Glacier Family Dental — Local services in Great Falls

I’m sharing my experience to help others avoid a costly mess. This dentist doesn’t make your teeth or care a top priority and aren’t very professional with the way they handle things.

In September I went in because my teeth were shifting while I was pregnant. They took an x ray and said I have a very small and minor cavity. I was shocked because I hadn’t felt pain in that tooth. We scheduled to get it filled - big mistake. During the filling he slipped and dropped a tool in my mouth - luckily it had hit a back tooth and didn’t hit the back of my throat. Immediately after the filling I had a lot of tooth pain but they insisted on a few days for my tooth to adjust. After a few days I went in and the dentist insisted it was my bite. It didn’t improve. So I went in about three times and they kept adjusting my bite. I was tired of going in so I just stopped chewing on that side of the mouth because they had no resolution and kept saying it was strange my tooth was acting like it had a crack in it. I had a cleaning scheduled early May and told them that I still had the same tooth pain. This time the dentist shaved down teeth that didn’t even touch the tooth that hurt! My actual tooth, not the filling! He insisted it would help with the pain. so weird because I had never had it before without my bite needing to be adjusted. I still had tooth pain after so they suggested taking the filling out and redoing it. That happened last week and now my tooth is in MORE pain. I called them to let them know and they told me that at this point a crown would probably be needed but I can seek a second opinion. They told me that I would be financially responsible for the crown which is $500 after insurance. I told them that I didn’t think I should be since I never had the pain prior to dr. Heap doing the filling. The receptions said “that’s life, sometimes you have to pay medical bills.” I agree with paying medical bills but I don’t agree with this situation as I feel it was dr. Heaps fault for the tooth pain. They then said “it’s a risk you take when you get a filling.” Had they warned me about the risk prior to the filling, I would have left it alone since I had 0 pain in it.

It is so sad the way they handled this situation especially to military family members. I highly discourage anyone to use this dentist for any...

I had a terrible dental experience about 10 years ago, and ever since then i have a true phobia. I hadn’t been in about 4 years and knew I needed to. First off the office staff in the front are so friendly and kind and right on top of everything. Found out I was going to have to have 5 fillings and the receptionist sat down with me and printed out my insurance’s Policy and what they would pay and What i would because I had asked so a I would know about how much it would be. The dental technicians we’re great I had to come in one day and get x-rays and then measure my gum depth and then a cleaning the next day. I can honestly say that was the best most gentle cleaning i have ever had, never so much as grazed my gums once. Then I went today to have my first filling. I have never had a filling done without laughing gas and they don’t offer it, so they told me they could do light sedation in pill form I would be conscious But relaxed. I have trouble with meds taking a long time to work on me and these did, and they kept waiting even though i know it was holding then dentist up to give the meds more time so i would be as comfortable as possible. I told them just to go ahead and I can honestly say i never felt them numb me (first Time I have never felt that) he was in an out and done in about 30 mins. The entire staff including the dentist are so nice. This may be one of the friendliest dentists i’ve ever been to and i’ve been to quite a few being military and moving around like we do. So 1,000% say to choose Glacier Dental for all your...

I became a client of this dental practice when Chet Heap sold his practice to these people. I was in the process of getting implants in my upper right jaw. I needed a crown placed on the bottom which was done by this man before the implants were placed. I chose a different dentist for the implants because the crown didn't feel right from the beginning. This is/was obviously part of the problem, he was angry he wasn't going to get the "implant money". When the implants were placed, the crown started to cause me pain. It makes sense, it was placed before the implants so it didn't fit right into the bite. The dentist who placed the implants adjusted the crown but not sufficiently. I returned to Glacier Family Dental to have further adjustments. Glacier Family Dental charged for the adjustment to the tune of close to 100 dollars. When I called to question the charge, the dentist was rude, demeaning and dismissive. He said, "so in your mind, it's the crown that's the problem" and YES, in my mind and 2 other dentists agreed, it was his crown. It's the wrong color, has never sat right, it doesn't meet my gum, I can feel the ridge and it took several more adjustments to make it work. This man and his wife are not experienced and when questioned they become ugly with their responses. I wouldn't let this guy clean my cat's teeth. If it all goes well, you're good, if not...