Cuevas, Simona, DDS - Institute-Esthetic Dentistry

Wanted to charge me over 1500.00 for one crown replacement and this is with insurance!!! I received the royal run around when trying to get a complete list of what they are charging me for!!! Place look like it was decorated in early ghetto.....2 black sliding boards from the waiting room to the office. Poorly understaffed.... Don't ever break an appointment!!! Ms Thang will charge you $50.00 with an added note of late fees on top of the late charge if you do not pay on time... I would give this no stars, but I am forced to apply one star.... This place was horrible!!!!

My brother went to see Dr. Cuevas with a toothache. He has several health issues, and is on many different medications. Not only was the dr. gentle and thorough, but she was very concerned that my brother got the proper treatment and that it didn't interfere with any of his conditions and meds. She got him out of pain, fixed his problem, and took care of the problems that caused his toothache. We are very thankful to Dr. Cuevas, and we'll be going back soon.

I changed providers due to move. I thought I was going to get to see a dentist for a routine exam, cleaning. I was told over the phone the minimum charge for the routine cleaning would be at least $41 versus the usual copay of $5 from by my former dentist. When I tried to ask questions about this charge, I was constantly interrupted by the person on the other line, and verbally abused, and hung up on. It was totally unbelievable! I was going to pay the $41 charge, however, I didn't even get that far!

All the bad reviews are true. My company just signed up with a DMO plan and several employees chose this dentist because many of them live in or by the same zip code. One person read the reviews on this site and changed providers before their first appointment, one of the others opted to give her a chance to prove the reviews wrong. They were appalled at the condition of the facility when they pulled up out front, they went in and discovered not a sliding window but two sliding black boards instead with no where to sign in. After waiting an extended time (trying to be patient instead of ringing the bell) while an employee of the facility came in and he was still ignored the next patient got annoyed and rang the bell at which time they acted shocked that our employee had been waiting. Once being acknowledged, sure enough he was told that the cleaning covered at 100% was going to cost $41 instead. He agreed to the charge but was then told that if the doctor decided he needed the de... Read more

I went to see Dr. Cuevas, a bit skeptical, but dying to find a good cosmetic dentist in San Antonio. I was referred to her by my family doctor, who takes her whole family there. I had gone to other dentists, and had very bad experiences... Dr. Cuevas was very gentle, friendly, and most of all, very knowledgeable and professional. I felt really comfortable, and Dr. Cuevas took her time and explained everything to me. I knew BEFORE each visit how much it would run me (something I never experienced before!). I finally found a dentist that gives me options for my dental treatment. I am now in charge of what happens to my mouth!!! Yes, I was given the option of whitening and making my smile prettier, but I never felt pressured in any way. I went to Dr. Cuevas, BECAUSE she specializes in cosmetic dentistry. I decided to have cosmetic work done because that's what I was looking for. And WOW, what great work she does. What I also like a lot, is that Dr. Cuevas does the teeth cleanings and exam... Read more

All the negative reviews are right. These people will squeeze you for every penny you have - don't expect to pay the prices that your HMO plan lists, because they will find a reason to jack it up every time. They are misleading and coercive, and they need to be more upfront about their policies and charges. Xylophon, next time you need to read the other reviews more carefully before commenting on them. If you pay attention, you'll see that no one here was expecting free service. Every dentist has the right to expect fair compensation for their work. We did indeed receive dental services from her, as we said, and I didn't see anyone expecting free services. It's when prices are jacked up beyond reasonable expectation (and more importantly, the listed prices of the HMO plan) that it becomes a problem. The prices they charged me were far above what the HMO listed for the given procedures, and I will be reporting them to my HMO for failure to comply with the plan. I encourage you all to ... Read more

I was very surprised to see the negative postings. I have been a patient of Dr Cuevas' for over three years now and am truly happy that I found her. It seems to me though, that the complaints are only by people who have not received any actual dental treatment from this dentist, but merely complain about not getting something for free or people who break their appointments and are then (rightfully) charged for that! Are they not aware that in today's world most places charge your credit card over the phone $50.00, when you make your appointment, just in case you break your appointment - for any reason ???? Also, they don't seem too "enlightened" after all: they picked HMO's for their medical and dental coverage...don't they go to the movies, watch TV etc? So, Dr. Cuevas charges for dental treatment. So what??? Do any of you work for FREE??? As happy as I am with her work, I can only say, it's worth every penny! And, my insurance reimburses me on time, every time for what they cover. Wh... Read more

Do not make an appointment here unless you are prepared to spend big bucks. The prices here are unbelievably inflated ($8 charge for showing me how to floss?) and they add lots of unnecessary medicines conveniently not covered by insurance (like gel to "close the pores in your teeth" - so unecessary). While they technically accept my dental plan, it did not save me a lot of money here at all. I was not given the prices that my plan quoted for the services. For example my plan lists an adult in-depth check-up as being $16. When Dr. Cuevas charged me $40 for my in-depth check-up, and I asked why, they said it was because "they checked every single tooth for cavities, and it's not an in-depth check-up but a comprehensive examination." Right - they must think I'm stupid! They also overcharged me by $18 on my x-rays. I felt very uncomfortable by the constant sales pitches (for sealants, whitening, a $1,000 biteguard) from the staff - it made me suspect that they work on commission! I als... Read more

Here's what you should expect at your first appointment: 1) Long waiting time (I wasn't seen until 2 hours after my appointment) 2) The dentist rushed through your exam with the cursory greetings "Thank you for visiting the clinic" 3) Cleaning is REQUIRED- You HAVE to have your teeth cleaned with your first exam even if your last cleaning was only recent. 4) Basic cleaning doesn't cost anything, but if you want to have a desensitizer applied, it's $32 5) There's a $5 just for office visit 6)If you're one of those unfortunate souls whom Dr. Cuevas deems needy of a deep cleaning, it's about $80 (I believe) 7) Quick x-rays 8) A LOT of paperwork to fill out. 9) If you miss your appointment, it's $50. If you don't do what Dr. Cuevas has suggested (e.g. you show up to your first appointment and refuse to get a deep cleaning or a cleaning, it's considered a "broken" appointment, and you pay $50) 10) If you ever want records of your history, it's $0.99 per page + $50/hour for the "staff to loc... Read more

I have been in the Medical field 33 years and was shocked by the "extortion" efforts by the staff at Dr. Cuevas office. I have a DMO plan which covers Preventive, Basic and at least 60% of Major dental procedures, yet they were charging me $220.00 for a "deep cleaning" I asked for the procedure code they would be billing for so that I could call the insurance and ask if it was reasonable charge. The assistant sated she did not know the code and did not give it to me. This dentist is a "rip off" and they over charge on everything. The dentist assistants are train to "sell" and they are very persistent. I left the office upset and their last words were "that will be $50.00 for a broken appointment." I did not break my appointment !!! I was there but I refused the $220.00 for the cleaning so they considered it a broken appointment. I still had to pay the $50.00.

Worst business! They over charge, do not work with insurance, and charge interest on broken appointments that were never made in the first place. Stay clear of this place!

I had dental work done by Dr. Cuevas, and was VERY surprised to read the review by shicy1974. I must say, Dr. Cuevas has so far been the ONLY dentist I have been to that has been very thorough, and has diagnosed me correctly - I have been to 4 others before. The other dentists were only concerned with getting me in quickly, doing some work that was never explained to me, billing my insurance, and sending me bills afterwards. At Dr. Cuevas' office, I always know in advance what will be done, how much it will cost, and how much my insurance will cover - NO SURPRISES! Dr Cuevas has been very professional, and is highly skilled. Some of the procedures I needed were not covered by insurance, but I DO understand the way insurances work, especially since I work for one. Just because my insurance doesn't cover it, doesn't mean I don't need it! It's the same with dental and medical insurances. I think it's a sign of ignorance to expect ANY doctor not to recommend certain procedures just becaus... Read more

This dentist, Simona Cuevas DDS, has a really bad business. They will use medicine which insurance will not cover. They will not work with you on insurance. You will be charged no matter what. They will call you and make appointment even one or two years later and charge you later fee. Be careful when you go there.