Poor service delivery and traumatic experience

Re: Dental Appointment for N. Griffith-Richards on 8 February 2019

I chipped my front top tooth on the 7 th February (I have seen Dr Loubser in Milnerton) before in this regard as it happens every 2 years or so due to a previous injury). I called to make an appointment with Dr Loubser, but he was unavailable and the receptionist recommended I see Dr Nowers, who also practices at this surgery, as he was available. I did see Dr Nowers at 13:30 that afternoon, but was left feeling traumatised by the appointment. Herewith the reasons for my unhappiness: 1) Although my tooth looks aesthetically pleasing, I now have an overbite and am struggling to eat. 2) Although it is most probably Dr Nowers bedside manner, I do not like being placated by being touched. 3) Dr Nowers criticised my previous dentists’ work, and then proceeded to do dental work that I had not asked for (I wanted my chipped tooth to be filled). He ‘shaved’ away my tooth on both sides, so that I was left with an unsightly thin tooth in the middle of my top gum. He may have thought it was necessary, but it was done without my permission. If I had been informed of his plans, I would have refused to allow him to do it. If/ when my tooth chips again, I will not be able to go to work ( causing me lack of earning) or out in public until it is fixed. I was horrified when Dr Nowers showed me my tooth in the mirror after he had done "the work". 4) He thought it was funny when I got upset about the tooth. 5) Dr Nowers then built up the tooth and made it extra long – this I also got to see in the hand mirror after the fact. At this point I was ready to run out of the surgery and deal with the situation with another dentist but was unable to as it was Friday afternoon. 6) Dr Nowers reassured me that he wouldn’t charge me for the extra work (which I hadn’t wanted or asked for), however my bill came to R1443.00, almost double the price I normally pay to repair the chip. 7) I have always been fine with having my tooth repaired every 2 years or so, I did not ask Dr Nowers to do any more than that.

I sent the above information (almost verbatim) to Dr Nowers and cc'd Dr Loubser in on the email. I stated that I did not want to be contacted by Dr Nowers, but would make myself available to have the validity of my statement checked out by Dr Loubser. I received a response from Dr Loubser the following morning at 7:30 (no subject) instructing me to find the statement attached (for R14430.00) and to settle the account with immediate effect. I am an honourable and honest person who has no issue with paying my bills timeously and in full, however, under the circumstances and all things considered, I believe in this case exceptions should be made.