Poway Family Dental Group and Orthodontics

"DO NOT GO HERE. I will be reporting to the Dental Board of California. This place caused me severe unnecessary pain. Instead of caring about my wellbeing, all they saw were dollar signs. After coming here on 2/22/24 with MINOR tooth pain. I was told my tooth had abscessed and I needed a root canal. Instead of getting me in immediately for a root canal they booked me 3 weeks out for 3/13/24. I was told by Ana in order to “save my tooth” they needed to put a temporary crown on my tooth. Now I know when you hear the words “save your tooth” it’s malarkey. Saving my tooth would have been getting me in immediately for a root canal. Or referring me to an office who could perform the root canal sooner. After I heard this information I agreed to the cost of $1600 for a TEMPORARY crown while I wait 3 weeks for my root canal. Dr. Dalton has terrible bedside manner. The dental hygienist wasn’t talking to me and keeping me informed on what she was doing. I was drilled on without being properly numbed initially. I left with an ill fitted rough crown. The doctor never double checked the dental hygienists work, or even came to see how my experience was. When I left the office is when the real trouble started. Over the course of the next 2 weeks my pain progressively got worse. I called them more than once to let them know. Again I got no real help. I continued to take 800MG of ibuprofen and 1000 MG of Tylenol for 2 weeks. On 3/5/24 I called their office again to let them know I was in pain. Ana told me “unfortunately pain is normal. Take over the counter pain relievers.” Any competent office would have had me come back in ASAP. On 3/6/24 I was in more pain than I have ever felt in my life. It was radiating down my jaw/up the side of my face/ into my sinuses. I couldn’t work, eat, sleep. Instead of calling Poway family back I got smart and went somewhere else even though they didn’t accept my insurance. They said I had an infection, and an ill fitting crown that was not properly shaved down. They immediately prescribed me antibiotics, and went out of there way to get me in for a root canal as soon as possible on 3/8/24. Today on 3/8/24 I had the most amazing experience at Rancho Bernardo Endodontics. The doctor had incredible bedside manner. She was extremely kind, gentle, and compassionate. She informed me the reason I was in so much pain was I had an exposed nerve just sitting under the temporary crown that poway family dental group had done. She let me know she felt incredibly bad for me and the experience I had. She also reinforced what I was told by the dentist who got me in for the root canal- that she did not like the temporary crown poway dental group had put in my mouth. She said it was very ill fitting. She said it also contributed to the pain I was having. I ended up paying for this procedure at Rancho Bernardo Endodontics out of pocket as they didn’t accept my insurance. It was 1000% worth it and I would do it again. My only regret is not listening to the 3 star reviews Poway family dental group had. I will never recommend this place to anyone, and I will be seeking legal action to obtain my money back. This place is highly outdated, unprofessional, and they only care about money…not the wellbeing of their patients. Save yourself time and find someone who cares."

"The removal of my four wisdom teeth was quick and painless. The staff was polite, answered all my questions, made sure I understood what was happening, why and post care. I am glad I choose this clinic."

"I normally never write reviews, and never any negative ones at that. Despite the 3 star reviews I still wanted to give this place a chance. I came in with a minor toothache, and left in excruciating pain. More than I have ever felt in my life. The dentist knew I hadn't been to a dentist in over 13 years. He had terrible bedside manner. I didn’t feel comfortable at all. At one point I was drilled on without being properly numbed. I left the office paying $1600 for something that should never have been done in the first place. I was sent home with no aftercare summary, and no mention of any medications waiting for me at the pharmacy. I called the office about 1 hour after I left to let them know I was in severe pain. The girl on the phone said “ sorry the doctor is at lunch right now so I’m not sure if there’s anything at the pharmacy for you, but the girls in the office said to take 1000MG of Tylenol. We will call you back and let you know.” I never got a call back. After 8 hours of being in pain my husband called the office. At 6:30 p.m. I finally got a confirmation for antibiotics and ibuprofen waiting for me at the pharmacy. Over the course of 2 weeks my pain has progressively gotten worse. I called them again this week to let them know I was in pain on 3/5/24. Again they told me to take over the counter pain medication until they can see me for my root canal on 3/13/24. On 3/6/24 I was in more pain than I have ever felt in my life. 10/10 pain in my tooth/jaw/face. I couldn’t eat, work, sleep. On 3/7/24 I went to a different dentist who does not accept my dental insurance. They immediately got me a prescription for antibiotics, and set my root canal for the following day on 3/8/24. They also have no idea why a temporary crown was placed on a tooth ($1600) BEFORE my root canal. I STRONGLY urge you to not do what I did. Don’t give them a chance despite their negative reviews. This was the worst experience I’ve ever had at any place of business. I will be seeking legal action to get my money back. I will not be returning for the root canal, or permanent crown. I will be paying out of pocket at my new dental office. Peace of mind/quality work/bedside manner/professionalism are worth more than where my insurance is accepted."

"I went through great length to change my dental insurance coverage in order to see Poway Family Dental. My daughter needed braces and was seen by the dentist and then the orthodontist here. The evaluations were quick as she had already been seen by an orthodontist and partial braces were recommended for $3000 total cost. The same service was quoted at almost $10,000 by Poway Family Dental without any clear explanation for the inflated cost. I inquired multiple times leaving voicemails and when speaking with Ana was told that’s their cost. She would not allow me to speak to another person in billing or allow me to come in person. She was highly disrespectful even as I shared the former orthodontist evaluation and estimated cost. I work in healthcare and understand orthodontist care is expensive. I was not prepared for such an inflated cost from this practice and lack of professionalism."

"I booked an appointment for teeth cleaning. The end result, they performed x-rays and produced an estimate for $19,269 for corrective procedures. When asked if I was getting a teeth cleaning they said I would have to come back later that afternoon, which is when I found out they used $500 of my insurance coverage performing all the x-rays. I feel like I paid $500 to get an estimate for future work and did not get a teeth cleaning. I will not be back."