Jason O Gambrel DDS

Marnie West _{on Google}

Apr 7th, 2024

Be aware of what they charge! I had to wait over 4 months for insurance pre-authorization. On the day of service I was required to pay my balance up front before they would do the procedure. I used CareCredit to cover the expenses. A few months later, I get a bill for an additional $1,200! The office staff said insurance wouldnt pay now. I dont understand how you can be given a price and then after the fact be charged double. Do not trust the quotes they give you. If I had known I could have simply waited two months for the new year to kick in.

Michelle Ellington _{on Google}

Mar 28th, 2024

The first red flag was a filling I had where I was noticeably more sore from the Novocain shot than usual. I'm 50 and have had quite a few over the years but we were new to Richmond and needing a local dentist so I wrote it off. But now, after my recent procedure that has left me with chronic pain and fearing long-term damage, I question Dr. Gambrell's Novocain injection technique and think others need to be aware of his office's measure of normalcy.
About six weeks ago I received a crown on a lower left molar. The first few weeks following I had swollen soft tissue around the Novocain site, excruciating nerve pain across the entire lower left side of my face and in every tooth, numbness across my cheek and lip, and pain extending into several teeth in my upper jaw. I don't take any medicine, yet I was now consuming the max amount of NSAIDs and Tylenol daily and unable to sleep through the night without meds.
I called their office one week in and they said it's normal and to give it another week. After two weeks without improvements, they said to come in where X-rays and an evaluation didn't show any infection or structural damage at the crown site. Dr. Gambrell explained that when he applied the Novocain injection he essentially induced a sprain that has now fired up the nerve. He said what I was experiencing was normal and he saw this in 1 in every 4-5 patients. I honestly choked on this statistic when he said it. I asked him to clarify that all of my symptoms were normal and occur often in his office and he agreed.
I called his office week 5 post crown since I was still in chronic pain. I was very disappointed in their response. First, Dr. Gambrell didn't call me to find out what's going on or to offer guidance, but rather had his administrative assistance call with their business response. When serious situations occur in a patient, it's appropriate for the doctor to call the patient. Him not doing this was very surprising.
Their business response was to refer me to an endodontist for a CT scan, an out-of-pocket cost that is not covered by insurance. No other options or information was offered, their work with me was done. While on the phone, I asked the girl if it's true that this is commonly seen in every 4-5 patients and she also said yes. No wonder their business response was not empathetic. To them, this was normal.
The pain I'm experiencing from a Novocain shot is most certainly not normal. I have spoken with my mother's dentist who has never experienced this in her office. I also spoke to another dentist in Richmond who said they've seen it just a few times in over 20 years.
Six weeks later my pain is slightly improved. I haven't had to take pain meds in the middle of the night for the first time the past two nights, which is such a relief. I am highly impressed with CBD's anti inflammatory benefits and am taking 60 mg 3x/ day with Tylenol for relief, so at least NSAIDs won't destroy my stomach. I can also now slightly chew on the left side of my mouth. I'm hopeful that I won't have long-term damage but foresee my healing to take another month or two until the trauma in the soft tissue fully heals. However, the nerve has clearly been affected so only time will tell.
I wouldn't wish my experience on anyone. Please make sure to ask about common complications from Novocain and choose your dentist based on the answers most acceptable to you.

B Sheaks _{on Google}

May 23rd, 2023

We were happy clients for years until we needed to reschedule an appointment. SIX MONTHS out was the soonest availability. The staff complete with only two dental hygienists (although they are wonderful) cannot keep up with the demand of current clientele.

Branden Roberts _{on Google}

Mar 5th, 2022

Great first visit. Relieved by friendly atmosphere.