Penn Dental Family Practice at University City

Valentyna Vaysberg

The highest level of professional services you can get in the area. Especially recommended for complex / technically difficult cases. “All at one place” experience, very convenient, vast availability of various materials and tools, friendly personnel. Highly recommended!!

July 9, 2025

Krystal Bishop

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to express my deep concern regarding a recent experience my daughter had during her dental appointment at your practice. Our family has been receiving care at your office for years, myself, my daughter, and my son and we have always appreciated the quality of service. Unfortunately, this recent visit fell far below the standard we’ve come to expect. When scheduling my daughter’s appointment, I spoke with a scheduler on two separate occasions the same day. I was advised to confirm with her new insurance provider whether the visit would be covered, which I did. I then called back and relayed the information I received from the insurance company. At that point, the scheduler took the insurance details to input into your system and proceed with your internal verification process. At no point prior to the appointment was I informed that the visit would not be covered. My daughter was accompanied by her grandmother, who signed a form at check-in without understanding that it was an agreement to pay for a visit that was not covered at all. It was also not explained to her. While I understand that miscommunications can happen, my concern lies more with how the situation was handled during and after the appointment.

During the visit, the dentist Dr. Yalch had my daughter call me to discuss a filling and its cost. It was during this call that I was first informed the visit was not covered. I reiterated that she had her insurance card with her and that I had spoken with someone in advance to confirm coverage. Despite this, the conversation with Dr. Yalch quickly became unprofessional. His tone was dismissive and rude, and he ended the conversation with “whatever,” which I found highly inappropriate. I calmly ended the call and informed him I would handle the matter with billing and that the filling would be completed elsewhere. My daughter, who is 17, was left feeling extremely uncomfortable. She later told me she felt judged and spoken down to, as if she could not afford the care. This is unacceptable, especially for a minor.

Additionally, the receptionist at checkout was reportedly rude and dismissive. Although the dental hygienist was kind and made my daughter feel at ease, the overall experience was distressing. I had requested, through the hygienist, that the bill be mailed to me, as has been the practice for years. Despite this, the receptionist insisted the full amount be paid immediately. I sent my daughter $250 via Cash App to resolve the matter in the moment, but I want to be clear that I am aware of patient rights and that it is entirely reasonable to request billing by mail. As a nurse with over 15 years of experience 10 of which have been with Penn Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, including 5 years in leadership, I am deeply disappointed by the lack of professionalism and compassion shown during this visit. I know the standards of care Penn upholds, and this experience did not reflect them. I will be completing the Press Ganey survey and any other feedback opportunities I receive. I hope this message is taken seriously and used as an opportunity to reflect and improve. No patient, especially a minor, should be made to feel disrespected or uncomfortable in a healthcare setting.

July 12, 2025

Cammi126

My dental visit was nothing short of chaotic. Initially, I had been experiencing pain on Wednesday and Thursday and received an appointment that Friday with the oral max surgery dentist. I was told at that time that it was a job for my regular dentist. I suffered all weekend due to the fact that when I called my dentist’s emergency line on Sunday, no one bothered to call back. I got an appointment for Tuesday and by this time my left side of my face was red and visibly swollen. My regular dentist examined me and determined that not only was it infected but I would need to have the tooth extracted. He then went to get an oral surgery consult.

The dentist identified herself as the doctor and decided that the area was too painful to explore but that I should come back after a taking antibiotics the following week. I agreed. My regular dentist escorted me to the check out desk and provided clear instructions to schedule me for oral surgery Tuesday or Wednesday the following week. The front desk clerk informed me that she was having some difficulty finding availability and that she would call me later. While on the way home, the front desk called to say that my oral surgery consult was today and that I should not have left. Once home, I called to inform the front desk again of my dentists’ orders. Again, she said that she would call me back.

After three hours, I called back and was informed that someone from oral surgery would call. And they did but not apologetic for the horrible miscommunication but an accusatory tone that should not have left. But if you didn’t communicate to me your resident first and doctor second policy and your resident says she’s a doctor and did not communicate this to my dentist then how would I know. Oral surgery called back to ask if I could come back in. Of course I was unable to return but offered the following week. Again I was told that they would call me back. Make it make sense please!

April 3, 2025

Kim Garrison

I was not happy to learn that my Hygenist, Debbie, retired however I had a great experience with the hygienist I was assigned. She took me back quickly, explained everything she was doing, was gentle, thorough, professional, pleasant! I had such a good experience I asked her if she could be my new hygienist. She was just like Debbie and having her would make Debbie's retirement more sweet! I was disappointed to find out she was a temp! I hope she likes Penn Dental enough to stay permanently.

Sorry, I don't remember her name. I don't normally do reviews except when service is exceptionally bad or good! This was very good!

March 13, 2025