Questionable business practices - really bad experience
I never take time to write reviews. I downloaded Yelp and came to Trustpilot just for this because it needs to be shared! Completely misleading. Horrible experience at La Costa Dentistry. Very questionable business practices now that I'm seeing similar reviews.
I recently moved to the area from Minnesota and was just trying to get established with a new dentist. I've gone to the dentist every six months for over 20 years and know my teeth very well. I called ahead and confirmed the new patient special -- $59 for a cleaning, exam, and x-rays -- which is also clearly advertised on their website (posted in this review). I don't have dental insurance, so this sounded like a great deal to simply get started and maintain my dental health until I get settled with my new job and insurance.
When I arrived, I double checked again at the front desk and confirmed the $59 price. She told me I could pay after the appointment. I waited about 15 minutes, during which I listened to the front desk staff gossip about coworkers, which already felt unprofessional and uncomfortable.
When I was brought back, the dentist saw me before a cleaning, which I found odd since most dentists do that part after. She looked at my x-rays and did a quick check and then proceeded to tell me that my teeth and gums were in terrible shape. According to her, I needed a deep cleaning, two crowns, and even a tooth extraction!
I was shocked. I've always been told I have some gum recession and a deep pocket in my back tooth from my wisdom teeth -- nothing new -- but this felt extreme and completely out of the blue. I brush and floss daily, have no pain or discomfort so I was having a really hard time understanding if this was all necessary.
After the dentist left, another woman came in and handed me a detailed financial breakdown of everything they said I needed, totaling over $7,000. Then, as if this was some kind of game show pitch, she told me, "But don't worry -- if you join our member plan for $119, you'll only have to pay about $4,000 instead." I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
I calmly explained that I just wanted the routine cleaning I had booked, not any of the more invasive treatments. That's when I was told they could not do the cleaning due to the "prognosis".
So let me get this straight: I came in for the $59 cleaning that you advertise, confirmed it over the phone and in person -- and now you're telling me I can't even get a simple routine cleaning unless I commit to thousands of dollars in additional treatments?
On my way out, I calmly said I felt incredibly misled and that I came in expecting a cleaning and to get established as a new patient. The only response from the front desk? "Do you remember who you spoke with?"
No apology. No concern. No accountability. Just blank stares as they charged me the $59 for absolutely nothing.
I felt completely taken advantage of. This wasn't care -- it was a sales pitch. No one asked about me, my history, or what I was looking for. They weren't interested in building a relationship -- just pushing an expensive treatment plan on a new, uninsured patient.
I wish I had read the reviews beforehand because now I see this is not a one-off situation -- it's a pattern.
Dental care should feel safe, welcoming, and genuine. You should feel like someone is truly listening, not upselling. I hope this review helps someone else avoid the disappointment I experienced and find a provider that actually puts patient care first.