| rev:text
| - First off, the Dr. Hansen and Dr. Josephson are fantastic dentists. I have had great experiences with them in the past years but this past year it has been a pivotal experience in our Doctor Patient relationship. In the past years, I have referred my friends and neighbors there to use them, now i am forced to speak against them. Their work is great and someday I hope they have their own practice and not under this huge chain of local dentists where the patient does not know the parent company owns it. It pains me to have to leave this review as we really endorsed their business, even to new clients moving to this side of the valley- and with no expectation other than being glad that their business was growing (before we know they were part of some sort of parent company). These 2 doctors care about their patients but have no control over the quality of staff that works under them. We actually wanted to continue with Dr. Josephson until Dr. Hansen returned from the trip he is on to assure our dental care was sufficient in quality.
To be fair, his staff at times were on the ball and going to the dentist was something I looked forward to. Walk in, sit down, clean teeth, bill insurance accurately, walk out- no problem and with no surprise bill a month later. I have even contacted them on emergency pain issues and cleanings where they did well at but the billing and accuracy lacks.
In the past year, Dr. Hansen was out of the office for an extended period of time on vacation and while the dentists who fill in are good to great, the staff seems to have slipped. Possibly through the high turnover in the office as I don't recall ever seeing the same staff or dentist in the same office ever twice. It now makes more sense, the staffing turnover is causing the issues now it impacts the patients who also turn over.
Recently, I agreed to have a crown replaced as the old fit was thought that it could be improved upon. I requested they contact the insurance company for an exact amount of coverage and it allowed me as a patient to know exactly what I was responsible for prior to the work beginning. In my line of work an estimate is an agreement and there is no opportunity to come back and say "oops" or blame the insurance company for "downgrading" since your staff would have done what was requested and contacted the insurance company for a preauthorization, just to protect all parties.
I had another quote (in the past) for far less out of pocket and more cost efficient, I chose Fountains Family Dental due to the fact my significant other and I have went there for years. Now, she and I are on the hunt for a new dentist. With Dentists, it seems to always be that some companies are huge up sellers, others are just ok doing the work needing to be done.
This year, I had the molar crown done, it came out good but will have to be adjusted- according to the office, I recall the old "stump" had a filling that popped out with the temp while we awaited for the crown to be made and I think he refilled it just prior, now there is an occasional sensitivity- which may be the cause.
I was asked to pay a specific amount, and did so willingly, I went back in for a cleaning a few months later and they said I owe another 16% due to insurance, I argued, that is why we requested the preauthorization, so there is no surprises. I have read other reviews where their difference was far beyond that.
I got ahold of the insurance company and they stated in the explanation of benefits the doctor received told them what was covered and the insurance paid that part, the rest was now my responsibility.
I ended up talking to the staff at the dental office, which was not willing to absorb or adjust do to their error in billing and insurance authorizations and since my time was better spent working instead of disputing to them for hours I just paid it and moved on. I am thankful it was not something more major costing thousands due to their errors as in other yelp reviews.
Caution! You do have to be aware that it involves medical billing or getting an authorization up front that this chain of offices (under various names) it may not have ever been done. Then they bill, play ignorant and threaten you with the result of non payment is collections. If the staff makes an error, you will pay for it.
There are tons of small family owned practices in the East Valley to choose from, you can throw a rock and find a dentist that will appreciate your business and not a chain where you are only a number.
I am sure Fountains Family Dental has 2 more patients that will stick with them for years that are able to fill our spots and there is another dentist that is willing to welcome us into their office.
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