Absolutely Traumatizing Experience - Avoid at All Costs…read more
I had the misfortune of being referred to The Smilist Dental in Massapequa for a wisdom tooth extraction, and I cannot stress enough how awful the experience was, particularly with the oral surgeon.
From my first visit, I was made to feel uncomfortable. The surgeon bluntly told me I was "too old" to be having a wisdom tooth removed and insisted I would have to pay $300 for a CT scan out-of-pocket, claiming my insurance "never covers it" based on "other patients" with the same provider. When I told the receptionist I wanted to check with my insurance first before paying, I was met with pushback and attitude, as well as a request to put a card on file "just in case", which I refused.
Here's what really happened: I called my insurance, and they confirmed it would be covered pending prior authorization. When I called The Smilist back to tell them this, they were clearly annoyed. The CT scan ended up being covered 100%.. Which makes me wonder how many people they've pressured into paying out-of-pocket unnecessarily.
Once the prior authorization was approved, I got two separate phone calls asking me to schedule an appointment I had already scheduled. When I told them I had one booked, I got attitude again.
The procedure itself was horrific.
The surgeon showed up over 30 minutes late. I was the first appointment of the day, with no apology or explanation. He walked in and immediately began stabbing my gums with Novocaine - no warning, no heads-up, just jab after painful jab. He was extremely rough, and I was physically gripping the chair in pain.
During the procedure, he barked orders at his assistant (who, for the record, was the only decent person I encountered and it was clearly his first day on the job.), had him forcibly hold my chin despite a jaw jam already being in place, and carelessly scraped my other teeth with his tools. When he began drilling, I could feel it. I winced in pain and tried to indicate I wasn't numb yet. Instead of pausing or checking in properly, he poked my face and said, "Do you feel this?", then yelled "Ma'am!" in my ear when I couldn't answer fast enough (gee, maybe because I had a jaw spreader in my mouth and couldn't talk).
Eventually, I was given more Novocaine, but the lack of empathy and professionalism was staggering.
Aftercare? Even worse.
My face is extremely swollen, more than any dental procedure I've ever had, and I'm still in significant pain two days later. I can barely talk without discomfort.
To top it all off, the surgeon prescribed me ibuprofen for the pain despite telling me at my first appointment that he couldn't prescribe that to me due to a previous surgery I've had. He knew I couldn't take it and prescribed it anyway. That level of carelessness is absolutely unacceptable.
The only positive in this entire nightmare was the assistant, who did his best to help and stay calm despite the toxic environment.
This was one of the most unprofessional, painful, and emotionally draining medical experiences I've ever had. I would never recommend this surgeon or location to anyone. Save yourself the pain and go somewhere that actually respects and listens to their patients.
