Complain about a product or service

Western Dental

Multiple California Locations

ALBERTO of LIVERMORE, CA September 24, 2009

Company claims to have prompt timely service. After 2.5 hours nobody looked at my son's mouth or anything at all. Staff offered no explanation or showed any regard for the time and money I invested doing my part of the appointment. I asked other customers, and they all have similar story, they overbooked people and blame everything on corporate.

Corporate won't offer any solution nor apology. Some customers waited for 3+ hours. This is unacceptable, they take medical and feel that they can push people around without any regard. Their add clearly misleads customers and implies that you don't wait at all. False.

Theresa of Petaluma, CA May 22, 2009

They told me that my child qualified for braces (in order for medical to pay she had to have a certain score, and I was told that she did. They put the braces on and the insurance denied the claim so I was told I had to pay $150.00 for down payment and then pay $125.00 a month for the next 5 years. I informed them that my only source of income is Social Security, and they told me and reassured me that they would file an appeal to get the insurance to pay.

They submitted ALL the wrong paperwork, and again it was denied. I was not able to pay after a few months of her having the braces on, but they scheduled an appointment, we drove the 45 min drive to the office only to be told that if I did not have any money they would not see her. They denied her medical care and soon she started having trouble with the braces worse than before they were put on.

I finally found another dental office that processed all paperwork correctly and in a timely fashion and low and behold the claim was APPROVED. They had to remove the first set of braces and by that time my child had a very bad case of Gingivitis so they had to treat her for that before they could even attempt a new set of braces. Since that time my childs orthodontic treatment has been wonderful since it is at a different office altogether. Western Dental has reported this to all credit bureaus, which is showing as a negative factor, they caused my child unnecessary pain and suffering. It is thier duty to continue care once they have begun treatment, which they did not.

Jennifer of cameron park, CA May 11, 2009

I have never been a complaner as i do have patience, but your folsom office needs to be ran better. my first complaint to this company was may of last year to get my wisdom teeth removed. the dentist was not professional in my opnion, he did not warn me he was about to pull a tooth and i screamed. He said we don't do that here and sent me away, and i had to pay for my other three teeth. The problem i have now is this company does not know what they are doing, or know who to send reminders too. I have gotton 2 reminders to come in for a check up, i thought ok i'll make a appointment it's that time.

Then i get another notice in the mail saying they will not be accepting medi-cal and or c.m.s.p. as of june 3oth. so i called the folsom branch they told me they didn't accept me anymore even though i got a letter sent here and there website also states they will not except insurance as of june 30th. I do appreciate the way in which Sandra handled this. she found the only dentist that would cover me, but they are in lodi and i am in cameron park. It's false advertising, i have the notices and you can look on their website.

Anita of San Leandro, CA May 29, 2008

I went to Western Dental Center in San Leandro, August of 2007. Extensive work was done to my teeth, including removals, a crown, and fillings. I was also supposed to have a deep cleaning of my gums. After the initial work was completed I was supposed to return and have another tooth removed. However, I was in a lot of pain, and received shoddy treatment. At one point I was left in the Dental Chair, with my head lowered for almost 45 minutes. I did not return to that office, because of the treatment. However, my gum where the crown sat was inflamed off and on for months.

I went to another Dentist, in May of 2008, and they xrayed and examined my teeth. I was surprised when they told me that all of the work Western Dental had completed, would have to be redone, including the crown. They also want to do a deep cleaning (even though Western Dental said they did a deep cleaning). They said that my gum under the crown is inflamed, and it is causing problems in the bone under that tooth. There is decay under all of the fillings that Ms. Kumari put in my mouth.

The work that was done by Western Dental was through the Denti-cal here in Alameda County. The second Dentist I went to is under my employer, San Francisco State University (and I pay a deductible). With my deductible the work is going to be around $4,000.00 with my deductible.

Once I found out that they had done a shoddy job, I tried to file a complaint through the state, but cannot find this Dentist (her name is Sutri Kumari). I put her name in to find her license number, and there was no match. I asked the receptionist if (Ms. Kumari), today when I spoke to her, and she said yes she was. Then she told me she was not in today (May 29, 2008). I feel that I am getting the run around from Western Dental. I do not want any Dentist from their office going in my mouth again.

In fact I don't trust any Dentist at this point, and do not know what I should do.

Lashawn of Rancho Cucamonga, CA April 14, 2008

In October 2006 I signed an 18-month payment plan for my daughter's braces. In 2007 I received a court order directing my daughter's father to begin making payments, however he did not. This caused me to get behind on payments by 4-months. In December 2007 I began submitting the payments again myself. I also took my daughter in for a check-up and was informed about the non-payments. The Office Manager (Teresa) still allowed my daughter to be seen by a dentist with the agreement that I would begin making the monthly payment of $80.00 per month.

Thereafter I begin sending in $80.00 per month (3-months totaling $240.00),however none of the payments have been applied to my account. At this point I began receiving letters demanding I pay $402.00. I have called Western Dental on numerous ocassions (office in Claremont & the corporate office), as well as sent in numerous letters requesting a printout of all my payments, but my calls are never returned. However Western Dental's collection department contacts me once a week, but when I try to explain the situation they tell me "WE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PAYMENTS YOU SENT IN, WE ARE CALLING TO COLLECT, YOU NEED TO CALL THE CLAREMONT OFFICE." In February 2008, I attempted to take my daughter to the Western Dental office in Rancho Cucamonga, but was told she could not be seen until I pay the amount of $402.00, nor would the Claremont office transfer my daughter's file. Western Dental also had the audacity to send in a false claim to my insurance company stating my daughter was seen in the Rancho Cucamonga office on 02/19/08.

This is simply not true. My daughter was declined to be seen, because Western Dental is demanding I pay $402.00. Since Western Dental has refused to cooperate with me by not applying any of my payments, failed to return my phone calls, has not responded to my written letters & last but not least sent in a false claim to my insurance company, I have stopped sending in my monthly payment of $80.00.

Ishmael of Hesperia, CA January 30, 2008

On 01/28/2008 my wife took our 5 year old son to Western Dental (Victorville,CA) for his first Dental visit. Dr.Ray, the Dentist who was to perform our sons work, immediately began insulting our son by repeating every word our son was saying but in a sassy manner. Dr.Ray further yelled the following commands at our 5 year old son "Open your mouth!" "Stop crying,do you want to scare my other patients!" My wife,our 2 sons (5years and 12 years old) were all present and witnessed Dr.Ray's behavior.

Dr.Ray said rudely to the nurse "I exit this patient ,I can't no longer work on him!" Failed to advise my wife. Left my son in the chair and walked out of the operating room. My 5 year old son cried out "Don't leave as Dr.Ray walked out. "Don't leave me with this tooth!" My 5 year old son cried out!" My wife and 12 year old son noticed that Dr.Ray did not change his gloves prior to touching our sons mouth. My wife and 12year son also observed Dr.Ray handling chemicals he used to clean his head gear with the same gloves he touch our sons mouth with.My wife addressed Dr.Ray's behavior to him personally and he replied "Oh,you think I'm being rude?

He shouted at my wife. I myself personally filed a complaint with the office on this same day. Selema, the office Manager contacted my wife via phone on this same day but never offered an apology. Selema simply stated that Dr.Ray would be spoken to so that "this" doesn't happen to anyone else. On 01/30/08 my wife contact Western Dental Coporate (consumer complaints)and advised them of this situation. Regional will be advised by Corporate. Action pending.

Brenda of El Cajon, CA September 27, 2007

Western Dental was negligent in it's workmanship, causing me to much monetary pain and suffering. Due to poor Dental work.

Steve of Folsom, CA May 29, 2007

My Dental Insurance was billed and sent checks directly to a dentist that works at this dentist office. Months later I had been sent to collections, for non-payment. Come to find out through my Dental Insurance- They had sent checks directly to a certain dentist at this address. Western Dental deny this has happened and refuse to contact my insurance company. This has been going on for three months. In the mean time six checks were cashed by this dentist and still my account has not been credited and I still am in collection for this amount of money the dentist has cashed! Can anyone out there please help and tell me where I should go next with this.

Yolanda of Modesto, CA February 27, 2007

Why is Western Dental still in operational status???? I am not a lone soldier in a battle against their shoddy services and shady billing practices!!!! I visted the Modesto California, Briggsmore Avenue branch three weeks ago and am now in worse shape than when I went in... the following is a letter to our local paper... I've contacted their corporate offices FIVE TIMES - no results and have lost count on the amount of times that the staff in the office has ignored my requests for resolution... PLEASE HELP THESE PATIENTS!!!!

SHAME ON YOU WESTERN DENTAL! Why are you even allowed to remain in operational status? I am absolutely livid that your institution is degrading Denti-Cal and low income patients! I, personally, had private insurance however used your services based on the fact that you're open on Saturday. Here, in short, is my experiance thus far: A. Absolutely FILTHY conditions of your Briggsmore Office; B. MASSIVE overbooking of patients - my visit was nearly four hours AND INCOMPLETE; C. Staff that admittedly perform duties out of their scope of practice; D. Innappropriate billing - which is why you are currently under investigation for insurance fraud; E. It's been three weeks and STILL NO CROWN; F. Your corporate offices continue to ignore my requests for resolution.

Western Dental I fully plan on making as much noise as I can with the appropriate agencies to make sure that you pay attention and make change to the inhumane treatment of patients and the misappropriate collection of state funded insurance monies! I encourage anyone with any influence - including complaints - to do the same.

YOU ARE A HEALTH HAZARD AND A PRIME EXAMPLE OF EXPLOITING THE SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES!

Sylvia of Los Angeles, CA November 14, 2006

On Noovember 1st of this year I visited Western Dental for x-rays and a routine exam. Dr. Soe told me that I had 6 cavities and would probably need a root canal. I thought this was excessive so I went to another dentist the next day where I also had x-rays taken, but in fact I only had 2 cavities and in no way needed a root canal. I feel that this dentist is taking advantage of his clients by performing unnecessary dental procedures and should be stopped immediately.

Denise of Los Angeles, CA July 10, 2006

I had a molar extraxted by one of the dentist. After he injected me to numb the area and came back 15-minutes later to remove the tooth I was still able to feel the pain. So when I had him stop so he could make the removal less painful, he threw the plyers down on the table in front of me. He grabbed the syringe and popped the empty tube out and replaced it with a refill. Afterwhich he shoved the syringe in my gums on both sides of my tooth, then picked the plyers right back up and started pulling the tooth again, after a few minutes of pulling the tooth broke in my gums and he threw the plyers down again and went to a cabinet to get other impliments to dig out the remainder of my broken tooth.

He was clearly angry, he was verbally abusive and he frightened me by his behavior. He even asked me did I want him to stop, because I was yelling from the pain I shook my head "No". After he finally finished he had his assistant clean up the mess and he handed me a prescription for antibiotics and pain. The assistant asked if I was OK I said NO! I was so devastated I left my eyeglasses and book I had been reading. The dentist never said anything once he had completed the job. I was crying, and holding my face. My husband showed up and could see that I had been traumatized by this experience. I later returned to pick up my eyeglasses and book, but at the same time I informed the front office staff that I would be contacting Better Business Bureau and Consumer affairs regarding the matter.

Sarita of Rialto, CA September 16, 2005

Went in for check-up. Paid for services at time. They are now asking for money for services not rendered.

Michele of Los Alamitos, CA August 7, 2002

In 1996 I had to purchase a set of dentures, which cost me $600.00. I paid off the loan. I had to go back a few times because the new dentures were not done properly because one of the front tooths on the upper plate kept coming out. Now, 6 years later, my upper plate is starting to crack. I contacted them and they said that I had to purchase another set! They told me that I had to put down $500.00 before they do a new set and then pay another $500.00 before they give me the new set!!

My boyfreind has had his dentures for 17 years with no problems. I need to know what I can do about this. Aren't they suppose to last longer than 6 years? Shouldn't the dentist have to pay for these improperly made dentures? I beleive they should!! Please contact me and let me know.

Connie of Fairfield, CA September 24, 2001

9/8/01-went for emergency treatement, Dr. Gien treated for broken front tooth, he was very rude, rough, I had no towel holder, I had to hold my own, I had to hold the water spout too, he put little anestesia, he had to put more, dripped anestesia on me and wouldn't let me rinse, I gagh. He chipped and digged the rest of the filling out, hurting me all the way. He took molds, 4 of them, pressing and gagging me and will not consider my cry for it! I had pieces of the mold in my mouth and he did not wanted to give me the water to rinse it out! thank God the x-ray tech gave me 1 tissue, which I had to use through the entire proceedure to clean my mouth and tonge! at the end, he did a very awful rough work on the front tooth, I asked for him to please do something better, he refused! I went to the bathroom before I left because he was already getting rid of me, I was covered with blood and filling all over me!!! I went home and saw his job and it was a Chunk of Blob!!

even my kids were amazed of what he have done! not only that, I was so sore and noticed my gum was ripped off on the side of my tooth!!! no wonder he said that I will be bleeding for awhile but that is normal...I went back and told the front office it was unacceptable, reminded them that they gave me a copy and made me signed papers saying that they follow cleaness and caring practice! I showed her what he have done, and what I look and was covered of blood! they took me inside and told me another doctor will see me. Next to know, there HE was! this time with another assistant, who held the water hose and actually clipped on the towel on me, he then sanded my tooth so it looks like a tooth not like a blob! did not apologized at all, he only comment I heard you were not satisfied with our job, I told him, I told you so many times, he proceeded to finish and it looks decent enough, I had filling covering even my other tooth!! he did not removed everything still, refusing by saying that it needed to stay in the other tooth.

Never in my life, I had experience the most Nightmare, horrifying, mistreatment in a dentist!!! not only that, the first 4 days, my head hurt on the right side, a pain that goes from my eye to my jaw!, I bleed every time I brush and it hurts up to date when I touch it! my tooth had not root as it is ready for a crown. and thinking I will do it with them, because he said, that he will not do just the filling, unless I do a crown, so I agreed. by the way, my root canal was done before. Anyway, I paid that day, $113.25 thinking I was going to finish, get done with it on the next appt. Sept 29th, and will make other payments accordingly and to my surprised and to topped it all. June from the office called on Wed Sept 12th spoke with my husband as I was at work, she said: "they have lost all my molds and they need me to go in there to re-do them".

I was very upset, I believe this doctor did not like I complainted and "lost" all my molds, 4 of them which he pushed and pushed and gagged me and did not care, and pulled my lips so hard down, that I had skin burn!!! on my top lip!!! either that or as he was as dirty when he treated me and sloppy, he really lost my molds each one of them! I was like my husband told June, furious, so I waited until I calmed down and although I do need badly my crown, I decided is not worth it for me to go back there, so on Wed Sept 19th I called and spoke not only with the girl in the front but also with June, who did apologized but I again explained all that had happened, she offered again another doctor, but they did when I came back and still gave me the same guy. (by the way, if I do not have his name spelled correctly, is because they did not even gave me his name on that day, nor a card for the next appt, I had to filled that myself and found his name when I called the last time, in any case, he is an asian man in his 40's) I told June I will not come back, I also told her, that I know that filling cost is only $55.00, I paid $113.25, thinking I was getting a crown, but because they lost my molds and I will not go back with them, I asked for the difference to be returned to me. She said she was going to talk to her manager and I gave her my home phone number and said for her to refund my money. I have not heard from them.

I will still give them more days, but, I do need to report the awful treatment, dirty, inconsidered to the pain, specially the cleaness of the job, because they gave me a copy (which I have) of the way how sterilized they are. then, how come I ended up with blood and fillings and stuff all over me that people were looking!!!! I don't know if there is an association of dentist where to report this man, he should not be allowed to practice!!!

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