Comfort Dental
Reviews and Complaints

Please be advised this was written on 07/06/2023 and sent to Comfort Dental Orthodontics at 10:45am after being left on a revolving door of elevator/hold music when asking to speak with a supervisor.

To Whom It May Concern,

I am not sure where your facility has managed to find your employee's but there is a serious issue at hand when your scheduling representatives AND dental staff do not know basic customer service skills. 

You will have to forgive this lengthy message, as I am NOT one to complain, but the time has come where your staff have pushed me beyond allowing further incidents to occur without concerns being voiced. And furthermore, going forward, every SINGLE time I have an issue, I will make sure my grievances are filed and heard.

We are paying you all for our services. How you are being paid is irrelevant, as payment is still made. As such, this is a fee for service contract. You offer services in a professional manner, employing competent employees who understand and practice confidentiality, and bedside manner, and thus get paid for services rendered. Somewhere along the line, your employees have forgotten HOW they get their paychecks. 

This leads me into my grievance. 

We have literally had issues with Comfort Dental Braces since our first phone encounter. I could NOT get anyone to return my calls, and multiple voicemails for literally WEEKS when checking the status of my first son's braces claim. Then, I mistakenly brought my other son to your office for his braces, and gave you guys the benefit of the doubt that maybe like all other healthcare facilities you were overworked, and understaffed. Understandable as I myself am a nurse, and know just how tiring the system has become. Well, unfortunately you guys proved me wrong AGAIN by not returning my call regarding my son's braces. Stating that a message left on my voicemail stating that he needed to be brought back in because the initial x-rays did not come out clear enough. Never received that message, and genuinely still feel like you guys dropped the ball and forgot to call to give an update and the easiest solution was blaming the patient's guardian. 

The next occurrence transpired when my son **** was getting his braces placed. Your technician told him "okay, don't do the autistic thing and freak out." The fact that I was able to maintain my level headed demeanor and not say anything to correct her very unprofessional mannerisms and vocalization should be noted here. I do NOT believe for one second that many would have been able to again bypass it as a bad day. Make it known that had she made that mistake again, it would have been addressed real time. In what world is it acceptable to not only violate HIPAA in a room full of people, but also shame a CHILD for their disabilities?! Utterly disgusted, we left. 

Then last month I had to cancel their appointments due to a GI bug running rampant through our home. We were scheduled for a 4pm appointment. When I called I advised that my entire house was sick with said GI bug and that I needed to reschedule for another date, same time. Because... I am a working mother! Leaving work isn't something I can just do. Especially monthly for braces appointments. Maybe your facility has that much leniency with their employees but my employer certainly does not. And I was told, "well we won't be able to get you in this month we will have to push it out to July. But I can get you rescheduled for 7/6 at the same time." Okay, not ideal given that its a month without any tightening taking place on their braces, but given we had to cancel, I was understanding. 

It's entirely too bad that that same understanding was not extended to me and my family. They rescheduled us to 12:30 on 07/06/2023. I got notification that the appointment was set for 12:30 on 07/06/2023. The SAME day of the appointment I found out that they did not give us the correct time. I contacted the office as soon as you opened to let you know the situation at hand.

The little girl who answered the phone was ridiculously rude. Told me I was a liar and that we were told the appointment time "because extended visits aren't booked past 3pm." Weird, considering it was a reschedule for an "extended visit" and that visit was scheduled for 4pm! When I let her know that she would not call me a liar, and that I was not in fact told it was moved to 1230 she decided to hand the phone off to another woman because "she would not deal with me today!" (Disclaimer: you may want to tell your staff that if they CHOOSE to discuss patients-- they may want to do so on MUTE or out of ear shot.) The next woman gets on the phone and regurgitates the same thing the last one said. I said, "well I will tell you the same thing. I was not told that. I am a mother but I also work. I cannot take off mid-day from work."  She said, "well I can see when I can get them in, but I am telling you it won't be soon or even past 2pm and you will need to go to another location." I said, "That is fine, I will figure something out, what do you have available?" She immediately put me on hold to the wonderful elevator music, without so much as a "let me check" or "please hold". She comes back on the phone 5 minutes later with a snotty/snippy attitude and says, "well I will get you in on July 28th but since you can't seem to make THIS appointment, you can go to Gladstone." and "Just so you know these are MEDICAID children so don't be surprised if they stop paying because YOU are supposed to bring them in every 28 days." Now... correct me if I am wrong but MOST businesses do not conduct themselves this way if they want to STAY in business and ironically enough, retaliation is NOT business savvy or even ethical. Also, I am happy to let Medicaid know that I have done my due diligence in ensuring getting these kids in but their orthodontist wants to make mistakes, and then not own up to them. In addition to expecting me to lose my job because I cannot leave work mid-day for an NON-EMERGENT appointment. Call me crazy, but I think insurance is willing to look at all aspects of what has transpired, and if need be I know an attorney will. So threatening me with loss of coverage was insane and petty. Also, backfired a little bit.  

Let your office staff know when they want to threaten people, at least make sure they know the background to the person they are threatening. It may serve them well in the future.

Needless to say, after much debate and ignorance, it was decided that I would bring my children next month, August 8th 2023 at 2:30 and as a penance for not bending to YOUR will, I will need to take them to Grandview. 

Make no mistake, I am giving you-- the employer and manager-- the opportunity to make corrections as necessary. I do not believe that you can employ this amount of unprofessional people and still thrive in a community. 

Your wonderful staff are showing prejudice to my children and myself based off the fact that they have Medicaid, and it was shown not once but twice already. Their biggest mistake is assuming they know anything about me or my children. That little intake paper you do is tiny and your staff definitely do not take the time to get to know their patients. So, allow me to educate your staff. Medicaid isn't JUST for people who sit around all day and live off the government. It's also for the single mother who works her [censored] off doing various PRODUCTIVE jobs, while serving her community because the children's FATHER chooses to not help raise and/or support them. Newsflash, not only do they have Medicaid (because you know worthless fathers) but they also have commercial insurance through myself AND their stepfather. Both are a nurse and police officer, respectively. Let them know they can tuck that in their back pocket for when assumptions want to be made and they think you know more than they actually do.

Educate your staff. It's disgusting.

Today was the 4th time going into this comfort dental about a rare but serious flesh eating bacteria. I have asked the dentist 3 times now for a letter about the servierity. And information about the infection along with the treatment he has provided for me. Along with the cause of having to have dentchers due to this infection. Today has been an upsetting day for me as the year mark of my husband's death. Going into this dentist asking again for the proof of my infection for the court hearing next week, along with being treated very rudely. Just because of my request of proof of what he diagnosed me with now I have to see an orthopedic surgeon for my teeth removal witch will put me back another month. It's already been 4 months trying to get dentchers already. I have never been treated so rudely before by a dentist. Along with not willing to release my medical record or writing a letter. Not 9ne person could help. It's ridiculous!

June 15th my daughter came to Comfort Dental for a cleaning and a filling. My daughter has Aetna Dental and Medicaid Dental insurance. After her appointment the billing department told me a had a remaining balance of $196 after the insurance paid their portion.

Later that week I spoke with Medicaid and found out that they only billed Aetna Dental Insurance. I have been Calling comfort dental every month since June asking them about my refund because I should not have had any out of pocket expenses. I have been lied to multiple time saying that new claims have been filed by their billing coordinator named Maria

I was schedule to have my tooth extracted on the 9th of November 2022 at 9:30. Upon arriving at Comfort Dental Pensacola, I was asked if I had taken my pill, nobody told me about any pill. Had to reschedule. On 14 December 22 at 8:00 I returned to the dental office. Once in (1 hour later) I was told that I needed a release form from my primary doctor to have this procedure done. Again, I was never informed of this. I am not pleased of this delay. This tooth is very painful, cannot eat or drink very well. I've been charge for this procedure and am paying for it. This is Pamela Walker, [protected]. Please pass this on to Dr Farrugia. I need another appointment with better instructions. I need the appointment made for three weeks out so my husband can get time off. Again, I'm not happy with this.

I was seen at Comfort Dental Marion Ohio. I was referred to an oral sergan by Doctor Henderson at Comfort Dential Marion Ohio. I called to schudel my surgery, and they told me that they didn't take Medicaid. I called Comfort Dental back and told them what I was told. And I was then told I have to find an oral surgeon myself, after they told me that I have to see them first and they have to refer me. I'm not able to find an oral surgeon! It was Comfort Dental responsibility to refer me to a oral surgeon not mine. I certainly hope that this is taken care of? I have serious chronic sinusitis because of not getting this taken care of. Thank you, Carlotta Blair [protected].

I have tried to help with getting comfort dental my insurance information since nay 16...it's not june 8th...I even had the insurance company place a call which I was on hold for to help get them the insurance info they needed on the quote that's be completed and they simply put her on hold and left her. I called yet again and told the lady I'll have to find another oral surgeon because I desperately need this surgery I have an infected and exposed tooth and she simply said ...ok!

Are u kidding me? I thought this was supposed to be a dentist that cared..

I went to Comfort Dental on May 12th, 2022 to have cavities filled and a few chipped teeth fixed. The dentist/dental hygienist completed my cavities and then moved onto the chipped teeth which were 3 of the 4 front teeth, the 2 front and the tooth right of the right front tooth. From what I understood all they had to do was was fill in the chips. When they finished my teeth they informed me that they attempted to fill the gaps of my teeth without my knowledge or permission and that the only way I can fix the gaps is through braces. I also found that they did not do just do the 3 teeth as they were supposed to do. They also did the 4th front tooth without my permission or knowledge. They also elongated all 4 front teeth, and when I attempted to ask them to shorten just one of them they acted as if that was an issue and sighed before telling me to show them before they finally drilled down the tooth that is to the right of my front right tooth. All 4 teeth are practically encapsulated in bonding which wasn't what I had been told they were going to do. My 2 front teeth are sharp in between them from then drilling how the excess bonding that they attempted to use to close the gaps but they left them extremely long and now they are digging into my lower lip, the gap between my front teeth are 3 times worse, the sharp edges inbetween are cutting the inside of my upper lip, and I have not been able to stop crying from what they have done to my smile. I went in for a routine thing of getting cavities filled and a few chipped teeth fixed only to have it end in a nightmare that has destroyed my self esteem and confidence in any dentist.

The pictures attached are to show what they had done to my teeth, the one that has my mouth slightly open was taken today may 13th 2022 and the 2nd picture was taken yesterday 3 or 4 hours before I went to the dentist.

I have called this facility many of times only for it to ring and eventually take me to the voicemail, I have to leave many many voicemails to get a callback or even a confirmation on my next appointment, I have called or at least tried to call to make my payment and they never answer so when I show up for my next appointment they try to charge me a late fee. This is only the beginning, I came in for my appointment yesterday May 4, 2022, and I was completely disrespected by not only the front office woman Leslie Torres but also by the dentist himself Dr. Demer. Leslie Torres was being completely disrespectful from the moment I showed up and tried charging me fees that were not in my car, then she wouldn’t do her job and schedule me for my next appointment until I paid a bill that wasn’t even due, they just want to take your money. I did give them the money for the bill that was not due and got my appointment scheduled only to hear her in the back use my full name to talk badly about me and make up lies about things I did not do. I went to confront her and tell her that that was false and that is not OK for her to talk about me like that when there are other patients in the waiting room and children as well, I then proceeded to ask for her name and after I get it her coworker tells her why would you do that she is crazy and Leslie’s response to that was what is she going to do she can’t do anything about it and then continue to call me a schizophrenic because I heard her talking about me. The dentist himself was very disrespectful did not hear how I was disrespected or talked to and I asked to move offices and he told me I could not do that unless I wanted to break my contract and start a new one with a new comfort dental which makes no sense to me I asked him if we could transfer everything over my dental records my bills everything and he told me I’d have to go start over somewhere else get my braces taken off and put on by someone else this is a lie and he was saying this so I would stay at his facility and give him money this facility is not OK it is not professional they talk bad about you they don’t care about your teeth or your well-being and they want to take as much money as possible. Leslie Torres needs to be taken away from working in the public or she needs to take an anger management and customer service class before she can return to work with the public this is not OK and I will not stay quiet about the way that I have been treated for the past four months

I received a root canal procedure on a broken tooth. My tooth was not in pain, it was just something that the dentist noticed during a dental visit. He completed the root canal. A few days later, i noticed pain in the tooth and made an appointment to return. I was informed by him that he could have left nerves in the tooth that were too small for him to get with his technology, so he gave me a referral to an Endodontist. After being seen, they informed me that i would have to receive a retreat on the tooth which cost $900, also not covered by my insurance… not to mention another $600 for a crown to protect the tooth which is also not covered by insurance.

I am upset that I have not only bad to pay all of the money for a tooth that bad no initial pain, but to retract someone’s crappy dental work.

As a single parent, this is taking a toll on my life and my personal well being. Experiencing all if this pain, taking off time from work, paying all of this money to save a tooth and still trying to hold it together is taking me down emotionally, financially mentally and physically at this point.

Doctor Alsaffar

Dental assistant Latoya

I was under the impression that I had filled all my cavities until Friday October 15, 2021 when I began to experience my tooth aching and throbbing. I couldn't eat on one side and I could let hot or cold beverages touch that side. So the next day Saturday October 16, 2021 I call comfort dental to schedule an appointment to get that tooth filled. I've experienced a cavity before so I knew that pain and that sensitivity was nothing to dismiss.

My appointment date comes around and I explained to the dental assistant Latoya my concerns. I showed where the pain and sensitivity was coming from and explained to her how I'm not able to eat on that side. She proceeds to take photos and x rays. On one of the photos I saw a black dot that I had seen in the mirror at home. She continues to dismiss the black dot and takes another x ray.

Then she sends Doctor Alsaffar who tells me that she does not see anything. The reason why she didn't see anything is because she was looking at a side image of my teeth and the cavity was at the bottom. She proceeds to tell me that I need to floss more and that will solve my tooth ache and sensitivity. She also says that if I'm still experiencing pain I should come back in 14 days.

I'm writing this complaint because my concerns were not heard by professionals paid to solve my tooth problems. Once I was home I called comfort dental and told them the story and that I would like to schedule another appointment with my primary doctor and dental assistant. I am very disappointed that I have to see two doctors just to get my cavity filled, just to have my voice heard. I am not making this pain up and I am not gonna be told to floss more because that will heal my cavity.

How dare they call themselves professionals. How dare they not do their job correctly. Dismissing my concerns as if they are me experiencing my tooth pain is so devastating. I'm not gonna have tooth ache for 14 more days only to come back and they tell me the same thing. Absolutely not.

I went to comfort dental and was told I needed dentures. I had all my teeth pulled and was given immediate dentures that never would fit my mouth, bcuz the assistant who did my impressions messed them up & was told this right in front of me. She still denied any error as did the dentist. But a few years later I was told by another dentist the dentures do not and never did fit my mouth. After 18 months of adjusting these dentures I was finally told I am a rare person who cannot wear a denture after all, and would need implants instead. I was not told then or in the beginning that what I really had going on was severe bone loss that was there from prior extractions, that was exspected to get worse once my remaining teeth were pulled. There was an alternative treatment that would have prevented all my further bone loss, but this was never mentioned either. It has literally destroyed the rest of my life. I was very beautiful when I went in there but not anymore. I don't even look like the same person. I Now cannot wear dentures or get implants, & that's what the dentist later said I would need to do since he couldn't make the dentures fit. (But he never told me I should hurry due to all my further bone loss that would continue happening . and I am only 41. I was 36 when they did this to me. Come to find out all but 1 of my teeth were savable, & the dentist lied to me. These guys are absolutely horrible people . My life will never be the same and going to this dental office is the biggest regret of my life!

I had 3 extractions and a lower denture with a horrible outcome. They gave me the immediate denture. That came a week and a half later. If I had known how bad it was. I would've waited for a better one that took longer. My extractions are so swollen two weeks later and hurt. They look so yucky. The dentist cut my mouth with the drill blade. It was so flapped that I needed 3 sutures. Ouch ! No antibiotics even though he said it was infected.
The assistant also didn't even look at mouth to see how denture fit. It bled so bad. She did however drill on the denture. Even though I was so swollen. I went back a week later to say, " This hurts and I can't fit denture in mouth. So she drilled more on the denture. I put it in and it still wouldn't work. She then decided to look in my mouth. Then looked at the denture, " Oh I shaved way too much off."
Well, now what. Two weeks later and I'm in pain still. Extractions caused huge wounds. But are super swollen. Still can't wear denture Even with adhesive 😞
Now what ?
I was going to take photos. But I'm so embarrassed and ashamed

On July 12th I had an appointment for a root canal with Dr. Amy at the Lafayette office ( 535 W South Boulder Rd Suite 200, Lafayette, CO 80026).

Not only I waited over 1 hour to be seated, but they didn't have that special plastic wrap that keeps bacteria away. Dr Amy tried to use a plastic glove instead of that wrap. Are you kidding me? That is the opposite of hygienic. Dentist numbed me really good and kept disappearing while the assistant gave me Nitrus. For a bit nobody was a round, I could have passed out or died from the Nitrus, nobody was around.

Then Dr Amy said we have to reschedule, after giving me gas, numbing me up, keeping my mouth open with the blocks. Why couldn't they cancel before I even went to the appointment? Or at least not numbing my whole mouth up!

After this huge [censored]up I should have been offered a huge discount from that $1600 root canal.

Huge disappointment. Never going back.