Stuart H Goodman, DDS PC

I am certain is unprecedented. 3 years after he did a whack job on my root canal it is still bothering me. My tooth hurts and I thought the main thing after having a root canal was that you don’t feel anything?! I had another one done a couple of years ago by a dental STUDENT and it was done well. Dr Goodman literally did the entire thing in 40 mins, little did I know that root canals happen over a period of three weeks! Please please do not go to this man. He gets all the business in the streeterville area so he couldn’t care less. I know! Because here I am, long gone from Chicago and still talking about his horrible work.

I just got back from Dr. Goodman’s office and feel compelled to write a review because this was the most painless dentist appointment I have ever had! He was very sweet and gentle with my teeth and gums, and he was also fast. I am blessed with naturally strong teeth and never have any cavities or other issues, but always hated going to the dentist because of the sound the scraper makes when they clean your teeth. Dr. Goodman actually cleaned my teeth himself and he uses a different kind of scraper that doesn’t make that nails-​on-​a-​chalkboard sound. So glad I found him!

Like David D., I can’t help but feel that I got hustled here. It’s the first time that it has happened to me at any dental office, anywhere in the world. I went here once and never returned again.
With my cash in their pocket for the most ridiculously overpriced cleaning ever, I doubt that they’ll care a great deal. Cash for a covered service, is it? That’s a first for me.

Unbelievably rude awful terrible service. Do not waste your time with this horrible dentist’s office that isn’t open Thursdays or Fridays and chastised us for asking whether they could meet us those days. We’ve been there several times in the past and *were* patients…
Best part of the conversation «What do you do that you can’t come in Mon-​Wed?» I work, I travel, and I sure as heck don’t visit your office because of its terrible customer service!

Wow, gotta agree with the girl that is surprised. I have been going to Dr. Goodman since 1995, no problems ever! He is the nicest, kindest dentist. I have had 2 root canals and crowns. I feel like there were times when he forgot to bill me for a few months. He had staff that were formerly flakey but they no longer work there. I highly recommend him. I don’t think people realize how little your dental insurance actually covers! (at least mine does not cover it all). I trust him and am sad to see these reviews…

Didn’t even get to see this dentist. I called in to schedule an appointment as a new patient, and the receptionist was rude and unhelpful. So I switched immediately.

***Update Jan 2011*** — Although I hadn’t set foot in this guy’s office in over a year, he took it upon himself to bill my credit card last month!
Completely unauthorized and without my knowledge. This guy is bad news folks! ********
Wish I read Unilocal before going here! I only chose him because he was the closest dentist to me that was in my Insurance plan’s network. Never again will I make a decision like this based on location!!!
I went in for a routine check up and they recommended that I have an additional treatment done. I have good insurance, but they quoted me an out of pocket cost cost around $ 400, which I agreed to.
A few days later I looked at my Insurance coverage and found that the treatment was fully covered under my plan and I shouldn’t have incurred any out of pocket costs. At this point I’m not upset or anything and just figured «no problem, just an oversight and it can be rectified». My Insurance Company advised me to get copies of the receipts for the work done and they’d verify that a mistake was made.
I called Dr. Goodman’s office and asked for this information but they kept saying they would not provide it to me and that Dr. Goodman insisted I talk to him directly. They kept saying he’d call me back but he never did.
Finally I got through to him and he would not provide any information over the phone and he insisted I come down to his office to speak in person. I explained that this was a tremendous inconvenience for me and this was a simple request that should not require me to come to his office. At this point he became rude, condescending and started to berate me as to how this was a huge inconvenience for HIM and unless I came to his office the matter would not be discussed.
I made an appointment to see him, spent 30 minutes in the waiting room and he finally brings me to his office where he acknowledged that they did in fact make a mistake by charging me. But he then spends the next 30 minutes trying to guilt me into paying him out of my pocket anyway!!! He ranted about how my form of Insurance coverage does not allow dentist’s to make money, how the economy is tough for dentists, etc. That despite his billing mistake, I still got a good deal (how $ 400 vs. free is a «good deal» I’ll never know!!) and I should consider not asking for my money back, but if I did want a refund he would honor my request.
This had to be one of the most unprofessional experiences I can remember ever having. They screw up, and I wind up getting berated over the phone, have to take time off work and trek down to their office, only to be guilt tripped into trying to pay out of my pocket when my insurance covered the treatment in full.
The did refund my money. I was not initially upset that a mistake had been made, but was mortified by the way their office and Dr. Goodman treated me after fact. It was inexcusable.

I should have looked up this dentist on Unilocal before going. I got to the office and the front desk staff was okay, but when I got inside I saw very flimsy looking equipment. The «cleaning» was done by a overly friendly lady but was really fast, and not thorough. I have never had a cleaning take 8 minutes. The x-​rays were displayed on a screen and from across the office the dentist told me that I had a large amount of decay under a cracked filling that needed to be taken care of and to make an appointment at the desk. That was the extent of my contact with him. It was very unprofessional. He did not show me what he was referring to or explain what needed to be done. On the way out I was feeling very uneasy about coming back, and it was at that point that I was told to bring cash for the dental work next time. Check? Credit card? Seemed very fishy. I decided to trust my gut and went to another dentist that was highly recommended on Unilocal.They were very professional, had great equipment, and took a proper set of x-​rays. They told me the x-​rays Goodman’s office had taken were not even done at a proper angle and did not cover all the teeth. Upon inspection with x-​rays and a digital camera that takes pictures of teeth, the new dentist informed me that I had no cracked filling and no decay at all.
In conclusion, I was lied to in attempt to get $. I’m pretty sure someone could lose their license for that. And they wanted cash. Pretty shady. I would recommend going elsewhere.

Wow, I just don’t get the other reviewers here. I’ve been going to Dr. Goodman since 2005 and I just kind of picked him on a whim because he was on my plan. Yes, the office staff can be a bit flaky (ahem — his wife) but everyone is friendly and accommodating. After 38 years of going to dentists, Dr. Goodman is the only one that sits there and explains what is happening to you and why he is doing it/​what your options are etc.
He is conservative and doesn’t just drill for money. He’s also very calming and compassionate. He stops the minute you flinch. (His assistant is great as well and they make a good team).
I had some cement on my teeth from braces I had taken off in 1982 and Dr. Goodman is the only one who spotted it after 23 years! I thought is was a yellow stain and voila, he just zapped it off!
Let’s put it this way — Goodman is like the Jimmy Buffet of dentistry. (a PHD Jimmy Buffett) He’s laid back and calm, but he knows a hell of a lot.

NIGHTMARE!!! The office staff is a nightmare. I never got the see the dentist, so I don’t know how the dentist is. I am in Cigna HMO, and therefore I needed to be on the roster to see them. Cigna told me I was already on the roster, but after calling the office many times, they told me I wasn’t on it. Then I called Cigna again, an associate told me she would fax them the paperwork. Then I called the dentist’s office. The manager was so rude and unprofessional on the phone, saying they wouldn’t accept fax, and that Cigna would have to call them directly. I will never want to have anything to do with them again. Worst nightmare!!!

This office is so freakin unprofessional and disorganized that it makes my head hurt– every time I have to call them. And Marie (the receptionist), you are a psycho and I KNOW that you are not the manager.
After having numerous problems with this office, mostly caused by aggravation from their receptionist, I’m officially switching dentists and filing a grievance with my insurance company about this office. First of all, this office only uses PAPER RECORDS! No computers, which means no computerized appointment system and all of my personal info (including credit card info) in writing. And so [one of] my stories about this awful place begins… I called on January 5^th to verify the date of my appointment (which I had to book 3 months in advance). I was told that they can’t look up my appointment because the receptionist was out sick and they «don’t know how to do that». I left my phone number and they said they’d get back to me. I called again the next day, January 6^th, and the receptionist was still out sick. I AGAIN left my phone number (because they had misplaced it), and told them that I really didn’t want to miss the appointment since I had to book so far in advance. I was told that even if they didn’t get back to me right away, I would receive a reminder call the day before the appointment. FAST FWD ONE WEEK… no phone call yet. I called yesterday (Jan 14) to again check about the appointment and guess what? Marie informs me that I missed it (JAN freaking 7^th– I called on the 5^th and 6^th!) AND that I owe them $ 75 for missing it. AND that they couldn’t re-​book me until I paid. AND they’re now booking for the end of March. AND the only reason that my credit card wasn’t charged already is that they couldn’t read their own handwriting of my CREDIT CARD NUMBER— ON PAPER in that nightmare of an office. About that reminder phone call? Marie said that she was out sick so that’s not her fault… Um, so apparently that’s MY fault?! She then went into some speech about how the hygenist had to sit there for an hour waiting for me, and how if she removed the $ 75 balance from my account (my handwritten account in her freaking Trapper-​Keeper!!) that it would somehow come out of her paycheck. When I asked to speak to a manager, Marie (again, the receptionist) informs me that «Yea, um, I am the manager, and um, that’s our policy and um, it’s very strict and no matter who you talk to that’s what they’re going to say sooo…»
Soooo??? So I’m switching dentists. I’ve had enough of these crazies! And P. S. I have to settle any unpaid balances before I can even book an appointment with my new dentist under my insurance policy. That’s why I’m filing the grievance. Serious grief!
UPDATE: I just called again to discuss the $ 75 unpaid balance, and I’ve been informed that THEY will let ME slide this one time… um, riiiiight. Definitely switching dentists.

I’ve never even been to this dentist, but my husband has and, like the other reviewers, he, too, has often commented on the chaotic nature of the office… it’s too complicated to even begin to describe some of the issues he’s dealt with regarding scheduling appointments there. What prompted me to review, though, is the very unhelpful conversation I just had with their receptionist.
Before I begin, I should note that this place, unlike any other I’ve seen before, requires payment up front and then once the insurance check is cut they sign it over to the patient and then mail it to you… wah? Dr. Goodman doesn’t want to wait to see if insurance will cover your procedure or wait on processing, so he makes his patients pay first? What’s the point of having insurance?
Anyway, because I take care of the bills, I saw that there was a letter from the insurance, copied to Dr. Goodman’s office, saying that they needed some radiographs submitted before they could provide full payment. Along with this was something indicating that they had cut a check for partial payment. I called to see a.) whether Dr. Goodman’s office had that check and whether or not they had signed it over and sent it to my husband (again, a *ridiculous* and convoluted process and that’s saying something when it comes to dealing with insurance) and b.) whether they had sent the radiographs. The receptionist kept pretending to go check on things and then would come back and say, «I’m sure whoever deals with this would have sent everything off» and «why don’t you wait a few weeks and if you don’t see a check then call the insurance company and tell them that we were supposed to send it but didn’t?» When I tried to (very calmly and not at all with any attitude) explain that I was assuming they would keep track of these things and wanted her to simply verify whether or not they’d done what they’d been requested (and whether they’d sent off the check which they wouldn’t have to do in the first place if they were like any other medical office), she got kind of huffy and started calling me «Ma’am.» You know the tone, the one implying a sigh and an eyeroll and that *I’m* the one that’s crazy?
Well, I just hope my husband switches dentists soon… plus they made him get a «deep cleaning» that he’s not sure he needed.

I agree with the other reviewer. While the dental hygienist is skilled, knowledgeable, and friendly, Dr Goodman is anything but, and the office is chaotic.
On my visit yesterday he barely acknowledged my presence in the chair as he stood right in front of my trying to trouble shoot the computer. When I told him I was unhappy with the results of a past treatment, he just looked at me. No response, back to the computer. My entire visit was with the hygienist — the doc didn’t look at my teeth at all. I am not returning.

My suspicions were right. Unilocalers beware, Dr. Goodman is no good man. He did not catch what has now become THREE CAVITIES. I am so pissed off that I now need fillings, which I am doing with another dentist. Please, go to anyone else but this guy. All he cares about is the reimbursement from your insurance company, and nothing else.
Dr. Goodman, instead, tried to get me to pay for all these expensive whitening treatments, which I didn’t want, never mentioned, and had no idea my off-​white teeth were that offensive. Also, why did he make the assumption that I would want cosmetic dentistry?! Further, I explained I wasn’t interested because I already have sensitive teeth, but he kept pushing.
Dr. Goodman is about as trustworthy as a greasy old-​car salesman. I know lots of students must have inadvertently picked him because he is the closest dentist to Northwestern’s Chicago campus on the Aetna student health list. JUST DON’T DO IT!!! Get on a bus, the El, or walk to anyone else. If you want a specific recommendation, message me.

I will never deal with this office again. I am a student and some other students I know went here and said they had an ok experience. Maybe it’s just me being picky, but if you do not give me good customer service or at least act competent, then I will not give you the time of day.
I have been eligible for dental insurance since September 1, and as of today (October 7) they are still not making an appointment for me b/​c they say I am not on their «list», even though I have contacted Aetna student health and they have confirmed that I have been on this elusive «list» since September 1. I told the office that if I was not on the list then just make an appointment for me and I will pay out of pocket if my insurance isn’t going through, and the woman on the phone told me that they’ve had problems with people trying to «trick» them and so she wouldn’t make an appointment. WTF!!! After that I switched over to Dr. Kushner.

Yeah, i would agree. competent is the best i can say. i gave him 2 stars only because had a cavity, and he filled it and it was fine, but in the process told me i was on the verge of palatal collapse (???) and needed braces IMMEDIATELY and referred to an orthodontist in the same plan… well, in 30+ years of regular cleanings with dentists every where i’ve lived i’ve never heard this… and when my husband went, he tried to sell him Veneers… we only started going to him because my husband got dental insurance and he was on the plan… but we dropped that insurance and went back to our old dentist.
scheduling with his office is a nightmare especially if you are a dental insurance patient so plan accordingly. even after the bad experience, i went ahead and made my second appt of the year (only going back to him because i had been paying the insurance premiums each month and was owed a 2^nd cleaning)…and his office called to cancel the week before, that the dentist was going out of town, and then couldn’t see me until after january… so i lost out on that cleaning that i was owed and his office didn’t even apologize. again, they were pretty rude about the whole thing.
anyway, ditched that insurance and went back to my former dentist, who assured me that cosmetically i may want braces, but i could live just fine without them… phew.
the guy is nice enough, but i really just got the feeling they were trying to get me to submit as many claims as possible. not a good feeling. going to the dentist in general is unpleasant enough without all that.

I’ve had an up and down experience with Dr. Goodman. He’s a good dentist and I feel comfortable putting my pearly whites in his hands. The issues arise with his office staff. For a while his wife was running the office and scheduling appointments was a nightmare. Handling your insurance was also not their forte. Now they have hired some additional administrative staff and I’ve had good experiences recently. Reserving further judgment until I see some consistency.