Aspen Dental on 441
 

Attention Everyone:

I have a story to tell:

Two weeks ago I went to Aspen Dental on 441 for the free xrays and exam advertised in the Daily Sun. After having the panoramic view of many xrays the Dental Hygenist came in with an assistant. She then instructed her to mark every tooth of mine with weird numbers on a piece of paper. After this was done, the Dentist came in and looked at the paper and showed me the paper with many red marks on it. Then he told me I had gum disease. I couldn't believe it because I didn't have any problems. Then, I was instructed to go into the next room to see the financial person. I went in and sat down and she proceeded to tell me it was going to cost $2100. This would include 2 visits of opening my gums and putting antibiotics in them. She asked if I had any insurance and I told her I didn't. Then she offered me a $300 coupon and also asked me if I used a regular toothbrush or automatic one. I told her I use a regular toothbrush and then she told me they would throw in an automatic toothbrush for nothing and that would take the cost down to a mere $1700. Then she said if I wanted to I could pay $100 a month unless I didn't have good credit. I told her I had excellent credit but that wasn't the problem. I told her I have always kept up with my dentist appointments on a regular basis and couldn't believe my dentist wouldn't have seen this. She said that happens sometimes.

I left the office realizing I would get a second opinion. And that is what I did.

I went to a dentist here in the Villages today and didn't say a word about my previous visit to Aspen. I had xrays and an exam all over again. And guess what? The dentist looked at my xrays and my teeth and said right away hat I have beautiful teeth and she can tell I take very good care of my teeth and my gums. And, the dentist noticed a drill had been left in one of my teeth. I told it was left in there by mistake by a previous dentist years ago when he performed a root canal. Aspen didn't even mention that.

My advise to everyone is don't go to Aspen Dental unless you want to get ripped off.

My wife and I went thru the same and refused their services. We flew back to NJ to our old dentist and got our teeth cleaned and serviced without all the major repairs that Aspen claimed we had.
Now we just keep getting a bill notice for the xrays that were supposed to be free.
Would you mind Pm to me the name of your new dentist. We can't fly back to jersey everytime .

I went to Palm Ridge Dental on county road 101 across from Crispers and was very happy. They are probably one of the most reasonable in the Villages.

Good luck.

Wow, what a story. How can they do that?

this should be reported....gn

I have not visited Aspen as I had similar event in Ohio at Aspen. I have found Modern Dentistry, in Colonial to the left of Publix, to be very good and am very pleased. I'm not sure of the rundown of insurance companies they are affiliated with however.

Wow, that's unreal - thanks for posting the nfo!:BigApplause:

I would recommend that anyone who has had an experience like this contact the Florida Board of Dentistry and file a complaint.
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/dentistry/

Advertising as they did sounds a bit like a "bait and switch".....years ago Sears had that held againest them in a law-suit. As someone else said here...I would report them. There is also an entity (can't remember the name now) here in TV.....something about "senior crime" or some such thing. I think what happened to you is highly unethical.

The same thing happened to my wife and me at Exceptional Dentistry in La Plaza Grande Shopping Center. We have been going to the same dentist regularly for well over 20 years, before moving here. The people at ED told us that we needed somewhere in the neighborhood of $9000 work between us. We went back for the cleaning, but I'm pretty sure they won't be seeing us any more.

Mike & Nancy,

Boy, talk about scams. I would bet this is routine. Try to get you signed up before leaving to think it over. That kind of pressure sales I've seen from previous post here dealing with Air Conditioning, Lawns, and Plumbing. Scamming someone with healthy teeth and mouth, I find that pretty low. Probably would have created problems and more cost had they the chance to go through with it.

When you get that gut feeling that something is wrong, or a little doubt sets in - that's usually a very good indication that you should not, at this time anyway, agree to committing yourself. Sleeping on it and deferring your decision would be the wisest choice.

It's a shame the additional cost to you, (having the second honest dental office repeat the procedures). I'm happy to see you had the good sense and ratiocination to say things were not right with Aspen. Thanks for the posting.

:clap2:

A drill was left in your teeth by a previous dentist years ago???? WOW that is BIZARRE!!!!

Opening your gums and inserting antibiotics? I have never heard of that.

I agree with Brostholder, go back to his link and report this person. His license should be suspended.

I am suspicious of FREE anything....except for buy one can of peas and get one free.

This is all too similar to another complaint posted on Complaints Board.

Aspen Dental has a very bad track record.

I find it interesting that at the above mentioned site, there are tons of complaints about this company. Allie from Aspen Dental also posts apologies to each complain. She has done so 202 times at this site.

Similar experience
 

I went to Colony Modern Denistry and got the same song and dance but mine was for 15000. I am a faithful dentist goer. I then went to Magnolia dentistry and am in the process of getting some legitimate dental repairs done but they indicated their fees would be going up after the introductory period. I need to look into palm ridge.:swear::swear:

Aspen Dental
 

I too had a bad experience with Aspen Dental on 441. They insisted on doing a debridement of my gums before they would do the routine cleaning I had gone in for. Fortunately the treatment was much cheaper than the $2100 the original poster was quoted. I did have insurance and had the procedure done. When I went for my cleaning I told them specifically I did not want the flouride treatment. I heard the asst tell the dentist I refused the flouride treatment yet I was billed for it. They also did other incorrect billings. When I calledabout the bill, the person who answered the phone could not discuss the billings intelligently. I wrote a letter to the manager and finally had the billings corrected. Prior to my first visit I had filled out and dropped off the needed paperwork and had my dentist from Delaware send my x-rays. They lost the paperwork and denied ever receiving the x-rays so insisted on doing their own. I no longer go there. I see a Dr. Jerkins in Fruitland Park. I have only been there twice but have been happy so far. This dentist was recommended to me. I got the x-rays from Aspen and took them to him. Aspen charged me $10 for the x-rays which were a simple computer printout. Unfortunately, under Florida law there is no limit on how much a dentist can charge for the records - although they do regulate what physicians can charge.

I am also going to call Senior vs Crime in the Villages Tuesday and make a complaint.

When I moved to the Villages my cousin who lives here recommended a dentist in Leesburg who he was seeing. However that dentist sold his practice to Dr. Brignal. The reason I went there was because my insurance was honored in his office. In any case we go there quarterly for tooth cleaning. I do have periodontal disease and have had it for at least 10 years. I was recommended a treatment of crowns and the cost was over $2,000. However there was absolutely no pressure in getting this done and I'm sure that the treatment was needed. I decided not to get it at this time.
Just wanted to add another dental story. Thank God I didn't go to another ripoff dentist.

John

I meant to say file instead of drill...sorry

Thank you for the info
Doris

Wow..We had a similar experience with Aspen Dental. We only live here parttime. My wife found a spot at the base of one of her teeth last month. We don't have a dentist here, so we called our insurance company and Aspen was on our plan...Delta Dental.

My wife went in. They REQUIRED a full set of X-Rays..stuff she's never had done at home. When the "dentist" came in, he said she needed crowns and wanted to start immediately. When my wife asked him about the spot that brought her in, he said, "oh, that's nothing." He never even looked at it until she said something. So, she insisted she get her X-Rays and go. It was nothing but an upgrade sell. And when she got home and asked our dentist, he said there is no way she needs a crown and he couldn't believe all the X-Rays.

Aspen is a ripper, in my opinion. I would never go to them for anything. It appeared to me that they would sell you anything for any or no reason. I wrote a letter to the insurance company with my complaints. And then Aspen sent us a bill for $100. Sheesh. Robbery.

This is EXACTLY what happened to my husband and I! After they took a full set of xrays and we were each examined by a different dentist, we were BOTH TOLD THE SAME THING...we BOTH needed a "deep cleaning"! Well, what's that?! Then we were ushered into the financial office and told our part of the bill would be $2300. And that was WITH insurance! Long story short, we got a second opinion and are now going to a different dentist and no "deep cleaning" was ever necessary. Sheeeezzzzz! :ohdear:

Looking for a dentist. Any comments about Marion Dental off of 441/27? Thanks

Re: Marion Dental: Have used this dental office for several years with extensive necessary dental work. They were first recommended by a periodontal dentist and friend. I've never had a reason to question any of there work, prices or ethects.

My husband & I use Marion Dental (Dr. Hope) and have for several years now. We are very pleased with their facility & services. We really like Dr Hope.

I go to Serenity Dentistry Spa in the Spanish Spring. Great care and awesome atmosphere.

Doglover, i just happened to be walking by Serenity yesterday and stopped in and chatted with Connie, the office gal. I was wondering if anyone on TOTV had used them.....seemed like a WONDERFUL place to go to. (Even though I HATE the dentist) How has your experience been as far as pricing? We don't have dental ins.

prices are comparable to other offices in the area. They eased my dentalphobia.

I had the same problem told me all my teeth had to be pulled on the bottom they are all caps and I only wanted to have new upper denture made. so I went for a month until they were finish they didn't fit my mouth I had trouble eating and they just didnt look right in my mouth...So they said they would try again to please me I started all over again on my third visit she alled me in the office and told me that they didn't order the teeth so she said she would give me my money back that I had already paid to aspen they cleared my credit card and I am getting back 175 dollars that I had paid them..They overbook and you have to sit in the office for hours they are a big rib off.Now I have to look for another dentist to have new uppers made I have no idea where to go....

I had an accident and fell in the street and smashed in my face and front teeth which included 2 front teeth crowns. Visited about 10 dentists in the Villages area and was told I needed a bridge as there was nothing left to crown. Not having insurance I considered just looking like a "redneck" and now know why the T.V. interviews Florida people who look like that. Instead of usually laughing at their appearance I now know they simply cannot afford to get new teeth. I ended up in Eustice/Leesburg seeing Dr.Brignol
who was very nice and affordable. No complaints - just a long ride but worth it. J.T.

The SAME exact Aspen dental office in Mt.Dora happened to me and my husband!!! I'm still paying for the 2400. bill a yr later !!:rant-rave:

Wow! Some story. Iam still seeing my dentist up north and sounds like that is a pretty good decision.

It is. I have lots of snowbirds&snowflakes who schedule just before they leave for the warmer climes and schedule for just after they return to Michigan. Any major work gets done over the summer, but we get them (or they find) a dentist in the sun for any emergencies. I take primary lead usually and we work together to care for our mutual patient. I'm already feeling guilty for the time when I come down to TV to stay.

Good dentists are seeking the welfare of their patients first and foremost.
I advise my patients to seek a 2nd opinion if they have any concerns. We try to educate people so they really understand the what, why and how.

Unfortunately too many folks are dollar driven. A previous post listed an upper denture at $175 and I can tell you that at that cost the case couldn't be anything but a poorly fitting, poor appearing and non-functional piece of plastic. If it's a good case, no one should be able to tell. :spoken:

I know I had the same problem with the,,,Went to Carolina like them much better.....

Ok. I'll bite (pun intended). Who is the new DDS? Name? I am sick at the thought of seeing a new dentist. Like so many others,I have had nightmareish visits complete with a slap in the face as a child.
I am above board and will not tolerate mean people. Please let us know who the new doc is. Many thanks and best of luck. I DO have the gum disease and thats a fact.

my session at aspen dental on 09/2012
 

My visit to Aspen Dental was because of my insurance SAFEGUARD BY MET LIFE, you can a plan online for 59.00 and its is active on the 1st , so no waiting.
I went to the office during the middle of the month and i had to wait for the 1st but they did the 1st visit and xrays for free and said second meeting i would submit my insurance.
This is going above and beyond and i thank them for this. the first session and xrays and visit with the dentist, was not rushing and took their time and explained everything, I walked out feeling like i was given alot for nothing and i was like wow!
The nurses there are extremely beautiful and some even single, :) and they all cared and took the time to talk.
The thing that impressed me the most is no one just walks by you without saying hi or how are you today. this is GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!
and even more, they make you feel like family, and no i dont work there, lol.

One bad thing i noticed was the wait time for everyone is really long sometimes and people seem to be getting upset, just dont go there on fridays lol.
but people need to understand that when u get good work and good customer service, it sometimes comes with wait times, and i think we would all trade that for some wait time. i know i was fine with it.

I went with the upper tier of dentures, full set, and the difference of the good ones and cheap ones are big. so it is worth making a few more payments to get something nice, so go with the hot mold not the cold mold pour. the med tier ones are ok too.
If your short of cash they have care credit from GE and offer 18 months no % or longer for interest, the good tier dentures have a low % and the cheap ones are very high in % dont know why but that is true. so beware.
You can apply online or let the office mgr do it.
the best dentures are about 1700 up and 1700 low and if ur retired and other factors u can get 25% off.
If u got insurance then its less of course.
I had alot of teeth pulled and full dentures for 2,425 total. beat that!!!!
yes these are the ones that look like real teeth, even better than real teeth.
except the bad part of having dentures, im 47 and when i started i felt like 65 but after all that i felt younger.
my teeth were never that good, not even when i had braces as a teen.
now if i can learn how to chew and eat, lol u have to learn how to eat again, hard to get used to.
I had alot of teeth extracted and the dentist David Price, was the best dentist ive ever seen, he takes the time to care and make sure your comfortable, i can not even begin to tell you how above and beyond this guy is, i was amazed, compare to the other doctors ive encounered thru the years. the other oral surgeon there is really good too and he is little more forceful but good. and like i said the nurses were great! not good, GREAT!
Did i mention my surgery was from 4pm to 9pm? yup and i was so tired i was shaking, but the doctor was worn out and the nurse was even more tired, and they stayed and made sure i was ok and could drive and walked me to the door,shook my hand, and you could tell really cares for his patients.
anytime a doctor and a nurse stays 4 or 5 hours longer than they suppossed to, you just got to say thankyou, for caring. and being precise and thurough.
my teeth were brittle and were hard to pull and they stayed there thru it all and made sure i was well medicated and comfortable as possible, under the circumstances.
The only thing i can say bad is that the dentist is he forgot or overlooked the mg strength of my script which resulted in me having to call after hours.
on a weekend.
and one more issue make sure you get the right price in writing. sometimes they mix up insurance with discount cards, which the office manager straighened out on her own.
so when you get your detailed printout, have it brokedn down for each charge and have the office manager look it over and you as well.
like i said they straightened it out and got it right, and then some.
in other words got a fair price.
now it is possible other aspen dentals might be not up to par , since they are all over usa, but this office is one of the best, if not the best. and compared to other dentists in marion county and leesburg area this one is a no brainer, and make sure you got the time to do your session, give your self the morning or afternoon off. if possible. PERFECTION IS NOT RUSHED! and i use this motto in my own office in orange california and in florida, for MGM MANAGEMENT, we do music signings and bookings and concerts and clubs, we manage and permote and becoming a label as well very soon.
In closing, i liked this office and that is alot to say when i cant stand going to the dentist.
:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot: :posting::MOJE_whot::ho::ho: