A One-Star Review I Was Never Allowed to Explain

This was posted on healthy grades within an hour of the appt. Went for the FIRST check up with my 21 months toddler and it was completely destroyed thanks to Dr. [redacted]. She made ZERO effort and WILLINGNESS to make any contact with the baby but rather wanted to jump right into the procedure like a conveyer thing. Baby was crying of course, and who wouldn't if you'd have been put in a teeny tiny room with 2 adults hanging over your head, wearing masks and face shields, (it's COVID, I get it) without trying to talk or distract, but instead trying to lay you down and get into your mouth. I was not even allowed to touch a toy to comfort my baby. She said it's completely normal at this age and that she would RESTRAIN baby and get things done... Unfortunately, nowadays there is a whole bunch of doctors with fancy degrees but ZERO human factor, patience and friendliness and being a CHILD doctor requires even more effort on this side. Stay away from this doctor if you don't want your kids get traumatized for the rest of their lives going to a dentist. Nov 12, 2021

Mom and her daughter arrived and were put in a treatment room. Mom proceeded to open all cabinets and fine as many prizes toys cups etc to distract her screaming child. It was COVID, and we were trying to limit how many toys were out because it was easier to clean empty surfaces. Mom had not been told to go in any of these cabinets. When I came in the room with my assistant I politely introduced myself and asked mom to please not touch all of those toys because we were trying to keep them clean and for decoration only. Mom demanded more toys for her crying child and took all toys she found. Mom asked my several times to take off my mask and face shield. I did not feel comfortable doing this, and offered mom could reschedule another day of this was making her the most upset. For context tho, all providers at the time had heavy PPE and none of the other doctors were going to oblige her request to take the masks off. Mom agreed to stay at the appointment this day. I explained to mom that I was going to do a knee to knee lap exam to check her daughter’s teeth, she would be on the moms lap the whole time, and it was normal for her to cry because she’s not even 2 and most kids cry at this age but the appointment would not hurt her and we were using a regular toothbrush to brush her teeth. Mom was so upset she refused to lie her daughter down at all and left the appointment before we could even clean her teeth. Her husband called moments later and asked me what happened. I explained everything and he was apologetic for his wife’s behavior. I rescheduled their appointment to try again with him there too. But as soon as the review was posted my office manager restricted their account and they were told to call a new dentist.

I was so incredibly upset and hurt. This was my first one star review and it was on such a public platform, everyone could see it simply by looking up my name. For years this review made me cry thinking about it, and I felt I had to disclose this incident with patients who read it before their appt, and with new employers.

After 2 years I paid $750 to have a service remove the review. It did not work, but now healthygrades doesn’t show my review details, just that I have 1 star. Subsequent disgruntled parents have referenced the fact that I have 2 one star reviews numerous times. I’ve debated changing my name to my husbands last name to distance myself from this. It’s also fueled my depression and is a recurring source of trauma that I discuss in therapy.