Locust Family Dentistry — Local services in Locust

I can only review my experience of first time visit for a complete oral exam to include x-rays of all teeth and a dental plan with pricing. (This was for my Mom) Called, spoke with a very kind person, explained what I needed, (exam with complete x-rays and dental plan with pricing), was quoted $134.00 and that price included a 20% discount that DrZ gives to patients without insurance. Ok great, made appt for the next week, everything good! I filled out all necessary paperwork online that included all medical history and submitted that prior to appt. I took my Mom to appt, a scan of inside mom's mouth was done then I was asked to wait in waiting room while x-rays were done, afterwards I returned to the exam room. It wasn't long and DrZ came into the room and looked inside my mom's mouth for maybe 12 seconds and said he and his assistant would work up a treatment plan, ok great (I thought). Not to long later the assistant came in with an iPad type device quickly going over plans and said she'd make me copies to take home and look over but that I could go ahead and make the appointment to get a chipped tooth repaired and a cleaning for $580.00, I commented that my mom had just had a teeth cleaning a couple weeks ago, did she need another cleaning?? I was told, "oh, I didn't look at that"? I just said I'd look over treatment plan and call back next day. Go to checkout... Total for the exam and x-rays $283.20 (more than DOUBLE the $134.00 I was quoted), the assistant said that she didn't know why I was quoted that price, that in itself was totally not right, I was later told in a phone conversation with same assistant that I had been mistakenly quoted for a "limited exam" that's what happened. Ok, so how is that "my fault"?? She did apologize but still not sure how that is ok, I am told $134.00 before the appt, get charged $283.20 as I walk up to pay and leave!? For something that's not my fault but they apologize, that didn't help me pay my power bill for the month. Fast forward to getting home and looking over the plan(s), one plan total cost was $36,864.20, the other plan $55,196.60...flabbergasted doesn't even begin to explain my thoughts at that time. I email their office after I get home asking for the #3 option that DrZ had mentioned, a plan that would include "filling" the teeth that needed it. DrZ HAD mentioned this option before he left the room, he called it "patching" the teeth that needed it. I waited a few days, emailed again, nothing, so I called and was told they didn't receive my email (ok?, I resent it at that moment and it went through), I asked for the treatment plan #3 that had been mentioned because unfortunately I don't have $37,000/55,000. I was told I could bring my Mom back to the office (at no charge) and DrZ could look at my mom's teeth again and prepare the (fillings/patching) treatment plan, I was also told by the assistant that DrZ probably didn't prepare that treatment plan because it would be a "disservice" (her exact words) to my Mom to only "fill" her teeth because they already have several fillings. YES THEY DO, because she has a couple autoimmune diseases THAT CAUSE SMALL PIN HOLES TO GET IN HER TEETH DUE TO THE DRY MOUTH (NO SALIVA), that apparently no one there knows the procedure to deal with the problems caused by the autoimmune diseases, and no one cared to let me know (after reviewing submitted medical paperwork) that this was the case, that's all they had to do HOWEVER don't tell me what I do for MY MOM is a DISSERVICE, that my friend IS NOT for YOU to judge and I pray that you never have to deal with these things in your lifetime. *I didn't use the names of the assistants because they know...

I visited Locust Family Dentistry for a cleaning, and while the procedure itself was fine and the staff and dentist were polite, their lack of transparency and unethical billing practices turned this into an infuriating experience. During the cleaning, with a mouthful of tools, I overheard the dentist and his assistant discussing that I didn’t need a deep cleaning but required more than a standard one. This conversation wasn’t directed at me, and no one informed me that this “in-between” cleaning would result in an out-of-pocket charge not covered by my insurance. After the procedure, I was asked to sign an iPad acknowledgment for charges and future recommendations. The hygienist mentioned the cleaning cost $84.63, but I glossed over this, assuming it was covered by my insurance, which includes two cleanings per year. It wasn’t until I reached the front desk that I was told the $84.63 was my out-of-pocket cost. When I questioned this, noting that no one had explained the additional charge beforehand, the staff was dismissive, stating, “It don’t matter, you have to pay anyway.” I paid and stepped out to my car but decided I couldn’t let this go. I returned to address the issue, only to be met with sarcasm from the same staff member, who asked if $84 was worth making a fuss over. I made it clear that I could care less about the amount—whether $8 or $800. My issue was that they failed to inform me of the out-of-pocket cost before the work was done and had me sign an acknowledgment after the service, giving me no chance to approve or decline. Had they been upfront about the cost, I would’ve told them to go ahead, paid without issue, and likely returned for future visits. After a prolonged discussion with the front desk, the office manager and hygienist got involved. When they offered to get the dentist, I agreed. The dentist invited me to the back to discuss further but initially didn’t grasp my frustration, insisting what they did was in my “best interest.” I used an analogy: it’s like taking your car to a tire shop with free rotations included, and the shop noticing a tire about to blow, replacing it without your consent, and then billing you. You’d likely agree to the replacement if asked, but they can’t just do it without your knowledge or consent. During this conversation, the dentist asked the assistant if I had signed the agreement, and she admitted she had me sign it after the work was completed. The dentist offered to cover the $84.63 out of his own pocket to “make me feel better” and keep me as a customer. I told him it wasn’t about the money and that I wouldn’t be returning regardless of the refund. I reiterated that the issue was their shady business practice of not obtaining informed consent. They eventually refunded the $84.63, but the lack of transparency and poor handling of the situation was unacceptable. I canceled all future appointments and will find a new dentist. If you value clear communication and being informed about costs before services are performed, I strongly recommend...

Do NOT use this dentist! I cannot stress enough how terrible a dentist Dr. Tamaka Attaway is. My wife used this dentist once because she was on our insurance. Dr. Attaway took X-rays and filled a cavity in Nov. Immediately afterwards, my wife was having problems. My wife was having pain in the tooth over Thanksgiving, so she went back to Dr. Attaway and the dentist told her the pain was due to the filling and adjusted the bite (which should have been done better the first time). However, this was NOT the fix that was needed and my wife continued to have pain. The dentist told her to be patient and that the pain would go away. It did not.

While on Christmas vacation in PA, my wife had to go to the ER because the pain in her tooth had gotten unbearable. An infection had started at the site where the cavity was filled. She was put on percocet and penicillin. Four days later, still in pain and completely frustrated, my wife gave up and had the tooth pulled by a dentist in Maryland.

My wife thought that would be the end of the pain. However, she IS still experiencing pain in the site where the tooth was pulled and she will have to see another dentist to correct the problem.

I do not know if Dr. Attaway's filling directly caused the problem. I do know that Dr. Attaway took an X-ray and should have recognized the problem was more serious than a cavity. At the very least, Dr. Attaway should have done more to correct the problem on the second visit, when she merely tried to adjust the bite.

My family will NEVER go back to a Dest Family Dentistry practice. I will tell everyone I know, to include these reviews, reviews on facebook and in person, what a terrible practice this is. If you have to go to the dentist, make sure you pick a good one. You might get good service here, but why risk it? Go to a GOOD, ESTABLISHED practice with solid reviews.

If the Dest Family Dentistry of Locust has a problem with this review, I will gladly discuss the issue with them. They have my wife's...