when I was 18 months into the treatment I pointed out to his assistant and ask him to tell Dr. ** some things that was bothering me and hurting and sometimes bad and that I would like him to do something about it. He didn't like that I asked and that I was complaining so on my next visit I insist on that he would fixed. He not only didn't do anything but also said to me that the time that he established for my treatment was over so there was nothing else that he could do for me. It is what it is.

I said, "But what about this space right in the middle in the front of my teeth?" He gave many excuses blaming on me and the shape of my teeth. I said, "You have to close it Dr. **. This space was never there before the braces." His response was, "I don't want to" and that in three weeks he was going to remove my braces. I freak out and began to cry. I just couldn't believe, my teeth has a big space right in the front of my lower teeth that was never there before the braces and the left side of my mouth my bite close nice, but the right side doesn't so when I am eating I chew most on the left side. So I insisted with him again asking him to please do something about this before removing the braces, so he gave me more time about 4 months more, but didn't do anything. All he did was changing the rubber bands.

I am so angry that I went to get a second opinion elsewhere in two different places and both Doctors said the same thing - that there's work that needs to be done and that the braces shouldn't be removed just yet and this space in the front can definitely be fixed. So now I will have to let him remove my braces in 25 days, today is 7/5, and go to one of this good professional that gave the second opinion and start braces again. I am very angry at Western Medical and Dr. ** and I am very sorry I ever went there, they don't know what they are doing. I talked to everyone that works there including the manager who always tells me she will talk to the doctor or help me getting another doctor, but she never does.

I was left in the chair for over half an hour. When the dental asst came back, she informed me that they don't perform root canals on molars. So I became confused and irritated. I went to the front desk to confirm what I'd just been told. The asst said, "That particular procedure needs to be done by an endodontist. We have no one at any of our locations who can perform that. I can refer you to an outside practice." I was pissed. I had wasted my time thinking I'd finally get relief for my pain only to be turned away.

I spent the next week frantically searching for an affordable endodontist. It made no sense how a large dental practice like Western Dental did not perform a common procedure, so I decided to call again to double check. I called the location in Sacramento on Florin Rd this time, and I was again rerouted to corporate. I was told by two different representatives that Western Dental does, in fact, perform root canals on molars. I told them about being referred out and the representative was confused and said that made no sense. She put me on hold and called the Elk Grove location to double check. She came back and confirmed that they did and apologized for the discrepancy. So I made an appointment AGAIN for my root canal back at the Elk Grove location.

Later that night, I had a question about insurance coverage, so I called the corporate office. They didn't know the answer so they transferred me to the Elk Grove office. The girl who got on the phone was rude right off the bat. I tried asking my question and was told "I see you have Liberty Dental and we don't accept that. That's why you were referred out." WHAT??? First off, that's not why I was told I'd been referred out. Secondly, I had JUST BEEN seen at that location a week prior and NO ONE said anything about not accepting my insurance. Suddenly a week later, they don't accept it? "Well, the manager approved us seeing you last week, but sorry, we don't accept it. The location on Florin Rd in Sacramento does." I just hung up. Had I not called with my question, I would've shown up at my appt and turned away because of this new revelation. My insurance info had always been on my file so why NOW is it a problem?

I am just pissed and confused at how unprofessional they are. All the information I was given was wrong. There are too many discrepancies between corporate and specific locations. The location in Elk Grove in particular is HORRIBLE. First, I was referred out because they didn't do root canals on molars which was a LIE. Then it turned into me being referred out because of my insurance. Well why was I referred OUT to a completely different (and expensive) dental practice instead the next closest Western Dental that does accept my insurance. I'm STILL confused. So do they or don't they do root canals on molars? Do they or don't they accept my insurance? Why was I referred out? I don't even trust going back to them. This entire company needs a reboot. Unbelievable.

The doctor had no bedside manner nor the nurse. And she could see I was shook up and shaking. She couldn't get the tooth out. I broke down in tears and she asked another dentist to look. He was kind. They recommended an oral surgeon. It has been six days and I am still hurting. I finally left there. It was 3:30. I would never recommend them. Also the price they quoted for payment gave me was astronomical. If you are poor and you can't pay save and go somewhere else. It was awful and I can't imagine what it would be like for a child.

The woman who eventually did my check was barely polite and made it clear she was disgusted with the state of my teeth (no insurance for a long time, plus a serious phobia about the dentist in general) - definitely needed to work on her "bedside manner". After all of this, I was informed that they didn't have an oral surgeon on site, and so I would now have to wait a week before he would be in the office. The price quoted for a tooth extraction - the ONLY thing they did, was around $1000. I came back for the oral surgeon, who did a great job - but then they just packed my mouth and sent me out the door.

The real problems began with the billing and payment. They NEVER got my mailing address correct - despite my calling over and over again, putting the correct address on my return billing/invoice with payment, etc. Sometimes I got a paper bill, sometimes not, despite my asking them to always send me a paper bill (which I use for filing purposes). One day past the due date, my phone was bombarded with numerous calls from their collection department, I mean like 5 calls in one hour. Eventually, they started calling my boyfriend's phone because I had listed him as my emergency contact.

Now, a year later, after I have almost completely paid the bill - I have been out of work for 6 months, I have zero income and less than $500 in the bank and will be homeless in less than 30 days - I asked them to either write off the balance, or put my account on hold to protect my credit rating (which I have spent the last 5 years trying to clear up) until I was able to resume making payments. They refused both options and just told me to "call them whenever I could make payment again" - but no guarantees that my credit wouldn't be affected. The rep actually asked me if I didn't have a friend or family member who would pay it for me!

I have been making regular payments, and all I am asking is that they work with me until I am able to pay the remainder of the bill (which is grossly over-billed to begin with). Administrative practices are a joke, the finance department is really a collection agency, and the dental work is sub par. RUN AWAY - take your chances with a real dentist - you won't be sorry!

And now, it's been five months since I've been able to be seen at an office because the process of transferring has been so unorganized. I have called so many times to initiate this transfer, even gone into the office I want to start going to, and they turn me away and say I need to do all of these things that seem like administrative work they need to work out with my original office. I imagine I could have had my braces removed by now, but Western Dental is slow, uncooperative and lied when they said starting a transfer would be doable. I would rather drive the three hours to my original office every six weeks then try to fix this mess I've started from moving.

I complained, but the following month they pulled another unauthorized payment out of my account even though the account was closed! After calling again and getting upset, they put a hold on my account and said they would do an audit to determine if I was due a refund. I managed to get several of the unauthorized debits reversed through my bank, thank God, but not all because they were over the time limit.

In January 2016, I was informed that yes, I was due a $137 refund (they had actually sent me a statement stating a different amount - this is how bad their accounts department is) and a check was mailed out on Jan 4, 2016. Needless to say, a month later it has not arrived. Another phone call, I had to demand that the check be voided and reissued. I have filed a complaint with the L.A. County consumer affairs department. Action needs to be taken against this place.

She started working on 1 root canal, wasn't done, left me waiting there for 1 & half with this metal plate in my mouth and I was drooling. Finally I got up, went out the room, asked someone to help. All they did gave me!! The little vacuum to suck up drooling from my mouth. I finally couldn't take it anymore. I got very emotional, sad, frustrated. Remember I'm pregnant. I was tired, hungry. I started crying. I keep asking "When is dentist coming." They keep telling me "She will be with you." Dentist came. I told her I need to leave. She wasn't even concerned. She only put paste on my root canal. I have never thought a dentist office like this one would of treated me this way!!! Was awful experience. I would not recommend. Poor customer service & dental care.

Went in the back to see the dentist. The chairs are set up with no privacy practically in the lobby back area. Dentist told us he had a hairline fracture causing the infection and needed to get a porcelain-fused crown and bridge done. The biller came and explained the same procedure and the estimate was $3,668 for the services. I did my own research and discovered that 2 ADA codes Western Dental estimated me for (dental billing codes) were not actual codes with the ADA by my dental savings provider.

I phoned Western Dental. Waited for 1 hour before speaking to some uneducated, rude lady who only transferred me to the Rancho Santa Fe office in San Marcos. I was on hold for another 40 minutes. Spoke with the biller, Espy. That's her name. I asked for the ADA billing codes (patient's legal right to obtain). She gave me a convoluted answer as to why I can't locate it because it is an upgrade. Found out they tried to overcharge me and make me feel pressured to use their financial option because if I used my dental savings plan I supposedly would have paid double for the crowns/bridges.

We were scheduled for the next day to get the work done. I canceled my appointment with Western Dental the day of our second appointment with the biller, Espy, and she threatened me saying that the doctor will not be available for the next couple weeks since I canceled for my husband's appointment, so I said that's fine. I found another dentist who gave the right diagnosis, not a hairline fracture on the tooth! Rather it is a gum abscess. Work done with the second opinion dentist totaled $1,013 (X-rays, cleaning, draining of infection, crown and partial crown) compared to Western Dental quote of $3,668. I really thought organizations and associations are holding dental practices accountable. They might as well throw out the ADA Code of Ethics.

As I read the next 2 lines a question was asked if I had received and read the complete info. sheet in its entirety. When I told the dental asst. that I couldn't initial that, she tells it's in the plastic bag they had for me. As I tried several time the question asked have I completely read it and I'm not signing it off until I do. At this point I'm now standing up, she is approx. 3 ft. facing me, and she begins to whole heartedly laugh in my face, telling me I'm crazy for wanting to waste her time reading the forms before signing them. I'm now in the process of filing a grievance against that office, the dentist himself, and that dental asst. at 1701 Watt ave Sacramento, Ca.

Months go by and I'm not happy with my smile. My gum line appears black and you can tell I have a crown and it looks cheap. I went to my primary dentist and they agreed the crown needed to be redone. I wrote to Patient relations explaining my story and how I would like a refund so I can pay my dentist to do it right or they need to fix the tooth for free. The grievance board said without proof the answer is no. Because San Bernardino claims they did a great job and that there were no discrepancies.

They asked that I see one of their dentists to prove whether or not the tooth needed to be redone. I went to a dentist at the Pasadena Los Robles location who stated my post is showing and that the crown was placed incorrectly. She suggested I get braces first to correct the alignment of my teeth so the new crown she would create will fit much better. I write back to the grievance board about what the dentist said and they wrote back February 2015 stating "ok head back to San Bernardino to get your tooth redone." What sense does it make sending me back to the office that doesn't know what they're doing? Since I decided to take their dentists advice and get braces, and I was tired of dealing with this headache, (since no one I spoke to on the phone was helpful) I waited until August 2015 to request the Pasadena dentist to fix my crown.

I call patient relations August 2015, when my teeth are almost straight enough, to request the office change, and start the process of getting the crowned fixed. While I am explaining my story and concerns to the rep she gets an attitude with me and says "I can't do anything for you. You will need to write back to the grievance board and see what they say." I ask can't she do something or notate something to expedite this process and she gets an attitude with me and threatens to hang up. I say "fine, if that's your prolonged process then fine."

A month goes by I call back to make sure they received my letter because I haven't heard anything. The rep I spoke to said yes they received my letter and the grievance board approved the location change. I asked "do I need to wait to get a letter in the mail that states it's ok to go to the Pasadena location so there is no confusion?" And she says "no just head to the office and have them call patient relations if they have any questions."

**(NOTE:The rest of these events all happened on Monday November 9, 2015 from 2 pm to 5 pm)** I make an appointment for Monday November 9, 2015 at 2 pm and leave early from work to attend my appointment. I show up to the office and long story short patient relations tells the Pasadena Los Robles office manager Ana not to help me. I explain to Ana the woman I spoke to the other day said the change is supposed to be noted somewhere in my grievance. Ana said "sorry Jenessa in patient relations said she doesn't know what you're talking about and we can't help you here and you need to go back to San Bernardino". I stay as calm as possible even though I'm highly upset, but it's not Ana's fault it's the patient relations teams fault for not doing their due diligence and for giving Ana the wrong information.

I know this because after calling the patient relations team 6 times and being placed on long 20 minute holds and hung up on, by a few rude reps and then transferred to two wrong departments I finally got someone (Dasia **) who was patient enough (yet still very snappy, rude, and unprofessional) to look at notes on another screen and she confirmed that it says I can go to the Pasadena office. Daisa said I should have received a letter, I told her I don't have a letter that says that. Then she says "hold on, I'm going to call the Pasadena location." Dasia tells Ana I'm a liar and that I should've received this letter and been able to present it to the Pasadena location.

It's mid NOVEMBER and I still haven't received anything from the grievance board about the location change so why would Dasia ** tell Ana that? In addition to that how is that helpful? When Dasia was finished not helping me she just dropped the call to Ana. She placed me on a long hold to "check something out" never comes back and explains anything to me and sticks me with Ana, who is just as confused as I am because I thought I was still talking to Dasia **. Ana knowing I received bad customer service was helpful and provided me with Dasia ** name as well as Jenessa's name.

After realizing I can't get any help from these poorly trained individuals who clearly are bitter, jaded by actual confrontational customers and hate their jobs, I decided I want a supervisor to call me and explain to me Western Dentals proper phone etiquette. Because now my grievance is no longer with the San Bernardino location it is with the patient relations department. I've worked at a call center and I've worked as a receptionist and if I handled my clients the way they "assisted" me, I would've been fired. Asking to speak to a supervisor was a joke. I thought they would actually reach out to help me or come to the phone and hear me out. HA!

I tried calling a few times and just asking for a supervisor and being vague about why I'm calling, because at this point I feel like the patient relations team is telling everyone not to help me, and I've already explained myself numerous times before and no one seemed to understand what I was saying (mainly because they were talking while I was talking, not LISTENING, and asking me to remain calm while rudely threatening to hang up in my face).

The associate (Holly and then Jessica) both stated all supervisors are in a meeting and can't help me and to call back some other time. They both claimed not to know when the meeting was over and said I wasn't allowed to wait to speak to a supervisor. I asked "can't you request for a supervisor to call me back?" They both eventually say fine. They both took my information and they both couldn't tell me when I should expect to receive a call back from a supervisor and they stated (after asking isn't there a turn around policy they have to comply to) "the supervisors can call back anytime, give them a few days."

A few days!? I had these two women make a note for a supervisor to call me. I also spoke with a gentleman who assisted me that was in the finance/billing department and claimed he was going to assist with my complaint. He took down all my info and apologized and claimed to have notated my disgust with how the patient relations team was run. Why I was transferred to his department I don't know, but if he was sincere in helping me there should be a complaint on record submitted by him.

After hours of trying to deal with this mess and unnecessary stress I decided to calm down and wait for a supervisor to call me. It is after 12 pm on November 18, 2015 and I still haven't heard from anyone. My goal with my grievance was to get my tooth repaired and have a smile I'm not embarrassed to show off. Now I am so sick of dealing with this sham of a company, I want my money back and I want their company to know how poorly trained their "customer service" and "patient relations" team is trained. Please give me back my money so I can finally deal with professionals. I called these 3 numbers: 800-992-3366; 800-992-3366 ext. 13675; and 714-571-3675.

Be very careful coming here with incompetent workers and scheduling systems. The workers who schedule appointments DO NOT have insurance information, therefore, they literally schedule ANYONE who calls in and leave it till the last minute for the patient to find out the MONTH IN ADVANCE appointment cannot be kept even when the client/patient informs the call center of their insurance!! This happened twice and the second time, I was told that it is with 100% guarantee that the office I made my second and last appointment with accepts my insurance, that was till they called the day before. When they called, they were rude and honestly, because of that alone I'd rather go elsewhere even if they accept the insurance I have. I wouldn't put it past them that just as their customer service lacks professionalism, their dentists probably do as well.

I am telling you, this by far has to be one of THE worst experiences I have ever had with a company and I even proclaimed to them about considering contacting the dentistry board or something to report them. However, this is a start to put it out there that if you are a new patient, be aware that this may indeed happen to you and you will waste time with ignorant workers who can't seem to understand English and then have to wait a while to be seen elsewhere because other businesses of whom you should have or could have contacted are booked.

Not to mention... getting a set plan has been a huge and cumbersome ordeal. Because they never let me see the same dentist, so everytime I come in it's like starting over all over again because one dentist will say the other dentist was wrong and that I should do something else and I'll go to do that something else the next time, and another dentist is telling me it's not the right option. I try to explain what's going on to try and resolve these issues and I'm met with uncaring staff and a horrible attitude that don't care about their patients. It's no wonder Western Dental doesn't participate in Consumer Affairs, they'd probably have to get revamped or shut down.

My appointment choice is my decision. I went there because I have a history of a tartar problem, and wanted it cleaned. All they cleaned was the front of my teeth, not the inside where all of the actual tartar is. Also, the dental assistant told me that my gums would not grow back, from receding just a little bit. I have spent months using a Waterpik, rinsing with salt water and mouthwash and wondering why I still have receding gums, this being months ago. I went to a new dentist today, and was told that the pain I have been having is from really bad tartar. I told him that I had it cleaned a few months ago, only to hear "it doesn't look like they cleaned it at all". My mouth feels better already.

That was 6 years ago and still have them. They break every couple of months and have to super glue them back together. I am screwed I don't have insurance to get a new bridge or dentures. Don't trust them they really don't care how you look or what they have to do. I am so embarrassed with these ridiculous front teeth. Nothing I can do about it either.

After an uncomfortable set of x-rays, I waited in a chair to be seen for about a half hour, when a doctor finally came and examined me. We agreed to a treatment plan and I made an appointment to come back. When I came back my blood pressure was high, and they refused to treat me because of having to use the drugs, so I made an appointment with the doctor. After several months of trying to get my blood pressure under control (and paying on a contract with Western Dental the entire time, always on time) I called and explained what was going on and they agreed to break my contract and refund my money.

They advised it would take two weeks to complete and I went on my way. Two weeks later, the refund was not on my credit card so I called them. The lady who answered said she would have her manager call me back. I waited two days, she never called. I called again and the lady said that the manager told her that she had taken care of the contract thing because "corporate didn't break it when I asked," and the refund should be there in a few days. A few days later I called back, and corporate said the manager didn't ask for a refund, only a contract break (??!!).

I asked for the refund and they also processed a complaint for me at that time. Someone was supposed to call me back last Friday, but of course, they did not. I just spent 15 minutes on hold again, talked to two separate people after one transfer and again put on hold, and was told that she would take my number and have the manager call me back because "she is the only one who can take a look at this" and will be there at 10:30. I'll let you know if they do anything for me today. This is what happens when you use "corporate medicine." Please be warned just in case you were thinking of using this company.

I was informed by the 'alleged' dentist, that, due to aging bone loss, I needed an in depth cleaning. I asked if my Delta Dental Insurance would cover the cost. I was told it would not so I declined. I was was then asked if I would like to have a less costly, second best procedure. It was called Sulcular Irrigation. Irrigation sounded to me like some in depth procedure would be involved. The dental assistant was with the dentist throughout my visit in the dental arena. However, I discovered she was much more than an a dental assistant, but turned out to be an efficient accountant as well. I say this because she had at her fingertips a contract for me to sign to finance the Sulcular Irrigation procedure. The contract consisted of nine pages. Allow me to now describe the procedure.

I was shocked and appalled when the dentist spent literally four seconds spraying some 'magic fluid' on my gums. This was the Sulcular Irrigation? The accountant/assistant also told me that Delta Dental Insurance would pay $198 of the cost. I discovered that that $198 was not any piece of the Sulcular Irrigation, but was led to believe, it was. The $198 cost was for the X-rays and cleaning. I was charged $320 for this four second procedure. Due to the fact that the so-called irrigation was, in my estimation, not properly done, the amount charged was exuberant.

My research discovered that Sulcular Irrigation is used to cleanse the hard to reach sulcus (area under the gums). It is supposed to be applied with a pulsating device in order to ensure the antibacterial spray reaches beneath the gum's surface. My procedure was not done with any type of pulsating device. It amounted to a four second surface spray which was immediately followed by a cleaning. Should a cleaning be done immediately after the spray? It sounds doubtful and suspicious to me. My logic tells me the cleaning, which was done with a pulsating device, would minimize or eliminate the antibacterial spray.

I was surprised to have the cleaning done by the dentist. Why was a dental hygienist not the one to clean my teeth? I ask this question because cleaning is their specialty and not the specialty of the dentist. I found the cleaning to be insufficient and ineffective. My experience has proven that a good cleaning takes at least 30 minutes. My so-called cleaning took less than five minutes, which is not sufficient time to provide a thorough cleaning.

I know that hind sight is 20/20, but discovered after my visit that there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of Western Dental patients who have had similar experiences. I found them all posted on the web. I was just another victim of Western Dental. During my visit I was misled in terms of what would be done to me, and how my dental insurance would pay for a piece of the procedure. I know that I was nurtured into a sense of having needed dental work done.

The dentist and assistant was smooth talking seemingly trained to suggest unneeded procedures should be done. Because I am a trusting soul, I unfortunately bought what they were selling. I have never experienced this type of fraud before. I virtually saw dollar signs in both the dentist's and assistant's eyes. This was more prevalent after I left the office. When I left, my head was spinning. I could not believe the experience I just had. The initial thoughts I had as I left were SCAM and MALPRACTICE!

When the dentist arrived we were taken back and he tried numb my husband's mouth but the dentist was so shaky that he ended up squirting the Novocaine into his mouth leaving him swallow it and walked away leaving him in the room for 30 minutes before returning to extract the tooth. As this dentist was working on my husband he would get up in middle of his extraction and run over to work on another patient then return to my husband. This happened several times before his tooth was fully extracted. It was around 3pm before the appointment ended for a single one tooth extraction.

On 8-26-15 my husband was scheduled for a 12pm appointment to have a few fillings done and we sat in the waiting room for an hour and a half waiting be seen. Then when they call him back they put him in a room for another 30 minutes and come in asking him how much time he has before he needs to leave? When he asked why they were very rude and asked him again how much time he had? He finally told them he had all day and wanted know why they were asking and they told him he needed another extraction and 7 fillings and wanted know what he wanted them to do today. He told them that they could do all the work today and they told him that they were only going to pull his tooth today instead of doing the fillings he was scheduled for.

Again they came in and numbed him and left him in the room for almost an hour while the dentist walked around texting on his phone and tapping on the counters as he walked by. Leaving us totally confused as to why they were asking if they already knew what they were going to do. When the dentist was done with his phone he came in and asked if my husband was ready and before he could answer the dentist pushed his head back and told him to open his mouth and that he was going to feel some pressure as he began do the extraction. Again very rude.

When the tooth was finally out my husband asked for his tooth and they told him that he could not have it because it was infected and that it was a biohazard. As far as I know if a tooth is infected you need to be put on antibiotics till the infection is gone before a tooth can be pulled. If this is true then why was this tooth pulled and a prescription for antibiotics given to him after the tooth was pulled even though they gave him his infected tooth from the first appointment.

Also my husband has high blood pressure and unlike the first time, this time they didn't even check his blood pressure to ensure that it would be safe for them to pull the tooth even though he told them that he was taking blood pressure medication. Then when he was done they told him he needed a follow up appointment for 1 week and the receptionist scheduled him for 1 month. If there is anyone out there that could help us be more knowledgeable in this situation and help us correct this establishment PLEASE HELP US.

The dentist wasn't very genuine and when I got done I was there for 4hrs and when he put my teeth in I looked like I was wearing a mouth guard. They do not fit. I told him they hurt. Was told they will fit after swelling goes down but was told to wear them for 24hrs after procedure which I couldn't. I bleed till 4am the next morning I went back in and told him they hurt, they do not fit and I looked like someone from Planet of the Apes.

He forcefully put them in not concerned that I looked ridiculous. I said, "No take them out". He then put something like Fixodent on my dentures put them back in my mouth and said leave them in. Never made me a follow up appointment. I was told by his helper just call if I think I need them adjusted. I said, "I need them adjusted now". But he just said, "Give it time they will fit". Not only do they not fit they looked to be made poorly. My top denture has a tear in it and bottoms don't fit my gums. I'm so upset. They didn't seem concerned about how horrible I looked walking out of there.

On May 12th of 2015, Western Dental sent me a bill for $2,069.52 for services that I have already paid for and they are threatening to put this on my credit. They provided an "estimated patient share" report (that shows payments that they falsely claim were never made) to which I have receipts showing that a cash payment was made with a declining balance after each one. I spoke to just about every dept for help. I faxed over my zero balance receipts and never got a call back from anyone. I continue to get threatening collection calls daily as well as bills with added late fees.

As a last resort, I spoke with the Western Dental Grievance Dept Associate named Jose who was extremely rude and would not listen to me explain my dates and balances to him. Instead he would continue to talk over me when I asked him to verify if his balances would match my receipts. According to him, each time I made a payment, my balance actually increased by hundreds of dollars instead of decreasing (like my receipts reflect). When we asked how his could possibly make sense, he hung up on me.

During the course of my daughter visits, Western Dental NEVER allowed her to receive services or be seen unless the account was current and paid up to date, including late fees. Not only were her braces removed and a retainer issued. But in Feb of 2015, we needed to replace a lost retainer with a new one and that was paid in full and we have a zero balance receipt for that as well.

When I went to the local office after receiving this bill and asked to see my accounting file and get copies of all receipts, the clerk began to give me them until her manager realized what was happening and told her to stop. At that point, he asked me to come into his office and said he received an email from Western Dental Corporate to be expecting me and refused to provide any further information, receipts or explain any fees and told me I need to deal with the Corporate Office.

In closing, I have received zero assistance from anyone or any department (including the Grievance Dept) at Western Dental in this matter. The local office directs me to corporate, corporate directs me back to the local office. This issue is causing me daily undue stress and making me sick to my stomach that a company that I have paid so much money to over the years, would attempt to steal from me, make fraudulent claims and threaten to report this onto my credit. SOMEBODY, PLEASE HELP...

The dentist claimed I needed fillings based on X-rays. What he didn't know is that since I'd so recently switched from another WD office, I still had very recent X-rays. Those X-rays didn't reflect the need for as many fillings. So - who's lying/misreading X-rays? The Western Dental Office in North Hollywood or the one in Santa Clarita? Hm. I refused service because I was suspicious. I wanted him to check on another tooth which was sensitive. He said there was nothing wrong with it. So I left. The receptionist called me while I was on my way home and said the dentist wanted to take X-rays of the tooth in question, he felt he'd been mistaken in not doing so to begin with, etc.. I returned to the office where an assistant took an X-ray.

The dentist comes in, pokes around the X-ray a bit and says, "Yeah, yeah it looks like you do have a cavity there. You need a filling, would you like to get that taken care of today?" Just like that, in the same breath diagnosing and asking if I'd like to get it taken care of right away. And it was so abundantly clear that he was being dishonest. What troubles me about Western Dental is that I suspect (and have proof) that they absolutely lie to would-be patients about the care needed. Many of these patients, like myself, are low-income and have coverage through Medi-Cal. Medi-Cal has a contract with them, so they benefit by telling patients (who may not need work done) that work is necessary. It is disheartening that they are so bent on making money that they prey on people who are already economically depressed, exposing them to unnecessary procedures.

I also think (comparing the care I've received at Western Dental vs. other offices) that their dentists are ill-trained and unmannerly. Without meaning to sound insulting, I'd be surprised if any of their dentists graduated at the top of their classes from the best dentistry schools around. Someone should seriously pursue shutting Western Dental down or imposing pressure on the chain to clean up their act. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Google "Western Dental Complaints". How do they keep getting away with treating people so shoddily? At the end of the day, it's consumers who suffer physical pain/discomfort and/or the financial burden of their irresponsibility. How is this okay? If anyone at their corporate office has a moral compass, having read this they will do something immediately.

I went home and talked with my husband and decided to go to another dentist for a second opinion. At this point I decided to stay with the second dentist and he gave me a partial for my top and bottom teeth. Now Western Dental is making harassing phone calls 2-3 times a day and also trying to put this on my credit report as something I owe. I never went back to Western Dental except to get a copy of my X-rays, which were already paid for by my dental insurance.

I have done a grievance process 2x and still no results. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Stay away!!!!! LOOK AT ALL THE REVIEWS ON YELP. LOOK AT ALL THE SITES. PEOPLE ARE WARNING YOU ABOUT HOW HORRIBLE THIS PLACE IS. I would have rather saved my money and gone to someone that would be a proper job. The customer service is terrible also.

The only thing ** needed was a big red nose and some over-sized shoes. He was inappropriately LOUD... in my ear. He proceeded to yank my mouth repeatedly, and when he stuck the straight suction tube in my mouth, even with the anesthesia, I felt sharp jabs on my gums and tongue. I wanted to stick that tube up **'s little **! Then they would leave, not saying a single word about what comes next, how long I will be waiting. I then sat there, again, several times, for 10 minutes or more staring at the wall, with saliva flowing out of my mouth, with no human in sight. The reason I knew the saliva was flowing, was when it reached my chest, I could feel it (numbed mouth), and I then proceeded to take the napkin tied around my neck, and wipe my neck, jaw, mouth, and chest.

Oh, here comes the little clown again. "Open your mouth", in goes the block, back to drilling, I'm laying there with my eyes shut, and I vaguely hear "hold the mirror... hold the mirror... hold the mirror... I said HOLD THE MIRROR!" I opened my eyes, and realized they were yelling at me??? I realized the first three "hold the mirrors" was the dentist voice, the last "HOLD THE MIRROR" came from the little clown... He never said my name, or "sir". He just yelled at me, all the time my eyes were closed. Unbelievable. Never once said my name, just HOLD THE MIRROR! WTF?? ** was nice, but I only saw her at the very beginning, before any work was done, long enough to sign the payment agreement. After about the third hour, I seriously debated getting up and walking out. I only hoped that if I got up and left, I pray I don't pass the little clown on the way out... not sure what I might do.

Anyway, it's hard to do in the middle of "the procedure". I HATED this visit. The worst dentist or doctor's visit I've ever had in my 56 years, anywhere. By the way, there was one other worker, I think her name was **, who finished me up at the end, who was nice to me, and at least acted like she cared about how I was doing. She needs to get away from that bunch. For the final 20 minutes, she installed the temporary crown, and I was oh so grateful not to see those other two, the dispassionate DDS... and the little clown. As for the dentist and as for "** the Clown", I was treated with resentment and as if I was on an aggravating carousel of open mouths.

I am also going to file a complaint with the CA Dental Board (http://www.dca.ca.gov), and I'm going to blog about this visit in great detail on every dentist review site and pissed off consumer site I can find (I found quite a few already). Nobody should have to deal with "** the Clown" or pay money for these kinds of services and then be treated like an annoyance. I never said anything to this bunch to cause them to act that way. It's clearly their culture. But, I'm going to speak out now... LOUDLY (take that ** the Clown). To show you how much this upset me, I'll pay them for the full crown, even though IU left with the temp... I won't be back. I am also going to look for another dentist ASAP! Western Dental, Cathedral City... run for your life!

Updated on 10/05/2015: I wrote a complaint about the Western Dental office in Downtown Berkeley on May 13, 2015 about a fallen filling after a couple of days and my intention to take my X-rays to a different dental service to avoid possible permanent damage to my teeth and mouth. I agreed over the phone with a manager to pay the $20. He assured me that all I had to do was to make an appointment to pay and they will give me the X-rays at once. I did so, and was told that the X-rays would be ready for me at my arrival. The person at the desk took the money and told me that the X-rays were not ready. I would have to rearrange my schedule again to fit their incompetence.

When I came back about a week later with my receipt the receptionist told me the order has not been processed and that I had to come back another time. As I insisted on having my (twice) paid X-rays, the receptionist asked me with ostentatious rudeness what was the name of the person I have paid the money to. Of course, I did not know the name. She smiled and insisted that I had to come another day.

I asked to speak to the manager of that office. I waited for about a half hour. I explained the situation to the manager and demanded to have my X-rays. The manager made it sound like she was bending some unspoken rules to comply to my "unusual" request. I walked away with my X-rays that day feeling terribly mistreated, played with, laughed at, and most of all uncertain about the timing to save a couple of tooth and the general health of my mouth under attack by an auto-immune syndrome. I agree with the thousands of mistreated unsuspected victims of Western Dental practices who want this business to be SHUT DOWN!

I call my insurance... They got paid for the exam and xrays... which they are charging me for that too... charging me for fluoride... which I didn't even get or need but Western Dental is lying about that... irrigation fees of $80 per quad... which I only had 1 treatment on the LL where my loose tooth is and having pain issues... Western Dental charging for a cleaning. I didn't have a cleaning... only a polish. I had an appointment in March and told the doctor I needed more antibiotics because I still had an infection and told me no... I've had my infection for over a year... the periodontist just sent me home.

So they got paid $800 for the surgery... $118 for the exam & xrays... which they are charging me for. The periodontist told me come in for treatments and there will be no charge... another lie by them... they billed for my March appointment and weren't supposed to... I will never go back there. They also forgot to mention after surgery that I needed 3 cleanings a year. The Santa Ana, CA location is bad. My first appointment in January I had to cancel because I had the flu real bad... the office manager insisted I come in anyways... I said I'm so sick I can't... she wouldn't take no for an answer. My husband had to call and tell them I was sick and had to cancel.

They are incompetent, their office staff are rude, and in my opinion, they are crooks. They drive you CRAZY with telephone calls AFTER you have cut all ties with them. I have written their corporate office requesting a $200.00 refund. I'm SURE they will respond (sarcasm). I believe these people should not be allowed to continue to take advantage of the general public. I contacted the CA dental board but was told this is a civil matter. Really? What does it take to have Western Dental held accountable for their actions (or lack thereof). What IS the purpose of the CA Dental Board? Why, with all the complaints about Western Dental, are they still allowed to run roughshod over people and take their money for services NOT rendered?

I wore braces for nearly 3 years, which was grueling, and I hated going to the appointments. But they were nice enough. The dental assistants were always talking about their pets and stuff, which is ok with me. But sometimes I got the feeling they were having schedule problems, and I had some long waits. It seemed each visit I had a different orthodontist (all much younger than me), so I assumed they could not have much experience. All in all, I got through it, and my teeth look better, although I still have to remember to wear the retainers (at least at night) or the bottom teeth start getting out of line. So from age 52-55 I suffered but I think it was worth it now. It could have been worse if I got impatient with the office layout and chaos. It is intimidating at first. But overall I think I saved $2000-$3000 since the total amount I paid was only about $4300.

Initially I was quoted $85 for the fluoride, but in my dental benefits handbook, I pointed out that my co-pay was $12. Well I was charged for 4 quads of ant for antibiotic irrigation for $100, full mouth x-ray for $10, adult prophy for $10, and the fluoride for total $132 share of cost. I was very dissatisfied with the cleaning and the method used. I visited a different dental office as a follow-up and I was told I do not need crowns replaced at this time, and there was no reason for the antibiotic irrigation.

Now time for a crown. After they had done the previous incompetent work, there was insufficient tooth mass left. The grinding for the crown injured the root - the tooth is dying. This work was done in Dec 2013. In Feb 2015, received a collection notice from Western Dental informing me I owed them $1300 claiming that my insurance had denied payment because I had not paid my part. But it turns out, they billed in 2014 for services performed in 2013. I am now facing a consult with an oral surgeon to determine if the tooth can be saved.

having an appointment. I could continued to sit in the waiting room where there's at least a TV I can watch as I'm waiting. The wait in this office is unbelievable. My son's appointment lasted 4 hours...3 hrs of it was just waiting. And now that I'm reading other reviews and complaints about charges, I need look into what my son's $25,0000 charges are for!!

Should I continue?! For months I had complained my front teeth cap (1 pc for 2 teeth) is loose...it needs re-cementing. I was told they can't re-cement the cap because my previous Dr. is the one who did the work. I cannot go back to the previous Dr. because I'm assigned to WD. and he doesn't take my Dental Plan. I have going back and forth with this problem with Western Dental. Now it's to the point that my cap is no longer staying in place on its own, Temporarily re-cementing doesn't work so my partial is what's holding it in place. Imagine the embarrassment I am facing right now being this cap is in the front! I am literally in tears typing this! I go back to WD demanding they re-cement my tooth.

Their reply -- My teeth are no longer savable. They cannot re-cement my cap. They need to pull my teeth out and add new teeth to my partial to replace the space! I was so pissed hearing this. I broke out into tears and told them, if they would just fixed my teeth in the first place...now my front side teeth need to be pulled?! All they wanted was for this to happen, to squeeze more money out of my insurance and out of my pocket!! Last but not least, the finance charges are ridiculous. I was late paying a pmnt...the late fees and late interest fees are even more unbelievable! I can't anymore deal with WD any longer. I have more to complain, but I'm done with them.

I went back to the Cathedral City, CA office & spoke with ** who claimed to be the General Manager. I told her that I was not allowed to read the document before I was forced to sign it. I had prepared a written Notice of Installment Plan Withdrawal & Cancellation with date and signature. ** said that the letter was not necessary, she would cancel the coerced Installment Agreement within her computer system. I sat across the desk from her & watched her do so. On March 3, 2015 the stalking phone calls started. Today, March 7, 2015 I received a bill for my first "installment' payment in the amount of $92.00.

Western Dental is a group of non-English speaking manipulative con-artists. The "dental room" is a massive room filled with dental chairs. It resembles a slaughter house. There are signs at every dental chair stating: No photography or videotaping allowed. Imagine that? Western Dental must have something to hide. Matter of fact, I know they do. Installment Contract corruption is a big start. If Western Dental is all you have, run like your hair is on fire.

Three doctor treated me in different appointments, two were very unskillful and unprofessional, one was good. Overall they did not do the good job and I have to get myself treated again other place. I used to reach in time but every time I had to sit there for couple of hours before they begin. Hope it helps.

We have contacted them several times to get the appointment scheduled and the office has stated different excuses every time we call. First it was that they needed the information back from the specialist and didn't have it so they didn't schedule. Then on another occasion they said we had never called and there was no notes in the system. This has been going on for four attempts to get the appointment scheduled and today was the final attempt even after we gave the contact numbers of the specialist to them so they can do their job - they still failed to come through.

I am dropping Western Dental as a provider for my family and going elsewhere. Some other office can benefit from my insurance for the dental care my family needs. My son needs braces. He is young and my fiance can get his crown elsewhere. We just don't have time to be playing games with unorganized staff. Oh, and they just become the rudest when it is pointed out to them that they don't have their act together. They just don't care about their patients. This review is guided directly to the Western Dental office located in Phoenix, AZ at 3425 W. Thunderbird Rd. Suite 1. DON'T GO THERE!!!

The flip side, to be fair and balanced, is that the manager **, at the Clinic on Western and Venice, is a classy, ethical young lady who distinguishes between right and wrong, listens to issues, and then addresses them. In my opinion, she should be running the entire company. She's a great asset and a fair person. Additionally, my Dentist there, is highly competent and qualified and has treated me respectfully and has tweaked my dentures for a real quality fit. I believe his name is pronounced Dr. **.

So, there is the real bad, and the real good. Go to Western Dental on Western and Venice, south of Koreatown. Notwithstanding some clerical staff who need to learn some manners, courtesy, & social skills, this might be one of their few good locations, with good dentists', and an excellent manager. Evidently, many other locations are a roll of the dice and a nightmare which just keeps getting worse and worse with each visit. There you have it.

Original Review: Feb. 9, 2015

Twice this month I entered in an attempt to pay my bill, (2nd time was 25 min. ago) and twice I was told by someone on a computer that "someone" would be with me shortly. This despite the fact that an employee was lounging around doing nothing, and the 2 ladies at the front desk were only busy with their computers. Twice I walked out. Today, I gave the employee lounging around a card on which I wrote: "Call me when you have time for me to pay my bill." I wrote my name & phone number down also, and then walked out for the 2nd time.

When I first went to Western Dental, I was verbally told that the quoted price would include everything, with no other cost whatsoever. Then, the first time I took my dentures in to be re-adjusted or re-aligned, they attempted to charge me $800 extra. I refused, showing the manager at the time my contract which made no mention of the charge, and reminded him that I was told verbally that the quoted costs would include ALL re-alignments. Despite receiving a written and signed letter from him stating I would not be charged, the main office in Orange County repeatedly sent me invoices showing that I owed $800 more than I did.

I called Orange County 5 times, attempting to explain and resolve the issue, but each time I spoke to a disrespectful, adversarial, and argumentative person. They steadfastly refused to acknowledge what I attempted to convey. The current manager addressed it, made a copy of my letter, and took the bogus charge off the computer. Zero communication between the clinic and main office. Attempts to call are met with long holds and waiting time. I'm down to my last 2 payments, but am having a problem handing someone who is not too busy my $$.

Whenever one calls, they are literally interrogating you about it, as a collection, "Anything you say will be used to collect the account." Therefore, any inquiries to billing is treated as a collection, and their so-called "right to mess up one's credit". They had reported me for something I never got done – orthodontics - to the credit bureau! Had to have the credit bureau prove to them of their incompetence. Sorry practices - in more than one way.

I went to them to get dentures. When they did the "wax" temp version to see if I liked it, it didn't fit right. I told them it was too bulgy in the front, but they insisted it was right. I tried to tell them again it was not right, and again they insisted it was right. At some point, I would think that they thought I had an issue with the wax on the inside (not the case, I know that will be there on the inside, and I am ok with that part). Wanting to avoid conflict with a third attempt to tell them it was wrong, I accepted the sample, regardless of how I felt I had to force my lips closed because of how big and forward the front teeth were. Wanting to avoid a conflict with arguments, I decided to agree with them, despite my own opinion.

Another problem, they had a bad habit of walking away from me while I am trying to talk to them. I went home, spoke to some friends, and they encouraged me to put my foot down, speak my mind, not let them argue, and for me to insist the dentures get adjusted, or replaced, and if needs be, that Western Dental should eat the cost. So when I was scheduled to have the rest of my teeth removed and replaced with dentures, I told them, this is not right. They told me that they cannot adjust it. They told me they made them to match my current teeth (that was a mistake, because the teeth they matched it with are some old crowns, that were not only purposely made too big, but had been shoved forward after I had some teeth removed). I tried to explain to them about my crowns, and why they are not something to match to, but the lady walks away.

Next I know, my driver comes to my dental chair, starts going on about what they were trying to do. I was not paying attention because I was waiting for him to tell me something having to do with my check getting written correctly (since I could not be in the waiting room to handle it, long story). I say to him, "what does this have to do with anything," and he huffs, and walks out. Next I know, the dentist people told me that if we can't keep our voices down, they would ask us to leave. I told them, "Who invited him to come back here?" and she did not know (later I find out that he was asked to come back there, because the lady had no idea what I was talking about).

I tried to insist that they adjust it, and they insisted they cannot change it. I told them if they cannot change it then they need to make me new ones. They told me they cannot make new ones because if they did it would come out the same. They have to make it that way. I told them it is not right. At some point, they accused me of refusing my dentures. I never did.

Overwhelmed with frustration, feeling falsely accused (a trauma reminder), dealing with a driver I did not like, dealing with my payee messing up my copay check for a second time (and trying to make sure they can get paid, which was already late), and dealing with a physical distraction that is not related to dental was too much for me to handle. Overwhelmed by all the negative stimulus, I slipped into a fight-or-flight, by curving up in a ball in their reception area, and I was unable to move myself.

They had my driver/caregiver come get me and I went home, without my dentures. Next I know, they had called my payee/mother (legal representative) but she could not understand them, so she handed the phone to my driver (who also cares for my mother) to talk to them. I never heard that call. My driver told me that they said they are banning me from all Western Dentals. When I asked why, he said it was over the "Incident" and that they used that word, "incident" and that word refers to my autistic fit. They should not even be talking to my driver. He is not my legal representative. They had talked to him when I was in their office, I told them not to speak to him about what to do with my dental care, but they did anyways, several times. (The driver is fired now for other issues).

I had called their corporate and asked, "How can I get my dentures?" and they told me that they are sending me a letter of Termination of Care. I asked again how to get my dentures, and they told me they had already answered (which felt pretty demeaning to be talked down to like that, not the first time they have treated me and lectured me for communication things). I asked, "What was the answer?" and they told me they are sending a letter of termination of care... I do not know how that is an answer!

As it is right now, I still have my upper teeth that need to be removed, again suffered a burst abscess in one of the teeth (which is the second time it's happened, and sometimes is life-threatening). I've gone to emergency room several times because of this. Today I am dealing with tingling in my face which I can feel maybe tied to my rotting teeth that needed to be taken care of years ago (I did not get it taken care of because my previous dentist gave up on me because of my screaming when the ** wasn't working).

I need special treatment because of my conditions, and with Obama Care, Western Dental was the only place we could find that would take my insurance. Now, I have no dentist, and suffer daily from rotten teeth. I have no idea where my dentures are. They are paid for, they were ready to be put in when I was there. I never got them into my possession, and I tried, several times, to obtain them, but failed. I cannot even go to another dentist to have them put them in, because I don't even have them in my possession.

I don't think my insurance will pay for another pair, I have no idea how I am going to get dentures at this point. And for them to go to my driver, repeatedly, to ask about what to do for my care, when he is not a legal representative (and I do not trust his choices) is just more forms of something messed up. They also lectured me on my behavior, and lectured me for repeating myself, which just adds to my frustration. Add to this, my cousin and my grandma have had issues with them too. I can't sue them, because I signed a paper saying I wouldn't sue, a required signing thing they need before they would initiate dental care.

I am desperate for a dentist. My teeth are so sick, so much pain, I have to take ** to counter it. I am okay and cool and look forward to the actual dental surgery part. Even when I was screaming from the previous dentist, I said for him to ignore my screaming because I couldn't help it, and continue the work I desperately need.

I do not know of any dentist who will take my insurance, and is successful in communicating with Asperger Syndrome, and set up to handle my immunity to **. As you can see by this post, I type a lot, I speak many words in real life, but most of my struggles involves timing, volume and other non-verbal aspects of communication. Most people aren't accustomed to dealing with me. I consider myself a nice person, just misunderstood. Western Dental was my last hope, and I'm now banned from all their facilities. I have no idea how I can get my teeth taken out now, so they continue to rot in my mouth, and I suffer.

I might be able to phrase this post better, but I don't want to spend several hours editing my text amidst my dental pain to satisfy everyone else's desires for brief statements. The right idea comes across, if only you have patience to read. I'll keep the text here as it is, because I feel like editing kinda hides how I actually feel like communicating. I don't think about what I say beforehand, it just comes out. but I always speak honestly, no matter what.

My aunt is helping me communicate further with these people, to get my dentures, since I can't seem to talk to neutraltypicals without issues. I feel let down by Western Dental, verbally mistreated, and very misunderstood. And they are withholding MY property, my dentures. I have a bad feeling they threw them away, believing their false accusation that I refused them. Only time will tell at this point, we wait for a reply from my aunt's letter.

Next visit no more extreme polite and friendly. And that would have even been all right...but their billing from day 1 has been a nightmare from hell. I told them from the start I get paid on the 10th. I will use my banks e-bill feature but that my payment would not be available until the 15th. The girl that signed me up said "No problem, we will make your due date 15." Well they didn't. So for the first 4 months every month even though I paid on the 14th or 15th they would hassle my daughter saying her payments were late. They also charged me late fee after late fee. So I paid a month ahead. I assumed that would alleviate the problem. I made 2 payments one month and paid all their damn late fees. The 800# told me this would solve it.

Well it didn’t. They refused to waive any of their late fees, and continued to charge me. So I finally had to just pay all of the late fees, and make another 2 payments and they said my new due date would be 15th. Problem solved right? Wrong. The past 2 months my payments posted on the 15th but once again they are harassing my daughter and charging me 2 more late fees. Please for the love of God do not go here...and if you do don't finance anything....

Once I got my braces on I was informed that I would need to have them applied for 2 years. So the two years passed and I got my braces removed but I was not satisfied with the end results. They then had a new orthodontics in the building taking over my case. One of my teeth was still uneven and longer than the rest so the orthodontics grinded down my uneven tooth to even it out. He also told me he needed to remove my 4 wisdom teeth to make more room (which is the reason I got my two canine teeth removed). I was told I would only need to use my retainers for a year and only remove them when I would have a meal. After that I would only need to use my retainers at night.

More than a year has passed and they have not contacted me to check up on my recovery. I still need to wear my retainers all day because after 15 min of having them removed I could feel pressure on my teeth and the orthodontist did not properly grind my tooth - in fact it is worse. "I want my money back so I can go to another dentist that knows what he's doing." The reason I went with Western Dental cause I didn't have no dental insurance, but it was a mistake to go with them!!!

Another dentist came in. This one threw my denture in, put in my partial. Said, “I want to see you in a week. Here's your appointment and prescription.” Never once checked to see if the denture or partial fit. I finally get home after my day from hell. I go to drop off my prescription since I knew I needed to be on antibiotics. I notice it's for amoxicillin. Ok, my records clearly state I have an allergic reaction to any and all types of penicillin so now I can't get the script filled since it will kill me. Now the dentist office isn't open and I have to wait 2 days to get it changed. I call and they say it's no big deal, just take it. I go to the pharmacy and they have to demand a new script and explain I could die taking this antibiotic they are telling me to take. Now in the mean time here I am with a denture that DOES NOT fit. It tips at the molars, it's too big under my lip (which gives me the look of a part mouth), it has hard plastic ridges which drill into my gums. I call and ask them for help. I'm told to just take it out and come back on my appointment. Ok, I work and I'm suppose to spend my day without upper teeth, I don't think so.

These centers show such great commercials showing how much they care, this is not the truth. They herd you in and out like cattle going to slaughter, they do not spend time making sure the patient is taking care of nor are they helpful in making sure things fit properly before you aren't tossed out the door. Not to mention they don't read your medical chart to ensure you aren't sent home with a medication that can kill you.

I think this place needs to have someone take a very close look into their practice. The last thing I want people to know is the offices are filthy. They also allow workers to come in with the flu and it's ok to have these people breathing in your face while you’re having dental work done. I will be contacting an attorney if I cannot get these people to fix the mess they left me with. Please think twice before going to western dental.

So finally I get called back. I do the X-Rays which seemed to be okay until I sat in the chair and waited for another 20 minutes and I finally see a Dentist and she takes more pictures with this thing that takes the photos. She also told me while she was doing that she isn't good at doing these pictures with this small little device to show me my teeth. Then she had this assistant on the computer who she was giving codes to on certain teeth and by the end of it I was freaked out. She told me I had to do a deep cleaning before she did any work and she pretty much told me it'd be over 1,000 for everything. I started crying because I couldn't believe it and I just got up and walked away. I couldn't deal with it. WOULD NEVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE!

Dec. 26 Update -- I've already posted my complaint. What I want to know is why this corporation is still allowed to conduct business in California. The comments on your site are all bad. The comments on Yelp are even worse. So why do we consumers have deal with companies like this? It's just not right. Tomorrow I am going to WD because I have discovered they owe me money now. They better not give me a hard time. I'm a loud mouthed princess from NYC. I better get treated with some respect instead of their usual treatment which under normal circumstances would be reserved for the gunk you scrape from the bottom shoe. I am not going back down. I'm not going to let them take advantage of me. No way! This is not ok. Somebody has to do something to shut Western Dental down for good.

I was talking in a low voice, audible for her to hear so that my simple request be granted. I was then asked to speak with the dentist. Surprisingly, Dr. ** (dentist) came out with like an outburst because consulting with her was like a nuisance to her. I thought all along that Western Dental Clinics have the slogan to care for their patients first, that they have listening ears and their concern is about the welfare of the patients. I do hear their point that Medical wouldn't approve of it (based on what they know but never tried it) but my point was let them try it first. I pleaded since the patient is also a recipient of government benefits that only proves that she is not financially well off. The sad part here was that she spoke with me in a thunderous voice, so arrogantly, that almost all the people in the clinic stopped and became nosy of what was happening. The poor woman was placed in an embarrassing predicament since all eyes were on her.

I sought again the same favor and these words came out of the Dr. ** mouth, "It is a waste of my time to fill out a form!" Then, I responded, "Is it really a bother to fill up a one page form?" She made a face and turned around leaving us behind. I was stunned with the dentist's reaction and to aggravate the situation, one of the staff asked what happened, and I overheard her saying, "I don't know." They pulled me just to talk to her! We never did anything wrong but just beg for pity and consideration. We were treated rudely because we are Medical recipients? The receptionist told me that we have to meet with the managing dentist, and I did agree to meet with her two weeks from now. I wouldn't be so confident to plead for them to at least try if I have not known other patients with the same case and were approved by Medical.

If the dentist has a heart to help the patient, it would be done, but if the dentist does not follow the motto, "We listen, we care," then I may say so that this is not the slogan that was adopted by Western Dental Clinic which are sporadically scattered in California. Likewise, Ultimate Patient Experience the experience to be turned down to be humiliated to be ignored, are these the experiences that a patient would undergo as they enter Western Dental clinic? Are these slogans just hearsays propaganda because the arrogant Dr. ** just demonstrated the irony of these nice sayings? Should a person be subjected to humiliation because the patient was just asking for help to minimize any payment she needs to pay? So if ever you are looking for Western Dental clinics, beware entering the Western Dental located at Bellflower. They will never move an inch to help any patient. There are other locations that I believe which abide the adage that uplifts the name of Western Dental.

After an initial evaluation, I was told that I was an ideal candidate for an implant as I'd already had a successful experience with one right next to the tooth currently needing replacement and that the density and thickness of my jaw bone was more than adequate to make a successful implant very likely without a bone graft but that this determination would be made by the dentist after extraction. I was also informed at this point that I would need over $5,000 worth of urgent dental work completed in addition to the implant. This surprised me as I had recently been examined by my regular (non western dental) dentist of 10 years who did not indicate that my teeth needed any work urgent or otherwise - other than an implant if that was my choice. I indicated that I'd consider proceeding with this other work when I was finished with the implant procedure and when I'd had time to think it over. What happened next was bizarre.

While sedated sitting in the dentist's chair after the extraction procedure, an administrative employee rushed at me from behind, thrust a bunch of papers into my lap and said that I had to sign these documents immediately or continuing with planned work that day would cease immediately. This seemed a little odd but I complied as I was concerned as to whether I might be left with incomplete procedures (e.g. needed sutures not done) if I didn't. A few minutes later, another dentist appeared and said that he'd arrived to do a bone graft that I needed since I'd be having an implant (the implication was that all dental implants required a bone graft without evaluating for necessity). He proceeded to do the bone graft. I returned for followup exams and X-rays and was informed at that appointment that all procedures for the implant had been very successful. When I came for my next appointment, I was informed that Western Dental would not provide me with an implant until I'd completed an additional invasive procedure that Western Dental could not name or identify and did not offer.

I was advised to seek this unspecified procedure elsewhere and informed that Western Dental could not help me finding a dentist to complete this mystery procedure. I'd now paid $600 for a procedure that Western Dental knew was unnecessary at the time that they claimed it was needed since they'd already made a decision not to provide implant services (I wonder if they provide implants at all and just advertise them as a benefit to gain more customers). In addition, I'd paid way over market *uninsured* rate (I was supposed to be getting a reduced rate because of the premiums my employer was paying each month) for crown prep & temporary crown that I had not asked for - it was done that I'd signed a contract to this effect (the document brought to me when I was under sedation). I decided not to return to Western Dental until I was assured that my permanent crown (that I'd already paid for) was ready and at the Dental Center - because I was afraid that I would go for this crown placement and a different procedure would be completed for which I'd then be billed.

Despite making a request for this assurance both to Western Dental corporate office and the local Oakland dental center for more than 6 months, nobody was willing to give me that assurance. Instead, I have been inundated with harassing and threatening phone calls such that I ceased to ever answer my phone and still, to this day, don't do so. Some calls claimed to be from "Western Dental" Corporate Office" demanding urgent return of messages, others claimed to be from collection agencies seeking the payment of unpaid bills (I've paid Western Dental hundreds of dollars over whatever services I've received from them) so the debt is owed TO me, not FROM me. Other calls claimed to represent Western Dental who wanted to "protect my valuable credit rating from damage". I receive regular bills for services never rendered. I've since had to have the crown prep completely re-done and a permanent crown installed at my full, uninsured expense at my regular dentist. I've had a titanium implant successfully placed in my jaw bone without any supposed or unnamed "additional procedures" being required by the surgeon who told me that nothing was needed before she could proceed with the implant procedure.

So I left and came back another day, I didn't want to deal with her! Again she is there and I bluntly tell her ONLY THE CLEANING and the cleaning is $131. Dentist was scraping something on my teeth for no more than 5 minutes and I wait 20 minutes for an assistant who comes all hung over and drops whatever she's holding twice. OKAY now fast forward to September, I'm getting charged $71 a month for that cleaning and have $330 to go to pay off. Stupid lady said it was $131 straight. What a **.

She checks her credit one month ago and finds out that in fact, western dental reported her to all three credit bureaus for non-payment and late. She then disputes it and western dental reported again to the 3 credit bureaus, this time with a '0' balance. The problem is, because they erroneously reported her last yr. and 3 weeks ago, those 2 dings are still on her credit for 7 yrs. Due to the fact that it was their screw up from the beginning, those 2 false dings should be removed because as is, it looks like she owed the money and paid it off, which was not the case. We have constantly called their corporate office to seek answers and resolution but to no avail. Every time we called, they would either hang up on us or send us to a 'supervisor' whose voice boxes were always full. We keep getting rude people and the run around.

I, myself, went into the Claremont, Ca. office just to see if I received the same treatment. Sure enough I did. I paid the $89 for the first time visit and was escorted to the back. The whole time there were two ladies from finance following me around, including during my treatment, discussing my credit and payment options for a bridge or implant that they 'strongly' recommended I have after I have a tooth removed. They also told me my credit came back '0'. Their exact words were, "It doesn't mean your credit is good or bad, it just comes up as a 0". Hmmm, Very suspicious. Needless to say, I declined further treatment and made sure they closed any possible records that would make me responsible for any future payments.

Legal advice did not help. Basically there is not enough money for attorney to go after and take the case on a contingency basis. Sure he could probably have those dings removed altogether, but it would cost me $4,000 that I don't have. As a result, my daughter's credit has suffered greatly. I am also seeking the help of consumer advocates you see on the news channels. They just can't get away with this!

I go back again, for the same sensitivity. My appointment is at 12:30. I am in the waiting room for a half hour. I am taken to the back where an assistant asks if I'm here for a filling. Sigh. I repeat what I told the person I set the appointment with. I wait and wait. Dr. ** wanders in asking if I'm still in pain. I tell her that I am. She goes on about how I may need a root canal. This is awkward because I absolutely had done everything in my power not to have to communicate with her again. I shake my head "no", indicating that I am not with it. She gets emotional and walks away. Emotion has no place at the dentist's office. I just want to get my teeth fixed. Geez.

Dr. ** comes back with a really helpful assistant (wish I could remember her name). Dr. ** contradicts herself until I turn to the assistant, who is able to explain a few things. I overhear Dr. ** whining to another person (who I presume is Dr. **) about how she "tried to explain" to me. Unprofessional. And kind of silly. You know these rooms aren't soundproof, right? Sigh.

The assistant takes me for x-rays. I wait about another hour and ** - who told me she deals with the financial side of things - comes with a referral to another office. I am feeling really disappointed by my visit and tell her as much. Dr. ** never bothered to say "hello" or meet the patient she had a scheduled appointment with. Unacceptable. I don't appreciate being sent off to another office. If Western Dental created the problem, they should be prepared to offer solutions and own up to it, with grace and forthrightness. I absolutely will NOT go back to this place. I hope the dentists there think about how they would want to be treated and how they'd like their loved ones to be treated and adjust their behavior accordingly. And I still have this insane sensitivity. Unacceptable.

Two days later I thought everything be fine. I guess not. I check on my tooth healing progress, found out they left the root in the same area where they have it pulled a nice sharp broken tooth they left in - when I feel my left upper gum line I feel the root poking out from my mouth and moving when lightly touching it or feeling it. That's how I know they left the broken root in. They prescribe me with all kind of medication for it including pain killers. The upper left side hurts but my other right is fine. It's just the left side hurts the most. Once I get this fix, I'll never go back there again. They are the worst place I ever been to.

So I come back in a week and pay and I go to dental chair and the head dentist tells me they're doing extractions and implants. Now I'm not even thinking about the infections, for 1 he's a educated man. That intimidates me, the assistant hands me a bunch of papers to sign. My glasses are out in lobby, thank God my mom insisted on driving me. It takes 1.5 hours one way. Head dentist is rushing me cause he says surgeon is only here 1 day every other week. There's other patients the surgeon needs to see. Well nice guy I am, I worry about the patients after me so I just sign.

Surgeon introduces himself. Very nice, younger, so he starts Novocaine injection, lots. About halfway though those, I say where's the nitrous gas I paid for. You did, let's check. So I get the gas and extractions are done. I'm awake, eyes closed. I tell him remove gas for a bit. Asst. finish sucking blood, surgeon comes back tells asst. get me your guys implant stock. She comes back, says there's only 4, we need 8. I'm thinking, at the time did not know there's a bunch different kind... Well I hope there's 8, and that they're the right ones, but doubt it...

Back to the nightmare. Surgeon did lower 4 implants, felt no pain. Started on upper, did 2, no pain, last two hurt. With that, done. Time to sew me up, finished lower, no pain. Starts upper first 1, no pain. Second one, sewing hurts. Third one, really hurting. I stopped him, asked 'Did I piss you off?' 'No', he said jokingly, asst. did. Gave me more Novocaine, finished sewing, he is gone. Now it's taken 5 hrs. Asst. takes me to x-ray, now I'm starting to hurt. She takes 2 x-rays and hand me a paper they should have given me the last time I was there. Hands me prescriptions and says go get them filled asap. No Tylenol, no nothing.

My mom was there for 5.5 hrs. She would have gladly got my pain pills. Had I knew they were going to do all that work at one time, would have brought my own. We are pulling out of parking lot and I'm in so much pain, I want to put my fist thru windshield. By the time I got my pain pills, 1 hr 15 min later, I was a wreck.. I go back 2 weeks later, the oral surgeon was supposed to be there to examine and remove stitches, he wasn't. And the head dentist no longer works there cause when I went back, I was mad and I told the new head dentist and office manager that that was wrong to do what they did to me. She said I don't think the oral surgeon would have done the work if it wasn't okay. He must have told the original head dentist it was okay.

The decision was already made by the dentist that gone. The surgeon hadn't even gotten there until I finished signing papers under duress. So after that I told them I want price reduction and I want permanent dentures. The ones that cost $6000. The corp. office agreed. They did not ask for the $5000 cash. But now after reading all this other stuff, I'm really afraid to have them do anything. One last thing, in our contract it said I would have temp. dentures immediately after implants. Wrong.

I have to walk my daughter down the isle Oct. 11, 2014. I don't want them doing anything else because I was in so much pain. The trust with Western Dental is gone, they knew they were in the wrong or they would not have agreed to my demands. I am in construction and have hurt myself really bad 2 times and a whole lot of little ones in 35 years and can handle pain, but not that bad. With all this bad stuff they're doing, why doesn't the law do something? Are you guys waiting until they maim or do worse?