This practice is unethical. I would recommend against going there because they try to push unnecessary procedures and charge for copies of your own records in violation of both federal and state regulation.
I went to Waltham Family Dental for my 6 month cleaning a few weeks ago. Intake procedure was fine and the hygienist was nice, although she took a set of 18 x-rays, which seemed a bit excessive. After the hygienist finished, the dentist was running behind so I was asked to go back to the waiting room. I had to wait another 20 minutes because the dentist was drilling someone's teeth. When I finally went in to see the dentist, she told me that I had two cavities in between my teeth. She also made weird comments about the fillings that I already had. She asked where I used to go to the dentist and pressed me on that a few times before saying that they were all really well done. She said it in a way that made me concerned that she wouldn't do as well.
As a result, I went back to my old dentist, who I had only switched from because it was a bit farther away. I needed a copy of my x-rays. I called and asked for my x-rays. They told me I needed to fill out a release, which is fine, however, the form states that you must send a $45 check to the practice in order to obtain the records. This is in direct violation of HIPAA regulations and state regulations. I called and argued with the practice manager about this, who told me that he would waive the fee almost immediately. He also implied that they need to charge the fee to protect themselves from patients going to other practices for procedures. He also said they would include the fee in their intake paperwork going forward, which doesn't change the fact that IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL REGULATION. Anyway, the practice is unethical and will take advantage of people who don't know better. To top it off, the dentist i went back to told me that I actually only had 1 cavity. The other alleged cavity was not a cavity. Don't go to this practice.
This practice is unethical. I would recommend against going there because they try to push unnecessary procedures and charge for copies of your own records in violation of both federal and state regulation. I went to Waltham Family Dental for my 6 month cleaning a few weeks ago. Intake procedure was fine and the hygienist was nice, although she took a set of 18 x-rays, which seemed a bit excessive. After the hygienist finished, the dentist was running behind so I was asked to go back to the waiting room. I had to wait another 20 minutes because the dentist was drilling someone's teeth. When I finally went in to see the dentist, she told me that I had two cavities in between my teeth. She also made weird comments about the fillings that I already had. She asked where I used to go to the dentist and pressed me on that a few times before saying that they were all really well done. She said it in a way that made me concerned that she wouldn't do as well. As a result, I went back to my old dentist, who I had only switched from because it was a bit farther away. I needed a copy of my x-rays. I called and asked for my x-rays. They told me I needed to fill out a release, which is fine, however, the form states that you must send a $45 check to the practice in order to obtain the records. This is in direct violation of HIPAA regulations and state regulations. I called and argued with the practice manager about this, who told me that he would waive the fee almost immediately. He also implied that they need to charge the fee to protect themselves from patients going to other practices for procedures. He also said they would include the fee in their intake paperwork going forward, which doesn't change the fact that IT IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL REGULATION. Anyway, the practice is unethical and will take advantage of people who don't know better. To top it off, the dentist i went back to told me that I actually only had 1 cavity. The other alleged cavity was not a cavity. Don't go to this practice.