Liyoong Lim DDS MD

 

1

7

Patrick V.

Redwood City, CA

Awful experience. Awful, awful, awful, useless and costly..

I was referred to Dr Liyoong Lim, by my dentist since I needed a tooth extraction. Actually, I needed an *urgent* tooth extraction since an abscess had formed around the tooth. Needless to say, I was in pain.

I could not get an estimate of the cost of the extraction over the phone (I will later know why). I had to bring the x-Ray my dentist took for a *free* evaluation (that was stated twice), which I did.

That's where my problems began.

I was introduced not in the usual dentist room, but into a regular office. Obviously, it would be first about business, care would come second.

It all started by a long "expose" by a (very nice) assistant about tooth extraction, options for bone graft, what is an implant and blah..blah. I started to have the uncomfortable feeling that all this time spent explaining their merits would soon translate into a hefty estimate. I appreciated them explaining the process, but it shouldn't require 45min. I needed someone to extract the tooth first and stop the pain, not concentrate on the costs involved on future procedures.

Strange suggestions were made: One of them was getting a costly I.V. for the procedure (not reimbursed by my insurance). I have never had an I.V. for such a simple operation. (The Palo Alto dentist who finally extracted my tooth didn't need one and the extraction was really smooth.)

Finally the assistant left the office and the dentist stepped in to discuss my options even more. Oh God.. Soon the final estimate was revealed. But I wasn't allowed to keep a copy, *unless* I agreed to sign the document, called something like a "Plan of action". Very strange, I have never, never been asked to sign any estimate in my entire life. Although the dentist tried to downplay the implications of signing such a document (signing doesn't equal contractual obligation for her....as long as you haven't signed the document of course).
Since the price of care was not that cheap, I felt like I had every right to go and ask another dentist for another estimate, in this free country, land of the consumer-king.

I was wrong.

When I asked to get the x-Ray I brought back (needed for other dentists to provide an estimate of the cost, just like for her, right?), she told me she would not do so.

I asked 3 times, incredulous.

She repeated that the x-Ray didn't belong to me anymore, but to her (which is not true, as my regular dentist later confessed).
Worst, she offered to sell back my x-ray for $10 (more the original cost !) I was outraged. Who wouldn't be?
When I saw the admin about to scan my x-ray and sell me a measly Xerox copy for $10, I couldn't  take it anymore. I took the $10 bill from the dentist's fingers, left -still in pain-, and promised I would Yelp this unacceptable experience.

In the end, my tooth was extracted somewhere else ( I had to pay for a new x-ray of course-which used up my only other insurance allotment for the entire year).

So in the end:
I gave this dentist one hour of my time, had to let go of my own Xray that *I* brought to her...and my insurance was eventually charged $113 for this experience. Yes, the consultation I was told twice would be "free" was finally billed $113. No actual work was done. That was just the price to get the estimate.

So in a nutshell: If you need urgent care, go somewhere else. If you're in a mood for spending an inordinate amount of time disserting about the process  -and paying for it-, this may be a place for you.

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18

28

Christine C.

Sunnyvale, CA

So, here is how the conversation went during my consultation:

Dr. Lim: We have to remove your wisdom tooth by........

Me:  WHAT??? YOU HAVE TO SURGICALY REMOVE ALL 4 WISDOM   TEETH AND I HAVE TO GO "UNDER"?  Hell to THE F'IN NO!!!

After my consultation, referred to me by dentist, my wisdom tooth on my right side of my face starts giving me problems. Day by day for a whole week, I rely on motrin to ease the pain. However, there are other complication that comes up and I cannot endure the pain any longer.

Suddenly, I grow a pair of "balls" and say, "Screw it! I am having them removed".

The Monday that she has me go in to have my wisdom teeth removed she pre-prescribes medication that relaxes me. Dr. lim suggested that it would help her get my I.V going; by then I am sold. The precedure from start to finish was such a breeze, that I don't even know why I stressed out the whole time about it.

Dr. Lim is fantastic at what she does. Dr. Lim even called me the day of my surgery to see how I feel and how things are going! During the healing process, I was really  nervous about getting an infection and so I had a question every day. I called the office to ask tons of questions, and the whole time reassured me that I wouldn't get one and were always very pleasant when they got the call from me. Also, the pain level after the surgery wasn't that bad. She did a good job!
I highly recommend Dr. Lin for any wisdom teeth removal procedure!

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4

37

pauLine R.

San Jose, CA

i had one wisdom tooth taken out before.. but after experiencing this ordeal again with dr. lim, i must say that she was alot more professional and caring when it comes to her patients. her whole staff was very friendly. i felt right at home as soon as i entered her office. the receptionist referred to me by my first name without me even having to mention it!

after having my xrays taken by her assistant, dr. lim explained the procedure to me (and my husband.. she was very good at including him in everything!) and answered every and any question/issue i was uneasy about.

the procedure (of extracting the remaining 3 wisdom teeth) itself went REALLY well. it went smoothly and shorter than expected. recovery time was 2 days at most. surprising!

during the follow up appointment, she showed great concern for my well being and even was so nice as to make sure i was comfortable enough to come back to her with ANY other questions/problems i may encounter after.

i would HIGHLY recommend dr. lim to anyone who is uncomfortable at the dentist's office. she would definitely put you at ease :)

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