Business ProfileforGoldstein, Garber, & Salama

In dental appointment with ************** and hygienist ******, ****** started with a "hard sell" to schedule "deep clean." Initially she said it was required and they should not have taken me as a patient 6 years before without requiring it. I questioned it -- why, how much, what is involved? Then, five or ten minutes later, I was told I had a medical condition that made it something I needed (the therapist was obviously prompted by someone outside the room, and I have never discussed anything about the condition with the office, and this condition is something that affects 25% of the population). Then she said she was taking **rays. I said no, I wanted to focus on the cleaning and don't believe in **rays every time. Next came a gum examination, which they also do and charge for every time, and I could tell the therapist was jumping on each instance of any gum inflammation (which over 50% of people have, by the way) to justify the deep cleaning, and so she brought up the deep cleaning again. Then the therapist performed the cleaning, but it was given only 20 minutes or less, much shorter than past experience, with no scaling at all. Unacceptable to give short shrift to the cleaning if a deep cleaning is considered needed, since a shortened regular cleaning is not going to be enough. I've had really good cleanings in the past from this therapist, but nothing close this time. I told the practice manager after the appointment that this is the first time my teeth still felt dirty after a cleaning. The dentist then visited me -- but all he said was "how are you," and I said, "I think everything is stable." He did not look in my mouth, did not review results, nor did he discuss the deep clean deal. He told the therapist to take an **ray of a tooth, which I had said already I did not want. He did not hang around to examine the **ray or discuss it with me, so quite obvious it could wait to next appointment. On the way out, I was critical of the services and charges and why they were so much greater than the last appointment, and the receptionist (who is very kind and honest) said they are looking for ways to charge more. I think this is a combination of poor service, overcharging, and a clear desire to find more things to charge for. I have disputed the bill. My bill was $330, much higher than the last teeth cleaning of about $220, and if they took the full **rays like they tried to do, it would have been about $450, which is very top of the scale. And on top of this, in the previous appointment, the therapist added a "cancer check" to the services, without explaining or asking my approval, and charged extra for it. I know some dentists recommend this, but I question why a therapist is suitable when it is something my medical doctor and some other specialists do (mouth and throat) frequently. I spoke to practice manager afterwards -- she said everything was "within standard of practice" but I had the option of taking my business elsewhere if I wanted. Which is what I intend to do. I disputed the charge and have been dunned every month since then.