Comfort Dental of Lafayette

I was referred here by a family member who has had good experiences so called in to get more information today.
Rhonda at the front desk was not helpful at all and wasn’t very patient with me over the phone while I was asking questions. I am going to an office where the people are a bit nicer.

This is a money-​spinning dental practice, that I assume is staffed by dentists who need to pay off their enormous student loans while trying to live the lifestyle they expected when enrolling in dental school. I mean, let’s face it… people don’t go to dental school because they’re passionate about scaring people. They want the pay day. Which is fine. But the problem I have is when dental practices recommend costly services that are unneeded, and who mislead you on how much it will cost in the end.
I went here because they accepted the cheaper Purdue Delta Dental insurance and offered 100% coverage for cleaning and x-​rays. Sounds good. Unfortunately when I visited they refused to let the dentist see my teeth. Huh? An actual dental exam was not included since it was my first visit. What kind of garbage is that? They claimed it was because they couldnt do a checkup because there was so much buildup on my teeth. I go to the dentist every 6 months and brush and floss daily. This is total crap. There was no visible buildup.
They recommended a deep cleaning because my pits were in the 4 – 5 range on several molars. Well, sure the pits will show that deep when you friggin JAM THE PROBE INTO MY GUMS! No dentist has ever probed my teeth so aggressively. I guess they do it that way so they can have documentation for why they recommended expensive services… because remember, they offer cheap cleaning and x-​rays so they have to get paid somewhere.
I bit on the deep cleaning, regrettably. I was told my insurance would cover some and I would owe something like $ 200. I had to come back for this appointment and again the dentist didnt even look at my teeth afterwards. What really pissed me off was they failed to previously mention that my insurance would partially cover this deep cleaning, but it would count as my second annual cleaning! So obviously next time I want my teeth cleaned in six months, I would pay out of pocket fully. Totally misleading on the price of this service.
I was not happy about any of this. I learned my lesson and I now go only to established dentists who are mid or late career. They are the only ones who have seen enough teeth and earned enough money to be objective about what services are really necessary and what ones are optional. They care about patients not about maximizing revenue.
The hygenists and doctors don’t seem like bad people and were pretty nice overall, but the actual dental work is far more important than being friendly. I would avoid this practice.

This review is based on my wife’s experience when she tried to get a checkup & cleaning.
1. Checked our insurance and called Comfort to confirm that they were in our plan — all indications said «Yes.»
2. Arrived and had x-​rays taken. Was told that cleaning could not be done during this visit. This after scheduling an appointment for cleaning? Also was told that she had probable gingivitis and periodontal disease.
3. At checkout, was told they do NOT take our insurance after all, and that we needed to pay $ 150 right there for the x-​rays. No, they would not send a bill. Sorry about the confusion. Pay upfront, now. After much protest, forked over the cash. Two months later was reimbursed by insurance, but that’s not the point, is it?
4. Later went to another dentist (nearby) for cleaning. New dentist proclaimed that teeth were «beautiful» with no sign whatsoever of gingivitis or periodontal disease. No billing hassles either, thank you very much.
5. Comfort Dental does not get my vote of confidence.