Montefiore DEpartment of Dentistry

Did you ever think of where to go when you are in pain and have no dental coverage?
I’ve read some horrible reviews on Unilocal,and it scared the shit out of me, not to mention my phobia of dentists.
I did a little research on Unilocal,and found that this place has only one review, so I looked up their web page. It contained a decent amount of information, but the most important thing was walk in emergencies were accepted. And not just an emergency room visit, take some Tylenol, and call a real dentist the next morning, but an actual, real live dentist.
So, I called in for more info, and decided to ask my boss to leave work early. I got there, and was told to sign in. The room was completely full. Apparently this is also a fully functional dentist office with patients, and not just a «school» where you get inexperienced kids playing doctor with your mouth.
Here is the reason for the three stars: the waiting time was ridiculous. I singed in at two fifteen, in complete and uter pain. It got to the point where I passed out a few times while waiting. The last time I woke up, there was one person left there waiting. I understand they must be overwhelmed, but still, I guess I’m letting the pain still speak for me.
Then Dr. Nolan came out and asked what was I doing here… apparently they were closing up for the day. I explained my wait and he immediately apologized. I went in did some x-​rays, and was in the chair in less than ten minutes. Obvious diagnosis, an extraction was needed.
Suffice to say, I didn’t feel a thing. It was over in five minutes. I didn’t feel a thing. I knew they were closing but Dr. Nolan did take some time to discuss some options for me for future visits, and I was very grateful.
***** FIVE STARS for the service provided by Dr. Nolan and the staff there. I will be coming back. Though this time it will be with an appointment.
I promise to revisit this review in February.

Simply awful.
I went there because my company suddenly gave us an option of buying into a dental insurance plan, which I did — but of course, we had to go to a specified list of providers. Montefiore department of dentistry was the one I picked (hey, Monte is supposed to be good, right?). I was due for a cleaning, so that’s the appointment I scheduled.
My dentist was Dr. Baskes. After an hour and a half of waiting for my appointment (I was on time, they were behind), I was escorted by a very gloomy nurse into an Xray room. I told her that I had had a full set of Xrays only 3 months prior — to which she responded: «You have to do Xrays here, we don’t accept external» — and left the room.
After I meekly agreed to the Xrays, I saw Dr. Baskes. He looked at the Xrays and briefly into my mouth (not even using tools, he just peeked in!) and said: «You have no teeth problems. Let’s schedule you an appointment for cleaning». I told him that the present appointment was supposed to be for cleaning, but he said «That’s not how it works. You’ll have to come back.» Well, why not charge the insurance company TWICE for services + Xrays? Clearly, my comfort, my having to take more time off work didn’t matter.
A month and a half later (oh yes, appointments are practically impossible to schedule, and they give you no flexibility. They offer you one date and one time slot — take it or leave it) Dr. Baskes was finally cleaning my teeth. But how! First off, he was interrupted by dental students or residents coming in and asking questions. This happened 5 times! Dr. Baskes either paused whatever he was doing, or just carried on the conversation while scraping at my teeth. And it wasn’t a «yes» or «no» answer — these were decision-​making (for other patients) conversations. Rude, inattentive, sloppy! The entire tooth-​cleaning procedure took 10 minutes. He first poked around a little with the metal tool (he only scraped my front teeth, didn’t even bother with the molars), and then polished — only the very front incisors! I have never had a «cleaning» like this! I swear, I would have done a better job by myself!!!
I since dropped my company’s dental insurance, and Dr. Baskes with it. I now go to Dr. Howard Kronenberg in Manhattan — he was my dentist before. He is expensive. I pay out of pocket. But at least I am sure that my teeth are getting care of.
Bottom line: avoid Monte dentistry, and Dr. Baskes especially!