Shelby Pediatric Dentistry - Formerly Philip F. Jiamachello, DDS

If you are looking for a dentist office in which your child will feel comfortable at, this is not the place. My daughter had two tiny cavities that needed filing. The soonest I could get an appointment was 6 months later, so we opted to be called in when they had a cancellation, as cavities get worse with time. We got called in and I had to leave work and pull my child from school. We came in and Alana was her hygienist. I took her here specifically because they offer nitrous. I asked prior to my child going back if she was going to be given a shot for numbing and was told no by Alana. I figured that was normal, because Nitrous does help with nerves, pain, and numbing. I have even had it before and this wasn’t my daughter’s first procedure. I asked Alana if I would be coming back with my child and she said no, it is against their procedures. When my child was seen here previously by Dr. Warren, this was allowed, so that was confusing. Twenty minutes later Alana called me out of the waiting room. She pulled me in the office with my child and completely went off on me about my child being uncooperative. She said my child had a history of this and they could only fill one cavity and she wouldn’t recommend my child getting the other filled. What? She will have this tooth until she is 12 and she is only 7. I was so shocked in the way that Alana talked to me and my child. My child was crying in that room and left the office in tears. On the way back to school my daughter face and lips looked swollen. I was concerned about this and tried calling the office to see what all she was given and if I needed to take her to ER. No answer because they were on lunch. So I drove back to the office. Tried repeatedly calling and finally caught a hygienist leaving for lunch. I had her go ask the dentist what my child was given. In the meantime another Mom in the parking lot was paying attention to my situation and also checking on us. The dentist came out with another hygienist and checked on my child. I was then informed that my child was given a numbing shot. I was also told that children have different reactions each time to numbing shots, yes, parents are allowed in procedure rooms, and that Alana would be talked to about her behavior. This didn’t really ease me about the situation. The other Mom then approached me after the dentist left and her and her daughter told me that they have began drilling on her daughter before she was numb previously and they ignored her daughter’s objections that she could still feel it. This was why my daughter was upset as well. She said she tried telling Alana she could still feel pain and Alana told her no she couldn’t. By the time they got to my daughter’s second tooth, she about flew out of the chair from pain. My daughter also disclosed that she was asking for me and they refused to let her see me until she stopped crying. What? They refused to let a crying child in pain see her Mom! The other Mom said that just her child wasn’t the only one with bad experiences, her daughter’s friend also came in to get a filling. He was bruised and bleeding the next day. No child should be bruised or bleeding after a filling. No child should be ignored when in pain. The fact that I was not allowed back with my child makes me really doubt if she was truly given nitrous and makes me question her treatment. I will never take my child there again. The other Mom had the same sentiments. Just because children are young does not mean any dentist or hygienist should ignore their complaints. I can’t trust an office that would keep a crying scared child in pain away from their parents. If I could have complained to the NC Dental board I would have! Staff and procedures need serious revaluation at this office.

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I have had such a bad experience with this place. My daughter was supposed to have an appointment last week and they cancelled it because “I didn’t confirm my appointment”. First of all, my phone was off, and I never got the call. I have never heard of a place canceling your appointment unless they hear from you directly that it’s cancelled!! anyways, I asked the lady today if I could make another appointment and she tells me I have to fill out a “missed appointment form” before my child can be seen? WHEN THEY CANCELLED HER APPOINTMENT. anyways, I told the lady to send me the forms, gave her my NEW NUMBER, & still NO FORMS. so now she still doesn’t have an appointment when she should’ve been seen last week. I am so annoyed. It shouldn’t be this hard.

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The staff were very professional and kind. They had patience with my sweet girl and allowed her to ask her questions and took the time to answer all of them allowing her time to feel comfortable about the procedure that was taking place. Other staff heard her crying and came right in the room and took time to make sure that she was ok and stayed and talked to her. I would recommend this office to anyone with small children that are nervous about going to the dentist.

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Dr Williams and Sarah were amazing. Their confidence and professionalism to help my grandson through his cavities was outstanding. They were calm and patient with him, and explained everything to me what they were doing. I love coming here and am so glad we found such a great office for my grandson.

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They’re fast, professional, and do really well with my son. I hated going to the dentist as a child, and I’m happy to report my son actually LIKES going! ☺️ They’re doing just as wonderful as when Jiamachello was there. They’re not disappointing his old clients at all. Nothing but good things to say about them! ♥️

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