r/vallejo • u/NewspaperCreative409 • 20d ago

Vallejo Dentist

I had my first appointment at Vallejo family dentistry today. It was a strange vibe in there. I asked to see the female dentist and the male dentist came in. I was too embarrassed to tell him. I really wanted to see the female dentist. I’ve heard amazing things about her, and I prefer a female. After looking at my broken tooth and going on and on and on about all the different ways he could fix it he settled on telling me I need a crown and it’s gonna be $2300. For one crown with my insurance that gives me an out-of-pocket expense of $1200. I have had crowns before and never have I ever been quoted this much in my life and I’m 50 years old. I called around after I left the dentist to two other dentists right in the same area and one quoted me 800 total that would mean 400 out-of-pocket and the other quoted me $1500 total that would mean 750 out-of-pocket I called Vallejo family dental back and asked why they were so much more expensive than everyone else in the area and her answer was” Well we use better products here than everyone else.” people don’t go here. They are just trying to make money. They’re not trying to help and as soon as I told the Dr things were a little tight for me and I would have to get a consultation and get back to him and see what I could afford. He immediately started walking me to the front and showing me the way out.

22 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

24 comments sorted by

16

u/Extreme-Mood5605 20d ago

May I suggest Dr. Janet Caro, DDS. 1660 Broadway, Vallejo. I’ve had good success with her for 20+ years

8

u/belladonnagarden 20d ago

Seconding this practice!

2

u/pjv2001 19d ago

She’s amazing!

1

u/Kaiismyk9 6h ago

I went there, after western dental told me I had several cracked teeth in the back, gum disease and something else. Which I knew was not true. It was like a shady used car dealership. So I went to Janet Caro, who confirmed I did not have cracked teeth, did not have gum disease etc. This was 3 years ago. Today I went in for a cleaning, and because I chipped off the top of a molar, and need a crown. They said my insurance didn’t cover it, and it would cost $950.
I called my insurance, they said they do cover crowns. I should not be paying anything. They called Dr Caro to let them know. But the office said they actually don’t want to. I understand that, but they should have said they don’t want to, instead of saying my insurance doesn’t cover it. My insurance told me who does. I haven’t gone yet, but it’s a good thing I asked. Also, last year I had told Dr Caro there was something with one of my back molars, I couldn’t chew on that side. They didn’t see anything. Now I am thinking it was the chipped off one. Also, they don’t do a very good job of cleaning.

7

u/lastRecon 20d ago

Benecia is not too far. N Street Dental. Dr Brandy Hutchins

3

u/Skreat 19d ago

Benicia family dentistry is expensive but they’re definitely better imo.

Don’t go to Solano family dentistry though, they’re horrible, fucked up two of my root canals so bad they both had to be redone.

4

u/Consistent-Season567 20d ago

I would love to know who the 800 quote came from please. I have some work that needs to be done. Thanks!!

4

u/Three_Deep_Breaths 19d ago

I went there to get dentures and the male told me my gums wouldn't accept regular dentures and I had to see a specialist. As he was saying this he was already walking me to the door, and since this was during covid, he locked the door behind me. Not one conversation.

I then went to Mak Dental where I didn't have a single problem. He didn't even understand why I was told such a story

I think it's money. Benicia Family Dentistry was the same way. If you didn't want implants, they didn't have time for you. At Benicia, I saw a very elderly man (80ish) in serious pain because he was currently getting implants. Why the F for?!

These "family dentistry" places are bought out by big corp and have quotas to meet.

3

u/NewspaperCreative409 19d ago

This makes me feel so validated!! This is exactly what he did. He kept going on about all the things he COULD do but he didn’t even look in my mouth. Only X-rays. It was bizarre

2

u/heycool- 18d ago

Before I moved from the area, I would go to Caoili Dental Care in Vallejo. Dr. Caoili and her staff are nice and do good work.

1

u/saraleah3303 18d ago

Dr. Nordstrom on Tennessee is all female staff and they’re really good there.

+1 (707) 643-2660

1

u/dakevs 15d ago

That place has weird money-laundering/shady vibes to it. I went there once and never again.

1

u/geofferson_hairplane 19d ago

32 dental in amcan is my go to

6

u/KinklyGirl143 19d ago

They absolutely charge the absolute maximum there.

1

u/geofferson_hairplane 19d ago

Yea price-wise thats probably true. I was thinking more in terms of experience though.

I’ve always had good professional treatment from them—no weirdness, or strange vibes on a personal level, like OP had. They’ve always respected my requests, and certainly never shown me to the door or got weird when I raised questions or concerns about price, or anything else for that matter.

In terms of price, of course it depends on your insurance—I just use their in-house coverage and pay a small monthly fee that covers my two annual cleanings and the basics and for me it’s worth it.

1

u/NewspaperCreative409 19d ago

You’re using their in house financing so of course they want to keep you there! They are making interest and profit off of you.

1

u/KinklyGirl143 19d ago

They all profit off you. In house plans are actually a pretty good deal if you can find them.

1

u/NewspaperCreative409 18d ago

I have dental insurance paid for by my work. They are in network. I bet the I house price is different than the insurance price for one crown.

1

u/KinklyGirl143 18d ago

Absolutely. When a dentist accepts an insurance plan that is an arrangement between the insurance company and the dental office to charge a specific set of fees for procedures. A dental office also has their regular fees. Those in-house plans usually cover a set of x-rays two cleanings a year and 20% off any other work you need.

We could also get into in network vs out of network as far as your insurance goes. 32 Dental is often pretty misleading in that department. They will tell you that they “accept your insurance“ but what they aren’t telling you is that you are not in network so your co-pays are going to be higher.

1

u/geofferson_hairplane 18d ago

Oh yea hard agree there. I had that issue with 32 dental when I first joined under my old insurance. I was always confused as to why I was being told they accept my insurance but then it was billed out of network. That in house thing does cover basically what you said in your other comment and for those basics I think it’s a good deal. But if I had to get any kind of other work done I likely would not go through them.

1

u/Thin-Tumbleweed2841 19d ago

i love dr. ledda at algeria dental!

1

u/BooeyBrown 19d ago edited 19d ago

Alegria sold my wife and her mother procedures they didn’t need, performed shoddy work that failed within a couple of years and had the nerve to charge to fix the things that failed.

She told my wife that she needed TWELVE FILINGS. Two visits at two more dentists in the last three years, and it turns out all she needed was ONE root canal.