[downsouth95]

Moved here several months ago. Made an appmt with a dentist that had a couple of good recent reviews (less than a year old). Very nice front desk staff. The hygienist was so rough I couldn't believe it. I have never been manhandled (okay woman handled so badly). This was just during the x-rays. She even closed my mouth on my tongue so it had a huge blood blister - I didn't know at the time I just told her I thought I was bleeding but she ignored me. The cleaning wasn't anymore pleasant. She did the probe thing to check the pockets of the gums etc without any help. Looking at her screen where she was entering them they were all 6,7,8 when I am use to the hygienist reading it to another assistant, and it is usually 1,2,3 and 4s. I thought maybe they have a different numbering system.

Afterwards she tells me I have periodontal disease, the roots of my teeth are deteriorating and that I need to have a deep cleaning, and that it can be painful so they need to numb me for it. They will also inject antibiotics into the gums. After this I would have to go back every three months for regular cleaning until the gums and teeth heal. I was shocked ... I hadn't been to a dentist for cleaning in a year due to the move and other things, but have always been pretty good with upkeep. The dentist himself looked briefly at my mouth xrays and concurred with her.

They gave me an estimate after calling my insurance company - I would have to pay over $850. for the anitibiotics on the initial visit as my insurance doesn't pay for that, and I would only have to pay $80 for the deep cleaning. We didn't get into how much it would cost to go back every 3 months for cleaning.

My gut told me something was wrong. Did a search on TOTV and see that this hygienist was mentioned previously in an old post about being rough. The dentist did not get good reviews several years ago. So I researched periodontists and went to one in Ocala, the only one who is board certified there. They did a very thorough exam, looked at the xrays and concluded that although they would love me as a patient that there is nothing they can do for me, my gums and teeth are healthy. That cost me $175.

So just a warning, if it doesn't feel right, get a 2nd opinion.

I will not post the name of the dental group, but if you wish to PM me I will let you know. I feel very sorry for all the patients that were coming and going out of that place.

p.s. thank you to the poster who posted reviews about her periodontist Dr. Leah Strange in Ocala. She and her staff are wonderful. She directed me to another dentist that they work with here the villages - hope that they take my insurance.