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.

*Edit to respond to the response from the office below: I've called multiple times to resolve the issue, to seek a settlement in mature manners, and have emailed them over the past 7-8 weeks. The only response I received was a gag order letter for this review and the only call they answered they told me I can only talk to them with a lawyer. Their responses to these reviews are automated and disingenuous and they are doing nothing to resolve the matter. * Update: Dr. Oates was almost cooperative on our last exchange but requested and required that I take down my google reviews and comments, essentially a gag order in exchange for giving me the promised, required, and necessary retainer. I refused to take down my comments since they are truthfully reflective and he is uncooperative again. Dr. Oates knows about these reviews and feedback and he chooses to not be held accountable. Original Review: I was a patient of Dr. Oates for about two years. What began as TMJ treatment ended in a round of braces and jaw surgery recovery. I can confidently say this was the worst experience I’ve had with a medical professional—ironic, considering how often Dr. Oates puts down other doctors. I was originally referred to him by a local dentist because he had a CT scan machine for detecting jaw joint issues. But no amount of technology makes up for his behavior and lack of ethics. I strongly encourage anyone reading this to pay attention to the negative reviews—they’re all true. There are multiple serious issues with both the doctor and his office. First, the office is extremely understaffed. Chelsea, who is kind, seems to handle everything: admin, scheduling, assisting. Getting responses is nearly impossible—calls go unanswered for weeks. Appointments were changed on me last minute without notice. The office itself is chaotic, with unreasonably loud music during appointments. Second, the quality of orthodontic work was terrible. I’ve had two rounds of braces in the past with no issues. Under Dr. Oates, brackets and wires constantly broke, and wires frequently poked my mouth. When I asked about it, he blamed me and then criticized the other specialists I was seeing. I also witnessed him speak rudely to children and their parents. His tone is condescending, and he takes zero accountability. Every visit felt rushed and dismissive. Third, his bedside manner is appalling. He made inappropriate comments about my lifestyle and relationship. On multiple occasions, he rubbed my shoulder in a way that felt invasive and belittling. He asked intrusive personal questions and often went on long tangents about his own life. Appointments veered off-topic, and asking questions was difficult because he made you feel stupid for not understanding. Fourth, he constantly blames other professionals. Every previous doctor I had was “wrong” in his opinion. I had two jaw surgeries with a top-performing surgeon in the state who provided excellent care, and Dr. Oates repeatedly insulted their work. He dismissed my entire care history just to elevate himself. I left appointments crying more than once. This was my health journey, not his. I felt trapped in the treatment plan because switching providers would have cost thousands of dollars I couldn’t afford. My final appointment was the breaking point. I had clearly requested a Hawley retainer for medical reasons and he agreed. At the final visit, he presented clear retainers instead and claimed that’s what he wrote down. He then told me I’d have to pay out-of-pocket if I wanted the correct ones. After nearly $10,000 in treatment, I left feeling disgusted, not just because of the money, but because of the complete lack of respect for me as a patient. He has no professionalism, no accountability, and no regard for patient care. Like another reviewer said, his license should be surrendered. If you’ve experienced something similar, I recommend filing a complaint with the California Board of Dentistry. This practice should not be allowed to operate the way it does. Do not go here..

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!