WOULD AVOID THIS PRACTICE AT ALL COSTS.
My husband initially went in for what we believed would be a routine filling. He was not clearly informed of the risks, alternatives, or potential complications beforehand, and left under the impression that the procedure was minor. Within a few days, he began experiencing severe and escalating pain.
What was presented as a simple filling ultimately led to a root canal, a crown, and thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses, along with ongoing health concerns.
What was especially concerning was a follow-up conversation with Dr. Martin, during which she stated, while chuckling, that she does not typically provide informed consent for fillings, but that she "would be doing that now." Hearing this after complications had already occurred was both alarming and unacceptable.
My husband did not feel he was given the opportunity to make a fully informed decision about his care. This raises serious concerns about compliance with Washington State standards regarding informed consent and patient rights. The overall experience reflected a lack of accountability and insufficient consideration for the impact on patients.
Additionally, after seeking care elsewhere, my new dentist reviewed prior work completed by Dr. Martin within the past year and identified concerns with the quality of the composite fillings. Specifically, the margins were described as uneven and prone to trapping food, increasing the risk of decay. These findings further added to our concerns about the standard of care provided.
This experience has caused significant physical pain, emotional stress, and financial burden. We were ultimately referred to the provider's malpractice insurance company, which has not been helpful in addressing our concerns.
Due to the seriousness of these issues, we have filed a formal complaint with the Washington State Department of Health for review. Our hope is that this matter is taken seriously to prevent similar experiences for other patients.
We were referred to the provider's malpractice insurance company for resolution, but the process has been slow and unresponsive, adding to the frustration of this experience. read more