Nikta Ghaderi

This is my opinion. This is the truth. This was my experience. Today I had an appointment to meet Dr. Nikta Ghaderi for a consultation. I brought my husband with me because our dentist said I might need a bone graft. I was feeling super nervous about needing a specialist. We arrived early, told them via phone that we were in the parking lot and walked in the office on time. When we entered the front door, we were greeted by two receptionists. We said hellos and turned in the requested paperwork. I said to both receptionists, "I'm so surprised you're not wearing masks". The woman on the left said, "Masks are no longer required. It's a personal choice and I feel comfortable without one." I was thrown back by her aggressive attitude and hostility. Why was she smirking at me? Was she trying to start a fight? Was she going to toss a Trump hat on her head and jump over the counter? Her tone made it very obvious, that SHE was the boss and SHE didn't believe in wearing a mask. I highly… suspect she didn't believe in COVID vaccines either. Her odd behavior made me very nervous. Another woman in a mask soon appeared and asked us to follow her down the long hall to the room on the left. We gladly followed. As we were leaving the reception area, I turned to my husband and said, "Whatever. Let's hope the doctors are wearing masks." (insert nervous laugh). I had thought about leaving, but my dentist said Dr. Ghaderi was lovely. So, I wanted to give Dr. Ghaderi the benefit of the doubt. My husband and I took our seats and waited in the small room. It was clean with no decorations, lots of beige, an odd counter refrigerator, and smelled like antiseptic. The floor was vibrating from a machine or pump running and it was very very loud, like a garbage truck humming continuously. We opened the window for fresh air and patiently waited. Dr. Ghaderi walked in and we said hellos. She was very personable, all smiles, and (thank goodness) wearing a mask. My heart was happy. Dr. Ghaderi asked if everything was OK and I said, "I must say, I'm not impressed with the receptionist. I don't like the one on the left." She looked confused and asked, "what?" I told her the story of our arrival (see above) and added my shock and surprise, "I've been thinking to myself. Wow, she was stupid and uneducated." Dr. Ghaderi looked furious and said, "Excuse me". She bolted out of the room, like she was about to scold her children. My husband and I were like, maybe we shouldn't have told her the truth? But our dentist really likes Dr. Ghaderi and we felt the doctor should know how one of her receptionists was treating new patients. Besides I firmly believe that a receptionist should (and usually does) reflect the values and beliefs of the doctor. The doctor sets the tone and what is and isn't acceptable. We told Dr. Ghaderi our experience. What would she do with the truth? Dr. Ghaderi returned about 10 minutes later and said, "This is not a good fit, so we won't be able to work together." I said, "OK, I'll tell my dentist." My husband and I got up, left the room and went to the front desk. We asked and were given our personal paperwork and referral slip. We immediately went to our dentist's office and told her the entire story in person. This experience isn't something that we could email. Our dentist was shocked and kept saying, "Everyone there is so nice. I've known them for years. I'll find you someone else." Honestly, we were all shocked. Is this the new normal? Is this what life after the COVID lockdown was going to be like? Being judged and intimidated by uneducated gate keepers who don't believe in science? Yes, it's always hard finding a good doctor. But now, lessoned learned. I do NOT want drama at the doctor's office. No drama llamas!!! Give me an amazing doctor whose receptionists and staff are kind and helpful. After the whole world shutting down for COVID, I think everyone deserves more kindness and less drama. Anyone know a good periodontist? I need a ref