[Denbal82]

My health insurance changed this year and my prior dentist didn't take my new health insurance so I had to find a new dentist.

Let me start off by saying i take GREAT care with my teeth and have been to dentists every 6 months religiously for the past 60 years. All my previous dentists say I have good teeth and it shows that I take good care of them. On my last visit 6 months ago, my dentist said everything looked good.

It was a task finding a new dentist but I came across a new dental office called 352 DENTIST opening up so I inquired about it and they did accept my insurance. I also told them that I have secondary insurance and they told me that they do not send in secondary insurance and that I would have to submit that on my own (1st red flag).

Prior to my first appointment I had forwarded my x-rays from my previous dentist (taken 6 months ago) to them. At my appointment, 352 DENTIST said they were too small to view and forced me to take new x-rays. I told them can't you just enlarge them? They said they rather take new ones (my 2nd red flag).

Then during my appointment, they showed me my panoramic view of my teeth from my forwarded x-rays in full size and I told them why did you make me get new x-rays when then panoramic set was good? They said they figured it out on how to enlarge them... REALLY ! I call that a money grab.

I was met by a female staff person or assistant ? not sure who she was because she never introduced herself. She visually examined inside my mouth and said I have very good teeth and she said someone will be with you shortly.

I'm hearing a person working on someone else's teeth from the next room while I'm waiting for over 30 minutes in my room. They booked two appointments at the SAME TIME. (3rd red flag)

The dentist, Dr. Julia German came in the room, looked at my x-rays and told me I have 40% bone loss and two cavities. She then went on saying that I would have to get "deep cleaning" from now on AND that I would have to come every 3 months. I told her that all my pervious dentists never said anything close to this and you're also telling me that I "acquired" two new cavities within the last six months when I only had two cavities my whole life? She said yes. (4th red flag)

I then asked her if she can put my "newly" health condition in writing so I can get a second opinion? She said she would. Also, Dr German said that every patient has to get a mandatory cancer screening which insurance doesn't cover and would have to be paid out of pocket of $24.00 (5th red flag). I then asked her if she can just give me a regular cleaning since I was here already? she said NO ! and then she made the reference, "that's like needing heart surgery and but just asking for medication instead."

As it turns out, Dr Julia German never gave me notes or a report in writing on her "new" findings (final red flag). What a scam this place is. When I find a new dentist, I will confirm what she told me and if it's not true, I will be contacting the American Dental Association to investigate this office and her practice. What a total waste of time for me.
Does anyone have a good dentist that takes Florida Blue Medicare ?

[retiredguy123]

I was shocked when I heard their radio commercial that doesn't even mention the name of the dentist. Really?

[asianthree]

Had the Same Issue with Sage Dental. My out of pocket $6850, should be $13985 but gave me a deal. I asked why my insurance wasn’t covering, response out of $13985 they only coved $55, hardly worth them doing paperwork.

I left called my second opinion Lifetime Dentistry (352)350-6104. Staff and Dr Altoos are professional, have a great sense of humor. Like my small home town dentistry. It’s a one dentist office no chain. I didn’t have the 3 cavities, the 3 crowns didn’t need to be replaced, but two different crowns actually one a hole, other a fracture.

My Delta isn’t great, but so far my out of pocket has been less than $1000 for 2 crowns, 2 cleaning and X-rays.

It’s a great practice that I will keep lifelong even if my insurance changes.

Give them a call they are in Lady Lake near BJs area. Worth the drive. Call the staff they are honest only provide care you need, great employees.

[Denbal82]

YES, I came from Lifetime Dental and I liked them. But unfortunately, they were the ones that don't take my new insurance.

[CarlR33]

Well, that is a kick in the teeth experience. I never thought there would come a day when dentists would become money grabbers until I went to one of those chain advertised dental offices a few years ago. Imagine being a new dentist wanting to help people and hooking up with one of these companies only to be told in the back room that you need to get more $$ out of your patients, here is how you do this.

[MrFlorida]

Sorry to say, most dentists here are like that.. Let us know when you find a good , honest dentist.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

Sorry to say, most dentists here are like that.. Let us know when you find a good , honest dentist.

Dr. Chris Lunsford in Leesburg.

[Denbal82]

Thank you, I'll check him out.

[Rainger99]

What is it about the dentists in the Villages that so many of them require extra services that are not covered?

Did anyone have this experience before moving to the Villages?

[UpNorth]

Money-grabbing operation for sure. "Deep cleaning" (SRP) is a huge profit center that can easily be faked to show that you need it. If you went to a trusted dentist that you've used in the past, it's almost certain that they will say you don't need it. The name of the dentist mentioned seems very similar to another opportunistic dentist that heavily advertises here in The Villages.

[Denbal82]

Back in Ohio, dentists were a dime a dozen and you had so many to choose from that took your insurance. They were mostly private practices also.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by CarlR33

Well, that is a kick in the teeth experience. I never thought there would come a day when dentists would become money grabbers until I went to one of those chain advertised dental offices a few years ago. Imagine being a new dentist wanting to help people and hooking up with one of these companies only to be told in the back room that you need to get more $$ out of your patients, here is how you do this.

Sad that so many dentists have become dishonest

[charlie1]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

What is it about the dentists in the Villages that so many of them require extra services that are not covered?

Did anyone have this experience before moving to the Villages?

When we lived in St Augustine, many people complained about corporate owned or affiliated dental offices. Not only the cost but the extensive treatment plans. I am sure there are private practice dentist that are as bad but you have a better odds of getting a good dentist!

[jerrywalsh]

Originally Posted by Denbal82

My health insurance changed this year and my prior dentist didn't take my new health insurance so I had to find a new dentist.

Let me start off by saying i take GREAT care with my teeth and have been to dentists every 6 months religiously for the past 60 years. All my previous dentists say I have good teeth and it shows that I take good care of them. On my last visit 6 months ago, my dentist said everything looked good.

It was a task finding a new dentist but I came across a new dental office called 352 DENTIST opening up so I inquired about it and they did accept my insurance. I also told them that I have secondary insurance and they told me that they do not send in secondary insurance and that I would have to submit that on my own (1st red flag).

Prior to my first appointment I had forwarded my x-rays from my previous dentist (taken 6 months ago) to them. At my appointment, 352 DENTIST said they were too small to view and forced me to take new x-rays. I told them can't you just enlarge them? They said they rather take new ones (my 2nd red flag).

Then during my appointment, they showed me my panoramic view of my teeth from my forwarded x-rays in full size and I told them why did you make me get new x-rays when then panoramic set was good? They said they figured it out on how to enlarge them... REALLY ! I call that a money grab.

I was met by a female staff person or assistant ? not sure who she was because she never introduced herself. She visually examined inside my mouth and said I have very good teeth and she said someone will be with you shortly.

I'm hearing a person working on someone else's teeth from the next room while I'm waiting for over 30 minutes in my room. They booked two appointments at the SAME TIME. (3rd red flag)

The dentist, Dr. Julia German came in the room, looked at my x-rays and told me I have 40% bone loss and two cavities. She then went on saying that I would have to get "deep cleaning" from now on AND that I would have to come every 3 months. I told her that all my pervious dentists never said anything close to this and you're also telling me that I "acquired" two new cavities within the last six months when I only had two cavities my whole life? She said yes. (4th red flag)

I then asked her if she can put my "newly" health condition in writing so I can get a second opinion? She said she would. Also, Dr German said that every patient has to get a mandatory cancer screening which insurance doesn't cover and would have to be paid out of pocket of $24.00 (5th red flag). I then asked her if she can just give me a regular cleaning since I was here already? she said NO ! and then she made the reference, "that's like needing heart surgery and but just asking for medication instead."

As it turns out, Dr Julia German never gave me notes or a report in writing on her "new" findings (final red flag). What a scam this place is. When I find a new dentist, I will confirm what she told me and if it's not true, I will be contacting the American Dental Association to investigate this office and her practice. What a total waste of time for me.
Does anyone have a good dentist that takes Florida Blue Medicare ?

Thanks for the information. I am in the same boat looking for a dentist. I had a horrible experience at Lake Miona Dental and am still looking.