False Reviews, Legal Threats, and Thoughts of Early Retirement
This account was submitted by a healthcare provider and de-identified before publication. Details that could identify a patient or practice have been removed, and it is shared with the provider’s consent.
The patient and her mom posted multiple negative reviews (even after Google deleted them) on multiple platforms alleging that I provided inappropriate treatment, unnecessarily extracted teeth, and was responsible for the deterioration and shifting of remaining teeth.
The post was not accurate. The patient presented with severe, rapidly progressing dental disease and repeatedly delayed or declined recommended care. Treatment was staged conservatively to preserve teeth, and extractions were recommended only after the affected teeth became non-restorable or had a poor prognosis. In addition, shifting of teeth was discussed at length and orthodontic retainers were made for her. Mom and daughter both denied paying for the retainers so the teeth shifted.
Emotionally it made my staff and me sad, angry, and reluctant to want to treat compromised people for fear of retaliation.
Yes, we tried to resolve the clinical issues with the patient and her mom before any online harassment started. Eventually they both started posting (remember mom wasn't a patient, only daughter), and when I would have Google remove the reviews (unsuccessful with Facebook), they would re-post the reviews, sometimes multiple under fake accounts until Google would remove them again. They made sure to always have 1 or more 1 star review for a period of about 5 months on my page. Eventually they threatened to sue unless I paid them for services rendered AND for future dental work. They also reported me to the Oregon Board of Dentistry for malpractice. In total I have two outstanding claims with my insurance company due to them. Fortunately, I won the initial insurance claim where no malpractice was found, and fully expect to be absolved of any wrongdoing by the Oregon Board. However, at any moment there's nothing stopping them from beginning to harass me online again.