Worst Dentist in Centurion

On Wednesday, Dr. Bouwer extracted my tooth. I followed all her after-care instructions carefully. By Friday, I started experiencing severe pain and, after consulting with my family dentist back home (to whom I sent a video of the extraction site), I was advised I have dry socket.

Since Friday, I have been trying to contact Dr. Bouwer’s practice. The phone went straight to voicemail, and despite calling continuously from Monday morning at 08:00 (their advertised business hours), my calls were either ignored or rejected. Family members had to intervene on my behalf, and each one was told a different story: • One was told there were no appointments available for two months. • Another was told the dry socket occurred because I was “rejecting the antibiotics.” • A friend was told I would be referred to a specialist.

When my friend tried to arrange a conference call, the practice hung up as soon as she introduced herself. When my father managed to speak to Dr. Bouwer directly, she was extremely rude, dismissive, and full of attitude. She insisted that the situation was my fault, as the antibiotics “were not agreeing with me.” When my father asked if there was absolutely anything she could do to help, she simply said “no.”

Later, Dr. Bouwer messaged me on WhatsApp, admitting she did not answer my calls on Friday because she was sick, adding that she doesn’t have to be “at anyone’s beck and call 24 hours a day.” (At no point did I demand 24-hour access – I simply expected assistance during business hours.) She then questioned whether I had taken the antibiotics at all and told me no one can force her to treat a septic/dry socket.

Despite previously saying there were no appointments, she suddenly offered me one for 11:30 but then stated that “for both our conveniences” it would be better if I went to a specialist. She issued a referral letter, a sick note, and prescriptions (Stilpane, Mybulen, and mouthwash) even though I had not been physically seen by her that day – which I find highly unprofessional and questionable.

When I told her I would be laying a complaint with the HPCSA because no other patient should be treated in this manner, she told me to go ahead as she had done her due diligence and could prove it. Yet not once did she advise me on what to do in the event of dry socket – a known, common complication of extractions.

This entire experience has been distressing and unprofessional from start to finish. From ignored calls, contradictory explanations, and outright rudeness, to providing medical documents without an actual consultation, I feel completely failed as a patient. I trusted this dentist with my care, and instead, I was left in pain, dismissed, and treated disrespectfully.

I believe patients deserve better accountability, professionalism, and compassion than what I received at Happy Family Dentist.