Smart Choice Orthodontics

I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Oates and the entire team at Smart Choice Orthodontics. From my very first consultation to the day my braces came off, they made the entire process smooth, comfortable, and even enjoyable! Every appointment started on time, Chelsea was always welcoming and professional, and Dr. Oates took the time to explain every step and answer all my questions. I really appreciated how they use the latest technology and genuinely care about their patients’ comfort and confidence. My smile looks amazing now I honestly can’t stop smiling! If you’re looking for an orthodontist who is skilled, compassionate, and detail-oriented, I highly recommend Smart Choice Orthodontics. They truly go above and beyond to make sure you get the best possible results!!

CAUTION If you are considering this orthodontic office, carefully read mine and others’ posts. There are some positives, yes, but the seriousness of the negatives cannot be overstated. Hope, Briefly I began seeing Dr. Oates nearly 3 years ago for major TMJ issues and chronic pain. At first, things looked promising. He was encouraging, explained things well and listened. Even though the appliance I had to wear 24/7 was miserable, I had hope. Unfortunately, things started spiraling quickly. Patronizing & Dismissive Dr Oates was regularly disrespectful & demeaning. He often treated me as if I were ignorant or stupid, which I sadly came to expect.Over time, I learned to adjust my answers just to avoid his blatant rudeness. He repeatedly ignored or interrupted me, & often assumed what I was going to say instead of listening to my actual words. Unprofessional, Overfamiliar & Inappropriate. I love people and meaningful connection, yet I also appreciate boundaries—something which Dr. Oates did not seem to be aware of in his professional role. He turned innocent comments into sexual jokes, made remarks about what I wore, teased my 12-year-old son about dating the receptionist, & used sarcasm in ways that made him feel laughed at. More than once, after finishing ortho work, he remained seated so close to the chair that he was still touching me. I had to pull away to get space. I usually address behavior like this directly, but concerned it might impact my treatment, I decided to just limit my interactions with him as much as possible. Negligent, Unreliable & Dishonest Dr. Oates sometimes addressed issues thoroughly, but other times he barely did the minimum. He often didn’t even check my main appliance unless I specifically asked. Over time, I went through five appliances that either broke or did not fit. Sometimes he made adjustments, but other times he claimed nothing could be done (even when he had successfully fixed the same issue before). One mouthpiece never fit correctly & another was so poorly made that it caused cracks, trapped food, & even created bubbles when I spoke (embarrassing). Despite knowing these problems, he left them unresolved for months. Later, I discovered in his notes that he had written for one appliance: “temporary” and “still need a new appliance”—yet he never followed through on this.What should have been a 4–6 month process stretched on for almost 2 years. Confrontation & Manipulation Eventually, I confronted him directly, bringing my husband as a witness. Through tears, I made clear that we paid for care he never provided. He only admitted the error & offered free treatment after I stood my ground. Sadly, the 2nd appliance attempt went just as poorly as the first, prompting him to bring up “alternative” treatments (PT, Botox, home exercises). This made me feel, once again, deceived & used, since he had called these unnecessary when I had asked about them before. Some Positive To be fair, a few positives: the office was very flexible rescheduling around sports and illness. Also, Chelsea(one of his newer staff) is outstanding—compassionate, thoughtful, & tries to do right. I suspect any negative reviews about her reflect her having to follow Dr. Oates’s directions, not her own character. Bully, Evasive, Unaccountable, Narcissist * Both of his employees quit at the same time in 2023. Bad sign. * Nearly impossible to get in touch or get a reply, often requiring repeated calls, texts, emails, and even pleading (truth). *I often fixed things myself if he didn't. *Gaslighting, shaming, blaming *Avoiding major problems behind jokes & smiles *Mistakes almost never acknowledged, let alone apologized for. *After sending a request for my files, he asked if I had been coached and if I was going to sue him. I felt bullied and harassed by his approach. *Too many tears & fears I’m happy for those who had positive experiences, but I strongly recommend following the advice of top orthodontic experts, reputable articles, and trusted professionals in my circle—I strongly urge you to go somewhere else.

Took my two kids in for their first orthodontic visit and I was blown away by how smooth everything went! The staff was super welcoming from the moment we walked in. My son is usually shy around new people, but the assistants made him laugh within minutes. They explained each step in a way the kids could actually understand, which helped them feel comfortable instead of nervous. Dr. Oates was amazing! Patients gentle and great at talking directly to the kids so they felt involved. He even showed them how braces work using a fun model, which my daughter thought was “so cool.” One of the best surprises was their emotional support animal. The sweetest little dog greeted my youngest right when we walked in and helped calm her anxiety instantly. The dog clearly has its own “job” it comes out to say hi, then goes right back to its bed behind the receptionist’s desk. The staff doesn’t handle the animal during appointments, so there’s no worry about cross- contamination or anything of that sort. It’s just a comforting presence for nervous kiddos. The office was bright, clean, and had a great kid’s area with games while we waited. They also let the kids pick their brace colors, which was definitely the highlight of their visit. Overall, it was an incredibly positive experience. If you’re a parent looking for an orthodontist who truly understands kids and creates a safe, clean, calming environment, I highly recommend this office!

I recently completed my braces treatment at Smart Choice Orthodontics, and I can't stop smiling! It was such a pleasure to be a patient of Dr. Jack Oates for the last 24 months. His professionalism as well as his attention to detail shows in his work. I wanted to whiten my smile, so Dr. Oates went out of his way to research, make me a whitening tray, and order the special gel for me. Not only are my teeth straight they are pearly white too! The office staff (Chelsea) is also so kind, considerate and a pleasure to encounter. I would highly recommend Dr. Oates as your or your family’s orthodontic specialist. Trust me…you won’t be disappointed!

My son is currently a patient of Dr. Oates. He is 14 years old so you can imagine the transition we are going through. Dr. Oates has provided my son with a fun and friendly environment, so he doesn’t feel like the task of brushing and flossing his braces is so mundane. Dr. Oates makes it a habit to have a good rapport with my son by often exchanging jokes and life lessons while my son is in the treatment chair. Our appointments always begin on time, and I feel comfortable trusting Dr. Oates care, especially with over 30 years of experience under his belt. The fact that the office works around my busy schedule speaks volume on their commitment to high quality treatment. It has been a great experience thus far and I look forward to seeing my son’s straight teeth in exactly 17 more months!!