SmileCare – Mira Mesa

This is a very unprofessional establishment. I took a day off for a teeth cleaning appointment. When I arrived, I was asked to fill out paperwork for my exam. The employee didn’t even know what I was there for. When I inquired about my cleaning, she replied, «We don’t have a dental hygenist today «I asked why they scheduled me for a cleaning and explained that it was such an inconvenience for me to reschedule meetingsand have to take a day off. She apologized and said the hygenist called in sick. I asked why I wasn’t notified in advance. She said she just found out. When I asked to speak with the office manager, she said she was the manager but she just started working last week. My experience her has been nothing but negative. I called my insurance and switched dentists. This time I made sure the one I selected had decent reviews. Unlike the one star this office has.

I like them. I went here without checking the reviews and I’m surprised to see that there are so many bad ones. Maybe its because I’m used to going to military dentist. I got a full set of veneers done with them and they were a good price compared to others. I had a family friend that is a dentist check them out and said they looked great! The place is not the best looking, but it is much cheaper than others to get almost anything done through them. If you want nice, pay more for your coverage. I now see that I took a gamble with this place, but I’m happy I did.

Do not get any dental work done here. Their offices and equipment are dated. They try and rip you off. I just went for a checkup and needed a copy of my X-​rays to take to another dentist because I was so unhappy with this one. I got the run around from the staff and it took me weeks to receive them and they tried to make me pay for it. The front desk workers were rude and not helpful. If you are looking for a neighborhood dentist go anywhere but here.

This will be a super long review. It may take me onehours to get this done. This one star is for the check in staffs and Doctor. I got a very low plan for dental insurance through health net HMO Obama care plan. Cost me 10 bucks a month for it. I got assign to Smilecare Dental as my provider. I schedule to come in for dental check up and want my teeth clean. Appointments are easy to schedule. I recommend you to call the office directly, do not request appointment online which they will never contact you, which that was what I did in the begining and never recieve phone call from the office. When I get there on Friday for my appointment, I get all paperwork and start taking X-​ray by Maria, she is awsome, very polite, very fast, and she did not hurt me. During x-​ray, I heard Doctor asked «are you done Maria?», Maria replied then when she finish with the xray and developers and mounted, Maria told me the Doctor left because she is really sick today and she can’t stand it anymore. She said «we need to reschedule you to come back another day.» I was like thank you for not seeing me, because I do not want to get sick going to a dental check up. The front desk said «everybody is sick today, the doctor, our hygienist, our assistants. she couldn’t stay any longer, I can reschedule you to come back to see Doctor and get your teeth clean on the same day.» I said «I am fine with that, I know how it feel going to work sick, I don’t want to get sick either.» So I reschedule to next week’s Tuesday. I arrived early and check in. The assistant calm me in at 4:00 pm exact appointment time. Doctor came in still sick, but she said she feel better then friday. She review my paper work and went over my grinding issues. She asked what is my purposed for today chexk up. I told her i want to get a check up and cleaning since i have not get it done in a while. She did her exam, floss my back teeth because i was having a sandwich before my appointment, which left over lunch can block her view. then she said to me I have one large cavities need to be replace and just a cleaning and if I want to stay for the treatment let them know.
Then the treatment coordinator came in to discuss about my treatment and finance. She said Doctor found you have 1 cavity that need to be treat with an Onlay. I asked «what is an onlay? Is it a filling?» She reply «No, it’s not a filling because your existing restoration already large, to put another filling it will not hold together so it need an onlay. An onlay is made of porcelain, so it stronger to hold the filling in place and 600.00 is how much your patient portion for the onlay. Would you like to start that today?» I reply «I have to discuss financial with my husband. I want my teeth clean today.» She said «the type of cleaning doctor recommend you to get called gingivitis therapy and it will be 99.00 out of your pocket.» I said «does my insurance cover for preventive care with cleaning? And what is gingivitis therapy compare to regular cleaning? Is it a deep clean I need?» She reply «no your insurance does not cover for this type of cleaning and it’s not a deep clean. It’s in between of regular cleaning and deep clean because you have bleeding gum when she floss your teeth.» I said «what I have bleeding gum? She did not told me that I have bleeding gums and she did told me I just need a cleaning. She did not said I need gingivitis therapy.» She reply «I can have katheryn, our hygienist to explain to you in detail and she can measure your gum and let you know why doctor recommend you to get this treatment. I will be right back» i reply” ok. But i just want a regular cleaning”. she walk out and come back in about 3 minutes later said «our hygienist just have a patient and you’re not on the schedule to see her today, she will be done in about 40 minutes, are you ok with waiting for her?» I reply «i am not on the schedule for cleaning? last Friday I came in and got reschedule, the person who schedule me said that I schedule for exam and cleaning today.» She cut me off and said «no, your appointment just to see the doctor only, unless you want to wait then she can see you after she finish with her patient.» I said no, I want to reschedule. she take me to the front desk and schedule me for my next visit. She said «your cleaning will be 50.00 out of your pocket.» I said «why i have to pay for my cleaning? My INSurancs does not cover for my regular cleaning?» She said” they cover for your cleaning but your insurance does not cover for fluoride treatment, which is part of the cleaning and it’s 50.00.” I asked her what is fluoride treatment? My previous cleaning did not include fluoride. I dont want to have fluoride. Then she explain it a part of their procedure and I cannot denied or take it out the treatment.

Here to update everyone on my story/​battle lol. These people are crooks. They attempted to charge me an extra $ 700 claiming that the insurance did not cover as much as they thought. The front desk employee now claims it was a «code error» and everything is taken care of. How are you going to send a debt to collections that was actually a «code error» or without billing the patient first? After the phone call, I still wanted to get proof so I went into the office to get a print out of my balance. She then tells me that in fact I have a credit of $ 100 (didn’t mention that over the phone btw). What? She says I can come in for a cleaning or something. I ask if I can just receive the credit back in cash (since I never plan to return here) and she takes a copy of my license and debit card and says if it doesn’t show up in the next four weeks then to call.
I really feel like someone really gullible could have easily gotten screwed over. They must try this scheme on everyone and maybe some actually get tricked into paying these unnecessary/​extra amounts, especially when the debt has already gone to collections and would negatively affect their credit scores. Again, avoid at all costs.

Had teeth cleaning and they recommended that I need a crown my cavity was old so I had it done the temporary crown was good no tooth hurt but came out and got my crown put in and now it hurts after every bit and now they want to do a root canal they talk me in to getting the crown I tried to go back to see the first doc they set me up with the root canal doc that I didn’t ask for and another doc that I didn’t ask to see they said he’s not there no more when they told me back to the room it was 25 mins after my appointment and say they took me back at 11 mins after they try to keep it quite so the other patients wouldn’t here the problem they were having I need to fine out what they are going to do about my tooth is would not recommend the smile care to many one in mira mesa
This is why people don’t go to the dentist because of place like that I guess I should have read the reviews
40 out of 45 are one star I don’t know how dental insurance agree to seen people to them

I’ve gone to the SmileCare on Convoy for many years (for wisdom teeth extraction, deep cleaning, and regular cleaning) and they were great! When I moved to Mira Mesa, I figured they would offer the same service and same type of friendly staff. Boy was I wrong!
First off, every single time (and yes, I mean every single time), I come into the office, we discuss what I’m going to get done that day, which is always 100% of the time just a general cleaning, we go over the paper works and how much it would cost — which is $ 0.00 as it is covered under my insurance. I always double check and ask to make sure that the balance really is indeed $ 0.00. They say yes. We initials the paper and proceed to the cleaning. Low and behold, a couple weeks/​a month or so later, I get a statement in the mail saying I owe X amount of dollars! So I call in and we get everything squared away, or so I thought. A couple weeks later, I get another statement in the mail saying my balance is overdue because I never made the payment. And sometimes I would call back and they would put me on hold and the dang phone would hang up! No call back or apologies or anything. Or sometimes the staff members would say they would call me back and I would never get that call back.
This goes on for over a year until finally, I decided to put in the extra work and do the research to find another place. Honestly, I rather pay another place $ 50 – 75 for a regular cleaning service (assuming the staff and work is up to par) than to go back to Smilecare Mira Mesa and get everything «covered» under my insurance.
I definitely DO NOT recommend anyone going to this place! Front the extra cash, do the research, and put in some time to go to a different/​better place.

STAY AWAY FROM THESE CROOKS! Dr. «j» prescribed me Pencillin which I clearly stated several times on forms they forced me to fill out, when I was in pain. Went in for pain in my jaw, not a tooth ache, i was cornered into a room wanting me to sign a bill for 6k. None of which addressed my pain… When I advised them AGAIN that it was my jaw killing me, they said they could schedule a consult with a surgeon a month away! Dr. J failed to prescribe me Anything for the pain as well, Once i got home I realized RX was only for Anti Biotics. What A joke! I should have read the reviews! PLEASE PLEASE READ ALL THE REVIEWS!

Horrible customer service. This office will never return your phone calls and will over charge you, double check with your insurance before you pay anything extra. Even after I showed them my statements and they confirmed I did not owe them, they sent me to collections. This is taking more than a year to resolve. The staff there does not care about your well-​being and have added a lot of extra stress to my life.

let’s make this short and simple
the people in the front very rude and very unorganized
&&&& they rip you off!
walk away!

I had a dental emergency with a bad infection in my gum they checked me and put a bill of 7000 in front of me to make 200 to 500 dollar payments, I told them I dident have money to pay for all this work and I just want what medical insurance would cover they did not tell me anything on what medical would cover and what work would be done they gave me a prescription and sent me home «it was like pulling teeth with these people» they said they would call me the next day to see the surgeon but they never called I called them myself at 11 and they told me I had to pay 1000 dollars even though my insurance covers extraction so I called Clairemont dental and they saw me treated my cavity the same day and are going to do extraction through my insurance please be careful of these people because even if you don’t have money they will try to rip you off don’t trust them

We stopped going to this office over a year ago and still suffering… why did we not check the Unilocal reviews before going to this place.
We received a bill 2 years after a visit. When first we called Maria said to my mother, «I can’t answer that only corporate can» my mother never asked for a corporate number so we called coporate and they said that the corporate number should never be given out and this billing issue should be taken care of at the dental office. I call and Beatrice answers said she can not talk about the account without the patient present, I can underdstand and respect that so I tell Beatrice what Maria says and Beatrice said «well did she tell you about the account?» No but why did she just say that from the get go rather then oh only corporate can answer that so beatrice said she will talk to Maria. Maria is on the phone again with my mom saying «you asked for the corporate number, remember I was going to review the account with you but you asked for the corporate number» ummm no and when we asked about info she hesitated to give answers because she did not know and its corporate who would know. I will admit my mother and I got anxious and mad at her and called her a liar. Yes we did and it was not very kind and I am sorry for that however; all of a sudden Maria can go over where the amount is coming from and so forth… speaking with the non patient about information… this place is twisted and the reason we stopped going. Do your self a favor and avoid this dental office. Just very unprofessional group of people whom lie and well read the rest of the reviews as others mention the horrible service they have been provided.

Like most of the reviews here, they overcharged me and there appears to be an insurance scam going on with the deep cleaning. I waited about 45 minutes to see someone for a scheduled cleaning appointment and they were too busy. Really? So I walked out and said lets try to reschedule. Every time I went in for a cleaning the hygienist said I needed a deep cleaning, antibiotics, and/​or laser treatment. The hygienist wouldn’t gave me a normal cleaning. She said she could lose her license. No worries because it was covered by insurance but guess what? Collections is now calling for me to pay the rest off. The parent company is Costal Dental Services, LLC.
I’ve tried contacting them in several ways but still get the round around. I’ve even tried to post a message on their Facebook wall with no luck. Their contact page on their website doesn’t work either. If they were willing to work with me, this wouldn’t be an issue.
PLEASE PLEASE AVOID SMILE CARE. This review will save you hundreds of dollars and time if you avoid them.

IF I COULD APPLY 0 STARS, I WOULD. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. ANTIQUATED EQUIPMENT, POOR DENTISTS AND HYGIENIST FROM MY EXPERIENCE.
I had a similar experience to D.A. I just needed my teeth cleaned but needed a location that I could go to on Sat. to accommodate my schedule. This was the most awful experience I have ever had at a dentist. office. I’m 53 years old and have fantastic teeth. I have not had any problems with my teeth in over 25 years.
Entering the facility it is very normal, nice and spacious. The receptionist was very pleasant. It did not take very long to be attended too.
First they took x-​rays (note: x-​ray machine was very old and the technician had a problem keeping it positioned correctly). Then the dentist, Dr. Rafael Infante who was very friendly and chatty to a fault, examined me. So far so good except for the fact he wanted to do some stuff on my teeth that I did not need (see last paragraph).
Then, I waited and waited to see the hygienist. He was very rude and disrespectful. He looked at my teeth and contradicted what the dentist had said. He went on to say I needed a deep cleaning and it would be extra $$. I replied that I have great teeth and no one has ever said that to me. He then disappeared.
IT SOUNDS LIKE THE THERE IS A DEEP CLEANING SCAM GOING ON THERE SO THEY CAN POCKET MORE MONEY.
I waited and waited (for about a half hour. The dentist came over and said your still here? Let me find the hygienist. Well, the hygienist had left for lunch without a word to me. I was shocked.
I went to the front desk and inquired. The gal there was also the manager. It was then I found out that the deep cleaning (which I’ve never had ever) was $ 800. I thought she was crazy. Similar to DA, I have great insurance so a normal preventative cleaning etc. is 100% covered. She had no explanation as to why the hygienist had left that way.
I told her I want my x-​rays and need to go. I had already been there ~2 hrs. For a dentist appt. really? She went on to give me a hard time about getting my x-​rays.
It was the most awful experience I have ever had at the dentist. The way they try to gouge you is unbelievable.
It turns out my girlfriend had been to a «smile care» in Mission Valley and she too had a terrible experience. She said why didn’t you tell me you were going there.
The bottom line: DO NOT GO TO SMILE CARE in my most humble opinion.
Ironically, my normal dentist who a do recommend, Dr. Klein in Encinitas is the best! He was booked and I had moved is why I sought out a different location. Well, there was an opening the following week. I went there and I had no issues with my teeth at all. I was in and out of there quickly. It was such a relief.

Don’t waste your time with this place. I’m new to the area and I needed to quickly find a dentist that was on my insurance approved list, I needed a cleaning for my daughter and I, she also needed a clearance on her cavities so that she could get her braces applied by her orthodontist (who’s amazing by the way). I received a bill for $ 800 they claimed she had several cavities… CRAZY
When It was time to come in for my cleaning at 11:00am we went through the process of taking x-​rays etc. however by 11:30 the dentist asked if I could come back at 1:00pm, I’m thinking WHAT, why so that you can take your lunch break? I told him I couldn’t because I allotted a certain amount of time for my cleaning so that I could get back to work. I decided to give this place another try since they already took my X-​rays. The dentist tried selling me on all of this additional BS that I didn’t need nor did I want to pay for. Low and behold 2 months later I get a bill for $ 90 keep in mind my insurance covers cleanings at 100%. I went into the office to speak to them face to face only for them to tell me that the charge was for a deep cleaning that was performed. I have had a deep cleaning in the past and I am 100% positive that this place did NOT perform a deep cleaning, I would have walked out of there with a numb mouth and that clearly wasn’t the case. The office manager states that she had paperwork that says I received a deep cleaning. Because they sent me the bill two months later I couldn’t prove it so I paid the $ 90…what a rip off!
This place is pretty much the equivalent to Western Dental, if you have great insurance there is no need to waste your time with this place especially when all they care about is thievery as opposed to taking care of your teeth.

Should have listened to the other reviews but it was close to home and i needed to get something done about a broken tooth. Dentists was nice enough. I told him i was on a budget and he said no problem, glad i mentioned that as he’s not a car salesman. He said i didn’t need a deep cleaning and would let the hygenist know.
I sat there in the chair for 20 mins, she comes back in to check my gum pockets and does my whole mouth in less than a minute and tells me I need deep cleaning and anti-​biotics?
They bring in my estimate for work needed and it was $ 1,800, I told them that i know I need other work done but right now, i just need to take care of the broken tooth. My total then dropped to $ 1,100. Apparently my insurance only covered $ 285, another puzzler.
Avoid at all costs…

I did not have any issues with this location like some of the other people have posted .so my expirence in general was good… I do want to say any sort of major dental reconstruction or surgery isn’t always fun in general… I do have to commend the doctor for making things as painless as possible and I was in for a root canal and crown. They also took my insurance which is a big plus
Location is central to San Diego and parking is pretty abundant which is a plus. Maybe these guys have made some changes and things are looking better.

Do NOT use this dentist. They are only out for your money! They over charge wayyyyy too much for services! I visited their office with a toothache and after looking at x-​Rays they told me that they needed to extract the tooth right then and there! Me being a little skeptical that they would just say to pull my tooth without much thought, I told them no and I would get a second opinion. They prescribed me with antibiotics to help with the infection that was in my gum around that tooth. I started taking the medicine and the pain went away within 24 hours. I went to another dentist and told them what had happened and they said there was no reason that my tooth had to be pulled! That the tooth was fine and it was just a minor infection, that’s all! I can’t believe they were going to just pull it for no reason and I would be left with a hole in my mouth! Thank goodness I said no! Thinking back it makes sense cause I would have had to spend even more money to replace the tooth with a bridge or implant! I will never ever go back to this dentist.
Unfortunately a friend went to this dentist after my first visit (before the bad experience occurred) and she also had a horrible experience. They over charged her by about $ 2,000 for a crown!
No good no good no good!!!

I’m not giving this place no stars. I feel like all they wanted was extra money from me. Tried to go there for a root canal & teeth cleaning & they were charging me extra for so many things, so I decided to check out a different dental and the other dental facilty was great & I paid less to get my needs done… Ripp off

My biggest mistake was not checking Unilocal in the first place.
It has been so long since I’ve had to search for a new dentist… I just assumed dentists and their offices are all the same… OH NO!
On my very first (and only) visit — they all were whining that somebody called in sick. Then they left me sitting in a chair waiting to have my teeth cleaned… after 45 minutes they came in to let me know that the computers were down so they had to postpone my teeth cleaning. WHAT? I’ve never had a computer clean my teeth before.
When they got around to cleaning my teeth — I got the hard sell about the antibiotics for my gums. (Another commentator here on Unilocal explained to us how that worked). I was amazed and confused.
This office would be fine if you never had been to a dentist before. But I expect to be treated with more respect as a dental patient. I don’t want to go to the dentist — I surely don’t want the dental office to act like they are doing me a huge favor. The way I figure it when I’m paying these ridiculously high fees (yes — I have insurance and the cost is still too much) I am doing them the favor!
Immediately upon returning home — I started looking for another new dentist. Smile Care just felt like a dental chop shop to me. I’ve had plenty of dental work done in my lifetime. I don’t mind being a dental patient — but I don’t want to be a job that somebody has to work on.
I feel somewhat guilty about writing this review — they all seemed like «Nice» people. But I need more than «nice» working in my mouth. Nobody likes to go to the dentist — and I surely don’t want to feel like I’m“m putting my dental office out by just showing up for an appointment.
Take the advice of Unilocal Readers and choose another office. Anything is better than this place.