Donald F. Bowen, DDS & Associates

***YES THIS IS LONG I WILL SAVE YOU TIME, IF YOU HAVE INSURANCE PLEASE GO SOMEWHERE ELSE, REFERENCE IS AT THE BOTTOM OF WHERE TO GO INSTEAD** When I first booked this appt they were very accommodating. I will be honest I did not do much research, I just searched dentist in the area and accepted my insurance. They have lunch until 2 and my apt was at 2, as a new patient I showed up 10 mins early to fill out paper work. When I first went into the waiting area it was a common area for the rest of the offices there, at least 1 and the restrooms. Wooden doors, ugly flooring, letters peeling off the door, that should have been my first sign to run. There was already a lady waiting. I could hear the staff behind the door and they did not open until right at 2. I am just thinking if you knew you had 2 appts you cant open the window and give us the paper work at least? So we both start on that and then someone else shows up, I am unaware if she had an appt or not. I did not get called in until after 230!! The 3rd lady that came in has already been in and out. This should have been another sign, but when I was looking through the window into the office, I thought “this is it? That’s all?” 3 chairs, dirty stained carpet and about 15 feet wide and 30 ft long. The lady at the window was nice and the lady taking my xrays was also nice. This is Dr Donald Bowens office, but an Asian women dentist not even sure her name besides maybe Dot started looking at my xrays and letting me know they were going to get started. She was inquiring if I had a tooth ache, but I had no pain. I was sure they would find a few cavities and maybe that is what she was referring to. Her and the other “hygienist” were talking about how the xrays may need redone then if I am not having any pain. I refer to the other lady as a possible hygienist because all she did was hold the sucker and then polish my teeth. They used this different type of teeth cleaning procedure and used water to clean around my gums. Water was spraying all over my face and I didn’t even have any protective eye wear. Never did they say sorry. This is when I started to really feel uncomfortable. It was nothing like I have been used to, I know its hard to talk while someones working in your mouth, but no small talk just very in and out. Since they were unsure of the xrays they took another set and said I did have a cavity. I go up to the desk to schedule a filling. She has me the paper, its not a filling, but a ROOT CANAL and TWO of them!! This is when it went from uncomfortable to scared. This was a scary enough experience, but just thinking about someone in this office giving me two root canals, when I haven’t even had one was out of the question. I let her finish and even book me the appt because I was so caught off guard. The other procedure would have been done on Cleveland Ave office, I was at the S High office, and I know there is a Broad St office. I am not sure how many other offices there are but I warn you to not go to any. I was so blown away and scared that they said I needed a root canal I called my hometown dentist and started crying. Crying because they were so nice and understood the bad experience I had and wishing I could have just gone back to them. So I put up a facebook status asking for recommendations, someone from my work suggested Chad Cacchio’s office. I called the next morning and they booked my an appt for that day! Their office is warm and welcoming. Niki did my booking and let me know that everything would be ok! Since I had my teeth cleaned they just took extra xrays and said they didn’t even see anything that needed a filling!! Not only did they save me the cost of 2 root canals but I have a new dentist for as long as I am in Columbus.
Not saying every office needs wifi or flat screen tvs but this is not a place I would recommend if you have a good insurance plan and can drive across town please check out Chads office!