Dr. Backiel and Associates

Avoid this office at all costs. If you’re already a patient here, check your treatment plans & insurance portal carefully. I recently received EOBs from my insurers denying several claims because Dr. Backiel submitted them too late. Dr. Backiel responded to my review claiming that “all claims were processed correctly.” That is a flat-out lie, and I’m attaching my EOBs so prospective patients can see for themselves. FOUR separate claims were received 16–25 months after the appointments, and every single EOB says the claim was denied for late filing: - Jan 2025 crown: filed July 2026 (18 months later) - Oct 2024 crown: filed July 2026 (21 months later) - Jan 2024 extraction: filed Feb 2026 (25 months later) -Apr 2025 crown: filed Aug 2026 (16 months later) I had followed up with the office in writing 8 times over 1.5 yrs because these claims weren’t showing up in my insurance portals. Each time, the office manager told me she was “working on it." In May 2026, I was told they were “extremely short-staffed” and still processing claims from 2024. The office’s delay has created a huge financial burden for me because they required me to pay thousands of dollars upfront for my treatment and told me I would get some of that money back once insurance paid its share. But because the claims were filed too late and denied, insurance never paid and I never got the refunds I was expecting. This has nothing to do with insurance companies “unfairly rejecting” claims or the office being unable to guarantee payment, as Dr. Backiel suggests in her response. The EOBs specifically say the claims were denied for late filing. Also worth noting that when I asked Dr. Backiel if she has any proof that her office had submitted them earlier, she (conveniently) told me she doesn’t have access to the submission records. On top of the late filing, there’s also a separate issue with claims where my insurance DID pay. On two claims, Dr. Backiel collected $520 more than my EOBs show I actually owed, and she hasn't refunded me despite repeated requests. My insurance company confirmed she is required to refund me that amount, but she still has not. Altogether, Dr. Backiel’s delays and billing errors have cost me over $2,000 out of pocket. The dental work itself has also been a problem. A crown Dr. Backiel placed in 2022 failed within 3 years and had to be removed (I had told staff at the time it was placed that it was uncomfortable and they told me it would feel better over time). She then charged me $753 to replace her own faulty work. My new dentist says it’s standard practice for dentists not to charge patients to replace a crown that fails within 5 years. He also noted that another crown Dr. Backiel placed is way too tight and is causing gum inflammation. I also found Dr. Backiel very unprofessional in how she spoke to staff in front of patients. The turnover was so high that it felt like a constant rotation of new staff learning on the job. I tried for years to resolve this directly with the office. I’ve now had to file a lawsuit in small claims court and complaints with my insurers and the state Licensing Board. If you’re already a patient here, make sure your claims are actually showing up in your insurance portal and compare what you pay with the patient responsibility on your EOB. If you’re considering becoming a patient, I would go literally anywhere else.

The place is great! Everyone here is super friendly! I haven’t had a lot of one-on-one with the actual dentist, but the hygienist, Preet, is absolutely amazing! They are super non-judgemental, but still offers great advice! Super friendly and easy to talk to, and definitely willing to work with my inherent fear of dentistry! I’ve never felt more comfortable in the dentists chair! Great to see such an intelligent and caring person in an industry that inherently is pretty scary to a lot of people! Highly recommend!!

The first time I came here, I was talked to like I was slow. That set the tone. She recommended a bridge on a healthy tooth, which made no sense. When I questioned it, she just agreed. Then recently she quoted me $6,000 for Invisalign and asked for $3,000 down, even though I have 80% coverage and a $5,000 cap. My actual share should have been $1,200. She wanted $3,000 because insurance pays her quarterly, so she was trying to make me cover her risk. I found a place with in-house orthodontics where I only have to put $500 down. She was trying to overcharge me by $1,800 and hoped I wouldn't check. Do your research. Get a second opinion. Know your insurance. Don't let them talk you into anything.

Preet is the only hygienist that can handle patients with major anxiety in the dental chair. Everytime I schedule an appointment and show up expect her to be there. She is patient, kind, and sensitive to my situation. You can't do a rush job with me and if it hurts will let you know. It was a high turnover at one point. I think my next appointment is in November and expect her to be there. My biggest pet peeve before her was showing up and not being told she was my new hygienist but ended up working out. I do not like surprises and have been a patient for well over 15 years.

Everyone here has been pleasant, and the clinical work (cleanings, fillings) seems good thus far (was not the case, see update). But, as other reviews mention, the experience feels transactional. I’d had two cleanings since moving to Philadelphia, both times being told I had great hygiene and no plaque. After the second cleaning, I was handed a treatment plan for fillings on 7 teeth (right side), about $350 out of pocket, plus several more teeth flagged for “monitoring” on the upper left. It had been a decade since my last cavity. When I asked about these cavities, I was told they weren’t serious, just “getting to the point” of needing fillings. There was no discussion of why these cavities might be forming despite my hygiene or prevention recommendations, aside from a passing question about what side I slept on. I had to request updated X-rays to inform the treatment plan. When I asked to prioritize by urgency given the cost and how sudden it all was, the plan didn’t change. I just had my first 3 fillings ($200 out of pocket). As I sat on the chair after receiving 4 numbing shots, the hygienist pushed to schedule my next appointment for the following week — I asked to push it to September instead so I could receive my next paycheck. While everyone is pleasant, I felt that the “patient-focused” messaging espoused in the review replies doesn’t seem to match. I’ve received no evidence-based guidance on prevention, a treatment plan that didn’t feel proportional to how minor these cavities were, and pressure to keep booking rather than to understand what’s actually going on with my teeth. It’s disappointing given that my interactions with folks in the office have been pleasant. UPDATE: been multiple weeks now and have had multiple issues with my fillings (pain while biting even soft foods, overhanging filling causing me pain while flossing). had to come in 2 times as of right now, might need to be 3 if the flossing pain doesn’t subside. this is for 3 fillings, and their treatment plan wants me to have 7 more fillings done. they will not be happening here.

10/10. They were professional, all the staff was supportive and knowledgeable. Shout out to Erick who attentive as the hygienist who completed my cleaning and answered a lot of questions I had as well as Brittany who completed my treatment plan / next steps with me. Dr. Backiel was conservative in her approach with my teeth and was able to take care of my concern immediately. She was kind, relatable, listened, and educated me on my concerns. Only regret is not coming here sooner. Also music was a vibe so you can leave your AirPods at home because you won’t need them haha Parking was difficult with the location, but 18th and Cherry St usually has spots near the Friends Select school - otherwise BSL/Septa or Uber I would recommend this practice if you are looking for a dentist in Philadelphia.

I chose this practice for establishing new dental care, and…wow. I actually feel sorry for other dental practices, that’s how exceptional they are here. Every expectation was exceeded in every way. I was struck by how organized the entire practice is; from the front to the back, each person with whom I interacted was approachable, professional, decisive, and everyone knew what the other was doing. The quality of the care and service here is unlike anything I’ve experienced from a medical specialty. Dr. Backiel is sensational. I can’t wait to go back. Who says that about a dentist?

Please check your bills closely if you go here, or better yet, just find another dentist. Dr. Backiel’s office made me pay massive out-of-pocket estimates up front, promising they would bill my insurance and refund me the overpayments once the insurance checks cleared. Instead, their billing department is a total disaster, and they are currently withholding ~$3400 of my money. They messed up my account in two major ways: - Double-billing: For several appts, they collected my cash upfront, and then turned around and collected payment from my insurance companies for the exact same visits. They got paid twice for the same work and refuse to return my overpayment. I’ve been advised that this practice is potentially illegal, and I’ve filed a complaint with the PA Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. -Blowing insurance deadlines: For several other claims, Dr. Backiel’s office took my money upfront but sat on the paperwork for so long that they totally missed my insurance company's mandatory filing deadlines. Because of their delays, my insurance now refuses to cover the claims, and the office is trying to make me foot the bill for their mistake. I filed grievances with my insurance companies and they’ll be investigating Dr. Backiel’s administrative negligence. The office manager admitted to me in writing that they have a billing backlog because they are "extremely short-staffed.” They still won't give me my $3000+ owed refund or even provide a basic itemized ledger of my account. I tried for years to resolve this nicely. Some of these claims are over 2.5 years old and I still have not received a dime that I’m owed. I’ve had to file a lawsuit against them in Philadelphia Small Claims Court and also report them to the PA Licensing Board. The actual dentistry is just as bad as the billing. Dr. Backiel placed a crown in 2022 and it failed after only 3 years, causing me so much pain it had to be cut out. I had told staff at the time it was placed that it felt uncomfortable, and Dr. Backiel said it’d feel fine over time (clearly not). She charged me $753 to replace her own faulty work. My new Center City dentist was appalled and said he would never charge to replace a crown that failed under 5 years (they’re supposed to last 5-10 years). He also pointed out that a more recent crown she placed is way too tight of a fit, causing gum inflammation. Overall Dr. Backiel seems to care much more about squeezing money from her patients than quality work. She’s also very unprofessional and talks down to her staff in front of patients. The turnover is so high it’s a constant rotation of staff learning on the job. Dr. Backiel, it would have been much less costly to your business to simply write me a check for my owed refund when I asked the first 10 times. Your office took advantage of my patience and kindness, forcing me to escalate this to a legal issue and write this review to warn future patients. As a result, you’re going to lose much more than $3,400. I’m an investigative researcher for a living so you chose the wrong patient to pick a fight with. I investigate corporate and financial misconduct every day :)

I’m happy and satisfied what comes out to my teeth, definitely recommended

have been going to this practice for about 2 years and have always had a great experience every visit! i especially want to shout out Cat, she's awesome! I had a spot on my tooth that I was nervous about and she was able to clean it off with ease - she's amazing! Dr. Backiel is great and always goes over my options if anything needs to be done with my teeth. truly a great practice - professional, clean, and friendly!

A fine office. I keep going because it is convenient. Dr. Backiel comes in and out like a whirlwind, and I always feel like she is trying to upsell me on something to make more money. Dr. Foreman is much better - she spends time with you and seems to really care about your dental care, not just about making money. The hygienists have a ton of turnover, but are always friendly and competent.