Katherine Ward

Review of Royal York Dental

This review has been a long-time coming and I want...

This review has been a long-time coming and I want to be thorough so it will be lengthy. Grab a snack and settle in. I was a patient a Royal York Dental for over 7 years, maybe closer to 10, and I left because I finally had enough.

I have a clear memory at my initial appointment of being told that if my insurance situation ever changed, to let them know, as they would do what they could to manage cost. At some point I went freelance and let them know I no longer had insurance. Unfortunately, by the time this happened the business had already changed ownership and my dental visits only seemed to get more expensive from there on out until I finally decided enough was enough.

In recent years, every visit at Royal York Dental I was told - strongly - that I didn't take care of my teeth. I was told I didn't floss enough and as a result my gums were recessing and in the near future I would probably need a gum graft. A GUM GRAFT. I also should buy an expensive Sonicare toothbrush - which they just happen to sell there. I got so many units of scaling I could have opened a rock-climbing gym. Nothing was ever optional, everything was "necessary". Not to mention, my cleanings were always painful no matter how well I took care of my teeth (so. much. scaling). There was even a time between visits where I flossed every single day. I made it my mission. I went in and was told I need to floss more and I was headed towards a larger issue. They made me feel like I lost the dental genetic lottery no matter what I did.

I started to ask around among my friends and I realized - none of them were *this* unhappy with their dentist visits. I was convinced I must have bad teeth but I'd give a new place a shot because the cost at RYD was just getting to be too much.

WELL - I just had an incredibly thorough (and oddly enough, not painful) cleaning, exam and x-rays elsewhere and both the dentist and hygienist said my teeth were actually in great shape. My recessing gums? Turns out they aren't changing and in fact, they are what they would expect from someone who had braces. Nothing to worry about. Especially not with how well I take care of my teeth. HUH. They also charge the provincially recommended amounts for dental services. And the front desk staff were wonderful. I came home in shock.

Do not go to Royal York Dental. After years of being lied to I feel obligated to share and warn others. Going to the dentist doesn't need to be expensive or worrisome.