Western Dental Services
reviews and complaints

I am a current patient at Unique Orthodontics and was referred to Western Dental for some services concerning my broken molar teeth at the bottom of my right teeth. I was told that I wouldn't be able to continue my treatment for braces until I get my molar fixed. I had went through the website of Western Dental and noticed that they do payments through credit cars and everything. So I booked an appointment through the telephone and went in for my appointment in November 26th of 2016. When I went in for the appointment, they told me to join the $119.00 program. It'll help lower my costs for my appointments there, however there was no specified details as to what the program did for me. All I really got from them was, pay today and we can get you settled in. I payed on the spot, cashed of $120.00 and they gave me back $1.00. When they saw that I still had wires on my braces, they told me that they could not scan any x-rays at that time due to the wires. Therefore, I would have to go back to my orthodontists and get it removed before they can do my scanning. However, I told them that all there needed to be fixed was my molar at the bottom of my teeth. There was no wire nor brackets on the molar. So clearly, it was safe to do the x-ray. The gentle man there was more cooperative compared to the other 4-5 girls who just sat there, touching the computer and chatting away, including the manager herself. After a few moments had passed by, the guy took me into the back and did my x-ray on my molar. Then he took me to the back and I waited for the "dentist" to come look at my molar. When she came, she quickly just analyzed and told me that in their clinic, their orthodontist would recommend a patient with braces to finish off their treatment before doing any work on the patient's teeth. I was thinking to myself like, I'm clearly not one of their patients. I only came to them due to a referral and all I asked was to get my molar fixed. She then told me that I needed to have my gum cut off a little because it was hiding my teeth and all that. Afterwards, she left and the manager came. No joke, she came and there was this vibe that I didn't like. She went straight to the point, you're going be paying this much and that much for this treatment, blah blah blah. I remembered asking her, the $119.00 I paid for the program, how much am I actually saving if I was to continue the treatment with you guys. She told me I saved a few hundred. But I already had a gut feeling I was not going to like the service there. I was scheduled to work at 12 that Saturday. My appointment with them was around 9 but I didn't get to go to the back until almost 10. So I was basically rushing and trying to get as much information as much as I could. However, they weren't giving it to me. There was no good service at all coming from the manager herself. So they just told me to go back to my orthodontist and get my wires remove, rescheduled an appointment and come back and all that. BUT there was basically no service given to me at all that day. The x-ray they gave me was free, as stated on their website. After leaving their place with already paying the $119.00, I was telling my boyfriend the situation that went down in the back, how they weren't going to be fixing my molar, which it was an "emergency, " until my braces treatment was over. However, I couldn't continue my braces treatment from my orthodontist until my molar was fixed because it would break away any day. Like, it's literally missing a whole piece in the back of the tooth all the way down to the gum. So since the time was ticking and I had to get home to get ready, I had called their business inquiries and talked to a man on the phone about getting my refund. I told him about my situation and how I don't think I'm going to follow through with any of their treatments because I changed my mind. He told me that I could go back and get my money. So I was like, okay. I'll go get it on Monday since they are closed Sunday.

When I went back Monday morning, I had talked to the lady who was the same exact girl from the day of my first appointment and told her I had come for a refund. She gave me a look as if I had sad something out of norm. Telling me that they didn't do refunds or anything like that. I then told her that after I left their office that Saturday, I had called the business inquiries on their card and the man told me that I can come back in and get a refund. As I looked in the back of the lady talking to me, I noticed that her manager was just sitting "pretty" in her office, doing nothing but touching her phone. So the lady told me to hold on as she walked back and talked to her manager. The manager apparantly told her they didn't do refunds as the lady told me when she came back. I was furious ! I demanded the manager come out and talked to me and stop letting her staff talk to me since she had no clue how to handle anything. The manager finally came out of her office that she was clearly not doing anything, and came up to me and told me that I couldn't get my money back because it was not on the same day I did my x-ray. Therefore, I was furious a second time. I told her that the man on the phone, clearly stated that I can come back in for a refund. He did not say anything about having to come back on the very same day to get the money. He just told me, I can go in and get a refund. The thing that ticked me off the most about the services I received so far from this Western Dental place was the fact that they just tell you to do things without explaining to you why it is so or what is required and needed in order to come into a satisfactory agreement. Anyways, I told the lady that since I was already there, why doesn't she just give me my money back. I brought my receipt and everything to get my money back but she told me that they did not have any money. I looked at her and asked "What do you mean you don't have any money, are you guys broke? Like how do you expect to not have any money here, and when customers come in to do payments, how do you expect to give them change?" As I was saying all this, one of the lady staff that was sitting right behind the first lady that was talking to me suddenly laughed as if something was funny. This angered and disgusted me very much. Like, I am not someone who just sits in the back of a computer making alot of money. I am still an undergraduate, I go to school as a full-timer and I work hard to earn my money and being able to pay off my braces. Knowing that I came to this disgusting place to get a refund on something I work hard on and having these "grown, old women" just sitting around and laughing as if the situation was not bad is outrageous ! Anyways, the manager told me that I would have to call the business inquiries, which I replied "You're telling me that I would have to call them AGAIN?!" And she told me it was a process. I knew that the longer I stayed and argued with them, the more they are just going to make fun of me and give me dumb looks on their faces. So I left the building and immediately called the number, AGAIN !

When I called the number, a lady picked up. I had told her about my situation, how that Western Dental place refused to give me treatments unless I finish my braces treatment and how I was furious about that statement because I am technically not their patient but a referral for their service and how they failed to provide that for me. Not only that, but how I had paid them $119.00 that very day and left with nothing. The lady on the phone then put in a refund statement or something like that, I have no idea how it worked. But I remembered telling her that the incident took place on November 26th, 2016 on a Saturday. She then did whatever she needed to do. When she was done, she told me that she had done the refund thing and that I will be getting a check in my mail box of $119.00. She also stated that the process would take about 20-40 business days. I thanked her and appreciated her taking the time to listen to my complaint and everything.

Today, as of my complaint, is already the 11th of January 2017. I have NOT received anything in my mail box. I checked it constantly throughout December even up to today. There is nothing. So my question is, was I scammed ?! The number that I had called for a refund, was it a scam ? I've done some research about Western Dental after the incident and found out that they provide bad customer service and they are the worse. The reason I chose them in the beginning was because my former dentist was from Western Dental, however his location was in Kings Canyon. This Western Dental is located on Shaw. Just to find out that they are sketchy and my experience is bad, makes me cringe up to this day. I want my money ! I need it for school and other services such as my bills and my treatment for braces. It's been almost over 2 months. Send me my money or help me out please ! $119.00 is not little, its a lot of money for someone who does not make a lot and is still an undergraduate.

Any other questions, email me at [protected]@hotmail.com
or call/text me at [protected].

I hope to hear from you guys. Thank you for taking the time to read my complaint.

The process began about two months back, cannot find the exact date of the first appointments but should have known then I would have difficulty. Limited with Denti-Cal. The first time I was scheduled for a denture repair, no technician and by that time I was hungry, distressed and tired. I lost my temper for the poor handling. We got them fixed finally. The suggestion was to replace them. Denti-cal will cover it. I said fine, informed them that my mouth was small and the dentures needed to be made accordingly.

They are too large, no room in my mouth for food to chew. The edges gouge into my mouth and irritate my gums severely, they do not fit my gums. I cannot talk without them falling out of my mouth.

Dr. Nguyen spent five minutes yelling at me. I was wrong, he was right. That to take the sides down would reduce the surface area of the dentures, finally he did reduce them slightly. The bottom ones still gouge into the back of my mouth and the lower areas, under my tongue and the front of my gums. Dr. Nguyen began the session by yelling at me after I said they don't fit, without listening to the problems. The other comment I remember during his rant is that my gums would grow into the new dentures. I found no research to back that. Rather my gums will continue to shrink, especially with loose fitting dentures. Because of my disorder there is not much else I remember of what he said. The nurse just stood there looking at the floor and did nothing.

I have chronic post traumatic stress disorder, being in a dentist office causes me severe anxiety and distress. No one wanted to know that. Dr Nguyen would not listen. I did yell back, by that time I was in tears and embarrassed, humiliated. I left. I will not return.

I need the dentures adjusted to fit my mouth. I have tried to eat, wear them, but I cannot. I know I have to adjust to a new pair, I get that, just as I had to adjust to the first ones. The dentist I saw 20+ years ago took great care in educating me in this process. I did my homework, I know a hard lining can be put in that will help adjust them to my mouth. Even a soft lining can be used for a short time. Dr. Nguyen refused.

The first dentist I saw there passed me to Dr. Nguyen because he did not want to deal with a difficult patient. Had I been listened to, rather than ignored, I would not have been distressed and "difficult."

I was told not to expect them to fit like my old ones. That I could not expect to have these new ones fit like them. I get that. But I do expect to have them adjusted to fit my mouth.

I do not do well with being yelled at, no more than I do when I am hungry and have to take time out of work, for which I do not get paid, to be told that I cannot be helped. I apologized for my outburst and did my best to make it right.

I was told not to go to Western Dental, that they have a poor reputation for this type of treatment for the patients, that their services are poor. I did more homework after the fact, I found no complimentary reviews that convinced me that I made the right choice.

I want my dentures adjusted to fit my mouth. Denti-cal paid for them, but I pay my taxes, so I am not a charity. I believe those of us on government services deserve the best treatment available. Yet I am finding that to be a mis-led belief.

On DECEMBER 3, 2016 my daughter Candilynn Satterwhite had an 8:00am appointment we arrived at 7:55am we were the first to check in. Other 8:00 appointments arrived after us signed in after us but was called before we were she did not get called until 8:48 I asked the receptionist why was everybody being called before my daughter who was here first she stated they also had 8:00 appointments. But they were late and once again my daughter was the first person here and signed in. I feel they were being racist because all the patients were Hispanic and Caucasian. This is very rude and unacceptable. How can you book more than one patient for the same time appointments?

Following correspondent clinics of both Medi-Cal and 1Dental, went to the Vacaville office for the free exam to get started on a course of some serious work (that time of life when teeth just break). Waited about 25 mins. got x-rayed, then looked over by Dr. Lopez, really fast.

The assistant returned with an estimate, my FICO at the top of the page, and payment plans. No detail of proposed work to be done, and no indication of discounts through the plans. She went line by line on the computer screen deleting fees for the day "This is your free exam and xrays anyway".

No further word from anyone, I received a notice apparently from their collections for $300+

for a free service.

Couldn't reach the 'right department' to discuss it today, though Customer Service and offices working.

So paid it online to shut their lying faces up.

I will make them pay for their perfidy- they are screwing my life with the hindrance of a frivolous collection at a time when I leave town for months to follow leads on work. They need to be sued straight. I can do it IFP.

Every time we go they make us wait a lot but today 11/17/16 they made us wait two hours and a half to continue with a treatment on braces but ended up not happening because we had to give them a paper signed by our other dentist that did cleanup and extraction, the absurd part is that they didn't let us know on time and practically wasted our time. I looked for another dentist due to the waiting time and the fact that they were charging me for something they hadn't even done. Besides that they will have multiple patients for one doctor who isn't even able to keep up. There are far more reasons but I don't want to bother explaining them. I would appreciate that they would not waste time.

I had 3 of mi kids to be seing today a my first kid was supposed to be seen at 2pm nothing happen untill 4:30 pm and after being seen told them about my next kid to seen at 4pm and it's almost 5pm nothing happend were still waiting. My las kid to be seen at 5pm there running late as the other ones is a 4 year old kid after being at the wester dental office in el cerrito ca san pablo ave. For more then 3 hours they have verly only seen one kid and it's 5pm

I finally talked my boyfriend into getting dentures, I had such a wonderful experience with the western dental I went to in Sacramento (on florin and bowling) I just assumed they were all about the same. "I was so wrong" his insurance set him to the one in Sacramento ( on Stockton Blvd and fruitridge rd.) He has had the worst experience. The dentures are awful, the dentist didn't care, he just wanted to rush him out. I went with him and I couldn't believe how dirty it was. "I took picture" I've taken my pictures to my local news and they're doing a story. They were just a horrified as I was. Someone needs to make sure something is done about this place. I'm hoping someone see the story and will help my boyfriend so he know not all dentist are like them, that some dentist do care and would be honored to help him.

Now I made app t at 230 I I wasn't seen until 430 that don't make no scent why what is the spot sit for me I was very in happy with them I would no seen nobody to them the one in East San diego 4112marbought San Diego
I will never do it
The people was very. Rudyard and by
No kind of customer sever

I went to Western Dental in Rancho Cucamonga, Ca. in January 2016 for tooth ache. I knew going that I would need my bottom teeth pulled and would need dentures. I waited to see the dentist longer than I saw the dentist. She came in looked at my teeth and x-rays rambled off what needed to be done and left the young woman with her to explain my options. The dentist did nothing for the pain I was in at the time. The young woman proceed to tell me the teeth had to be pulled and that I would need bone graphs for me to be able to get dentures. I'm on Denti-Cal which does not cover bone graphs. She gave me payment options and sent me on my way stating they would contact me as soon as they received approval from Denti-Cal for the rest of the work. 6 weeks later I called to find out what was going on. They claimed they were still Waiting on Denti-Cal. Another week passes and I receive a letter of Denial from Denti-Cal. Western Dental had turned in an incomplete request for my upper denture. So I call them to find out why they requested for the upper and not the lower. Was informed they will not do the lower dentures with out replacing the upper. Ok. First off there is nothing wrong with my upper plate. I went in because I was in pain which I was still having. I was told to come in they would go ahead and remove the teeth and resubmit the approval request. I made the down payment for the bone graph, my had teeth pulled and graphs put in at the end of March 2016. It's now the end of June 2016 and they still have not resubmitted the request and on several occasions said they had. After talking to Denti-Cal I have found out other than the original request they have submitted nothing other than for payment for the teeth they pulled. And I still have not got my dentures and it's causing problems for me at work. Yet they expect me to make my payments on time for bone graphs that are doing me no good.

The office manager office staff lies to their patients. I called several times a day for over a week and was told repeatedly that the office manager was not in or was off. She When you try to talk to them about what's going on the give you the run around. They are rude.

I started some dental work earlier this year. Just a replacement crown which cost $930 total. But I was late on a couple of due dates and they charged me $25 per incident. Last month in June on the 22nd, I was notified by someone in their corporate office that I would be charged another late fee if I didn't catch up with my agreed monthly payments of $60 per month, due the 18th. I agreed on the 22nd to come in the following Friday(June 24th) and pay them the sum of $120 - which I walked in the Buena Park office and paid cash. They gave me a receipt and I promised to pay the remaining balance of $55 on the following Friday (July 1st) I walked in the payment and paid $55 - but today's mail brought another notice from Western Dental that I had incurred another late fee on the 2nd of July--due to the fact that they hadn't received my $55 payment. So they sent me notice stating I OWED them an additional $25 on top of the so-called missed payment THAT I HAD PAID ALREADY ON THE 1ST OF JULY! They are trying to jack-up the final total price of the one lousy partial crown that they say I needed at the time my tooth was removed. Since I am on S.S. and S.D.I., I have a very limited income and I need them to stop harassing me with these over-charges that they claim are past-due, when I believe I have already CAUGHT UP and DO NOT OWE THEM ANY PAST-DUE FEES OF ANY KIND> I have kept all my receipts and called them in an effort to get them to straighten out my balance--they just keep calling and calling and mailing me PAST DUE NOTICES AND ADDITIONAL LATE CHARGES ALMOST EVERY WEEK! PLEASE HELP - It's their BUENA PARK Office located on Lincoln. Here is my acct # - [protected] - Karl Carrasco Cell# [protected]

I made the appointment in Western Dental EL Cerrito. When I arrived on time and the door was opened. I entered and there was a lady. She didn’t greet me or asked me why I came, but she only told that they didn’t have appointments for today. But I said that I called and made it. She glanced at me and said that they didn’t have appointments for today and continued to work with the documents. It was so disrespectful and strange.

I had couple of appointments in Western Dental Headquarters. I have overpaid for the dental services and when I noticed the error, I immediately returned to this lace. I showed them all the papers and provided all the checks. I have overpaid $500 and of course I wanted to get such sum back. To my surprise the manager told to wait and only 2 weeks later they confirmed that they got more money for the services than it was agreed before. I hoped to get the check back and 3 weeks later I didn’t get it.

Their billing is horrible. My son had an appointment on 11/20 which was covered but some of the laughing gas would cost 140. Which was fine, the doctor was great. I was expecting to pay at that visit, however they did not mention any payment and rescheduled me a follow up and I forgot to ask. No more than a week later I am getting harassed by their corporate office for being late on a payment that was due on 11/20. I finally talk to someone a week after that and I'm told I owe 160. I ask them what am I paying because I didn't remember my bill being that high. They wouldn't tell me, saying they are just collections. I asked if I was being charged any late fee or anything, which they told me I was not. I told them I only had the appointment two weeks earlier and never received a bill in the mail. Anyways, they were very rude on the phone and treated me like I was trying to get out of paying. I ended up just giving them my card info so I can be done with all of the calls. Come to find out I found the original quote and I was only supposed to owe 140, so why was I charged 169 in my bank statement? Horrible experience on the billing side of this company.

I have non stop problems with this company's billing department. They are very incompetent. They try and charge me several fees that are bogus. When they get your payment they apply it to someone else's account or they say they never received it even though it has cleared your bank account. Non stop headaches with them. My total bill is $5000 for my daughter's braces. I'm almost done paying that. Next time one of my other children need braces I will take my $5000 else where.