Synergy Dental Center -- Sturgis

Keri Fosse · 1 out of 5 stars · 7 months ago

After being a patient of Porter’s practice for three and a half years, I feel compelled to share what I wish I had known from the start. I’m now with a new provider and hope my experience helps others make an informed choice. Porter dismissed me and my family from his practice because I refused to remove my shoes in his office—a policy introduced because his wife disliked cleaning the floors. Despite years of consistent appointments at his Sturgis office, I had never been asked to do this before. When I refused (while in my second trimester of pregnancy), Porter compared my actions to showing up in a scantily clad bikini—an inappropriate and unprofessional response. Porter’s services are also significantly more expensive than average. When comparing identical procedures after leaving his practice, I found his fees were 50–100% higher. For example, he quoted $1,800 for an onlay replacement that my new dentist charged $1,250 for, and $1,880 for my son’s fillings that were completed elsewhere for $858. Emergency care was another challenge. When I needed a simple onlay re-cemented, I was told the soonest available appointment was four months away. Another dentist was able to fix it the very next day. Our family also had three children receive orthodontic care through Porter, and I regret it. My youngest completed years of treatment with fixed appliances starting at age four, only to be left with cavities and visible spacing between his teeth. Porter declared his treatment complete and ended care despite these issues. See the attached photo for the completed state for one of my sons. Overall, I found this practice lacked professionalism, flexibility, and genuine concern for patient satisfaction. Communication was often one-sided, and any disagreement was met with dismissal rather than resolution. In hindsight, traveling from Spearfish to Sturgis for “better” care was not worth it. I paid far more for subpar service, poor communication, and treatment I no longer trust. I’m grateful to have moved on.

Mary Jennissen · 5 out of 5 stars · a year ago

Excellent service. The whole team treats you very kindly, with compassion and great detail of the recommended next steps. Dr Porter did a thorough one on one consult, reviewing all the test results. All wonderful. I highly recommend Synergy dental

Christy · 5 out of 5 stars · a year ago

I can't say enough praises for Dr. Porter and crew! I listened to allopathic dentists for years and ended up with a mouth full of problems (which they couldn't detect w/ their 2 D imaging, but Dr. Porter could with 3 D Cone Beam Imaging)! I had 8 root canals and all of them were badly infected. They prepared me a month prior to surgery so that I would have optimal healing from treating my my gut health to "Super Human Protocol" which includes PEMF, riding a bike with an oxygen, and a red light therapy bed. After surgery, no pain meds needed - and he puts the posts in right away (ceramic implants) so it's only a 4 month process, not 8 months like allopathic! Also post-surgery, I looked like I lost weight - ends up my "weight gain" was swelling from all of my infections! I have more energy, I'm not getting sick like I used to, and I CAN BREATHE BETTER! I used to cough when I laughed - no more! The Synergy Dental team quite literally saved my life! I highly recommend reading Dr. Porter's Book "AIM: A Pathway to Wellness for the Prevention of Chronic Disease" - it's mind blowing and a game changer! I could go on and on about the changes I've experienced and how wonderful the entire team is, but my post is already long enough! :) I am so, so thankful to them!

Delia Johnson · 5 out of 5 stars · a year ago

I am NOT a fan of dentistry! But Synergy Dental is restoring my faith! They are so attentive to my comfort and use techniques that speed the healing and really treat the "whole me"! I feel like I have taken a giant leap to improved health under the care of this team!!!! I have just started my journey and know the outcome is going to only make me wish I had started sooner, but very thankful I took the step and started when I did..... total health here I come!

becky funderburk · 5 out of 5 stars · 2 years ago

I have been struggling with pain in a tooth that had a root canal for years. Dr Porter did a thorough exam and explained everything. I was given an estimate and was able to choose which procedures were most important to me. I never felt pressure to do everything that was suggested. The staff was so helpful, always kind. I needed a slight adjustment on one of the caps that was placed. They got me in right away and the adjustment was perfect. In the end I replaced a metal filling, replaced a cap and had an implant. I am finally pain free and can chew on both sides of my mouth. I can not say enough about how great my experience was.