Oon Tian Tan, MD PC

I’ve been going to see Dr. Tan for over three years and have been very happy with her. Skin checks are quick and easy and I’ve also liked the products she recommends for general skin care. She is always on time and I appreciate her succinct, straightforward bedside manner.

Went to see Dr Tan in October of 2014. Had very unattractive «age spots «on my forehead & hands. She spent 15 mins with me & her laser, was very nice. Almost fainted when found bill was over $ 500. Had not been what I was told.
Have stayed out of sun & put on sun screen& bleach cream her office suggested. Now hands look the same as they always did & forehead has a donut shaped mark on it where the pigment has totally disappeared from my skin. All is worse. THANKS
S. Lee

Only thing going for this office is the free Keurig coffee machine, and the pretty fish tank in the lobby. Dr. Tan was rude, uninviting and did nothing for me but waste my time and money, and make me feel worse about myself. The front desk chick who I made my apt. through months ago, told me that this Dr. DID prescribe a specific medicine I was looking for to treat my Psoriasis. Today was my apt, and Dr Tan told me she WOULDN’T offer that medicine. HELLO!!! I wouldn’t have scheduled with you if your secretary would have simply confirmed her answer with someone when I called, instead of just booking me! I think the final factor that sent me over the edge with this place was Dr. Tan making a comment about my weight! Low-​Blow Dr, Low-​Blow… Needless to say, I left her office in tears, feeling discouraged about my skin condition, with a pocket full of Keurig pods and a 2 hour parking garage fee because of the Dr’s lacking sense of urgency to see me at my apt time… If you’re looking for answers or suggestions, you’re better off asking Siri, or simply just booking with a different dermatologist!

I saw Dr. Tan nearly 15 years ago, before Unilocal was just a fantasy way for me to tell the world about my terrible experience with her, one that annoys me still enough that I thought it was worth posting a review after all this time has passed. Sadly, it looks as though others have had the same experience, which shows me she has behaved poorly periodically for more than a decade. Here’s my story:
I saw Dr. Tan at the recommendation of a friend, and she became my regular dermatologist, despite rushed visits and bedside manner that left me feeling like I was keeping her from something way more important.
For at least one visit when I saw her, I did not have insurance so was paying out of pocket. Not a big deal and I wasn’t exactly scraping by, but it did make me ask questions that insured folks don’t usually ask, like how much will this cost since it is actually coming out of my own pocket.
During one of my visits, she explained that she would need to biopsy a spot on my face. Because the visit was so short and she tends to fly through appointments (5 – 7 minutes would be a long appointment), she scheduled me to come back a few weeks later. In the meantime, I was fraught with worry over whether I had skin cancer, if the biopsy would leave a scar on my face, and other such questions that are standard operating procedure for a doctor to address in a reasonably times visit.
When I returned for my visit, she came into the room and asked what I was there for. I reminded her that she said I needed my face biopsied. She looked at the spot and said it didn’t need a biopsy. I asked her what I was there for then. She was unresponsive, and I was subsequently out the cost of an office visit and had wasted my time off of work and the money I had paid out of pocket for the visit since I had no insurance.
Still, I returned to give her another chance. This time, it was for a consultation for laser scar revision. I had a friend who had done it with her and had a good result. Accordingly, I name dropped said friend and booked the appointment. When I arrived at reception, I explained that I was paying out of pocket and would like to know how much the office visit would cost for the consultation. The receptionist could not give me an answer other than that the doctor would need to evaluate me first to determine the cost of the visit. Mind you, this was not a treatment visit, just a look-​see so she could tell me what the laser could do for my scar and maybe what it would take to do the job. Still, the receptionist deferred to the doctor. I asked if she could maybe call the doc before the appointment so I could at least get an estimate since it made no sense to have absolutely no idea of cash cost until in the exam room, at which point I would be on the hook for it. She called the doctor across the hall. No empathy, no patience, and certainly no common sense followed. The doc obviously didn’t want to deal with my concern for the financial piece and could offer me no estimate or general ballpark on a consult fee. Heck, I could walk into an arbitrary $ 1000 fee just to see my face! Well, that didn’t work for me, so I explained my opinion that it seemed ridiculous that I was expected to go In For a basic consult, no treatment, but I could not even even know up front a scale or range of what it might cost to just listen to the doc for 5 minutes then schedule real treatment for another day. I let her know I didn’t feel comfortable doing the consult if I had no idea of its cost. I told her I would need to cancel the appointment and suggested that I would seek another doctor for my laser scar removal. Never did I suggest seeking another dermatologist altogether, just that the cosmetic piece didn’t seem like a good for here. The next day (NEXT DAY!), I received a letter signed by Dr. Tan’s own hand, stating that she’d heard from her receptionist that I was seeking another clinician for treatment so she was hereby dismissing me from her practice, effective immediately, and that I can contact them for records if needed. I was so insulted at her retaliatory behavior that I never had contact with the office again and vowed I would warn every person possible about her lack of bedside manner and detail orientation when it comes to things like … Scheduling a biopsy and then forgetting she thought it was necessary a few weeks earlier but now is unimpressed and conveniently charged another office visit fee. But the worst is that she had no time to come and explain in person (from her OFFICE across the hall where I could SEE HER discussing me with her receptionist I was standing in front of, but she certainly had time to whip up a letter before the end of the business day telling me basically to f#*k off from her practice, then popping it right in the mail. I hope through these reviews that Dr. Tan changes her attitude so patients feel cared for, instead of biting the hands that feeds her.

I was Dr. Tan’s patient for several months, and she consistently rushed through appointments. Sometimes she gave me no more than about 5 minutes, even though her assistant told me appointments are supposed to last about 15 minutes. She also didn’t answer some of my questions, leaving me feeling ignored and uneasy. I brought these issues up to Dr. Tan directly several times, but nothing changed. It got bad enough that I finally asked the Department Manager for help, and let her know that I may have to find another doctor if Dr. Tan cannot give me a normal amount of time during appointments. Soon after this, I received a letter saying Dr. Tan will no longer see me as her patient. This left me in a very tough situation, needing to find a new dermatologist for an urgent issue. I cannot recommend Dr. Tan.

Never made it into her office.
I was referred by another specialist and was told quite curtly by the office receptionist over the phone that my case was not interesting enough and that she wouldn’t be seeing me.

I never waste my time with reviews, but dr. Tan has been amazing for me and I wanted to give as much credit as I could. First of all, as she may be direct and honest, that is something I want from a doctor. I actually felt she was extremely friendly, and was even happier to see my skin improve and how greatful I was for her help. I went to her for acne and skin damage and she gave me products and advice that started working immediately. I followed her directions religiously so I would have something concrete to tell her on the follow up. I like blunt people who tell it how it is. I don’t want any sugar coating when it comes to my health. This is why we got along so well and why she gets results.

Dr. Tan’s personality is definitely not for everyone. She is very direct and can be a little judgy (like about my hometown??) but, honestly, it’s just who she is. As a Dr. I think she’s perfectly competent. She has an amazing memory about my medical history, even the things that aren’t even vaguely derm-​related. I just see her 2x/​year for a skin check and she has removed a couple of moles; I’m always comfortable with her skills and trust her with my skincare needs. Oh, don’t go in there with a sunburn or you’ll get a solid shaming.

First and last visit with this… woman was earlier this week. She may do good work with birthmarks but she is the haughtiest, most clueless doc I’ve run into in 40 years. Went in to get renewed scrips for the rosacea meds I’ve been using since 2005. I have been disabled with fibromyalgia since 1998. «You can’t WORK??» she asked me, outraged. No, I can’t. «What, not even part time???» Even assuming I could, I can’t support myself in Boston on a part-​time job. «YOU CANT???@@??» And it went downhill from there. She took issue with my upcoming 6-​month trip to India. It’s too hot there, she said. I won’t like it. And on, and on and on. I told her I have vitiligo. «Show me!» she said in disbelief. I showed her. «Humpf.» She had a fit over a decorative brand on my back. God knows what she thought of the tattoo… She refused to excise or laser off the sebborheaic hypoplasias I have on my forehead (right in the middle) and in my cleavage (I scratch one in my sleep and it bleeds) because — get this — they usually come back. Well, they’ll be gone for awhile, won’t they? No dice. And apparently my rosacea has been so successfully treated by my last (out of town) doc, she decided I didn’t need one of the meds that’s kept it in remission.
Short version: I am not thin-​skinned, but she did her level best to make me feel like I was wasting her time with my petty needs. (Meanwhile she’s got the half-​quackery VelaShape cellulite contraction in the examining room.)
Oh — I almost forgot the punchline. Although I’ve been using the generic drug for seven years, when I got to the drugstore I discovered she prescribed me the name-​brand instead, which ate $ 35 from my meager income.
Obnoxious, condescending, just plain nasty. Reviewer Elizabeth B. is right on the money.

The «lack of beside manner» (read: insults, abrasiveness, asking the same irrelevant questions every time «what is your occupation» because she didn’t bother to remember) didn’t bother me until I realized she did not have my best interests in mind. I would have to do research to recommend a treatment for myself, since she didn’t think outside the box. I felt like a lesson in medical school instead of a real person. Except, lessons don’t usually get yelled at. I did.
The last time, after entering the room 20 minutes after the nurse showed me in (the lateness was for an «emergency» — a popped zit?), I asked her if she could look at something while I was there.
[stopping and staring]: «I don’t have TIME for that. They only scheduled you for 15 minutes»
Me: «Oh, I didn’t know that»
9 minutes later, she raced out the door. I kind of want my remaining 6 minutes back. Mostly I don’t really care. If I get skin cancer, it’s on you.
People of Unilocal — don’t mistake «lack of beside manner» for thoroughness or skill. In heart surgery, exactness makes you a good doctor. In real life, a little empathy goes a long way.

My first post on Unilocal!
She is just the nicest person you’ll ever meet. She took the time to explain things to me. You can tell she really cares!!!
I didnt really want to write a review… All these stellar reviews are going to make it quite hard to get an appointment! lol
I know I’ll be coming here for years!

Dr. Oon T. Tan was excellent. Not super touchy feely nice, as some reviewers have commented, but we weren’t looking for any special treatment, just basic decency and professional, courteous care. She was polite, friendly, to the point, matter of fact. I could see how her mannerism could seem to some, but we have appreciated her honesty and direct approach. The directness is combined with an authoritativeness and sense of competence that inspires confidence in her clinical judgement.
Also, once you see her for a while (for us, multiple visits over the course of years), you get comfortable with her style. On repeat visits, she remembers your name and things about your life and she is conversational during your exam, putting you at ease.
Additionally, we appreciated her lack of salesmanship. She is a refreshing change from other dermatologists’ offices, which frequently try to entice you to buy overpriced skin care products.
She was efficient and we felt that she was trustworthy and an excellent practitioner. I enjoyed her calm, self assured demeanor. We felt like she was proficient and knowledgeable, which is a wonderful feeling to have about your doctor! She was quite a refreshing change from the disrespectful, unprofessional dermatologist we saw last year at BU Cosmetic Dermatology Center on Comm Ave.
I do remember that it took a while to get an appointment… perhaps a month or so. That didn’t seem unusual or unduly lengthy to us. Her office ran efficiently, the appointment schedule was on time, and yet we didn’t feel rushed. She took the time to chat with us about our concerns and we felt as though she cared about our preferences for his care.
My husband had a regular skin checkup (he is high risk so he visits a dermatologist yearly; I have seen many for my acne we’ve quite a few over the years!). About a month later she removed a suspicious mole and we were quite happy with the results. He is going back for another appointment with her soon.
Her office has moved and she is now located near MGH. I would venture to say she’s the best dermatologist we’ve seen. Here’s a link to her web address:
Update 7÷2011−− My hubby went for his yearly exam this month, then had two moles removed. He came home (both times) and said: «I’m so glad we found her. She is so fabulous. SHE. IS. THE. BEST. DOCTOR. I’VE. EVER. HAD.» Highly recommended.

I saw Dr. Tan today based on her other Unilocal reviews and left very impressed. She was prompt, professional, informative, friendly and thorough (the last being the most important quality in a dermatologist – you don’t want someone who looks you up and down in 10 seconds and then sends you on your way.) Her staff was similarly pleasant to deal with. I’ve had dermatologists in the past who lacked some or all of these qualities, but Dr. Tan is excellent and I’m glad to have found her practice.

Went back to Dr. Tan this week for a minor procedure and was very happy with the results. Quick and painless. I was in and out in 15 minutes including the time to book the follow up appointment! She’s not very chatty – or it seems forced – but that wouldn’t deter me from going back.

I went to see Dr. Tian based on her positive Unilocal reviews and how relatively close she was to my office. She was able to give me an appointment very quickly, especially for a dermatologist. My schedule during lunch hours is usually very tight, but they had me in and out with not much wait time before I was seen by Dr. Tian.

In a medically advanced city like Boston, it’s somewhere between highly unlikely and impossible that you will encounter an incompetent doctor. So what it really comes down to is bedside manner. Dr. Tan is very friendly and straightforward. Unlike my gynecologist — a brilliant doctor whose strange ways always make me uncomfortable — I’m always at ease with Dr. Tan, who even used to give me lollipops when I screamed about needles (I’m a grown woman, I swear). Also, there are several U.S. patents on her wall for some kind of laser. This woman knows what’s she’s doing!

I am a big fan of my dermatologist!
Dr. Tan is always on time (for some reason that seems to be a challenge for derm dr.‘s I have seen) and I appreciate her up front, no nonsense style.
Even if you have a gorgeous, Clearasil clear complexion, everyone should get checked for skin cancer. It only takes 20 minutes and your measly co-​pay to have Dr. Tan double check that all those cute freckles stay that way.