Dr. Gary David Heitzler

STRONG WARNING!!! Dr. Gary Heitzler's Dentistry for Children in Hastings, Yonkers and Peekskill should be avoided at all costs. His dentistry is horrendously negligent and his business practices are abhorrent. Our story demonstrates his failures in both areas. My 8 year old son went to Dr. Heitzler's office for a normal cavity. A young, recently graduated dentist (Dr Heitzler hires recent dental school grads, but shows up at the office maybe once a month, and runs this office and the others merely as profit centers), put a cap on the tooth on a Wednesday. What should have been a standard, everyday procedure caused a significant amount of pain. When we went back have it checked on Thursday, another young dentist in Dr. Heitzler's office suggested that "he would get used to it," and "if he was still in pain Monday (Three days later!) to come back to the office to have it checked again." For this “follow-up,” they charged us $100, which is unethical and it’s own right, and is no way to… run a business - (think if your car mechanic claimed a problem was fixed, you paid him and it wasn't fixed, you would expect him to re-do the work to make it right at no cost). On Friday, my son's face had swelled enormously on both sides. Panicked, we sought out another dentist. When that dentist looked at the tooth, he was angry and horrified at the quality of the dentistry! He was even more angry that Dr. Heitzler's office put off the follow up for 3 days when a patient complains of pain, and said that he himslf would return from a vacation in this situation to attend to the patient. He said the cap was too big and not sealed correctly, likely encapsulating a unsanitized tooth. There was major infection and he sent us immediately to an oral surgeon to have the tooth extracted. The tooth was extracted, but it was too late. The infection had spread to his bloodstream, and he spent the next 2 days with a 102-103 degree fever. I spoke with Dr. Heitzler about this situation. He could not have been more arrogant! At no point did he take responsibility or offer any concern for my son's condition. Instead, he bloviated about how his practice is great and the dentists he hires are top quality. He refused to drop the charges or pay for the second dentist or the oral surgeon. A true money-grubber. To make matters worse, but true to form, Dr. Heitzler hung up the phone on me. We will be filing a formal complaint with the NYS department of Professional Misconduct Enforcement and the NYS Department of Health. Heitzler is a hukster and if you care for your children's well-being, which I know you do, I recommend that you run away from this practice as fast as you can.

Dr Gary and his staff were so patient and caring with my 3 year old twins. Very satisfied !!!

Took my 3 year old child to see Dr Gary and it was a great experience. I originally had my son seen by our family dentist and my child would not cooperate. Dr Gary and his staff was so patient and the child friendly office was perfect. Already recommended my neighbors and they have all been very happy. Thanks !!!!

My son is 15 and has been going to Dr. Heitzler for more than 10 years. At age 5, after my son had a trauma to his front tooth, his previous dentist said that the tooth had to be extracted, and that his adult tooth would not be coming in for at least another two years (leaving him toothless all that time). I went to Dr. Heitzler for a second opinion, and he saved my son's tooth, which fell out naturally when the adult tooth was ready to come in. My neighbor had a similar experience Dr. Heitzler had to repair the work of another dentist. His front desk is always nice and accommodating, and his hygienists are so nice to the kids. I recommend him without reservation.

Stay away!!!

Our experience with Dr. Gary has been very positive. Kids have been going for years. The office is great for my youngest as well as my older kids. Dr. Gary has great rapport with kids and makes them feel at ease when doing any procedures.

Took 3x of calling back just to get a new patient appointment. I was placed on hold for long periods of time when I asked when the next evening or weekend would be - now I googled and see they don't even offer weekends! When I finally reached the office manager, I explained the situation and told her that, as an office manager myself, that was extremely frustrating and I hoped the experience in the office wouldn't be so. She just said it wouldn't be - no apology or anything. Then I find out they don't have many evenings and don't take any insurance. I made the appointment but later cancelled. Would rather try a dentist where the office seems more competent.