Westside Orthodontics - Lakewood

I do not write negative reviews on the internet. Typically, if I have an issue I address the business directly. On 8/15/2023, I tried to speak with the office manager, Kelly. She made it abundantly clear that she was disinterested in speaking with me. I offered to wait and arrange a better time to chat, but she was unwilling to even accommodate a conversation. My experience at Westside Orthodontics has been so off-putting that I feel obligated to warn prospective patients. Orthodontia care is costly and time consuming. I do not recommend this practice to ANYONE seeking orthodontic treatment.

I do not have the energy to catalog the ongoing problems and instances of unprofessional conduct that have been exhibited over the duration of my two-year treatment. The following is a brief summary:

The Good:

-Rebekha and Megan are knowledgeable and thorough dental assistants. I have 100% confidence in them.
-Donna is professional, courteous, and prompt. She takes interest in patients. Donna is kind, efficient, and accommodating.
-Ebonie, the receptionist, is exceptional. She maintains a positive attitude and consistently problem solves. She is kind, prompt, and thoughtful. Ebonie is a polished professional.

The Bad:

-Everything else.
-I returned to Westside Orthodontics because of Dr. Dimassa’s legacy. This was my first mistake. If you are looking for thorough, trustworthy, patient-centered care similar to that of Dr. Dimassa’s practice, this is NOT the practice for you. The operations are impersonal, similar to a big-corporation, but unestablished and not cohesive. There have been several logistical errors with no true solutions. The disorganization has engendered mistrust in the providers and practice. I was consistently gaslit and condescended by the high-turnover staff. Westside Orthodontics does not bear a resemblance to Dr. Dimassa’s practice. Westside Orthodontics is the fast-food of orthodontia.

My wife has had several issues throughout the duration of her treatment. The technicians and office workers are nice (Rebeka, Megan, Donna), but the practice is a logistical nightmare. The management is terrible. My wife had to fight to get them to honor their written contract. She requested to speak with the office manager (Kelly). The office manager denied her request. She also requested a written copy of some promises that were made. Kelly again, denied her request. Go elsewhere!

They pushed back my treatment by months because of internal scheduling difficulties. Moved an appointment from one location to the other without asking me and with no way to rearrange the appointment because they turned their phones off. They have 5 phone numbers listed, none of them work consistently. Staff seems rushed off their feet, and unable to accommodate any changes in schedule, due to illness, etc, causing further delays in treatment. I emailed through their website to discuss a transfer to another practice due to the ongoing difficulties and received no reply. Their listed emergency number is a wrong number that goes to a business cell phone number. Extremely difficult to contact and they give the impression that my needs are not important to them.