Schmeler R Christina, DDS

I haven’t been to the dentist for a very long while first due to financial problems and then do to more financial problems. Recently I used my work insurance to go get my teeth cleaned here I was told that I have 12 cavities. Which is a whole lot! I get that. When I contacted my insurance company they toldme that they would only cover up to the cost of silver fillings for the posterior cavities (which is all I have). When I contacted the dentist again they told me that they would do the math and figure out what I would end up paying out-​of-​pocket for my teeth to be felt. And they eventually got back to me what the price point of 1300 something dollars. When I told them that I knew that I wouldn’t be able to for that right away I’m in have to save I asked for a breakdown of what exactly the insurance companies paying and what exactly I would be paying. I gave him the reasoning that if my insurance came back later and said they refused to pay the bill then I would not have significant proof later on if I didn’t receive this information that they needed to pay it.
The secretary very rudely said ‘okay will where do we go from here then?’ And proceeded to question me about why wanted that information. When I told her that I wasn’t sure when I’d be able to for this amount of work for that much money she asked me if I plan on taking this information to other dentists in the area to see if their cost to be cheaper. And I was honest and I told her yes I was. She said ‘well that information is only provided as a courtesy to you you can’t use it to comparison-​shop with other dentists“
Basically she denied me my own right to my medical files and a cost sheet of what exactly it cost to get my teeth fixed there

BEWARE! I am a physician and hate to even write this type of review, but felt others should be warned. I have had dental insurance for over 14 years and have never needed to dispute a bill; however, I’ve had to do it TWICE in the past 6 months with Dr. Schmeler’s office. The first time, they billed me for the entirety of the bill for a routine cleaning which was covered at 100% by the insurance company. I looked into it and the insurance company had already paid it, but they double-​billed me as well. It was resolved after two days. The next time, Lynda, told me that my filling was ‘not covered’ and billed 100% of the service to me. I had to obtain the itemized billing codes and ask the insurance company myself (the office never checked), and it is actually covered. I am in the middle of this dispute now (getting a refund for the amount I paid which the insurance company has actually paid). I actually like Dr. Schmeler and her work, but there is definitely something sketchy going on in this office. My advice: STAY AWAY.

This place is the worst ever. She billed me and my insurance company. She is a crook and so are the people who work there. I took her to court and she didn’t show up for the hearing. Aetna dropped her as a provider and she is under investigation at the State Board. Do your investigation before going to this quack. The only good reviews she has anywhere are from the people who work for her. She must have ordered them to write them. That is pretty desperate

The receptionist told me I cannot use my insurance to cover my dental service and I paid $ 175 dollars out of pocket. She is in-​network doctor and the dental service is ordinary teeth cleaning. I should not be responsible for the bill.
The receptionist explain that I changed my PCD to Schmeler recently, and I cannot be covered until 11÷1÷2014. I never heard of this rule. They did not explain this to me when I register.

Watch this one. Aside from paying the price for shoddy dental work, the office balance billed me (only learned after receiving EOB from my dental provider). When I questioned this, the receptionist rudely told me that Dr. Schmeler did the work and deserved to get paid. She would not accept that Dr. Schmeler did get paid, per the contracted rate. After getting nowhere with them, I filed a suit against her and she settled. She balance billed a friend of mine as well for not only routine procedures but also crowns.

I made an appointment weeks ago. Three days ago, the office called me to ask if I could come in a little earlier as they’d had cancellations. I said I couldn’t. Today, they called to tell me the doctor had «something come up» and they were cancelling my appointment. Just totally inconsiderate. Look her up on citysearch, her reviews are terrible.

I went to this dentist three times — twice for cleanings and once to get fillings. The dentistry is mediocre (I got much better cleanings from my previous dentist who is out of state, and the shots for my fillings were more unpleasant than usual), but the horrible treatment by both the dentist and the staff made me never go back (and I never will).
When I got the fillings, the office manager couldn’t read my insurance benefits correctly and told me that only inlays were covered, so they switched procedures at the last moment (after I was already numb). She was incorrect, and I had to pay out of pocket for a more expensive procedure. When I discovered this and called the office, she just got angry on the phone and essentially hung up on me. I called trying to speak with the dentist, and she would only meet with me to discuss the issue if I paid an $ 80 consultation fee for her time. Absolutely horrible treatment on all accounts…

So I don’t know about the actual work of this dentist to be honest with you. I had an appointment with her and I ran late. The response and reaction that I got from her receptionist was quite rude. For a place that is called «Shadyside Smiles» you see anything but a smile. I tried to explain to her that I am out of the state, traveled a long way and leaving town tomorrow, but she was not even listening. The fact that I drove as far as I did and was treated like that was discouraging enough that I did not want to go back. If she was just a bit nicer I would have gone back given that I was the one who was late and at fault to begin with.
On a separate note, I asked her if I can skip the exam (since I was late) and just do the cleaning in which she replied Dr. is late for her appointment and already needed to be at her appointment. That left me with the question of how short of an appointment did they schedule me for? Were they planning to do the X-​Ray, consulting and cleaning in half an hour? I have been to many dentists around the country but never in my life I have had an exam, x-​ray, new patient consultation and cleaning done in half an hour. So now I am sort of happy that it did not work out because i doubt she could have done a thorough job in half an hour and be on time for her next appointment.