Fernando H Jacobs, DDS – Riverside Center for Esthetic Dentistry

I loved Dr. Fernando Jacobs and his amazing staff. I’m not insured, and I needed my wisdom teeth removed. Not only was I impressed with the payment options available, my visit was quick and efficient and virtually pain-​free. I even got an appointment the same day I called. Dr. Jacobs was kind, courteous, professional, and very personable. He made my visit extremely comfortable and even fun. I have never liked going to the dentist. Who does??? But I am happy to say that this was a great experience. Now my top two wisdom teeth are removed, and I feel so much better. Becky and Darlene were great as well. Very sweet ladies Thanks everyone! You were all awesome!!!

My whole family had started coming here with a few minor complaints… I figured I would give them a try… worst mistake I’ve ever made. When I initially made my appointment I let the receptionist know that I had braces and was wondering if that was going to be a problem because I had wanted to come in for a cleaning. She said it wouldn’t be and that the dentist would know how to take my wire off. I get there and he struggles for about 20 – 35 minutes with trying to take my wire off asking me if I have seen the way my orthodontist does it and whether or not they used a special tool… as if I was supposed to know?! After he finally gets my wire off he tells his assistant «oh would you look at that, learn something new everyday» I was told he was a professional not that I would be a guinea pig. anyways I let that slide seeing as he didn’t break any brackets. After being there for FOUR HOURS… Yes four. for just a simple cleaning and X-​rays, the dentist struggles for another 20 minutes to put my wire back on. The receptionist then proceeds to inform me of my «copay» which was $ 150… My jaw dropped and I stated that it couldn’t be correct seeing as my first cleaning is always covered at 100% at every other dentist. She «rechecked» my insurance and brought the price down to $ 50…still not understanding what I was paying for I forked the money out seeing as I didn’t have a choice and thinking it was a lot better than $ 150.
Because of the way the dentist struggled with my wire I didn’t trust that he put it on correctly so I immediately called my orthodontist wondering if they could squeeze me in to check that everything was put on correctly. Not to my surprise. It turned out that he had put my wire on backwards… BACKWARDS. which would have resulted in moving my teeth in all different directions if I hadn’t called my orthodontist. I understand everyone is human but the fact that he wasn’t honest and just let me know that he wasn’t sure what he was doing would have been A LOT better than messing with my braces…
Anyways, because of the overpriced charges and the lack of honesty he displayed in that first visit I called to cancel my next appointment. When I called to cancel the receptionist asked why I was canceling and I kindly told her that I just didn’t trust him to clean my teeth or fill my cavities and that they were much too expensive in the nicest way possible (I work with the public at my job and I know how awkward these calls can be so I made it a point to not have an attitude or be rude in any way). I told her that I was just going to find a new dentist.
Now here’s the cherry on top of it all. I am 22 years old and about FIVE minutes later the receptionist had called my mom to ask her why I cancelled my appointment… a VIOLATION of HIPAA might I add. I was furious and they were lucky that I was just in the next room when my mom answered that call. They violated my privacy, broke the law, and further made me happy with my decision to find a new dentist.
My whole family had complaints about this place and my visit was the last straw. We are finding a new family dentist and these people are the worse practice you can go to untrustworthy, money-​hungry, unprofessionals. I figured the least I can do is share my terrible experience with the rest of you in hopes that you have a better experience than myself… or that you would avoid this place altogether.

Over priced fear mongering used car salesman. A cleaning is well over $ 200, and all you get are these fear inducing speeches about how you need to give him thousands asap so he can ‘save’ your teeth that are just fine. I have been to a few dentists, one a year prior to him, my teeth were fine. Now all of the sudden, he claims I was in a dire emergency!
Don’t let this snake oil salesman fool you. At least the job is done right. It better be for four times the cost! Oh, and they don’t tell you they doubled their prices until after and you are stuck with it. They tried to tell me 4 cleanings a year were proper. Incompetent liars.