No One Smiling at Kool Smiles

Do you know why they overbook? Well I will tell you why, the reason they overbook is because a large amount of patients do not show up. People complain all the time a about waiting. Good God I was at a Ear specialist and I had to wait over and hour to see the doctor. So dont think because of what type of insurance has anything to do with it because it doesn't. The majority of the patients who go to clinics are on medical assistance. People need to stop trying to stereotype because medical assistant is wwho pays their salaries. People need to grow up. No matter what insurance you have no matter who you go to see a lot of the time you have to wait even with having the best insurance.

Alicia McLeod wrote:

Listen to what is being said! If you buy a cheap car as opposed to an expensive, YES, you get what you pay for!!! We are talking about PEOPLE, not cars. Why should anyone have to pay extra for a kind word rather than a rude attitude, for decent dental care rather than veterinary medicine?( In fact, my vet seems better that these folks I am reading about!) So they accept less pay and take Medicaid. Their choice. Still doesn't make it all right to overbook and subsequently traumatize a child. Poor people should not be treated with disrespect and inhumanely because they are POOR! I personally am NOT one of those "poor people". My husband is retired Military as well as having a double retirement with State government. We have all the insurance we would ever need. BUT....my granddaughter and her husband are hand to mouth, primarily because he received a severe back injury and can no longer work anything that pays comparably to what he was doing before as it was a strenuous occupation. They have 4 children all under 9 years of age. They do good to eat and keep a decent roof over their heads. Nevertheless, they adore those girls and should never have to subject them to inhumane measure just to keep their teeth healthy. I detest judgmental individuals who have no idea what they are even discussing! Walk in an unfortunate person's shoes for a while...get stared at when you present a Medicaid card or foot stamps followed by rolling eyes. Wear Wal-Mart clothes and hand-me-downs rather than what NOT in style,and see how even school affects your children. The LAST thing you need is below-standard medical care. Once you are down, the pack is all too ready to kick! WAKE UP!!! This is NOT about MONEY!!!!!!!!!

Amen Sara. I am a dental assistant for Koolsmiles and we are way over worked. I have worked with children for a few years now and I love the children and want to help them because their parents don't understand the need for dental work, a large portion of the children who come in are for emergencies because their teeth are rotten. Every day I get so upset with the parents, like this one parent her child didnt have her shoes on and I told the mother very nicely that her daughter needed her shoes to be on. The mother gave me the nastiest look and said I know waht my daughter needs don't worry about it. The floors in a dental office I wouldnt let a dog eat off it, let alone my child crawl and walk around on them. You should see the abuse we dental assistants take from the parents. Another example I was bringing back a patient and the whole family started to come back, well our policy is one parent in the back because of distractions and the rooms are not that large. The mother told me I was stereotyping, I guess because she was black and I am white. She was very nasty to me. Finally I told her maam I don't stereotype anyone my boyfriend is black. The patients just think we have to cater to them as if we owed them.

Sara wrote:

I agree that this is awful and children are being treated like cattle... this is the problem.. they have to take Medicaid (lower fees) and still still may the Dentist, Hygienist and Dental Assistants well... or they won't work there. So they shove everyone into like 10 minute appointments (for cleanings) and let's just be honest.. a lot of people who are on Medicaid are less educated on dental and oral health. They probably don't go to the Dentist themselves and so they don't see the value. and when the kids have alot of issues they may need oral sedation so they have a better experience but can't afford it, so they strap the kid down.
Now the parents (who do not like the dentist because they never go and so they always have problems and wait until they are in SERIOUS pain, and the cleanings are painful because they have periodontal disease) They have children that feel the same way and will continue this trend. Dental problems ARE genetic but ORAL HEALTH IS LEARNED from the parent. I've seen this as a hygienist. Mom complains that she doesn't like that "gritty stuff" and then the kid does the same thing.. and i know from experience (in private practice when i have time to KNOW my patients) they got that from MOM!!! ugh, and you moms who NEED to come back when your kid is like 5.. LISTEN.. you make it WORSE!! i always say.. let me try without you and i will come get you if the child gets upset. I get through 99% of appointments WITHOUT YOU! When the Dentist comes in.. I go get the parent.
My point is.. find another office that is slower pace.. and not one where there is a playplace.. that's probably not a great sign. Get educated on Sealants, Prophys, Fluoride and what your insurance covers. Know why baby teeth need to be filled and not PULLED! they hold the space for the adult teeth and some baby teeth are not lost until age 11-13. And find an office with a hygienist who has TIME on her schedule for you!
Those poor Kool Smile employees probably don't have much of a choice (job market.. not so great) and turn into mosters over time..
ok!!! I'm done! I read all this and as a Dental Hygienist who LOVES kids and adults! I needed to get that out.. ok..:)

You missed my point(s) entirely....

Dental Assistant wrote:

Do you know why they overbook? Well I will tell you why, the reason they overbook is because a large amount of patients do not show up. People complain all the time a about waiting. Good God I was at a Ear specialist and I had to wait over and hour to see the doctor. So dont think because of what type of insurance has anything to do with it because it doesn't. The majority of the patients who go to clinics are on medical assistance. People need to stop trying to stereotype because medical assistant is wwho pays their salaries. People need to grow up. No matter what insurance you have no matter who you go to see a lot of the time you have to wait even with having the best insurance. <quoted text>

You have everything for free and you are complaining First of all if your child has cavities is YOUR FAULT not the dentist. That why they need so much dental work, crowns,fillings etc . If you dont like the dentist MAKE IT EASY!!! Go find a job, pay taxes stop asking for medicaid, section 8, food stamps, Tanf PAY OUT OF POCKET you always want everything for free. And Have sooo many kids 4 or 5.. Kids are expensive and if you cant affort it then STOP Getting pregnant every year YOU SHOULD ASK FOR BIRTH CONTROL PILLS not medicaid. I dont think kool smiles is a bad place I took my son there and he LOVED IT, and has NO CAVITY why? Bc I brush his teeth everyday. PEOPLE WHO GETS EVERYTHING FOR FREE IS ALWAYS COMPLAINING!! LOL

@lolo12teethe brushed my son's teeth every morning and night and he's gone to the dentist every 6 months since he's had teeth. Odd that he has never had a cavity until two weeks ago we went to Koop smiles because our family dentist moved his practice out of state. They told me he had at least 5 cavities and that it looked like he had never brushed his teeth. I flipped out he will NEVER be seen there again....why you ask? I made him a dentist appointment at an actual dentist office who told me not only did my sons perfect teeth not have a single cavity... The X-rays they showed me were not of his mouth. I am not on medicaid and I pay an astronomical amount of money for him to have dental coverage. And just because someone doesn't have any money that doesn't give a company the right to take advantage of them. They torture children and by you defending that you are proving to the world that you are an ignorant p.o.s!

I read over this with great interest after having seem them change their name in Baltimore.

I think some people here are very out of line. Dentists and Doctors are paid to heal, not to abuse. There is a line between healing and abusing. Not every procedure can be pain free, I understand that, and I'm sure there is some exaggerating by the kids, but I know that all of these reports are not lies. My mom was a victim of a bad dentist who just did un-needed work to get money. They do exist.

Then there is parental responsibility. Parents need to make sure dental health is a priority, I learned later in life brushing is the key to good dental health. Parents should also be involved in the treatment, educate themselves, observe and monitor their kids, don't hand them over to the doctor to do whatever, you and the doctor should be a team.

The issue of insurance is a key one. It appears they are paid by the state; which is terribly inefficient at catching waste, yet we so desire state funded health care. That doesn't make sense to me.

Be proactive with your kids, and if something seems funny, question it. I had a dentist try to do a root canal on me right then and there. I found another dentist, and he said that I could have a filling done, and it might last 5 weeks, or 20 years, but it would be better to try it than do a root canal if I'm on a budget.

Respectfully question everything, if the doctor won't work with you, it might be time for a change.

Brenda wrote:

Why would you let someone do root canals on a child that is going to loose their baby teeth when they grow older? Why would you leave your child in there by himself? My kids are 10 and 11 and I still stay with them when they are having their teeth checked. I don't mean to put the blame on just you but I fault both you as a parent and the dentist. PLEASE, have this place investigated so that this will not happen to another child. I hope that you kept the pictures and the invoice to show what they done to your son.

SOMETIMES baby teeth need a root canal (its not to the extent of an adult one). If its a back tooth or a tooth that wont fall out for a few yrs then you need to do it. Bad baby teeth can effect adult teeth. I also go in with my children.
I have taken the kids to kool smiles but after reading this, i plan to find someone else.

Lola1222 wrote:

You have everything for free and you are complaining First of all if your child has cavities is YOUR FAULT not the dentist. That why they need so much dental work, crowns,fillings etc . If you dont like the dentist MAKE IT EASY!!! Go find a job, pay taxes stop asking for medicaid, section 8, food stamps, Tanf PAY OUT OF POCKET you always want everything for free. And Have sooo many kids 4 or 5.. Kids are expensive and if you cant affort it then STOP Getting pregnant every year YOU SHOULD ASK FOR BIRTH CONTROL PILLS not medicaid. I dont think kool smiles is a bad place I took my son there and he LOVED IT, and has NO CAVITY why? Bc I brush his teeth everyday. PEOPLE WHO GETS EVERYTHING FOR FREE IS ALWAYS COMPLAINING!! LOL

YOU are VERY ignorant! You think everyone who goes there is on welfare. I decided to take my children to Kool Smiles because it looked CHILD FRIENDLY, not because its "free".

As for it being the parents fault for cavities.. My children brush twice a day and floss once a day. They use mouth wash, they dont eat junk or drink soda... THEY STILL ended up with some cavities. CAVITIES can also be caused by certain bacteria and genetics that have nothing to do with brushing. YOU are very ignorant to label everyone like that.
OH and when I was on MassHealth, it was because I left my abusive husband with nothing to my name..i never went one welfare but I did accept masshealth for my children (not myself) until I got on my feet.

OH and even if its FREE.. they have no right to torture children. They have no right to do the things that are being reported. SHAME ON YOU for thinking children should be put through pain and deal with hack dentists just because they are poor!

Dental Assistant wrote:

Do you know why they overbook? Well I will tell you why, the reason they overbook is because a large amount of patients do not show up. People complain all the time a about waiting. Good God I was at a Ear specialist and I had to wait over and hour to see the doctor. So dont think because of what type of insurance has anything to do with it because it doesn't. The majority of the patients who go to clinics are on medical assistance. People need to stop trying to stereotype because medical assistant is wwho pays their salaries. People need to grow up. No matter what insurance you have no matter who you go to see a lot of the time you have to wait even with having the best insurance. <quoted text>

D.A.
I understand that people wait. I wait at most docs BUT I booked my cleaning at the same time as my daughter so we could get both done and out of the way. WHILE THERE they canceled mine because they ran out of time. My daughter was told she needed 3 teeth pulled. She is 12 and has sensory issues and wiggling her baby teeth out was something she had issues with. So I understood the need to pull them since her adult teeth are coming in. They booked the appointment,they said they would do the extractions and the 2 fillings all at once since she has issues with anything near her face.. they said they would do it all at once so she wouldn't have to keep coming back. They pulled 2 then said they ran out of time and would have to do more on another day..MIND U, i re-booked my cleaning for the same day as her extactions (again, trying to manage my time wisely). I waited 2 hrs before they said they are really busy and dont know if they would have time to do my cleaning. Well my daughter was done by this point and i wanted to get her home so... i still haven't had my cleaning from them. Im switching places. Im not poor or on welfare but it thought they were kid friendly so i took her there. I warned them over and over before the visit that she needs someone who will understand her issues. She was given novacane but when they started working she said she could still feel it. They told her she was a LIAR and told her the story of the boy who cried wolf.. then gave her a second shot (if shes lying why give the second shot). She still could feel pain. She insists to this day, she could feel it and they insisted she was a liar. That doesn't seem child friendly to me.

kool smiles are horrible.they let you wait a long time.NEVER GO TO KOOL SMILES PERIOD.

I wish I never had taken my child to kool smiles they are horrible!!!!!!!

kool smiles in Newportnews Va. is the best. I have never been treated better.

All of these comments about people going to kool smiles because they are poor or don't take care of thier childrens teeth are rediculous. I am a single mom of a 2 year old and he is on medicaid but I PAY FOR IT EVERY MONTH. I am a single mom because his dad was abusive towards me and didn't want to help with our son. I moved and and got my own place. I work and full time job and still struggle. I took my son there because i thought since they were kid friendly the would take good care of him and he would treated with respect and they would undstand that he is just a two year old. He doesn't understand what the dentist is. He was soo excited to go and when we got there was still excited. They were just horrible and rude. I waited 2 hours becuase they "lost his chart". Mind you he's 2 by then it was nap time and he was hungry and thirsty. Waiting 2 hours all for 15 mintues worth of work. They were also rude to him. Yes my son has medicaid (not me)but I have also been without insurance paying several hundred dollars for appointments just because I refuse to neglect my child. I will be finding another densist and paying full price it that's waht I have to do.

T Silvey-joshua wrote:

I took my 6 yr old to Kool smiles to have a cap placed that they say she needed she received the most inhuman treatment I ever seen they strapped her to this board that looked like something they made in the back rm. One assistant helded her head while they instructed me to hold her legs she screamed and was soaking wet when they finished. The next day she has bruises on her legs,she has pain in her tummy and she had nightmares all night. I wouldn't treat a dog the way they treated my six year old

Well.....you held her legs down !!! You saw it first hand and all you had to do is get up and leave and find another dentist. Shame on you as a parent.

While I was a kid, my parents took me to the dentist every six months like clockwork. I'm now 33 and still have my wisdom teeth, never had a cavity and still have sealants in place (which were periodically replaced as needed). When my wife and I moved down to Killeen, TX from Massachusetts, we got caught up in everything else that we didn't get to the dentist. Fast forward 3 years, and one 2 year old son later, we made appointments for our cleanings and our son's first appointment...at Kool Smiles. From my experience in my life, I never had any issues, was always in-and-out of the office. Well, our 9am family appointment was never entered into their system by the 'community outreach' individual, so we sat there until 11am when they were finally able to get stuff together for my cleaning and my son's cleaning. Surprisingly, our son was a breeze and didn't even flinch at the hygienist's chair and he was given a clean bill of health (minus a little plaque behind his front teeth). My appointment included the notification of 3 cavities and no discussion on the condition of my sealants. I made the appointment to have these cavities filled to the tune of $110. My wife, unfortunately, was told that she needed almost $1000 worth of work, including two crowns to replace fillings from years ago.
After reading these posts and the information people have shared, I too would like to add something. Always look for a private practice dentist, if you can. Along with being smaller, these offices are usually run and owned by the dentist whose name is on the sign, door, card, and sometimes, toothbrush. Ask how long he or she has been in private practice. Ask how long they've been at that location - if the decor is sufficiently out-of-date and the place looks 'lived in', it's safe to assume they've been there for a while. More importantly, ask people to suggest/recommend a dentist that is personally known or seen for a long time and has never had a negative experience with. I am seeing that many of the respondents live in Massachusetts, so I will plug this guy:
http://www.uxbridgedentalcenter.com/Home.aspx
That is the dentist I saw for almost 10 years before moving to Texas and no I am not a shill for him. I would highly suggest those that are willing to drive for a good dentist, and who have insurance that is covered by them to contact that office. If you want a better experience with the dentist, and more importantly, you want your children to become adults with his or her own healthy teeth, find a reputable private practice dentist who is highly recommended.

Sounds like a GREAT IDEA, genius. Go to the OLDER docs that dont have the up to date systems. Which is more than likely the reason your wife needs SO much work. Kool Smiles uses STATE of THE ART digital X-rays, allowing them to see way more than the old "films" can show. You sound like a very confused individual. Do some research before posting something so ignorant.

Well I go to Kool Smiles here in Richmond, VA along with my kids and i have never had a problem with the staff or dentist. They always treated us with the up most respect and was very affordable. I have private insurance and take myself and my kids every six months for a check up. Maybe all of you need to come to Richmond, VA and experience the wonderful staff they have. Previously We went to a private Dentist who was ripped us off for alot of money. I had two insurances and i was still paying at least $150 to $200 out of my pocket every visit we went. She was telling us we had cavities and was replacing the silver fillings with white fillings that the insurance didn't cover. So when I changed and went to Kool Smiles this is when I realized that I had been ripped off about $3000 out of my pocket money not including the money she was getting from the insurance companies.

Brenda wrote:

Why would you let someone do root canals on a child that is going to loose their baby teeth when they grow older? Why would you leave your child in there by himself? My kids are 10 and 11 and I still stay with them when they are having their teeth checked. I don't mean to put the blame on just you but I fault both you as a parent and the dentist. PLEASE, have this place investigated so that this will not happen to another child. I hope that you kept the pictures and the invoice to show what they done to your son.

You seem to be quick on judging without any thoughts. I think people like you are not thinking through this process. If you want to investigate the only dental office that takes your insurance, what do you think is going to happen to you and your family? Which office is going to take your insurance? Have you ever had a toothache? It hurts like a BYTCH! So I can't imagine what it will feel like when my kids have a toothache. You want to investigate every dental office in the US, go ahead. The only person that wins is the crooked lawyers trying to stir up emotions out of half-wits like yourself. In the end, you're fuked, your kid is fuked, and your whole community that relies on that particular dental office is fuked. Lawyers get away with the embezzling 1-2 million dollars from the state, which is your tax dollars. Do you think that you will see a portion of that 1-2 million dollars? Hell No! So quit your yapping and help yourself out. Why do you think the US is getting messed up overall? It's people like you, give lawyers shyt load of jobs, siphoning DOLLARS out of the state. It leaves us, no money in the honey to take. Fuking half-wits!

Alicia McLeod wrote:

You missed my point(s) entirely....
<quoted text>

If the dental office is the only office that is taking your Medicaid or Chip insurance, it is necessary for the dental office to overbook. Why?

1) people don't show up, miss appointments. People don't understand if a patient misses an appointment, there could have been someone else who is in dental need to fill the spot. And if the dentist is working with medicaid patients, missed appointments are common and casual. I wonder why?
2) Regardless of what you hear, ALL dental offices are businesses. It's comparable to the Airlines business except you don't get charged for cancelling. So why are you not complaining about airline rules?
3) If you think its too crowded, go somewhere else that takes your insurance. If there's only a few doctors that are in network with your insurance, it's not the dentists' fault. You just have a crappy insurance.
4)Medicaid patients = are more irresponsible patients than private pay. Why do you think? and please, don't blame the dentist for your cavities.
5) Once the US takes away medicaid from people, you will be sorry.

I brought my 6 year old to kool smiles in columbus ga because her tooth was hurting really bad the dentist told me she was going to do a root canail on a baby tooth so she did and my daughter woke up in worse pain than before so they tell me to bring her in this morning make me wait 2 and half hours to fix a mistake they did witch was they should have pulled it in the first place duh it's a baby tooth this is crazy never again