Aspen Dental review: Misleading billing practice

First, I will note that the staff was very courteous and polite. Now, the bait and switch tactic. I went in for a teeth cleaning, only to find out later, from two separate dentist facilities in town, that I paid twice or may three times as much as I would have paid at another facility in town. However, even though its cost twice as much, they did a good job on the general teeth cleaning.

Here comes the problem... When I received my consultation, I was told that the teeth cleaning, two filings and whitening would cost $1, 750. After dental insurance, I would pay $510 out of pocket ($170 for the teeth cleaning and filing, and $340 for the tooth whitening). There was actually a lengthy discussion with the attendant on whether I wanted to pay $340 for teeth whitening; in the end, I said sure, and paid the $510.

After I paid the full $510 upfront, they scheduled a time for my tooth cleaning, fillings and whitening. Due to complications with my wisdom tooth, they only completed the teeth cleaning and (2 fillings, which I have learned may not have occurred based on inspection by a dentist from another agency). Regardless, my teeth whitening was rescheduled for a later day to allow for healing of my wisdom tooth. Fast forward... I went in today (about 3 weeks later) for the teeth whitening, and was told I would have to pay nearly $300 additional... Pause... Rewind... I paid $510 at the first visit which I was told $340 of that was for the teeth whitening, so why has this new dollar figure surfaced on the day of the whitening, which did not exist at the original appointment time. Shame shame shame aspen dental... Shame on you! You lost a customer that would have always come back to your regularly if had not been for this incident. Based on what I was verbally sold…I am out of $340 bucks!

The sad part is that I was warned by 4 different people not to go to aspen because of questionable business operations, excessive charges, and the questionable billing practices... The theme was "aspen told me one thing, but totally changed after they had my money."
Lesson learned; I went in good faith and with trust, and unfortunately, got shafted. I learned my lesson; shame on me. I didn't follow what I preach to others, make sure you thoroughly read a document before you sign it. Because regardless of what I was told, I do not have a signed document that reflects what I was told, and now I am paying the price. Shame on me for trusting what I was verbally told, and shame on aspen for praying on people! I will make sure I join the other 4 people and warn people do not go to aspen (aka scamspen). It will be the last time I step foot in an aspendental facility again. Money lost... Lesson learned! Shame on you aspen... I trusted you. A positive... The people are nice at least, but i'd rather they be mean if I get the work I was promised and thought I was paying for :-).

P.S. When you try to submit a rating or feedback at the college place, wa website, you get an error. I think I may know why they do not want people to be able submit reviews…

Sincerely disappointed!