This rating is not reflective of their "Technical Dental Services". 4+ Stars Technical Services were received (dental examination(s), cleanings & other dental services).
The rating is for the poor billing/statement processing and the poor professional communications.
My wife had a dental appointment for April 19th with our previous dentist office group, Merritt Mill Dental Associates in Salisbury, MD. She had called Smile to Smile and requested that the dental x-rays and her dental records be e-mailed directly to Merritt Mill Dental per their request prior to her appointment. It was at this time that she was informed that there was still an outstanding balance due on the account? Again, we had not received any invoices regarding an "Outstanding Balance" owed for services provided back in June 2017! When Susan asked what the balance amount was and she requested a detailing of the charges and insurance payments, she was told that it would need to be put together and it would be sent for her review. After she had time to review it, then she could make the payment? Meanwhile, she was told that the x-rays would be sent to Merritt Mill Dental.
The day of her appointment, Merritt Mill Dental had not received the x-rays. My wife asked that their office call Smile to Smile to request the x-rays. Susan was informed that the office staff person at Smile to Smile informed Merritt Mill Dental that the x-rays would not be released since the account had an outstanding balance due!
This is totally unprofessional and excusable. Again, the technical skills of the staff are EXCELLENT! But there is major TRAINING OPPORTUNITY for Business Communications and Customer Relationships.
#1 - Smile to Smile is in need of a new or retrained accounting department or staff. If they are unable to do the accounting function in-house, then they may want to consider outside vendors or contractors.
#2 - Improve the Communications with the Customer(s). The customer needs to know what they owe in a reasonable time frame and should be provided the supporting documentation of charges for services performed, insurance payments and balances credited and/or outstanding.
#3 - Communications about the customer's account and/or status should always be communicated FIRST to the customer! If the x-rays weren't to be forwarded due to an alleged outstanding balance, this should had been a PHONE CALL to my wife explaining the situation. She should not had been informed by the Merritt Mill Dental Office Staff?
#4 - Lilly, at Smile to Smile had been very helpful in trying to resolve the outstanding balance issue after my wife had her dental appointment with Merritt Mill Dental. Luckily the x-rays that Smile to Smile had taken were not critical for the dental services provided by Merritt Mill Dental - and actually will only be good for another 6 months.
#5 - My wife just... finally received documentation as to what was finally owed for the services provided back in June of 2017 - Susan paid the $ 49.20 owed with our credit card.
#6 - Susan had asked to speak to the Office Manager, Rafiah Wilson. She was informed that she was unavailable or on a call. When Susan asked to have her call, she was told that she is very busy and it might be best to send an email? When asked for Ms. Wilson's personal email, Susan was informed that it was not to be given out and to send correspondence to the general company email? This is yet another "CUSTOMER RELATIONS OPPORTUNITY!" Had my wife been able to speak to Ms. Wilson, perhaps this "Rate and Review" would had been different.
Hopefully Smile to Smile will invest the time and energy to correct these issues and move forward to provide not only Excellent Technical Services but also Excellent Customer Services.