Professional Dental Care: Artashes Avakian DDS

Reviews 3

AR

Arnold D Moon

My initial visit with Dr. Avakian was pleasant and informative. I was lulled into a false sense of security. I was late for my next visit, so I called to inform them and they told me to come anyway. When I arrived the hygienist was visibly upset, questioned and scolded me for my tardiness. I didnt complain because somehow I allowed her to make me feel guilty. During my third visit, this past Friday, I was sure to arrive more than 15 minutes early for my 1pm appt. Approx, 5 til 1, another patient entered. This patient was called back first by the hygienist (who I was also there to see for the rest of my deep cleaning). I asked the young lady at the counter if there was another hygienist that was working with me. Understanding why I was asking, she explained the dentist would see my first to fix my filling prior to my cleaning. Satisfied, I was brought to the back. After another 15 minutes I heard the dentist go to the other patients room and begin that patients procedure. While Dr. Avakavian worked on the other patient, the hygienist came in and "numbed" my mouth. The Dr. finally enters my room at 40 minutes after 1. To all this I observe without comment. Dr. Avakian begins by asking if the hygienist had numbed me and asked me to point to where I felt numb. I pointed to the area he would be working and a few other areas. He asked if my tongue and lip were numb. I told him no but he proceeded with the exam. When the doctor started with the "drilling" I nearly left my chair, grimacing and groaning (the tool was in my mouth) in pain. Still he asks me, "Did that hurt?" Gripping the chair in pain and fear, I tell him yes. He proceeds to still something in my mouth asking if I felt it. I replied, no. He says, then I should be numb and says lets try again. He proceeds with the same result and response from me. The pain was terrible and I was ready to leave in that moment. Against my better judgment I continued with the exam allowing him to numb me further. Of course Im afraid when he starts again but I was finally numb. During the procedure I heard him mention something to his assistant about shaping the tooth he was fixing. Alarmed, I inquired if he was shaving my tooth. Without giving detail he responds, no he merely "returning my tooth to the way it was". He then begins struggling and pushing on my mouth and tooth forcefully. He explained that my teeth were extremely close together and it was very difficult for him to get in between them. After several minutes of the doctor tugging and pulling in my mouth and asking for other instruments the nurse had to leave to retrieve he says, so strange. As if he had never seen anything like this before. (Keep in mind, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN when I initially got the filling.). Still gripping the chair, he tells me to relax that I have no reason to be stressed. I told him i did because he had hurt me. He replied, well you told me you were numb. Finally he was going to try and put "it" on top of the tooth and let it go in. I was unsure of what he meant, but I surmised that whatever substance he was using he was hoping would drip down between the teeth. Apparently whatever technique he was employing (he felt) was successful and ended the procedure. The assistant told me she would take me next door to prepare for the hygienist. Traumatized, I said I didnt think I could go through with another procedure. They appeared surprised and tried to convince me it was ok. Still I declined. Dr. Avakian then pointed me toward the exit, not allowing/offering me to rinse or wipe my mouth. When I got to the front desk to reschedule my cleaning, the receptionist already knew I was rescheduling and appeared perturbed. Obviously, not the best time, I asked her if they could try and coordinate a little better next time because I had signed in more than 15 minutes early and they still took the other 1 o clock back first. Unnecessarily, she immediately became defensive saying she had no control over that and giving excuses and raising her voice and upsetting me. ****to be continued****

KE

Kelodes Moore

Arnold D Moon ****Continued**** At this point I was not only upset but I was very confused as to why my request would be escalating to this point. The girl jumps up and storms off saying shell get someone to help me. Dr. Avakian approaches the counter and I immediately apologize explaining that I did not understand why this was escalating. I only requested better coordination because another patient was brought back before me when I was there before them. He cut me off asking me to follow him to his office. He sits down across from me and says, there seems to be some "tension". He says he "thinks" a few of his staff said I was rude to them. Baffled I responded, "you think?" "Yes, I think thats what they said," he replies. Bizarre! Long story short Dr. Avakian says its probably a good idea if I do not return. I was appalled but at this point I agreed! As if the service and experience at the clinic was not bad enough, once the numbing medication wore off I was unable to chew on my right side where Dr. Avakian "repaired" my filling. Its Monday and I have been chewing on one side of my mouth all weekend. It hurts to even try to floss that tooth. Now Im in a dilemma...I clearly do not want to go back but something has to be done. I suppose I will call my insurance company for a resolution but this is a mess! ***This was a 2 part review because I ran out of characters on the initial post but I felt it was important to tell the entire story. I regret going to this place and I hope they read this and see the error in their ways. Even if I was wrong or rude, the customer is always right. I would never treat my patients this way (nor would it be condoned). Now I am even more afraid of the dentist than before and in pain. Terrible!****

JO

Joel Ohnstad

Horrible accounting process, caught them in so many lies I lost count. Sent me a bill for $170 a year after the work was done and they blamed the insurance company, first lie, never was this an insurance claim. Staff is completely devoid of any customer service skills, when I gave up on them the doctor promised to seed me a complete accounting once I paid the bill, I did pay it and he lied because I got nothing from them after payment was made. No matter how good a dentist he is his ability to manage his office staff is a dead zero. This is where most doctors fail because they refuse to hire a good office manager, greed ego or being completely clueless whatever the reason we the customer get the rotten service. They had eleven months to bring this to my attention and failed. Plus when I questioned their accounting they threatened me that my credit would suffer, this is why I paid the bill not because they proved I owed the money but it would have cost way more to fix this later. I will never do business with them again no matter how good a dentist the doctor is, trust is the key when you lose my trust were done. Do business with these people at your own risk!