Coast Dental Gainesville

I have been very happy with Coast Dental but they have been handicapped by my Medicare Advantage Plan carriers, WellCare for 2 years and now Humana. WellCare would not pay for any crown and Humana would not pay for the buildup for a crown. Humana left me with $427 to pay. I have no job and so I could not get financial help. I also have poor credit.

I received the worst service you could even imagine. They were rude and tried to over charge me. They don't care about people just the money.

If it were possible I would leave -stars, my daughter went for a cleaning, she has good insurance covers normal cleaning, she has never had a cavity or toothache she takes great care and never misses dental appointments. We went to coast dental for convience. What a mistake!!! I was warned to be careful. They are notorious for up charging. They had her in the chair, checked for dental cancer in a 20 yrz old an absolutely needless procedure $70 , told her she had gingivitis severe and would need treatment. She was terrified that something would happen, they made her feel it was imperative..what a miserable bunch of people should be ashamed of themselves. What began as a simple cleaning and checkup covered by insurance ended up $330.00 not covered by our insurance. Absolutely furious. Am going to warn everyone and post on every media. I told them what I would do and they said go for it...SO BEWARE OF THE OUTRAGEOUS RACKET THEY PULL. THIS IS A COLLEGE TOWN WITH STUDENTS WHO HAVE VERY LITTLE EXPERIENCE DEALING WITH THESE TYPE OF SCAMS. IWOULD NOT RECOMMEND THEM.

I called and made an appointment because this office was listed as a provider on my insurance provider's website. When I arrived to my appointment I was not greeted when I walked in the door. No one said anything to me although there were at least three staff memebers in the reception area. I said I was there for the first time. I was given paperwork to fill out that included information about my employment and income as well as several release forms including one to check my credit. This seemed very unusual to me and I let them know at the desk that I didn't feel comfortable filling it out and would leave that information blank. I was informed that it was because some people needed additional work that was not covered by insurance. I replied that I was just getting a cleaning and that I knew my insurance covered that. I was very rudely told (by "Serena") that I was not getting my teeth cleaned but was there only for an exam and xrays. I explained that I have had xrays within the past year and I wasn't sure I would want to expose myself to more radiation. I was (again, very rudely) told that I would not be seen without xrays. I explained to Serena (who never introduced herself, I asked her name on the way out) that I am moving out of state in two weeks and I’d really like to get my teeth cleaned before I do this. I said that it would have been very nice to know about this policy when I made my appointment as I would have either had my xrays sent over or, if that was not acceptable to Coast Dental I would not have made an appointment. I was told that I had been informed of this when I called, although I was not as I would not have made the appointment. I asked Serena if there was some way to work this out, perhaps having my xray sent over and being assured an appointment for cleaning before I leave and she refused to work with me. She explained that many measurements must be taken before they would know “what kind” of cleaning to give me and that they would have to use xrays from their office. At this point, with the offensive demeanor of Serena combined with her inability to work with a potential client/patient I felt uncomfortable proceeding with the appointment. I apologized and left. It made me feel very sad for people who feel this is their only option for dental services. Most dentists will provide cleaning, exam and xrays in one visit. I am lucky that I can go elsewhere but for those who cannot I feel this establishment is a rip off taking advantage of lower income patients, the disadvantaged, elderly or under educated. I would advise against using this establishment. I did try to call the company, Coast Dental, and left a message regarding my concerns with a “patient advocate” but my call was never returned. Look around for a second opinion, you don’t have to settle for this low of a practice.

I have ever been a patient of Coast Dental. (2501), Gainesville. Address 5021 Nw 34th St., Gainesville, FL 32605. It was my first visit to the facility; also it was my last visit. I must point out it was worst and most terrible experience in my life.



On Sep. 4, 2007 (Monday), I called this clinic for root canal, I report my necessary information, the receptionist, a lady, said she would call me back tomorrow (Tuesday) for a appointment.

No any response till Wednesday afternoon, I called the lady again Wednesda, she said she would give me call on next Monday (Sep. 10, 2007), but I never got a call from her on Monday.



First visit on Sep. 10, 2007, I did not get her call till 12:00 on Monday. So I have to drive to the clinic in person. She scheduled an appointment for next day (Tuesday).



Second visit on Sep. 12, 2007, I was there on time. But one and half hour later, I was called coming in, and presented my X-ray from my previous dentist. A young lady looked at my tooth and my X-ray; she said I need to do root canal for my tooth. That was all they did for that day. From my next visit, I knew the young lady is a nurse. The receptionist scheduled me an appointment on Sep. 22, 2007 (Saturday)



Third visit on Sep. 22, 2007, when I got there, I was told the Dentist could not come because he was working at another facility. The receptionst scheduled me another appointment for next Saturday (Sep. 29, 2007). Before I left the clinic, I asked Heather to make sure no change for my next appointment. The receptionist was very sure and confirmed no any changes for my next appointment.



Forth visit on Sep. 29, 2007, when I got the clinic on time, same problem happened again, the dentist could not come, and I was not given the same reason, the doctor was working at another facility, he could not come. I felt so angry and upset for the terrible service. Heather Schedule me another appointment again for next Saturday (Oct. 6, 2007),



Fifth visit on Oct. 6, 2007, I got there on time at 9:00am, and the clinic entrance door was locked. I was going to leave after waiting 30 minutes. A person (An employee working at this facility) asked me to wait a few minutes. The person with key was on the way to this clinic facility. I do not know how far the person with key from was. I waited outside of the facility for total one hour 20 minutes. Finally the person came and opened the door. Meanwhile several patients were waiting outside, after the door opened, all the patients were asked to remain stay outside for another 15 minutes before dentists and nurse’s preparation was ready. 20 minutes later, patients came in the clinic. After a dentist examined my tooth, the dentist said he can not do root canal for me because my tooth is bad, he can not take any risks. So I have to go to visit other dental clinic and it was done in 30 minutes in one appointment.



That was my long dental trip and so bad experience. I visit the facility five times; they did nothing for me besides I lost several weekends in month. The most inconceivable is that they sent me a bill statement recent days. And they continue to send me bill for the charge. They charge me $11.00 for X-ray. I declare hereby they did not take any X-ray for me during my five visits. The x-ray was from my previous dentist. $11.00 is nothing for me, but it is not reasonable. I did not complain for their bad service and ask compensation for my many time transportation cost and weekend time, I really do not understand why they could send me a bill statement several months later for no service