Barry L Fong, DDS

I went in today for a root canal surgery after a referral to this office from my dentist.
Dr. Fong and the two ladies that attended me were awesome! They explained everything to me (the condition of my tooth, what the procedure was going up be like, and all of the insurance information) thoroughly and we’re really nice and courteous. Now, I am not a complainer, so I don’t expect to be babied through the process (unlike some of the other people who reviewed this place…) so my root canal was as pleasant as a root canal could be. Aside from the anesthesia injections, I didn’t feel anything (nothing!) Dr. Fong also made sure to let me know what he was doing but he also didn’t keep talking the whole time and let me just lay back and try to relax.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with my experience here. I can’t recommend this place enough! :)

Dr. Fong was very patient and caring. He explained everything thoroughly and always called the night of any type of work to make sure I was okay. He seems to be a perfectionist which is what you want in someone who is doing a root canal!

Just had a RC from Dr. Fong. I am highly sensitive to dental pain. Dr. Fong’s skill and talent won the day. The procedure, although not without discomfort, was more than acceptable. He informed me through out the event as to the progress and what to expect. A real pro. In addition, his attendant held my hand when the Novocain was administrated — a very insuring touch. I highly recommend his services.
The payment procedure was a bit confusing but understandable. It was explained in detail three times. In addition, he coordinated with my regular dentist so that my dentals issues are properly cared for.

I wrote an honest review and it mysteriously got deleted. It’s sad when your honest opinion is deleted by those who can’t stand the truth. I agree, it’s minus 50 stars. In short, I was tortured there. And Dr. Fong is an «Endodontist», which means that he doesn’t do CROWNS. So whoever said that he did crowns is not telling the truth. If you want to delete my review because I speak the truth, then you’re doing this out of deception. I was in the worst pain of my life there. I nearly choked on the water rinse as my mouth was clamped to teeth to where it felt like it was going to snap in half. His assistant was rude, needless to say. I will post this again if this is deleted. I have the right as a Unilocal member.

I just saw Dr. Barry Fong today for a root canal. Dr Fong did a very nice job and took good care of me. I had been avoiding this procedure for about 6 months because I thought it would be painful and difficult to endure. My molar was mildly cold sensitive due to a cracked tooth in need of a crown. I appreciated that both Dr. Fong and his assistant explained the procedure before we started and during the procedure gave me updates. They were both very sweet and sensitive. No jerky movements or rude comments. They gave me as much anesthetic as I wanted. I think it was 3 or 4 shots total. At one point he even said I was doing really well. They also took a lot of in process digital x-​rays to check the work. After we were done Dr. Fong explained what he did on the x-​ray and told me what to expect in terms of recovery.
If I had to say anything negative… I thought the building did look a little run down from the outside and needs new paint but it was super clean and nice in his office. I also wish he gave me more updates when I was almost done. I’m very anxious and t’s hard to sit in that chair and be patient and trusting during dental procedures. I got the feeling that the staff has to deal with a lot of difficult patients. But really, I think he did a great job. They all did.
They even offered a credit option called Care Credit that offers up to a year with no interest. I’ll take it!

long boring story how i ended up here (sigh)
dr. fong is a competent dentist, but thats about it. the building (and his office) is old and in need of serious repair. he has no empathy or compassion for his clients. his billing practices are questionable. his front office staff and dental assistant aren’t very professional or knowledgeable.

Writing about a root canal is hardly poetic! i would MUCH rather wax eloquently about a Bearnaise sauce at a fabulous French restaurant. No… having an abscess in an upper cuspid in not at all sexy! The cuspid tooth is perhaps the most recognizable tooth in the mouth because of its pointed shape and length. Primarily used for griping and tearing food, mine had a MAJOR boo-​boo… I was writhing in pain. I was referred to Dr. Fong through my regular dentist, Michael Scollard and was impressed that this Endodontic Specialist was willing to see me IMMEDIATELY. Located in Pill Hill Oakland, there is free parking available to patients and a lovely, newly decorated office that is basically State of the Art. Arriving, I was not my normal social, friendly smiling self… but the kind doctor and his staff were full of compassion and care. I was very impressed with the level of expertise and the warmth offered during a very intense time. I walked in a pain– crazed, hurting creature and within a short period of time, I was the epitome of calmed and cured!
It was truly a miracle. I am a very sensitive and aware consumer and this office puts out an amazingly professional, yet humane sensibility. I am now a Dr. Fong and staff (Edith does chair side) devotee! Thank G-​d for this gentle and healing soul! I would recommend his services to anyone who needs this procedure, OBVIOUSLY!

I was sent to Barry Fong dentist from my dentist for a Root Canal. I had my Xray and I was thinking that I was having the procedure done that day. After enter the office I had to fill out paper work and I was presented to the dentist. He look at my Xray took another picture and explain to me what I already knew I needed a root canal. He had my information from my insurance and I was told I need to pay out of pocket 25% of the amount my insurance was not paying also additonal 20% just in case my insurance does not pay and if paid I get that portion back which I was okay with. I made an appointment and upon leaving they made me pay $ 184.00 for consultation which was not mention in my paperwork. I was not happy.
Just want to say I did get a refund from the extra 20% they made me pay but not a credit for the $ 184.00 consultation they made me pay so if you know what is wrong with your teeth skip this part.

Minus 50 stars.
Maybe I caught this guy on a bad day, but what happened is unacceptable.
I have had a tooth bothering me more and more until I’m to the point now where I can’t sleep and it’s hard to eat. I have a new dentist, but I hadn’t seen her yet, and I wasn’t supposed to see her for another 3.5 weeks. I had to suffer two days until I could get in, which I did right away. She looked at the tooth, took some x-​rays, said there was a cavity, but that she wanted an endodontic to take a look at it. They got me in right away.
I told the doctor my abnormal fear of dentists and pain, and he seemed to blow me off. His nurse was just as cold and seemingly not caring as he was. He took xrays, tapped on my teeth, then took this vial of cold stuff out to put on my teeth to see which one was bothering me. When he hit the jackpot, I sat straight up in the chair and yelled, «Oh my good god that hurt!» and promptly started bawling. He didn’t apologize. He just left the room for 10 minutes and then came back to tell me that I needed the cavity filled, but that his office didn’t fill cavities, so I would have to go back to my dentist’s office. He turned his back on me without saying goodbye, and went back to see another patient.
Then, this fracking jerk called my dentist and told her *not* to give me any pain meds because I wasn’t in enough pain. 5 minutes of uncontrollable bawling and a mild panick-​attack due to pain that *he caused* isn’t enough? What the hell is? This guy is a jerk, and has the bedside manner of a pile of dried dog poop.
Shame on you, sir. Shame on you.

Simply the best. I was referred to Dr. Fong for a root canal by my dentist, Dr. Herbert Smith (also a great dentist). I had an abscessed tooth and was terrified of getting a root canal (they should really change the name of this procedure to something more pleasant sounding :). Dr. Fong explained the procedure to me step by step and it was totally pain free! He also called me that evening to check that I was still comfortable. The receptionist/​assistant was very friendly and helped me through the insurance process. I actually received a check a few weeks ago for more than $ 300 from Dr. Fong’s office! When was the last time you received a check from a dentist?
Definitely 5 stars!

Edith agrees with Cherise M 100%. She’s even going back for another!!!
Woohoo! As good as it gets!

I got root canal treatment on one of my molars that was constantly bothering me for almost two years. The treatment itself was good and now I’m pain-​free. As mentioned in one of the other reviews, he did call me on the same day to check how my treated molar was doing, which I thought was a nice act.
But I’m very unsatisfied and upset at how they inform insurance coverage, etc. The receptionist/​nurse told me that the insurance would cover 80% of the cost and hence I would need to pay only 20%. But they made me pay 40% upfront and said I’d surely receive a refund check of 20% of the cost in 2 weeks. I didn’t receive it in about a month and called the office. The same receptionist said that the insurance paid less than 60% and I would need to pay the rest. Now she keeps saying 80% was an estimate that the insurance company made over the phone. But it turned out that the insurance company indeed covered 80%, but out of the maximum allowed amount. She didn’t make it clear that it was 80% out of the maximum allowed. She sounded like it was a guaranteed coverage.
I feel so deceived, and won’t go there again.

I’ve had a horrible fear of the dentist for most of my life. Frequent cavities, poor dental coverage as a kid, daunting extractions, the list goes on.
But Dr. Fong’s gentle hand, comfortable office, helpful assistant, and modern technology made my 2^nd root canal painless and manageable. The digital x-​rays are really neat too – super fast and you get to see on a big screen the intricacies of what’s going on with your teeth and gums.
He also called the same night to follow up on how I was doing. Seems to really care how his patients feel during and even after treatment.
I actually look forward to going back there for future treatment – something I NEVER imagined I’d say about a dentist. A+ in my book!

cursed with awful dental genes, i’ve had to endure several root canals, crowns and a dental surgery to get rid of an abscess before seeing dr fong. i’d imagine that you’d go to him via a referral, and you have nothing to fear when it comes to his skills. i’ve never, ever, ever seen someone treat my fistula (infection) like he did. it was so furious, fierce and fast, wow…
before anything happened, he also explained what my options were in a clear, detailed manner. if you’re also looking for someone with the latest equipment, he seems to have them — i’m more into people’s skills rather than equipments though.
i mentioned that i’ve had an abscess (taken care of years ago) before visiting him. well, he noticed that something might be in there by assessing the x-​ray. turns out that a previous dentist left a small, thin, metal wire in there, possibly used during a root canal. that was probably what caused the abscess and continued to give me problems, and dr fong actually removed it! i don’t thinik i’ll ever have such problems around that area.
sorry about the scatterbrained nature of this review — it’s very late… anyway, i highly recommend him if you have to see a root canal specialist.