Joe O’neal, DDS

I hate to give a bad review, but I would advise you to seek your dental care elsewhere. The only reason this place is even getting two stars is because of Brandon, the RDH (dental hygienist).
My problems started when they called to speak with my son (who is four years old) about his appointment. It seems to me that they should have had it marked in their records that he is a minor.
Secondly, we rolled up to the office, only to find that if you want to park in their parking structure, you will have to cough up seven bucks. I was against this on principle, so drove around for a good five minutes at least trying to find street parking (most places said «No parking in this block»). By the time I found a spot, we were a few blocks away. I was glad not to have to pay $ 7, but it was pouring rain at the time, and somebody drove past us on Union very close to the curb (on purpose?) and drenched us with dirty rainwater. So that didn’t really help the experience. Adding insult to injury, at THE END of my appointment, I was told that they validate parking. Don’t you think this is something one should tell new patients BEFORE they come in for their appointment? It seems like when a new patient calls to make an appointment, you can inform them of this extra service you provide, so they don’t have to go through the hassle that I did.
The waiting room was SMALL and cramped, and there was nothing to indicate that they serve children there. I admit that I have only gone to one dentist before with my son, but they had a whole section of the waiting room cordoned off with children’s toys, games, puzzles, tv show on, etc. This place just had old copies of Good Housekeeping, etc.
I didn’t have to wait long, which was a plus, and as I mentioned, Brandon the RDH was *excellent* with my son. He kept saying how he was super-​nervous, and how he doesn’t really have much experience working with kids (why did they tell me they serve children here then? He is listed as their only RDH on the plaque outside the door). He did on a couple of occasions talk to my son as if he were only two, but that can be forgiven by how cool he was with him — giving him his own pair of gloves to wear, letting him be his «helper» and holding the sucky-​straw thingy. The only thing I didn’t like was him telling my son that he wouldn’t want a purple toothbrush because that’s «for girls». I told my son he could choose purple if he wanted, as I don’t think this is going to make him «turn gay».
At the end of the appointment, Brandon went to fetch my son a prize, only to return with an empty cardboard «Treasure Chest». (Again, you serve children here? Aren’t you supposed to give out stickers or cheap plastic rings or SOMETHING at least?) Brandon took it upon himself to fashion my son a ring out of a one dollar bill (probably his own, but I can’t say for sure) which was TOO KIND. I really could not believe he did that. He really is a great RDH.
BUT, my main complaint is the dentist. And isn’t that really what this review should be all about? Sorry I’ve made you read all this. But STAY AWAY just because of him — don’t mind the poor customer service aspects I’ve already mentioned. He looked at my son for all of 60 seconds, MAYBE. MAYBE. And that is being generous. He then left the room and said NOTHING to me. Nothing!!! Hello, does my son have cavities, or what? No comment? Okaaay… Before we left, I had to clarify with BRandon that indeed the doctor was done and that my son had zero cavities.
I immediately texted my friend (who is on the same U of M insurance plan) and found out the name of her dentist. Next step: finding out if they serve children, ’cause we sure as hell aren’t coming back here!