Ultimate Dental Studio, Port Orange FL

This portion of my review pertains to Dr. Kim, Jeff. I initiated a relationship as a patient with Dr. Kim and his practice in August of 2019. I was particularly attracted to his services as he practices as both a dentist and periodontist. During my first consultation it was evident that his attention to detail regarding my concerns and plan of care was with the highest standard- both from a dentist and periodontist perspective. The work I had performed by him from both of his specialties throughout August and September of 2019 were personalized, prompt, precise, high quality and error-free to date.

This portion of my review focuses on Ultimate Dental Studio’s support staff. The patient coordinator has been nothing short of fantastic for my duration with practice to include accurate billing, office practice support, scheduling and compassion. I had a similar experience with the office manager until today. My wife had an appointment in October 2020 in the morning and I had an appointment in October 2020 in the afternoon on the same day. Please see her review posted earlier for details on her poor experience that led to my poor experience.

When I arrived a few hours after my wife, I had a discussion related to my wife’s earlier experience with the office manager prior to being seen for my exam and cleaning. I inquired as to all staff who I, and my wife for future appointments, came into contact with would abide by the Florida Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for infection prevention and control related to facial coverings? I was told by the office manager yes. From my wife’s earlier encounter I requested she discuss this with the office staff prior to being examined by the doctor and having a cleaning by the hygienist. The office manger stated “If you’re this upset why are you here” and “You’re making me upset telling me this. ” As an office manager these are the type of issues that should be able to be handled when presented. I stated I wanted to be examined and have a cleaning as long as a facial mask was worn correctly by all who encountered me while I had to have my facial mask off due to requiring an exam and cleaning.

The hygienist took me to the dental exam/cleaning room exhibiting substandard manners. During my entire encounter with the hygienist she unnecessarily complicated responses to my inquiries by way of diversion, making me repeat myself multiple times or stating something irrelevant to my initial inquiry. In addition, the hygienist’s demeanor, attitude and actions were of the variety of hurry up and finish with me to alleviate a perceived problematic patient. This was especially evident in the rushed cleaning I received. I never visually observed a hand washing from the hygienist during my time spent with her. All the staff I encountered wore a facial mask appropriately during my duration in the facility (per discussion with office manager) except the doctor came in at the conclusion of my cleaning to return a disc and he did not wear any facial covering, nor have one in sight. When I made inquiries to the hygienist on multiple occasions pertaining to future plan of care I was diverted (from the doctor) as they scheduled me during the doctors lunch break. I was here for examination and was not afforded the opportunity to present questions on recommendations for future dental work required.

I will be cancelling any further appointments with this office and seek dental care elsewhere. I hope this review guides others to a respectful, compassionate and safe dental provider that is not the collective Ultimate Dental Studio office.

Response to Ultimate Dental Studios reply 10/14/2020. I will not reach out to discuss further as this should have never reached this point. I firmly DISAGREE with Ultimate Dental Studios claim in priding themselves on taking the highest standard of care in PPE & following CDC guidelines. Both my wife and I were mistreated in numerous ways and I will not subject myself and family to this careless and unprofessional behavior.

This review focuses on Ultimate Dental Studio’s support staff. I had my first appointment in September 2020 and the dental assistant who helped me was not using her facial mask correctly from the moment I first interacted with her. The mask did not cover her mouth and nose. I had to ask her to use her facial mask correctly to protect me as I had my facial mask off due to the nature of a dental appointment. We were in close proximity. She proceeded to apply her mask incorrectly, with an attitude, only pulling it over her mouth leaving her nose completely exposed. Dr. Kim examined me with care and detail; however, at the end of my examination he removed his mask while I still had my mask off and in close proximity with me further exposing me unnecessarily during a pandemic.

In October 2020 I had my second appointment and was baffled and disappointed when the only dental hygienist approached me in the waiting area with NO facial mask applied to bring me back to a dental room. I was very uncomfortable and I requested that she please place a face mask on. The hygienist rudely and disrespectfully responded “ I wear my mask when I work” referring to only wearing a mask while performing a dental cleaning, not while in any other area of the facility performing any other tasks regardless of proximity. Further, the hygienist made a comment to her colleague (the dental assistant from my first paragraph) in front of me, regarding me, stating “Ugh, My work week is not going good so far” referring to me, being that I was her first appointment of her work week. I reluctantly decided to proceed to have my cleaning (as opposed to simply walking out) as I was already exposed and at the dental office to have a cleaning. The cleaning I received was below average at best. Following my cleaning I was given a night guard I pre-purchased which included no verbal or written instructions for use or care and maintenance were provided to me by the hygienist. The hygienists overall attitude was complacent, unenthusiastic and lacked any form of compassion. Finally, she dictated my next six month cleaning appointment neglecting to inquire as to whether or not the date she selected would be suitable for me. I am appalled that someone working in the medical field taking care of patients can be so disrespectful, inconsiderate and overall displaying no compassion. To add insult to injury we are in the middle of a pandemic. Unfortunately, this awful behavior permitted is evidently accepted from the top down or it would not happen. It is because of all of the aforementioned that I will no longer recommend or utilize this practice further. I’ve shared my experience to aid in the future selection of a dental provider for others.