Business ProfileforForest Smiles

There have been 2 occasions that have occurred with Forest Smiles for our family. The first issue is from 2019 when I was a new patient to the office. My husband had been a patient since 2013, and I decided to begin being seen at Forest Smiles as well. I was newly pregnant, and disclosed of that information on my new patient forms. One of the ladies in the front office spoke with me about how I was a teacher for a county school in the area, and realized I knew her brother in law who taught at the same school. She disclosed to her brother in law (my co worker) that I was pregnant from the information I provided on my new patient forms, which was a violation of hippa. During this same appointment, I was harassed about declining dental X-rays due to the fact I had not received or discussed the safety precautions of having X-rays while pregnant with my OBGYN. My husband went for his scheduled cleaning appointment yesterday, and was declined service because our 3.5 year old daughter was accompanying him. I called to discuss the issue, and spoke with Crystal ******* from the front office, who said that it is their policy. Forms are updated annually, but that form “didn’t have to be updated” and my husband last signed it in 2022…it’s now almost 2024. I asked for her to email me the forms for me to review, as this policy is not posted or listed anywhere on their site. When I asked why there are guest chairs in the cleaning rooms, and what they do for single parents who have children with them, she had no answer and Crystal hung up on me. When I called back, it was ignored. I called again, and a co-worker answered saying Crystal was “with another patient” when I could hear her talking to her separately instead of answering me. She then said that I was not on my husband’s hippa form, and would not provide me with the requested documents, even though I am on his hippa form, and requested the documents from our previous conversation. Truly incompetent. We will never return

Mrs. ******, This is the first I am hearing of this and I am sorry for the confusion. HIPPA doesn’t allow us to discuss patient medical/dental information with any individuals without the patients consent. It also doesn’t allow to me address specifics in a public forum. What I can tell you is our office policy does specifically address children accompany adults to their appointment in the Office and Financial Policy section. These forms are in our patient paperwork and signed prior to any appointments being made. If you are on patients HIPPA we are always more than willing to provide copies in writing when requested. If you are not, I would suggest having them add you to their HIPPA. Hope this helps clarify things. Dr. Claiborne