Hello,
My pediatrician recommended I take my son for his first dental check up when he turned 2. I have gotten some names of Dr's near where I live (LOL) but none of them are a preferred provider for United Healthcare dental. They say they accept United, but that I would have to pay the difference when they negotiate the bill. I know it wouldn't probably be very expensive at this point, but it might start getting pricey years down the road. I would kinda like to start him somewhere that I can go for years to come and not have to pay an arm and a leg to do it. I called United Healthcare and they emailed me a list of preferred providers in the area. I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with them, good or bad. Any recommendations would be very appreciated:). Below is the list of dentists I have to choose from.
Natalie J. Carr (N. Dale Mabry), Michael J. Ruelf (W. Fletcher Ave), Erika P. James/Frank Pettinato (N. Dale Mabry), Vicki M. Lindauer (N. Dale Mabry), Daniel Wahba (W. Hillsborough Ave), Michael T. Cobbe/ Stephen H. Jensen/ Farah Poustchi-Amin (Forest Ave-New Port Richey)
Hi! My two boys ages 6 & 11 have been seeing Dr. Pettinato for almost two years now and he and his staff are AMAZING. These boys actually LOVE going to the Dentist. I totally recommend him.
We're on United and had the same list to choose from. Two people I asked recommended Dr. Ruelf, so that's where I took my 3-year-old. He was fantastic and so was the office! It was a great first experience for my son who is still asking when he can go back to the dentist!
I recommend Dr. Pettinato on Dale Mabry that is where my daughter goes. We tried Dr. Lindaur but I don't like the fact that they don't let parents go to the back with their children.
Carla,
take pettinato. you won't regret it. they are absolutely fabulous. my son loves to go.
Hi, Carla. I take my boys to Dr. Duga on BBD. LOVE him, but he's not on your list. My good friend works for Dr. Ruelf and I have several friends who go to him and love him.
Good luck!
K. :)
My son goes to Dr. Vicki Lindauer and I think she is great!
We took my son to Dr Carr they day after he turned 3. Their policy was that if a child is 3 they go back without the parent. My son went back without me and I sat in the waiting room sweating the entire time. When they called us back Dr. Carr was giving my son a sticker - she was sooooo nice. Then she told us (among other things) that they held him down to clean his teeth and he screamed. Then Dr. Carr stopped taking our insurance. We started to see Dr. Duga (off Amberly Dr.) and the first time we went in my son wouldn't even sit in the chair. I had to hold him in my lap while they brushed his teeth. Dr. Duga was so nice and silly with my son that the next time we went he sat in the chair b/c he knew that after his teeth were cleaned Dr. Duga was going to come in and play around with him. I'd recommend Duga over Carr even if it meant we had to pay $50 a visit.
Erika (Pettinato) James (daughter of Frank?)they have an ofice in Wesley Chapel too.
- my 3 yo loves her, she had a full clenaing and learned how to floss last week, they did a great hib with her.
Hi Carla. We just recently had to switch over to United Healthcare and I was nervous because we LOVED Dr. Duga but he was not on that plan. We also live in LOL so we chose Frank Pettinato and he is wonderful also! His staff is great and they made my daughter feel at ease. They allowed me to go back with her and she got to watch a Disney movie while they worked on her. Dr. Pettinato is very sweet and is definitely in the right field! It will take you approx 20-25 minutes to get there depending on where in LOL you live, but it's worth the drive!
Good luck!
