Ballantyne Center for Dentistry

Description of Work: .

Description of Work: 05/25/15

Description of Work: cleaning

Description of Work: Cleaning and X-rays/exam. Dr Hufanda is wonderful.

Description of Work: I went to this provider because our family has experienced poor dental care overall after relocating to the Charlotte area and it now looks like we are still searching for the quality of care that we had in Virginia and Pennsylvania minus the upselling of products, receiving unnecessary periodonal procedures or failure to properly present to a patient their options instead of selecting the most expensive and/or invasive for a patient. In other words, a more accurate choice of what a patient faces and all of the alternatives. We did not expect these problems when we relocated to this area. We would just like to find a practice that works with a patient to maintain a high quality of care without looking for ways to empty our bank account, but more IMPORTANT a dental provider who actually examines our teeth and manages the overall dental work we have already undergone. It is important that the dental work we have already received is maintained on a regular basis. For some reason not one dentist has examined my teeth after a cleaning (Note: I am not including the oral cancer exam). I am talking about a dentist doing the dental probe or verification of what his hygientist has done. I did not receive a dental exam by the dental provider in this firm after a hygienist check-up and I find it interesting that if a patient is to rely upon the hygienist and their experience and education, there are no diplomas or any public display of their licensing. Another concern that I shared with this dental provider is the over use of dental x-rays which interestingly enough the ADA issued a Press Release on or about Aprill 10, 2012 which I gave to them. Since it seems to be a common occurence that dentists fail to exam their patients after a dental check-up, it is no wonder that patients are receiving way too many dental x-rays which studies now show increase a patient's risk of developing meningioma (a common brain tumor)! Sad to say, but I have never had a dental provider offer me thyroid guard and if a dental provider is upselling or overcharging, a patient cannot help but believe that even the dental x-rays are nothing more than a additional source of revenue instead of a valuable diagnostic tool if the dentist is not performing a dental exam. Even though we have not settled on a dental provider for our family, we continue to receive at a minimum two cleanings a year and until this year it included the diagnostic x-rays due to the ADA press release. Actually, dental cleanings have now become a way for me as a patient to judge the level of professionalism exhibited by a dental provider. Therefore, I find it interesting that I have NEVER had any periodontal issues and not one dentist or hygienist has ever hinted or inferred that I was even borderline for any kind of periodontal issues. I even have a statement from the last hygienist who indicated that my exam was a level 8; 10 being the best. Yet, all of a sudden despite regular dental cleanings, I now am told by this dental provider (his hygienist) that I need over $1,600.00 of peridontal work by this provider coupled with a water pic, $16.00 toothpaste and $16.00 bottle of mouthwash. Another interesting fact and not an opinion that we sadly learned 5 days after my spouse sought a second opinion concerning other dental procedures from a periodontist to verify the need and/or future dental procedures suggested by this practice; we discovered that the so-call periodontal work with sedation that his hygienist had just completed was questionable at best; or unnecessary. This past Sunday evening, we accidently learned that friends of ours (retired professional transplants to Charlotte) as well as their adult children had similar experiences with this dental practice. (i.e. upselling of unnecessary services). The dinner conversation then went into more detail about other dental practices and our experiences. It was sadly disconcerting to hear that we along with our friends have regardless of the dental provider in NC or SC shared similar horror stories. I have always questioned why a healthcare provider needs to know who referred a patient to their practice or what other dentists we have seen? Bottomline: It appears that many of us would like to trust our dental providers, but are sadly disappointed when we discover that their only interest in us at best is only financial. I am now convinced that especially patients in NC and SC need to be more pro-active and educated consumers. You have to do research, ask questions and get second even third opinions before allowing procedures to be performed and only then will some of this abuse stop in the Charlotte area. As for the other criteria Angie's List uses to judge a dental practice; yes, they have a nice office with a friendly staff, but so does a Funeral Director! While we did our online research (even read the reviews on Angie's List) and did our due diligence before scheduling an appointment, I failed to notice the extensive number of u-tube advertisements. Dr. Yaste even has a brief u-tube clip where he tells his fellow dentists how to " manage" a bad online review. The mere fact that Dr. Yaste instructs his fellow dentists how to address problems from a marketing perspective gives me another bullet point to address before I select another provider. I find it interesting that Dr. Yaste does not address facts about failure to do examinations or address issues regarding unnecessary procedures or giving patients a clear picture of their dental choices, but elects to video clip his advice as a marketing tool/strategy. As for the upselling, I just say no as we continue to look for a better dental care provider. I know this is long, but let me make this comparison as a professional. If an attorney prepares an estate plan for a specific client and fails to take into account certain pertinent aspects which directly impact the outcome for a client and his heirs AFTER receiving financial renumeration for the estate consultation, but instead instructs his employee a/k/a paralegal to prepare a boiler plate document; it is not only wrong, but malpractice. The reason we deal with the professional (in this case dentist) is because of their educational background and experience. We expect him or her to act accordingly and not delegate or assign these responsbilities to someone else who they employ who does NOT have these credentials. Therefore, I cannot in good faith recommend using this dental care provider.

Description of Work: I use Ballantyne Center for Dentistry for general and cosmetic dentistry.

Description of Work: Ballantyne Center For Dentistry is my dentist

Description of Work: I've had a root canal as well as general dentistry.

Description of Work: I go to Ballantyne Center For Dentistry. I last visited them in February for a regular check up. My wife would have been there more recently. They do just mostly general dentistry.

Description of Work: I use Ballantyne Center For Dentistry for dentistry. The last time I used them was in December of last year.

Description of Work: I go to Ballantyne Center For Dentistry every 3 months for a cleaning. Most recently I went in for an adjustment on a crown. I've used them for almost a year.

Description of Work: The technician doing the cleaning was not well trained, and did a poor job. The doctor (Joseph Hofanda) did a cursory inspection and didn't find anything. Since I was not pleased with the cleaning, I went to another dentist, and her examination found some decay under an existing crown.

Description of Work: I go here for cleanings and general treatment. I see Dr. Joseph Hafanda.

Description of Work: I have been going to Ballantyne Center for Dentistry for just over a year and they make an effort to make me comfortable.

Description of Work: I use Valentine Dentistry for my dental work.

Description of Work: Several years ago I chipped my front tooth and had it bonded by another dentist. The bondind kept coming off and I was told it was going to need a veneer. Well, it chipped again and I called them and they have been great! My veneers are going to be ready next week!

Description of Work: My insurance covered reimbursed me $140.00 for a check up and cleaning.

Description of Work: They take care of our general dentist check ups as well as oral cosmetics.