Harry Likas
1/5
I went for an initial appointment for X-rays, a check-up, and hopefully a cleaning.
The assistant took X-rays and then Dr. Behradnia came in for a 5-minute check. Dr. Behrdadnia was unfriendly and irritated by my few questions. He then turned me over to Gloria, the "Treatment Plan" presentation lady. I believe they tried to sell me services I did not need, IMO.
1. EZ Smile's Gloria told me I needed a four-session "deep cleaning" treatment plan that would cost me $1,156 more than what Delta USA insurance would cover for "deep cleaning". The extra $1,156 would be for additional antibiotic gel and topical fluoride beyond what Delta covers for normal "deep cleaning". I asked Gloria why I needed a deep cleaning since Dr. Behradnia had not mentioned it during his brief check. Gloria went to ask Dr.Behradnia to explain, he was at his desk on the phone, and he shouted "I already told him, I'm busy!"
Next, I asked for copies of the x-rays to be emailed to me that they had taken. Gloria said they would release them only if I paid a $40 fee for it, which I did. I then left the office. Most dental offices do not charge a fee for emailing X-rays.
After I left I felt suspicious of Dr. Behradnia's treatment plan and phoned Gloria and said that I wanted to decline the deep cleaning and instead have a regular cleaning. She said it would be unethical for them not to do a deep cleaning. I replied I thought it was my right to request a regular cleaning as I had always received from my previous dentists. I told her I was going to call Delta Dental and ask about it, that I would perhaps compose a Yelp review, and that I wanted to get a second opinion. I also mentioned my wife had worked at a dental office and she had looked at my gums and said they looked healthy. Gloria curtly said "then have your wife clean your teeth" and hung up the phone without saying goodbye. I believe that EZ Smile was trying to up-sell me for extra profit.
One week later I went back to my trusted, well-known, and highly regarded family dentist of 30 years. He looked at my X-rays and checked all of my gums with a periodontal probe and said the gums were healthy, that appeared to be no problem with infected pockets, and that the deep cleaning was not needed. Dr. Behradnia had not checked my gums with a probe. I have always brushed my teeth two or three times a day and flossed daily.
2. Dr. Behradnia had also noticed I had a broken lower 2nd molar and he said it would need a crown and an extra $108 core "buildup" and procedure to hold the crown that was not covered by my Delta USA insurance. Dr. Behradnia also said that perhaps it needed a root canal treatment. Gloria said a gold crown was not covered, and that my additional cost for the porcelain crown would be $533, plus $325 for the required "Brand Znext, Crystal Zirc/Emax" upgrade (required by Dr. B) so it had to be a composite material. In total, my crown job was to cost me $1,156 and Delta would cover the rest.
So, once again the following week at my trusted family dentist for a second opinion, he says there is no need for the additional "buildup" procedure and that it did not need a root canal. Then and there my family dentist proceeded to fit a temporary crown and is now in the process of producing a GOLD crown for my second visit in two weeks.
3. Seven years ago I had accidentally fallen and knocked out a front incisor. My trusted family doctor had plugged it back in and put a splint on it. Dr. Behradnia at EZ Smile took one look at the x-ray and said the root is very diminished, that I needed a root canal, and that then he would start a "treatment program" for it.
Again, the following week for a second opinion at my trusted family dentist, he looks at the X-ray of the front incisor and tells me the tooth looks good, that the root is healthy, and it does not need a root canal. He says we "leave it alone."
Update: EZ Smile's response was disingenuous. EZ Smiles attempts to over charge me for services that I didn't need were scandalous. It had nothing to do with the insurance company.
