Melvin H. Pearson, DDS, PC at 3436 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, New York.

If I could give less than one star, I would. The office help has an unapproachable demeanor and the doctor himself isn't much interested in patient care. I already had braces on when I went there and only needed to have them on for about another 8 months. He was charging me a significant amount of money for those eight months. Also, he wanted me to see a cosmetic dentist to start a plan of care. In the meantime, my husband was laid off from work so I could not immediately go to see the cosmetic dentist yet at the same time, Dr. Pearson wouldn't see me either until I saw the cosmetic dentist. About 5 months went by before my husband was called back to work and I was able to pick up where I left off. I tried to make an appointment with the cosmetic dentist that he recommended and they called me back saying they spoke to Dr. Pearson and he wanted to see me to get everything straight (which he could have just done on the phone since all he wanted to do was tell me to see the cosmetic dentist). I show up there today, and all he really wanted was money. He complained that I hadn't paid in the months that my husband was laid off. I had already given his office $960 and the only thing they have ever done was change my rubber bands ONE TIME. It was a catch 22 for me. I couldn't see him because he wouldn't see me without me seeing the cosmetic dentist and I couldn't see the cosmetic dentist because my husband was laid off. He said he called me in today because it's "dangerous" for me to go so long without seeing him (even though he wouldn't see me) Yet, he refused to see me today because he wanted money. I told him "I've already given you $960 for one rubber band change". He still refused to see me saying I have a contract. Which didn't make sense because he wouldn't see me without me seeing the cosmetic dentist. So, I guess he just wanted me to keep on paying him even though he wouldn't see me. I told him now that my husband was back to work, I would fulfill my obligation......to no avail. He still refused to see me even though he said it was "dangerous" that I hadn't seen him in so long. Beside myself, I've put braces on both of my children and have never run into this money hungry problem before. I've never stiffed any orthodontist and had no intention of stiffing Dr. Pearson either. However, he didn't care to hear that and still refused to see me. He doesn't put his patient first and let me walk out the door without so much as just taking a look or at least changing the damn rubber bands. I cannot continue care with someone like this. I suggest you run hard and fast from this man. All I wanted was for him to just finish the care of my braces. I would have went to a cosmetic dentist when my braces were all done. I hope he's happy that his greed and lack of patient care has lost him a patient who would have gladly paid the damn balance. I should have taken a hint when I noticed that his office is always empty. Go to someone else!!