Price Sheldon - Hillcrest Family Dental Ctr

I am no longer scared to go to the dentist any more. The Whole staff is very nice and the dentist take really good care of you. I really enjoyed my visit.

Posted 02/17/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I had a great experience at this office. The staff was very friendly and informative. I feel that I have been treated with the best care a dentist could give a patient.

Posted 02/10/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I was on the fence with the diagnosis of treatment, but after having my work completed I was truly impressed. The color matched my other teeth, and I could not see the seam between where it ended and my tooth began. I was quite cranky, but it really does look as if it was always there. I have been telling my co workers about this office. Very impressed.

Posted 02/09/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Very professional and courteous. A good experience. Called back at appointment time and very pleased with all services. Have recommended to friends and family.

Posted 02/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I go to this office because the do good work, but because I have have to see different dentist sometimes there has been a difference in opinion on how to treat my appointment. They should try to set each appointment with the same dentist every time a patient comes in. Overall good work. Very clean and modern looking office and friendly staff.

Posted 02/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I waited too long to see the dentist during my last visit. My appointment was at 11:00am and I did not see the dentist until 12:00pm. I was informed that an emergency was keeping her busy but still it was a long wait. The check up was fine but wait to long

Posted 02/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I was completely comfortable and at ease. There was a bit of a wait on my first appointment to see the doctor for xrays and exam, but my next two appointment were wonderful.

Posted 02/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I don't know how you do it, I came for the 1st time and got scary news and had to come back for lots of work but I somehow love coming here and feel and feel great about it and excited to take better care of my teeth.

Posted 02/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

hillcrest family dental will rip you off in my opinion. i paid them over $2,000 because they scared me and said I needed an extensive cleaning which would require numbing and medication.

my teeth have always been perfect. they scared me so much and I had just gotten the new insurance, so like an idiot, i believed them.

the procedure was painful. it was unnecessary and costly. very costly.

Posted 01/05/09 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

The San Diego County Grand Jury should investigate Hillcrest Family Dental Center for insurance fraud and patient abuse (subjecting patients to unnecessary procedures). When one receives as subpoena and has to testify UNDER OATH before a Grand Jury, one cannot have a lawyer with them in the Grand Jury Room. On the basis of the complaints and negative reviews posted here, HFDC could easily be indicted on charges of fraud and abuse. I, too, stupidly chose HFDC via my dental plan. I have had few dental problems in my life and in 2007 received my first crown ever. In mid-2007 I had a whole set of X-rays taken by my previous dentist and everything was in great shape. For decades I had my teeth cleaned twice a year, too, and things were always great. In June 2008, I visited HFDC for the first time. X-rays were taken. I was immediately told (six months after my last cleaning) I needed deep cleaning (two sessions) and antibiotic treatment. This cost me almost $400 of my own money. After the second treatment, I was scheduled to return in November for a routine cleaning. What? The deep cleaning didn't do the trick? Shows how good HFDC's deep cleaning is. It was during that routine cleaning I was told that my X-rays showed a cavity under the crown. Huh? No one told me that in the summer. And $500 would be my cost for crown replacement. When asked if I was feeling any pain there, I said no. That told me something was not right, so I went back to my previous dentist who FOR FREE took -- with state-of-the-art equipment superior to HFDC's equipment -- X-rays again of the crown area and found nothing; no cavity! Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I submit that HFDC is unscrupulous, if not incompetent. It is ripping off insurance companies and consumers. You as a citizen and consumer have the right to contact the San Diego County Grand Jury and ask that HFDC dentists, staff and patients be compelled to testify about the center's operations. If nothing else, contact the Dental Board of California, www.dbc.ca.gov and file a complaint about HFDC.

Posted 11/26/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

First off, the moment I walked into the office I felt like I was at home. Was greeted right when I walked through the door Starting from the receptionists to the doctors, everyone was so nice and made me feel comfortable. The Doctor was really knowledgable and helped me out to understand what was going on and helped me understand what the Treatment that I was diognosed with was all about. From reading the reviews on this site, I was very nervous about going to my appointment, but knowing that people are just nervous about going to the dentist anyways, I had to just check it out myself. Its not the dentist fault that people do not keep up with the dentist and try to go after five years. Keep up with yourself and it will not be so expensive and your teeth will not be so un healthy. Your teeth are important and next time maybe you will think twice about getting yourself into the dentist office instead of holding back. All and all, I had a great experience with them and I recommend this office to anyone and evryone. All the reviews on this site you can tell are from people who have not been to the dentist in a while or they were just nervous in the first place to go to the dentist. Thank you...

Posted 11/07/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I thought it was silly and a waste of time to have to make 2 separate appointments for
X-Rays and then the cleaning. After my initial appointment with the X-Rays, I expected
to get my cleaning the same day, since I hadn't had one in three years. Well, they don't
tell you until you are paying for the X-rays, etc is that you can't have your much-needed cleaning that same day. I had to make another appointment for that, and they didn't have one for 3 more months! That didn't make sense to me- I hadn't been to a dentist for three years, they knew I needed a cleaning, but they refused to do it that same day! Well, I made the appointment and had to miss two days of work. At the cleaning, the hygenist was scraping my teeth and gums very hard and making them bleed bad. While she was doing that she went on and on about how much plaque I had and how hard it was for her to get it off. Then something occurred to her. She said, "Oh, no wonder! my tools haven't been sharpened!" "No wonder it's so hard for me to get the plaque off!" She then sent her assistant out to sharpen her tools. When he returned, she easily got the plaque off and my gums didn't bleed like before.. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HILLCREST FAMILY DENTAL!! I need a cleaning again and they want me to come in for that initial X-Ray appointment again before they can do it! Ridiculous. Waste of time and money. Think twice before setting foot in this office.

Posted 08/21/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I was being scammed by Mission Valley Dental Clinic for years for all the same reasons the other reviewers had with HFDC, but I thought since I couldn't do the work myself what the heck just pay for it, its only money. I decided to go to HCDC for two years for a change. They are mediocre as far as the regular high pressure sales are concerned - deep cleaning, arestin treatment, crown, root canal, etc. I recently made an appointment for a regular routine free cleaning and after a 20 minute wait and x-rays, a heavy duty dentist enters the room, who I hadn't seen or met before, and a consultant shows up with my x-rays. Now they recommend I need 6 arestin shots, deep cleaning, replace a crown, and all 4 wisdom teeth have to come out because they are old and will eventually cause me pain. I thought I had found a decent dental clinic even if their office is in an old building and in a somewhat shabby condition, but they are turning out to be the same as MVDC was - ripoffs. I know I have to have dental work done and I know I can't do it myself so I have to pay for what I believe would be best in the long run especially at 60 years old. They also recommended I get a credit card through their Credit Care Company which of course is a loan. I told them I'll pay after each treatment but the young foreign woman said the credit card is without interest for 18 months after which any balance would be charged a high interst rate. I agreed and thought about it later how would I know they are going to perform all of the treatments I already agreed to pay for???? Dumb move -- live and learn. Stay away from this high priced dental office with any insurance plan. Throughout my life I've been scammed one way or another by different types of businesses, but there's no way to avoid it. Just ask plenty of questions before you commit to any procedure and get a second opinion if you can afford it.

Posted 08/20/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Okay. I had a whole 5,000 word diatribe all written up about the evils of this place, but I decided to spare everyone and keep this short and sweet.

These con-artists have been scamming me for about 2 years now. I am no connoisseur of dental providers. I also suck at listening to my intuition when it tells me something isn't right. Hence, the fact that it's taken me this long to realize that Hillcrest Family Dental is a "meat market" dental office, and they rip people off.

They quoted me $8,500 for dental work that I later have found out should only run me a little over $5,000. The work they have done has been mediocre at best. The last visit was horrible. One of the many dentists I've been saddled with at this place left a huge open sore on the inside of my lip after doing a crown-prep/post build up. He said "You'll probably be sore later. You had decay down under your gum line so I had to cut away some of your gums." That was a bit of an understatement. That s*** didn't heal for over a week and hurt like you wouldn't believe.

I wish I would have read reviews on them sooner. I didn't even realize this site existed. Now I know.

Please be smarter than I was and AVOID HILLCREST FAMILY DENTAL like the plague.

Posted 08/19/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

hillcrest family dental will rip you off. i have insurance and my teeth are in excellent shape. after the doctor recommeded that i "change my smile" which would cost 5k+ ... he told me i needed a DEEP CLEANING .... since i hadnt been to the dentist in 8 months, i figured he would know what he is talking about. $1600 dollars later, the deep cleaning was a complete waste and very painful.

The prices are HIGH here and they will upsell you.

Posted 07/31/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I was overdue for a cleaning, so I decided to call a random number on the list of dentists accepted by my insurance. I made the mistake of calling this one. I didn't think much of my choice until I was sitting in the dentist's chair and noticed that the lady going over my X-rays with me had the job listing of "Dental Counselor" or something like that on her name tag. "Where is the hygienist" I thought. The dentist came in, looked at my teeth and called out to the dental counselor the procedures he thought I needed. He then explained that I should get a cap on one of my teeth to replace a worn out filling, a composite on the inner side of another tooth to make flossing easier and that I required a deep cleaning with anti-bacterial agent to be put deep inside my gums. I was sitting there thinking "I'm not getting all of that done." After the dentist left the room, the dental counselor proceeded to show me my estimate of $1600. When I said all I wanted was a regular cleaning, she said a regular cleaning alone would be refused to me because I was in such need of this deep cleaning with the anti-bacterial agent. I said I would think about it and then ended up making an appointment with the receptionist for a deep cleaning without the anti-bacterial stuff (which would cost $400 alone). But now I think I will just go to another dentist seeing that I am not alone with the impression of this place. I felt like I was at one of those mechanics that give you a $2000 estimate and make you feel like your car won't make it home unless you fix everything now. Please never go here. Dentists are supposed to be honest, helpful, caring and compassionate. You will not find those qualities in the people who work at Hillcrest Family Dental.

Posted 07/01/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

Don't have enough money for your treatment? No worries - we will set you up with a no interest 18 month loan from Citi Health Card. We will charge them for all the services we have done and plan to do. Meanwhile we won't complete everything billed (eventhough you are still responsible to Citi) and keep a credit of over $1200 here in the office. We won't do any follow up of any kind. Only when I (the pateint) inquired as to what was the balance did they let me know they could get me a refund. And let me tell you what - I requested a check and still two weeks later - NOTHING. This $1,200 credit has been on the account for over 6 months - where is the interest? If I owed them this much for this long I most certainly would be in collections. (The dentist that I went to here was only there once a week as he has another practice somewhere else - I only hope I can transfer to him.)

Posted 06/30/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I too wish I had seen this site before I went to Hillcrest Family. It was fairly pleasant until my exam by the dentist and "treatment coordinator". I had a broken cap and dental insurance - and by the time they were done working up their estimate, I was going to be paying over $3,000.00. I am so disgusted that I was subjected to high-pressure sales techniques at a dental office - I think it's criminal. After I talked them down to a more reasonable $800, I called my insurance company, which then called Hillcrest Dental and informed them that they could not charge me more than $550. I can't believe this place is in business, and that insurance companies allow them on their panel - we all should call and complain to protect people who may really get hurt financially.
Oh, and by the way - the temporary three-week cap they put on my front tooth is bright yellow - it's the only color they had left, and didn't bother to mention it until they held up the mirror.

Posted 06/16/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I changed my dental plan to this office as I had problems scheduling a 6 month cleaning at Dr. Carlo's office. My initial impression was good. The receptionists were friendly and the lobby was nice. I then got the high tech exam and woman telling me how bad my teeth were and that I needed to replace my fillings. I was surprised, as I go to the dentist twice a year and take good care of my teeth. I do grind my teeth though, so I thought their opinion must have validity. Plus, in the past, I have trusted the dentist to be able to assess my teeth and their needs. Then came the high pressure sales technique. I was shocked. I ended up paying $50 up front and scheduling to have the fillings replaced. It did not feel right at all. Who pays for treatment upfront? I ended up cancelling the treatment and getting my money back, on principal. I thought about it again and decided to have some of the fillings replaced. The male dentist was arrogant and offensive when I asked his opinion on one of the fillings I chose not to have done. He insinuated that I was not having it done because I wasn't smart - or something? Very odd. Several people came in and out of the room while he was working on my teeth. They spoke about other patients and he sounded clearly annoyed that a patient called with questions about the treatment she'd received. All of the bad reviews resonated with me. I am going to do what I can to get this place off the list of approved dental offices with my insurance. Oh, I forgot. After I had the filling replaced in one tooth, it later chipped. I went back to the dentist to see what they recommended. They recommended a crown. I was only curious. There was no way I was going to have them do anything more to my mouth. When I went to my new dentist, he told me that he would replace the filling and it should solve the problem. The hygienist at this new office told me that my old dentist should have done that for free - and did I talk to my old dentist about it. I told her he/she just offered to do a crown. Her response was - sure, more money!

Posted 05/15/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

After two visits I got wise and switched providers. The first visit went fine...according to the dentist, I had mostly healthy teeth and gums, and a good thorough cleaning would be a good preventative measure...sure, no problem, I paid for and scheduled the cleaning. During the cleaning, the hygenist stopped to tell me that my gums were "horrible" and that I needed to see a Periodontist right away. She also told me that the dentist was completely wrong about my diagnosis and scheduled me for a re-evaluation and then suggested I schedule another cleaning that involved anesthesia and scraping all of my gums. So how many times is this going to happen? The dentist says one thing, schedules an appointment, charges me money, the hygenist has a different story, schedules an appointment, tries to charge me more money, and I am supposed to just smile and pay up? This is ridiculous! I don't have time to come in for twenty five different appointments just to hear that the previous appointment was a waste of my time and money. If these people could get their act together and stop trying to milk their poor unwitting patients, they might be a fine place to go. As it is, they come off looking completely unprofessional and absolutely inefficient. While the reception staff is extremely friendly, and you might have a good experience initially, be warned that this is not an office concerned about building a loyal customer base. There are many, more reputable, professional, and efficient dentists in San Diego. Stay away from these clowns!

Posted 05/07/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I had a tooth extracted by Dr. Saldana at Hillcrest Family Dental and the experience was very pleasant, he is sincere and really cared about my concerns. He and all the staff really went out of their way to make sure that I was comfortable and satisfied. I have no idea what all these negative comments are doing on this site, then again how often do you have FUN at the dentist? But, my experience was, like I said, AMAZING.

Posted 04/29/08 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I wish I read thses reviews before going to this dentist. This was my 1st visit and I went in for a cleaning. I made an 8:30 appointment and got in to see the dentist at 10:00am. I took this for a good sign because it was a busy witing room. Little did i know that most of thses people were 1st timers.They took a set of x-rays and again I had to go out and wait. I finally saw the dentist and pronounced my mouth in bad shape( I just saw my other dentist 6 months ago with no apparent problems. Unfortunately he is not on my new dental plan.) This dentist told me I had to remove a perfectly good cap and replace it with one that was "longer " while we we were doing that, lets replace the next tooth with a crown because he felt the filling was to large. he also said I needed a deep cleaning. He left the room and an office assistant returned with a chart of costs and said while I have good insurance, my cost was still 1100.00!!!! Sh did the hard sell ,even offering me financing.
I said I would just take the cleaning and they said they could not do that until I had this work done. like a fool I paid 500.00 up front. It bothered all day because I felt scammed. When I got home I found this website.
1st thing this morning I tried to get my credit card refunded and they said i coundn't because it would went to "coporate". I called my insurance company to tell them about scam artist and my credit card company to dispute the charge. A big pain in the ass but I learned a good lesson. This company should be on tv exsposed for what they are doing bilking the insurance company for uneeded work and ripping off the consumer.
By the way, there is nothing wrong with my teeth my old dentist said. i am switching back to my old insurance asap.

Posted 04/04/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I can corobrate nearly everything I have read here. My dental "insurance" - Smile Saver lists these folks in their directory of providers. I chose them because they were able to schedule my consultation within two weeks (something that none of the other dentists in the plan could do). I had not seen the dentists in 2 1/2 years, and was starting to have mild periodontitis symptoms when I sought their services. I went in for a consult, and was greeted by a D.D.S. that spoke very poor english (native italian I think), who was beyond rude. She was a complete sensationalist, saying that she hadn't seen gums as bad as mine in years (what a load), she then called in a tech and asked him to colloborate. They lay it on thick. Also, like other patients have mentioned, I then sought explaination for the $3k of under gum planing, antibioitc treatment, and fillings (refillings I should say). I got no explaination other than doom and gloom of the state of my mouth, the dentists (italian female) was not willing to explain much of anything, simply falling back on the fact that I needed work, and that none of it was negotiable. I should have RUN, as another reviewer indicates here. Instead, I booked my first visit. I then came in for 5 sessions in which they (deep) cleaned my gums, and applied antibiotic pads under my teeth. Now mind you, in the end, these things did work, but my original quote of $3k only covered 10 of these pads...once in my mouth, they asked if they could add more, and the prince went up $350 in that moment. The cleaning was exgruciating, and I later found out unnecessary. When it came down to getting my fillings redone (3), the dentists (not the non-english speaking woman, but another dentist), he ground my tooth down WAY too much after inserting the polymer filling in each tooth, the result is that one of my teeth is now sensitive to temperature, though it never was before. The final funness, is that upon going to the hygenist, who did 90% of the work to my mouth (the dentist only did the 3 fillings)...she shot a novacaine-like substance into a nerve near my nose, and it caused my heart rate to go through the roof for 2 incredibly scary minutes. These people ripped me off, caused me incredible pain, and in three instances did incredibly questionable things to my mouth and body. CAVEAT EMPTOR!!!

Posted 03/25/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I was absolutely appalled by my whole experience at this crooked office! I was made to wait for 2 hours, was lied to by the staff, was charged money for unnecessary procedures, and only saw the actual dentist for about 60 seconds! I was disgusted by this office and pursued them for a refund of all the money they tried to steal from me. The staff was well-trained to prevent me from speaking with anyone higher up the food-chain than the receptionist, but i was finally able to get my refund after threatening to get my credit card company involved.

Posted 02/25/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I hadn't been to the dentist in over 2 years so I suspected I needed more than just a standard cleaning so I made an appoint with HFD.

In short, HFD quoted me for thousands of dollars of work, to the point of it exceeding my annual dental insurance limit! I was told I had to pay around 1000.00 out of pocket for the work. Mind you this was for only periodontal work and the 1000.00 did not include what they wanted to bill to my insurance company.

Feeling that the price was high and not wanting to be taken for a ride, I made them run a predetermination through my insurance company. They kept trying to talk me out of running a predetermination. When I insisted, they finally told me that I would not be able to keep my original appointment because, according to HFD, a predetermination would take weeks. At this point I see red flags so I started looking for another dentist.

I felt like I had just walked out of a used car lot except that I wasn't expecting someone in a dental office to try and take advantage of my pocket book.

I ended up getting the second opinion. The result? I needed more than just periodontal work! It turns out in those two years, I had developed some cavities....lots of them! But here is the shocking part. The total cost for me at the 2nd office (with the cavity fillings and the periodontal work) was less than 300.00 out of pocket. I had more work done, was treated with respect and paid substantially less!

HFD is a high volume dental line that milks your insurance for what they can. Be warned....

Posted 02/14/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I chose Hillcrest Family Dental because they were listed on my insurance plan. I was a bit apprehensive because of the negative feedback on this site. But I had a very positive experience, there. The staff was friendly, the doctor was attentive and thorough, and I felt very much at ease, there. I never at any time felt that I was being pressured to have any work done that I was uncomfortable with. For example, the doctor suggested veneers in addressing some discoloring I have. But I didn't at all feel pressured to have the work done. As for the cost for the work they did, I have to say that dental procedures have always been very expensive, no matter where I've gone. Perhaps the people on this site who've complained about the cost don't have the greatest insurance. I know that how much you have to pay out of pocket can certainly make a difference. But the good news is that this facility offers you the opportunity to make payments, if necessary. I've rarely seen that with any other doctor's or dentist's office.

Posted 01/11/08 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I have always had a fine time for my check-ups and cleanings at this dentist office. They are courteous, friendly, and professional. I have even recommended them to friends!

Posted 01/09/08 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

This place is horrible. At first glance it looks great, but then you go in and it is assembly line dentistry. They said I need 4 fillings and multiple deep cleanings. All this was NOT covered by my insurance. I loved my previous dentist and dental hygienist, but I changed insurance and unfortunately ended up at this place. My previous dental hygienist always told me how perfect and beautiful my teeth were, and I did not have any cavities or problems that previous year. So how can it be possible that my teeth pretty much turned to crap in a year? Well they didn't, this place is a scam, they will work you and your insurance company for as much as they can get! I did one very painful deep cleaning with them and never went back for the fillings or other cleaning. I have since found a new dentist, he told me my gums are in great health and he found 1 cavity that he has since filled...Hillcrest Family Dental had said I needed 4 cavities filled, I knew they were crooks!!

Posted 12/13/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

So this surgery writes yet another 5 Star review to try and counter all of the negative reports written by former patients. I don't know how you sleep at night.

Posted 11/19/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

This office really provides dentistry in a comfortable environment. From front office, to the back, you can feel that all people work in great harmony by treating every patient with the utmost respect.

On recent visit, what surprised me most that the patient next to me was coming all the way from LA for a regular dental cleaning for a hygenist. She told me that after an awful experience in LA, she does not mind to drive all the way to this office, use this opportunity to visit a couple friends while she is in San Diego. My experience with the office have always been great. All the people working there, from front office to doctors and assistant always treated me with utmost respect. Going to a dental office is not more a pain for me and I would recommend this office to everyone.

Posted 11/15/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

What's funny about all these reviews is they're either 1 or 5, lol. The 1's are all consistent and report similar situations and shady treatment appointments, with consistent review names, not wanting to be known. Anyone seen Marathon Man? Check out the 5's all same reviews and obviuosly written by less that 2 people with obvious naming and with some training in advertising, 'Hillcrest Family Dentist is a friendly...'
I went in for my first 'check up' after changing insurance providers. My initial Dentist was fantastic, so I reluctantly changed. Without looking in my mouth I was told I needed Deep Cleaning, when I challenged the Hygienist saying I didn't need it and that my last dentist said my teeth were in excellent shape with 1-2 gum levels allround, she got defensive. She then put a camera in my mouth saying look at the TV, I said I didn't care to see, but she said 'No you have too'. She then left the room leaving me to watch a brainwashing DVD on Periodontis Disease, that she said I should watch, jeeeeeez. Followed by other priming visuals of 'Before' and 'After' shots including brand new hair dos in the 'Afters', lol. So there's me, sat there, chest pounding, knowing something was amiss...I got up and left as I said there was an emergency, there was, it was about to happen in my mouth. I didn't give the 'Doctor' chance to confirm my 'fears' that were just brainwashed via visuals and dvd presentations, phew!!!!

use this link direct to Dental Board of California to complain
http://www.dbc.ca.gov/consumers/complaint.html

Posted 11/13/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

...then go to Hillcrest Family Dental. I went in for an initial checkup and was told that I needed deep cleaning and that I would have to come in twice more. My first impression was that the staff was friendly, but the place was not very clean. I can live with that. First deep cleaning session was OK.

For the second deep cleaning session, I had the same dental hygenist as the last time. I received a couple of shots on the right side of my mouth and then all of the sudden a shot on the left side. When I told the dental hygenist about this, she argued with me. It wasn't until everything from my nose down was obviously asleep that she believed me.

To this day I regret not doing anything about this. I actually let them continue because I wanted to get the cleaning over with. Listen to these reviews. Choose another dentist.

Posted 10/23/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

If you like to expect a professional service, friendly staff, painless dentistry and reasonable fees, this is the best office you can find around Hillcrest, Downtown and Mission Valley. This is according to my and most of my collegues' opinion visiting this office for dental need.

The office is high tech, decorated very well and clean. All staff including doctors are very friendly.
The only negative is that the office is pretty busy and you need to get your appointment in advance.

Finally, I attest the positive comments stated on this site. Simply, ignore the comments by those anonymous people. They are usually disgruntled people and their unsatisfaction are usually due to reasons unrelated to dental service and they are probably the ones who ask free customary cleaning with heavy gum problems and then turn and sue the office later when they loose their teeth for not providing deep cleaning at the first place.

Posted 10/19/07 | Report Abuse

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Read all the reviews about this office on other websites. They are a scam. They told me I needed thousands of dollars worth of dental work which I did not need. They scared me to death making me think I had severe dental problems. Before I left my initial visit they signed me up for a payment plan and charged me in advance for work to be completed at a later date. When I later refused their highly overpriced services they refused to give me even a regular teeth cleaning (which would have been covered by my insurance). It took several months and many phone calls in order to get them to refund my money (in the mean time I had to continue paying for it). I went to another dentist and did not require any of the services they said I needed.

Posted 10/02/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

There must be a reason that this office has so many patients. I think that main reasons are that they have great experienced doctors and the office is a very well maintained and clean high-tech office with pleasant people.

The front office staff are very friendly and informative as well as the doctors. You are given clear explanations regarding the diagnose, financing and receive great treatment. The deep-cleaning and medication has finally treated my ever lasting bleeding problem.

I would definitely recommend this office to everyone especially those seeking a second opinion. Their high tech equipments will leave no doubt on your mind regarding the diagnose and detailed explanations regarding the treatment and financing would make you satisfied and comfortable.

I have always enjoyed my painless visits to this office.

Posted 07/03/07 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

My family have been coming to this office for few years. This office offer personalized dental care at reasonable rates in a caring, supportive atmosphere. The front staff are particularly pleasant and friendly. The doctors look out for his patient's best interests in their dental health. I was made it clear when something is optional especially if it is a radical treatment. We have been always very satisfied with the treatments we received. The hygenist in the office is excellent, thorough and a breath of fresh air. I think their charges are often within the reasonable and customary range. They are very committed to the patient relationship and to giving excellent service. I would highly recommend them.

Posted 06/27/07 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Oh, how I wish I would have read these other reviews before wasting my time and money. Lesson Learned: Trust your gut!I was at this office for 2 hours and only had my x-rays taken - not even a basic cleaning which is all I came in for. They told me I had to come in for 3 visits to complete a deep cleaning that was obviously necessary. After the first visit of hardly any work being done, I cancelled my remaining appointments . . . $400 later.The guy put that tiny camera in my mouth and showed me how disgusting my gums and teeth were - which they aren't, and told me we should take preventative care in treating them. He said it would take 3 sessions of irrigation and I would need Arestin, an antibiotic that would help prevent further problems. He also said it was plain to see that I had cavities that any regular person could see.The doctor came in to look at my teeth and the images on the screen and said I had no cavities and that I was at stage 1 or 2 of Periodontal Gum Disease and had to do this treatment.She left and the guy went over everything again and kept the images on the screen to reinforce how bad my mouth was. He recommended I come back for the 2 treatments of irrigation, deep cleaning and a follow up visit. Then he left for about 10 min. I had already been there for 2 hours and was very irritable. I was about to leave the office when I heard a commotion then he came running after me into the lobby in a state of panic. (I now wonder if he's working on commission) He said, "Where are you going???" I thought I was finished after 2 hours and nothing was done. I had to return to work! He took me back to the room and told me the treatment was going to cost $750. I told him I wasn't going to pay that, and he looked shocked. He began hustling me like mechanic or used car salesman. I was kind of upset at this confrontation. There's no way I was going to pay $750 before having any treatment done. But they use intimidation and manipulation tactics. I ignored my gut for fear of really having problems and said I would have the treatment but pay in stages. After 10 minutes of this, I finally left.At my first appointment, they were 20 minutes late just like the first time, which irritated me because I busted my butt to get there on time. I went in and the hygienist did the deep cleaning on half my mouth with a drill. I got stared at by a gross doctor in the office. Looking around the back room, it was much different than the appearance in the lobby. There was nasty paint chipping off the walls, the door was missing but the hinges were still there. It looked second rate and I felt like I was in a slummy office. As I was leaving and paid $350! One of the other doctors was talking to the receptionist and rubbed his stomach which was hanging out of his shirt over his pants! It was just very unprofessional.I went home and called my old family dentist and explained the situation and she said it sounded like a scam and they would use Arestin on me for free if I liked.I cancelled my final appointments with no argument.I am now writing a nice letter with other reviews like the ones on this site to my insurance company, the Better Business Bureau, KUSI Turko Files and the Trouble Shooter, and any other online Fraud/Reporting agencies I can find. I'm sorry if you've found this site too late, like I did. Let's help get them out of business and save other the money and hassle.

Posted 06/19/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I've had a decent experience at this office with nothing that was unexpected to complain about. I say only decent because this is a dentist office were talking about, nothing pleasurable about visits such as these.

After reading all the reviews here, half of which are negative, I can't help but to think back to similar experiences I've had with Vet visits for my cats, and work I've had to get done to my car. All three of these types of business are well designed to up-sell the customer. One should not go any of these places if one is uninformed, lacking in some common sense, or not expecting to be up-sold. Even restaurants will do the same thing when you go out to eat. You may not be thinking you want or even have room for that desert, but when they stick the cart in front of you, BAM! Your up-sold. It's just not as costly to be up-sold a dessert at your local dining fare as it is at the dentist.

I may be wrong, but if your gums are not red, puffy and painful, then you probably don't need a deep, under the gum cleaning. Refuse it for a standard cleaning and leave if not granted one. If your tooth hurts so bad that it's all you can think about every second of the day until the dentist can see you, you probably need a root-canal. If that's not the case and your told you need a root-canal, it's probably a judgment call, or what my Navy Dentist used to say, Preventative Dentistry. They can look at an X-Ray and see trouble looming. Fix it now, and you won't have to deal with the inevitable pain. If the tooth does not hurt, and it's an x-ray find, then wait if you don't have the money or want a second opinion. I've always waited until the tooth started hurting and the end result is always the same. Drill, Fill, Crown. If you decide to and can afford to take care of it early, then you guessed it...Drill, Fill, Crown. Either way is basically the same accept if you get it done early, you won't have to be reduced to a whimpering, tearful remnant of yourself every time you take a breath or your heart beats. I've found this type of pain usually starts and the end of the business day on Friday. Ahhh, nothing like a tooth-ache you get to enjoy all weekend!

And remember, if you choose to get either of these procedures done here in the States, your going to pay a lot. Sometimes a whole lot. If your not wanting to pay a whole lot, shop around for a place that will only charge a lot. That's your right. We live in a great country, not only are we capitalists where we can charge as much for our services as the market will bare, but there is also rent, equipment, employees, and insurance to pay for. HFDC is in a nice, quiet location near 3rd and Thorn and the facilities are pleasant to be in. If you don't believe me, try a dentist office in Imperial City or San Ysidro to save a buck or two.

No matter where you go, if your in a lot of pain, just ask for the bare minimum to stabilize the condition and then shop around for the rest. I've done this, and it works. Usually, they will cater to your needs/desires to keep you there. Just be firm in a pleasant way. Nobody likes to deal with an Arse, you have to be nice.

I've always walked into Hillcrest Family Dental Center with a good attitude and it's always been returned. I believe Dr. Cori (sp?), though sometimes hard to understand, has a wonderful accent to listen to. I've never had a problem asking her to repeat herself when I didn't understand, and she's always done so with a smile.

Also, when it became clear to her what my financial situation was, she worked with me to make what I needed to have done a little easier on my wallet. I can't thank her enough for that, and it proves my previous point.

I did have a little tit-for-tat with a male dentist that took care of a filling for me. I could only afford the amalgam filling, old-school style silver/mercury, and after repeating myself a myriad of times that I did not want, and could not afford, the composite filling, I finally got my way. Even after that I had to listen to the Doc. blather on about how he hadn't done one of these types of fillings in fifteen years and he was hoping he could remember how to do it. That sort of nonsense I had a problem with. First to try so hard for the sale, and then to lie about not doing one for so long to make me feel uncomfortable about the procedure. I can't imagine a dentist not doing an amalgam filling for that long. My goat was got. If the drilling had not already been done, I would have walked out.

I think the most important thing we should remember when going into a place that has the opportunity to up-sell us, just be firm in what you actually want or feel you need. If you have to be talked into something, it's probably not necessary, or you may not be financially able. If it's the latter, tell them again what you want and if they don't want to do it, then take your business elsewhere.

Posted 06/05/07 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I am glad that I got a second opinion in this office after being told to pay a fortune for some cosmetic work I needed in another dental office. The front office made an excellent first impression by being very friendly. I did not mind that I would be admitted 15 minutes late for my appointmet. I watched TV and noticed that how beautifully decorated the waiting room. The second thing I noticed is the cleanness in the office. All the countertops are shining, the dark colored hard wood floors - yes dark brown hard woods- were so beautiful and clean.

The office has high tech equipments. The diagnose was not so different than the first office but the reall difference was the attitude of the dental assistant/coordinator and the doctor and of course the total bill. The diagnose was smilar to what other office told me but I was quoted hundreds of less than what I was told in another office. I had to come for 2 more visits to complete my treatment and extemely satified with the service I got and with my beautiful new crowns. I would definetely recommend this office and you also GET A SECOND OPINION IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITH YOUR DENTIST.

Posted 06/02/07 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

Wow - i wish i'd read these reviews BEFORE going. I was there yesterday for my initial exam. I was there two hours and all I got was 15 min of x-rays and about 10 minutes with the doctor. While I was waiting, some guy named Alex came in and showed me all these photos of gum disease, made me watch a DVD, put a camera in my mouth and pointed out how badly damaged my gums were. Then the dentist finally comes in and tells me how concerned she is by my gums. There are also posters and photos of periodontal disease all over the office.

After a quick examination, the dentist tells me I need deep cleaning and must make two apointments in order to get it. On my way out, Alex pulls me aside and shows me all the costs associated with the deep cleaning. I ask him if I can have the basic cleaning covered by my insurance and he says NO. What kind of office doesn't give you a basic cleaning? What if I can't afford a deep cleaning? Ridiculous. I also told him that I am really careful about taking care of my teeth, go twice a year to the dentist, brush and floss everyday and all my previous dentists never found any issues. And he says, most dentists are lazy and miss signs of gum disease. Hmm, I find it hard to believe that my last four dentists (yes, I move a lot) all failed to see what Hillcrest Family dental said were "obvious" signs of gum disease.

So thankfully, my internal alarms were ringing and I told Alex I was going to get a second opinion before returning for any cleaning. I called 3 places who all said that they should offer the basic cleaning no matter what; and that the deep cleaning would be in addition to it. They were surprised that HFD would not give me the basic cleaning and were pressuring me to have the deep cleaning.

In any case, stay away from this place! They are all about scamming you for money by scaring you into thinking you need a bunch of services that are conveniently not covered by insurance. There are so many better places to choose from in SD.

Posted 05/18/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

After my wife refused to return to this dental office due to dust balls on the floor and overall lack of cleanliness, I requested that Hillcrest Family Dental Center refund the balance for the work which they had not yet performed. It took several calls for me to have the necessary form provided to me. Once received I filled it out and immediately faxed it back. I left messages with the receptionist for the office manager and then contacted their corporate office. I never received a return call.

Today, I called again and was fortunate enough that the office manager picked up the telephone. I was told that the credit is in line for processing to my credit card in 1 week.

It did not take them 1 week to charge my card. It will have taken approx. 4 weeks to receive a credit.

Neither my wife nor I will return to this office and if we don't receive our money back, we will see them in Court.

Beware.

Posted 04/23/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I had a PPO before my office switched to an HMO. The one thing that my job did not explain was the difference. I am glad that Hillcrest Family Dental took the time to explain how my HMO benefits operates.

From the moment I walked in the door, I was greeted by two very freindly front office girls.They even asked how was my day. I felt very relaxed and in good care. As I was called back for xrays and exam I found the back office clean and with high tech equipment. After my appointment I was suprised at how much I would have to pay. I did my own research and agree with the doctors diagnosis. I also discovered that dental BENEFITS is not insurance. Hillcrest Family Dental did not try to scam me. In fact they are trying to educate me on my dental needs.

I made a decision that my HMO will NOT dictate my dental needs. I would rather pay a reduced rate for services that will help bring my mouth to its best health.

For those of you who do not agree with the doctors diagnosis, then simply GET A SECOND OPINION. Do not try to discredit an office that has serviced its community for years. There is a reason that they have so many patients. They do a great job and provide a truely needed service. I have always enjoyed my visit and will recommend this office to all.

Lets face the facts, Dentistry is expensive and our benefits do not cover what we truly need. Maybe you all that have a problem with Hillcrest Family Dental or any other dental office should direct your rude and mean behavior toward the BENIFIT company that takes your money on a monthly bases.

Posted 03/21/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I have been going to Hillcrest Family Dental for more than 3 years. It is never fun to go to a dentist but this office is as good as it gets for someone difficult like me. I was always treated with respect. I think that the diagnosing doctor explains everything in detail and diagnose conservatively. Of course, digital X-ray and monitor helps you to see your problem very clearly and does not leave a doubt regarding to the diagnose. Hillcrest Family Dental had been recently renovated and it is very classy and hygenic. I discovered that their list prices are much less than the other offices nearby. It is sometimes difficult to have a cleaning appointment with short notice and therefore make your appoinment well in advance.

Posted 03/19/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

The people at this office talked me into getting a crown that I am more or less certain I did not need. (You ask: then why did you get it done? Frankly, because I'm a wee bit gullible and willing to trust the advice of an officious-sounding dentist. Plus, I was only in town for a short while and couldn't get any other dentist to see me for a second opinion in time.) They told me that my tooth was cracked on four faces when, in fact, I was fairly certain that it was only cracked on two or three. They told me that I was feeling pain and sensitivity when I clearly told them that I was not.

Moreover, the dental assistant who did most of the work on my mouth spoke barely-intelligible English, and his explanations of what he was doing were impossible to understand.

However, I will say that they were efficient in doing the work, and seemed to do it well and thoroughly.

Posted 03/18/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

After changing my insurance, I chose this office due to a referral from a friend who found the charges very reasonble and people professional.

The office is very clean, private and organized. I found everyone very friendly including the doctor. You feel that she cares. The quality of dental service is excellent.

By the way, I noticed the frustrations in the reviews of some patients below who found the services unsatisfactory. I felt the same way with my previous dental offices. Then, I realized that my dissatisfaction lies first with the insurance coverage and then the office. If you are paying a $10 a month, it is not an insurance and your yearly amount does not even cover the cost of a half an hour visit. Unless you have excellent teeths and gums, your benefits does not go so far and you will be frustrated. You will be better off picking up a free office visit coupon from your mail box for any dentist then paying $10 a month for referral service called insurance with hard to get benefits.

Posted 03/08/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I had a very positive and pleasant experience in this office where I got cosmetic work done and recommend to anyone.

Front Office: Friendly people trying to accomodate your request
Back Office: Very clean, striking and equiped with high tech instruments
Doctors: Seen by two doctors both were very professional
Insurance: I have PPO and did not have any problem and my share of the insurance was acceptable

Posted 03/02/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

My experiences with Hillcrest Family Dental were actually so bad that I changed my dental plan so I could go elsewhere. After I switched, my roommate had recounted one of the stories of my experience to her dentist (the one about my $550 cleaning that took them less than 20 minutes), who practices nearby, and they asked which dentist she was referring to.

When she told them, they LAUGHED. They said this office has a reputation of over-inflated estimates and unnecessary treatments.

Do yourself a favor and choose another dentist immediately.

Posted 02/26/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

They charged me $410 for Arestin Antibiotics and that was only one side!!! When compared to other places it was waaaay more!!! some places charge only $100 for each side!! stay away!

Posted 02/19/07 | Report Abuse

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?

I can confirm the negative experiences with Hillcrest Family Dental posted on this site:

I went in for a routine checkup. I did not have cavities. They used the camera that others have mentioned and showed me how "bad" my teeth were. I brush and floss regulary but had not been to the dentist for a year so when they recommended the "deep" cleaning I agreed.

My insurance covers regular cleanings but their recommended cleaning cost my insurance $900 and me an additional $100 (remember that my insurance told me this visit would be free assuming I just needed routine cleaning). This treatment included "irrigation" which, as others have testified, couldn't be done in one visit. So I had to leave and come back (THE SAME DAY). To top it off the "irrigation" was about the most unpleasant dental experiences I've ever had.

As stated I take care of my teeth but hadn't seen a dentist in a year so I took responsibility for this unpleasant experience. They would soon prove me wrong.

When I went back four months later for my next regularly scheduled cleaning I saw a different hygenist. She was very nice and told me the whole time that she could tell I take good care of my teeth. She even went so far as to say that she didn't have to do much cleaning.

HOWEVER when I went up to the front desk to check out and schedule my next cleaning, they presented me with a bill for $78.

I showed them my insurance policy indicating that routine cleaning were fully covered and refused to pay. The desk attendant indicated that the extra charge was for "irrigation." I had experienced "irrigation" the first time around and knew, of course, that I DID NOT get that done (unless they want to charge me $78 and my insurance co. who knows how much to "rinse and spit" and call it "irrigation").

I objected again and the attendant went to consult with the head doctor who had checked the work of the hygenist. He came back and indicated that they had performed "mild irrigation" and wouldn't charge me this time but that I will be charged for it next time.

I will not be going back. This place has the business model of an auto repair shop and clearly has no qualms about fleecing you for uneccesary or unperformed work.

Visit this clinic at your own risk.

Posted 02/07/07 | Report Abuse

Was this review helpful to you?

I was referred to this office by a friend. After reading some review, I hesitated but nicely suprised from the start and completely satisfied at the end. Even though this is a family dental center, most people look professionals from Hillcrest and Downtown area. Maybe, that explaines the number of reviews this office is getting. I found the office very friendly, clean and the doctors professional. I had painless visits in terms of both treatment and cost and recommend this office to everyone.

Posted 02/04/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful to you?