I’m a tad frustrated and wondering if I’m right. My dentist retired. I didn’t like the dentist who took over so decided to look for another one. One had a free teeth whitening for life program for patients. I checked him out and liked the office, then signed up for the program. You paid for the original teeth whitening, kept up with your checkups, and he would provide new whitening gel every year for free. I go to the dentist regularly anyway so it seemed like a no-brainer. I signed up. I’m also in the military. Shortly after I received my whitening I was deployed overseas. As soon as I returned, I scheduled my normal checkups, including the dentist. That’s when they informed me because I wasn’t in for my six month, I was kicked off the program. I explained I was deployed (serving the country) and scheduled as soon as I returned, but she insisted there was nothing they could do. Am I right in feeling this is unreasonable?
Mark
Dear Mark,
You are not wrong for feeling slighted here. It was a remarkably short-sited thing to do to someone who puts their life on hold (as well as in danger) to serve our country.
It’s possible if the dentist knew about the situation, he’d quickly add you back to the teeth whitening program. It may be as simple as an employee not feeling like they had the authority to make exceptions. I wish they’d have thought to ask the dentist in this type of circumstance.
Therefore, the first thing I’d recommend is you call the dentist directly. Explain the situation. If he is as inflexible as his employee, then sadly, there is no recourse. However, your teeth whitening trays will still be good.
I would find another practitioner and explain what happened at your last one. Ask them if they’d be willing to sell you (at a reasonable price) just the gel to go in the trays once a year. It shouldn’t be very expensive at all. Plus, given what the last dentist did, I’m certain most would volunteer to even give you a discount.
I’d also leave a review about the dentist and warn other military personnel not to trust this dentist. It will also serve to let the general public know that this isn’t someone who supports our soldiers. I don’t think that will make his practice very popular with many people.
I’m sorry this was your experience and want to personally thank you for your service.
This blog is brought to you by Michigan Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.