Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics — Local services in Town of Riverhead

I will preface this by saying for regular cleanings/visits we have not had any prior issues. The hygienists are very nice, super good with children. My child had a cavity to be filled. We scheduled the appointment at the cleaning. No information was brought forth about the process of the filling, at the cleaning.

We show up for the filling and the dentist and other staff present highly push “laughing gas” to help relax the child (multiple times, after I initially declined). They never disclose any extra upcharge (finding out now, practically - no insurances cover it). It was my child’s first cavity/filling and the staff showed little to no compassion. They seemed irritated that she was in panic and nervous. So, we did the gas, the gas didn’t even work - the entire process was and my child was so anxious start to finish.

When the filling was complete, upon exiting I was about to leave and was stopped by staff and told I owe $60. The extra pricing was never disclosed. It was not disclosed the day of, or at ANY other point. When I explain to the office manager she explains that her staff is trained to explain pricing at the regular cleaning, but they most definitely did not. In my opinion, and in good practice, staff would disclose it at the time of administration as well.

When I explained my frustration and told her that it was bad practice she was unapologetic and had the audacity to say “most people know their insurance, what is covered and what’s not,” … I mentioned earlier I was in healthcare and would not manipulate customers and not disclose pricing. She proceeds to say “you work in healthcare, I mean you ESPECIALLY should know” (referring to what my dental plan covers and what it doesn’t) with a smug attitude, which was WILDLY unprofessional.

Moral of the story, I would not recommend. Although, the hygienists are great with children and it is a good place for the littles to get cleanings, it is not worth the aggravation and stress if your child ends up needed a little more care. That said, we will be finding new dental care for all...

HORIBLE OFFICE!! SHOULD NOT SUPPORT CHILDREN!! My son had an emergency dental appointment at 11:30am (mind you I called Tuesday and the earliest they would give him is Friday). I, mom, also had an emergency dental appointment that I cut short so that my son could have his work done over mine. My son had not slept in days due to a cavity that the office was already aware of. When leaving my appointment, we were 9 minutes late and gave notification that this would be the case. The office said ok. Then, the office called me as I was pulling into the parking lot (11:39am) to tell me they would NOT see my son due to the doctor having a meeting. They offered a second time, that as a single working mom, I could not rearrange my schedule for the 3rd time. I told the office this, they said they could not help my son. I then hung up and still tried to make arrangements. I did so and called the office back to hear a message that the office was ON THEIR LUNCH BREAK!!! The doctor DID NOT HAVE A MEETING, HE HAD TO EAT HIS LUNCH! I leave a message that we will be there at 2pm. The office calls me back 20 times, while I am in my rescheduled meeting, to tell me they will no longer see my son and the slot had been filled. ABSORD! Because there is no way you gave that slot aware within the 10 minutes before lunch and your lunch break. Now my son is here with 4 sleepless nights and continues to be in pain, over 9 minutes....Never bring your child to this office!!!! We are changing to another doctor that will hopefully help my son who cries in pain.

This does not pertain to the wonderful dental hygienists at this office. My son is sad he will not see her again because she was great. Sadly the front desk scheduling and the lack of compassion from the doctor to treat my son...

I don't know what we would have done without Dr. C and the amazing staff of both the Wading River and Port Jeff offices. My daughter has been a patient of what used to be their Riverhead office. We received notice that the Riverhead office would be splitting from the other two and under new ownership through Sunny Smiles 4 Kids Pediatric Dentistry. We were also reassured everything (with exception of seeing Dr. C) would remain the same. Little did I know what a false statement that would turn out to be. Dr. Dimitrios who we had seen before and who had taken over the practice came in one day, cancelled all the patients the following day and NEVER came back. He abandoned all of his patients and SOLD us to another orthodontist! May not seem like a big deal to some, I have even had it said to me at least there is another dentist/orthodontist there. Well for a child who has fears of the dentist to begin with and grown to be comfortable with a practice that is not so easy. So here we are left with no return calls, no answers, and they continued to pull the monthly payment for her braces out of the account. ONE phone call to the Port Jefferson office of Suffolk Pediatric Dentistry and we were told they are aware of a situation and would honor any of the original patients, their original contracts, and get us in ASAP. Let me tell you, they did just that! Dr. C and staff care about the patients, not the money, not the numbers, but the child that sits in that chair and puts his or her health in their hands. Thank you a million times...