Okay, go get a cup of coffee, your favorite cocktail, water, whatever …because this is going to take awhile to read. Let’s start with how and why I came here because it was a real doozy of a year I had with another dentist. Let’s go back to the year 2020. I was working in Los Angeles when I broke my molar to the root but now in Phoenix and in need of a dentist. My sister recommended I go to her former dentist to complete the implant. Big mistake! Initially the Dentist seemed okay. He wasn’t anything to write home about but I wasn’t looking to date the guy. I just wanted my implant and crown made. Over the course of a year, I was canceled on more times than I could count. His wife was helping him by taking X-rays and handling the billing. She lost my X-rays, double billed me, tried making me pay for the lost X-rays. I thought I was being “Punked”. It was a mess. Then the dentist puts in my implant post. Blood is everywhere. I looked like a victim in the movie “Halloween 2”. Now he stalls and stalls with making a crown. Mind you, this dentist makes 3D crowns in the office. Why couldn’t he make the crown? He probably makes Legos there too, for all I know! I’m worried. I lost confidence in that office so I post on NextDoor for recommendations for a new Dentist. By an overwhelming margin, Biltmore Commons Dental Care was recommended over other offices. (NOT to be mistaken with Biltmore Dental. They are not the same office). I called and spoke to Kayla. She had me set up with paperwork, an appointment and my insurance was verified all within about 10 minutes. Very easy. It was refreshing! I just have to throw out a few adjectives…Warm, humorous, compassionate, professional, top in their field……But enough about me. :) Okay, this office is all of those adjectives. It’s not just the wonderful ladies who have the hardest job in the office, The Front Desk…you know, those “gluttons for punishment” who file insurance claims, scheduling appointments, greeting patients, explaining why your insurance isn’t covering full mouth veneers. Yes, those ladies. They deserve a medal for all they do. This office is more than just the friendly assistants who treat you like family once they meet you (okay, that’s really very nice but I draw the line at babysitting their kids 😉). The office has a distinct culture and everyone who works there is onboard with it. Their demeanor is calming (almost like a spa minus the back rub). They are all kind, considerate and honestly the type you’d invite to your holiday parties. Then came “The Miracle Worker”. No, it’s not a movie on Netflix. It’s the one Dr who said he would try to fix what the last dentist did or didn’t do, Dr Balestrino. Let’s give his assistant, Kelly, a shout out for helping him every step of the way Dr Balestrino consulted with the lab across the way because the previous butcher, I mean dentist, put an implant post in that hasn’t been seen since the dark ages. They came up with a solution and today was the day I found out if their genius idea worked. It did! Dr B was so happy. It was like winning the lottery. That’s how difficult of a procedure this was. No one would have gone the extra mile to do what he did. I felt so bad for him because this was more than he possibly could have anticipated when I initially came into their office. I’m shocked they didn’t lock the door, turn off the lights and hide under their desks when I came walking up to the office. Thank you to the staff, starting with the ladies: Kelly, Kayla, Tricia, Yanet, Lisa. You all are an asset to the office. You make it a pleasure to be there. To Dr Balestrino, I can’t thank you enough for taking on a botched job from my previous dentist. I’m so relieved I found the right dentist. And finally to the “Unknown Lab Guy across the hall”. You Rock! Thank you for brainstorming with Dr B. My implant is going to be A-Okay. Please don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Dr Balestrino. You will be inviting me to your Holiday Parties for steering you in the right direction. I’ll bring the eggnog!
More