Rockaway Beach Dental

I went to Rockaway Beach Dental after finding them on my insurances website and reading positive online reviews. I was scheduled for a cleaning, x-rays, and an exam. The receptionist, Connie, told me to expect to be there for an hour and a half. All staff were very friendly. Once I was in the chair, a technician took X-rays and immediately polished my teeth which I thought was odd given that is normally done post cleaning but I assumed since it was my first time there, the may have had different protocols. Dr. Victor came in and was very friendly and asked how long it had been since I had a cleaning to which I answered honestly, it was prior to the start of COVID and I had had Medi-Cal coverage so did not see a dentist consistently. Dr. Victor conducted the exam and told me I had gum disease that they could fix with laser therapy, two cavities, needed 4 sealants (odd, since these are typically only placed on children) , plus a retainer and a nightguard (for my front teeth, also odd). I was immediately shocked because I have never had anything wrong with my teeth, brush religiously with a Sonicare, am in my early 30s and gum disease does not run in my family. Additionally, Dr. Victor had not probed the top of my teeth to check for sticking so I was also confused how he was able to identify cavities from only visual inspection. Especially since both cavities were on my lower first molars and were on 2 sides and 3 sides of each tooth (odd they were on the same lower teeth but lower teeth are easier to access for fillings) The entire appointment took only 45 minutes, which makes sense since my teeth were not scraped or cleaned. Once at the front desk I received a quote for almost $4000 in treatment which sent me into more shock. Connie informed me they would be happy to start the treatment plan the very next morning. Again, odd that there was an opening available so quickly. After leaving, I spoke to an Aunt who had a long career at a dental office and she told me it all seemed a bit off and very unlikely the treatment plan was accurate. I immediately called my previous dentist who I had had for years and trust (I moved so could longer see him) and scheduled an appointment for when Id be there visiting to have my teeth cleaned, since a cleaning was not done during the exam, and also for a new exam to check if I truly needed the $4000 wort of treatment. During this appointment, I was told how healthy my gum tissue was (by someone who did not know that I was there seeking a second opinion). I then shared what I had been told at Rockaway by Dr. Victor and she was shocked. She also confirmed my teeth had not been cleaned. The dentist came in and examined my teeth and was beside himself at the treatment plan Dr. Victor had created. I needed NOTHING on the list that Dr. Victor said I needed. Additionally, the X-rays they had taken were poor quality, blurry, and difficult to read. Rockaway also billed my insurance for a cleaning that they did not provide and after contacting them to ask them to rebill my insurance, they refused. Insisting the provided the service. A dental cleaning, exam, and xrays are not able to all be completed in 45min. The cleaning alone should take about that amount of time. I am extremely concerned Dr. Victor is taking advantage of patients. He is not a new dentist and should be able to accurately identify patient needs. How many patients has he performed unnecessary procedures and treatments on in order to bill insurance? Did he hear that I had not seen a dentist in years and thought hed be able to convince me those 3 years changed my dental habits and genetics? Did they offer to start the next morning in the hopes that I would be shocked enough to believe them? Additionally, even after I told them I was not interested in the treatments, they continued to call me asking if Id changed my mind and was ready to start. All these things combined feels extremely suspicious and concerning. Dr. Victor is unethical and patients deserve to be aware of this.
Mar 19th, 2023

Great for anyone without dental health care. Much cheaper than most alternatives!
Mar 18th, 2023

Sep 28th, 2022

My wife had gone here and received work done twice. She had a follow up appointment schedule that she had to reschedule due to myself having a back procedure done. She was made to feel horrible by the receptionist, telling her the dentists time was so important and that rescheduling was a huge deal. Very disappointing that a patient needs to reschedule and is made to feel bad for doing so. I was just notified of my procedure today and my wife called to reschedule immediately, more than 24 hours notice. The person on the phone was mean, rude and demeaning. Not even satisfactory customer service.
Sep 25th, 2022

I went to Rockaway Beach Dental after finding them on my insurance's website and reading positive online reviews. I was scheduled for a cleaning, x-rays, and an exam. The receptionist, Connie, told me to expect to be there for an hour and a half. All staff were very friendly.  Once I was in the chair, a technician took X-rays and immediately polished my teeth which I thought was odd given that is normally done post cleaning but I assumed since it was my first time there, the may have had different protocols. Dr. Victor came in and was very friendly and asked how long it had been since I had a cleaning to which I answered honestly, it was prior to the start of COVID and I had had Medi-Cal coverage so did not see a dentist consistently. Dr. Victor conducted the exam and told me I had gum disease that they could fix with laser therapy, two cavities, needed 4 sealants (odd, since these are typically only placed on children) , plus a retainer and a nightguard (for my front teeth, also odd). I was immediately shocked because I have never had anything wrong with my teeth, brush religiously with a Sonicare, am in my early 30s and gum disease does not run in my family. Additionally, Dr. Victor had not probed the top of my teeth to check for sticking so I was also confused how he was able to identify cavities from only visual inspection. Especially since both cavities were on my lower first molars and were on 2 sides and 3 sides of each tooth (odd they were on the same lower teeth but lower teeth are easier to access for fillings) The entire appointment took only 45 minutes, which makes sense since my teeth were not scraped or cleaned. Once at the front desk I received a quote for almost $4000 in treatment which sent me into more shock. Connie informed me they would be happy to start the treatment plan the very next morning. Again, odd that there was an opening available so quickly. After leaving, I spoke to an Aunt who had a long career at a dental office and she told me it all seemed a bit off and very unlikely the treatment plan was accurate. I immediately called my previous dentist who I had had for years and trust (I moved so could longer see him) and scheduled an appointment for when I'd be there visiting to have my teeth cleaned, since a cleaning was not done during the exam, and also for a new exam to check if I truly needed the $4000 wort of treatment. During this appointment, I was told how healthy my gum tissue was (by someone who did not know that I was there seeking a second opinion). I then shared what I had been told at Rockaway by Dr. Victor and she was shocked. She also confirmed my teeth had not been cleaned. The dentist came in and examined my teeth and was beside himself at the treatment plan Dr. Victor had created. I needed NOTHING on the list that Dr. Victor said I needed. Additionally, the X-rays they had taken were poor quality, blurry, and difficult to read. Rockaway also billed my insurance for a cleaning that they did not provide and after contacting them to ask them to rebill my insurance, they refused. Insisting the provided the service. A dental cleaning, exam, and xrays are not able to all be completed in 45min. The cleaning alone should take about that amount of time. I am extremely concerned Dr. Victor is taking advantage of patients. He is not a new dentist and should be able to accurately identify patient needs. How many patients has he performed unnecessary procedures and treatments on in order to bill insurance? Did he hear that I had not seen a dentist in years and thought he'd be able to convince me those 3 years changed my dental habits and genetics? Did they offer to start the next morning in the hopes that I would be shocked enough to believe them? Additionally, even after I told them I was not interested in the treatments, they continued to call me asking if I'd changed my mind and was ready to start. All these things combined feels extremely suspicious and concerning. Dr. Victor has unethical practice standards and patients deserve to be aware of this.
Mar 14th, 2023