Frustrated by "Up-sell" at Local Dental Office - Advice?

Updated on January 22, 2007
K.D. asks from Broomfield, CO
13 answers

We recently moved from Seattle and had our first Texas dental office experience at a very hip-looking, convenient place in Allen. At first we were impressed that the Dr. offered to take care of my husband's fillings on the spot (no need for a second appointment), but after his two temporary overlays broke while we were traveling and he was told two weeks after his first visit that he needed four additional fillings (the Dr. admitted not necessary, but "advisable"), we think we're being taken advantage of. In fact, even after my husband refused to consent to additional work that wasn't going to be covered by our insurance, the Dr. sent in an assistant with a consent form to try to talk him into it. We've never had an experience like this, and from some of the other posts on this site, it looks like it might be fairly common in this area? We're looking for a good old-fashioned family dentist in the Plano/Allen area for myself, my husband and my daughter - no high-pressure sales tactics, no constant nagging about high-cost, unnecessary/purely cosmetic issues. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance for any help!!

2 moms found this helpful

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B.L.

answers from Dallas on

I recommend Ernest de Paoli in Frisco. He's on Preston south of Main. It is a small practice and they treat you like family from day one! He is the best!!! Good luck!

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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

I have never had this experience, but then again I have been going to my dentist since I was 20 (16 yrs). I have referred many people to him and everyone has been very pleased. Dr. Grattafiori is very reasonable, doesn't suggest work that doesn't need to be done, meticulous in his work and very gentle. He is located in Plano and he can be reached at ###-###-####. Good luck in your search and welcome to Texas.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.W.

answers from Texarkana on

i highly suggest Dr. Darren Dickson in plano-- i have been going to him since i was a teenager and has been a friend of the family since he was a young boy. he is very kind and takes the time to get to know all of his patients. the office is very comfortable and the staff is close knit. the office manager, crystal, is from seattle and one of the funniest, sweeest woman i know, and she truly cares about helping others. please give them a call to see if they can help your family out-- and ask for crystal ;) ###-###-####
Plano Center for Aesthetic Dentistry--- www.pcadentistry.com

1 mom found this helpful
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S.R.

answers from Dallas on

My family uses Dr. Gerald Smith in Frisco off Main Street. He is very honest and never does work that is not necessary. He is a great honest guy.

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A.G.

answers from Dallas on

I love my dentist-- Dr. G. Brooks Haney. He is located on the north-bound access road of 75 near Campbell, in a Nortel building. He is a wonderful, honest, Christian man and I have always felt well cared for and never taken advantage of. All of his staff are wonderful. I have gone there for over 8 years at the recommendation of a good friend who had gone there for a long time before that. I cannot say enough good things about him.
Good luck!
A.

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R.W.

answers from Denver on

Oh, how I know what you are talking about! I moved here from CT about 4 years ago and have been digusted how dentists around here try to tell you that you NEED cosmetic work and try to sell you everything. It is truly awful. I came out of my first experience feeling like I had brown teeth (which I do not).

I did find someone who does not do this...he offers all of the cosmetic services but does not do the hard sell.

His name is Joseph Hidalgo. He is close to Medical Center of Plano. I also told him on my first appointment...that please do not try to tell me I need cosmetic services unless I request information on them......and do not try to sell me anything. He laughed and said "Will do!".

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S.

answers from Dallas on

Larry B Wilson ###-###-#### 96 Arapaho Village Ctr,Richardson, TX 75080
I have been a patient of his since I was a kid. He is the BEST!! He never does anywork that is not necessary.
I tried a Plano dentist once because his office was near my job. What a mistake!!!! I walked out of his office with a estimate of over $800 worth of work. The next day I made an appointment with Dr. Wilson. Guess what I had done????? A filling....a single filling. Dentistry is a sales job!!! Everyone thinks of them as Doctors....you know....do what is necessary for the health of the patient....nope...Most of them are scammers trying to make a big buck. Anyway, good luck!!!!

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S.T.

answers from Dallas on

My friend just had this experience in Dallas. The dentist told her she needed $20,000.00 worth of crowns, deep cleaning, fillings etc. Then he tossed in some invisaline for another 3,000.00. She said it was like a car salesman. She got a second opinion and the new dentist laughed and could not believe what a con job this guy was pulling. Come to find out this dentist (the bad one) buys practices and re-sells them in 3 years. He wants to make the practice look successful for resale...so he preys on innocent people and scares them into thinking their teeth with fall out. After that being said...

I highly recommend Dr. Lanny Hubbard in Allen. ###-###-####. My family have all been going to him for several years. He will not do things that aren't necessary. In fact, I give him a hard time because I wish he would try to talk my dad into bleaching and a few other cosmetic things. He has two children and he is great with the kids as well. I worked in his office for a few months just to help out while he interviewed people for his office manager position. All I can say is that he is kind, caring and only does what is necessary for his patients. Good luck and I am so sorry you had a bad experience.

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

I go to Heritage Dental in McKinney! I went to another dentist (once!) that did this and I quickly changed dentists. but I like this place, try them maybe?

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N.B.

answers from Dallas on

I had a very similar experience with a dentist in Plano, but a very pleasant one recently in Allen! The Plano dentist told me I needed 7 fillings and a crown due to a filling-gone-bad ($2000 worth of work) ths past Summer. Due to the expense, I put it off, but recently saw Dr. Diane Nik of Allen Advanced Dental for a cleaning and X-rays. Upon examination, Dr. Nik told me that although I would eventually need a crown, she saw no need to have it done unless the tooth became bothersome and as for the fillings...she had no idea why the other dentist suggested that!

That said, it may be worth it to you to consult another dentist. Allen Advanced Dental is on the SW corner of McDermott and Central (In the plaza near Chuck E. Cheese and Target). The number is ###-###-####.

BTW, my husband is from Seattle, too! Welcome to the area and good luck!

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H.C.

answers from Dallas on

K.,
I had this same kind of experience when I moved from out of state, only it was at Monarch Dental. WIth the advice from someone on mamasource we switched to Feather Touch dental, Dr Namrita Singh, she's off of Parker(almost to Preston, I think, I live in Allen so I don't know the streets real well over that way) but she is FABULOUS!! She seems to be very conservative. Her hygenists and everyone in the office is very friendly too. ###-###-#### is her number. I'd cancel any further appointments with the current dentist and get a 2nd opinion.

H.

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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

I am sorry for your bad experience so soon after moveing to our great state. I assure you, your experience is not the norm. Our dentist is Brad Williams. He is in Plano. My daughter went to school with his daughter - who now works in his office. He is a good, honest, kind, gentle dentist. He will make recommendations but will not push unless it is for your health. His primary concern is your comfort and getting the job done right. I have never had a bad experience in his office. In fact. I have a good friend who had not been to a dentist in 15+ years due to fear. I convinced her to give Dr. Wiliams a try. That was 13 years ago and she is still going to him. His number is ###-###-####. I hope this helps. And welcome to Texas ;p)

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A.

answers from Dallas on

Try Dr. David Toney in Allen. He's on McDerrmott, a couple blocks east of 75. He's great. My husband hates dentists and had no problems with Dr. Toney. He's also supposed to be great with kids.

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