Ryerson Smiles

Note: This review is based on one experience and not my overall opinion.
I apologize in advance that this is long but I want to tell my whole story.
On Saturday past (today is Wednesday) I had two molars extracted because my bridge became loose, unbeknownst to me, and the teeth decayed beneath it. The procedure went well but once the novocaine wore off, I was in excruciating pain. Because the doctor didn’t give me a prescription for any type of medication, I began self medicating the pain with Motrin. The pain was so bad that I was taking 6 100mg pills every few hours. They give you a sheet of paper with instructions for caring for your extraction site and I followed it to the letter. I stayed on the sofa trying to work on my assignments for grad school in between the bouts of pain and agony. I was miserable. Because it was the weekend, I suffered through until Monday at which point I called & explained to the receptionist what was going on. She said, «Oh that’s not good!» She spoke to Dr. Poindexter who authorized her to call in prescriptions for me.
One prescription was a 600 mg ibuprofen tablet and the other was an antibiotic. I wondered if they should have been prescribed from the beginning but since I had a great history with this office, I said nothing. I thought, let’s just fix the problem. I began using the prescriptions immediately on Mon. evening. By Tue. i was pumped up on pain pills and noticed that every 4 to 5 hours I needed another one. So here it was, day 4, and it didn’t seem I was getting any better. I was awaken from my sleep at 11 PM Tuesday night in excruciating pain, much worse than the bouts I had experienced during the day and more like the pain I felt as soon as the novocaine had worn off after the surgery. I thought my head was going to explode. It felt as if someone had thrust a jagged dagger into my temple & another into my gums and was grinding and twisting them. I won’t lie, it hurt so bad I couldn’t even think of what to do. As I cried, no, BAWLED out loud in an empty apartment, my cat came to me and touched my arm as if to say, «What can I do?» (My husband was still at work.) I called the doctor’s office and got the emergency number from the answering machine. Here I must give KUDOS to Dr. Poindexter – this is the concerned Dr. that I know – she made her home number available in case of an emergency. I was pleasantly surprised and grateful when I realized I was talking directly to her. (You don’t get to do that anymore when you call the office.) She told me that she was very sorry I was going through this (twice) and that I probably have dry sockets and should come in as soon as I can the next day. She told me that she would stop and put this cream on my gums that would give almost immediate relief so I could get back to work. Now, she didn’t say what she would stop and I didn’t ask. I was just grateful that upon my arrival, the pain causing me to feel as if my head were having a heart attack, would soon be over.
So I call & use common courtesy to let them know I am en route and will be there shortly. You see, based on the previous night’s conversation, I actually thought someone would be expecting me and since she was affording me this privilege of being seen right away, I thought I’d let them know I was nearby so they could prepare. Humpgth. I arrived almost five minutes after I called. The receptionist didn’t even look at me. I lingered in front of her a moment so she would acknowledge me and when she did, she said hi so i said hi and sat down. Then after about 6 or 7 minutes without communication, I said, excuse me… I don’t mean to interrupt, but does Dr. P know I am here? I was surprised that no one had greeted me. She seemed disturbed that I asked and so I explained my and Dr. P’s conversation. Well, I don’t know what she said to the Dr. and staff but next thing I know, one of the assistant’s comes out and says to me, «The Dr. knows you are here and actually has scheduled appointments. She can’t just stop drilling to see you but will see you in between patients. Ok?» There was no greeting whatsoever. It was as if my presence annoyed them all. I just looked at her and then nodded yes. Several minutes later, an assistant said, «Come with me.» Again-​no greeting. The worst part was when Dr. P asked me if I had ever had dry sockets before and when I answered yes, said that if she had known that she would have treated the holes from the extractions differently. She repeated this a different way and made me feel that it was my fault for not knowing dental protocol was to say, «Listen! Before you extract my teeth, you should know that I have had dry sockets before.» Seriously?! Shouldn’t she have asked? Should I also say, «I’m a bleeder, have high tolerance for pain, just ate cheese and might belch, etc?» I mean if it is an issue within your profession, should you do the consulting/​counseling?
Before this I have only had great experiences…

I was told from day one that fillings had to be replaced. On further visits I learned that ALL fillings should be replaced. A year later it was suggested that in addition to all fillings i should also replace one of my crowns…
When I sought out second opinions, the consulted dentists felt that the work Dr. Poindexter wanted to do was unnecessary.
Ryerson Smiles billed my dental insurance for x-​ray services which i never received — not once, but repeatedly.

I have had 3 appointments for my husband, waiting over a month to get one since they are not open after 5pm or on any weekends practically and then finally after waiting another few weeks-​he took the day off, showed up and they were CLOSED! For NO reason and with NO phone calls, and on a regular WORK DAY, after having this appt for WEEKS! NO one looked at the calendar when they decided to take a week off? NO one thought, «hey lets call the people who made appts» The reception must be absolutely incapable! After reading the review below, I don’t want us to go ANYWAY, SHAME ON THEM!

Dr. Pointdexter’s dental work seems below average at best. She replaced my metal fillings with resin fillings and my bite has been off ever since, now I have to find a dentist to redo everything. This is not only expensive but inconvenient. If you have great insurance her prices sky rocket to rip the insurance company and you (through your co-​payments) off and she miraculously comes up with services that you all of a sudden need. She overcharges and then gives you a hard time to get the overage back. Her office manager is disrespectful and demeaning at best. When you call to speak to Dr. Pointdexter she never responds or calls you back, yet they continuously send you post cards to come in for a check up. If you are seriously considering them as your dental providers you would be better off yanking all of your teeth out with rusty pliers.

Dr. Ayanna Poindexter is a great dentist with a hearty laugh and a pitch-​perfect bedside manner. She has just the right blend of concern for your well-​being and knowledge of the relevant pathology, tempered by a joking demeanor to make the patient less fearful.
This is just what you need when you walk into a dentist’s office in extreme pain, clutching at a jaw that seems like it’s trying to jump through your head.
She also makes herself available (via cell phone) to patients who freak out from the pain on the weekends and request stronger pain meds (look, I needed a root canal, I was clearly in way too much pain for you to judge…). Dr. Poindexter also occasionally sings along with the radio, which I think is charming (she sings well, which is obviously important to a former music teacher).
The receptionist is super-​professional and efficient, but still will listen to you ramble on about how much it hurts to do such-​and-​such and why you need to move your appointment up by a week, etc. Today, I saw her fill out a form by hand, answer the phone to make a new appointment for another patient, buzz yet another patient in and greet her, all at the same time. See? Efficient.
The office, since it’s a solo practice, is fairly small, with one receptionist, two dental assistants, and Dr. Poindexter. But it’s equipped with all the latest medical advances — it was the first time I was subjected to a digital X-​ray, and I must say, it is quite impressive to see pictures of my teeth appear on the flat screen at the front of the room. The new machinery makes a contrast with the older building/​office it’s housed in, but all in all, the office is clean and the equipment looks new, even if the walls don’t.
They also let you pay in installments, which is useful when you have no insurance.
Five stars, clearly, for a thoroughly satisfying root canal experience,
–K
*Note: Consider this review provisional for a few hours until the Novocaine wears off…