Gentle Dental Bend

Lynne and Dr. Matthews were extremely helpful, honest and welcoming. I had to get X-rays done and Lynne was very mindful of how uncomfortable they can be and did her best to make sure it was done quickly and efficiently. This I appreciated greatly. Dr. Matthews did an excellent job of explaining what was going on with my mouth and the best plan of action. Thank you guys for an amazing service!

Dr.matthews and Dr monica helped me so much i have a big fear of shots and they walked me through everything!

I can not thank Gental Dental enough for having Dr. Montgomery as a staff member. She is such an asset to your dental team. Dr. Montgomery truly cares about her patients and goes beyond what is required to be sure a patient leaves happy. She literally allowed me to smile again. I recommend Dr. Montgomery for any age group. Thank you Dr. Montgomery

After working half my life in the medical industry I thought I’ve seen it all but, never have I seen a level of unprofessionalism until today. Even if this is the only dental office your insurance covers please try to find any other place to do your dental work. They have the worst reviews of any dental office in central oregon for good reason!

I had a pretty large filling fall out of a back molar so I made a consult with Gentle Dental. Thursday Dr. Montgomery suggested my tooth’s cavity cannot be repaired with a filling since it has decayed past the gum line and that a root canal would not be suggested. That pulling it and getting an implant be the best option.

Ok - Naturally I wanted to get a second opinion. It has been broken for nearly a month (that’s how long it takes to be seen) and I didn’t experience any substantial pain until she applied silver fluoride to the tooth. A tooth that had a cavity so deep the gum was exposed. After that I’ve never experienced more tooth pain in my entire life. The next 24 hour was absolutely miserable. I called to see if I could just get it removed like she had suggested. So they set me up with the soonest available appt with the same dentist for following Tuesday to have her pull the tooth otherwise they literally suggest I “go to the emergency room”.

The pain was unbearable I found another dental office in town that had raving reviews to help me late that evening. They didn’t have time to pull my tooth so they filled it with a temporary filling. I was told by that dentist its a contraindication to apply silver fluoride to a deep cavity which is why I was in so much pain. After my appointment I did some research - lo and behold you can find that mentioned in nearly every article ever written about silver fluoride.

Tuesday comes around, mind you this doctor is about to pull out my tooth so Im not about to be rude but - I did respectfully mention that I had to see another dentist due to the extremity of the pain. I noted to Dr. Montgomery it was mentioned to me (by the other dentist) that it’s a contraindication to apply silver fluoride to a deep cavity.

I said this as respectfully as you would imagine ANYONE would to another person (let alone a doctor) who is about to pull a molar from your mouth. I was not short with her or disrespectful in fact I thought about not even mentioning it at all but, it was quite obvious that I had some minor work done to my tooth in between visits.

This is what she said, was capable of pulling out the tooth but she didn’t want to anymore and suggested I go somewhere else or be put on another doctors schedule - she kept repeating that the patient and Doctor trust was broken because of what I mentioned and tried to twist it to make it sound like I had a problem.

You guys, like I mentioned above if you have any experience working in the medical field you know a GOOD doctor will tell you to speak openly and honest about your concerns. A good doctor builds confidence in a patient and doesn’t shame them because they have any concerns. I didn’t get angry with her or upset but walked right out after she told me multiple times I should go see someone else.

I’ve been seen here a handful of times by other doctors and quiet honestly it’s all been pretty rotten experiences but this is the one that made me write a review.

My first 1 star review, that deserve a zero.

I’m just going to say something cliche with no apology, Dr. Matthews and her assistant Monica put the word “Gentle” in Gentle Dental. These two are exactly the team you're in search of. You may find yourself laughing with Dr. Matthews and Monica about the TV show BLUEY (a must see if you haven’t already). Everything about this duo is exceptional from being professional and courteous to laughing about our children-isms. I never thought the word “comfortable” would be associated with a Dentist office, put they did it. Hands down the best experience I have ever had when getting my teeth drilled.

Thank you to the front office staff. Every single person I interacted with was genuinely happy to work with me. I would recommend this office to anyone in the area!

Thank you Dr. Matthews and Monica for outstanding work!

Our family of 7 has had the most wonderful experience with Gental Dental Bend. From attentive and respectful front desk staff, to knowledgeable hygienists and dentists, we couldn't be happier. Samantha is especially awesome at scheduling for us, which isn't easy given our big family. Thanks for making dental care for our family a breeze!

You can view my wife’s experience below along with a dozens of other 1 star reviews. We ended up contacting our insurance about this terrible experience with Dr. Montgomery.

We’ve since received a response letter including gentle dental statement of the incident, they completely lied and falsified information.

I just want anyone considering this office to know even if your insurance is covered here please go to another office, or at the least for your own safety refuse to work with Dr. Montgomery.

Awful service and awful staff. Samantha who books appointments is difficult, arrogant and beyond unhelpful. I had an appointment booked today to pick-up a night guard and the office called me at 6: 42am and woke me up to let me know that the doctor had to cancel her appointments for today, and they arbiltrarilly booked me (without my knowledge) for the following Tuesday at 7: 30am, and I cannot make that appointment, and the next available appointment is 5 weeks away, and, get this, the doctor only works 3 days a wee and Samantha wouldn't book me with another dentist in the practice! She was snotty and said that I could call her everyday if I wished to see if there was a cancellation that day - really?

Word of advice, they shouldn't be taking new patients if the doctors have to cancel booked appointments and then can't reschedule you for weeks on end.

Run very far away from this practice where the dentists work part-time, and you can't see another dentist in the group curled with the staff being so unhelpful.

Oh, and Samantha also hung-up on me because she didn't want to answer any more of my questions, so I had to call back and she was very snarky. I asked for the name of her supervisor and she was reticent to provide it, but I did get it and Kimber will be hearing from me.

My name is Julie. I say 10+ stars all day everyday. These girls in this office are amazing. Everyone that I have encountered in this office so far has been exceptional and I am not exaggerating. It literally blows my mind that everyone has been so kind and compassionate and helpful. I have seen some reviews based only on interaction with the front desk staff however, I have only experience kindness from the girls at the front deskexcept for one time the girl at the front desk was rather rude and made me feel unwelcome unwelcome and like I was just nothing but a bother however, I did not base my review on that because I took the time to find out who she was in case I did decide to review and she did not work in that office. She worked in the Redmond office and was just filling in that day, so how can I basic review on a rude person who works in a different office on a regular basis. I will, however, base this review on my interaction with the front desk staff who helped me yesterday and actually work in the Bend office on a regular basis. Samantha was very kind and helpful from the second. I walked through the door to the second I left and then returned in a panic. She was very calming kind and compassionate and that is really helpful when you are in a panic situation and for that, I am so grateful. I have also seen reviews based on policy and I don’t understand how we can review the office based on the companies policy, which is some thing they have no control over. I am reviewing based on the way that I am treated when I walk through those doors. The way they make me feel as a customer. Yesterday which is their Friday because the office was closed on Friday, after I left from my visit, we went next-door to eat, and I took a bite of salad and my front tooth literally just fell out. After chemo infusions and I continue to take oral chemo my bone density is not doing well as the medication’s are very hard on my bones. I was mortified and I just jumped down from the table and started running back to the dentist office. My husband didn’t have any idea what was going on. I was panicked, Monica and Bailey took me into the office. They were both so kind and compassionate as I was in tears. I was scheduled for a video call that night. How could I do that with a missing front tooth Monica and Bailey took the time to make me this temporary thing so that you cannot tell anything is missing. Monica and Bailey stayed late to make sure that I wasn’t stuck with a missing front tooth for the entire weekend. The office was closed by the time I left, but these girls, Monica and Bailey never once rushed me or anything. I cannot think Monica and Bailey enough. They were both amazing and and literally saved me from embarrassment. Now that is a shining example of exceptional customer service. Thank you Monica, thank you Bailey thank you Samantha

My lordy! My teeth look amazing. I have been hiding my smile forever 4 years! What a treat. Both dentist and were so kindso kindttechnician were wonderful

They will not answer the phone. After a week of trying to get someone to pick up the phone finally just went somewhere else.

I recently switched to gentle dental. My teeth are ruined and I wasn’t even sure I could save them. I used to smile a lot and have always been complimented for my smile. Now if I smile I am immediately judged and most assume I am an addict. That is embarrassing and really hurtful to self esteem. That isn’t my story. I just learned (from G. D) that if you throw up you should rinse your mouth and wait 30 min to brush or u can ruin enamel. Nobody has ever told me that before let alone prior to or during a year of infusions. Chemo and radiation are devastating ti teeth. Since Nobody ever told me that so for an entire year, i literally was brushing my enamel off 6-8x a day. Additionally meds continue to be problematic for my teeth. I had been trying to get to the dentist for 3 mo, finally got in but they didn’t fix anything only more X-rays even tho I had them at previous dentist less than 6 mo ago. I switched dentist as after cancer, stroke and two days later, a heart attack, I medically retired changing insurance. I got an appt with G. D the day after I asked. One day! I saw Monica and Dr Matthews at bend. They were so kind and non judgmental I was instantly comfortable. I just felt the sincerity in their words. I was not scheduled at my first visit for any work just consult but they said there was a little time so they worked on 3 of my front teeth. They were both so good I literally almost fell asleep in the chair. When Monica showed me in the mirror I was truly SHOCKED AND AMAZED! I instantly burst into tears and I am not a crier, but I mean ugly crying because I was sooo happy. I still have a lot of work to do but they did enough in my first visit, a visit I wasn’t even scheduled for work in that I can smile in photos (on that side lol) but really smile. She said I could go to Redmond as is less if a drive for the rest if I Wanted but there is no way I’d ever go anywhere else. They make the hour drive so worth it. G. D is lucky to employ these ladies, they are amazing. I am a Gentle Dental fan for sure. And a fan with big smile. Honestly if I could give 10 stars I would. Unfiltered Photo (just look close wrinkles are there) attached I am with long hair. It’s from my grandsons school grandparents day which I went to yesterday with my mom (great grandma) all other pics I smiled lips closed as I’m so used to that then I remembered G. D is giving me back my smile and I smiled in this one!

Providers aren’t reimbursed as much for folks on OHP, so don’ great service if you’re low-income. I booked my appointment months ago and they just cancelled a few days beforehand and can’t book me again for another couple of months.

5/9/2023
*Updated Review* = From 1 Star to 5 Stars.
I've taken my sons multiple times since my initial terrible experience, and I must say the people in this office are actually very nice and professional. The receptionist gave us canceled spots so we didn't have to wait till the end of July (which was the first available date for us when I called them last month), and everything was taken care of promptly with professional manner. All the appointments went smoothly and well. I talked to the doctor and hygienist who did work on my kids, and they were friendly, attentive and courteous. I do feel much better and comfortable to bring my kids here now.
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4/28/2023
My son had an appointment today and we showed up 20 min prior to his appointment time as instructed, and they were closed! I called the office many times, but no answer, so I called the insurance company and they told me that Gentle Dental Bend location recently changed their operating hours and they are no longer open on Fridays! (as of this moment, their website still shows they are open Mon-Fri)

I made this appointment back in the beginning of January and they were booked up until the end of April so we had to wait for 4 months!

They had my information, but never once reached out to me to let us know or reschedule. Super unprofessional!

This is the worst dentist office in Bend. There are so many other great options, please consider them before coming here. I’ve only been to one appointment here but had about 10 rescheduled or canceled appointments. My recent rescheduling and cancellation was done by Samantha. She left a message to tell me they were out of nitrous and they could reschedule me for the next week. I was at work and called her back 15 minutes later to hear she canceled my appointment for that day and rescheduled me without confirmation. I was scheduled to work already and could not make it to that new appointment date but she already gave my time slot away. Samantha says she can get me in at 4 pm instead. I said that’s fine and went on with my day. I get another phone call saying she needed to cancel the 4 pm appointment but that I could choose any day the following week. She suggested Monday 8 am. Fine, see you then. Monday, I had a vet emergency at 6 am and called as soon as they opened to reschedule for the next day since I was offered an open appointment schedule for their multiple mess ups. Bailey (sp?) tells me the next available appointment is in a month. What happened to the open availability I was just offered? I suggested the Thursday appointment I was originally rescheduled for and she says there is nothing available. Eventually hanging up with no new appointment and extreme frustration, I call the Redmond office to see what they have. They are fully booked until June but the woman tells me I already have an appointment scheduled for Thursday at the Bend office. What? Why didn’t Bailey tell me that I was scheduled for that day when I asked? What a headache this dentist office is! If you’re like me and have anxiety about visiting the dentist, this place will make it 10 times worse. STAY AWAY!

Samantha at the front desk is absolutely amazing, efficient, knowledgeable and definitely running the show.

I am Dave Peters, my experience at Bend Gentle Dental was professional and all the staff were friendly, informative and cared for my wellbeing. Samantha at the front desk, Dr. Matthews and her staff Lynn and Monica.
Sincerely,
David L Peters

Horrible customer service! Julie I believe her name was, was beyond rude. She calls back without listening to the message, then gets short and curt about why you were calling in the first place. Her mouth is sassy and her attitude stinks. She will also talk over you when you are trying to answer. If she does not like your reply, she will keep repeating herself as if you are not listening to her. Very rude and uncalled for, Gentle Dental has the worst front desk, If Julie hates her job so much she should quit, no one is forcing her to work there. I am not sure why it is so hard to find a great dentist with awesome support team in Bend Oregon.

There is a dental hygienist here named Alicia and she is absolutely amazing! I have requested her several times and my last visit I called and asked to be seen and they had an opening the same day and I didn’t think I would get Alicia and once I saw it was her I was so happy! She takes her time and cares for every tooth! All the times I’ve had her I’ve left feeling like I had a new mouth. I’ve been to so many hygienists my whole life but she is one that I will always remember! Every time I brush and floss I think of her! She definitely deserves a big big raise! She is excellent at her job!

Horrible customer service, the online portal for requesting appointments doesnt work, they dont receive any of your info so where is it going? ! And they have no sympathy that their website is faulty and misleading, then they just yell out the next avalible appintment they have without asking symptoms or what you need and get snappy when you try and explain yourself? ! Absolute worst experience just trying to schedule an appointment