If you go see a dentist, and they do a checkup before a cleaning happens, be weary of them…read more
If they tell you you have multiple cavities when, 6 months ago, your previous dentist told you that you had none, be weary of them.
If the cavities are not seen on an xray, or with a dental probe (a tool you can poke a tooth with to see if the soft part is exposed), but only on a camera in your mouth, be weary of them.
And if they are quick to put an invoice in your hand for their services after finding all these cavities, be VERY weary of them.
Honestly, I was expecting a much more professional, much less pressured experience than the one I received. Started out nice enough, with the office assistant not giving me any paperwork, then forgetting several of the forms and me having to fill them in later. Mistakes happen.
Then, I was ushered in and sat down. Weird techno music playing in the room with the chairs (you know, people are nervous, that's why smooth jazz is the de-facto dental office music). Got xrays taken by a hygienist who was wearing a mask over his mouth but not his nose (didn't the pandemic teach us anything?). I also pointed out that my name wasn't on the screen since they hyginest didn't bother confirming them with me, so they were going to save these xrays to another patient had I not said anything.
Normally I don't gag at xrays, but these for whatever reason these caused some intense pain in the back of my throat. Then Dr. Kahan came in (I assumed, he didn't introduce himself to me), blew some air on my teeth, stuck a camera in my mouth (that hadn't brushed before the appointment, my mistake?), and started pointing out all the "cavities" he found. Black spots, from where maybe some food residue was there. Cavities, without using a sickle probe to check for soft tissue exposure. He's so good, he can tell just by eye? Or with his "camera on a stick"? Is he a super dentist? Because every dentist I've ever had used a probe to confirm before telling me I needed a filling.
No, he's a scam artist trying to sell you services you don't need.
This wasn't my first rodeo. I asked him to show me the cavities on the xrays, and he couldn't see them. Said they were "blocked by the top of the tooth". Ok doc, call me when they are in the dentin and an actual issue. This is typical of HMO predatory dentists, but I have a PPO, and he had such glowing ratings, so I don't get it...do you need to upsell me to pay your rent? Or are we saving for a new Bentley©™?
Then, the office assistant came in quickly with the price breakdown. Not before I walked in, but after the "checkup". Note to anyone watching this, I've seen a lot of dentists over the years (primarily from moving around), this has happened twice in my lifetime, and the first time the dentist was predatory HMO douche (see my review of him from 20 years ago). Apparently this one is too. And this is with an insurance with (essentially) full coverage. If he will do this to me with good insurance, I shudder to think what he will do to you with HMO coverage or, god forbid, MediCal.
I declined the many fillings (he was ready to do them right then and there, another red flag. Those of you friends reading who don't know the norms with dentists, a decent dentist will schedule another appointment to do the fillings later. If the dentist is quick to drill, be even more weary), and just got a cleaning. I then proceeded to have the light blinding me (normally this doesn't get in your eyes unless the hygenist points it sideways like they did with me), water squirting in my face, suction hanging off my face super uncomfortably. Like, I can hold it and use it when I need it. Why wasn't this an option?
The whole thing was uncomfortable (thankfully not painful). The only upside was my insurance covered the visit and xrays, but holy hell so many red flags in one visit.
So yeah, I won't be back. And I say this as a warning, since I found this office from Yelp and went because the reviews were so good. You're welcome to go, I'm sure some will say he's a good dentist, but there were too many red flags for me to feel comfortable. I'll continue to see my old dentist that my insurance only covers 80% of the costs...20% to not feel the "used car salesman upsell vibes" is worth the cost...