Michael A Guthrie, DDS PC

THE WORST. He practiced FRAUD on me. I had to use him because he was the only available guy in my student dental plan and I had a dental abcess that needed timely removal. He FAKED doing the surgery.
I went back several times complaining of pain. Guthrie gave me antibiotics and sent me on my merry way. Finally in desperation my primary dentist sent me to a dentist who was also a medical doctor who specialized in facial pain. At huge expense, that specialist Xrayed every tooth. He then scolded me for not having the abcess surgery done. I should him the $ 2500 bill I paid to Guthrie. He couldn’t believe it. My dentists called Guthrie and Guthrie explained that he didn’t want to get involved in a patient who had neuro pain. So, why the heck did he pretend to do the surgery, say nothing during multiple folllow-​ups, cash my $ 2500 check, and refuse to give me my medical records. Pure greed. He’s a crook and a fraud and seriously endangered my health with a dental abcess that nearly turned into a brain abcess. Oh, and I’ve spent $ 5000 more for implants for that tooth and the adjoining tooth to correct the damage.

I am appalled by these people!!! My oral surgery has been scheduled not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES! They said that Dr. Guthrie is gone indefinitely because of an injury. The new doctor doesn’t accept Medicaid. Okay, let me get this straight. I’m supposed to have sever toothache pain because you keep trying to screw people over in your office!!! I don’t think so. How horrible are these people. I hope no one ever goes to that office. Wait, you can’t even get in for your initial appointment!!!

I recently saw Dr. Guthrie to have all 4 of my wisdom teeth removed. After getting the paperwork squared away between my primary care physician and Dr. Guthrie’s office — everything was a breeze. I brought in a panoramic photo from Dr. Albert Zickman of Lincoln Park (real jerk, by the way) and had a consultation. Dr. Guthrie and his staff were very nice, polite and professional every step of the way. The office is very clean, up-​to-​date with technology and well-​maintained.
My mouth is healing nicely two weeks after surgery and I couldn’t be happier. The girls at the counter even called to follow-​up a couple days after surgery to see if I had any questions. I am very impressed with everything. Thanks to the whole team for a job well done!!!

If there was a negative star rating, I would give it to him (and if you are searching his name, yes, he has two locations, same guy).
I have been holding off on writing this review until everything was worked out and I was sick of getting screwed over by them.
Let me start out by saying I have excellent insurance, and I have spoken with them multiple times (cigna) regarding having my wisdom teeth removed. I needed 3 removed and was «approved» for the IV drugs that knock you out, which is also what was recommended by my regular dentist. I was quoted about $ 425 for the total proceedure (extractions, care, xrays, consults, IV drugs… the list goes on). I had also «cleared» this dollar amount with Dr. Gutherie when I had my consult, AND their insurance guy «Ken» (who will NOT return your calls… but I will get to him later).
So, fast forward to the day of my surgery. I had a 8am appointment (the first one of the day). I was told to get there 15 minutes early or so for final paperwork and such. No problem. My mom and fiancé both came with me (one wanted to pamper, the other wanted the entertainment of the puffy cheeks and drugs). We get there at 745am and are seated in the waiting room. 45 minutes later, we ask where the Dr. is and about how much longer they were predicting since the waiting room was now beginning to fill up. The receptionist THEN tells us that he is «running late due to the snow»…about an hour and a half of waiting, and he finally shows up.
I am taken into the back room, they put the gas mask on me for about 15 minutes and then I am spoken to by the insurance guy (Ken) who asks one more time if i want the IV drugs. I say yes, again. He comes in with my «paperwork» which is really a bill for $ 925 UPFRONT fees, and then another $ 300 or so «due after surgery upon billing». My insurance quoted me $ 425, Ken and Dr. Guthrie confirmed $ 425…and now my bill is sky high, I’ve been on their laughing drugs, and have to sign and pay or cannot have treatment. I have already taken a day off of work for this and had others take off as well, it has to be done.
It’s put on the credit card with tears in the eyes, and then I am moved into another room where they put more laughing as on me and the young «nurse» (?) puts the thing on my arm to start the IV. While she’s doing this, she is going on and on about COMPLETELY inappropriate things that she watches on television (talking about s3x scenes, drugs… things of that nature). I am not a total prude, but don’t really want to be discussing this with a super young chick that’s putting needles in my arm. My fear of the dentist is strong enough.
Now fast forward to waking up… I walk out into the reception area to meet my mom and fiancé ask what my post op instructions are. I hand them the bag that I was given with a couple of pieces of gauze and a piece of paper saying not to spit. No syringe, nothing formal other than a copied sheet of paper… Ended up getting dry sockets.
Now on to the REAL problem, the billing… I was overcharged around $ 500+. They said it would be reimbursed after my insurance paid. I called insurance, they never received the claim/​bill from the dentist. 3 weeks after the surgery, they finally bill insurance. Insurance pays. I call the dentist. Ken (Dr. Guthrie’s insurance guy that get so scared when someone questions his billing that he makes the receptionist call you back wtih his answers… IF you even get that!!) says insurance wouldn’t pay. I call insurance, they paid. I call Ken, he will refund me. I check the statement, refunded about $ 60. Called Ken again, that’s all insurance paid. Call insurance, they paid in full. Called Ken (seeing the pattern?) This went on for 2+ months. Hours and headaches later, it was FINALLY paid back, but not until I absolutely ended up having to harass them.
SUPER long story short (sorry this was so lengthy): WATCH YOUR BILLING IF YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO GO HERE. otherwise, DO NOT GO HERE. check all statements, check all reimbursements, and stay on them, or you can kiss hundreds of dollars goodbye… I almost did… it’s a huge headache. and they do not have proper departure things for surgeries.
Go to Dr. David Hanson (2449 N Lincoln Ave/​773−327−2400) He is much better. a bit gruff, but quicker, better service, and no pain.

Just went here last night to see the oral surgeon about my TMJ (tension mandibular joint), which is when I clench my jaw while sleeping and give myself headaches. It is awful. And so was most of my experience at this place. My appointment was for 3:30. I was good and arrived early at 3:15. Even though I forgot my referral (oops!), the receptionist was understanding and phoned my doctor to have the referral faxed over. And then it went downhill, as I continued to wait in the very crowded waiting room until around 5:00. I was then finally called in, had an x-​ray taken, and taken into a patient room. I continued to wait there until 5:45! Then, the oral surgeon finally came in, for all of 10 minutes though, as this was only a consultation. Though he was very kind and knowledgeable, I was still upset at seeing him 2 hours after my scheduled appointment. He wrote me a prescription, told me I’d need a night guard (which I figured), and told me he wanted me to go to physical therapy (I’m interested to see how they’ll do this for my mouth), but he knew how to fix me and I think I’ll get better. Though I am not excited about going back for another 2 hour wait. The real kick in the gut though was I was the very last patient to leave the office (waiting room lights off and everything), even though I went in with 5 other people in the waiting room. But what are you gonna do when you have an HMO and this is where your insurance sends you?