Island Endodontics

kimberly seda

Was told by my dentist i needed a root canal and was recommended to Dr Shawn Pobiners office. Everyone in the office was so nice and accommodating. Dr. pobiner walked me through everything and was extremely caring. 10/10 will be recommending to all my family and friends who are in need! Thank you again for everything!

May 21, 2024

Talia Comens Kappel

I was referred to Island Endodontics for a root canal retreatment on a tooth that had no active pain but showed signs of a dormant infection. After the procedure, my pain escalated significantly. No one from the office followed up with me after the procedure—not Thursday, not Friday—until I called them myself to report the worsening pain. Given the known risks associated with retreatments, that kind of silence felt careless and left me vulnerable. When I called on Friday afternoon to report severe pain, I was told it was “normal” and to call back Monday. I wasn’t informed that the office was open Saturday, even though I called before closing time and spoke directly to the doctor. I was later told I “could have checked the website” — as if it was my responsibility, while in pain, to search for help instead of being told directly that I could come in. By Saturday, the pain became unbearable. I called the emergency line and was referred to an oral surgeon for an extraction the next day. I wasn’t advised to fast beforehand, so I couldn’t be sedated and had to undergo the procedure fully awake and only partially numb due to the infection. It was a traumatic experience. Although the doctor followed up after the emergency call and again afterward, pain management was never discussed, despite the well-documented risk that retreatments can trigger infections or abscesses.

If pain is a known possibility, there should be a plan in place—or at the very least, guidance on what to do. I had none. I had no idea things could escalate like this, and I was left to navigate an emergency on my own. I also have a chronic autoimmune condition that makes me immunocompromised. This was known to the provider, yet it was never acknowledged or factored into my care. There was no closer monitoring, no heightened attention to risk, and no proactive follow-up — which felt especially negligent given my higher risk for complications. It’s also important to note that the retreatment was never completed. I was scheduled to return to finish the procedure, but the pain became so severe that the tooth had to be removed beforehand. I was still expected to make payments toward a treatment that was ultimately unfinished and caused harm. On top of everything, I’m now left with multiple unexpected expenses — including the emergency extraction, an additional visit to an unrelated dentist on Saturday because I had no idea Island Endodontics was open, and a hospital visit following the extraction when I was no longer able to cope on my own. None of these costs would have occurred had I been properly informed, supported, or followed up with. Adding to the confusion, I received follow-up calls from doctors I’d never met, with no clarity on who was contacting me.

One voicemail referred to “how the tooth is settling in,” even though the tooth had already been extracted — a small but telling moment that reinforced how disjointed the communication had been throughout. I later learned that the doctor who handled my procedure wasn’t informed of my emergency until days later. That lack of internal coordination is deeply concerning and only amplified the sense that I had to manage this crisis alone. I also lost several days of work that I hadn’t planned to take off. Had I been informed this kind of escalation was possible, I would have adjusted my schedule accordingly. Instead, I was left to rearrange everything last-minute, while in severe pain. This wasn’t just physically traumatic — it disrupted my life, and I was given no opportunity to prepare. I’m sharing this because patients deserve full transparency, appropriate aftercare, and real compassion. I did not receive that here. This experience has left a mark on me, emotionally and physically — and it’s something I’m still healing from.

March 26, 2025

Sonia E

Dr. Todd Pobiner saw me as an emergency referral patient while I was visiting my mom on LI. From the moment I walked into the office I felt at ease thanks to the wonderful front line syaff. I am so filled with gratitude that an unexpected problem led me to Dr.

Pobiner. I will travel back to Long Island from Vermont should I ever need help again. There is a silver (not amalgam) lining to everything, even root canal! Thank you!

March 30, 2025

John Haley

Dr Shawn Pobiner was excellent. He was able to schedule me in a very timely manner, and when I arrived at his office both he and his staff were excellent! I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of a root canal.

April 6, 2025