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Birmingham Family Dental Services

Birmingham Family Dental Services review: Malpractice! 11

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10:29 pm EST
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I had been going to this dental facility for years and so had many of my friends and my sister. For some reason I was being told over and over that I needed all these root canals and I could not for the life of me figure out why. I thought to myself that they were the experts and so I trusted them and did exactly as they had told me to even though my husband and I didn't have dental insurance. (Which they full well knew) I was sent back and forth and had MANY root canals (more than you could count) and had also found out that friends and my sister were having the same thing done. It wasn't really brought to my attention until I had a tooth extracted and they said I'd need a bridge with a "fake" tooth placed on it so because my teeth were so bad on the bottom in the back. So I went through with the extraction of the tooth and I let the dentist Dr. Gentry Gonzales know that we didn't have a lot of money anymore from all the root canals and crowns that they've already done. He informed me that once I get the money up to come back and he would evaluate my teeth than and let me know if we could still do the permanent bridge. I explained to him that it could be awhile before my husband and I got that money up. He said just to let him know when. Well a year or so later I came back with all the money and told him I was ready. He quickly sat me down and looked over my remaining teeth and had an impression done and said he'd call me when the permanent bridge came in. Awhile went by and I finally got a call to come and have the permanent bridge placed on. When I arrived there from the time I came with the money to when the permanent bridge was back Dr. Gonzales NEVER did an x-ray! He placed the bridge on and sent me on my way. Shortly after he had done that blisters the size of my pinky finger were coming up on my gums and were VERY painful. I went back to him and he said I had sensitive gums and it would go away soon. So I kept waiting for it to go away but it never did. I finally went to another dentist and she did many x-rays and told me that in all of her dentistry she's never had to break news like this. She told me that the dentist who put the permanent bridge on did not clean the decay before placing it on and the teeth had rotted so much so that only a fraction of a tooth was holding the bridge on. She told me what to do about all of this because I was going to have to have the other 2 remaining teeth extracted and than have a surgery done to where titanium plates were placed in and than I'd have to wait 6 months or more for healing than the permanent bridge could be placed on. I was told it would cost us around $10,000.00! Out of our own pockets! I went and got the written records but they would not give me my x-rays nor make a photocopy of them. I took the written ones back to this new dentist and was told to submit a claim to the board of dentistry. I did that but was replied back to that they had got letters from all dentists involved and by what was written they did not violate any laws. Now by this time I've had 4 attorney's and a dentist tell me that I have a sufficient claim and could sue but they didn't know how much money they (the attorney's) would get from the lawsuit for sure so they were afraid to try it because there is such a great umbrella covering doctors and and dentist's from malpractice lawsuits that you'd need at least $150,000.00 just to start the process! I could not believe my ears! So the real evidence that I submitted didn't matter at all just the dentist's letters back to the board of dentistry! They all cover for each other. So now my family AGAIN has to pay for there mistakes! They also told me that in the back of the top of my mouth that those teeth all three needed to have root canals done and when this new dentist did x-rays I was told I only had a small cavity under a filling on ONE of those teeth and the other two were fine! So I'm tired of sitting back and just allowing companies like this to do this to people and get away with it! I am no longer sitting back I WILL NOT STOP until justice is served! BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY----- BIRMINGHAM FAMILY DENTAL SERVICES! They will take FULL advantage of you!

Update by SEAM
Jul 29, 2008 11:57 am EDT

I just wanted to leave a comment for those of you who can't read. When I posted this complaint it was to help others out there who have had this same problem to be able to have someone to talk to. It wasn't to get those of you who are looking to fight with someone because you hate your little life and so you look for reasons to pop off. I don't care to read anymore of your messages if it's ignorant. Those of you who are looking for someone to talk to because you've had some of the same problems please don't hesitate to write me. I will read your messages. I've spoke with MANY people already who have been through some of these same situations and who are also with an attorney and they have been done this same way and between all of us and all of our attorneys this company will have to take responsibility for what they've done to others. And no matter who they send to write good comments about them the truth WILL come out and I have no doubts this will become public. I already know people who are speaking with different channels about making sure this company is brought to justice in the public eye.

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The complaint has been investigated and resolved to the customer’s satisfaction.

11 comments
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mistygirl06374
Plainfield, US
Mar 17, 2008 12:38 pm EDT

The lawyer wouldyou be mistaken to tell what you were told. Even with malpractice protection out there, the dentist could have jeopardized your health. U need to search for lawyers who specialize in recovery to get paid.

By not doing the appropriate cleaning and removal of the decay, along with shoddy work, they may have even risked your life. People die everyday from infections that get into the bloodsteam and in the gums is no exception. (I used to work for an infectious disease doctor and we had a woman who almost died from an infection from dental work improperly done)

Look for another lawyer or legal aid and seek to at least recover the costs of the work done at this dentist.

U have a case. U need to find a lawyer who gets paid when a claim gets settled.

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bobbie
May 08, 2008 9:35 am EDT

You went a year before coming back for the permanent bridge? You can't wear temporary that long. The board found the dentist not liable. No wonder, it was your fault.

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Jenny
May 14, 2008 12:03 pm EDT

I have been a patient of Dr. Gentry Gonzalez for 5 years now and have had a lot of work done at his office. I have also spent a large amount of money due to me not taking the best care of my teeth over the past years.
He is a good dentist and very experienced in what he does.
He and his staff are very kind and assisited me with everything from the financial aspect to calling to make sure I was doing well after various procedures.
I think he is an excellent dentist...
There is a reason why there is a dental board and that is to discipline those who need it and protect those who do not.
I challenge you to visit Dr. Gonzalez and see for yourself...

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psycho aware
Aug 09, 2008 6:23 am EDT

This person above sounds like a total nut job! She probably didn't want to pay her bill and that is why she was sent to the atty. I have been to Bham Dental and they were totally awesome! The staff is excellent and the prices are cheap compared to other offices. This person needs to be on meds.

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Anonymous
Aug 15, 2008 12:42 pm EDT

I had a similar incident occur at Bham Family Dental. The dentist told me I needed a root canal, performed it and then, months later, told me I needed another root canal on the tooth next to it. He charged me for it and didn't even do anything but an x-ray to the tooth! So after discussing it over with my insurance company and another endodontists who said I didn't need one performed, I threatened to sue them. I will never, EVER go back to this place & advise the same to anyone else.

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Shelly
Centreville, US
Dec 09, 2008 11:50 am EST

I dont know who this patient was but obviosley she has ISSUES. I have been a patient of Dr. Gonzalez's for years and he is one of the best dentist that you could ask for. He is a genuine person and also a christian that would not do anyone wrong. The person that made this complaint agaist him needs help and they need to really look at themself and do a reality check.

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agt1226
Birmingham, US
Jul 24, 2009 5:47 am EDT

Dr. Gonzalez is a wonderful dentist. He is the first one I ever saw who didn't make me feel embarrassed about my dental issues. Also, when administering a numbing shot, he massaged my gum while he did it, so it wouldn't hurt. He was also very careful in prodding my mouth during the dental exan and during treatment. There are always 2 sides to every story. And I might add, like another posted, 1 year is too long. If you, as a patient, feel the need for an x-ray, you should speak up! Be your own advocate! I plan to visit this dentist at his new practice. He is wonderful...

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HappyGo Lucky
Pghillipsburg, US
Mar 17, 2010 11:28 am EDT

Sounds like the dentist is posting on here and trashing his former patient.

The sad fact is there are many dishonest dentists and dental boards protect their own.

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saynono
Huntsville, US
Mar 18, 2010 10:13 am EDT

I agree with HappyGoLucky. How is it that these"patients" found your posting? I suspect the dental office gets notified when someone posts. Shame on them if this is the case...shame on them AGAIN!

I sent you an email via this site but when I sent a test one to me I never got it.

I filed a complaint with the Alabama dental board about a Madison dental practice who used a formaldehyde based root canal filling material (sounds great, huh?) on me and permanently damaged a nerve. They slapped my dentists on the wrist but they did do something. I'm not done with them... And, yes, the dental board protects their own over the patient.

I also got a run around from Alabama attorneys but found a dental attorney in CA and can possibly help you if aren't past the statute of limitations (2 years). It was a blessing that I got rejected because I had the best lawyer one could ask for.

Those dentists are REQUIRED by law to give you your xrays. Write a letter reminding them about their HIPAA obligations and then report them to the dental board for not providing them when you asked. They must have something to hide...

Contact me via our website about this formaldehyde crap. www.worstrootcanalever.com.

Never let a dentist use formaldehyde in a root canal or on YOUR CHILD'S BABY TEETH! No matter how they defend it, don't let them use it.

My story with the dental board is at http://www.sargentipaste.org/lorries story.html

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tiger sam
Birmingham, US
Aug 31, 2010 10:11 pm EDT

Wow, I know this office. They helped me on a weekend. I was very happy with their help. Would go back any time.

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Rhonda Mcree
US
Oct 26, 2016 10:27 am EDT

Well this is about to go from bad to worse, my husband paid well over 9000.00 for a lower permanent bridge, he had to have root canals & work done before getting them, now two yrs later & in severe pain we return only to be blamed for failing root canals, needs more root work, extractions & filings. Which they refuse to do & are referring him out to specialists now that they've been paid to do all this right the first time looks like we will be paying for this all over again if we can find someone to clean up their hot mess yeah maybe they are good for quicky tooth aches or a filling but they suck at bridge work & root canals why didn't they send him out for all the other root canals? Looks like we may be consulting w an atty as well because they should have said we did this & it failed lets get this bridge off & see what we can do to get you out of pain now! My husband does not take nor does he function well on pain meds. I think we got screwed & the sign reads if you are not 100% satisfied call me personally & I will take care of you, even gives the personal cell # supposedly! Well we are not satisfied! And I will make sure that it is a well known fact no matter what it costs or what it takes, Birmingham family dentistry does not stand behind their work! My husband has a sports car in his mouth w his top & bottom bridges & it won't run! 🤕😖😫😩😰😱👎🏼💩

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