Western Dental & Orthodontics Reviews

I'm on SSI and was sent to collections agency. 8777452329 told me I owe 900.00 dollars. They keep harassing me and won't talk to my mom. I only had 300.00 dollars work done, and they overcharged my insurance Delta Dental for X-Rays.

After having the x-rays, I was told the price would be $191 for the simple extraction (not $159) and $386 for the surgical extraction (not the $286). I was also told that the oral surgeon is only there 2 times a month - and this was his day. Having spent $99 for the exam, and facing having to wait 2 more weeks for the surgeon to return, I felt I had no other option other than to agree to their greatly inflated price. I have called no less than 5 different phone numbers, only to be hung up on several times. I left multiple voice messages that never get returned. And I endured repeated statements that Western Dental does not make adjustments. I have repeatedly been told that I am at fault for accepting the pricing and having the work done; that I had the option to not accept the quote (and walk away with only a $99 loss).

I understand an estimate is an estimate. But common sense dictates that the estimate is somewhat in the ballpark of the actual cost. The estimate I was given was more than 40% lower than the actual quote. I feel I was backed into a corner and had no choice - make my son suffer or pay their extorted rates. I will never go back to this place and will advise everyone I know to never do business with this institution.

I went in May to have my teeth done before I turned 21 on July 15, and Alondra *** didn't file the request until the 26th of July. Why is this okay? Is this how you run your offices? I want a complaint filed with this office and something be done about your employees. Now I don't know what to do and I'm in terrible pain. I hope this will not happen to another patient. I tell all my friends and family members my story and to not go where nothing will be done, but pain and suffering.

I came back and they told me the person handling it, was gone for lunch. But assured me this would stop. Today I got another bill, threatening collection this time. But my receipt proves I do not owe and they did not perform this service. What can I do? I am being emotionally harassed and can't cope with this anymore. I am a senior citizen with a limited budget and do not know how to make this stop. The stress is wearing off my physical health. Please help me!

Yesterday, I underwent extremely painful and extensive surgery to repair my fractured jaw bone and remove the debris and abscess that was left by Western Dental. I was told by one of their own dentist and the oral surgeon that repaired their work that they could have killed me with what they had done. I have spent the last 3 weeks in extreme pain, two visits to the E.R., and no food or sleep due to the pain. This is not right! This has caused loss of income for almost a month, two hospital visits, 6 prescriptions, the surgery they paid for and they are refunding the money paid initially.

I finally started filling out my papers. I waited another hour. Finally, I was called, given x-rays and then seated 30 minutes while the same guy who gave me x-rays misplaces them? I wasn't really aware of the other stuff yet until I go to another dentist to get a second look. After all that waiting, the dentist comes in, takes a quick look and says I need a bridge. I lost my crown and I had a piece of sharp post sticking out. He didn't talk to me about a cleaning or composite or anything which is what my regular dentist told me. He didn't even bother to seal my post from my root canal which my regular dentist did. All Western Dental felt like was they wanted 2000 dollars from me. I'm low income and I chose not to get my bridge there.

I have made every payment. So far I am wondering what those people are doing. Also, the letter wasn't signed by anyone at the bottom, only type is credit counselor and that to me is not professional and the stamp the envelope came is from another zip code which doesn't match to the office. The economic part damage is that my credit is not good at the moment. I do not wish for my credit to get worse. I am working very hard to fix it. Physical: yesterday I didn't sleep well and felt very nervous. I worry a lot.

The first thing they did was replaced all of my silver fillings with porcelain ones. Fine, now I no longer look like a silverware tray. The next thing was to fix a space in between my two front teeth and fill a couple of cavities along the top right side (front) of my mouth. When I declined a root canal to fix the space, they finally fixed it by filling it. No problem there. As to fixing the cavities mentioned above, I now have a hole behind my front teeth that I can almost stick my pinky finger in. Although they did fill the tooth with porcelain, they failed to remove any signs of decay before doing so. The tooth they pulled directly next to the one up top was pulled out, yes, but not entirely.

I now have tooth fragments coming through the gum, causing severe pain on a daily basis. All of the fillings that were switched from silver to porcelain on the upper left side of my mouth have since fallen out, causing great pain. Now, let's move right along to the bottom of my mouth. Right in front, along the gum line, on the lower teeth, it looks as though there is mold. Apparently, this does not concern Western Dental because they say there is nothing to worry about, it's normal. You must understand, I am a person who brushes and flosses my teeth constantly; at least three (sometimes more) times daily. So, it's not like I don't take care of them.

It's now two years later (maybe less) and I am left with 20 teeth that are still attached, one of which is turning black and rotting (top front); six of which are black after the fillings fell out; an entire row of bottom teeth that are molding from the gum up; and bone fragments that try and force themselves out through the gum but never do. I have no partials, although they have been paid for through C.M.S.P., and the $7800 in dental work that has supposedly been done (and paid for) in my mouth, wasn't worth 78 cents. Unfortunately, I qualify as low income, and I am no longer covered through C.M.S.P.; and Lord knows, I would love to sue Western Dental for malpractice, but I can't afford it. I don't even want any money, but I do want my mouth fixed. I can no longer afford buying toothache medicine on a daily basis. It's not cheap.

Approximately two weeks later, I woke up with severe pain in my right jaw and neck and my cervical lymph node was swollen. I called my doctor and she gave me antibiotics not even thinking about my teeth. So I was on antibiotics for about 7-10 days. The pain went away but not the lymph node swelling was still there. 3 weeks later, the same pain came back. She then got worried because when I came in, I had lost 12 pounds in a matter of 3 weeks. So she started running tests. So being under care of my doctor, I was going to the orthopedist at Western Dental to get my braces tighten, no problems with the orthopedic services received. After numerous testing and expensive trips to the ER, my doctor finally said go back to the dentist and see what they say.

So on 01/25/2010, I go back and told them how I was feeling and the assistant said, "Did you take the antibiotics we gave you?" I said, "What antibiotics? I would have taken them but no antibiotic was given except for the ones by my doctor." Then Dr Hassan took me to get x-rays and said, "There is no infection and you're fine but here is a prescription for Penicillin (the strongest antibiotic)." I said, "Why a prescription for penicillin if there is no infection?" Either there is or there is not, he said take the prescription and come back tomorrow and walked away. After this, I was about to scream because I have been so sick and losing weight for no explained reason. The next day, I contacted my insurance company and advised them of what was happening and they advised me to go to another dentist.

I then went to Market West Dental on 01/28/2010. DDS Shelia ** was so upset at the treatment and mishaps of the office of Western Dental. The root canal that they done didn't get a crown put on it, supposedly because of my braces and they put a composite which can still allow infection to get in and braces were put on with three wisdom teeth, which are now infected and to them being impacted which I was unaware of. So now, I have to miss work and get all three extracted immediately and then possibly have the braces removed and risk my permanent teeth of falling out because of the movement of my roots. I am a mother of two and I don't have money to blow and the risk of my health is completely unacceptable. I now have to come out more money to have the teeth extracted and possible risk of teeth falling out.

Something needs to be done ASAP about this office. Going to the dentist or the doctor, we go in with faith and hope that we are going to get treated fairly and not have to worry about the treatment or having to get sick. To make the matters worse, my brother went to the Chico location and had a root canal done as well and ended up getting an abscess and was hospitalized for two weeks with cellulitis and almost died. This is ridiculous that they are still in business and having all of these complaints submitted to your office and other associations and nothing is being done. What does it have to take? Will it be for someone to die in order for someone to take action on this company's organization? This is ridiculous of the type of services provided.

When I went to Market West Dental all of my x-rays and exam coverage was used up for 6 months. What are they doing? I refuse to pay them anymore money due to the damage and mishaps and misdiagnosing that this office has caused and trauma to my health. I am very devastated. I hope your office takes this into consideration, along with all the other complaints that I seen listed on your website in regards to this office and sub offices of this organization of Western Dental, and that some type of action is been due to fix all of the issues and concerns with Western Dental. I'm a very upset and mistreated customer of Western Dental Office located on 3645 Northgate Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95834, 9162867750.

They denied her medical care and soon she started having trouble with the braces worse than before they were put on. I finally found another dental office that processed all paperwork correctly and in a timely fashion and lo and behold, the claim was approved. They had to remove the first set of braces and by that time my child had a very bad case of gingivitis so they had to treat her for that before they could even attempt a new set of braces. Since that time, my child’s orthodontic treatment has been wonderful since it is at a different office altogether. Western Dental has reported this to all credit bureaus, which is showing as a negative factor. They caused my child unnecessary pain and suffering. It is their duty to continue care once they have begun treatment, which they did not.

Then I get another notice in the mail saying they will not be accepting medical and or CMSP as of June 30th. So, I called the Folsom branch and they told me they can't accept me anymore even though I got a letter sent here. Their website also states they will not accept insurance as of June 30th. I do appreciate the way in which Sandra handled this. She found the only dentist that would cover me but they are in Lodi and I am in Cameron Park. It's false advertising. I have the notices and you can look on their website.

I went to another Dentist, in May of 2008, and they xrayed and examined my teeth. I was surprised when they told me that all of the work Western Dental had completed, would have to be redone, including the crown. They also want to do a deep cleaning (even though Western Dental said they did a deep cleaning). They said that my gum under the crown is inflamed, and it is causing problems in the bone under that tooth. There is decay under all of the fillings that Ms. Kumari put in my mouth.

The work that was done by Western Dental was through the Denti-cal here in Alameda County. The second Dentist I went to is under my employer, San Francisco State University (and I pay a deductible). With my deductible the work is going to be around $4,000.00 with my deductible.

Once I found out that they had done a shoddy job, I tried to file a complaint through the state, but cannot find this Dentist (her name is Sutri Kumari). I put her name in to find her license number, and there was no match. I asked the receptionist if (Ms. Kumari), today when I spoke to her, and she said yes she was. Then she told me she was not in today (May 29, 2008). I feel that I am getting the run around from Western Dental. I do not want any Dentist from their office going in my mouth again.

In fact I don't trust any Dentist at this point, and do not know what I should do.

Thereafter I begin sending in $80.00 per month (3-months totaling $240.00),however none of the payments have been applied to my account. At this point I began receiving letters demanding I pay $402.00. I have called Western Dental on numerous ocassions (office in Claremont & the corporate office), as well as sent in numerous letters requesting a printout of all my payments, but my calls are never returned. However Western Dental's collection department contacts me once a week, but when I try to explain the situation they tell me "WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PAYMENTS YOU SENT IN, WE ARE CALLING TO COLLECT, YOU NEED TO CALL THE CLAREMONT OFFICE." In February 2008, I attempted to take my daughter to the Western Dental office in Rancho Cucamonga, but was told she could not be seen until I pay the amount of $402.00, nor would the Claremont office transfer my daughter's file. Western Dental also had the audacity to send in a false claim to my insurance company stating my daughter was seen in the Rancho Cucamonga office on 02/19/08.

This is simply not true. My daughter was declined to be seen, because Western Dental is demanding I pay $402.00. Since Western Dental has refused to cooperate with me by not applying any of my payments, failed to return my phone calls, has not responded to my written letters & last but not least sent in a false claim to my insurance company, I have stopped sending in my monthly payment of $80.00.

Dr.Ray said rudely to the nurse "I exit this patient ,I can't no longer work on him!" Failed to advise my wife. Left my son in the chair and walked out of the operating room. My 5 year old son cried out "Don't leave as Dr.Ray walked out. "Don't leave me with this tooth!" My 5 year old son cried out!" My wife and 12 year old son noticed that Dr.Ray did not change his gloves prior to touching our sons mouth. My wife and 12year son also observed Dr.Ray handling chemicals he used to clean his head gear with the same gloves he touch our sons mouth with.My wife addressed Dr.Ray's behavior to him personally and he replied "Oh,you think I'm being rude?

He shouted at my wife. I myself personally filed a complaint with the office on this same day. Selema, the office Manager contacted my wife via phone on this same day but never offered an apology. Selema simply stated that Dr.Ray would be spoken to so that "this" doesn't happen to anyone else. On 01/30/08 my wife contact Western Dental Coporate (consumer complaints)and advised them of this situation. Regional will be advised by Corporate. Action pending.

SHAME ON YOU WESTERN DENTAL! Why are you even allowed to remain in operational status? I am absolutely livid that your institution is degrading Denti-Cal and low income patients! I, personally, had private insurance however used your services based on the fact that you're open on Saturday. Here, in short, is my experiance thus far:
A. Absolutely FILTHY conditions of your Briggsmore Office;
B. MASSIVE overbooking of patients - my visit was nearly four hours AND INCOMPLETE;
C. Staff that admittedly perform duties out of their scope of practice;
D. Innappropriate billing - which is why you are currently under investigation for insurance fraud;
E. It's been three weeks and STILL NO CROWN;

F. Your corporate offices continue to ignore my requests for resolution.

Western Dental I fully plan on making as much noise as I can with the appropriate agencies to make sure that you pay attention and make change to the inhumane treatment of patients and the misappropriate collection of state funded insurance monies! I encourage anyone with any influence - including complaints - to do the same.

YOU ARE A HEALTH HAZARD AND A PRIME EXAMPLE OF EXPLOITING THE SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES!

He was clearly angry, he was verbally abusive and he frightened me by his behavior. He even asked me did I want him to stop, because I was yelling from the pain I shook my head "No". After he finally finished he had his assistant clean up the mess and he handed me a prescription for antibiotics and pain. The assistant asked if I was OK I said NO! I was so devastated I left my eyeglasses and book I had been reading. The dentist never said anything once he had completed the job. I was crying, and holding my face. My husband showed up and could see that I had been traumatized by this experience. I later returned to pick up my eyeglasses and book, but at the same time I informed the front office staff that I would be contacting Better Business Bureau and Consumer affairs regarding the matter.

My boyfreind has had his dentures for 17 years with no problems. I need to know what I can do about this. Aren't they suppose to last longer than 6 years? Shouldn't the dentist have to pay for these improperly made dentures? I beleive they should!! Please contact me and let me know.

even my kids were amazed of what he have done! not only that, I was so sore and noticed my gum was ripped off on the side of my tooth!!! no wonder he said that I will be bleeding for awhile but that is normal...I went back and told the front office it was unacceptable, reminded them that they gave me a copy and made me signed papers saying that they follow cleaness and caring practice! I showed her what he have done, and what I look and was covered of blood! they took me inside and told me another doctor will see me. Next to know, there HE was! this time with another assistant, who held the water hose and actually clipped on the towel on me, he then sanded my tooth so it looks like a tooth not like a blob! did not apologized at all, he only comment I heard you were not satisfied with our job, I told him, I told you so many times, he proceeded to finish and it looks decent enough, I had filling covering even my other tooth!! he did not removed everything still, refusing by saying that it needed to stay in the other tooth.

Never in my life, I had experience the most Nightmare, horrifying, mistreatment in a dentist!!! not only that, the first 4 days, my head hurt on the right side, a pain that goes from my eye to my jaw!, I bleed every time I brush and it hurts up to date when I touch it! my tooth had not root as it is ready for a crown. and thinking I will do it with them, because he said, that he will not do just the filling, unless I do a crown, so I agreed. by the way, my root canal was done before. Anyway, I paid that day, $113.25 thinking I was going to finish, get done with it on the next appt. Sept 29th, and will make other payments accordingly and to my surprised and to topped it all. June from the office called on Wed Sept 12th spoke with my husband as I was at work, she said: "they have lost all my molds and they need me to go in there to re-do them".

I was very upset, I believe this doctor did not like I complainted and "lost" all my molds, 4 of them which he pushed and pushed and gagged me and did not care, and pulled my lips so hard down, that I had skin burn!!! on my top lip!!! either that or as he was as dirty when he treated me and sloppy, he really lost my molds each one of them!

I was like my husband told June, furious, so I waited until I calmed down and although I do need badly my crown, I decided is not worth it for me to go back there, so on Wed Sept 19th I called and spoke not only with the girl in the front but also with June, who did apologized but I again explained all that had happened, she offered again another doctor, but they did when I came back and still gave me the same guy. (by the way, if I do not have his name spelled correctly, is because they did not even gave me his name on that day, nor a card for the next appt, I had to filled that myself and found his name when I called the last time, in any case, he is an asian man in his 40's) I told June I will not come back, I also told her, that I know that filling cost is only $55.00, I paid $113.25, thinking I was getting a crown, but because they lost my molds and I will not go back with them, I asked for the difference to be returned to me. She said she was going to talk to her manager and I gave her my home phone number and said for her to refund my money. I have not heard from them.

I will still give them more days, but, I do need to report the awful treatment, dirty, inconsidered to the pain, specially the cleaness of the job, because they gave me a copy (which I have) of the way how sterilized they are. then, how come I ended up with blood and fillings and stuff all over me that people were looking!!!! I don't know if there is an association of dentist where to report this man, he should not be allowed to practice!!!