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On August 5, 2008 I had an appointment with Great Expressions Dental Center of Lawrenceville to have our teeth cleaned. After our cleaning, Dr. Rahimi checked our teeth. After checking my teeth, she informed me that I had more than 5 cavities and also needed a crown. This surprised me since I had never had a cavity until I first visited Great expressions one year ago. Then six months later, I had another cavity. Now this dentist was telling me that I had more than four at this appointment, and one would require a crown. I brush my teeth two times a day, use mouthwash, a water pick for my teeth, take my vitamins and am very conscious about what I eat. Needless to say, I was very suspicious. The total for all this work was well over $2, 000.
I was very concerned with this report and decided to seek a second opinion. I paid the $100 for the x-rays and the treatment plan and it still took them over a week to get me this information. After the number of times they called and cancelled my appointments in the past, this did not surprise me.
The second opinion I received from a well-respected dentist stated that I had no cavities and s/he was shocked that someone would try and do this to a patient. I paid my $134 for a second opinion and decided that someone should be informed about the practices of this dentist and possible other dentist offices. I believe that this deceit and malpractice should be more than noted. I feel that this borders on medical malpractice and feel that some action should be taken more than a slap on the wrist.
By the way, the dentist had only received her license in May of this year.
different dentists see things diffrently depending on where they went to school. Some think waiting for cavities to get bigger is better, others like to get them when they start. I had this experience myself.
I AGREE THEY USE VERY AGGRESSIVE TACTICS AT THIS OFFICE, I WENT THERE AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED 6 FILLINGS, IN WHICH I HAD A DENTIST APPOINTMENT A YEAR EARLIER AND HAD NONE. I WISH I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A SECOND OPINION BECAUSE THE DENTIST THAT PUT MY FILLINGS IN, DID SUCH A BAD JOB THAT ONE OF MY FILLINGS IS LITERALLY HANGING OFF ONE OF MY TOOTH AND GETS SNAGGED EVERY TIME THAT I FLOSS. IF THEY CANNOT DO A SIMPLE FILLING, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS DENTAL FACILITY TO ANYONE!
THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY TRYING TO GET ALL THE CASH THEY CAN, AT A PATIENTS EXPENSE.
ALSO, I WENT TO ANOTHER DENTIST AFTER THE FACT AND TRY TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THE FILLING THAT WAS PUT IN INCORRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THAT HE DID NOT EVEN SEE A CAVITY ON SOME OF THE FILLINGS THAT I RECEIVED. SO BASICALLY THEY DRILLED MY TEETH ALL FOR THE SAKE OF MONEY.
Everyone should beware of Great Expressions Dentistry. I have dealt with them for many years and have come to the conclusion they are just a quick stop for poorly trained dental students. The office managers are well trained in deception and con artistry. It is a sad case when my son's dental work has cost over five thousand dollars and he still does not have a front tooth. If you go to the orthodontist expect to sign a waiver before they will remove your child's braces. The office managers are just there to keep track of the thousands of files setting behind the desk. they take in so many new patients, you wait months for an asppointment, that is if they do not cancel it or reschedule on you. Most of the listed dentist on their web site no longer work in the offices they are advertising. I have asked so many times for someone who has some expierence, then am given another new fresh out ot school Dr. The web site also professes to have cosmetic dentistry. I am told that the new dentist has been trained in cosmetic dentisry. How can you be a specialist, when you are barely a practicing dentist. My sone needs a child specialist, has anyone ever offered one within great Expressions? NO! I keep getting pushed back into an office that has a recent graduate, and they expect me to pay a $1000.00 co-pay for a potentially harmful procedure if not done right. How scarey is this. All I want is good work for my child. I am going to express my feelings about this franchise to anyone who will listen. RUN! RUN! RUN! and do not look back.
I agree with you all completly. They advised my husband he needed the scaling and root plan (deep cleaning) Which cost $1400.00 They tired to do the same with me and said mine would cost $1800.00 I did not have the treatment done. Do not use this dentist... they just want your money!
Great Expressions-Douglasville, GA
I had the worst experience at your dental office in my life. I felt that instead of going to the dentist, I was going to an opportunist. I spent 2 1/2 hours at the office only to have x-rays and a hygienist to evaluate my gums. I was then told by the Dr. Stevens (young, black female) that I had periodontitis disease which required a deep cleaning. When asked about tooth #4 (which was my initial reason for coming to the dentist) I was told that the deep cleaning must be done first. I have never been to a dentist who refuses to do a general cleaning on the first visit. I left the office the same way I came in after checking in at 3:30pm and leaving close to 6:00pm. When I first walked in the door, I was approached by the receptionist who took upon herself to add an oral cancer test to my bill that would cost me $49. On top of that, there is this 3 to 5 minute video that you all play back to back as if you all are trying to brainwash the oral cancer disease in ones head after forcing the patient to wait an hour in the waiting room. The receptionist even made a statement to me that after I watched the video, I would change my mind and want the services done. After finally seeing the dentist who showed no kind of warm, caring, considerate personality, I was basically told what I had to do next and was not given an option. Again, tooth #4 was overlooked. The receptionist informed me that no other work would be done in my mouth until I paid the $1190 upfront to have the periodontal treatment completed. This is a 24 step treatment meaning any discomfort in my mouth (including tooth #4) would go untreated and in fact would cause more discomfort with the treatments. Are you serious? As I was checking out, the receptionist told me that the dentist "wants" me to get an electric toothbrush that they sell for $110. She even went to retrieve the toothbrush for me to see. I declined. I then asked if I could just get my medical record and the receptionist told me there would be a $25 charge. A $25 for my dental record? I would think that it belongs to me and if I have no intentions on returning to GE Dental Center, then why should I pay for my dental record. The receptionist did explain that I could have another doctor request the record free of charge. After realizing I had no intentions on returning, another worker beside the receptionist stated that they could just do a filling on tooth #4 for now if that's what I wanted. She should no concern either and said it with no kind of sympathy or concern. That was my biggest concern and it appeared that I being forced to do whatever they wanted to do which would cost me a lot of out-of-pocket expense upfront ONLY. The experience was just awful. The lady who took my x-rays was in training and had to re-do many of my x-rays, then didn't know the codes as the dentist was calling them out. I felt like a guinea pig because they were assuming on how to draw the images that represented certain procedures. People already have a fear of going to the dentist and this ordeal that I experienced yesterday was just aweful!
My boyfriend went there today (Sept 09). He was there for a cleaning. They would not give him a cleaning as they said he needed some kind of work first-that would cost him $1, 000 beyond what his dental insurance would cover. This was bizarre in itself, and he felt the place seemed sketchy...and here it all is. This place should be shut down!
I wanted to get an exam and cleaning. I am fully insured for such. I asked the receptionist about how long on average would the exam and cleaning take? She explained to me that cleaning may not take place until after the exam is completed usually on another appoinment. I told her that I always receive a cleaning following the exam. She said some patients require additional work like "Deep Cleaning" a phrase I and you will certainly hear again. So I go to the appointment. Again I ask how long will both take. I needed to know for work sched. Couldn't give answer. I'm in chair and another woman walks in and starts to expain the payment structure and options available should any additional work be needed. She read it like a robot, almost apologetic. I was getting uneasy at this point. They run the full boat of x-rays. Dr. comes in and does the gum measure and spits out numbers so fast she sounded like an auctioneer. Then tells me that I have beginning stages of Periodontal disease and a "Deep Cleaning" is necessary. She continues that I am at rick of losing my teeth and shows me pictures of disgusting, neglected, advanced periodontal disease. I said "I'm not at that point" She said no, but if youdon't take care of this now you may be there soon. They also rec. an antibiotic treatment especially for gums. I ask when the reg. cleaning starts. The assistant stated, we can't do a reg. cleaning with the state that your teeth are in now. I'm dumbfounded. I am 37 and have had 1 cavity my whole life. 1 ! My teeth do get a little tarter on them in between cleanings, nothing beyond ave. . So in walks the finance woman and now throws the costs at me. I knew at that point that this was one big scam. I was fired up. They wanted $1800 for the deep cleaning and $180 for the antibiotic treatment. All not covered by my insurance. Financing was available for a monthly payment. I got up as she was talking and told her that I came here for a F'n reg. cleaning and you try to extort $2000 worth of BS work out of me? You wasted my time. I went to another dentist 3 weeks later and had a reg. cleaning and told them about my other experience. They had heard that happening there also and that I was no where near needing a "Deep Cleaning" of my pockets. This is a bunch of crap. How can this Dental Center still be in business? Man, I wish I had done some research online before I chose this for my DMO. I'm writing some of the local TV stations. This would be a great undercover sting!
I too have had a bad experience with Great Expressions. Unfortunately, my old dentist retired and Great Expressions took over his business in lilburn. I thought that their ethics were the same as Dr. Miller's but I was so so wrong. Right now I am battling a collection agency for a so called bill that I supposedly owe. My insurance paid $1300 and I paid $1000 out of my pocket. My last visit was in 08 and I paid everything that they said I owe. They noted is was for something called a "unspecified endode" on tooth #2, but that is the same tooth the root canal was done on, so what else was done to tooth #2. Right now no one seems to be able to tell me what this bill is for. I totally agree with one coment that this company is looking all for profit ... as much as they can get out of you. It is sad that you go to doctors for them to take care of you and they lie just to get more money out of you. I am not a trained dentist so I believed what they told me. I had the scaling/plaining thing done, paid for the antibiotic out of my pocket because they said it was not covered by insurance. I am so so discouraged and ticked off with this dentist.
Kennesaw - Cobb Town Center
The Great Expression dental facility I attended is believed to have over billed and is currently practicing a bate and switch tactic. I have Assurant dental insurance. I believe that the dental facility is charging fees based on a corporate strategy. Get as much out of the patient as you possibly can and obtain residual income. Every location has a goal and/or target to meet.
I was given a cost to fill 3 teeth at the cost of $900+ if I did not have insurance. However, “if I act today that cost would be $563 at a discount of 25% for this month special only". My wife was there the same day in another room getting the same deal at a similar rate, but different all together for the same work. The cost breakdown did not make any sense when I compared the two and have leaded us to believe that their practices is not ethical. I also, believe that the insurance carrier may have a hand in this type of practice, which would have the customer believe that the insurance is paying a portion, but they are actually not. Final billing did not make any sense, because they do not want you to understand.
On my second trip, I received a similar deal at the same 25% special discount for this month only speech. However, the final cost was substantially lower after I complained of the cost and accused the dental facility of over charging clients.
The level of work is substandard. I am going back to have my fillings re-evaluated due to a substantial amount of pain and sensitivity that I am experiencing. I am wondering if my teeth were cracked during the procedure. I am worse off now prior to me going.
I would like to pursue a class action suit against the corporate entity. If you are interested in becoming apart of the suit please email me at j.rosealnd@yahoo.com
I go to Great Expressions Orthodontic care in Roseville, Michigan. Today (Sep. '10) I had an appointment to get my braces colors changed. Simple right? I walk in and was greeted as usual and was called back to the back area. As Dr.Sierra Olds is taking out my wire, she said, "Did you know you had a loose bracket?" I answered no, stating none of my brackets were loose as of 30 minutes before, and I had eaten nothing. She took pliers and began pounding on my bracket to the point where my gum was bleeding. She accused me of not flossing because my gum was bleeding and then proceeded to tell me my bracket was bent in half, and that it slows treatment time having broken brackets. She said "I don't know how you do it, but you have managed to break 2 brackets" The first bracket I broke was never attached to my tooth, it was attached to my gum, and did not stick EVER and it came off in my sleep and I ate it. My orthodontist then lectured me about what I can and can't eat with braces (and their list is ridicules because I know for sure that a Frito will not break a bracket). Also, they forced me into having an expander and now I have an overbite on both sides so big that my teeth don't touch each other. Thanks Great Expressions for the added pain and more money out of my parent's wallets.
I had the same bad experience with you in Lilburn, will email j.rosealnd@yahoo.com to see how can I help or even be in apart of suit.
This is my experience with Great Expressions Orthodontic Care in Roseville, Michigan. I got caught in the old switch-a-roo! The original Ortho suddenly quit, Nicole Sierra Olds replaced her. Instantly, I knew this was bad news. Fast forward to the end of my treatment. I'm forced to sign a waiver, before they'll remove my braces. My teeth look terrible. I never missed an appointment, wore my elastics & brushed as instructed, & paid off the balance months before my treatment ended. I did exactly what I agreed to do prior to beginning treatment. Well, They totally screwed me! My teeth are crooked, my bite is open, and uneven. GREAT EXPRESSIONS ORTHODONTICS / NICOLE SIERRA OLDS DOES HORRIBLE WORK!
Worst dental company ever. They are a corporation that have DMO prejudices. They are even trained in the appointment setting center to only offer DMO patients certain appointments. These guys are scam artist and give the entire dental community a bad name.
I had a bad experience at Nanston in Decatur. They were charging my account for a procedure that I cancelled and refused to refund my money, when I called and tried to get answers I just got transferred back and forth to different voicemails and no one returned my calls. Nanston SUCKS I would not recommend anyone go there and I am unhappy with the procedures I did have done there.
I am very unhappy with this company. I had a horrible experience. Not only do they still money by recommending unneeded procedures they also still your money by lying in their billing department. My insurance statement says one thing and their bills say another. They also NEVER call you back. Told me they would call back in 10 minutes back in July and what 5 months later no one has yet to call. Don't worry though, I have called them plenty of times. Took YEARS to get some answers on this problem.
Thank you so much. I went for a consultation and the dental hygenist tried to stick me with a big bill. I started asking questions because I went based on a referral. I was told I needed other things. I was referred to one doctor, but when I went the doctor was no longer at that location. When I went due to pain from the crown put in, the doctor is no longer at the location. The dentist I saw today did stay in the room five minutes. This dental office is out for money. RIP OFF. Downtown Decatur Office.
Great Expressions in Jonesboro, GA is horrible. I west to get an exam and x-ray and was told I have 13 cavities...which cant be true...I believe its about money as well Dr. Smith didn't take time to exam my teeth well barley touched them and didn't refer to the x-ray at all...extremely disappoint about visit and money I LOST
Been a patient since 2013. Stupid, yeah, I know that now. Spent $14, 000 and mouth is in worse shape than before. Just found out from 2nd opinion Endo that I need 4 root canals that GE should have caught and treated before they cemented the bridges on. BTW, originally I did not need all this work. It seemed like every time after my appt, another new problem would develop. I am so confused. It's been 3 years and 3 dentists and they WON"T give me my records.
Is there a class action I could join? I'm in FL.
Beware! Beware! Took my daughter here to get her teeth clean and they stated she had 5 cavities and would need atleast 2 crowns. Took my daughter to another dentist for a second opinion and guess what, they stated all of her teeth were fine. Saved a lot of money getting a second opinion. Once I mention the name Great Expressions... The dentist immediately stated that they were know for giving false information.
I guess they needed to make their quota for the month... Stay away