BEWARE of the UPSELL\r
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(Based on contemporaneous notes)\r
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Temporarily without dental insurance but in need of cleaning, I utilized a coupon for first-time patients which offered cleaning, bite wing x-rays and exam for total of $100. Boulos Dental's desk rep Lynn confirmed the arrangement when I arrived, and hygienist Marla said she knew I had no dental insurance.\r
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Despite that, while taking gum measurements early in appointment, Marla said I had 4- and 5-millimeter gaps and that scaling was necessary. She said this without undergoing further tests, stating other symptoms or discussing it with dentist Boulos.\r
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Notably, Marla said I would NEED to return to the office for the scaling; she did not offer it as an option and said nothing about additional costs. Absent that, I asked her about costs and she said Lynn would go over that before I left. I said I wanted only the regular cleaning, as scheduled, but Marla replied she might not have enough time because of lunch. Eventually, Marla invited Lynn into the room for further explanation.\r
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I told Lynn I had two concerns: that I might not need the procedure since my teeth are well-maintained and my gums are pink and rarely bleed. My second, larger concern was that Marla said hastily that I needed the scaling without seeking my approval or discussing costs - and did so while clearly aware that I had no dental insurance. Adding to my consternation, Lynn told me, when asked, that the procedure could cost as much as $1000.\r
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I said again that I wanted only the regular cleaning, and agreed to sign a ""refusal of service"" form. When Boulos arrived, he said my signature was required to protect him in case of a negative outcome and he supported Marla's claim that scaling was necessary. At one point, while I wrote notes, Boulos said, ""What are you writing on your paper?"" - a strange question with no apparent purpose.\r
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I was also told that x-rays revealed a cavity. Marla said I would get a treatment plan but I didn't, so I called later that afternoon and asked Lynn to mail me one. I received a statement several days later, and it offered an estimate for the scaling that I chose not to do. The cost: $660 total, or $220 for each of three quadrants that the clinic said was necessary without discussing costs until I asked.\r
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Most disturbing of all, on the bottom of the form was a handwritten note that read, ""We would prefer that you would find a new provider for your dental needs."" They said this well-aware that I behaved respectfully from start to finish and never raised my voice.\r
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While I wasn't going to return anyway, Boulos Dental's completely unjustified rejection of my service stunned me. Upon reflection, however, it shouldn't have. Their written dismissal of me was merely the last of a series of jarringly unprofessional actions.
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