BBB Has Advice For Jilted Dental Patients
A New York-based chain of dental offices has abruptly shut down operations in Michigan and several other states. People who showed up for appointments at Allcare Dental and Denture clinics got a rude surprise.
"Some of the locations had notices posted on the doors referring people to a web site, which explained that the company had experienced financial problems and had closed and probably wouldn't reopen," said News Reporter Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo.
Some people had pre-paid for dental work; now they don't know if they'll get their money back. Allcare had clinics in several Michigan cities, including Ann Arbor, Auburn Hills, Clinton Township, Livonia, Roseville and Taylor.
The Better Business Bureau, meanwhile, has issued the following statement:
BB of Eastern Michigan has been informed by consumers that Allcare Dental with locations across Michigan has closed without notice. When patients showed up for their appointment or called, there was no one available. A note on the door read: "Effective December 31st, 2010, the office of Allcare Dental & Dentures has been closed. We are currently working to find dentists to continue your care. For further information, go to allcareinfo.com or allcare.com."
A website posting at www.allcareinfo.com apologizes to patients that they closed operations and there were no plans to reopen the offices. It states that they were working hard to transfer patient records and unfinished dental work to dentists with offices located close to the now-defunct offices. But, that in the meantime, if the patient is experiencing a dental emergency, you will need to locate another dentist in your area at your cost or go to the emergency room.
Patients, who went without promised services due to this closing, are encouraged to file a complaint with your Better Business Bureau and the Michigan Attorney General's office at 877-765-8388 immediately. Patients who financed incomplete dental work should also contact the lending institution to stop any additional payments to Allcare.
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