About Front Desk: I do not recall the name of the front desk receptionist. She was tall, thin and had longish brown hair. Although I had already told the hygienist that I absolutely could not afford to have the suggested work done based upon my disability income, she sent me to the receptionist to discuss the cost of the x-rays and four quadrant deep cleaning. The cost was somewhere around $1500. We discussed financing. I have care credit. I use it primarily for veterinary care. My vet allows 6 months to pay for $200; and one year for over $400. The limit here was $500. I also told the receptionist that I could obtain dental insurance through Medicare. Of course, this was not acceptable. I believe that they accept only one type of dental insurance. When I explained my health and income situations,she made "doe eyes" and gave me a most insincere pitying look. There appears to be no "wiggle room" insofar as financing is concerned. After speaking with the receptionist, which was merely a further waste of my time, I was even more disgusted.

Front desk:

Hygiene rating:

About Hygienist: After my tooth was repaired, I made an appointment to have my teeth cleaned. That was the only work I intended to have done. I was seen by a tall, large blonde woman (Susan?) with 26 years' experience. Rather than proceeding to clean my tooth, this woman mistakenly assumed that I was there as a new patient seeking a full dental workup. She began by telling me that she wanted to take a full set of x-rays. (I must make it clear that she is not a dentist, only a hygienist.) When I asked about the purpose and cost, she told me that this is routinely done when a patient has not seen a dentist in a while. I objected to the necessity and price of the x-rays, since I had no intention of having cavities filled, etc. The she insisted upon examining my gums, again without asking if I wished to have such an examination. She used a pick and touched my gums all the way around my mouth. When she finished, she told me that my gums are in very poor condition and that the teeth are starting to melt from my mouth; and that if I did not have deep quadrant cleaning, I could lose them. When I requested that she clean my teeth, as I requested, she refused, stating that it would be a disservice to me to do so. This woman is not a dentist. Any diagnosis as to the serious condition of my teeth and gums should have been made by either Dr. Kakos or his associate. Because this is the first time I met her, I placed no trust in her opinions. My gums do not bleed when I brush my teeth and I have no pain in my teeth. Based upon the numbers she was rattling off, I had many more twos and threes than the higher numbers in the hard to reach areas in the back. I practiced law for nearly 30 years. I was forced to retire by the onset of moderate to severe chronic pain syndrome. In my view, this hygienist way overstepped her bounds. Just as a paralegal is not authorized to practice law, a dental hygienist cannot engage in the unauthorized practice of dentristry. She should have cleaned my teeth and that's it. I left totally disheartened.

I know this doctor: 2 days