My Braces Saga - The Final Battle

The Final Battle....

After talking to two people that I know are level-headed and don't tend to react irrationally, I went into Dr. Lehman's office with a plan. My husband went with me.

So my plan was that I was going to give him two options, he could either give me a full refund and be rid of me. Or, I could walk out with the check he had ready for me, file a complaint against him with the Alabama Board of Dentists, file a lawsuit, write a letter to the editor and call every news agency in town... as well as make use of my internet skills to make sure that I reached as many people as possible.

So, as expected, we arrived and they made sure there were no other patients around when they ushered us into the consultation room. I had hoped to be able to have a reasonable conversation with the guy but soon realized that wasn't going to happen. He immideatly went on the attack, raising his voice at us, how dare I call and talk to his staff that way, how dare I say that he did crappy work, etc, etc. He finally paused long enough for me to speak, but not for long. Every time we spoke he jumped in raising his voice again. And yet every time I spoke he accused me of raising my voice. At one point he threatened to call the law because I..... slapped my hand on the table.

I told him, as calmly as he would allow, that I agreed that what occured initially probably would have occured regardless of who put my braces on. The problem was that he should have been more diligent in listening to my complaints when I came back, because at each visit I let him know what was going on and how it was getting worse and he kept blowing it off as no big deal. He claimed that in 20 some odd years of dentistry he's never had one patient need to have their braces removed due to pain. I say bullshit, but whatever. I laid out the options (as above) to him, and that really pissed him off. He continued to be defensive, claimed I'd have no case, etc, etc. and then finally said fine I'll give you your money back but it's not fair because he didn't do anything wrong.

THEN.... he had the gaul to try to use my husband against me. Paul had sat fairly calmly through this, speaking up only a few times to have Dr. Lehman jump right in and start his bullying again. So, Dr. Lehman tried to say that Paul was sitting calmly because he knew I was being irrational . I can't recall exactly what was said, but I said something to the effect of Paul caring about my well-being. Dr Lehman's reply was "well if he cares so much then why didn't he come with you to the visits over the last few months?". Then he walked out of the room right after saying that. I was so pissed off, I tried to go after him. Paul went after me and dragged me back to the room pointing out that if I was alone with the guy he'd try to get me for assault (since he'd already threatened that at least once during the course of this "conversation". He finally returned with the check in hand and I let him know that I did not appreciate his accusation that my husband didn't care about me and that if it weren't for me he'd have been there long before now, because I have been the one calming him down telling him that it's not DR Lehman's fault necessarily... that it could have happened with anyone. I left with the final comment that when I start over it will be with someone with a lot less ego.

Looking back on the last few months I can see that he is a bully and doesn't like to be challenged. Every time I've questioned anything since the braces went on he's gotten defensive and the last two days have really sealed that. I'm happy to be done. But as Paul said, we wouldn't be surprised with his attitude if he tries to put a stop payment on the check.

As Paul and I talked about what happened yesterday we realized more and more that he was hoping to goad us into assaulting him in some way. He came in with his voice raised trying to bully us and get us to react. They made sure to clear the office out before we came in so there would be no witnesses, but his staff who were in hearing distance (but not visual sight).

After I left there I went to talk to my friend Cassy (her son is being treated by the same guy) and told her what happened, lest she hear it from them (since they know she referred me). She told me that they pay monthly and that the downpayment was only $200 and the monthly payments were $213... so for 3 months of treatment and what the downpayment would have been (which is what they told me they'd base the refund on) would have only been $813 (and her son has his tops and bottoms on).

I would highly avoid Dr. David Lehman - Huntsville Orthodontist at all costs.