WESTERN DENTAL
FORCED MY WIFE TO SIGN A CONTRACT AFTER SHE WAS IN THE DENTAL CHAIR, AND UNDER MEDICATION, AFTER THE TREATMENT WAS STARTED, AND WITHOUT LETTING READ THE CONTRACT. THEY STARTED THE TREATMENT ON HER BAD TOOTH, AND THEN CAME IN WITH THE CONTRACT. SHE TOLD THEM SHE WAS TO READ THE CONTRACT FIRST. THEY TOLD HER THAT IF SHE DOES NOT SIGN THE CONTRACT NOW THEY WILL STOP THE TREATMENT RIGHT NOW. THE DENTAL SERVICES WAS STOPPED MANY MONTHS AGE. THEY ARE STILL SENDING HER
THREATENING BILLS FOR MANY SERVICES THAT WERE NOT DONE. THE CANCELING OF SERVICES WITH WESTERN DENTAL WERE IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY A REPREHENSIVE OF WESTERN DENTAL OFFICE. SHE HAS THE SIGNED LETTER. WE HAVE FAXED COPIES OF THIS LETTER TO THEIR MAIN OFFICE BUT THE THREATENING BILLS STILL KEEP COMING.

went for bridge work in 2/08. Dr. Nojamian didnt listen to concerns when brdge did not align with upper tooth she assured and convinced me when cemented it would be fine.However, bridge stuck out did not align. Went back 3/08 expressing my dissatisfaction while at the same time, seeing my primary doctor because of the severe nerve pain that was inflicted upon me by the dentist because of filing without numbing which exacerbated the pain of my illness -f ibromyalgia. Dr. ignored medical condition while at the same time informed me she can file crack up this bridge and re-do as if my mouth was concrete. I request to go to a different facility and western dental refused she said had to be done there. Therefore, I refused further paymnet because I did not trust the services of this facility. I filed several grievances in which they continue to close without rectifying the problem.I reported them to better business bureau and they failed to respond stating I needed a release form. I submitted the form to western dental they denied receiving it. So, I sent it to better business burea and they gave me a confirmation they spoke with patient relation and faxed ok to release my information. However, western dental never responded to my complaint and they have a negative complaint on file against them. In the meantime I have a bride in which one tooth is dull for filling enamel and half of the other tooth shaved to make the bridge blend. They did not make harassing phone calls until a year later closing out a grievance in 08/08 just called 04/09 saying I better pay. I have documents from bbb of their attempt for them to cooperate and the refuse. Since that dental visit I was perscribed nerve pain meds and anti-anxiety med and another dibilitating disease called endometriosis. I begged them not to call and upset me send whatever by mail only until now they refused. spoke to sivia in patient relations they refuse to inform me whose the ceo of wd. I informed them to take me to court so the judge can see the damage they have done. On top of it all I have a bridge that looks like I done it myself and they are increasing my anxiety by calling my private phone. Patient relation does not care about my concerns and said will continue to harass me.

ok here I go...
I went to Western Dental Orthodontics office located in Davis road in Salinas, California. My first appointment was early July but I had to come back because they were to busy. Anyways, I go back on the 31 of July 2008 @ about 9:30 AM. I waited about an hour until I was finally called to the back to get a free consultation to see how much braces would cost. After about another hour, the dentist took like 3 minutes and then I was sent to the managers office. She tells me that it would cost $4, 500 with a monthly payment of $132. I refused because I had just taken out a loan and did not have the money at the time. She then asked if I have insurance and I say yes! I told her I was not sure if they will cover orthodontic work but she decides to call anyway.

After like 5 minutes, she tells me that the insurance indeed WILL pay $1, 500 and that my total will be $3, 000 with a monthly payment of $88. I decide to do it, I figured I could sacrifice and afford to pay the $88. I asked her again if she was sure the insurance will pay because if not, I will not get the braces. She assures me that the insurance WILL pay. So she makes me sign the contract and I had to leave at about 1:00 PM because they close for an hour for lunch. I come back @ 2:00 and have to wait another hour!!! They finally take me to the back, I get my pictures taken and have to wait another hour. It was finally 4:15 PM when the brackets were put and the rubber bands were placed in between my teeth (let me remind you I have been there since 9:30 AM).

It was now past 4:30 PM and I am finally finished and now my little brother missed his cross country meeting because WD took so long!!!

I have been make all my payments now since the 28th of August and like in early December, I get a letter from my insurance company saying that they will NOT pay the $1, 500!!! I am upset and I call them and they tell me that they told both managers that I was not covered by my insurance because I exceeded the age limit and they were told THE SAME DAY I GOT THE BRACES!!! Now I am REALLY MAD. When I go December to make my payment, everything seems good, my monthly payments have not changed. When I go on 1/02/09 to fix a wire that came loose, they tell me I have to sign a new contract and have to pay $132 every month!!! I refuse because I told the manager that I would not be able to pay this money the day I got the braces. I speak to the manager and I tell her that I had asked her to verify that the insurance will pay. She tells me that she did but then I tell her that I have proof, which I do, that she was told the day I got the braces that I was not covered. She tells me not to worry, that she will take care of it and that I can call her if I have any questions. She makes me sign the new contract, telling me that she will take care of it. Luckily for me, another employee was in the office and heard the manager say she will take care of it, hopefully she will back me up. I call the manager the next day and tell her that I am very upset of the circumstances in which I was made to sign the new contract and I ask her to fix it. She tells me she will write off the $1, 500 and that she will respect my original contract but could not do it at that same moment because they were going through an procedure. She then takes the new contract and marks off the $132 payment and re-writes $88 monthly payment. I was very happy.

My happiness did not last long. I received a letter on 1/12/09 saying that I have 5 days to pay a balance of $218.00 or I will be sent to collections. I have no idea what this is about. I call and they tell me that I was being charged the difference from the $132 they WANT me to pay, and the $88 that my contract says I have to pay and that I HAVE been paying. I was forced to make a $50 payment because they lady on the phone threaten to send me to collection right then and there.

I call my office and ask why they sent me to collections and the lady that answered, who happened to be the witness I had when the manager made me sign the new contract under false statements, confirmed that it was indeed the $132 and $88 difference they were sending me to collections for. She then tells me to call another employee, who happens to be the other manager who was told I was not covered by my insurance the day I got the braces.

I call the other manager the next day and explain everything. She tells me that the original manager no longer works with them. I tell her that Western Dental still must take responsibility for their employees actions. She tells me she will talk to the regional manager and she will call me back. After 2 days, she has never called me back and I am still trying to get in contact with her and the regional manager to fix this mess. I hate Western Dental and I ask everyone, especially Medical patients because its off of you that western dental is making their money from, to not go there anymore PLEASE. A company like this should not exist!!! I know I must stand my ground even sue them for fraud but I am open to any suggestions on what I should do!!!

The staff is rude. Always call to tell you that they need to change your appt. but when you have something come up, they want to charge you $35 to change times, not just dates. They don't have many appt. days to choose from and expect you to bend and come in when it is convenient for them, not you. Orthos don't have a clue what they are doing. May not have same doc each time and each wants to do something totally different. No where to sit in waiting room either. Wait time is 1-2 hours. You feel like you have entered another country because rarely will you here English spoken. About 6 patients lined up side by side in chairs and Doc moves from patient to patient without washing hands, just changing gloves. (Not a replacement for washing hands). Don't be fooled by price either. Will nicket and dime you to death. Go to reputable Ortho and pay a little more. I don't think my child's teeth have moved at all. Her regular dentist knew more of what to do than what has been done here at Western Dental.

I have PPO Health Insurance and I totally regret going with Western Dental now!!! Some of the people I know said that they were cheap with braces and I didn't hear any complaints. I guess I should of done a little more research!!! The Western Dental I am complaining about has very bad dental assistants and they are not professionals at all!!! While I was lying down on the chair getting ready for the wires to be put on my teeth, the dental asst who was to put on my wires totally carelessly hit a sharp tool that flew across over my face from my right to my left, hitting my left hand and than fell on the floor. All the while she was talking to the asst right next to my left. Than when she was trying to fit my back end tooth, she was working on my left and kept on trying to get the fittings that she wheeled to my right - soooOO, she would carry that sharp tool very low and across my face, each time making me flinch with worry that she might carelessly scratch my face with her sharp tool. She was talking all the while to the dental assistant across on my right... gosh!! what an experience!!! Okay, and that is not the end of my complaint! AFter finishing with the wires, she didn't ask me if I was comfortable or if I wanted to see a mirror to check out the wires. She just told me I was done and to go to the receptionist. So i went and all the while using my tongue to feel how the wires were in my mouth. I kept on feeling bumps on the lower front tooth and the back end of the wires wouldn't let me bite down at the end. When I got home, I checked my lower tooth and there were cement on it. I called the office to make sure those cement could be brushed out... the receptionist was so rude!!! Each time I asked her a question about the wires and if the cement would come off, she would be half listening to me and half talking to someone over at the office!! How ****** rude!!! I didn't get a straight answer..all she kept telling me was to wait a few days and if it didn't feel normal than to call in and make an emergency schedule!!! After awhile and trying to keep my cool without yelling at her, I just gave up asking my question because she kept on talking to someone else at the other end...

I am so mad at myself for turning to WEstern Dental!!! I will NEVER EVER recommend Western Dental to anyone!!! even if the price is cheap!!! I guess you get what you pay for but in this instance, I don't think I'm getting what I'm paying for!!! I'm getting cheap service for what they're asking me and my insurance to pay them!!!