Greenwoods Dental Centre

Fourth visit. Wow. Knew I relied on insurance to get dental work. Knew it was a concern that dental work had to be covered by insurance. Told them multiple times, work needed to be covered by insurance. A total of four visits for root canal work to Mcphillips and Portage locations. Went to Portage location for second visit and then was surprised with $300 X-ray bill that was not mentioned nor covered by insurance. Having about $300 left in my bank account which is for groceries and no reserves, and a reassured idea that everything was covered by insurance, I did not bring my debit card to pay for anything. The wonderful people at the Portage location "forgave" the bill, which I am grateful. I ended up paying for some extra charges out of my pocket at the last visit to Portage, but then they said everything else is covered with this root canal of mine. Third time at Portage they were finishing up the root canal, and he said I would be going to Mcphillips for a final cap. Well it was'nt final, and the doc mentioned this when my mouth was all clamped open, so I could not say anything at the time. I still needed a crown and my insurance was maxed out on 4 visits for this root canal. Before I went in to see the doc on the last visit, I asked reception if everything is covered and no extra charges. She said yes it was. Great no problem. Getting the cap (but not the crown which is another year of insurance maxed out) finished up Dr Kim said everything is covered but maxed, I don't owe anything further. OK I can deal with that. Go to reception and there is an extra $100 charge overage for something. I told them that they already "told" me twice on that same visit that everything is covered, and now you are surprising me an extra $100 charge when I'm leaving out the door!? I asked 2 times about unexpected charges and said everything is fine. Now it is'nt, and you are expecting me to pay for something I have no budget for? I'm poor right now and this extra charges are "hardship" on me at this point in time. What is this? You told me Dr Kim everything is covered. I go to receptionist, and they tell me you say I owe this extra $100 out of nowhere all of a sudden!!!. I heard the receptionist call you on the phone. What the hell is that? And then I ask to speak to the owner who was there and no nothing, he does not come to speak with me. I said well you will have to bill me and I pay what I can monthly. They said they don't do that. I was kept waiting at the receptionist for 10-15 minutes until the receptionist talked to someone on the phone and said looks like he can't pay right now. This practice is a dishonest and unfair bloody shakedown, is what it is! I felt manipulated and a somewhat humiliated being poor with your billing/policy practices, Greenwood Dental. I was hoping to find a good dental office after being dissatisfied with my my last one. Despit the experience of apparently being lied to and shaken down for extra cash, I still have met staff at both locations that have been great people. Now how do I feel about going to a dentist that says your all dental expenses are covered and then shakes me down for "undisclosed" charges that I'm "expected" to pay before I leave the door on 50% of my visits so far? Not very good. I feel my insurance was maxed unfairly with both locations trying to "cash grab" without communicating with both offices. Maybe that was the point? Perhaps if they were concerned about the integrity of the customer experience rather than a focus on shaking me down for extra cash at the door when I leave, I would gladly give you my "lifetime customer value". But I certainly won't after feeling manipulated and humiliated. This is a reflection of the business mentality of ownership/management policymaking, and not any kind of negative reflection on the staff themselves whatsoever. Don't worry, I'll pay the rest of my bill monthly with what I can afford like I said, but will finding a new dentist for next year.