Gateway Community Health Center - South Clinic — Local services in Laredo

Short version:

⭐☆☆☆☆ Worst dental experience I’ve ever had. No one answers the phone, check-in took over an hour even with no line, and the staff was unprofessional and unwelcoming. The dental assistants struggled with basic tasks, were rude, and left me mid-procedure. The dentist was difficult to understand, no one introduced themselves, and I even overheard staff talking negatively in Spanish. Completely disorganized, disrespectful, and not a place I’d ever return to.

Long version:

⭐☆☆☆☆ Worst dental experience I’ve ever had.

Calling this place is a complete joke—no one ever picks up the phone, so forget about confirming appointments. You just have to hope you got the right info when scheduling in person.

Check-in took over an hour, even though I was the only patient at the desk with three receptionists sitting there. When I was finally sent to the dental area, it felt unwelcoming and empty, with patients looking miserable and staff energy matching that same level of care.

The dental assistants were unprofessional and unprepared. One asked if I preferred English or Spanish, I said English, yet she continued speaking only Spanish. She struggled so much with basic tasks (like putting on a lead vest) that I had to do it myself. She repeated every X-ray, mishandled the machine, and left me alone mid-process. A second assistant stepped in, but instead of being helpful, she was short and unpleasant, as if I was inconveniencing her.

When the dentist (Dr. Javier A. Velez Betancourt) finally arrived, communication was just as frustrating—I had to ask him to repeat everything because he was difficult to hear and understand. For the record, I just had a normal audiogram, so it wasn’t my hearing. No one introduced themselves, no one explained what was happening, and when they were done, they literally just disappeared. I had to ask if I was finished, only to overhear staff talking negatively in Spanish before telling me, “You can go, you’re done.”

Overall, this was by far the worst dental experience I’ve ever had. From the front desk to the dentist, the service was unprofessional, disorganized, and disrespectful. I wouldn’t recommend Gateway Community Health Center – South...

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