Ryerson Smiles General & Cosmetic Dentistry

Dr. Poindexter and her team are fantastic, they make my cleanings something to look forward to!
Apr 8th, 2024

I always have a great experience when I go to Dr Poindexter,thanks to you and your staff for being so patient and accommodating at all times..
Apr 7th, 2024

The staff was very professional and handled me with the utmost respect.
Apr 1st, 2024

Prior to my appointment, I was told by staff at Ryerson Smiles that my insurance company was contacted, and that all services would be 100% reimbursed by Delta Dental. After being told this, I was asked to pay $500 for a cleaning and subsequently $500 for two fillings, each time being reassured that my insurance company would reimburse me for the full amount. My insurance company reimbursed covered $365 of the $1,000 in charges, and I was left to pay $649. I was told that Ryerson Smiles was out of network, and that the office was never informed of a %100 reimbursement rate, despite having claimed such. Ryerson Smiles was unwilling to adjust any of the charges or provide any refund. The only reason that I give two stars is due to the fact that the staff was friendly, and the technician and dentist were both skilled. This was an unacceptable and expensive error, and I can only hope that it happened in good faith. I would caution anyone that is not willing to pay out of pocket against receiving services at this practice.
Apr 8th, 2024

I was prompted by their service, weave, to leave a review but had been waiting until my issue from December 20 was resolved. It is still not resolved but I decided to make others aware of the billing issues at Ryerson Smiles. I am owed $289.20 after being overcharged to replace 3 silver fillings with white fillings in December 2023. My insurance company made payment and then after weeks of the check not being cashed, they reissued the payment. The second check has still not been cashed as of this week, April 8. I changed jobs and switched dentists because I wanted to avoid going into Manhattan unnecessarily to my dentist of 20 years that I stopped using during covid. I didn't want to risk contracting covid on the subway. I had recently completed orthodontia locally as well and could walk to that office. I found Ryerson Smiles through my new carrier and decided to book a cleaning for December 19. It went fine and I was advised about other work I could have completed before year end using my new benefits, "use them or lose them." I asked for an estimate but didn't get it on December 19 or December 20 before the appointment which I chalked up to the short notice appointment for December 20. I have since learned that my new insurance carrier prefers a predetermination be submitted for any charges of $350 or more. When I arrived for my 3 pm appointment on December 20, I asked for the estimate. I overheard my insurance card details being shared over the phone. It is a small waiting area so you can hear most of the phone calls while seated. I had been under the impression that the estimate was done prior to my appointment since I spoke to Tamika/Hosea? about the estimate the day prior. But I didn't think much of it until I heard one of them say "she only has $1,000" which I didn't think was about me since my benefits were at $2,500. I received a printed estimate to replace my 5 silver fillings. The estimate was over $550 so I declined to have all 5 done at once. I agreed to 3. My insurance covers fillings at 85% and crowns at 50% after a $25 deductible. None of the numbers on the estimate made sense. The estimate totaled $568.48 but the total showed $312.40. They showed a total charge of $710.60 but the balance due stated $733.80. There is no accounting that clarifies the difference. I stood at the reception area for a while trying to get clarity. The staff seemed annoyed by me asking more questions and started mumbling among themselves. I signed a revised estimate for 3 fillings. I saw a neighbor have multiple pages of documents printed to mail herself to her insurance carrier out of frustration. I have no idea if Ryerson is the cause of my neighbor's issue, but I took note. I was leaving for Christmas and not back in NYC until 2024 so I didn't want to waste my 2023 benefits. I had the work done despite my concerns. I went back to the chair to have my fillings done and asked if the administrative assistant was in training given all the errors made with the estimates. Rosie, the hygenist, said no she was not training. I hadn't had any dental work done that required a drill since the 1990s. An Isolite was used that is supposed to make the dental procedure more comfortable. I did not find that to be the case but who likes dental work being done. I ended up needing more numbing than what was initially used. I also have a small mouth so it was a little uncomfortable to have so many tools in my mouth along with the Isolite. I was numb for a while but was able to have dinner around 8 pm. The December 19 claim for my cleaning was processed and paid on January 29. It was submitted 1/27. The December 20 claim was completed on February 9, 2024 and payment paid of $84.47. It was submitted 2/7. I paid $289.20 on December 20 although my liability was only $84.47. As of March 4, Tamkia at Ryerson declined a stop pay and reissue of the check sent on February 9. After some follow up by my insurance company, Hosea agreed to a stop payment and reissue on March 20. I'm still waiting on a refund.
Apr 8th, 2024