This was my first visit to BD as my beloved long time DDS, Trudy Amstadt had moved into their practice. I would go to the edge of the earth to have her but I was not accustomed to what I experienced here. To begin with, most of the world is still dealing with Covid. I took adequate precautions in wearing a mask and was surprised to find not one of the 4-5 front desk people were wearing one. My impression from arrival was that this practice wants to cater to the more affluent. This seemed even more evident from the conclusion of the visit where I was presented what I feel was a huge bill for the routine services I received, and when asked was told they did not (even) offer a senior discount. Back to the arrival, I was asked for a photo ID. Of course I offered my driver's license's license unaware it would retained to scan it into their system with the excuse of knowing it was me and due to insurance fraud issues. I am very uncomfortable here a day later, realizing this info has been scanned and that if they have a poor employee who has access to this information, it could be seriously abused/used. It's one thing to be paranoid enough to ask for ID on arrival each time, another to save it in a system. The waiting area was an attempt at creating a welcoming environment, but it had little appeal to me. I was not impressed with the dreamy portrait of a molar that almost resembled a flower, nor the glass fronted refrigerator with beverages to make you feel at home. My care from Trudy was fine as always. But the tab for the exam was $89, bitewings (4) $108, cleaning $144 (and you'd think maybe even a discount considering I have lost about 25% or more of my teeth) and to top it all off "flouride varnish" for $31. I had never heard it referred to as that, so I thought it may have been done without my being aware though that would not be like Trudy, not to ask me first. She knows I hate the taste, smell and chemicals and decline it regularly if offered. THe desk person checked when I questioned it, and no, I had not had that. By then she had already processed the charges on my credit card and could not (?) issue a credit, so put the amount as a credit toward my next appointments. I called today to be prepared for the horrors of that bill being that 5 cavities were discovered, and based on the conversation I had, it seems the flouride is typically SOP for their patients. I had them make note on my record that was NOT to be done. Note also that I originally received a call from this office even though I was NOT ever a patient, but apparently by my DDS joining they gained access to my records. They called on my mobile phone which unlike so many is NOT my primary phone and ONLY for MY personal use and that of my close friends and family ONLY. I made this clear and they claimed to make note of it. In the time between when I did set up the appt, they used that number to send texts advising me of when the appt was set for and that I could access their forms from a particular link provided. The forms clearly getting one to commit to financial responsibility, and to make clear that you took responsibility for neglecting to fully inform them of any medical issues that might result in an unwelcome reaction...I printed the forms out and filled them in to take with me from their website. On the day of the appt at 7:30 AM they again sent a text message, waking me. Ulsing the mobile phone I had said NOT TO. I called today to find out how much the fillings would be putting me into debt. 3 fillings have what they call 2 surfaces each, so the tab will be $876. SERIOUSLY?!!! And then the next visit for 2 fillings only has 3 surfaces involved in total so it is "ONLY" $548. And then they wonder why people neglect routine dental care. I get that it is a business, there is overhead, staff to pay, supplies to buy etc, but when one has to consider a loan or eating to do this, it undermines the relationship with a practice as you begin to wonder if you need a procedure or it is to increase income for the practice. It becomes hard to trust. I do still very much trust my DDS here, but I do not look forward to interacting with the facility or its employees. I share the details here only to let people know so they won't be surprised and can make an informed decision. For all I know this is the going rate and typical procedures. They should spend more time on generating a payment plan for those who might need one, but clearly their goal is to get as much income as they can asap. If you don't have dental insurance, please shop for some before you visit here.... read more
