Aspen Dental
Reviews and Complaints

On the 23rd of November 2012 I purchased a full set of Dentures from Aspen Dental for $2, 300.00. Since then I have been back to them 4 times because the bottoms DON'T FIT. Each time they filed them down, the last time I went 2 weeks ago I was told that my jaw bone structure had deteareated and the only solution was to have 4 posts put in at $2, 190.00. NOW-----heres the problem, I am 67 and on Social Security at the sum of $730.00 a month. Sounds as though someone (DENTIST) dropped the ball. He couildn't te4 months ago I had this problem, or the first time I went back or the 2nd or 3rd time...Come on now. He is supposed to be the Expert. Now I'm in debt for $2, 300.00 for something I Can't use. They as much told me not to come back, that there was nothing they could do unless I want to pay to have post put in...For Gods sake, I'm still paying and will for the next several years. Why do I have to suffer for their screwup? Seems to me they should be willing to compensate me for something I CAN'T USE. Will be looking to you for some kind of advice or action.

Sincerely,

Cary Brown

On 3/22/13 I called aspen dental in chelmsford ma for the ad they had that said free exam, xray and consultation. I asked if I would be charged for the any of the service or anything she said no. So I made an appfor the same day at 1pm when I got there I asked again and the receptionist sain no again and even before I went in I asked again she said no again. After I got the xrays and consultation I spoke to the manager kerri she confirmed that there were no charges. A week later I get a $68.75 bill after the manager kerri lied to my face. After being there for 3 hours I dont recommend aspen dental to anyone they lie and cheat everyone

Terrible service very slow and packed in office not kid friendly and rude staff...our insurance allows one free cleaning and x rays every six months and they sent us a bill for X-rays after my insurance sent me a copy of visit breakdown and showed they had paid for everything I called them and even though they eventually fixed the charge it took hours and several calls to make it happen

New to the area, I chose to go to Aspen Dental because I could not find any other providers that accepted my insurance. Aside from the fact that they seem to be all about the money, rcommending procedures that are not necessary, I received the worst teeth cleaning of my entire life. The dental hygenist spent a maximum of 5 minutes with me. She quickly went over all of my teeth with the polish and then flossed only half of my teeth. She did a terrible job of cleaning my teeth and completely missed my lower left teeth when she flossed. I can actually see spots on my teeth where she didn't clean them. As for my husband, they recommended a complete scraping and planing of his teeth, which costs well over $1, 000 above what our insurance covers. When we told them we can't afford that procedure, they said they would not perform a regular cleaning because that would be a disservice to him. They would rather let him go without any type of dental care. That seems like a bigger disservice to me.

i had a tooth filled with 2 hrs it fell out they fixed it again.. fell out again then went to a new location with appt made by the company they gave me my cash back and fixed it yet again and not the tooth is all breaking up yet again... I called yet again they concord office said too bad we gave you your money back even tho they fixed it 2 times since they did that again for free! then I said im going to sue you if you dont fix it for good she said ill tell the district manager they call back they offered me 100 visa gift card to go to a dentist I want to get it fixed.. I said that sint enough to fix your problem you caused I have yet to hear back from them today!

This is by far the most awful company I have ever had to deal with! I went to the dentist in September 2012, for a cleaning and a check up. I had one small cavity and came back to have it filled the next week. I have Delta Dental insurance and I paid my portion up front that day. I talked with them about a month later to make sure I had no bills and they confirmed I did not. Then in Feb (5 MONTHS LATER) I got a check from them for 30.00 saying there was a credit on my account. So I cashed the check. Then, yesterday, Feb 25th, I received a statement bill in the mail dated for 2/19/13 for 50.00. I called Aspen Dental questioning as to why I got a credit a month ago and now they want me to pay them. The woman was not helpful and couldn't give me a reason other than maybe my insurance didn't come through until now (we are at about 6 months later). So I was getting nowhere with this woman, so I said bye. THEN TODAY I get a call from Aspen Dental again saying if I don't pay this 50.00 bill now that they were sending me to collections! This was THE FIRST BILL I have ever received from them and the due date on it was 3/4/13. So unbelievable. I told her the situation and she stated she would let corporate know. Like that will do any good! Needless to say, I paid the bill over the phone and I will never be seeing or speaking to this awful company again.

Long story short, do not go to this awful company! They are commercialized and don't care at all about their customers.

And my visit there was nothing special. Rude workers, rude dentist, just a horrible place. Don't go.

I went to Aspen Dental because I had a toothache and they are the only dentist in my driving area that accepts Cigna HMO. They filled 7 of my teeth. I agreed to the horrible price they were charging me over and above the insurance because I thought it had to be lower than no insurance at all. After the work was finished my teeth hurt me horribly. After 2 months, I made a follow up appointment with them and they told me to use Sensodyne toothpaste and it was my fault because I had so many cavities. I walked out and never returned. Recently (about 4 months post Aspen Dental work) I changed my dental insurance and went to a different dentist to find out why my teeth are still hurting. The new dentist took a full set of XRays. The reason my teeth are still hurting is because Aspen dental put a filling on top of a cavity. In addition to this, they filled two teeth and the filling material is not sealed to the tooth, and there are holes along the edge open to the nerve. All three teeth need to be re-done. And all they told me was to use Sensodyne.

If I was not so busy, I would sue them. Shoddy shoddy work. Do not spend your hard earned money with them.

I went on November to have some dental work done because I was in a lot of pain. I rad under the impression that they had a payment plan and come to find out you had to apply for a credit card. What a great payment plan! So I just decided to use a credit card that I already had it had a much lower interest rate and didn't have strut stupid pen notably fees. So any way I needed four teeth filled which one still hurts and three extracted where I had done somewhere else. Than come to Find out the partials that they made from the impression of my teeth hade to be done before the extraction. Surprise they did not fit because my mouth was so swollen when they did them . I was told by the dentist to bring them and have the oral surgeon put them in right after my extraction there got he informed me that they were to big he couldn't get then to fit properly . I said ok took them home and had an appointment at noon time the next day maybe the cloud get them to fit. The dentist assistant tried for 45 min I was on excruciating pain at this point and told her I had enough they just don't fit properly. Them she proceeded to go get a dentist George tried to file them down some more which I told her they don't fit. Her reaction was having a conversation about lunch with another employee. Then she asked me when I had the molds made I said November . She's said oh well you are still very swollen take them home keep trying them make an app for Tuesday and we will go from there and went to lunch! Meanwhile I was extremely up set because I haven't been able to eat for a few days she didn't seem to care . So when I approached the check out desk I let the girl there know I was very unhappy with the service I just got her response was we can make you am app for later today but we close get lunch from 1 to 2 pm. I was steaming at this point made am app for Tuesday and walked out! Tuesday came I drove all the way there which I live a half hour away I told her the same dentist that they still do not fit. Do she said we will have to make new impressions but I have toile another app for that ya wast response I don't live close by and do you knot how hard it is to find a sitter and I have to keep missing work . Every time I come here it seem like a waste. However I went back again toile the impressions where I wated 45 min. Past my app for a 10om thing I was not happy again I let them know. The dental ### told me they would be ready after two on Tuesday made the app for Tuesday at 3:30 because they would be ready by 2:00. Monday came they called to conferm my app I sad ok I will be there. Tuesday comes I show up to find out my app was canceled on the dentures are not ready. They tried to say that I canceled the app I loudly said if I canceled it would I be here then. I am so pissed off at this point I asked when will they be ready she said Friday I said what she said that there are more high priority cases that need to be done first. Oh really I said some one will know about the terrible service I recorded throughout this ordel I will pick them up in mon and find somewhere else to go
At

I called Aspen Dental in Bradenton FL 1/24 in the evening to get an appoint for my husband who had a severe toothache. We got the appointment for the next morn at 8am and were told to come in early to fill out forms. We arrived at 738am, no one addressed us until 810am when a lady said she didn't know where the reception was but she would try to help. The office mgr ended up helping and approximate 825am took my husband back. We were told my husband would be examined, I asked if they would take care of the problem today to get rid of the pain, the office mgr said IF they had time to they would but depending on what the problem was they might not have time. I told the mgr I would call another dentist that could relieve the pain if they couldn't. At approximately 9am my husband and I met with the office mgr and were told my husband MIGHT need a root canal then the office mgr went on to talk about my husband has peridontal disease and needed treatments for it. I told him we were aware and our PA Dentist was addressing this and asked what was going to be done TODAY to addresss his pain. The office mgr said it would take a specialist to address the need or not for the root canal and Aspen Dental endodondist would be in FEBRUARY 14th! Unbelievable, stay in pain until February 14th. Needless to say, I lost it. No way was my husband going to suffer until February 14th. My husband and I insisted he make a referral to an endodondist for today. Finally he did and thankfully another endodondist saw him. First of all, the office manager was more concerned with selling us on periodontal disease treatments instead of focusin on what we were there for, the PAIN! I will NEVER, EVER go to Aspen Dental again and will do my best to discourage others from going as well. I worked for 40 years in healthcare and would never ask someone to endure pain for over 2 weeks so their own Dr. could see them. Unethical! I have also written to Florida Dental Association! I should have known that Aspen Dental is a business and not concerned about the welfare of their patients when the office manager is running the show instead of the dentist calling the shots!

I went to Aspen Dental for minor tooth pain. They did xrays and didn't find anything. They told me I would be referred to an oral surgeon to do more extensive xrays and MAY need a root canal and MAY need a crown. I was then taken to meet with the financial manager. She tells me how much insurance will pay towards these things I MAY need and how much my part would be. She then asked how I was going to pay for my part of these services that I MAY or MAY NOT need. I politely said I would prefer to pay AFTER the services and left. I have since changed dentists.

Aspen opened a new office near us so Myself and my 2 teenage children made appointments. First issue: I needed new dentures. They made the impression and sent it to their lab. The lab sent a wax model to try before they were made. I went in and tried them and I was told it was for the fit and was never shown a mirror. The fit seemed alright so they went ahead and made the dentures. When they came in I went in and got them, the first thing I noticed was that the teeth on the uppers were larger and protruded beyond my upper lip way more than my old dentures. When I complained about this, I was told that I OK'd them when I had the fitting with the wax set. I told them that I thought that was only for fit and not looks since I was never told to look in a mirror. They said too bad it's too late now. Shortly there after I was in the hospital and was seen by a speech/swallow professional and she said maybe the problem was my dentures. When I told her they were new she said they were the worst she had ever seen! So I am stuck with these teeth for at least 4 years til my insurance will pay for another set. Now for issue number 2...
both of my children supposedly had X-rays both bite-wing and pan-x. After my experience with the whole denture thing I decided to take them to another dentist. The new dentist asked me to get their last X-rays since our insurance will only cover them every so often. I went today to pick up their x-rays and after being given attitude and waiting 20+ minutes I was handed an envelope. I went straight to the new dentist and dropped them off. About 15 minutes later they called me and said there was NO WAY that those were my children's x-rays! One set had my son's name on it and the other had my daughter's name but both were identical and neither was of my children! I had to have another set of x-rays at the new dentist. When I got home I called Aspen and the manager gave me some crap story about since they were siblings they would have similar x-rays. When I pointed out that they wouldn't have the identical fillings, tooth structure, etc., then it turned into a printer error, then a computer glitch, and several more excuses. They had their dentist look at them and called me back and said that yes it was a mistake and that those weren't their correct x-rays and they had no idea what happened to their's. In the meantime both kids had been to several appointments and had work done based on the wrong x-rays! All they offered to do was take another set of x-rays for no charge when I pointed out that my insurance had been billed for x-rays months ago. I told them that the new dentist had to take a new set and my insurance probably was not going to cover it since they had fraudulently billed them, I was told they would refund my insurance company but it would take about 30 days and to have the new dentist wait and then back bill for it! I am definitely contacting a lawyer tomorrow!

When I finally got medical insurance I went to Aspen Dental...big mistake. The people that work here know only one thing. MONEY. They tease you with a "free" exam and then they make-up long lists of what you need done. My list was 2 pages and all that I really needed was a cleaning and wisdom teeth extraction due to pain an infection.

After the dental plan is made you go to a high pressure sales consultation where they push you to sign stuff. Sign here to agree to the dental care plan we made up. Sign here so we can bill you extra if we 'need' to! Sign here for a payment plan with a credit card that charges you ridiculously high rates if you miss just one payment...the promo offer is a scam! The rate if you miss just once is 29.9% WTF?!?!?!?!?!

Oh and good luck finding a complete list of all your charges...they won't give it to without a scream and fight brawl in the office. Ask me how I know? I heard about some class action law suits about them...I'd seen someones bill where there were charges 4X's for a mouth rinse (which was basically Listerine too). So I wanted to be certain I'm not overpaying, my bill was $1, 200 after all and if I'm gonna be able to save $400 in ridiculous charges, you better believe I will try!

Bottom Line: Stay the f*** away from these people!

http://blog.dentistthemenace.com/2012/11/wftvs-9-investigates-undercover.html
http://www.publicintegrity.org/2012/10/19/11580/aspen-dental-faces-class-action-suit

We received new dental insurance and the provider was Aspen Dental. We called to get pricing for cleanings and other treatments. We were told they do not have price quotes, that you have to come in for an initial exam and then they give you a treatment plan. My husband made the appt. Our insurance allowed for (2) free cleanings per year. when registering they did not ask for any identification other than his insurance card. (the call center where he registered told him to bring (2) forms of ID) He was ushered to the back and went through cubicle's First, they did xrays, then he saw a hygenist, then the dentist they assigned him a second level tier cleaning and tried to sell him a tube of toothpaste for $26. and mouth rinse for $49. He declined. He was then sent to the manager of the business office and she gave him a printed cost plan. The first cleaning would be at no charge and the second would be $181. When he returned for the cleaning he was asked to pay $75. When he questioned this charge, he was told that after he actually needed to be a level three cleaning that after his initial appointment they discovered more plaque than initially thought. (odd the $75. fee was the same amount they had wanted for the toothpaste/rinse) He declined the cleaning and left. Being his wife and primary insurance holder I went in and questioned what was going on. I was directed to the hygeinist she reviewed his xrays on a computer screen in the wide open office. People registering and patients walking behind me could hear and see the whole history. I told the hygienist I thought this was a scam her reply was, "I am a Christian" Never once did anyone ask for identification of either my husband nor myself. They had no idea if I was really his wife or someone else. Anyone could have taken his insurance card and received treatment. We reported this to our Insurance company and they agreed we should file a HIPPA violation, which we did. I have worked in the medical field for over 35yrs and Aspen dental is one of the most unprofessional, decietful healthcare providers I have ever encountered. When we went back to our original dentist and explained what had happened, she mentioned all of the law suits against Aspen Dental. That is how we found this website. We couldn't believe what others had gone through, the same experience we had. So glad we left before they had the chance to scam us too! HIPPA complaint pending through the state of Wisconsin.

On April 25, 2012 I began the procedure to have my teeth extracted and replaced by dentures, at the time I was presented with a packet containing procedures, costs and instructions. It was explained to me that I upon the time of extractions I would be given a set of "immediate" dentures and after a period of 6 months of healing, I would receive a set of "permanent" dentures and would have the "immediate" set as a back-up. On Dec. 3, 2012, I returned to the above office for impressions for the permanent set only to be informed that I was only to receive a "hard lining" of the immediate set that would be my permanent set. I was totally misinformed all during this 6 month period and with the cost of $7, 319 and the information I received my expectations have not been met and I believe the cost is way out-of-line for the services rendered.

Went sept 4 for dentures, xrays, taken saw dentist and hurried to office manager, theresa campbell, pressured into expensive dentures coming to over $4300. She ran my care credit full amt. And told me I needed $144.80 when I came the 14th for extractions. They did impressions the 4th. Returned the 14th and was told no lowers were made as impression was not good, I had been told by dentist and theresa I would have teeth the 14th. I was given upper which do not fit and was told by the hygienist not to wear them as they would fall out. At no time was I given any more impressions or did they ever try to fix the uppers, never looked at them in 3 visits. They ran up insurance up to the max of $1500 also. This place is a real pressure money making group and no care for their patients. They refunded $1945 to care credit, but I have no teeth and never had bottoms made, think it should all be refunded. They have really messed me up. I feel they need to be examined by indiana dental board. They are not the kind of dentists you want for sure. I now have to start all over with a new dentist and my money is down the drain. Told me on 4th visit I needed bone ground off, said a dr. Griffin would do it, well a call was made the next day and said they were bringing an oral surgeon down from indianapolis the 23rd, but I needed to pay another $580, well the next week it had gone up to $645 as they forgot his consult fee. I said no way were they getting any more of my money. They are nothing but a big corporation wanting to make more money.

I went into Aspen Dental for a "simple extraction" of tooth #30 (molar) I have had my entire top teeth removed and an upper denture made in FL with no problems, despite some minor pain and irritation, which was normal. I have also had several lower teeth removed, never needed anything more then local anesthesia and a couple days to recoup. Dr. Socias seemed nice, but a little condescending. She sure didnt give the impression of understanding how horrible tooth pain is, considering shes a dentist, she of all ppl should know this. Right from the start she didnt seem very capable. She pulled, pushed, wiggled and about pulled my jaw off, using literally every tool she had. I knew things werent going right when the dental asst seemed uncomfortable. I insisted she took a break, I was shakey, in horrible pain, even with the local anesthesia and had tears streaming down my face. after the most traumatizing experience in my life she got the tooth out. I was in pain then, before I even left the exam room. She assured me over the counter Tylenol would be enough. I called Aspens Customer Care # and they had me go see another of "their" dentists at a different location the following day. I think that experience was just as bad, if not worse. The dentist who saw me there wasnt even licensed yet, but I student, being oversaw by a dentist I never saw there (if in fact there even was one). I vowed never to go back to Aspen again. However, 2 days later the pain flared up even worse. This was on a Saturday. Having no insurance and unable to afford another appt at another dentist or ER, I called the emergency # given to me from Aspen. Dr. Socias called me back and I explained to her that the pain from the extraction had gotten better, but was now even worse. It was swollen and unbearably throbbing. She called me in antibiotics and instructed me to continue Tylenol, even after I explained to her OTC pain meds were not helping. So today, Monday, I went back into see her. She looks at me from about 2 feet away and says "i dont see any swelling", so I open my mouth and pull back my cheek, her eyes get big and she says "oh, that looks really bad". It was beyond bad... she tells me I have a dry socket. I've had 16 teeth pulled over the years and never once gotten a dry socket. She was far from gentle treating it, and for the first time in my life I verbally cried out in pain (embarrassing at best) and had tears streaming down my face. She tells me to continue the anitbiotics and OTC tylenol (which I have told her several times now isnt working) After being home several hours and still in excruciating pain, I went to Walgreens, spoke to the pharmacist and got some dental kit which is comparable to clove? I treated myself at home for this dry socket and for the first time since the extraction I have some pain relief. This was the furthest thing from a "simple extraction" as the dentist put it. It was a horrible, painful and traumatizing event, not to mention the unbearable pain I've been in as a result from the dentists procedures. I would not take a human being or an animal EVER to Aspen Dental or Dr. Socias... it was plain and simple torture, and my comfort and pain were completely disregarded. they did however find time to sit me down with the office manager and give me an $3500 quote for a lower denture... I dont know how these people sleep at night!

Today, 10/18/2012 a class action lawsuit was filed united states district court northern district of new york against aspen dental. The case info is as follows and is on record at the court:

Plaintiffs carol treiber, leslie talman, lori slauter, rodney herring, patricia
Huddleston, carl dorsey, irene evers, kathryn hovland, isabelle reali, geraldine
Langford, and troy fulwood by their undersigned attorneys, bring this class action
Complaint against defendants aspen dental management, inc., robert a. Fontana, and
Leonard green & partners, l. P (Collectively, “defendants”). Plaintiffs’ allegations are
Based upon knowledge as to their own acts and upon information and belief as to all other
Matters. Plaintiffs’ information and belief is based upon, among other things, an
Extensive investigation undertaken by their attorneys.
Nature of the action
1. This is a class action against aspen dental management, inc. (“admi”)
For violations of new york general business law §§ 349, 350 (“gbl”), breach of
Carol treiber, leslie talman, lori
Slauter, rodney herring, patricia
Huddleston, carl dorsey, irene
Evers, kathryn hovland, isabelle
Reali, geraldine langford, and
Troy fulwood, on behalf of themselves
And all others similarly situated,
Plaintiffs,
-against-
Aspen dental management, inc.,
Robert a. Fontana, and leonard
Green & partners, l. P.,
Defendants.
Class action complaint
3:12-cv-1565[dnh/atb]
Case 3:12-cv-01565-dnh-atb document 1 filed 10/18/12

Thank you to all the patients who submitted their tragic situations and helped with the filing of this case.

Nancy m. Leathers,
Paralegal/private investigator/consumer advocate