Smiles By Design

I am shocked by the fact that this dentist’s office has only one star from Unilocal.Chalk it up to another misrepresentation of a business due to Unilocal’s «recommended review» process. After a truly horrendous experience at another Bethesda dentist, where I was bullied into unnecessary procedures and chastised for wanting a second opinion, I was referred to Dr. Abel’s office by a close friend. They have a welcoming, small practice, family-​like atmosphere, and it’s clear they know all their patients by first name. I found it a refreshing change from the business-​like atmospheres of many doctor’s offices these days!
Having been there multiple times now, I have always had a pleasant greeting from the staff and Dr. Abel. I am so relieved to finally have a doctor who sits down to talk me through options for dental care without bullying or pushing expensive and unnecessary procedures. You can be sure that I will be returning to this office for years to come.

STAY AWAY! Scam artists!!!
I used to be a patient of doctor Dr. Shannon Abel. She was young and sweet and did a satisfactory job with my teeth. She had a dental hygienist from the south (NC?) who was friendly and outgoing and made routine cleanings tolerable.
Then Shannon Abel moved away. Morale declined. The once friendly hygienist became cold and jaded… telling patients how much she despised working at Smiles by Design and couldn’t wait to quit. And she did. The practice hired a new dentist. She quit too… almost immediately.
Dr. Martin Abel (Shannon’s dad) is the only dentist who remains. He’s old, disgruntled, and rude. The front desk receptionist, Irma, is probably even worse. On my last visit, Irma «checked me in» (aka waved me into the back room) as soon as I arrived. Then she rushed back to her computer where she was looking up pictures on Facebook… After getting 4 fillings while listening to Dr. Abel complain about the cost of paying for healthcare for his employees, I returned to the front desk where Irma asked me to pay $ 300. I was shocked. My insurance covers fillings in full and I’ve never paid more than $ 14 upon exiting the office. Irma acted as if this was impossible and I must be mistaken. Reluctantly, I paid. Then I called my insurance company who looked up my records. I was correct. My insurance covers those fillings in full just as they have in previously documented appts. I called Irma. She was short with me and snapped, «well we no longer take your insurance». WTF?! You can’t tell me that *after* the appt!!! Irma said she’d call me later. No response. My husband called. She was rude, said she’d call back later. No response. I finally stopped by the office. Here Irma told me that Dr. Abel was going through a rough time. «He’s all alone, the other dentist quit, he has bills to pay…» she whispered. Are you kidding me!!! You pulled the wool over my eyes, tried to weasel extra money out of me, acted rude to me and family, and now you want sympathy!!! Oh HELL no.
Fast forward 3 months, we got a bill in the mail requesting several hundred more dollars. We contacted the attorney general’s office and filed a complaint. Oh, and one of my expensive-​ass fillings fell out! Nice work, Dr. Asshole.
I fully expect Smiles by Design will be out of business before we get a resolution… We know a handful of other people who used to use this practice who have had equally hideous experiences.