I've intentionally waited several weeks to write my review as I generally do when I receive less…read morethan adequate service as I want my reviews to be factual and less emotional. I had scheduled a cleaning with Essex Family Dental in April of this year and upon doing so was asked to update my insurance information as it had been a short while since I had my teeth cleaned. While doing so, my insurance had in fact changed, so I gave the biller/scheduler my new insurance information. Prior to my cleaning, I received a text message asking me to confirm my insurance information and appointment, which I did, as I did not want to incur a fee for a no call, no show appointment. Upon my arrival for my cleaning, we confirmed my insurance information a third time. I was excited to get my teeth cleaned as I love my hygienist and ONLY schedule appointments when she's available. She's truly the only reason I've continued to go back to this practice as there has been so much turnover and customer service has gone down. After my cleaning Dr. Liberman Liberman came in and acted as if I were a "new" patient. Mind you, he and a couple of his colleagues have had their hands in my mouth several times. It made me feel extremely under valued as I continue to use their services and had to remind him, he's seen me on several occasions. It was clear that he did not glace at my chart or any information prior to coming into conduct my very quick oral examination. At the end of our interaction, we proceeded (me, the hygienist, and the scheduler) proceeded to schedule a follow-on visit approximately two weeks out for a very small filling, at which point they provided me with a written estimate that the procedure would cost me just under $50.00 to the filling. Fast forward a couple of weeks, I go to the office, check-in, confirm my insurance information again, proceed to get my tooth drilled and pay for my filling. No big deal, right? About a month later, I get a bill for about $350.00 dollars for unpaid dental fees. Hold the mic please, as I went onto my mobile app and confirmed I in fact had insurance. I promptly phoned the office to talk about my billing error and of course, got their voicemail and left a disgruntled, detailed message. A couple of hours pass, and I get a return call from a gal in their billing department. I explain the situation and share that there must be some error that was coded incorrectly or not properly put into their system. She proceeds to tell me, not quite and that I do in fact owe the $350.00ish dollars as my new insurance was not in network. What? How was I supposed to know that? The biller proceeded to gaslight me and tell me it was my fault and that I should have known my new insurance was not in network, to which point I countered that her office confirmed my insurance not once, not twice, not three times but on four or more instances and even gave me an estimate on my filling. Had I been a brand-new patient I would accept ownership, but the office confirmed my insurance several times after my cleaning and proceeded to render services, to which she advised me, "the estimate was off your old insurance policy". She advised me that I was responsible for my insurance not covering all the services. I instantly grew frustrated with her due to her lack of empathy and care; I work in the financial industry and it's my job to "advise" my customers of all their options. Had she or a colleague of hers told me I was out of network; I'd have had made an informed decision based on my financial and oral care needs. It was evident someone had not done their job (by her admission) and I was paying the price.
So, I'm taking my business elsewhere after about five years. Since Dr. Makay and his wife took over ownership of the practice it's gone downward. I"ll be sure to let friends, family and the community of my experience and why they SHOULD not go here for their dental needs. Do better, Essex Family Dental! You just lost a valued and loyal patient because I was gaslight and poor bedside manner.