Gentle Dentist - Bloomington

Reviews 4

A

A Private User

I read the above reviews before I picked Dr. Milliken… it was helpful to hear positive & negative before I went in. My experience though was completely positive. We haven’t lived here very long and hadn’t found a family dentist in the area yet. I had a toothache so I had to find someone fast. Even though yellow page ads for lots of dentists say “Emergencies Welcome,” none could get me in right away; had at least 2 -3 week wait. I called 3 dentists and set up appts. All said if they had a cancellation in the meantime, they’d call. I intended on going with 1st who called because I was in pain! Carol from Dr. Milliken’s called next day & got me in. Turned out I needed a root canal. Couple of things I liked; instead of handing me a stack full of forms to fill out, I sat down with someone who asked me the questions and talked to me, much more personal touch. Secondly, I am one of those people who are terrified of dentists & I was in pain – when Dr. Millikan came in and I saw a tray of all those sharp little tools, I kinda lost it and blurted out something like “I’m sorry, I really don’t like dentists,” as I tried to relax – he took it in stride and was very nice about it. Third, while I was waiting, I happened to view a very nice/cute interaction between him and a little boy about 9yrs old – made me think he was good with kids too. Fourth, when we finally figured out what I needed, his office was great about printing out costs, taking my insurance and its limits, into consideration. Printed out 2 different scenarios for me so I would know exactly what bills to expect (assuming insurance paid as expected.) They were within $8 dollars. I had a root canal from hell 4 years ago (different city/dentist) so I prepared myself for the worst. Had my root canal yesterday and it has been nothing like before. I know some of it just depends on the tooth/infection/person but I am very happy with way he treated me. I did go the sedation route, definitely worth the extra $!!! And on a last note unrelated to me personally, one of the reasons his office was one I called initially was because he donated Sonicare electric toothbrushes (1 adult & 1 child, value about $55 each) to our school carnival for door prizes. I would definitely recommend him. His office hours are a little limited but I’m willing to work around that. His office staff is extremely competent & nice.

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Joshua Brown

I rarely write reviews, but I’m writing this hoping you will please PLEASE, save yourselves from Millikan. Here is what you can expect from him: first, you’ll go in for a cleaning. After a few visits in a year or so when he gains your trust, he will say that you now suddenly have serious problems and will recommend extensive work, like antibiotic treatments and then crowns, crowns, and more crowns. There is a good chance that you don’t in fact need all the work. Here is why I say this: In around 2009, the four of us in my family all went. The first few visits were routine cleanings, and everything was fine. Then suddenly he said my 5 year old needed four crowns all at once. At the same time, he said my 7 year old needed eight (yes, 8) crowns all at once. Then he told me I needed ten (yes, 10) crowns all at once, after saying everything was fine the previous visits. I had 4 of the 10 crowns put on first. Then he got testy with my 7 year old, so we went to a different dentist here in Bloomington. One new dentist said my 7 year old didn’t need 8 crowns, she only needed one filling (and those teeth have been fine ever since). Another new dentist looked at my x-rays and said that as for the other 6 teeth Millikan wanted to crown, I didn’t need any of them crowned. (And yes, those 6 teeth are still fine too as I write this review 3 years later). I’m a scientist, and the odds of innocently misdiagnosing that many teeth are less than 1 in a 1000. Then in the most ironic twist, one of the four crowns he put on me was defective, as confirmed months later by two other dentists. I went back to Millikan at that time, and he denied it, even though the x-rays showed a clear gap. I finally had it replaced a few months ago by another dentist for $732 out of my own pocket. Please, for your own good, PLEASE do NOT trust this dentist. He will gain your trust and then abuse it for his own profit. I’ve talked to some of his other former clients, and they had similar experiences too. Even the shill reviewers here acknowledge that he “seems to have a more proactive approach” – as in recommending lots of unnecessary, expensive work.

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Ashley Morrow

This was my 3rd visit to Gentle Dentist. Dr. Milliken and his dental assistants are very nice and professional. The only issue I had this time when I went there is when I entered the facility there were a group of employees congregated at the front desk and talking with each other and messing with their cellphones. No one greeted me when I walked in (and I noticed they didnt greet other patients When they entered either) When I checked in I asked if I could get a receipt showing where I had paid for an up coming dental procedure and the girl just stared at me like she had no idea what I was talking about and then told me that I could get it when I checked out. Ok. So the dental assistant took me back and she was very nice, I believe her name was Norma and she explained to me that she needed to take a couple of xrays and she would make it as quick as possible because I was having some pain and she was true to her word, very quick and efficient. Saw Dr. Milliken very quickly just to check on my jaw and make sure things were good to go for my up coming procedure and he was very nice and efficient. Norma then walked me out to the check out desk and I believe it was Tammy who checked me out and she was super nice. I had some questions about charges for my up coming procedure and she explained all of it to me and I asked her if I could have a receipt showing I had paid for said procedure and she printed it right out for me. Overall it was a pleasant experience except for the very beginning!

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A

A Private User

AVOID!!! Dr. Millikan is out of his mind!! He kept me sitting alone in a chair, in a bib, for forty-five minutes before seeing me, and when he finally appeared, he only discussed purely cosmetic procedures (I just wanted to get my teeth examined/cleaned) and asked me all these questions that were covered in the paperwork Id done with the hygenist--which he was holding but had apparently not bothered to read. Heres the thing--you make an appointment, and its just X-rays and a consult, he doesnt DO ANYTHING until you make a second appointment, i.e. pay more. When he overheard me say to the hygenist that I wanted a second opinion, he first spoke to me as though I was a child, (Im 27), and then when I said I didnt appreciate his tone, he bellowed to the receptionist, "No charge today, Donna, she wont be coming back to THIS office!!!" shaking his finger over his head. I ran out, frightened. On top of it being more of a business than an actual doctors office (I spent a total of two hours in his office and not once did anyone look inside my mouth), Dr. Millikan came off as incredibly unstable. I cant believe that people would leave their children alone with this man; the first thing that popped into my head when he shook my hand was literally "creepy rapist." I really should have trusted that instinct.

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