Poway Family Dental Group and Orthodontics

R U N AND D O N’ T L O O K B A C K !!!
There is a reason this office only has 2 stars (generous 2 stars!) and if you look at reviews elsewhere you will find that their low rating is pretty consistent.
I have been a patient for several years… shame on me. I could go on and on and nit pick about all the issues I’ve had with them but this last incident with them was a huge wake up call!
I needed to have a crown removed less than 6 months after they put it on due to it cracking. The crown was so thin that when eating a burrito it cracked. Anyhow, I went in to have it have it replaced and while the dentist was removing the crown he shaved into the tooth next to it. He shaved so far into it that the dentin was exposed and I was experiencing horrible sensation to cold and heat. I returned a couple weeks later to have it looked at and the same dentist said «he didn’t see anything» although I was sitting in the chair telling him over and over again that I could feel pain. He grabs the air tool, puts it right up to my tooth and shoots air at it! I’m kicking and flinching in the chair and all he can say is that he believes I feel «something» but doesn’t «see anything». He then proceeds to blame it on the tooth that he removed the crown from saying that «because that tooth doesn’t feel anything it’s like the other one feels more»…those were his exact words. At this point I’m boiling and livid inside. The dentist was dismissive and arrogant! I went to another dentist two days later and paid out of pocket to get a second opinion. The other dentist took an x-​ray and it was clear as day — matter fact the other dentist said she didn’t even have to look twice or close up to see that the tooth has been damaged. I emailed my dentist a picture of the x-​ray and let him know that I wanted to be treated by another dentist in the office. I wanted to leave the dentist but I needed them to finish the work on the crown that cracked.
Now that they have finished the work on the crown, I’m done done done with this office.
I don’t have any complaints about the staff — they are great! They don’t deserve to work at this office.
As for appearance of the office, everything is outdated and old. They are like a car from 1980. They need major upgrades and renovation.

I love this dentist’s office! From the time I was greeted at the front office until all of my necessary dental work was discussed and then scheduled it was a great experience-​everyone was very friendly, informative, and they took the time to answer all of my questions. Further, despite other people’s claims that they rip you off-​they happily worked with my budget and gave me pricing of different alternatives. Courtney in their billing/​insurance department was phenomenal – she expedited my appointment by contacting the insurance directly to get pricing rather than waiting the normal 4 weeks for a prior auth. I think if you have open communication with them and express your needs/​concerns they readily work with you and are quite accommodating. I’ve already referred friends and family to this office.

My first appointment was ok. But the second one 6 month later went really bad.
First when I got into x-​Ray room I noticed that they have a new picture on the wall. It was some new kind of filling CAM. Im 100% sure that picture wasn’t there 6 month ago.
Technician started doing the x-​Ray, I asked why do I need new x-​rays, she said they it’s only few to see if there are any changes. She did more than 10 of them. I was concerned about the radiation I’m getting. But she didn’t seem to care much.
Than they took me to exam room. And that room also had that picture of new filling.
Usually hygienist come and does the cleaning, but this time doctor came and he said that one of my filling need to be replaced and he pointed on the picture on the wall. Then he called the accountant to explain me how much its going to be. 500 $ out of pocket!!! Insurance only covers 50%. I said that I need cleaning and if they could call hygienist to do the job. The dentist himself took the instruments and started doing the cleaning continuing talking about the CAM filling.
The cleaning was bad, my teeth didn’t feel clean. It took 10 minutes the most. I was happy to get out of their pressure.

I had several things that needed to get done and Dr. Rigg and the amazing staff there took care of everything for me in one visit. Dr. Rigg is patient, understanding, and takes great care to make sure you are comfortable. The rest of the staff is superb!

I got so tired of this office’s shenanigans.
The office upsold me on a dubious dental rinse service. The subsequent three visits they added the service onto the regular cleaning without asking if I wanted it then tried to get me to sign consent for the payment. Each time the receptionist presented it so casually that I had to ask what the additional $ 100 was for.
When I requested copies of my and my husband’s X-​rays, they charged me $ 50 dollars for two black and white printouts from a regular xerox printer.
Dr. D does not work well with frightened children or their frustrated parents. I switched my kids to a pediatric dentist two years ago and it’s been wonderful.
This practice lost an entire family of patients.

I don’t like one of their dental hygienist, she keep on repeating to me how I need to floss more. Then they said I NEED to have the deep pocket cleaning. I waited over an hour for the insurance quote. Really not happy with them. I paid in full for a 2 part procedure and they said they cannot do both on the same visit or insurance wont pay. Fast forward 6 months later, I tried to call them for a refund and they said only the manager can help but she will be out for another week. I left my contact info and no one called me back for a whole month. I called again last week and the receptionist told me she will make sure the manager will get the contact info. Once again I did not get a call back so I called again and make sure she calls me back. When she did, she said she never got any of my messages. I wonder who is lying. Anyway, they charge me full amount for 2 separate treatments and I only got 1 done. Now they are telling me I did not pay for the second treatment and I am not going to get a refund. Not going to do business with them.

This place practices anything but «family dentistry». I came to Poway Family Dental Group and Orthodontics because it was the closest dental office listed on my insurance provider. I had a tooth infection and was in no condition to search around so didn’t do my homework out of urgency. Big mistake. I’m taking valuable time to write this review to save others from making the same mistake.
I concur with almost all the negative reviews of this place and my experience was very similar so I won’t go too much into details (read Sam A.‘s review below, that’s their SOP and exactly what happened to me and more). Here are the common themes — up-​sell, unnecessary full mouth x-​ray, scares you to death how badly you need the dental work they recommend, pressure tactics to sign up, etc.
But if you want the details:
The dentist who attended to me seemed uninterested with my infected tooth and was more interested in up-​selling cosmetic works. She told me she couldn’t do anything with the infected tooth other than to write me a prescription for anti-​biotic and pain killer. Then she preceded to go over other services I needed for my other teeth — mostly cosmetics. Then her assistant led me to another room where an «accountant» was waiting for me. After being subjected to high pressure and at times threatening sales pitch by this so-​called «accountant» (who to me looks more like some high school kid straight out of Abercrombie & Fitch poster and who I bet had never taken any college accounting class much less a CPA), I left without signing anything and fuming mad — it was an outright sales pressure on a captive audience. As I was driving home, I received a call from the dentist — with her attention focused on up-​selling, she had forgotten to write me the prescription!
Every time I drive pass this place my blood still boils.

I’m a new patient that just went in yesterday, and I must say, this team is amazing! Everyone makes you feel so welcomed and they’re all so helpful for any questions or concerns you have.
I had come in for a teeth cleaning and X-​rays, as well as had some concerns for a deep filling I have. Everyone made me so comfortable and relaxed since I’m a baby when it comes to having any dental work.
I had a lot of questions concerning everything from whitening my teeth, having Invisalign, a root canal, and some fillings and before I could even ask, the dentist had already answered everything for me while cleaning my teeth!
Amazing team!

I went in for what I thought would be a typical cleaning. I brought my X-​rays from my previous dentist which were taken about 6 months ago, but was told they needed to take an another full set of X-​rays. I was told I needed to have root scaling. The root scaling plus a laser treatment took about one hour and my portion of the bill was $ 1040. I’m not sure what a reasonable charge would be, but this seemed high. I would definitely recommended checking around if you think you might need root scaling.

Just avoid them! Should have read their reviews before going there. Don’t go there if you are looking for honest dentist.

I have a great dentist in Rancho Bernardo, but figured I’d give Poway Family Dental a shot as it’s a bit closer.
My first experience was just a routine checkup, cleaning, and establish myself as a patient. After some whole mouth x-​rays, which I did like better than manually positioning a camera multiple times, I was ready to be seen.
The doctor came in, poked around at a cavity she found and determined I would need a root canal. She called in an «accountant» (her words) to go over root canal prices, and my options.
I was a bit shocked as I’m sure my usual dentist would have alerted me of this during my last visit.
While still reclined in the chair, light on my face, the accountant came in. Dentist and accountant discussed options and handed me papers outlining the cost of each procedure. I started to feel threatened by the way they pushed the paperwork on me, and the position I was in.
I was flabbergasted, never before have I been diagnosed with such a serious dental issue, the thought of needed a root canal was absurd, completely out of the question.
I went to my original dentist a week later — warned them of the cavity, sure enough I had a minor cavity, which they took care of in the same sitting.
Unprofessional and unethical — I don’t know what else this is, if not insurance fraud.

Scam alert! Do not go here if you are looking for an honest dentist. I just moved to the area and was looking for a new dentist. Went in for my new patient appointment, where I was informed that I absolutely needed a «deep cleaning» or root scaling and planing procedure with anesthesia for deep pockets. Then I was also informed that the «way your insurance is set up», I would need to do it in two separate appointments and pay out of pocket for both.
First of all, I visited a different dentist less than a year ago who mentioned NOTHING about deep pockets or a deep cleaning — my mm measurements have stayed consistent since my last appointment. Second of all, I called my dental insurance and they informed me that it did NOT have to be split into two appointments and could be done at one time. THIRD and most important, my aunt is a dental hygienist in Seattle and informed me that most of the time, this procedure is not necessary, and many dentists make a lot of money from the procedure so they «upsell» it — she told me that they should first and foremost, just do a regular cleaning and suggest a return visit in 4 months, with regular flossing and brushing to see if the pockets improve and should never push a deep cleaning as a first option.
SO, I called the office to request that my deep cleaning appointment be changed to a regular cleaning appointment and the doctor REFUSED to give me a regular cleaning! SCAM ALERT. I immediately canceled my appointment and will never return to that office again. Currently searching for an honest dentist in Scripps Ranch area, if anyone has any suggestions!

Recently, I noticed a new receptionist and I am so unhappy. I think she is rude and have no customer service. For example, I saw her being rude to an older lady, who had a hard time hearing.
The first time I went there the front desk were really nice and I liked it. I felt comfortable. I’m going to search for a new dentist for my family. I don’t need that attitude when going to a dentist office.

Needed an emergency tooth replacement and in the same day they replace the tooth and it looks better then it did originally. Thanks so much for giving me a great smile.
Sincerely,
Brian Gifford

Below is the message I sent to Poway Family Dental Group the day of my LAST visit to their office. They chose not to respond.
After reading some of the other reviews of their company here on Unilocal,it’s clear my experience with them is just how they do business.
Here’s my message to Poway Family Dental Group and Orthodontics:
«Good Afternoon. I decided to share my recent experience at your office with you so you’ll understand why I have selected a new office for my dental needs.
I arrived at my appointment time and was greeted by a buy (but nice and polite) lady with black hair. She was rotating between greeting patients as we walked through the doorway, checking patients in and answering the telephone.
Upon checking me in for my visit, she informed me that my insurance (Safeguard) doesn’t cover any of the office visit because I was having ‘a periodontal cleaning’ and it would be an out of pocket cost of about $ 265.
„My insurance doesn’t cover any of the procedure“?? I asked.
She asked me hold on on while she checked. She then said to a blonde lady who had been standing nearby, „It’s saying his insurance doesn’t cover any of the procedure.“
„There’s probably a reason for that“ the blonde lady quipped.
The lady with black hair then asked if I’d like to have a seat in the waiting room while they looked into it. I said sure and sat down.
After a few minutes, the blonde lady summoned me back to the reception desk, „Dustin.“.
She then told me that she had called my insurance „this morning“ and had confirmed that they didn’t cover any of the procedure. I wonder ‘why, if my insurance not covering any of the procedure was apparently a red flag for her so much so that she called the insurance company to verify, why wouldn’t she have called the patient and inform them because it likely would have been a red flag for them too’? Maybe I was planning to take time off from work for the appointment and would have chosen to cancel the appointment and remain at work rather than arrive to learn of the insurance gap and cancel the appointment and also be out several hours pay from leaving work early.
She then informed me that the visit would cost me $ 180.
What happened to $ 265? Did I travel further South for this appointment than I thought? It sure felt like I was in TJ and we were suddenly negotiating the price of your offices’ services.
I asked the blonde lady whether I could change the appointment into a covered procedure such as a regular cleaning to which she said I could not. Why could I only get a deep cleaning (that is 100% NOT COVERED) but not get a routine cleaning that would be 100% covered? Surely if I need a really thorough cleaning, I really need a light cleaning.
I declined the up-​sale and walked out of the Poway Family Dental office for the last time, arrived home and booked an appointment with my new dentist.
You must have a lot of customers to feel comfortable about treating them this badly.»
I have since changed dental offices which is a real shame as this office is directly across the hall from my credit union, California Coast, (if you want a good credit union, go there) and I had hoped this dentist would be good too because they are so conveniently located.

I had a root canal done 4.5 years ago. I paid for the best crown they offered. The crown has broken within the warranty time line which was 5 years. Because my work switched our insurance to another provider, and i could no longer continue to go to Poway Family Dental), the dentist is REFUSING to honor the warranty («I don’t know if you have been kick boxing» is what he told me). My insurance hardly covers the cost of a crown which is why I got the Bentley of crowns hoping that I wouldn’t have to replace it any time soon. I am now out over $ 2000 plus will need to replace the problem, which isn’t affordable right now.
Staff is not helpful, they don’t explain anything… All in all such a terrible experience.

This place is a JOKE! They’re not dentists, they’re scam artists. First off, they take 78 UNNECESSARY xrays/​pictures of your teeth…(a lot… you get my point). Then you meet with a «dentist» for 5 minutes to discuss your needs. Then you meet with a dental hygenist that basically tells you, you need thousands of dollars in dental work and need a «Deep cleaning» which costs hundreds. When I told them I just wanted a basic cleaning that my insurance covered, he told me there was no point in doing it, and he REFUSED to do it. So after being scared to death that my teeth are rotting (which they’re not)…i ended up doing the deep cleaning and paid hundreds. I saw my normal dentist months later (due to insurance changes) and he told me «deep cleanings» are a scam and that I basically wasted my money. DON’T GO HERE.

I’m so glad I went with my better judgement and let myself form my own opinion. With Unilocal hiding good reviews lately I wanted to give this place a chance and I’m glad I did.
From the check-​in to check-​out, I felt like I was the only patient in the office… even though I wasn’t. EVERYONE treated me kindly and with respect. From the receptionist to the X-​ray tech, to the doctor!
I waited 3 years before going to the dentist so this was a great opportunity for them to «up sell» me like a lot if these other Unilocal reviewers said happened… but they didn’t EVER.
They made recommendations and explained each option and the cost very clearly and never pressured me into anything. Insurance doesn’t cover everything so I expected I might have to pay a little out of pocket. That’s not the dentist fault, take it up with your insurance :)
I can personally recommend Dr. Rygg and Cai. Cai stayed late for a quick cleaning and was gentle and sweet.
I’m excited to never look for another dentist again and look forward to my next «regular» appointment in 6 months with this amazing team!

I just went in as a first time patient today and I was very pleased with my experience.
I had a 7am appointment and was seen almost right away. Homer at the front desk was very polite and professional.
I was seen by Dr. Azad. She was very nice and listened closely to my dental needs. I didn’t feel judged or embarrassed. She made me feel at ease. Afterwards, I got my Xrays done by Ashley. She too was awesome.
Next, I was seen by the hygenist, Cai. She assessed my Xrays and gave me very informative details of the procedures I would need done. I had very few questions because she was very good with her explanations. After I agreed to pay the out of pocket services (after insurance), I was getting work done right afterwards.
Cai was amazing. I hate needles and she was able to inject them almost painlessly. She also made me feel comfortable and at ease every step of the way.
Overall, the entire staff I met was Amazing. My teeth looks great and in better health than ever before. I know the price is expensive but you get what you pay for.
I appreciate the clean and modern office, the advance tools and technology they utilize, and the well-​educated Staff.
I’ll be coming back again. So happy to have found them!

Seemingly a good place but here is my experience:
Got talked into a crown operation for two front teeth that is about $ 4000 and a «deep cleaning» when I just wanted to clean my teeth. I had a about 8 shots of anesthesia and it still was intolerably painful. The hygienist Linda suggested all kinds of stuff and threatened that if I don’t do it I will encounter serious health problems– lots of pressure for selling.
Finally, once you sign up for the payment there is no way to change the payment date even in case of emergency. When I called the staff they totally changed face from when they were trying to sell me the service — «well, we are doing you a favor that you CAN make payments.» «No we cannot do anything about it now, sorry!»
So bad reviews are for a reason and I should have believed in it. Take my advise and go somewhere else — This place is a truthfully disappointing experience. I just know I will never buy their tricks anymore…