Please Read if Your Kids Are Patients of Kids Teeth, LLC

[Anonymous]

We have been seen Dr. Bob Testen in germantown for years. He is wonderful and my kids don't mind going to the dentist. Even if you have to drive out 270, its worth it! 301-540-5757

[Anonymous]

If you're in camp #2 and you're assuming that the allegations are false, why would you waste time reading something you've already decided that you're not going to believe? To be fair though, I think it's valid for people who have had extensive experience with Dr. A and have never experienced any of these problems to want to trust him. My problem with this is, if you're assuming that the allegations are false and he is being unfairly treated, don't you wonder why so many people are apparently "out to get him"?

Are these types of complaints common for dentists and we just don't often hear about them (and in this way, Dr. A is unfairly being singled out)?

[Anonymous]

...meaning my child saw Dr. Paryavi in North Potomac (off 28) last year. She informed us that our child had several cavities, and that they HAD to be repaired at the hosptial. We then took our child to Kids Teeth for a second opinion, and were told that there was no need to have any work dones, cavities were so minor, etc. WHO CAN WE TRUST? This is frightening!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:...meaning my child saw Dr. Paryavi in North Potomac (off 28) last year. She informed us that our child had several cavities, and that they HAD to be repaired at the hosptial. We then took our child to Kids Teeth for a second opinion, and were told that there was no need to have any work dones, cavities were so minor, etc. WHO CAN WE TRUST? This is frightening!

Good for you that you got a second opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not at all 'scary' to think that many of us are choosing to remain with Kids Teeth. We have never experienced any problems there. Two of our three children have had cavities filled there, and each one was visible on x-ray. Dr. A has three children himself, and it is unfathomable to believe that he would unnessesarily sedate children, or fabricate dental problems just to make more money. He hardly needs to-- his practice does EXCEPTIONALLY well based on his reputation. He patients come from all over the state. We live an hour away, but make the drive because Dr. A is worth it! Just stepping into his waiting area, you can see why his practice appeals to all of us. Our kids are happy, and enjoy going to the dentist. His practice recently dropped our insurance carrier, so we pay more out of pocket than we used to, but we will not switch to anyone else. Dr. A is honest, thorough, cautious, and caring. He treats us with respect, he explains different courses of treatment and allows us to make decisions regarding our children's care. What is scary, is that people are rushing to judgement, particularly when they themselves have never experienced problems with Dr. A. It is a parents responsiblility to be involved in their child's care. If a dentist said our child needed a filling, we would ask the dentist to show us which tooth was in question, the x-ray, and also whether a filling was necessary or if there were other options. Blindly following advice without asking questions opens the door for people to feel mislead or taken advantage of later. Ask questions. Be informed. We do, and we are. That's why we have absolutely no hesitations in staying with Dr. A.

Scary.

[Anonymous]

In response to the person who asked if the document was read, yes it was, and I am still staying with Kids Teeth. The hygenist who posted said exactly what my general dentist (who is also a good friend of mine) said. She posted beautifully. My dentist also said this happens all the time and it is so unfortunate. The board hears complaints and chooses to scrutinize a dentist and make an example out of them. Since Dr. A was suspended for only 4 months, i highly doubt hes putting children at risk. Ms. Hygenist, please please get your word out because that was the most educational bit of information posted. Good luck to Dr. A and his staff!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you're in camp #2 and you're assuming that the allegations are false, why would you waste time reading something you've already decided that you're not going to believe? To be fair though, I think it's valid for people who have had extensive experience with Dr. A and have never experienced any of these problems to want to trust him. My problem with this is, if you're assuming that the allegations are false and he is being unfairly treated, don't you wonder why so many people are apparently "out to get him"?

Are these types of complaints common for dentists and we just don't often hear about them (and in this way, Dr. A is unfairly being singled out)?

I think that they don't want to admit that they've made such a mistake by bringing their children to see a dentist whose license has been suspended.

[Anonymous]

I would go to Dr. Bhanot. I hear she is moving onto a state of art bigger office in germantown

[Anonymous]

We have been seeing Dr. Alalouf in his practice for three years now. We recieved a letter in the mail today from him in which he states he will be "Out of the Office" between May 2 and August 31 so he can "Further his education and spend time with his family." I might have considered staying with his practice, however, this bald face lie thoroughly offends and disgusts me. At least have the courage to be honest with your clients that you have been suspended. Make up a reason why you are suspended. Say that you did not want to put your family through the stress and expense of fighting the allegations. But don't turn around and LIE to your clients about why you will not be in the office for the next four months. This seals the deal for me. If he is lying in the letter, perhaps everyone should look again at the allegations in the suspension.

[Anonymous]

I also received that letter and wholeheartedly agree with you. In fact, in some ways I am more offended by the letter than by the actual suspension.

[jsteele]

The last two posts appear to be from the same individual. I don't like sock puppets in the best of times and I would especially frown on them in this thread. Please do not abuse the anonymity we allow on this website or you may end up ruining things for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Thank you to the system administrator for catching that. In response to the letter, you try writing a letter saying that you are suspended, it cant be easy. I do not condone this, however, its not that simple. If you are sincere about leaving the practice because of a letter than we dont want you in camp (#2), the practice will be better off without you.

[Anonymous]

In June of 2002 I took my daughters, then ages 2 and 5 to Dr. Alaouf for a routine cleaning. Dr. Alalouf took a quick glance at my then 5 year olds teeth and determined she had 2 cavities and 2 "shadows" on 2 other teeth. No x-rays were taken. He told me that she was going to have to be placed on the hospital under general anesthesia to have these cavities filled. He very proudly told me that "Tuesday and Thursday's were his hospital days". I asked him about using laughing gas (nitrous oxide) and he told me, that she wouldn't be able to sit in the chair for it (very odd, because she was very well behaved at the dentist - not fearful at all) Before I left the office I was handed information on the "procedure" and the nurses quickly booked a hospital appointment for me.
I left the office and NEVER returned.
The thought of putting a child under general anesthia (for a cavity in a baby tooth) as a FIRST OPTION is appalling. I also found it quite odd that a pediatric dentist would build 2 days a weeks into his schedule for "hospital days" This should have been a red flag to all.

I STRONGLY urge anyone who is a current patient to read the 49 page case against him by the Maryland State Dental Board. They randomly choose to examine 25 patient files from his office and the results appalling and very scary. Use this truthful and accurate information to make an informed decision for yourself.

Dr. Alalouf is just truly lucky that nothing horrific happened to an innocent child while in his care.

[Anonymous]

I had emailed Dr Alalouf this afternoon wanting to know what was going on. We have been patients of his for over 10 years and think very highly of him. here was his response to me

After being charged with violations by the Maryland Dental Board, and after consultation with my attorneys, I agreed to a Consent Order to resolve those accusations. We did not negotiate any terms of the factual findings and do not necessarily agree with each and every factual statement. I found cavities on examination of some patients, and some other dentists did not see those cavities when looking at the x-rays. The Board did not like the amount of times I used general anesthesia for young patients, even though the parents had agreed that such treatment was best for their children.

I have resolved these charges with the Board. I have been suspended from May 2 to August 31, 2008. During this time, I will be taking educational courses. I will return to my office and continue to practice dentistry on September 2, 2008.

[Anonymous]

I was the second post regarding the letter. I am not the same person as the first post. I am sorry if it sounded like I was.

That being said-- My point about the letter is this: We as parents have the right to make an informed decision about our children's care-whatever that decision is. We trust our doctors to do things and make decisions and help us make decisions because they have knowledge that we do not have. I am troubled by the fact that he was not honest about what is going on in his practoce. And no its not easy - but as parents it's not easy for us to put our children in the care of other people, yet we do. And we need to trust those people. So yes, I think it is a big deal what he chooses to write in his letter and let his patients know what is going on.