Essex Dental Office

Due to the limited choices I had with my Healthfirst insurance — and giving the benefit of the doubt despite this office’s low rating and multiple 1-star reviews — I booked my first cleaning appointment a few weeks back. I arrived this morning and was told they had called me to reschedule, which I had no record of. (Turns out someone made a clerical error when entering my phone number, and it was off by one digit: an area code of 900, as if that would even exist.) I took the office’s incompetency, and my own inconvenience, as a sign to find a different provider. Maybe the other negative reviews are more credible than I thought…

This place is disorganized and has poor patient care. Dr. Garcia is kind efficient & compassionate. Her team is a different story. I have had several issues since coming to this location. 1. The dental assistant performed a procedure with no anesthesia. When I flinched from intense pain in my teeth, she yelled not to flinch but raise my hand. I brought the pain to her attention, and she began to argue why would I hurt you on purpose without addressing my initial point. After mentioning I didn't take it personal I just wanted her to be aware of the pain, she told me she wanted to stop providing care. She stopped, with no acknowledgement of the pain or her rude reaction. The insurance paid for an incomplete procedure. That's Mal practice. When I told her about the poor review to come, she told me and I quote "thank you." Her team obviously doesn't feel our opinions of care matter. 2. If you want a place that will always mix up your appointment time come here. Today I waited for 30 minutes for an appointment after being told to come early. The front desk receptionist was on her phone the entire time. When I asked her why why have Me come early to only have me wait, she told me to just keep waiting. I have scheduled appointments several times, and called to re schedule, I'd call & be told that they had no record of the appointment. I'd say but I have an appointment just need to move it and they'd insist that no that was not in their record. Going to the dentist is hard enough many of us would agree...! This office will raise the bar & make it even harder. To be frustrated come here. If they remember your appointment date & time, you are literally in for a painful ride.