You hear it from us all the time: buy local, buy local. Well, it’s not always a good idea.
One of the advantages of buying local is that you can form relationships with your providers and get to know them. It’s important to remember this: the point is to get to know them so you know whether to trust them. Or not.
Case in point: We were watching Twitter a few weeks ago, and saw someone mention that she been told by her dentist, her Wallingford dentist, that she needed $4,000 worth of crown work. When she decided to get a second and third opinion, they both concurred that the first dentist was either incompetent or dishonest: she simply didn’t need the work done.
This reminded us of a similar experience we had with a Wallingford dentist, who found “cavities” that a second opinion dismissed as shadows on the x-rays. Wondering whether it might be the same dentist, we contacted her. It was not (although her dentist and ours are within a block of each other).
We’re not going to mention any names (we don’t have a lawyer), but we will remind you that Yelp has consumer reviews of almost everything (including dentists), written by your neighbors. Wouldn’t hurt to check.
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Good advice! I also had some bad dental advice and work done by a Wallingford dentist who seemed professional and had a brand new office on Wallingford Ave. I am still in the process of having my teeth fixed. Second opinions are essential. Too bad I learned the hard way!
The best technically and most honest dentist around is
Dr. Randy Weiz on Queen Anne at 282-5020. Well worth
the 5 minute drive. I’ve heard plenty of stories about some unnamed
“local” dentists. Lynne
What is it with dentists?! Everyone I talk to has a similar story to share! I started seeing a dentist in Redmond/Seattle last year who thinks I must have my wisdom teeth extracted ASAP, although they’re not causing any trouble and my whole life dentists have told me I’d never have to have them out.
Having just had what I presumed was excellent care from my dentist in Wallingford, I hopped over to Yelp to ensure that he isn’t ripping people off or destroying mouths. Thankfully, I can say that Dr. Falcone continues to get rave reviews. The only downside is that he’s in that house on the corner of 45th & Densmore, so I feel guilty whenever I walk by on my way to Molly Moon.
I also just checked my dentist on Yelp and found one good and one bad review of Greenlake Family Dentistry. I and my family have had nothing but great care from DR. Lee for years and I happily recommend him to everyone I know. So I guess all I can say is take every review with a grain of salt, including this one. They are, after all, just opinions.
Who knows what the situation surrounding the bad experience was, maybe the patient simply was having a bad day, or had differing expectations, or is just an unreasonable jackass. Reviews are only one side of the story.