Patients recount horror stories from state dental clinics

We continue to explore opinions of Voronezh residents about the city«s dental clinics. In our previous article, we collected reviews of private clinics — from enthusiastic recommendations to stories of complete disappointment. Now we turn to state institutions. Interest in this topic is fueled by new data: according to a study by the Public Consumer Initiative, Voronezh Oblast entered the top ten regions with the largest number of illegal dental offices.

Here, perhaps, the starkest contrast between gratitude for help and shock from rudeness.

“I went on January 16, 2025 at night. I had a toothache, but it was definitely for extraction. A rather rude woman came out to me. I apologized for disturbing their sleep (we arrived at about 2 AM). The doctor himself came out. I entered the office, they were rude to me! They gave me an injection; it hadn«t taken effect before they started manipulations! Then the doctor took forceps and began to pull out the tooth almost while I was still conscious. I naturally screamed from pain. He rudely said: »Be quiet, don«t shout!» He injected more, continued actions, everything done rudely and angrily — apparently I had disturbed his sleep! I came barging in at night. When I got home, I saw the horror in my mouth: the place where the tooth was is all torn up. I will never set foot there again.” (Review published a year ago)

“I went to see a dentist-therapist. First time I decided to visit a free dental clinic, and it seems the last. The doctor examined me very rudely, and communicated accordingly. She started drilling without anesthesia. From pain I pressed myself into the chair and cried out, to which the doctor very rudely said: «Oh, stop it, just bear it.» And continued drilling. Instinctively from the terrible pain I started covering my mouth, which again drew rude remarks like «Stop covering your mouth, I can»t see anything, you«ve got piercings in your nose!» Unfortunately, I failed to find a connection between my piercing and the terrible work. I highly advise against visiting this state ... «thing»!” (5 years ago)

“Huge thanks to the doctor who worked on October 19, 2025. In the evening our child had a wisdom toothache. They accepted us despite us being from another city, provided first aid and gave recommendations. Many thanks.” (3 months ago)

“I came from the region on Sunday evening with a terrible abscess. They received me very well. Wonderful doctor, unfortunately I don«t remember the name. He did everything quickly and very well. The staff is very polite. They explain what they will do, without criticism and with kindness. I didn»t pay a single kopeck. Very good attitude despite the clinic being state-funded.” (2 years ago)

One of the lowest public ratings; patients often complain about outdated equipment, rudeness, and unpleasant sensations. However, even here there are those who were satisfied.

“I went to have a wisdom tooth removed. It didn«t work because there was inflammation; the doctor said we needed to wait for it to subside. Perhaps that»s for the best. The paid department... The staff is unfriendly, equipment old, everything dirty, it smells like sewage in the department. And the prices, I must say, are not cheap. For tooth extraction, they told me it would be at least 7,000 rubles (~$78 at current rates), since it«s a complex tooth. In another clinic they removed it for 5,600 rubles (~$62 at current rates), and everything was modern, clean, perfect service.” (A year ago)

“Disgusting. I«m never setting foot in this clinic again. The doctor cannot communicate with patients, is rude, insults (»drooler«, »how am I supposed to treat«, etc.). In short, if you like spicy things, go to her. She poked around in the tooth so much that I broke out in a sweat three times; she jabbed at the tooth, and I was jumping in the chair from pain.” (A year ago)

“Poor clinic. We treated our child«s tooth. It was sheer hell! We got a lifetime of fear. The doctor, a man, was good, polite, tried to talk to the child both kindly and strictly. Bleeding started, he stopped it for a very long time; I could see he was scared himself. He barely stopped it. He stuffed the child»s mouth full of cotton, pressed hard on the jaw. I told him: «You»ll break her jaw.« I started pulling his hands away; the child was choking. The doctor said she was faking it. In the end, my daughter threw up on her clothes. They have no napkins, no suction. We are never going there again. The equipment is from the 90s, terribly old.” (6 years ago)

“I came with acute pain; registration took a minute, and within 10 minutes I was sitting with the doctor. Everything was done well, despite my terrible fear of dentists; it was quite comfortable and not too scary.” (4 years ago)

The clinic at the medical university mostly collects positive reviews. But even here there are complaints.

“Treated my 3-year-old«s tooth; excellent attitude. Everything fast and high-quality, and most surprisingly, free.” (A month ago)

“Excellent clinic; I get treated here under compulsory health insurance. Polite staff, from registration to wardrobe staff and security; thank you very much.” (A month ago)

“The doctor schedules a time for the second time. I come on time and sit waiting for an hour. Why schedule then? Two weeks later the filling she put in crumbled!” (4 years ago)

Patients praise this clinic for modern equipment. Isolated negative reviews are related, in their words, to refusals to accept patients.

“Pleased with the visit. Pleasant staff, modern equipment, and qualified specialists. It was easy to make an appointment. Treatment was quick and painless.” (3 months ago)

“I went to this clinic in June 2025 with acute pain. The registrar immediately directed me to a free doctor. No waiting. The doctor examined me, took an X-ray, determined the problem. Acute pain was relieved on the first visit. Follow-up treatment was scheduled later. Many thanks to the medical staff for prompt help.” (6 months ago)

“I came to this dental clinic for the first time. I«m from another city and haven»t been to any dental clinic here. I came with acute pain. I want to express huge gratitude to the staff. Polite administrators and a wonderful doctor.” (4 years ago)

“Refused to see me with acute pain; I had to go to a paid clinic.” (2 years ago)

Opinions about this clinic are polar. Some Voronezh residents thank for free and high-quality removal of complex teeth. Others complain about low qualifications of doctors, formal attitude, and outdated treatment methods.

“I went several times over a few years to different doctors. Each visit cost something: nerves, time, or the teeth themselves. For any complaints, the answer is one — tooth extraction. And small cavities are «treated» like plastering a wall — crooked, lopsided, slapdash in a couple of minutes. Anesthesia, in my opinion, seems watered down; it doesn«t work. The only good thing there is the name. The result of visiting and treatment at this place comes quickly: you have to look for a private clinic or another doctor at another clinic!” (A year ago)

“I couldn«t get an appointment for two days. Finally I made an electronic appointment on the 13th for the 23rd. The doctor poked around and put in a filling. She didn»t drill, didn«t clean — just »plugged it up«, and that was it... I didn»t expect such negligence! The doctor«s qualifications are very low; a weak excuse might be that she is a »specialist of the second category«. When I booked at the regional clinic, I counted on the specialists» status. Turns out the form doesn«t always match the content. Very disappointing! I hope this doesn»t apply to everyone.” (5 years ago)

“I ended up there to have a wisdom tooth removed. I didn«t even notice how the surgeon removed it! Painless, fast, neat, and gentle! Many thanks to the surgeon doctor and gratitude to all the staff. Everyone is polite and friendly — at registration and in the X-ray room! It was my first time at this dental clinic. If I need treatment, I»ll only go there.” (5 years ago)