J Linn ★ 5.0
Can we give these people a thousand stars?!! Our appointment was last Wednesday, February 23. My daughter had an urgent referral from our dentist due to a decaying wisdom tooth that was causing dangerous health issues that were identified by our gp. I had phoned numerous oral surgeons in our nearest city (and being offered a waiting list of two months) informing them of these medical issues resulting from the wisdom tooth, that we had an urgent referral and that my daughter was in pain and unable to eat or sleep; one receptionist actually said to me, when I said the offered appointment in two months time was not soon enough, "all our clients are urgent, in pain, and can't eat or sleep" ! When I then tried Auckland (three hour drive away) and phoned Oral Surgery Associates, Sarah, with great wisdom and foresight, immediately understood the urgency of the situation and arranged for us to come in the next day! I note the practice is very convenient; directly off the motorway and on the same road there is a BP, Countdown, and McDonalds (for milkshakes post op). My daughter was adamant that she would not have an anaesthetic, only a local. On meeting with Dr Ian Cathro, we found him kind, empathetic, and Funny! Which was unexpected, however it was much appreciated having a laugh after all the stress. Dr Cathro smoothed over all my daughter's concerns about the anaesthetic with ease and understanding. On my return to pick up my daughter after the surgery, I was met by Sandra, who very clearly explained how to manage the various pills, twice. After I confirmed that I understood everything, my drugged daughter asked Sandra two very technical questions about the surgery, on answering them, I realised Sandra must be a) a nurse and attended the surgery or b) knows everything, probably both! Everything went extremely well as after a milkshake and then KFC mashed potatoes, I asked my daughter how she was feeling; "Great!" Fast Forward 3 days; "I can't believe this healed so fast!" I can't recommend this team highly enough; Absolutely Brilliant, and though extremely impressed we are with Dr Cathro, my Huge Thanks to Sarah, whose intelligent response to our problem resolved it quickly; without her ability to know when urgent really means Urgent, we could have been in a very different place today. Huge Thank Yous to the team!!
John Tattersall ★ 5.0
Big shout out to Ian and the team. Thank you for your exceptional experience remediating a difficult failed tooth extraction on Monday last week. No reflection on my Dentist, she also did a great job, just unfortunate it became problematic and she made the right call to refer me to Oral Surgery Associates – Ian Cathro. They accommodated me within a few days which was surprising and all locked in. A very well organised team and front desk helped me resolve getting home after surgery with Miss Daisy as My wife got called away at the last minute and gung-ho me said it was no problem, I will be fine. To the Practice manager, Thank you for having my back. Wednesday 7:30am I am first Cab off the rank as I am a whose feeling the pain. Quick Xray and baselines done all good, take a seat and Ian will be with you shortly. Ian comes in casual as you like and had me at ease in a heartbeat. Clear explanation of what was going to happen and had me feeling like this was going to be a walk in the park. I was in trouble and yes Ian did make it like a walk in the park such is his exceptional skill set and confidence. Recovery This is where it gets interesting, home around 11:30am, thanks Miss Daisy, had a lie down all good. Work was desperate for a special needs children driver to cover my run. Got the call @ 1.00pm, 4 hours later after surgery under a drip aesthetic, can I help?. No was the answer as I was still a bit lightheaded. They found a driver, but he did not know my run. I said I felt well enough to ride shotgun and show him the way. Stupid yes, any problems no, my recovery was amazing!! Home at 4.30, went and had a lie down again, only took 2 Panadol top ups and bang - out for the count until 11:00 o'clock that night - great sleep. Totally whacked out. Woke next morning at 6:50am feeling a million bucks, so called dispatch and said I was good to go. I took 2 more Panadol and one Brufen, avoided the Tramadol (didn’t need it) as I was driving, and seriously I had no pain. The stitches have now dissolved 6 days later, and I am not experiencing any after effects. Ian, I can't thank you enough, great job, excellent team, I have told several in my network already.