Wildwood Dentists....Use with Caution

[Andrea3051]

Before you go, do your homework....I won't go into all the details because the reviews on Facebook spell things out so well. Please read those first since they really reflect how this practice is run and my experience. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving, everyone wanted a piece!

I don't want anyone to feel like I did, overwhelmed & pushed....staff is fine but u should understand all the procedures they will try and sell you regardless of necessity and don't rush into those decisions the same day, especially if its your first visit.

good luck out there!

location is on 44

[Babubhat]

I didn’t have a good experience there. Will never go back

[EdFNJ]

Before you go, do your homework....I won't go into all the details because the reviews on Facebook spell things out so well. Please read those first since they really reflect how this practice is run and my experience. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving, everyone wanted a piece!

I don't want anyone to feel like I did, overwhelmed & pushed....staff is fine but u should understand all the procedures they will try and sell you regardless of necessity and don't rush into those decisions the same day, especially if its your first visit.

good luck out there!

Sounds just like, but likely NOT WORSE THAN Aspen Dental. After you leave that place you wonder "how's YOUR Aspen." After being with the same local dentist for close to 40 years (when SHE first came out of dental school) moving down here has been a dental horror ..... My wife did finally found what seems like an honest dentist who is not a salesman on 466 (Howell Dental). Of course everyone's opinion may vary but he seems better than the other 2 we have tried.

[Babubhat]

Corporate locations have monetary quotas. Best to avoid them. Plenty of insider discussions on YouTube. They either produce or are gone. Much like car salesmen

[Andrea3051]

Sounds just like, but likely NOT WORSE THAN Aspen Dental. After you leave that place you wonder "how's YOUR Aspen." After being with the same local dentist for close to 40 years (when SHE first came out of dental school) moving down here has been a dental horror ..... My wife did finally found what seems like an honest dentist who is not a salesman on 466 (Howell Dental). Of course everyone's opinion may vary but he seems better than the other 2 we have tried.
yikes, i will avoid Aspen too, I think those corporate places operate the same. I really felt mugged afterwards, they kept sending in different people to try and get me to approve all the treatments they wanted me to do...I also had a long time dentist in a big city, never heard or was pushed into any of this but it was upsetting and had I not hit the brakes, I could have been left with lifelong issues from the work. I feel bad for anyone that doesn't escape and I almost gave in from being worn down. I did not even see the dentist that I booked with who is the owner. It was all very disappointing and now I know why they told me xrays and dr eval was free, it was to sell me treatments they propose to everyone right from the first visit, nothing is ever free without strings ;)

[Kenswing]

Is it the office on Main Street or Hwy 44?

[EdFNJ]

Corporate locations have monetary quotas. Best to avoid them. Plenty of insider discussions on YouTube. They either produce or are gone. Much like car salesmen Actually they are franchises from what I have been reading. Look up the owner of Assbeen Dental on 466 (unless it has changed in the last 2 years) on the State website you'd see some interesting stuff. Not sure if they are all owned around here by the same folks.

[Andrea3051]

Is it the office on Main Street or Hwy 44?
the one on 44

[Babubhat]

Watch teethtalkgirl on YouTube. Has information from the inside. Deep cleaning one of the greatest scams for most

[Andrea3051]

Watch teethtalkgirl on YouTube. Has information from the inside. Deep cleaning one of the greatest scams for most
omg, that's what they tried to sell me, the deep cleaning, after I came home and researched it, I could have been left with permanent harm due the risks never mentioned. they do it to everyone and these selling practices should be illegal, they try and scare you to buy in....ughh

[Topspinmo]

Well, I had to go through three dentists before I found one that didn’t up sell. They was in bubble. I had to get out of bubble to get honest care. I like how they push the deep cleaning right off. Which maybe required it you don’t have you’re teeth cleaned in years or regularly. In my case every 6 months. First two. said I needed deep cleaning which I knew was Bs. At my age I am lucky I’ve got 90% of my teeth. If I listened to first two they would of pulled them all and replaced them with 6K plus a tooth implant’s. Good luck on you’re quest to find good honest dentist.

[Laker14]

I have spoken with a few dentists and hygienists who have worked for the dental corporations, and have been told repeatedly that once the doctor does his/her exam and treatment planning, before it is presented to the patient, a "treatment coordinator " who is typically a high school graduate with no dental education, adds the treatments that the corporate bosses insist go on any treatment plan. These procedures have been carefully chosen as procedures that fall in the gaps of insurance coverages, so that insurance maximum fees are skirted. These procedures are, of course, high return procedures for the corporation.
I am a retired dentist myself, and for years I would see disgruntled patients from the corporation practices, and see their treatment plans, and as far as I could tell, they had very little to do with clinical findings.
Very often, in almost every case in fact, if there were a few fillings that needed to be done, because those were low profit items under the insurance plan, the corporate practice would refuse to do that work unless the entire treatment plan was approved and paid for in advance.

[Dotneko]

Sounds just like, but likely NOT WORSE THAN Aspen Dental. After you leave that place you wonder "how's YOUR Aspen." After being with the same local dentist for close to 40 years (when SHE first came out of dental school) moving down here has been a dental horror ..... My wife did finally found what seems like an honest dentist who is not a salesman on 466 (Howell Dental). Of course everyone's opinion may vary but he seems better than the other 2 we have tried.

Love Howell Dental!

[UpNorth]

Love Howell Dental!

Your chances are much better if you go outside the "bubble" and find a dental office that isn't a franchise, and doesn't advertise daily in the local paper. Went to 3 Village experiences before finding a good, honest operator about 15 miles away. I've had 45 years of experience in the dental industry and know all the tricks that unethical dentists can use to sell high profit treatments that may not be needed.

[AZ SLIM]

Your chances are much better if you go outside the "bubble" and find a dental office that isn't a franchise, and doesn't advertise daily in the local paper. Went to 3 Village experiences before finding a good, honest operator about 15 miles away. I've had 45 years of experience in the dental industry and know all the tricks that unethical dentists can use to sell high profit treatments that may not be needed.

What does "Outside the Bubble" mean?

[Riversong]

Well, I had to go through three dentists before I found one that didn’t up sell. They was in bubble. I had to get out of bubble to get honest care. I like how they push the deep cleaning right off. Which maybe required it you don’t have you’re teeth cleaned in years or regularly. In my case every 6 months. First two. said I needed deep cleaning which I knew was Bs. At my age I am lucky I’ve got 90% of my teeth. If I listened to first two they would of pulled them all and replaced them with 6K plus a tooth implant’s. Good luck on you’re quest to find good honest dentist.

Could you share the name of the dentist who does not upsell? Much appreciated.

[thevillages2013]

What does "Outside the Bubble" mean?

Outside The Villages or maybe “outside golf cart accessibility “ . TV is often referred to as The Bubble

[Topspinmo]

Could you share the name of the dentist who does not upsell? Much appreciated.

Not on open forum. Private email if want details.

[eeroger]

Could you share the name of the dentist who does not upsell? Much appreciated.

Serenity Dental Spa in Spanish Springs. Dr Luong is AWESOME! Have been going to her for 10 years. Because she is by herself, it could take awhile to get an apt.

[thevillages2013]

Before you go, do your homework....I won't go into all the details because the reviews on Facebook spell things out so well. Please read those first since they really reflect how this practice is run and my experience. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving, everyone wanted a piece!

I don't want anyone to feel like I did, overwhelmed & pushed....staff is fine but u should understand all the procedures they will try and sell you regardless of necessity and don't rush into those decisions the same day, especially if its your first visit.

good luck out there!

location is on 44
Well I still go there. I tried to leave them but everywhere I went they wanted to do a deep cleaning even though I haven’t missed a six month cleaning so I went back to Wildwood. They are a bit of a blank show as they will have two different “hygienists” one doing the cleaning and one the polishing and flossing. I have a small chip off one molar and every time the dentist wants to fix it and every time I say no. By the way x-rays all the time are another huge scam. I asked one time why all the x-rays. Answer “to find cavities between your teeth”. I asked how many times over my 50+ years of x-rays they have found a cavity between my teeth and the answer was “well never on these charts”. NEVER. The dentist did let me skip x-rays last time. I always tell them the only thing I really want you to do is clean my teeth!

[msilagy]

I knew a dentist personally from Aspen - they are paid commissions and have quotas........so the push is on!

[kendi]

Is it the office on Main Street or Hwy 44?

OP said 44 in her post.

[Kenswing]

OP said 44 in her post.

If you'll notice she edited her post after I asked that question. But thanks anyway.. :ohdear:

[WesMan]

My Son is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Since he works in an office and at a hospital he is required to handle emergencies on some weekends. He is often called to the hospital to work on people who had dental procedures in a corporate office by doctors who are not qualified to do certain procedures, these people often end up in the emergency room with problems that my son must fix due to prior work done by an unqualified Surgeon. Beware of what the doctor’s training is and specialty is!!! Also be certain to know if your doctor has coverage at nights and weekends!!!

[Andrea3051]

My Son is an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. Since he works in an office and at a hospital he is required to handle emergencies on some weekends. He is often called to the hospital to work on people who had dental procedures in a corporate office by doctors who are not qualified to do certain procedures, these people often end up in the emergency room with problems that my son must fix due to prior work done by an unqualified Surgeon. Beware of what the doctor’s training is and specialty is!!! Also be certain to know if your doctor has coverage at nights and weekends!!!
thanks for sharing this, after I digested everything that went down that day, my biggest fear was that I let them do all that work and end up at the ER with lifelong issues, as they are not the ones impacted. I was very shaken by the whole experience, the multiple rounds of people coming in to push me and my delicate health issues they did not bother to read all the forms I completed. this should really be illegal to do to people because I barely got out and how many don't? I never even got my cleaning since they only wanted to do the "deep clean" as they pitch to everyone.....this is so unfortunate for anyone looking for dental care.

[Jerry Leinsing]

I didn’t have a good experience there. Will never go backDr Eddie Orobitg Lee St Leesburg. With him 6 years. Mary Lou is office. Great.

[Proveone]

Before you go, do your homework....I won't go into all the details because the reviews on Facebook spell things out so well. Please read those first since they really reflect how this practice is run and my experience. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving, everyone wanted a piece!

I don't want anyone to feel like I did, overwhelmed & pushed....staff is fine but u should understand all the procedures they will try and sell you regardless of necessity and don't rush into those decisions the same day, especially if its your first visit.

good luck out there!

location is on 44
If you are talking about the Syrian dentist on RT. 301 in Wildwood, I agree. Stay away! He is just looking for ways to make money. I went once and that's all it took. His nationality has nothing to do with my opinion.

[rde3036]

I've used Palm Ridge Dental for 8 years. Have never had any problems. Dr. Jabber is great!

[chenault55]

Not within the confines of the Villages.

[Pres1939]

I have had excellent experiences at Aspen Dental. I have no idea why yours was not.

Sounds just like, but likely NOT WORSE THAN Aspen Dental. After you leave that place you wonder "how's YOUR Aspen." After being with the same local dentist for close to 40 years (when SHE first came out of dental school) moving down here has been a dental horror ..... My wife did finally found what seems like an honest dentist who is not a salesman on 466 (Howell Dental). Of course everyone's opinion may vary but he seems better than the other 2 we have tried.

[Carla B]

There are a few good ones in The Villages. Here's two examples, Palm Ridge Dental and Kelly McKnight. We've seen Dr. McKnight for 13 years and she has never tried to sell anything, except to encourage my husband to pull a diseased tooth. He finally agreed when it started hurting.

[Michaellinda]

It maybe our zip code? I just moved into town and had my first dental appointment. I felt the same way.

I felt that once they looked into my mouth and saw a few crowns and an implant, they saw dollar signs. It seemed like they saw the dental work and thought this guy cares about taking care of his mouth and we will make him out gravy train.

They had the nerve to tell me I needed to have my top four front teeth ground and capped.

Mind you, I have not missed an annual dental appointment when that was the norm or a semi annual appointment when it became the norm.

Obviously I politely told them I would like to speak with my NY dentist before moving forward. He told me very bluntly that they are wrong and find a new dentist ASAP.

Ps. I had zero cavities. 😂

Anyone have a non shyster dentist kindly share their name.

Thanks!

[Primera199]

They x-rayed my teeth and wanted to x-ray them again in 2 months I said no. Another time they told me I had a cracked tooth and wanted to extract right away. I said no and walked out never to return. They are not professional they act like their in dental school
I now go to Village Dental and absolutely love Dr Hall

[Ken & Patsy Tapp]

What does "Outside the Bubble" mean?

Not located in ‘The Villages’

[Worldseries27]

yikes, i will avoid aspen too, i think those corporate places operate the same. I really felt mugged afterwards, they kept sending in different people to try and get me to approve all the treatments they wanted me to do...i also had a long time dentist in a big city, never heard or was pushed into any of this but it was upsetting and had i not hit the brakes, i could have been left with lifelong issues from the work. I feel bad for anyone that doesn't escape and i almost gave in from being worn down. I did not even see the dentist that i booked with who is the owner. It was all very disappointing and now i know why they told me xrays and dr eval was free, it was to sell me treatments they propose to everyone right from the first visit, nothing is ever free without strings ;)
roger that. Former customer

[saratogaman]

Heritage Dental, near the RaceTrac gas station, is our choice. Been with them for years, competent, caring, no up-selling. 352.750.4111. They process insurance claims for you.

[Sandy and Ed]

I have had excellent experiences at Aspen Dental. I have no idea why yours was not.
How many experiences did you have with them? How long have you lived here? Just wondering

[arlenewinters]

I had the same horrible experience. I only went one time and never went back.

[WindyCityzen]

Before I moved I asked my lifelong dental practice (2 docs over the years) how to find a good honest dentist down here. He suggested to find someone who got his/her training from the same post-graduate institute. I went on his institute’s website and found a DDS a bit south of Ocala, but after phone interviews I was more comfortable with someone in Winter Park. That’s where I’ve gone and I’ve been very pleased. I go to Costco nearby too! Lol. I’ve never heard a good thing about chain dentists.

[Goinghiway]

Best service I’ve had in years!!! I recommend them to all. Costs up front, fast service, and asked Me when I wanted to come back, not pushing the fact that my insurance paid for 4 cleanings a year…. I was very impressed

[ThirdOfFive]

Before you go, do your homework....I won't go into all the details because the reviews on Facebook spell things out so well. Please read those first since they really reflect how this practice is run and my experience. I felt like a turkey on Thanksgiving, everyone wanted a piece!

I don't want anyone to feel like I did, overwhelmed & pushed....staff is fine but u should understand all the procedures they will try and sell you regardless of necessity and don't rush into those decisions the same day, especially if its your first visit.

good luck out there!

location is on 44
I can't say enough good things about Marion Dental Group. They have (I believe) two clinics. The one I go to is on U.S. 441 just a few blocks from where it intersects Buenos Aires Avenue. My first visit was about seven months ago. Had a chipped tooth and saw Dr. Ha (who has since moved on). I fully expected a crown, but she looked at it and said she could fill it, which she did. I scheduled an exam and cleaning with her which took place about two weeks later. Full X-rays, the works. Cleaning by Kerry, the dental hygienist, VERY personable and thorough. The exam revealed no problems with the exception of thinning enamel on a couple of front teeth, and a recommendation to use a toothbrush with softer bristles.

My second visit was last week. Routine exam and cleaning, again no problems noted. I asked about one tooth which is shifting position, as to whether or not it should be pulled. The answer: "as long as it isn't causing you problems, leave it in".

Absolutely no attempt at upselling, even though two golden opportunities were there.

[frank1975]

Outside of the villages

[cathiehines]

What does "Outside the Bubble" mean?

What dentist do you use?

[kendi]

If you'll notice she edited her post after I asked that question. But thanks anyway.. :ohdear:

You’re welcome🙂

[bxmt54]

I felt like I had been scammed after an appointment for me and my husband at the new dental office in Brownwood. Went back to our old dentist for a 2nd opinion and hardly any of the work he said had to be done (including a root canal and implant) needed to be done.
I became concerned when I had to make a deposit before I left for both of us. I will say, on their behalf, they were good about issuing a refund.

[ithos]

I have had regular checkups and cleanings with Wildwood Dentists for at least three years and have been satisfied. The dentists and hygienists were always professional and never felt pressured for any major dental work. My insurance covered most of the costs except for a crown. They do seem to have a high turnover rate for their dentists though.

As far as high pressure tactics, no place compares to the dentists on 301. I went their once for a cleaning and before I left, they had recommended at least $8000 worth of dental work.

[EdFNJ]

I have had excellent experiences at Aspen Dental. I have no idea why yours was not. Well, since you asked: You couldn't possibly have any idea why my experience was not like yours simply BECAUSE you are not me. Had you been me you would have understood why MY experience was not the same as yours. .Maybe you were better looking than me and they were nicer to you? Or maybe they didn't charge you for work they didn't do and you didn't have to fight for 4 months to get a refund? Or maybe WHAT they charged you was OK with you? Or maybe they didn't do work that wasn't necessary for you? Or maybe they didn't glue in a crown crooked for you that eventually fell out and cost you another $800 (somewhere else)? Their reputation precedes them. I should have read the REVIEWS BEFORE I accepted their "dental plan." I'd rather go to McDonalds and have dental work done by a burger flipper then back there. I must give them one positive comment though ..... the office on 466 has very nice furniture, which I probably paid for at least a couple of their nice chairs.

[EdFNJ]

As far as high pressure tactics, no place compares to the dentists on 301. I went their once for a cleaning and before I left, they had recommended at least $8000 worth of dental work. LOL, check out ASPEN Dental, I'm sure they will give the 301 dentists a run for their "recommended dental plans." :D

[Babubhat]

They insisted on full mouth x-rays even though I only needed a crown to be glued back on. They made everything too complicated and I went elsewhere. A dental visit should not be like purchasing a car

[Pommom91]

Don’t go there! My brother was left with facial nerve damage after the extraction of 4 front teeth. They should have sent him to an oral surgeon!

[RaoQui22]

I need a referral for a good dentist. I don’t mind driving 50 miles away. Thanks for your reply.

[dadspet]

I've been using Dr Forest Jerkins in Fruitland Park for a few years based on previous recommendations from TalkoftheVIllages and am pleased. There have been no up sales at all and I should mention I've had no real issues.

I've also been to Palm Ridge dental and found them very good but they don't submit to insurance (but provide necessary paper for you to ) and seem a bit expensive. My wife still goes to them. No up sales and real good recommendations to specialist if you need a root canal for example.

[Babubhat]

Always be wary of corporate chains. They have financial quotas to meet

[bimmertl]

I need a referral for a good dentist. I don’t mind driving 50 miles away. Thanks for your reply.

Marion Dental on 441 directly across from Cracker Barrel.

Mentioned in prior post on this thread. Excellent practice and don't overcharge or oversell.

[Michigan1]

Just wish we would have had this info a few years ago before Aspen butchered my wife mouth, in short if your thinking or anyone is, please Goggle Aspen Dental Law suits. Then go to a real Dentist!

[Number 10 GI]

The wife and I use The Dental Touch in Leesburg and have been pleased with the service and the staff. Biggest thing for me is they have female dentists. I have a small mouth and when a 6' 2" former college football lineman dentist sticks his sausage fingers in there it is painful. The women dentists have smaller hands/fingers and are more gentle doing the work.

Stay away from the dentist on 301 in Wildwood. I had part of a tooth break off and there wasn't enough left to accept a crown. Unfortunately there was a tooth missing next to that one so a bridge was the solution to fill the gap. They set me up an appointment to have the broken tooth pulled and to prep for a bridge. The dentist said it would be best for me to do everything at one time. I was told it would be a 2 1/2 hour procedure. After thinking about it I called back and told them that there was no way I could set there for that amount of time with my mouth open. The person on the phone said that it would be better to do it all at one time and I said NO, my way or no way. She kept trying to convince me to let them do it their way and I told her to forget about that I would find another dentist and hung up. About 20 minutes later she called back and said they would do it my way.
A few days later I go to the appointment and as I'm being prepped for the tooth extraction the dental assistant said they were going to do the extraction and prepare for the bridge. I told her that I thought that we had worked out an agreement that I would only do the extraction and would come back later for bridge prep. They must work from a script because she started with argument that it would be best to do all of it at one time. I got up, walked to the front and demanded to speak to the manager. She came back at me with the same BS about doing it all at once. I told her I had spoken to someone in the clinic about this and was told that they would only do the extraction. She started getting haughty with me asking who I talked with and I said I didn't remember the name. She inferred that I was lying. We got into a very heated argument about the lack of communication within their staff and told I her that it looked like a leadership problem. That didn't set very well with her and I really didn't give rat's butt. When I left there were a few people in the waiting room filling out new patient applications and I know they heard our conversation, so I told them they really needed to think about another dentist.

[TedfromGA]

We used to go to Wildwood Dental - I agree with some of the previous comments. We switched to Trailwinds Dental on Seven Mile Dr in the retail shops containing First Watch and Circle K along 466a. We've been very pleased with the treatment at Trailwinds.

[davem4616]

we've used a dentist outside the bubble for 5 years...he just retired, a new dentist took over his practice

I just had a cleaning...as I was leaving they said, next visit you'll have x-rays

I said, I'll pass on that

I was told that under Florida State Law I have to have x-rays once a year or the dentist can't see me?

I've been in Florida since 2008, never heard this one before

anyone know if this is actually true

[davefin]

My patience with Wildwood Dental is also coming to an end. Several procedures had to be done twice due to issues with first procedure. Not pleased at all!

[rde3036]

I've used Palm Ridge Dental for 8 years. Have never had any problems. Dr. Jabber is great!

Another thumbs for Dr. Jabber!! I've been a patient for 10 years and have never had a problem!

[RobO178]

We're moving from NJ to to our new home in TV next month and need to find all new doctors. This forum has been very helpful, thanks for all the great comments.