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Aspen Dental review: deep cleaning scam 10

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8:46 am EDT
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I went to aspen dental with my "free x-rays and cleaning" coupon...I did get my x-rays, but they said they could *not* clean my teeth because I needed a "deep cleaning" procedure that would cost over $700 (the procedure sounded lengthy and painful, so I never even considered it).
There other costs were very high, so I ended up at another dental office anyways. I was actually stupid enough to let them "fix" one of my teeth...they only did half of a root canal and charged me over $700 for that, and never put a crown or anything on the tooth.

2 months later my daughter who is only 23 years old went to aspen in another city, and they claimed that she could not have her teeth cleaned either...guess what?, she needed the "deep cleaning" procedure at over $700 (funny, she had her teeth cleaned less than a year before that at another regular dental office).

Not only is Aspen Dental overpriced (despite their commercials which make you feel otherwise...they present themselves as "affordable" and definitely are not), but I think they have a scam going for this "deep cleaning" procedure. This is a very lengthy procedure that involves using numbing agents and pulling the gums away from your teeth and scraping the teeth below the gums. I do not believe that many people would need such a procedure and it is just another way that Aspen Dental is trying to rip off the consumer.

DO NOT GO TO ASPEN DENTAL, go anywhere else...but not there.

Resolved

The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

10 comments
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RaeannaJo
, US
Aug 28, 2023 1:05 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I had this exact scenario happen in Iowa today.

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karyp
Rockingham, US
Dec 07, 2022 9:53 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I went to Aspen Dental 12/5/22 to have my teeth cleaned. The only reason I didn't go to my regular dentist is because I am new to medicare, and I have a dental plan that is only accepted at Aspen and another chain dental practice. (That should have told me something right there!) Guess what?! The same exact thing happened to me! They refused to do a regular cleaning, told me I had periodontal disease, and needed a scaling and root planing. It's funny my dentist of 35 years never mentioned this! They also "discovered" $4500 worth of work I needed! All I wanted was a routine teeth cleaning! This sounded like a racket to me, so I googled it, and am absolutely correct! I just feel sorry for the people that fall for this scam!

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lyoung4010@att.net
, US
Jun 17, 2022 7:39 pm EDT

I went to Aspen Dental on 4/28/2022 to have a cavity that lost the filling replaced. I was ushered into the dental hygienist and told I needed a deep cleaning. Afterwards I was given an appointment for the cavity. The dentist "Dr" Herbst in St Peters Mo, was sick the day of my appointment so it was rescheduled. During this time I had lost my sense of taste, my gums were burning and my tongue looked like hamburger. The day the dentist was to finally to take care of my cavity I explained my problem to him. He had an immediate angry response and told me he wouldn't treat me! I left but not before speaking with the office manager and getting my records. Now weeks later I get my bill from care credit. Aspen Dental charged me $2180.00 for the deep cleaning. I have a discount dental plan which took care of a portion. I am left owing $1662.80 and still need my cavity filled. What a scam. I'm sure I didn't even need the deep cleaning as I had no issues prior. Aspen Dental knows how to code and bill accordingly to maximize their profit with no care or concerns for the patient. I'm livid I was scammed and will do everything I can to bring this to light so it won't happen to someone else. BEWARE ASPEN DENTAL! BTW, I only went to Aspen Dental because they were closest to me that accepted my discount dental plan. I hold them partially responsible as well for doing business with a company that uses deceptive practices. Just my opinion. Freedom of speech. I grew up trusting my doctor and dentist. Unfortunately that's not the world we live in anymore.

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Rip0ff
, US
Oct 16, 2018 3:15 pm EDT

It's a scam when the dentist refuses to pull a tooth unless you agree to thousands of dollars worth of work that can wait till the next visit and I am willing to bet this is ALWAYS the case but what's the problem, right? It's only your money and cost is no object.

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Hello97
Juneau, US
Mar 20, 2014 7:38 am EDT

When patients have an excessive amount of build-up underneath the gum-line, it's essential that they get what's called Scaling and Root Planing. A regular cleaning can be done, unethically, but it will not help the patient in the long run. Unfortunately, it sounds like you are one of the patients who needs to have the "deep cleaning". It is a deeper cleaning than what a healthy patient would need, and yes, it does cost more. If you choose not to receive appropriate treatment, then there could be more problems in the future, depending. Anyway, don't ignore your health! This isn't a scam just because it is something you haven't heard of before. Plenty of dentists prescribe this type of cleaning. The type of treatment a patient is prescribed depends on what an individual dentist thinks is best.

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Joebaggodonuts
, US
Feb 02, 2011 6:53 pm EST

You get what you pay for...

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Sactown
Roseville, US
Mar 26, 2010 7:30 pm EDT

Today, I went to River City Dental in Roseville. I was told that I can NOT have the 39 dollar cleaning they advertise because I need a DEEP CLEANING procedure costing over 600 dollares. I was at another dentist 2 days earlier getting a white filling to replace the silver one. He said you need a cleaning. It cost 90 dollars. he did talk about a deep claening. He says brush your teeth 3 times a day.

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SJ40
, US
Mar 16, 2010 1:57 pm EDT

Well, if you think the procedure is a scam just because it is lenghty and supposedly painfull, then all extractions, root canals, sometimes even filling, shpould be scams too. If you have questions about the procedure, have any concerns -- ask the doctor -- they are more than willing to answer all your questions and educate you about your mouth health. Then you would not have to complain here.

Allie at Aspen Dental
Allie at Aspen Dental
East Syracuse, US
Mar 16, 2010 9:27 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi Beckie,

I’m sorry to hear that you weren’t satisfied with your recent experience at Aspen Dental.

Please know that it is not uncommon for two (or three) dental care professionals to look at the same patient and offer different treatment recommendations. This does not mean that one professional is right and the other is wrong, rather it is a reflection of what each dentist believes is the best course of treatment for that particular patient. We encourage patients to ask questions of the dentist to fully understand the recommended course of treatment so that they are able to make an informed choice about what is best for them.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your experience with a member of our patient satisfaction team, please call [protected] or patientservices@aspendent.com.

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gnomesatwork
Supply, US
Oct 22, 2021 10:49 am EDT

You are absolutely right, it is not uncommon for different doctors to have different opinions? Is that in your training manual? That is exactly what was said to me yesterday at one of your sham facilities. I happen to know better. I also happen to know that denying health care unless you submit to unnecessary procedures is not only unethical, it's illegal.