I went to Dr. Becker's Dental Specialty Group in Avon to have a consultation for a dental implant. I had two other dental implants within the last year. Having had such great results with dental implants, when my small bridge covering a missing tooth broke, I made the decision to replace the missing tooth with an implant (they are expensive, but worth it) The missing tooth is visible when I smile, I was looking for a place I could go to get the implant quickly and have a flipper to cover the missing spot while the implant took. My previous center couldn't get it done quickly enough so I checked out Clear Choice Dental in Avon, I could get a temporary and the implant quickly, but the price is about $2000 higher. While deciding whether to wait or pay $2000 extra because I couldn't, I saw a television ad for the Dental Specialty Group in Avon. I made a call to the center and they had an opening at the end of the week. I arrived for my 3:45 appointment. I approached the desk and was greated by a woman who proceeded to hand me paperwork saying ""We're going to ask you to sign away your life""... I guess that joke should have prepared me for what was next. I waited almost an hour after my appointment time to be called to the back. The assistanct asked some questions about the specifics of why I was there (consultation for an implant) and informed me she was going to take an x ray. Okay, I've had several dental x rays this year for the other two implants through the year and then the evaluation earlier in the month and a full ct scan at Clear Choice Dental just a few weeks prior. At this point I'm worried about the number of x rays and wonder out loud if waiting for the x rays I have to be sent to Dr. Becker, might be a better choice. The assistant leaves and another assisant comes in. She tells me she heard I am concerned about the x ray and assures me I get more radiation exposure for 15 minutes in the sun than from the x ray. I agree to go forward with the new x ray. The x ray turns out to be a full mouth scan - as the machine rotates around my head - I realize I have not been given ANY protection from the radiation. There was no lead apron and no thyroid protection.I mention this to her on the way out of the x ray. When I return to my seat the second assistant comes back in saying ""I hear you had some concerns about the x ray"" I tell her ""Yes, I was concerned about it - but now that it's done I'm over it"" Here's where it gets really interesting. She tells me ""Well, we're NOT over it. We do what we do because we love it. Some of us have been here 10 years. We are a tight knit group. We can choose who we want, and we don't want to work with people who don't trust us and question us. When you questioned her, you upset her. She was shaking. You are the last patient of the day, and we can choose not to take you"" I explained there must be a misunderstanding, I was aphrehensive about the additional exposure but did go through with it on their advice. The x ray was complete.... She interupts ""We've talked to the doctor, it's the end of the day and we (the assistants) can choose who we want, and we don't want you."" So, here's my advice. If you don't mind waiting around for him to get to you, and you behave like a sheep assuming everything they do must be correct because they like each other so much,your experience may be better than mine. I assume he can successfully do dental implants. If you expect the staff and your doctor to act in a professional manner, you may find yourself as disgusted as I. Also, don't make your appointment late in the day. You may end up being the last patient and they may just want to get out of there. The commericals may have increased the volume of patients - but people's experiences with this group will ultimately decide, in the long run, if Dr. Becker's office continues to be filled with people or ends up needing to place more tv commericals to make up for bad experiences from consumers.
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