Total Smiles of Durham

Reviews 7

JO

John Kabboord

Im not from the area and had a tooth blow out on me. As most of the tooth was gone I was in a fair amount of pain and figured Id need a root canal. Checked my BCBS online and found that this practice took my insurance even though I was from out of state. Never in my life have I ever been able to get a next day appointment with a same day filling. All the practices I go to take a month to get you in to see the hygenist. Then two weeks later you come in, maybe get some x-rays, maybe see the actual dentist, then the schedule you.for a filling 3 weeks later. I was blown away when they said they could get me in next day and do the work if needed. I still wasnt hopeful that everything would work out and if it did, I figured Id be out maybe a grand, but at least Id keep the busted tooth from getting worse. Now the place wasnt in the best neighborhood, and it wasnt some fancy brand new building. So I still had my reservations. They got me in, I got to see Dr. Claypool, he checked out my busted tooth, and understood I was only in town for a bit. Said he thought he could save the tooth, but it would take some work and he had a few cases ahead of me, but said I could go back to work and hed put me in at the end of the day. Sure enough, I come back at the end of the day, he saves the busted tooth and fixes all the nearby cavities, and I go on my way. Ive had all kinds of dental insurance, and usually it amounts to dental discount. Dont think Ive ever gotten out of an office for less than $500. I figured Id drop about that much. X rays a few fillings and an hour of them working on that tooth set me back less than $100. I was blown away. Next day appointment, flexible scheduling and good work. The tooth feels fine now. What I learned is all those fancy brand new practices, I was paying for all that stuff with increased cost. Ive had probably 7 different dentists, and this was the best service. I was so impressed, Im going to get all my work done at this practice when Im in town. The thing about dental work, is its kind of like taking a foreign car into the mechanic. You dont understand the problem, but its expensive, and you have to trust them. I trust this place, because I was in a tight spot and they did me right. The Doc seems like a solid guy. This neighborhood might be what some call "an under served community". Not where Id normally go to get my work done. But I learned a valuable lesson, someone practicing here probably enjoys people, likes what they do, and is maybe motivated by something other than trying to upsell patients on really expensive restorative work. Seems like the hard upsell is the model for every practice Ive been too other than this place. Here, they were happy to do great work, fix what needed fixing, and do it at a fair price.

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TA

Taiwanese Boy

Total smiles?! More like total nightmare, total waste of time. Cleaning and x-ray 2013 was okay for service. In 2014 I get a mysterious bill that I didnt pay something. I waste hours to fix their problem and get my balance back to 0. IN 2016 YEARS LATER, I get ANOTHER BILL TWICE AS MUCH saying my insurance didnt cover everything and I am 90days late?? I havent visited in 3 years. The desk is NO Help and they forward me Lori?! Lori researches and tells me shell call back and I get no response, days later I call and they tell me they updated their SW and it charged everyone more $. It was their error AGAIN! I asked her to send receipt or balance 0 via email she says OK. I call again today after receiving nothing and the same desk agent 330pm Oct28 rushes me off the phone, hangs up at one point I call back immediately shes laughing hilariously, and I ask her to email and she says dont worry about it, Ill be on watch for your name it wont happen again. Same words 2 years ago, same problem. No confidence in this establishment in not trying to rip you off. Unprofessional and will bill and waste your time. Will rush you off the phone when you dont get tricked into paying an old fake balance. This is no better than the fake irs calls except somehow this is legal.

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TE

Teresa Reams

When this place was Complete Dental, theyre professionalism was great. Not saying that its not great now, but its OK! First off, when I called to make the appointment, I didnt feel the professionalism right away. So fast forward to the next day (day of my actual appt.), I was running a little late (due to a prior appt. for my child), & front desk called my phone & instead of her telling my husband to relay the message that I was running late (or even before he could tell her why I was running late, b/c I was currently taking my child to see his doctor), she started off by saying something along the lines of, "Well, tell her next time she NEEDS to...". Although she found out immediately not to call my phone telling us what we NEEDED to do, we thought she was very unprofessional. Needless to say, Ill choose a different dentist when I make my next appointment. Thanks, but no thanks!

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IL

Ilan Breit

I have been here once for a routine cleaning and once was more than enough. I would not recommend this practice to anyone. The staff are unprofessional, lazy, unethical and careless. The hygienist cleaning my teeth had her attention on the TV that was playing a soap opera most of the visit which resulted in her missing her mark with the instruments and my gums to bleed down the back of my throat. In addition, the dentist didnt even introduce himself before recommending I have four cavities drilled and filled. I have never had a cavity in my life so I had two other dentists review my x-rays who disagreed and actually did not see any cavities. Dont really need to say anything else. Dont go there.

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JA

James Davis

Never received dental care at Total Smiles, but I have a complaint about how they maintain their property and relate to their neighbors. When they get their grass cut, the workers blow the clippings, leaves and trash onto Fayetteville Street and across Dunstan Avenue. This is a violation of Durham City ordinance and very disrespectful of their neighbors and the public in general. Doesnt leave me smiling.

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KE

Kenyetta Starnes

Ive gone to Total Smiles for my dental work.... its very convenient and right on the bus line. The professionalism from the front desk ladies, to the dental assistants, all the way to the dentists themselves is amazing. They made me feel very comfortable and explained the process to the extent to where I understood exactly what procedures were being done. My overall experience with this company was amazing.

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JE

Jessi Witchger

DO NOT GO HERE! Too many problems to name. Went there more than 5 times always waited an hour after my appointment started to see anyone each time. Had to go back in twice to have my fillings shaved down. Staff was dismissive, the place was dirty, and care was mediocre at best. Would not recommend.

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