Sears Dental, Dayton Mall, Dayton, OH - told couldn't get braces removed unless paid more money

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RE: Sears Dental, Dayton Mall, Dayton, OH - told couldn't get braces removed unless paid more money

Braces/Sears Dental --Dayton Mall, Dayton OH

I had braces put on August 2001. I paid out-of-pocket $250 for a Diagnostic Records fee and the rest($3749 which includes a retainer at $129 a month).My estimated contract is for 29 months. My 29 months will be up sometime in January 2004.

On November 18, 2003 I went in with the understanding that the braces were going to be removed. After the braces are removed, I was supposed to get a retainer put on which means I would still have future appointments. My situation caused for many times that I've had to reschedule so sometimes payments were not made at the first of the month.

I sat forever waiting. Once I got back there in the chair, I waited even longer. All of a sudden I was escorted by the dentist back to the front receptionist area. I was told by a woman whom I had never seen at Sears Dental in all the days I had appointments there that, "Sweetie you can't have your braces removed because you owe a balance of $1600, so unless you have half of that, we can't do anything for you".

I said. "Lady I have been making payments for $129 a month and noone has said anything about me having to pay a balance before the braces can be taken off". She says, "Well it shows here that you've missed payments" I said, "And your point is." So she in turn kept acting as if she was doing me a favor and trying to help. First she says well pay half and then we will go from there, then she says well can you pay $300, I'm like no I cannot! I am on a fixed income.

Mind you she's telling me this right in front of everyone. So I said to her you said you were willing to make a payment plan but a payment plan is not giving you half of $1600! She said I would really hate for you to have to keep wearing those until you give us the money but there is nothing I can do. She also stated that she was put there for that very reason to deal with situations like this.

I let her know whomever gave her my file and information they were not doing there job if there was a problem with my account. It's true I have missed a few payments but that should not be reason for a dentist and his company to treat me as if I haven't been paying.

I am a single mother, an injured worker, and a disabled veteran. I explained to her that I have no way of paying a lump sum at one time. I also told her if she was doing her job she could have made a phone call and said hey you need to bring in this much before they can be removed, don't wait until I show up and decide to embarass me.

I am going to file a formal complaint and see what happens from there.

Comment On This

I'm not the business but have a ortho brackground. Check your contract, all details are listed on the back.