I have been a patient of Dr. Clarke's for the past two years and my reviews have always been very positive. He recently retired suddenly and sold the practice to Dr. Reyal, who I saw yesterday for a tooth that suddenly fractured before my scheduled appointment in January to do a crown. Travis was able to squeeze me in before the Christmas holiday. In fact, I was the last patient before the practice closed for a 2 week break. However, when I arrived for the appointment and and went to pay before the procedure began, using the same credit card I always used there, I was surprised to be told that on top of the $1,700.00 fee I was quoted for the work, there was a $51.00 fee for using that card because it was not a "bank card" which I now assume means a debit card, because neither the Bank of America nor Chase credit cards were considered "bank cards, issued by a bank." I was stunned and tried to quickly figure out what to do. I actually felt trapped because I needed that appointment badly. I had never been charged such a fee here before. If I had known about this beforehand I would have brought cash or a check. It wasn't until I got home and was able to process this situation that the anger and disappointment set in. I have grown to like the team here. The actual dental work Dr. Reyal did that day seemed good. I appreciated her explanation of the risks of the treatment and the options available to me. I understand she is new here, but passing the merchant's credit card fee directly to the patient is sure to anger a few existing patients in this practice. I actually checked, and the usual merchant's fee for multiple credit card companies averages between 2.5% to 3.15% of the total charge depending on location and which processing option the provider chooses. In 2013 a class action lawsuit permitted states to allow merchants to pass these fees on to consumers. It is still illegal in Connecticut and Massachusetts. (See Motleyfool.com, 10, Dec. 2024, "Average Credit Card Processing Fees and Costs in 2024") Welcome to the Free State of Florida, I guess. If Dr. Reyal wants to win the hearts of the existing patients in this practice, it would behoove her to make it very clear that this fee is being passed on BEFORE they come for an appointment so they can make appropriate payment choices. I would also suggest a large sign at both windows by the receptionist informing patients of the fee. Fifty dollars is not an insignificant amount of money, but it is not the dollar figure that irked as much as the attitude implied, which I interpret as one of disrespect, lack of care, and a cold, calculated money grab.