Opinions About Monarch Dental?

Of everyone I know that has used Monarch, they all hate it! Seems like everything is always more complicated than it should be. It is affordable, which is why they went, but are not at all satisfied with them. I do not know if it was a few locations in particular or the entire company!

I agree that Monarch Dental is like a "dental mill". I've been to two different offices (one in Plano and one in McKinney) and continue to be frustrated by their "service". I also have Aetna for dental coverage so I've only stuck with Monarch because as you pointed out it is one of the few places offered. Don't get me wrong . . . they aren't witch doctors. And the dental hygenist at the McKinney office is great so she makes it worth my time. And they are always pleasant, but still, I always feel a bit like cattle in a pen when I'm there!

Since you are still looking and you might consider TriCare Dental in Denton.....DON'T. My sister had a terrible experience with them. Her daughter needed a root canal, they started the work and then they could not finish it. They said that her case was complicated and they did not have the tool needed for the job. If they are not well equipped, then they should not be in business. My sister ended up taking her daughter to a dentist whose specialty is root canals.

DON'T GO!!! I went to one similiar in college and it was the worst choice! My parents call them chopshops and they should know - my dad is an oral and maxifacial surgeon!

I go to Accent Dental in Frisco. They do see kids and he did my root canal recently - it's the second I've had and WAY better experience than the first. It's Dr. Bill Hayes ###-###-####.
Good Luck!

D.,

I work in the dental field, and I agree with everyone else - avoid Monarch!! However, your bigger problem isn't Monarch, it's that you have DMO coverage. DMO is NOT insurance, it is more like a discount plan. They pay the office you are assigned to around $3 per month, but nothing for your treatment. In other words, the dentist ends up losing money if they do any treatment on you, so they have incentive to ignore any small problems you might have. Also, as you are finding, it is next to impossible to see a specialist as they DO pay specialists for treatment performed (the DMO companies DO NOT want to have to pay!). They very often deny any specialist visits because of this.

The only places that take DMOs are clinics, like Monarch. Many "clinic type practices" double and triple book patients to make up for the lost money, and overdiagnose to try and make a little more off of you to offset losses.

Most employers offer true insurance as well as these DMO plans. Can you change to a PPO or indemnity plan at work? It is WELL worth the extra premium!

Hi-
I went to Monarch dentist in Ft Worth. I was told I had 4 cavities and needed a root canal on another tooth. I had the 4 cavities filled there, and had an insurance change in the process. Because of the insurance change, I was able to go back to my family dentist and my tooth that supposedly was so bad I needed a root canal is fine. Not even a cavity. Previously, I have had only 2 cavities in my life (Im 32) so I am very skeptical to think I had the 4 cavities that they claimed I had. I would stay away if I were you.
Hope that helps.
B.

I personally have not had an issue for my kids going to Monarch, they have been fabulous with them. We are usually in and out pretty quickly. Both of my children are very comfortable with all the staff. For my husband and I the issue we have is that they don't have any Saturday appointments, so we are switching to McKinney Dentist.

I think Monarch is a rip off. They advertised a $99 x-ray and exam. My dental inssurance ended up covering the exam but when I got the statement Monarch charged my insurance company $189 for the exam. That is just bad business. Also my Dad went to them and was way over charged for the work he needed done. I had the same procedure done at another dentist but more extensive treatment and was charged about half of what he paid. They over charged my Dad for his portion at the time of service and we had to fight them for month's for the refund.

I work in my father's dental office, so I know a little about insurance. I would try to switch your insurance to a PPO instead of a DMO. That would allow you to see a wider variety of doctors. I would be wary of Monarch. What you should keep in mind is that your insurance has rules and regulations that have nothing to do with your family getting the best care.

I hated them! I went there because they were the only ones I could find that didn't seem to have hours between 10-2. Every time I went, they'd do the cleaning and check up and every time, the lady would come back in with a list of about $500 worth of other stuff needed that insurance didn't cover. I fell for it the first time because it had been several years since I'd been. But, when I went just 6 months later, they said I needed it all again. I said no and waited another 6 months and tried someone else. He said nothing about all the stuff they wanted to do. He said my teeth were great! My sister had the exact same experience with a different Monarch as well.

My husband had an appointment once. When he arrived, they told him it wasn't him. They had spelled his name wrong in the appointment book. They had it spelled in a way that almost everyone does, so he knew it was him. Just misspelled. I happened to have my appointment that very same afternoon, so I asked when I got there and they said that guy never came. Just idiots!

My husband is a dentist and used to work at a place similar to Monarch. I just know he came home everyday complaining of the atmosphere. Apparently Monarch and other dental mills put a lot of pressure on the dentist to produce more and faster. They would push him to do things he did not think were ethical, and pushing back and refusing led to a lot of stress on his end. Thankfully he is transitioning out of there.

As far as I know, DMOs are only accepted at large dental mills. And as you can tell from the responses, they are not really places that people like. My only suggestion is to try to switch to a PPO so that you can have the freedom to find a higher quality place where you can be confident in the care you recieve.

ha!!! It seems like a lot of us had horrible experience there!!! well I went in for an exam for a tooth that I let get out of control and as I expected I was going to need a root canal. Well I thought that I would be scheduled within a couple of days, but no. they had me come back 5hrs later to do the procedure- you would think- GREAT- they are gonna get me in and get this done. WRONG! When I came back at 3.30 they took me to this back room where they gave me the Novicaine. While they were giving me the medication they said that they would give me the other half sometime during the procedure. Well I sat there for almost an hr and a half mouth totally numb and all. They finally started the procedure at 5.30pm and the surgon said that it take that long. Well about 1hr into the procedure the novicaine started to wear off and bc of all the instraments in my mouth all i could do is grunt and fidgit. It didnt seem to alarm him that I was starting to feel the pain. He never gave me the other half of the novicaine. 2.5 hrs later I was walking out tooth fixed and in a lot of pain. To top it all off I told him that I was allergic to vicodin and that it makes me vomit, so he gave me a vicodin derivitive, that also made me vomit and because I was so late getting out of the office (on a friday too) I was not able to call and get another medication. So I had to either vomit all weekend or be in pain. I chose to vomit, but I would NEVER recommend anyone to go to a monarch dentist!!!! I work in a veterinary hospital and we monitor our patients pain very carefully and was surprised that we take better care of peoples pets better than they took care of me. Next time I will go to my vet before going to that place.

If you can find another option, I would. I went there once for a crown...just had a root canal done on that exact tooth and my new dentist said he's never seen such terrible dental work. The crown Monarch put on was too big for me, was the wrong color (which I could tell that) and had irritated the entire gum area around that tooth. So, $1,500.00 later I've gotten it fixed...and that was w/ insurance:) Would not recommend. Keep searching and good luck.

My only experience with them is that I took my daughter in for an evaluation re:braces. I don't know much about how all that works but the dentist that we saw was nice enough. Howver we didn't get any work done since my daughter was young at the time. She's thirteen now. . Now, it's about time to really get the braces and our GREAT dentist dr Lara kirsten holly told me when I asked, that monarch isn't necessarily bad per say but did warn me that they hire a lot of just out if school dentists which results in the some times experience of not getting specialized services and so forth. As in they don't have experience with some of it. Judging from the other posts I'd say I for one will not be going back there.

Hate is a strong word for Monarch dental...but in this case I feel it fits! I had both of my girls go through braces there & the whole famliy on cleanings etc. I will never use them again. I have a private dentist now. I am glad I no longer "have" to go to Monarch! Good luck on your decision.

Don't go to Monarch!!! They told me I had to have a root canal. I have been going to the dentist I see now for the past 7 years and he hasn't had to do so much as a crown. It's probably better just to pay a little extra and go to a good, quality dentist than to get half-baked service and things you don't need at Monarch. I went to the one in Lewisville (for the record is was over 7 years ago) and it was not very clean. At one point, I heard the receptionist scream and she had seen a MOUSE! I feel very strongly that good dental health is tied to good physical health. My dentist files with my insurance and then I pay whatever the insurance doesn't pay. Good luck with the dentist search.

Find another place, Monarch is a dental Mill as you called it. Not personable, friendly and unfortunatly I have to continue a relationship with them because daughter has braces. They are very pushy and not up front at all. I would not reccomend this to anyone. Find a family oriented place.

Hi D., I will tell you of my personal experience with Monarch. I began using them at the age of 23 until I was 27. I had never had a cavity before. I go every six months for my check up and always have. Over the four year period I went there-just about every visit I was told I had a cavity so I always believed them and got it filled. When I was 27, I went for a regular checkup and was told I had 4 cavities. I made a follow up appt to get fillings. I got two of the cavities filled but by the time my next appt came up to get the other two filled, I had changed jobs/insurance so I just waited for my next six month check up. I began seeing a private dentist and fully expected him to tell me I had the two cavities. He didn't. I am now 38 and have seen several different private dentists over the years since and have never been told I have another cavity. I now believe my mouth is full of fillings that I never even needed! I have told my story to others and have had similar responses from others. My advice would be to go to a private dentist if possible.

Hi D.,

Monarch Dental is awesome, but they are very expensive. WE went and the staff was wonderful, so friendly and personable. My kids love it, and actually asked to go back!! haha. But unfortunatly for us we cannot afford their fees. So if you can, than I totally recommend them!

My second visit to Monarch was my last. The people are no more than mere thieves. A simple routine cleaning that would have cost $12.00 balloned to a bill of $2300. Guess what I did, I walked out and would not return again to them in this life!

Monarch is horrible!!! After I had my wisdom teeth removed, they told me that a substitute dentist had done it and he wasn't covered by our plan. Further, while I was still recovering from the anesthesia, they told me I had to write them a check for $400 to cover the difference - all after I had already paid what I thought was my portion. They are dishonest, have poor service and could care less about you as a person.

Warning...When I tried Monarch Dental several years ago they wanted me to sign a waiver that said I would give up my right to go back into the office with my kids while they were getting work done. I refused and walked out the door. They tried to say that the radiation levels back there were too high and the less folks back there the better. Well, if that was true why would I want my kids back there? I felt they wanted to take advantage of the kids' lack of knowledge and anyone who wants to not included the parents waves a big red flag to me. I chose not to take the risk and I have never been back.
R.

____@____.com

Hate Monarch Dental!!! Had it when that's all I could get through my insurance. I did have the same insurance as you and called to get a list of dentists in my area. I did find an idividual that I've been going to for 10 years now and me and my kids love him, however he's not accepting new patients. Call you insurance company and have them mail you a list.

D.,

We have a FANTASTIC dentist in the HEB area off of Precinct. His name is Dr. Chad Perry ###-###-####. He's very personable with a great smile. The kids will enjoy watching movies while he works on their teeth (screens that you pull over head while in the dental chair). You can call and ask if they accept your insurance. He has seen my 3,6, and 8 year old as well as my husband and myself. Tell him K. P sent you. My 6 year old calls having a cavity filled "getting the big mouth". :)

Monarch is AWFUL- kept sending me bills after we paid our portion up-front. We didn't realize at first and paid the first surprise bill... only to receive two more! When I realized their mistake, they owed us over a hundred dollars and patronized me and denied any error. Took nearly a YEAR to get it cleared up and get our refund. We waited months for the promised refund before taking it up with corporate. Huge mess and they were rude, rude, rude, even though they were in the wrong. AVOID them!

Hi D.,
I personally was looking forward to open enrollment at my job to upgrade my dental insurace so I would have additional options and not have to go to Monarch. I have had multiple bad experiences with them. It seems that none of the dentist are experienced at even simple procedures and even an extraction is like rocket sience for them. What I hate most about them is the sales pitch you get from someone before you have any work done. It is ridiculous in my opinion and very poorly structured. I would say for cleanings, they're ok but anything more than that I would stay far away from Monarch. Good luck!

I don't know much about Monarch but my husband, Dr. Mark Musso, is a dentist in Garland (Musso Family Dentistry). His office is less than 15 min from Dallas off 635 & NW Hwy. You can call their office to see if they accept your insurance: 972-840-8477/www.mussodental.com. Good luck!

I too have only Monarch as an option, but last year my 6 year old needed a mini root canal and Monarch would do it, but would not use sedation as they are not qualified to give it to children. Sooooo, they expect children for procedures to sit still and endure pain.....I kid you not! So because one of us is a state employee we found a children's dentist that gave 25% discount and paid the 75% for procedure.
But unfortunately, dental plans are not reimbursing pediatric dentists well, so that dentist is not longer taking any insurance, all SELF PAY. So now we are back to trying to use Monarch again.
On a positive note, I do like Dr. Toosi and his staff in Denton. I have not tried the new Monarch in Little Elm. I would not go to Lewisville if my life depended on it.
I wish I knew what to do to get Dental insurances to pay more like health insurance does.

I feel your pain and can agree with the stories below. I found Dr. Brookins in Plano to be good. I think I have the same insurance as you. I can tell you that his office is not fancy not latest and greatest but the office is run by him and his wife and they give great service and care. I have not once felt taken advantage of or that I am given a bait and switch like the cleaning situations below (Monarch did that deep cleaning thing to me after I waited two months for a cleaning appointment and they refused to do the basic cleaning-went to Brookins got a cleaning same day as apt and a good check up :) ) Hope this helps!

My husband had a HORRIBLE experience with them! Yes, they are a dental mill and a worker there actually told us that the dentists actually make commissions. My husband needed a root canal which turned into a 4 step process and then magically they needed to do some work on the tooth next to it. He said no way and went to a more reputable dentist. They completely disagreed with what Monarch had done and actually needed to redo the root canal BUT insurance wouldn't pay for 2 on one tooth!! It was a nightmare. They may be fine for general cleanings but I would never recommend going there for anything more. Good luck to you!

Dont do it! Call a local independent dr, not a chain and see if they will help you with your insurance issues.

I had a horrible experience with them and will never go back! I went and had never had a cavity before in my life. They told me that I had 6 cavities and had to have some special cleaning done. All in all it was going to be a few hundred dollars out of my pocket and they wouldn't do my cleaning then either, I had to make a separate appointment for that. Also when I tried to schedule my children's appointments I had to wait several months for a pediatric dentist. They cancelled that appointment the day of their appointments and we weren't going to be able to get back in for another month. The dentist we saw was very cold and unfriendly as well. I just completely hated the whole experience.

I will tell you that I will never step foot in a Monarch again. In 2000, I visited a new dentist when moving to the area at Monarch (Valley Ranch / Irving area - 635/MacArthur). I had not gone to my last 6 month cleaning due to moving, so it had been closer to 12 months since my last cleaning. I had NEVER had a cavity (age 26 then). I chose a female dentist because I usually use female medical care providers. Well, she found FIVE cavities during that initial cleaning/exam visit. When asking about having my wisdom teeth removed, that alone was a process (three visits to get that done -- like they bring you in just to be able to bill - and it would take about 2 months before I could have them extracted).

I went to my husband's dentist as a second opinion a few days later as I was so amazed FIVE cavities. (We were only dating then.) He was in his own practice, experienced, and lo-and-behold didn't find a SINGLE cavity. In fact, now in 2009, I STILL have not had a cavity nine years later... yet that dentist at Monarch "found" five cavities she wanted to have filled!! As far as the wisdom teeth, hubby's dentist did the evaluation, and said yep, you can see the oral surgeon - he comes in on Fridays. How is next Friday? So ten days later I was having all four wisdom teeth extracted. No issues.

I felt Monarch was definitely a dental mill. They kept calling for a while telling me how important it was to get those five cavities filled and schedule the pre-evaluations for oral surgery (wisdom teeth). When I told them I consulted a second opinion who found no cavities and already had the wisdom teeth extracted, they finally quit calling.

Maybe it was just that one dentist or that one Monarch location, but seriously... FIVE cavities?? And nine years later I still have NO cavities?? We've moved to another side of the metroplex now so using a new dentist--- and she didn't find cavities either at my recent exam. So that was my personal experience with Monarch. They were definitely all about "extractions" and "fillings" ---- extracting money from my wallet and filling it in their's!!

hi,

I don't know where are you located, but in Rowlett, Main Street Dental, takes adults and kids... My son, just had some major work done and he's 8.... I have Blue Cross, and they are not in network, however, Blue Cross considered their prices to be customary and reasonable so I didn't have any extra cost with the dentist not being in Network. If interested their number is ###-###-####. Oh and you can find out from the dentist what they charge and the code so you can call the ins and see what they will cover... once you get the exam, they can send in a pre determination to the insurance that will let you know how much of the cost is yours.

I absolutely hate the way they schedule appointments. I took my son in and first appointment was nothing but x-rays and exam. We then had to make another appointment for the cleaning. I've never had to do that before with any dentist! And the next appointment they had was 2 months away ! Well, we got there at exactly his appointment time. The hygienist was up at the front desk when we walked in checking for charts. Since his wasn't up yet, she took the next appointment. AFter waiting 45 minutes, I asked about his appointment. They checked and told me since we weren't there early, we needed to reschedule. The next appointment was 6 months away. I stormed out and will never go there again. We have found a private dentist on my DMO that I really like. My kids are going there in 2 weeks.

Absolutely go to a private dentist. Monarch Dental IS a dental mill.

I have the same insurance as you. Unfortunately, finding dentists that will take our policy hasn't been easy. We've had some negative experiences with Monarch too. About the only thing I use them for now are the 6 month cleanings. Otherwise, for anything major I won't use them.