SEMO Health Network- Bernie Dental

"I called in November and you tell me to call back Feb 1st for new patients. So I called today, February 1st, and you tell me to call back in May. Thanks."

"Took my 8 year old here a couple of times. They were very nice and gentle with her. Hoping that I can get same service and get in quick today since I’m in pain"

"I brought my daughter in a few minutes late. They were very understanding, they did 3 filings. 2 on top and 1 on the bottom. He kept complimenting her on how good of a patient she was. My daughter is 11yrars old. They were on top of things and everything went very smooth. He made sure she was numbed up enough as well."

"I’ve never wrote a review online like this, but I don't want the same or similar issue to happen to anyone else- nevertheless another child. What should have been a simple filling for my 16 year old daughter today, turned into an unnecessarily painful procedure, from a very unprofessional dental provider today in Bernie. There was quite a bit of confusion relating to what the policy read, pertaining to a parent being allowed to “go back” with their child. The front desk staff (who were very unprofessional, as they gossiped about personal/non-work related issues in a normal tone of voice) had stated that I (the mother), could go back with my child, but upon entering the room- the assistant stated differently and that I couldn’t be back there, per their policy pertaining to Covid (even though I was wearing a mask). I politely agreed and told my daughter I would just wait for her in the waiting room. Several minutes later (30 + min), I heard my child mumbling loudly to the dentist and his assistant as he apparently had not numbed her enough prior to beginning the filling. I checked back at the front desk, asking if everything was ok with my daughter (pointing) back there, (with I’m sure a concerned look in my eyes). They hurriedly told me “Yes, she’s fine,” and went on about their own personal conversation amongst the 2 of them, as I obviously was a bother. I went and sat back down and heard an awful sound come from the back, where my daughter was at. Without hesitation or further permission, I went back there, and as I was entering the room- the dentist angrily stood and asked, “Are you mom?” When I replied that I was, he said, “Good, I thought you needed to come see how she is acting.” I looked over to my 16 year old child as she sat in the dental chair bawling, and hardly able to speak; she managed to get out, “He is hurting me so bad, and he just told me to sit up here and dry it up, and I can’t do this mom.” I was so shocked that my quiet 16 year old daughter (just recognized 1 night prior as a National Honors Recipient at our high school), had apparently had enough and let this provider know- (since he didn’t listen to her the first couple times), she said that she had told him and he wouldn’t listen, and that he was making her so upset, uncomfortable, and treating her so rudely. While I was in the room he spoke to both of us in the most condescending manner that we had ever been spoken to by anyone. At this point she was ready to leave- but the dentist made me and her both aware that she couldn’t just leave as he was in the middle of filling 2 cavities and her having 2 holes drilled into her teeth. “2 cavities?” I had asked him. His reply, “Yes, I used my own professional judgment to go ahead and do the other filling since she has another cavity close by, and would already be numb.” My concern that I voiced to him was, “Ok, but she is a minor, and I knew nothing about the 2nd cavity or need for a 2nd filling, & you proceeded anyway, I assume you will also want to bill me & both of my dental insurances for, which I pay monthly premiums on, for this 2nd filling that you are performing- even without my prior knowledge or understanding?” Angrily he avoided my question as he started working on her again. I assume that it frustrated him to the point of him only completing 1 filling and then 1/2 way/temporarily fixing the 2nd cavity that he had already began drilling on, then saying to me, “You can have someone else fix this one, I have put a ..in it which will release fluoride...” he left the room, and walked down the hall saying out loud, “deep breaths, deep breaths,” to himself, as he appeared to be losing his cool. I finally asked the assistant what exactly was done for the 2nd cavity? She said that this was something temporary and she would need to have the rest of the decay removed & it properly filled. Needless to say we won’t be returning to this provider. He was happy to give out his boss’s number to “take it up with him.” Very sad to have him practicing as a dental provider in our area. Unprofessional!"