Customer ReviewsforThe Dental Specialists

Messed up billing practices. They have merged with the Edina office and they say their computers do not talk to one another for billing insurances. Messed up stuff for the past six months and then they tag on finance charges.

We had a procedure of an extraction for my daughter in November of 2023. We received consultation and walked through procedure. We received the estimated cost, pending insurance. The procedure went well. I paid the bill, although more than I had expected. BCBS didn't cover much. However, we paid in full and completed the visit and account paid. Now in April of 2024 we receive a random bill from University of MN pathology lab. I called to explore what this was from, they explained it was a bill from Dental Specialists sending over the extracted teeth to exam. In NO WAY was this explained by Dr. R***** that we would be responsible for a cost for sending teeth to be examined, nor was it explained that it wasn't Dental Specialists. This information was NOT DISCLOSED. I believe it is criminal and illegal to not disclose costs and especially from another facility without an agreement signed. I went in today 4/17 to speak with staff about this. Before I could explain much the interaction was constantly, "Not our problem, that is U of MN and we can't do anything" Yet they were the ones who ordered this work to be done. Dr. R***** and Dental specialists ordered this work WITHOUT Disclosure of this procedure. It is now after waiting a response, the answer was "I'll let the doctor know your concerns, but still nothing we can do. This is something you have to handle and pay. We had a verbal agreement to do this." I do not believe a verbal agreement when a Dr. explains the process confirms or is a substitute for a binding, signed agreement like their estimates and all other in-house forms have patients sign. Letting the Dr. know to me informs me nothing will change in the process. I am reporting this bad practice so hopefully other families and patients will be aware of this hidden and convenient process that lacks transparency and preys on people who cannot afford to pay or have energy to fight this. Still don't know what will happen as U of MN hasn't responded yet either.

I was referred here for a root canal by my primary dentist. When calling to schedule appointment, the registration representative said she ran my insurance and I would pay 40% per my plan. I agreed. After the root canal, I was sent a bill for almost $2,000, and was told that they had actually not run my insurance until the day after the procedure. After going back and forth with their billing department for 9 weeks, I was forced to pay the entire amount, with no offers of financial assistance plan. Do not make the same mistake by trusting that they will be transparent with you about costs, go elsewhere.

My Review Title: Terrible, dangerous and Terrifying Experience. Comment: Be Careful and be aware of the ill-practices of this provider. They will try to delete this review which exposes the truth about them. On 4/5/2023, I had an appointment with endodontist Omar A*******. I have done several root canals in the past with different dentists/providers , where a local anesthesia, like Novocaine were used. Nonetheless, this dentist used a general anesthesia that took 6 hours, then when I woke up I was not able to walk straight or stand more less to drive home. I almost got into accidents at least twice on the way home on the roads in the city of Burnsville and on the Highway 35WN . Also be sure to insist on reading any documents before signing, whether on paper or electronically, don’t allow them to rush you. This experience could of easily ended up in a catastrophic results toward me and most importantly towards the public, due to the unethical practices of this individual. Indeed, there is an open investigation with the Minnesota Board of Dentistry regarding this matter, I have detailed information, fact, evidence and timeline of events.. This person should not have been allowed to practice in the first place, which his reckless and disregard to the laws, rules and regulations could jeopardize the safety and lives of the public

I was referred for "an consult" to get an implant in 12/22. They charged for imaging(first insur paid) & charged me for an consult, just for the doctor to tell me that he couldn’t do anything until my braces comes off, NO QUOTE. My ortho wanted them to confirm to see if my gap was big enough before the braces comes off. The clinic keeps sending me a bill since 01/23 stating BCBS paid for imaging they are still waiting to hear back from BCBS. They keep telling me is to disregard every due date. I have two insur(BCBS/GEHA) & they are only sending it to one. I call BCBS they said that it’s all done & submitted. After 2mos of dealing, BCBS contacted the clinic to tell them they are done. It’s now going on March, they still haven’t send to GEHA. I spoke to both Kim/Sara last Friday & now seeing another bill in the mail for the same claim. GEHA said they don’t see a claim & if it’s submitted electronically then it should be in. So I contacted the clinic they said they submitted electronically on Feb22, but then “something happened” so they sent a mail paper on Feb27. It's been two weeks! I asked for the code & they said it’s paid at 100%, but no claim yet. My insur requested for an pre-auth. & this clinic is sayin that “it’s not required for a pre-auth” the only one who received the pre-auth was BCBS again. Are they going to be doing the same thing for when I do go in for bone graft, membrane & implant? The reviews are good but now I’m reconsidering & maybe go through a different clinic. Per Sara, when I mentioned I was going to go somewhere else, her response was “good.” & she hung up on me. Today is 3/13/23, my insurance finally called the clinic to get the process going. If anyone is searching for their email to keep track of your conversations, ********************************* I’ve been patient enough with this clinic since I received their first bill on Jan2023. This is only a "consult fee" that they are charging me! It’s not even the implant part yet!

I called about a billing question and talked to Jessie at the front desk. I inquired on a payment issued by my medical insurance to see if the office received it. She confirmed the office did. I asked for the reimbursement amount. She gave an amount which is approximately $600 less than the amount my medical insurance paid. I proceeded to ask about the difference because I already paid for my wisdom teeth extractions in full. She became frustrated with me for asking additional billing questions. She put me on hold as I was still talking, then got back on the phone and seemed upset that I asked additional questions for clarification. This is her profession and she’s the expert however it seemed like she wasn’t able to perform her role. Her tone and attitude escalated and at this point, she wanted me to get off the phone. She kept telling me she will have to look into it further and call me back. I replied with, “sure, while you research when you get the EOB, can you take note of my next question so you can look into this too?” She was so irritated by me and my questions and by now, I found her to be of no help. I asked to speak with her manager. Her response was, “yeah you can. Bye”. I paid over $2K out of pocket in October and wanted to know whether I’ll get a reimbursement since my medical insurance paid for a good chunk of the charges. And to find out, their staff - Jessie, is allowed to treat current and future patients this way. After speaking with the manager, I sensed nothing will be done or addressed to improve customer experience. It’s sad to see the staff and leadership condone such behavior like Jessie’s.

Dr. ***** at the Dental Specialists acted incredibly unprofessional and raised our concern over his ethics. He offers a consult plus wisdom teeth extraction on the same visit which was convenient for us. Our daughter suffers from anxiety and had prepped herself for the appointment. In January 2022 we arrived and after taking x-rays and conducting an exam he concluded the procedure could not be preformed that day because she had 2 risk factors, 1. The lower jaw nerve being too close to the teeth and 2. creating a hole in the sinus cavity based on her anatomy. He wanted a nurse anesthetist in the room so he could focus on the delicate operation. The first available appointment was 2 months later in March. Our daughter prepped herself again for the procedure. On the day of the appointment the office called twice asking us to come in earlier than our 11:30 time. I explained that the nurse instructed me to give our daughter her meds 3 hours prior to the procedure (she needs them morning and night). After the second call we were told the procedure was cancelled. We insisted on talking to the Dr. *****. He said there was too much miscommunication and he needed to cancel and reschedule at the end of May. We called Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants and were able to get a consultation at the end of March in the Wayzata Office. I did not share our experience with Dr. *****. At the consultation Dr. ******* said “This is easy, a piece of cake.” I asked if she had any risk factors like being the nerve being too close or creating a hole in the sinus cavity. He said “If she was 40 maybe, but no this is a standard procedure.” He used the x-rays sent over by the Dental Specialists. They also never use a nurse anesthetist for this procedure. Our daughter’s wisdom teeth removal was scheduled for two weeks after the consult. It was done quickly with no problem; she was sent home and recovered well with no complications. Dr. ******* and the staff at Oral and Maxi