Dentist's dentist wanted
For most of my early adult years I had a great dentist - he retired years ago and since then I've been through too many dentists who have just been not great. Here's the deal, I have a LOT of fillings, crowns, etc, I don't have great teeth to start with. After so long and so much work I'm REALLY aware of a good vs. not good dentist. The last one I found was pretty good but is on his way out and the new dentist is a hard NO trying to sell me everything under the sun.
I'm looking for a recommendation for a TOP dentist - HONEST for starters, who won't try to tell me I need things done that I don't, SKILLED where I don't leave feeling the rough edges of a filling because they didn't take the time to make sure it was done right, UP TO DATE on the latest in their industry and a CLEAN office that doesn't look like it's from the 70's. If you have a great dentist, PLEASE share - you can message me privately, I know we get protective of our dentists, belive me! TIA
Parent Replies
I recommend Modern Dentistry in San Francisco. He is the dentist for most of the Giants. Nice modern facilities and he's really honest and nice. Expensive though because he's not in-network for Delta
I love Dr. Mizono’s office in Albany. He came recommended by an orthodontist who got to see everyone’s dental work. He was right, everyone there is great!
I’ve been seeing Dr. Nuttle in Pinole for 20 years and love her! Her number is 510-724-5100 She’s experienced, straightforward, listens, and honest.
i highly recommend peter heckler in orinda. modern office, excellent staff and hygienists. everyone is top notch professional as well and very welcoming. peter is an excellent dentist, a genuinely nice guy AND does no upselling. he works with his patients in a very ‘team’ oriented way. easy access off the freeway. my husband and i both travel from alameda to see him. he’s well worth it.
Rajiv Anand and Jethani 2300 Durant Ave Berkeley. They took over from James Olson DDS a few years ago when he retired (gradually) and are both Excellent in every way. Parking lot in the back. Excellent hygienists as well for past 45 years.
Dr. Ferrier, DDS - Lafayette, 925-2830313. Extremely honest, never tries to sell extra procedures, excellent work.
Dr Nami Cho in SF, Union Square. Professional, friendly, no upselling. She took over this practice a handful of years ago and it’s still going strong, even through the pandemic. Office staff and hygienists are great, too.
I really love my dentist Dr. Wenli Loo in San Francisco. Her office is north of Union Square so parking is not great, but I'm ok taking public transit. I went to her even when I lived on the peninsula.
Just a few weeks ago, I felt bite pain for a few days on one molar and I went in for a checkup just to make sure everything was ok. (Like you, I have A TON of fillings.) She looked at the tooth carefully, took several x-rays, and said she couldn't see anything wrong. She explained that sometimes we bite down a little misaligned and bruise the tooth a little. I went home happy that my tooth didn't need further treatment. (I have Guardian PPO so I'm not sure if she would have charged anything otherwise, but AFAIK I wasn't billed.)
There have also been several instances where she's told me about a tiny cavity I could see that she was monitoring, but didn't want to fill right away. And with diligent brushing, flossing, and coming in for my cleaning every 6 months, I haven't needed it filled yet.
When I actually did need a crown, it was because I had cracked a fragile tooth on something. She made the experience fairly comfortable (given what it was) and made extra sure everything was flush and aligned and exact. I've never had an issue with fillings leaking with her, like I have with other dentists. Sometimes I feel like I diligently take care of my teeth because she's so diligent in taking care of them!
Her office is super clean and modern, and the windows open so I've always felt safe COVID-wise in there. A bonus is that even though she only sees me twice a year, she always remembers to ask about my family, especially my widower dad and my new baby.
After my beloved dentist of 25 years retired, I started seeing Dr. Matthew Herrington In Lafayette for the last year and a half and can highly recommend him. Office staff are efficient and on top of things. He is wonderful: very straightfoward and talks though my options and lets me decide. The dental work itself is great, too. He was meticulous about the feel of the crown in my mouth and the color matching. They have very good covid protocols, too. The office is cold because they have powerful air filters running in every treatment room. My husband works in dental insurance and believe me, he is a stickler for how things are billed and will not tolerate upselling in any way shape or form, and he also really likes this practice.
Dr. Jeremy Velasco in downtown SF, just a ten minute walk north from Powell Station. My family and I have been seeing him for a decade, he is THE BEST. Never upsells on unnecessary procedures, meticulous work, and often will skip charging me, or will discount, on one thing or another, because he knows I’m paying out of pocket. Also the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. I just love him. He has a thousand five star yelp reviews. Check him out. And good luck!
Run to Dr. Cynthia Cox. She's in Oakland (34th and Telegraph) and is the best dentist I have ever had. I have dental trauma from a terrible dentist in my childhood, and she's the only person who puts me at ease, looks at my teeth without judgement, and is honest about pricing and what needs to be prioritized in terms of work, etc. I can't recommend her enough. 510-601-6500.
I love Dr. Kobayashi on San Pablo in Albany. The staff are friendly, efficient and welcoming, and Dr. Kobayashi is smart, involved, and doesn't try to upsell us. For example, I know many dentists have a standard procedure of removing a child's wisdom teeth- his perspective on my kid was that the molars are coming in fine, they're not impacted, and there is plenty of room in the mouth so extractions aren't necessary. Very clean office that feels modern.