Coastal Pediatric Medical Group

Dr. David Blank is my favorite doctor there, even though they have a bunch of good doctors. Dr. Blank is always very professional, respectful, always listens to my concerns with care, and he is fun with the children. My family totally adore Dr. Blank. THANK YOU

I very rarely post - but am fueled by an immensely frustrating and infuriating experience. Ultimately, my comments are no different than many of the negative (and all of the recent) reviews here. There are some good and some rushed/blasé medical providers - but the biggest problem is the extremely unhelpful receptionists and impossible scheduling and referral process. This is not a practice for a family with two working parents or uncertain schedules. My 5-year old has had three ear infections and one salivary gland infection in the last 12 months. During those infections, Coastal Pediatrics requested we wait FIVE days until coming in despite fevers ranging from 102 - 104. In most cases, I have taken my son to a local doctor or urgent care before day five - but the most recent time I waited (hoping we could avoid another dose of antibiotics and - as the nurse said, nature would run its course). I spoke with Coastal Pediatrics on day three, four and five - and, when they finally agreed to see him on day five, it was a single 4: 20pm appointment option. I didn't want to make my son wait all day to see someone and neither my husband or I could take him at that specific time, after a week of juggling work and sick-child care. They showed no mercy or flexibility on timing. So, once again, I took my son to urgent care - where the doctor diagnosed a double ear infection, noting one of his ears was among the worst she had seen. I felt horrible I had made him "let nature run it's course" per Coastal Pediatrics the previous five days. I am now trying to make an appointment with an ENT that requires a referral (we have a PPO, but the ENT requires it for validity). Despite my explanation and ensuring the Ojai doctor and urgent care doctor sent their records to Coastal Pediatrics, they will not make the referral without seeing him again when he has an ear/salivary gland infection. So now we have to wait for him to be sick before actually helping him? ! And deal with the impossible, antiquated scheduling system - appointments are few and far between and can only be made via phone and not during their 90 minute lunch hour. We will not go back.