Advanced Dentistry of Centre County

Natalie is without question the best dental hygienist I’ve ever seen. In addition to the cleaning and checkup, I had a full set of X-rays taken and my total bill was only $17 (covered by psu grad student insurance). If you’re on the fence about whether or not to schedule an appointment because of the cost or the long wait time, DO IT! You won’t regret it (I waited 6 months for an appointment and it was absolutely worth it)

I had mixed experiences while getting dental service in this office. On one hand, the dentist and the first hygienist who treated me were great! They acknowledged me, told me what they were doing, and made conversation with me. I felt respected, treated like I was a person rather than an object, and like my concerns were valid and cared for. However, once the hygienists changed, everything took a turn for the worse. Darlene is, allegedly, the most experienced staff member in this office. She gabbed about having worked in dentistry for over 30 years. I can only guess that 30 years ago they used to teach students to treat patients like trash, because that's what she did to me. While the previous, more caring hygienist treated me with kindness, Darlene treated me like a piece of clay. She did not introduce herself or acknowledge me, and my mouth could IMMEDIATELY tell the sharp difference in touch from Darlene to the previous hygienist. Darlene pulled my mouth open really hard with her finger, barked orders at me, and then used her fingers to shut my mouth up. By the end of the appointment, I was less traumatized by the cavity removal, which went smoothly, and much more traumatized for being treated like trash, like absolute garbage, by Darlene. It became crystal clear to me that due to the qualified dentist and hygienists shortage in the State College area, sadists like Darlene have gotten to feeling like they are so irreplaceable, they have forgotten and forsaken all integrity and principles like caring compassionately to patients. While most of my other interactions while in this office where overwhelmingly positive, I will most definitely not be returning to this office, because I don't want to risk ever getting treated by Darlene ever again. The old lady who works reception, Chris, was also rude and condescending to me during checkout, even though I was clearly still under anesthesia. Schedule dental work in any other office if you can.

I would approach with caution. 1. First visit seen for a cracked tooth on a root canal tooth, they stated that my tooth was infected. Was quoted $6000 for an implant. 2. Second visit for pain, was told that she could see nothing wrong with the tooth and to go to the endodontist to have a better look. Nothing was wrong with the tooth. Only needed a new filling. 3. Tried to get an appointment to have it filled. Had no luck. They wanted me to come in for a third time to evaluate the tooth. The tooth that they have already thoroughly evaluated twice before (only a month prior). The front desk, Mary, is very unprofessional and quite rude. I'm surprised that they continue to allow someone of that rude nature to be the first point of contact for their office. Overall, concerned that their first option was to quote me $6000 for an implant that was unnecessary. And refuse to get back to me to schedule a treatment that costs less than that. This is my experience, this could not be a reflection of others. Taking my services across the street, who have much nicer staff.

As of this review, I and my husband will no longer be going to Advanced Dentistry. This is solely due to the rude attitudes and general unhelpfulness of the staff they have working the front desk/reception area. In the 6 years my husband and I have been patients, there have been two occasions where Advanced Dentistry administrative staff failed to send the bill to my dental insurance company (that was in-network, I checked) and instead mailed it directly to my house a FULL YEAR after the bill was due, so I couldn't even forward it to the insurance company to have them retroactively cover it. Or my personal favorite, hit my husband with an out-of-pocket payment for MY previous routine checkup that was weeks earlier (where I asked if there was a bill for before I left and was assured it would be sent to my insurance company) as he was leaving HIS cavity filling appointment. Let me end this with I HATE THE DENTIST, so I am very, very picky about where I go for my teeth, and the reason I initially picked Advanced Dentistry when I moved to the State College area was because they were very accommodating to patients with anxiety. I'll miss the dental hygienists who work there and have gotten to know over the years, and the two new doctors as well, but I'd rather take my teeth and insurance money to a place where I know the billing and insurance will be handled correctly, and where the staff who handle those issues won't talk down to you like you're inconveniencing them.

The front desk staff was very friendly and helpful, especially in getting my daughter in quickly. And my 6 year old came out smiling with nothing but positive things to say about her appointment. That is the most important thing for me!