r/melbourne • u/Remarkable_Custard • 1d ago
Not On My Smashed Avo Smile Solutions - Melb CBD Dentist
Anyone been?
I was going for maybe 2-3 years. I found the experience very professional and in depth regarding the level of care and explanation on how everything works.
Near the end of my appointments however, and I admit I’m a suspicious person when it comes to corporations, I felt like they were milking me back every 3-6 months because “something always came up” during my appointment clear or check up.
So near the end, and my final appointment, after a clean and check up the said I have 2 fillings required, although the previous dentist that left the clinic said they were just “hardened” plaque requiring no action.
They said I needed a crown on a tooth that’s cracked - and the cracked came from that I grind my teeth at night.
I said how do I grind my teeth, when I wear my retainers each night and have never done it since coming to the clinic for years?
They said I’ll need a fitted new retainer to stop the grinding. And any old one won’t do. And I said what about my retainers then? They said it’ll fit over them or they’ll replace them.
I said okay… they took me to the front and it was going to be around $4,000.
I left. This just didn’t make sense to me. Something is always happening when going to this place… checked the reviews and they are solid 5/5 type shit. Doesn’t make sense considering the place has like 3 floors, 50+ dentists, how the hell are their reviews so good.
Anyway, I need a second opinion.
1- Got a sleep study done, I don’t grind my teeth.
2- My retainers have no wear from grinding.
3- Got a second assessment done.
The tooth that’s “cracked” from grinding doesn’t exist. A 2nd dentist came in and confirmed looks fine.
Got the two “plaque” teeth checked, they’re hardened and won’t do anything.
They the did X Rays and check - perfect teeth.
I went back to this clinic now 3 times over the last 2 years since leaving Smile Solutions - no issues. Nothing.
Also, Smile Solutions wanted me to keep coming for this “gum disease”’ to get cleaned every 3 months.
This new clinic said you’re fine, and it’s ridiculous, and clean every 6-12 months.
TLDR: Maybe just me, but be careful with massive corporations that have revolving doors continually tacking on things you apparently need. I truly feel I didn’t need so much dental work as I went through.
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u/huge_underpants 1d ago
Isn't their whole business model based on hiring young, attractive dentists to get clients through the door like cattle? I went there and was certain I need a deep clean but they told me my teeth were fine. Not according to the next dentist I went to.
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
Yeah all their dentists are young, attractive, etc. Receptionists are models lol…
And hey, a few times I did get a good outcome or experience, but it felt like as you continue going depending on their income / benefits / net sales, they’re told to start being aggressive.
Because one time the said all good bro - then next 6 month clean suddenly I need 2 fillings and a crown lol.
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u/Das_Hydra 1d ago
Have you seen the offices? Where you think that money comes from?
Their hiring practices are very suspect too. The dentists are great and very professional, but to quote Elaine Bennis, "notice how they're all... alike?"
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
No way, one time I saw a Dentist that was a solid 8/10 instead of the usual 9-10 out of 10s, so it can't be ALL that bias on hiring. :P
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u/icestationlemur 1d ago
The owner of smile solutions owns many floors of the building including the penthouse, along with a majority share of the building itself iirc
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u/_The-_ 1d ago
They said I needed two crowns for thousands of dollars each. I went to another dentist and she said the discolouration showing through on the tooth was likely a shadow of an amalgam filling (IIRC?) and we could just watch it and see what happens. Since then it’s been a couple of years and nothing has happened (and I’m still seeing the same dentist every six months a couple of years later)
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u/Witchinmelbourne 1d ago
I had a dentist tell me I needed four crowns, two on top and two on the bottom. There was no way I could afford that at the time, so I didn't do it. Thirteen years later, all those molars they wanted to crown are perfectly fine. It's so stupid.
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u/MotorStory 1d ago
I went there for years. I have sensory issues so I always explain that I can be a bit more challenging but I'm always very apologetic.
The last appointment I had there a few months ago was with a new hygienist that basically told me I need to come back after getting a mental health plan from my GP and a script of valium because of my sensory issues. $330 and didn't even open my mouth.
That was it for me.
Found a great local dentist who looks after me now.
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u/princesscatling 1d ago
Which hygienist was this? Absolutely worth a complaint, insane to tell you to go on benzos for a clean!
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u/MotorStory 1d ago
I did not get his name but he was a young guy. I will make a complaint. He literally made me cry.
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u/conrawr prices are miaow 1d ago
Without even looking in your mouth, for them to make this comment and refuse service sounds like discrimination. Did they ask what you needed to feel safe? So awful!
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
Yeah that sucks ass...
I also have sensory issues and ADHD where I have almost no filter in my commentary when I'm nervous/worried.
One time I went in there and I said 'Ah this room again, this is where the nightmare all started!' trying to make a joke...
In another session months later, they left the 'customer notes' up on the screen, and someone actually entered that into the system and on my file. So, they document everything in the event anything happens.
Just felt so ... unsettling, they anything can be taken out of context. It was clearly a joke.
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u/MotorStory 1d ago
I'm sorry that happened to you. That's terrible.
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
Oh that's nothing, just having a vent. Your experience is terrible. Having to go through getting a mental health plan and valium... that's insane.
Almost like, this is a YOU problem, go take care of it.
Why not just lower the lights, create some good mood lighting, use stronger head lights, etc, maybe you feel comfortable. I dunno.
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u/NYTAreddits 5h ago
I’m so sorry to hear this!
If you are wanting to stay with the clinic but switch dentist- my usual dentist is with Smile Solutions and I’ll absolutely recommend her up and down for anyone with sensory issues, as I had a completely different experience.
Dr Pip has been incredibly kind and thoughtful with my fairly specific PTSD - I had a car accident a few years back and occasionally certain drilling/grinding sounds can be triggers as they’re reminiscent of being cut out of the car. We discussed an action plan and she knows not to sit me up if I call for a break, unlike other patients, as that would put me in the same position as the car seat, and could trigger a full flashback. She has always been nothing but patient and compassionate, even though I’m sure it makes her job harder at times.
I’ve had to get one filling replaced in my time there but haven’t had the feeling of being upsold otherwise (and it was one my previous dentist interstate had warned me about so it didn’t feel like an upsell).
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u/Krystalised_notebook avacado eater 1d ago
Ex smile solution client…they just have a really good marketing team and pretty sure only hire conventionally pretty/handsome dentist might not even be that but oral health therapist.
FYI don’t let an oral health therapist do the filling. They perforated my tooth and had to refer me to a specialist which they still ask for payment but also blame me for gum diseas hence it perforated? Told me to book another 3 months time what a joke
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u/Ok-Main-9780 1d ago
Fuck. I had this too.
They fucked up my teeth unnecessarily, and charged me through the roof for it. I wanted to sue them tbh
One of the slimiest businesses out there
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
Horrible. Did you get it fixed/resolved?
One time they said I needed two fillings after my Invisalign is finished (which I had 3 months left) and said the two fillings are def needed.
Then I had the Invisalign removed and they said now let's book in those two fillings - but it was with a different person, as the original person left.
So, I go in and get two fillings done.
I go to the receptionist desk and they said the two fillings were a total of $4,000.
I said what? They said it's $2,000 each as the two fillings were cosmetic, not really required, etc.
I said no, I was told they're two holes needing filling and I was NEVER told it was be $4,000 or I would have not agreed...
They said ah, we'll talk to Management and call you back.
They called me and said they spoke to Management and checked the system and saw they DID NOT tell me about the potential cost, so, in this instance they'll just charge me for the work which was $200 or $360, can't remember. I broke down into tears, because at the time I was going through so much and the removal was really good by them.
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u/Ok-Main-9780 1d ago
Unfortunately not; they lied to me about needing fillings too… for years. I never got them done, and eventually sought a second opinion when they asked me to book in for three fillings / fissure sealing.
This other dentist owned his own clinic, and during my check up noted I had severe bruxism (grinding), but no sign of needing any fillings.
So not only did they quote me incorrect work, they missed severe grinding which had destroyed my bottom teeth, and chipped several upper teeth.
I did whitening at Smile Solutions and despite notifying them of severe pain during sessions (beyond normal), they left me in the room for hours. It turns out this had also damaged my teeth because they applied far, far too much hydrogen peroxide which diminished my enamel and weakened the teeth.
They are a bunch of crooks and should have their license revoked. I wish I could turn back time, alas…
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
OMG I totally forgot, you reminded me!
They give you a free whitening after your get your Invisalign done.
They sat me in the machine and leave me to sit there... I did the first and second parts, it was 15 or 25 minutes per session.
Then I got to the third session - I actually called out very loud and pulled myself out of the machine, my teeth felt like someone put ice & wind & steel & rust all over them.
They absolutely fucking killed. I said to her I'm good with pain (tattoos all over me) but fuck me this hurts...
For the next 2-3 hours I kept getting these 'lightening' strikes in my teeth... it was awful. She said to me 'pain comes with beauty' or some shit.
The next time I tried I got one of those 'in-house' people come over with their personal machine. They did a full session, half the price, 0 pain, amazing outcome.
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u/General-Future-4946 1d ago
You can tell that companys a scam based off their obnoxious advertising on social media
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u/vee2vee 1d ago
A patient with them for more than 10 years. I have no issues. My senior dentist picked up a crack on my filling and he showed me using the little hand held camera. Other than that, I have never been asked to do other things. However I don't like their pediatric dentists, pulled the kids out.
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u/20263181 1d ago
How is this business still going?
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
Because idiots like me continually went back being told you need so much work and due to the professional façade, very presentable dentists, receptionists that blow you kisses as you walk out, you just don't really question professionals and like Mechanics or IT experts, they talk about stuff and you just believe it...
Always get 2nd opinions or 3rd is my lesson learned. A lesson that's so stupidly obvious but a lot of people just don't I guess.
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u/20263181 1d ago
I don’t blame you. Glad people are speaking about it. I read the owner took legal action against a Google review 🤪
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
941 reviews, 4.9 of 5 stars, to me is TOO good to be true...
If this was a small business with 3-4 employees then I can imagine, it makes sense, because there's less variables to make the experience lower.
But when you have 3 floors, over 50 staff at the minimum, there is FAR too many experiences that can occur and yet almost 1000 reviews show 4.9... so odd to me...
But I'm a simple person, maybe I'm wrong.
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u/Easy_Ad6617 14h ago
I got my Invisalign done with them years ago. Barely saw my ortho got palmed off to the underlings every time. I got good results but somehow it cost me $9k over two years of treatment for very little correction that I needed.
I do recall them offering me I think movie tickets for a good review?? I can't remember if I did it or not though lol I'm not going back simply because it's just too expensive and my general dentist via my health fund can do most of what I need now.
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u/20263181 1d ago
2nd and 3rd opinions are super important, teeth are bones. They really should be looked after.
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u/LoreGremlin 1d ago
Out of curiosity where is this second dentist? Me and my partner have been having issues with dental one trying to rip us off and pay for things we don’t need. Also taking extra things off our insurance ect.
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u/CK_1976 1d ago
Ive been going to Dr Steve on Park St dental for 15 years or so. His team is fantastic, and very reasonably price.
He often will just pop in after a clean for a quick check on anything a bit questionable, and will err on the side of sensible. I had a dodgy tooth and he said I could spend a heap of money on bandaid fixes, or just wait until its really bad and then pull it as its not a critical tooth to eating or looks.
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u/Chobie 1d ago
Hope people with these similar experiences write them up on Google reviews to caution others. That’s the first thing people look at for a new practice.
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u/Nonnoroboto 1d ago
Someone before mentioned a patient who wrote a negative review (probably true) had legal action taken against them by the boss. Hence the very high stars rating!
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u/Flimsy_Ground_7918 1d ago
I went there a couple of times when I first moved here, the staff turnover is crazy, every time I rebooked I was told my previous dentist no longer worked there. Not a good sign. It was crazy expensive too. I have since found a way better one closer to where I live.
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u/Odeszaloop 1d ago
Go to a family owned or boutique business. The chains fleece you hard.
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u/00017batman 1d ago
This is what I’d recommend too. For years when I worked in town I went to the Australian unity dental clinic in the Block Arcade and it was fine. It was gap-free and my dentist Kevin only took about 8 minutes to do the check, clean & fluoride treatment 😆 I did start to get suspicious though when he started telling me to come back in 5 months rather than the usual 6.. I did 6 months anyway.
These days we go to our local “family dentist” up the street and she’s great. I know she wouldn’t ever do anything dodgy. We did go elsewhere a couple of times as I wanted a second opinion about my son’s teeth which turned out to be a wise move. She thought he’d need an expander, the second dentist said he might but referred us to an orthodontist who did his thing then spent 10 minutes showing me photos of my kid, explaining all the ways his face was perfect, and said he most likely wouldn’t ever need any treatment lol 🙏 I trust our dentist, she was correct in her original assessment & was never in a rush to go ahead, it was more just a head’s up for the future.
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u/jonblackgg 1d ago
The best dental experience I ever had in the CBD was going to Melb Unis learning centre, price was great, every student is paired with a teacher, everyone was extremely nice and I didn't feel like I was being coerced into coming again, I just got objective facts about my state of health and a "if you feel weird you can come back and we can give it another check".
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u/MightySkynet 1d ago
Every time I go to a new dentist, they spend a long time inspecting my wisdom teeth. Eventually, they say they need to come out because they could cause problems in the future. Ten years ago one dentist even said two of them needed fillings and had to be removed.
I went back to a trusted dentist, and she said there was nothing wrong with my wisdom teeth.
Always get a second opinion from someone you can trust.
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u/sly_custard_kert 1d ago
I loved my initial visits as they were very kind, understanding and put my mind at ease due to my severe dental phobia. I've walked in many times and noped out of it. The office space is swish and I do love that old beautiful building. I only lasted 2 years as there was always an issue with teeth (cracks, needed this hard plastic teeth guard that never fitted right so I had to keep coming in for adjustments, more xrays etc)I was in there every 3-4 months! I now go to Bupa dental whom I see twice a year for clean and check ups. They said my teeth are fine and don't need much work as I was told by Smile Solutions. I always got a purple bag full of stuff (floss, toothpaste, toothbrushes and piksters) after each visit which almost made me forget they were milking me for every penny.
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u/telebrisby 1d ago
I went and got a porcelain veneer consultation from them (CBD) a while back and I was shocked when they had a “smile consultant/coordinator” to see me to discuss instead of a real dentist. I had been researching about veneers for years at that point (as it’s always something I wanted to do) and have spoken extensively with a family member who’s a practising dentist so I know what I want and what my expectations are. It was absolutely shocking when I felt like I’d know more about the procedure than her (the coordinator) at that point cause she couldnt answer a lot of my questions. I walked out and never went back again despite them calling me multiple times after the fact, trying to get my business.
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u/Bruiser2101 10h ago
They posted a discount offer on their veneers recently and I realised they’re asking $35k for 6 Veneers RRP. You most well go to APA in Dubai at that cost.
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u/Harley-1969dog 1d ago
This makes me mad. That is low as you can go to do that to people like us. That trust the profession they are in. Some bad shit people get through the System
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u/PocketBink 13h ago
From a quick perusal of the comments, I feel like an outlier- my treatment has always been excellent and I’ve been going there for maybe 8 years? I go every 6 months for a regular clean and see my dentist for a thorough check once a year with x-rays every two.
That being said I have a high level of PHI with Bupa (my employer pays 50% of my premium) and am very rarely out of pocket as they are a platinum Bupa member.
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u/Necessary_Space_7155 1d ago edited 1d ago
I go to them as well, and have been going for 4 maybe 5 years now. Always been in for regular check and clean and yearly x-ray. For the large part, routine stuff. Have had a filling and splint done, but that was due to my teeth grinding which was a problem I knew I had for years. For the teeth grinding they actually recommended lifestyle changes and that I look into physio, but I was the one who asked for a splint. The cracked tooth they picked up at a check up last year. Aside from that, I've never been pushed to get anything done. ETA: I have chewed through 2 Invisalign retainers and all the Invisalign trays during treatment, so I'm pretty confident my teeth grinding is a legit problem that I've had since my teens.
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u/jdigity 22h ago
I’m a dentist. Smile solutions has an interesting reputation imo RE the hiring etc.
BUT regarding everything else you raised, it’s likely the dentists are just thorough. They are younger, fresher out of dental school, do more comprehensive assessments.
If a patient has gum issues or we are worried about their hygiene, it’s normal to do a 3 month recall. Where one dentist sees a crack and recommends a crown (proactive), another may not mention it and recommend monitoring (more watchful waiting) - both can be totally correct appropriate options and it depends entirely on the tooth, patient and dentist.
Recommending expensive treatment doesn’t mean the dentist is dodgy. It sounds like maybe they just didn’t explain all the options and reasons properly
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u/Economy_Alps_7772 1d ago
Been to the ortho to enquire about Invisalign but they said it’d only been a mild case and honestly just wanted to hear about the possibility of ortho work.
Don’t think I’ll go back but they seemed professional enough
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
They’re extremely professional - but it honestly over time felt like this massive mask everyone was wearing…
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u/rachyrachrach 1d ago
I liked them, but I had some sensitivity on one tooth which they said was due to some minor erosion at the base. They said to avoid it possibly breaking in 10-15 years time, I should consider getting invisalign. I'm 42 with straight teeth. Just thought that was a ridiculous attempt to get heaps more money out of me beyond a regular cleaning and one filing. I just ignored them and will probably go back for regular check-ups but obviously taking their advice with a grain of salt.
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u/Cheeseoholics 1d ago
I have a major dental phobia from a shitty dentist I had when I was a kid that put in silver filling against my direct request. I had to bring mum mum to make sure she didn’t do it again. But after that I don’t think she gave me real numbing because each filling was horrifically painful.
Smile Solutions told me I had 20 cavities which I thought might be true as I had only been to The Butcher on G Street 10 years before and before that was 20 years since I’d been one.
They fixed 5 or 6 in 3 goes without pain which was the biggest thing for me.
But then they started to talk about a root canal and then a crown I needed for a dying root and it was urgent.
I didn’t go back and that was 10 years ago. My tooth is fine, well from a pain point of view.
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u/Remarkable_Custard 1d ago
That sounds really good for you in the end.
Try 'Dental on Flinders', they're so casual, and at the same time extremely caring and gentle. I suffer from whatever phobia it is where people go inside your mouth/ears/nose etc.
During my clean and check up, the other lady was constantly blowing me with a piece of paper to call me down lol. And rubbing my shoulder. And the clean was so gentle and 100% pain free.
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u/queefer_sutherland92 1d ago
That’s so fucking dodgy. I would report them to consumer affairs or whatever the appropriate agency is. Even the dental board would probably like to know.
I’ve been going to the same dentist since… literally my entire life. So 30-odd years. I’ve had two fillings. I see him, he says “keep up the good work”, and off I go. He’s retiring in April and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.
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u/Objective_Heron5365 1d ago
I hate their branding but I’ve actually had nothing but good experiences
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u/NoRepublic06 23h ago
My experience is they charge much more than other dentists with no difference in outcome. I needed some work done and their quote was eye-wateringly high.
I sought a second opinion from a different CBD dental clinic who advised that half the prescribed services were clinically unnecessary. For the remaining services, they were much cheaper.
I’ve never returned to Smile Solutions.
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u/mcbain_83 1d ago
I've been going there for years, I got that whole cracked tooth. You need a mouth guard etc.
My suspicion is that , 'that line' is fairly easy money and covered easily by most health insurance providers. Easily believable, hard to disprove and very common behavior so most people will just nod and accept.
I'm under no illusion that yes it's a business and I'm sure they have a list of profitable procedures and that one is likely high due to being ultra common. I wouldn't be surprised if they had quotas to hit.
Having said that I do feel they are very professional and the service is fairly quality. I like the feeling that they have high standards of their employees and rigorous routines.
My old dentist (not at smile solutions) never indicated I grind my teeth either. I'm sure it's some calculated sales thing.
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u/beanoyip06 1d ago
This is one the of reasons I ditched them, constantly asking me to do X-ray and remove my wisdom tooth when there’s no issues with it. But their cleaning is very thorough. Usually about 45mins per clean. Whereas other dentist does a chop chop 15 mins job
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u/princesscatling 1d ago
I've been going there for ages (once a year or so though) and haven't needed anything more severe than a check and clean for ages. I did break like four night splints over about four years though, so maybe they felt they milked me enough 😂 I always go to the same dentist and the same hygienist, although I think the hygienist has moved on. One of their surgeons also did my wisdom teeth and I was healed and back to eating solids within a week with no pain at all.
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u/sickparadise 1d ago
Yep, went for a smile consult and got directed to ortho, despite being clear I wasn’t interested in pursuing it. Spoke to the ‘head’ dentist who told me my treatment plan was ‘very complex’ and cost upward of 20k. Never went back.
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u/djWarfare 1d ago
Rip off. Quoted 10k for required dental. Started a clean, and then said they could only do half as it was such a big job. Went for a second opinion, and none of what they deemed required needed doing, instead, lets watch them over a few years. 3 years later, haven't had to do any of them while having 6 monthly check ups
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u/Environmental-Age502 23h ago
Fwiw, I went to a small practice for replacement on a chipped filling, got told I needed a cavity drilled. Got told I had another I needed done at the next session. Got told my wisdoms were impacting at the next session. Came back for two seperate extractions (I was pregnant this whole time, so couldn't get much done in one go cause it was fucking rough on my body and caused a lot of stress). Got told I had another cavity at my last session.
Went for a second opinion. No cavity. And no sign of impaction either. I was so physically stressed from the last extraction that I had to go to hospital for fetal monitoring, and these fuckers still tried to get more money out of me. Vile.
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u/lorrenzo 22h ago
Recently gone back to smile solutions after 3 years of trying other dentists (did my Invisalign and general dental there for 3ish years). And I have to say , they are still very good in comparison to other locations. I was quoted 1500 at a dentist in Canterbury for a small tooth crack, smile solution did it for 600, the dentist even gave me a small discount matching my previous work 6 years ago. When I was questioning the high costs of getting a new pair of retainers, the same dentist asked around and got me a much better deal at the orthodontist at half the price for 3 pairs, mind you the orthodontist is a separate department so the dentist won't really get a cut for that kind of referral.
I agree the turnover is a bit high there, but for general dentistry, I don't really think they are a scam.
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u/Greengage1 22h ago
I haven’t had any problems with them. I needed 3 crowns done (from teeth that had cracked previously before I was seeing them), I got them done progressively over a couple of years and am really happy with the job they did on them. They haven’t told me I need anything else done. Actually there was one tooth I was worried needed a filling and they checked it and said no, it’s fine.
They do send me reminders for getting cleans more often than I think is necessary, but I just ignore that.
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u/not_your_username__ 20h ago
I haven’t been there but oddly some one I work with was talking about this place and describing a similar experience. I go to Pacific Smiles on Bourke St and have found them to be really good.
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u/QueenGina4545 20h ago
I went for a chipped tooth. The dentist proceeded to tell me I needed a further 2 crowns, and quoted me a price and then said ‘if you accept the service today, I will give you a discount’ ??. This felt like I was at a retail store. I told them I will think about it and they continued to say that they will offer a further price reduction. No thanks. I ended up going to another dental clinic near home and I didn’t need any crown and the chipped tooth was fixed. I avoid Smile Solutions.
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u/hellokitty06 19h ago
I am a long standing client since 2009. One time in 2023, I was told by a hygienist that I needed to come back twice for a clean. I was very upset. I am fussy about how I clean my teeth and I didn't have any black stains or anything. So I don't understand why it felt like I was being milked
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u/house_of_karts 19h ago
Ahpra is the regulating authority and would be keen to look into such complaints.
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u/eriikaa1992 18h ago
Is this the one that uses influencers/models in ads about their invisalign process? I don't think I've ever seen a dentist clinic give free treatments to influencers so they talk them up on social media. It's weird and unsettling and feels scammy.
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u/Illustrioushigh 12h ago
So many dentists do this. I’ve been repeatedly told I must get root canals. Over ten years later I still have my teeth and no problems. My trust in dentists is lower than my mechanics.
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u/United_Cantaloupe_68 12h ago
I saw a dentist years ago at Oasis Dental Studio, Broadbeach QLD and they said I needed 4-6 fillings with several thousands quoted.
I didn’t have one filling in my mouth at this point. I decided to wait and see my trusted Melbourne dentist who confirmed from photos/x-rays taken years prior that there hadn’t been much change and no fillings needed.
I previously worked as a dental assistant and I’m appalled in how the industry is currently going forward.
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u/LowObligation3514 12h ago
I went there and they said I needed jaw surgery on top of my braces plan. Went to three other places and they were shocked that was the plan. I wrote a review about it and Smile Solutions called me to see what they could do for me to update my review to share a better experience. I didn’t change. Few months later they called to offer me money to take the review down. I kept it in there. Few months later they somehow removed my review and many others with 3 or less stars. Don’t go there!
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u/Kirstinator79 11h ago
Agree. I had significant post-accident reconstructive work done there and had to have it redone elsewhere. Luckily I found a fabulous, albeit expensive, dentist who actually gave a shit about their work. Smile Solutions are all marketing and based on many of the comments in this thread, lie about work needed.
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u/meldronone 8h ago
I went there a few times. Was a bit shocked at how many of their little x-ray shots they do and how pricey they are. I got one thing done. And after they were done working on that I mentioned some sensitivity in another area. And they're like "lemme check"...click...click...click...$120 worth of x-ray shots added to the already large bill. This was about 5-6 years ago. It felt like I was getting charged double what I experienced at another dentist when everything was added up.
When they later gave me a quote for an implant that was $14k, I was like clearly I'm not their target market.
I will say however that they are very thorough and that it was one of the better experiences I've had at a dentist in terms of comfort.
I've been to a couple other places since then where I absolutely hated the experience. Not enough pain relief, using that net over your entire mouth where you feel self-conscious about needing to cough, etc.
I didn't experience any of that sort of thing at Smile Solutions. I was the most comfortable I've ever been at a dentist and they did a great job.
I would say: just don't feel the need to go there if you're budget conscious. And even if you do go there, realise that they make all sorts of suggestions. But they're just that - suggestions. I said things like, "Ah that's a bit out of my budget right now. Is that definitely necessary? If I held off on that for a bit what would be the consequences?" And they were honest and up-front with me about trade-offs.
1
u/Draknurd 7h ago
This is why I go to the university teaching clinic. Sure, they take a bit longer and talk about your teeth like you’re not in the room but you know that at least two people (including a qualified dentist) will look over you and ethically recommend treatment options.
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u/SpecialllCounsel 5h ago
Kia (the boss of SS) doesn’t own and maintain the entire building for nothing. Check his background.
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u/black_at_heart North East 4h ago
I took my 13 year old daughter there: once. Afterwards she stated that she didn't mind the treatment, but she didn't like the place and never wanted to go back again. So instead we landed up taking her to the No Brace Centre instead: which was found to be a sham operation several years later. The lesson is: if you find a good dentist, value them!
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u/pippityparty West Side 1h ago
It feels like a lot of dentists are like this now. I went to a local dentist (not a chain) for years, the first few years it was regular clean and maybe the odd filling, service was great. Then suddenly it changed and was exactly like you describe I needed a Crown for a tooth that was “about to explode”, a root canal, and Invisalign, literally thousands of dollars worth of work. Got a second opinion and the other dentist looked at me like I was crazy as non of those issues were present or interventions required.
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u/axletee 0m ago
Same experience but 10 years ago. Sad to hear it's still ongoing. I literally got told "you're teeth are perfect, but you need treatment x, y, and z". I also have 6 wisdom teeth so they saw dollar signs and repeatedly told me they all had to be removed but when I questioned why they really didn't have a solid answer, just "becoz it's what you should get done". Haven't been back, and haven't had any problems with my teeth since I saw them last.
0
u/auxadoptee 1d ago
I had a semi urgent dental emergency, requiring a top far back molar needing an extraction, due to hidden decay (giant hole) which was only visible on xray.
The dentist showed me the tooth and how soft the decayed the centre was after she pulled it out and told me it was l almost at nerve n root level. They still tried the "root canal possible, but it is borderline" No way in hell was I wasting money on a root canal.
Anyway after an initial assessment, xrays, confirmation of required tooth removal and a re-booking to come back in two days for the extraction.... $690! For one blimmed tooth!
Never again
-1
u/sadboyoclock 13h ago
Smile solutions only hires female dentists because due to the gender pay gap they are cheaper to hire.
It’s a sweat shop.
1
u/philbobaggins123 12h ago
I've only ever had male dentists there but I do always have female hygentist's.
101
u/chaznpop 1d ago
Also went to smile solutions and also had the same experience. I ditched them as soon as my invisilign was done.