Western Dental Services

“2005” Los Algadonas Mexico.
I crossed the border to have some dental work done. I couldn’t afford the insane prices of American dentistry. As I crossed through the gates I found the small hands of children all around me. “Chiclets” one called out. The boy at his side shoved a small tin can past the first. I assumed they were together. I emptied my pocket change into the can and the boy was gone. “Chiclets” the first called out again.
Los Algadonas, if you’ve never been, its a 3rd world comprised of optometrists, dentists, pharmacies and brothels. Vendors line the streets. It looks like the San Jose flea market. The dentist I settled with in a back alley, single chair, practice had a special promotion not to be missed. He says “If you get the work done here we give you some free beers next door at my brother’s tavern.” I’m not sure he had a dentist license.
My purpose in telling this story is to contrast that in this seedy, one man operation I had all of my upper teeth removed, he took castings and promptly had an upper plate fashioned that I used for the next 10 years. Two visits south of the border and I had a much better experience in Mexico than I have with Western Dental on its best day.
LIVING NIGHTMARE
If you’ve never experienced a living nightmare and it’s on your bucket list than I suggest you book your next dentist appointment with Western Dental.
We can start with the appointment problems. I started my relationship with Western Dental by booking my appointments through the corporate office. That’s just a really bad idea. They’re really good at talking nice and pretending like your all set up but when they push the enter button, it seems that the booking goes to some kind of database that will call and text every phone number available to them, leave messages, and e-mails diligently reminding you that you have an appointment. Yet, upon arrival the receptionist can’t locate your appointment in her system. Ok… Note to self: Do not book your appointments through the corporate office. I think this may have even been the direction of the receptionist. It seems I recall her writing the direct number down for me at one point.
IT DOESN’T MATTER
After having several extractions the dentist proceeded to sew my gum shut while blabbering on about how he sewed all his own clothes in college. Flash back to my little Hispanic dentist friend. Pulled all my upper teeth and not one stitch. Why? Because if we add stitches it’s no longer a dental procedure it’s Oral $urgery. By the way, I had to take them out on day 3 because he left an anchor knot on the end of the stitches that prevented the hole in my gum from closing and was beginning to fester. After a few quick checks the dentist told me to come back in February when we had had time to heal and we can put the permanent lining in etc.… 3rd week in February I book an appointment, directly with the office, to finish the linings. 45 minute drive, one way, got there early. “The technician says you haven’t had adequate time to heal. We need to reschedule another appointment for 2 weeks from now”

2 WEEKS LATER
45 minute drive one way. Got there early.
“The technician had an emergency we need reschedule. “
Now I’m mad. I’m standing at the counter audibly telling myself to “breath.” I let loose with some kind of incoherent I’m just so frustrated I need to yell at someone, sorry it had to be you.
I sat in the parking lot for 25 minutes yelling at whoever I could find to yell at the corporate office.
It took me the 45 minutes driving back home to clear my head and formulate a plan.
Due to the insane volume of calls, texts, messages, and emails to confirm appointments it seemed that Western Dental is capable of operating the technology so why can’t I get a call telling me that we need to reschedule before I drive all the way there? I asked the question of the office manager but she was unable to reply. “So let’s do this, next Thursday can you call me to confirm that he’s there before I get on the road?” She thought this was a good idea and she will call me Thursday morning. Today is Thursday. She hadn’t called by 10:45am so I figured I better call. The receptionist relayed the message that she was confirming with the technician and she would call me right back.
2:30pm
No call… I had to call them. The technician won’t be in today. We need to reschedule…