Boston Smiles 151 Merrimac Street, Boston, MA 02114

"First review: Too good to be true! I came here a total of 3 times. One for a regular cleaning and that was done easy with no issues . The second time was for a consultation for a tooth implant. They informed me that the consultation was free/waived. And while at the appointment they wanted me to do a CT scan of my mouth to ensure their was no nerves near they would be placing the implant . They went to see if my insurance covers the scan and I waited 15ish mins which is no complaints because I want them to take their time to ensure I’m covered . Then they come back to tell me the insurance covers part of the cost which I said yes since it was affordable through the insurance . The 3rd visit I come to get a new night guard because I grind my teeth and because it was needed because my prior orthodontist highly recommended it ! So since I lost mine I ensure to call my insurance to see if they can cover the cost and they said yes and that half would be covered. So I called Boston Smile and told them that I wanting to get a new one . When I arrived to the appointment (Sep2023), they wanted me to pay on the spot , and said it $323 which i asked my insurance should be covering half of it. They basically said no. So I paid. but I made sure to keep the receipt. I then get a call a day later them saying “hey you owe a payment for the CT scan” which I went to ask why do I owe money if they said my insurance payed part of it . Remember I payed something too for the CT scan. They said “who told you this they must have told you wrong” I said it was “you” the same lady that is always at the front desk. And so I hanged up to call my insurance to find out that they never made a claim to see if my insurance covers mouth guard and yes they would have still covered half my costs, and that I was denied that I wouldn’t have been covered for the CT scan, I wouldn’t have agreed to the procedures if I was denied . And they want another 300$ from me ! I feel like I was being scammed here. Update 1 … (Oct2023) They ended up calling me is working with me to clear the issues up . I’m glad they the owner/manager called me personally to help with these issues. Despite they mentioned that there is a lack of staff due to COVID. These issues shouldn’t have happened and excuses shouldn't be made. Just own up to the issue and fix it. Update 2: (Dec2023) So after three months I was finally able to get a refund for the mouth guard. Boston Smile didn't call me to let me know that they got the payment from my insurance. I had to call my insurance and then inform the front desk basically saying, I need X amount since insurance payed yall already. It was quick and simple. I got back $186 and the $300 for the CT scan was waived that they told me that my insurance covered. I will give it one star because my overall experience was "not so good" the staff that have cleaned and fitted my mouth guard were amazing. However, the entire process of not verifying my info so i get charged correct and having to be the one to claim my money was ridiculous. I would recommend people to still come here just be aware that you are being charged right. But i will be taking my teeth somewhere else."

"The best practice I’ve been to. Everyone is very kind, professional, and organized. The staff ensures you are comfortable and puts patients' needs first. Overall a great experience and I would recommend coming here for a great dental experience!"

"I highly recommend this office to anyone seeking excellent dental care in a friendly and professional environment! The dentist consistently ensured that I felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout my visit. The staff members are accommodating, polite, and knowledgeable."

"DO NOT GO IN THERE!!! Today I came out of here in pain and tears! I cracked a tooth last week (large filling, an old root canal, and a small part of the tooth surrounding it broke). The day after the procedure, my tooth pain started. Now, based on the voicemail she left me today, I know that it was not the correct treatment. In the voicemail, she says that with an old root canal, when they open it, it gets infected (then why did you open it??). The doctor herself did not come to the appointment today. Another person came and started removing the top part of the tooth WITHOUT any X-ray. He just did some eye examination and kept telling me to bite. I told him several times that biting was too painful for me, but he didn’t care. I asked, “Is the tooth abscessed or infected? I feel my heartbeat around the tooth.” He said no, I don’t see any infection. Then he left me lying down and went away. After five minutes, someone else came and said Let me make your seat upright. After a few minutes, the secretary came in and said we compared your X-rays (!!! Remember, they did not get any X-rays today!!) and you have an infection. I said you didn’t take an X-ray from me today. She said the X-ray that was taken on the first day. I said the tooth was healthy and had no problems that day when the doctor started working on it, and your colleague just said I don’t have any infection! She insisted that the tooth is infected. Either the tooth was infected back then (!!) which makes the doctor unprofessional for starting to work on it, or it was fine and because of her very awful hygiene, it got infected during the process, or it was not properly disinfected before filling it again." Today, after some time had passed since I left the clinic, the doctor called me and left a voicemail saying that the root canal (which I had for years and was fine) was not properly finished and that when one opens such a tooth, it will get infected!!! She also said that she did not want to put a crown on my tooth because I am in pain. She knew that I was moving out of Boston and that I was not going to continue the crown process with her. I believe that the voicemail was just documentation of whatever because when I exited the clinic today, I told them that I was going to follow up with my insurance. I am going to do whatever is in my power to show them that what they did to me was not fine. Now, I am left with $250 out of my pocket and my insurance, and a painful tooth and jaw. If you are considering visiting them, please think again."

"Follow-up: the owner of the practice called me very shortly after posting this review, and offered to retrain the staff and ensure that this never happens again. She even offered to personally give me a follow up cleaning which I will be doing in a few months. Revising my review to 4 stars ———————— Original review ———————— I’ve been here a few times so far, the first couple of times were to perform an dental SRV, followed by a routine cleaning. The first session of SRV went great, however the second one not so much. The person performing the SRV added numbing cream to the wrong side of my mouth, and argued with me when I tried to protest. After they checked the files they realized they had the wrong side and numbed the other side as well, leaving my entire mouth numb. However, despite this and the anesthetic the SRV was incredibly painful and ended up drenching my shirt somehow with all of the spillover water. Horrible experience. My entire mouth was numb for the rest of the day. I had hoped that this was just a bad SRV experience, but I just went back for a routine cleaning (by the same hygienist) and was berated for poor dental health and drinking coffee (despite flossing every day and brushing every day). Boston Smiles advertises as judgement free so I was surprised. I would be willing to overlook this but the cleaning ended up nearly as painful as the SRV procedure, and was told that it’s painful because I don’t keep my teeth clean. I’m not sure if the pain is warranted but I don’t appreciate the attitude from the hygienist, it felt like I was being punished with an extra painful session."