How can I get Western Dental to hear my complaint?

Question

I went to western dental in valencia california for the first time last year. I had absolutely no cavities at the time. After x-rays were taken, I was informed that I had 9 teeth that needed treatment. To make a long story short, 5 of the 9 teeth needing treatment had to be re-done three times! Under a year later I've learned from my family dentist that decay was left behind when the other 4 teeth were restored and what's more a tooth that had no decay had been arbitrarily drilled, the enamel removed, and that tooth now has decay.

Western Dental has refused to hear my complaint. What can I do? I've considered filling a complaint with the california dental board but how will that help? Will I get my money back? Please advise.

Answer 1

do contact the state dental board and lodge your complaint. i personally would speak seriously with my current dentist about what happened and ask his opinion on what additional action he advises if any.

Answer 2

Western Dental Complaints

Answer 3

You should file a complaint with all of the following organizations:

ADA (American Dental Association)
California Dental Board
Better Business Bureau
Ripoffreport.com
California Attorney General
California Department of Corporations
Federal Trade Commission

After you have filed your complaint with the above agencies, you should seriously consider filing a malpractice lawsuit against Western Dental.

Western Dental has clause in the contract that they make all of their patients sign wherein you agree to have all complaints resolved through arbitration. However, if they are refusing to hear your complaint, then this is considered a breach of contract, making the contract "null and void". You are no longer obligated to resolve your complaint through arbitration. My advice would be to contact an attorney right away because there may be a statute of limitations involved.

Western Dental was involved in one of the biggest lawsuits in history involving maltreatment of their patients as well as their billing practices. Here is a clip from an article about this lawsuit.

Western Dental was fined for 3 million dollars by the Department of Corporation. This fine comes after a long history of patient complaints and Western Dental's repeated refusal to correct violations of the law. Comments in a recent article noted several examples including dental treatment decision making that was improperly influenced by monetary and administrative considerations. Excessive treatment of patients in a single visit, treatment by general dentists when referral to a specialist was indicated, leaving medically compromised patients and or patients undergoing oral surgical procedures unattended. Western Dental is one of California's largest managed care dental providers. -- My opinion, "Western Dental is a prime example of the compromises made while delivering care under the business guidelines of managed care".

Now that you know what you are dealing with I hope you seek the advice of an attorney immediately.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

The most you can hope for now is suing the dentist for the expenses your mom paid for her dental work. You can take the dentist office to small claims for the money you spent and perhaps pain and suffering--mental suffering. Could also get medical malpractice, but that might be a higher stretch.