Russell Hirano G, DDS

Dr. Hirano and his staff are the best! They are pleasant and caring. They use the latest and greatest resources and are always professional. I am so glad that I decided to start going into Sacramento to see him, all the way from Woodland.

This dentist is one of two dentists that I’d drive to the ends of the earth to visit. My other dentist retired and I was very lucky to be referred to Dr. Hirano by a dear friend. This dentist has been in business a long time, so appointments are a month out, but he is gentle, conservative with treatment, and his office staff has similar qualities. The technology is top-​notch and I appreciate the payment plan available when insurance doesn’t cover enough.
I have had only exceptional, professional, caring, thoughtul, and helpful service at this office and look forward to many, many years seeing Dr. Hirano’s masked face.

My husband and I drive in from Granite Bay to be treated by Dr. Hirano and his staff on Arden Way near Howe Avenue. This is a very well managed office. They are courteous, organized, and efficient. They strive to see you promptly at your appointment time. What a concept! I have a very low pain tolerance, and Dr. Hirano is a master at giving painless local anesthetic injections and keeping me pain free. This is a rare talent in my experience. The people who work here really seem to like each other and their jobs, and that carries over to their attitudes with their patients. :-)

Dr. Hirano’s office is a small, one dentist practice in a older, single story medical office building complex owned by the occupants. Although it is near Arden Way, it backs up to a residential area and the area is quiet and low traffic once you are off of Arden Way. The door is in a covered walkway, out of weather.
Pros:
– no stairs or elevators.
– plenty of close, free parking.
– handicapped accessible (although the restroom is too small for a wheelchair.)
– office interior is well maintained and clean. It was renovated about 8 years ago.
– two dental hygienists are on staff, Sean and Catherine – both very friendly and accommodating to squeamish patients.
– staff rarely changes.
– the dentist does not do unnecessary work.
– they are always trying to minimize any pain or discomfort to the patient.
– small office means personal attention. They know who you are.
– guarantees the work he does (I’ve had a crown replaced because it didn’t fit correctly a few months later.)
– gentle and caring dentist, dental assistants and hygienists
– work great with children and the elderly (my family has both as patients.)
– there’s a toy box for kids to pick a small item from after a visit
– offer Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, to patients during procedures.
– Dr. Hirano makes sure his patients can reach him in the case of emergencies when the office is closed.
Cons:
– Martha, the office manager, can be short and rude at times. It depends on the day.
– the outside of the building is run-​down looking. It is in desperate need of a paint job and landscape rejuvenating. (It is kept clean and safe though.)
– the area the patient sees outside the treatment rooms’ windows is ugly.
– the office is typically closed all day Friday and Wednesday afternoons.
– the office closes for at least a week at Easter and longer during the Winter holidays.
– the chairs in the waiting area are uncomfortable.
My extended family and some friends and a few co-​workers have been patients of Dr. Hirano for many years. Many of them recommended by me.
The best recommendation: my kids weren’t afraid of going to the dentist like I was as a child.
If a 4.5 star rating was available I’d use that. Rated 4 stars is because of the sometimes snappy and rude office manager, and the outside of the building looking shabby. (The same office manager used to be very friendly.)

I have been coming here for about 10 years now and. Dr. Hirano and all of his staff are great. I highly recommend Dr. Hirano — they really care about their patients and do a great job keeping your pearly whites looking fresh.

Been coming here since I was a kid, and I still come every winter and summer break, even though I go to school in LA. It’s totally worth the 400 mile drive. Well, only if you like getting your teeth cleaned.
But seriously — Dr. Hirano and his staff have been the best to me and my family, and we drive from Davis just to get our teeth cleaned here. They were really awesome to me when I was a kid, and even though I never had a fear of the dentist, they were awesome, so there was really nothing to be afraid of. And they have the best toy box!
Nowadays, I always get the usual ‘are you flossing? really??’ questions, and they’re always nice enough to give me a new set of flossing helper things since I have a permanent retainer glued on 3 of my teeth.
Don’t know where I’ll go when I’m really away from home, but Dr. Hirano is the best!