1 /5 Christine Carberry: I would stay far away from Utica Smiles in Utica il. They abandoned their patients for months on end because the ortho "had an emergency" and provided NO other doctor to follow care. They called to cancel his appt prior to this, and then disappeared. They could not provide ANY information as to when a doctor would be back, did NOT return ANY phone calls, and basically ignored any requests for more information. For over SIX MONTHS. When I FINALLY got a text over six months later, the "manager" was telling me that she has three other offices plus her own- dont cry to me about doing your job. We scheduled an appt for today, at 1pm. I left work early for this appointment, he was pulled from school for this appointment. We waited an hour and fifteen minutes past his appointment time. This is a common occurrence here. After an hour went by I asked if it would be much longer as he has a Dr appt that was scheduled based on his 1 o clock appt. They said a few minutes. I asked if for our next appt can they please make sure hes seen at his appt time so we can avoid this in the future and she tells me "its not a guaranteed time" thats literally what am appointment is and its YOUR JOB to inform someone if youre running behind. I asked to please have his records printed once he was finished.
He finally goes back and when he comes out some tech comes and hands me a folder with three pieces of paper in it, and tells me those are his records. For TWO YEARS(minus the 6 mo the They abandoned their patients) three sheets of paper?
I walk out to my car and see this letter. Are you kidding me?? THIS is the letter you give me after abandoning patients and cancelling appts last second numerous times? For ignoring patients phone calls and appts when they leave voicemails asking for call backs or appt confirmations and never receiving them?
Damm right hus orthodontic needs would be better met elsewhere. "Orthodontic conditions tend to worse with time if they are not addressed" yet you abandoned patients for over 6 months?
Ive already filed a complaint with the insurance company. Im filing a complaint with the BBB and also contacting the illinois board of dentistry.
Based on what another ortho says I may be speaking to a lawyer as well.
When I went back in to address this insane letter they gave me, she said well you can just hand me back the letter then, stating they didnt abandon their patients. But when I filed the complaint with insurance they definitely said thats abandonment, especially when it causes a major delay in treatment.
What a horrible practice
