Aspen Dental
reviews and complaints

Billed over (3K), for services never provided/or completed..
I'm Disabled and on Disability and was told by Aspen Dental that I was applying for "Finacial Aide".
Aspen Dental did not complete the work promised leaving with temporary crown and temporary Dentures that don't fit even close.
Then billed me for over 3 thousand dollars. I am currently being sued for the alleged debt that I do not owe

I am a 51- year -old retired Medical Administrator of a large Chicago Medical Facility and have worked in the medical field all of my life and here is the experience I just had with Aspen Dental of Sterling IL.

This was the most frustrating and horrific experience I have had dealing with a dental facility.

My story:
I called Aspen Dental on Monday, July 26th in the A.M. because I had been dealing with a very painful infection in one of my capped teeth and needed an emergency tooth extraction. They did get me in right away at 10 am that morning. They took me in the back and placed me in a chair. The dental assistant then told me they needed to do a whole set of X-rays in order to see what the problem was so I proceeded to get 45 minutes' worth of x-rays done which should have been covered by my insurance. Then I waited and the Dr. came in with a whole futuristic dental plan for my teeth. He told me that I would have to get a full deep cleaning of my teeth before he could pull my one tooth and take some antibiotics for a few days first. I said OK even though I knew the whole teeth cleaning idea was just a way of getting more money out of me since this procedure is not covered by insurance but I really needed this tooth out. One hour and 15 minutes in now and I still have a bad tooth in my mouth and in pain which no one has addressed yet.

They then took me in to sit with a billing person. This is when the fun really begins. I was in her office for 30 minutes before she even gave me what she thought was going to be my bill but I felt otherwise and here is why. She pulled off a two full-page list of things they were going to bill me for without my permission and tried to get me to sign this ridiculous bill without even letting me see what was on it and I refused. I told her I wanted to see what all was on this bill before I sign anything. I looked at the list of crap on this bill and I flipped! $150 for an Oral B toothbrush that I did not ask for or need, $35 for toothpaste, $30 for mouthwash, and so much more including the full cost of this cleaning they wanted to give me before I could get what I even came there for which was a tooth pulled out. I want to remind you that none of this care has even happened yet, I am still in pain, and I still have not gotten close to getting the problem I went there for taken care of.
It is now 2 pm and I am still in the billing office making the billing individual (Jennifer Bushman) take off all of the crap she has on my supposed bill and get my treatment plan right. I am still not happy with it at this point; however, I have other things to do with my life so I sign the care plan and write her a check for $150.
Day 1 lasted from 10 am - 2:30 pm and I am still in pain.

Day 2 Wednesday, July 28th

Again, I get right in and I ask to speak with the billing lady first because I had spoken to my dental insurance agent earlier that morning and she said that the coding was wrong for the procedure I was having done and that it should cost me a lot less out of pocket if the billing will submit it with the correct code. I explained this to the billing individual and she proceeded to argue with me about it saying that I was having surgical removal of a tooth and I wasn't, I was having a simple tooth extraction. Of course, after arguing for 15-20 minutes about it I was right and she said she corrected the mistake, however, she never gave me an updated bill.

I went ahead and finished the cleaning that I was told I had to have before they would take my bad tooth out. They then proceeded to take me to the front office where they asked me for $97 more and I still had the bad tooth in my mouth. I had just given them $150 the last visit when only a partial cleaning had been done and now the cleaning supposedly was complete and they charged me $97 more! Here I am back in the billing office again! She told me that the $150 + $97 was just for the cleaning and I would still owe for the tooth extraction that I have not even received yet. Now I am fuming but I let it go and said OK whatever just get this tooth out now, please. She then proceeded to tell me that they did not have me scheduled for a tooth extraction that day which I remind you THAT IS THE WHOLE REASON I WAS THERE!

Now I am furious! I raised a stink so they decided to go ahead now and take the tooth out.
NOW>>>>>

I went into a room to get the tooth out and the dental assistant came in and started numbing my lower jaw and I asked her why she was doing that since the tooth be removed is in the left upper jaw. She said that the records show that the tooth needing removal is in the left lower jaw and I told her that her records are wrong and low and behold after arguing with me about this point, she had the wrong chart! They were fixing to remove the wrong tooth because they didn't even have my chart pulled up!

Now the tooth was finally out so they sent me back to the billing girl and after me sitting with her for hours earlier getting the bill right, I go back in only to get handed the bill she produced earlier with all the bull crap on it that we had taken off. I had to review it with her all over again a make corrections after which I handed her another check for $105.

The bill then read PAID IN FULL when I left! I will not be going back!

This review is becoming quite long and there is yet more so I will leave you with this. If I get sent a bill of any kind after this fiasco and all that I have already paid. There will be a lawsuit! I document and save everything so I will be prepared to fight.

Update: I was contacted by Jennifer Bushmen from the billing department of Aspen Dental in Sterling IL on or around October 6 stating that she had heard from corporate about my complaint and that she was handling the billing so I would not receive another bill from you and that I would be receiving a paid in full receipt. She said that if I did receive another bill in October to disregard it because it was wrong and after October, I should not be getting any more bills.

November 22, 2021
I received another bill stating that I owe $58.40 so I reached out to Ms. Bushman once again in this matter and she was very rude and unhelpful stating that she has other things to do besides worry whether or not I get more bills from them and that I should be speaking with Corporate about this because and I quote "Just because I work in billing, I do not handle billing." Now, I am not one to come down harshly on an employee quickly but Ms. Bushmen should not be handling Insurance and billing. I realized this first during my initial visit when she sat me down and handed me a list of things that I would be billed for during this tooth extraction visit and the list was full of things I did not need nor did I want and asked me to sign it. I refused to sign because I did not want any of the other stuff except a simple tooth extraction, however, and I quote again she said "This is what the dr. wants me to do and he states that without ex-rays, a periodontic cleaning he will not extract the tooth. I have to put all of this on the agreement and as far as the toothpaste, mouthwash, and other things on the list they are all mandatory for the cleanings." I then told her that I do not want all of these extras and she said just sign it because I do not know how to take them off and we can work something out afterward. She stated that just because I signed the agreement does not mean I would be responsible for the end result. In my hesitation, aggravation, and pain I was still in because they still have not removed the tooth I signed. This employee is rude, uncaring, incompetent, and uneducated in insurance and billing; however, my concern is with the poor service and my whole interactions with Aspen Dental of sterling, IL, and its staff.

I do not want to get my attorney involved until I have given upper management a chance to remedy this situation because I myself have been upper management and I realize it is difficult to know everything your employees are doing at every facility if it is not reported by customers and/or other staff. This is my second attempt at contacting upper management in this matter and I document everything for legal purposes. If you need any further information regarding this situation, please feel free to contact me via phone, e-mail, or USPS anytime. I would like a receipt saying that I have paid in full!

I would never recommend this place to anyone, I have never felt so frustrated and robbed. Three weeks ago I had an emergency due to a very strong pain in a tooth that extended through my jaw, my head and ear, when I looked online for an emergency dentist all I could find was Aspen dental, to all the numbers I called They redirected me to them, when I went to see them they told me that I had an infection in a root canal and that I had to wait the 10 days in order to see the specialist, they sent me home with out antibiotics or pain killers they only suggested me to take over the counter Tylenol, The made me pay $600 in order to see the specialist in advance that was going "to replace", I am Colombian and I have a trusted dentist in my country, when I called him and sent him the x-rays, he could not believe the medical negligence and he recommended that I should travel immediately so he could safe the teeth as soon as possible, unfortunately I had already pay the 600 in advance in the mis of my despair (I payed more than what a ticket to my country would cost) every day that passed was torture, I couldn't sleep, I couldn't work, I couldn't do anything at all and the medicine stopped working, I called them and their only recommendation was to increased the amount of Tylenol and take it every two hours, another medical negligence since taking that amount of Tylenol for ten days will damage the liver, so I went to see a different dentist to be able to get a prescription for antibiotics and pain killers in order to be able to control the infection and wait, The worst part was when the day to "solve the problem" arrived, when I went to see the endodontist, everything started from scratch as if I were a new patient and the guy had no idea of ​​my emergency, due to lack of attention the infection had spread so much that it was no longer possible to change the root canal, they had to either remove my tooth or have and expensive surgery. It felt like they didn't prescribed me any antibiotics in purpose in order to make me pay for a surgury with no mercy.
I was going to have to wait almost a month to receive any treatment, from the frustration I started crying and I guess that finally someone felt sorry for what I was going through and the endodontist was the only person that was honest and try to provided any help, he finally prescribed me some pain killers and strong antibiotics, he also try to contact someone who could make the surgery that had nothing to do with Aspen because apparently he is aware that they are mediocre and thieves, in the end I'm traveling to Colombia to get treated since here I could not get a specialist, with those 600 dollars that I paid for a terrible service I would have paid my ticket and part of the treatment in my country and avoid all the frustration and the pain I had to go through. I wish they were honest from the start, not wasting my time or putting up with so much pain for so long

I walked into Aspen dental in November of 2020. I finished with them yesterday, in November 19 2021, . At that time I had 4 missing teeth and a partial. What I wanted and ask for was dental implants After seeing the doctor and we agreed that it was a go so I then went to sit down and make arrangement to pay . At that time I wasn't sure how I was Going to pay so I took the paper-work with me and ask my brother for help with this, and he agreed so we went back and did what had to be done which I still today am making payments on. After a bunch of cleanings and other stuff I was charged for it was time to have the surgery to place the post for the implants and we did that . In the meanwhile while waiting to heal for my teeth to be put in i had a problem with one of the not so great teeth. I went back to Aspen dental to see the doctor and from here thing went down hill. I ask if he could add the tooth that was giving me a problem to my implants and he said yes but then he wanted to add one more tooth so agreed keep in mind each implant is around two thousand dollars so back to the paying table I go and like before needed my brother to help me with this so now I have even more to pay back. at that time I was to have 6 implants so this meant another surgery. Before the surgery the doctor said i should have all my upper teeth pulled and then do the implants. I did not want this and we argued back and forth and him being the doctor I somehow thought he knew best, boy was I ever wrong. I did this and they were going to make me a denture to wear while I was healing and they did. I was unable to wear it and they made very little attempt to fix it, so until yesterday I had no upper teeth at all. All this time i'm thinking it will all be ok when they put my implants in. in the meantime i was going back for those hi dollar cleaning and stuff and some time to try and get them to fix the temporary denture because its hard to live with no teeth so i stayed home .in some of these visits I made the doctor mad at me so he stopped seeing me all together. They told me later he was no longer with them however the internet say's he is. The internet also said his license had been suspended however after asking them about this I can no longer find it on the internet, but do think I have copies of that maybe . If this was him and is true then he didn't have a license while he did my surgery . Back to the biggest problem I was no longer seeing him, and was seeing his so called replacement. This is getting near the end and i'm still thinking i'm getting implants well when its time to start putting my teeth in the new doctor keeps talking about dentures . I ask why and then he tells me that's what i'm getting. So if u can even imagine my surprise to this news . I ask to speak to the office manager, and was informed was what i was getting that I had not paid for implants. I replied I ask implants. she said I had paid for dentures. 20 thousand dollars for a denture. Now after thinking about all this i have to wonder why when with a implant supported denture only needing 4 implants to hold it in place did she put me threw that second surgery which coast as much as the first? The end... Unhappy to say the least went there had 4 missing teeth.

I was delighted with the staff I had at the Griffin location. However the flex dentures front tooth broke out..they tried to replace the tooth. Never was the same. COVID has kept a lot of stuff out of reach. I've wanted to have these top ones replaced re created and hasn't happened, I am still in the warranty.
I've recently finished chemo for lymphoma and the damage to my gums has shrank them making the fit poorer than before, it's horrible. They are genuinely too big now and my dentures sit crooked. I desperately need them remade and replaced as well as needing bottom ones to match. I've mentioned needing this and anyway here I sit. I'd like to know how to get this taken care of ASAP. The pain is almost unbearable. I don't know if u can tell in the pictures but I have to smile and grit the teeth to make them even.

Before scheduling my appointment for my initial consultation, I asked what the charges for consultation and they told me they were free consultations for first time patients. So i scheduled my appointment and did my first visit. The price of the denture package was more than i could afford. I'm on Medicare and only have a $1, 000 allowance for Dental work. Then 1 month later my insurance called me and questioned the charges of $214 from Aspen Dental. We called Aspen on a recorded line to question them about the charges and they explained that since i had insurance they charged $214 and Insurance paid $160. But also said If i wouldnt have had insurance they would have only charged me $25 for my initial consultation. They admitted on a recorded line they charge more if you have insurance. That is the definition of insurance fraud. I requested the $160 back since this was my allowance and cost me to have to pay more when I purchased my dentures from another dentist since all I had was $1, 000 allowance. They have not responded and will not return my call. I don't want to have to go to small claims court but I will. I would appreciate someone help to avoid court. I will pay $25 out of my $160 refund for the consult visit as stated.

I went in because one end of a bridge had come loose. The dentist came in, and after pulling on that end, told me it was not loose. I told him that this was not my imagination, that, of course, it was loose. He doubled down and left the room, after which the dental hygienist told me I needed a deep cleaning for $2300, and four subsequent visits in the following 12 months at $250 each, for a total of $3300. I was then led to the front office where the financial employee tried to get me to sign up for the Care Credit card, a credit card issued by Synchrony Bank(with whom I've done business for many years). I told her that I would need to think about it and I left. A few days later, I received an email stating that my Care Credit card had been approved, and there was a charge for $1400 from Aspen Dental, for work to which I hadn't agreed, and a card for which I hadn't applied. I called Synchrony, and after an investigation, they determined that I definitely had not applied for the card. Within a few days, I was able to get an appointment with another dentist who found that the bridge was, indeed, loose, and he performed the proper work the following week. Aspen Dental employees are both incompetent and fraudulent.

I went to Aspen dental and had some work done and I was told that it would all be covered by the two dental insurances that I had. I received a bill not too long afterwards and was very surprised to have received a bill for in excess of $500 since it was supposed to be covered 100%. I contacted the office to find out that the staff had made an error about the insurance coverage and I had this big bill. I started making payments immediately. Never missed a month without payments. Last payment was made just last week, however, they sent me to collections anyway.
I am appalled that despite payments and communication with the office AND the fact that THEY MADE THE INSURANCE ERROR that they still sent my account to collections! During these times, payments aren't enough?!?! Ridiculous that despite constant communication they are low enough to sent this to collections. Not to mention that the work was not going to be done unless it was covered. The dentist knew that I couldn't afford it and was going to wait and the only reason it got done at that time was because I was told it was covered. I contacted them about making payments and during pandemic times, they don't accept payments. Seems unethical practice to not work with your patients and send to collections especially since the situation started with their error. Glad that we are no longer with this practice.

Getting a new partial and have been back and forth several times because they cant get it right. Lost alot off time from work as a result and now i have to go back 2 more times. Then they tell me that i might have a balance of 800.00 when i took the loan out through your company. I have a bill that sayes total patient responsibility. To sum up i am very disgusted with your services.

I am writing because I am very upset with the service I received at Aspen Dental. I have been receiving treatment for services for months at the same location Halls Ferry and Lindberg (3115). I come to the office as usually for my appointment at
2:30pm, arriving about 2:25pm there were no other client in the lobby to be seen at this time. The attendant at the desk has trouble locating me in the system which was strange since I have been coming for months. She tells me she is registering my I can have a seat. I sat in the lobby for forty-five minutes for her to tell me my appointment was canceled due to me not confirming my appointment. Funny thing is I have never confirmed an appointment so this was rather confusing. Thinking my name will be called since I been sitting here and they begin calling other that starting to come in the building. Now I am looking at the person at the desk and she says her manager informed her my appointment was cancelled. I ask the young lady at the desk why would you let me sit here for forty-five minutes and the appointment was cancelled. I asked for a manager was told she was but with patients, but somehow had time to tell the young lady my appointment was cancelled this is very upsetting as I work five days a week and to take time off work and then find you time to be wasted when you have a confirmation saying your appointment is today. The young lady at the desk needs training does not know how to handle the front desk. I always share my experience of Aspen Dental which was always good until this event.

A couple of years ago my son went in to get dentures, now he is suffering from infections because the Ear, Nose and throat Doctor found 2 teeth that are still in his mouth.
His name is Kenneth W Thomas and it was done at the Aspen Dental office in Sedalia office in Missouri 3503 West Broadway Blvd [protected]. Your workmanship is terrible. I need to know what you can do to correct this. Or should I contact an Attorney

Mother Arletta Hardison
[protected]

I was in the office July 2021. Nicole Bailey suggested I apply for their credit and I said I dont want another credit card since I'm working on my finances and don't want my credit score affected. I told her I'd rather wait for October 2021 because I will have dental insurance. She suggested to apply because it's only a soft credit check and will not affect my score and if I'm approved the offer will be good for 30 days. (I have all of this info in an email from her as well) She entered that my income is $3, 000 a month. I told her thats incorrect that I dont make that much not even gross. She said "I always put a little more just to make sure it's approved" I said I probably will not use it because I cant afford another monthly payment either way. A few weeks ago I receive a credit card in the mail with a $10, 000 limit. I emailed her at least 10 times in 2 weeks and she's avoiding me. She made a huge mistake and now I'm suffering for it while she gets promoted to manager in another location. How can you help correct her error.

went for my appointment at 9. am at 9:40 i got up to leave, just a second sir will fix the issue. called me in 5 minutes later, sat in cleaning chair, leaned back and tech left the room 15 minutes i walked out. I want my refund of cleaning paid. ASAP. not 5 days from now.

Stealing is not a joke. no service NONE

BAD Company stay away from them.

Do not get in the chair! They quoted me one price while I was in the chair, claimed they had already run it through my insurance. Bi-annual Cleaning was supposed to be out of pocket for me $350. That's what they quoted. My insurance paid $560. And they send me a bill for an additional $190! Sold me a mouth wash that the hygentist said I needed to keep infection away. Charged me $41 for 16 ounces. Told me to come back when I needed more. I checked Walmart $11 for 32 ounces. With insurance total charged over $1, 000 for a cleaning! CROOKS!

I was supposed to have one bridge
And ended up getting 3 I told them I needed work done on my lower left
Side too and just ignored it
My lower right side now has
Some major concern because
I went else where for cleaning
And I was told the bridges
Have to be redone so on top
Of other issues I have to get
Work done now this
I'm very upset want to sue