Dental Care of San Bernardino

Worst dental office I’ve ever been to! When our 4 year old autistic grandson was referred here, we were told NOT to bring x-​rays from the referring dentist, because «we do our own x-​rays and treatment plan.» I assumed from that conversation there would be x-​rays and a treatment plan during the first visit. Our appointment was scheduled for 8:00 a.m., and we arrived about five minutes early, so we had to wait outside in the heat until they unlocked their doors. The receptionist who unlocked the door pushed it open a bit and then walked away, leaving us to open the heavy door for ourselves. Okay, that’s not her job, but not exactly courteous. It just would have been the polite thing to do, since I was holding a child, a purse and a diaper bag, and she had already pushed the door open a little. I signed us in and she gave me a stack of forms to fill out, asked me for the appropriate forms of I.D., etc. Still no good morning or any other type of friendly greeting. (Okay, it’s early. Maybe she hasn’t had her coffee yet.) I was in the middle of filling out the forms when they called us back, so my older granddaughter took him back. As soon as I finished filling out the forms, I gave them to the receptionist and asked for my Guardianship papers back. She said she still needed to make copies of them.
I then went to the back to join the exam, already in progress, which consisted of the doctor only using a long handled mirror to peer inside my grandson’s mouth. The doctor asked if the referring dentist had taken x-​rays, and why had I not brought them. I advised him that I was told not to, that they would do their own. He questioned who would have told me that, but still didn’t do any x-​rays. The referring dentist (who did do x-​rays, by the way) had found three cavities; yet with no x-​rays, just a visual exam, this dentist managed to find 6. When I asked why they weren’t going to x-​ray, he said, «This visit is just for an exam.» Talk about bleeding the system! Every dental office I’ve ever been to does x-​rays on the very first visit. Then we discussed how they would x-​ray and treat my grandson. They advised me he would be given some chocolate pudding, spiked with something to make him drowsy, strapped to a papoose board, head clamped and jaws propped open and would probably be screaming the entire time. Also, I would not be allowed in the treatment room during all of this, as «it might upset the child.» Seriously? I almost laughed in his face! I was then told that they could bring in an anesthesiologist, but that we would have to pay him ourselves, as DentiCal didn’t cover anesthesia in their office, only at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. He said Loma Linda might be a better option for us, so as not to traumatize the child against future dental care. He said, «They sometimes remember.» He then left the room and his assistant took over, to explain everything to us, and to possibly write the referral to Loma Linda.
She was telling us how many cavities he had, and said he had 6. I asked her where they were, and she named off 5 places. I asked if there were 5 or 6, and she repeated 6, yet could still only name off 5. When I questioned her on that, she threw in an upper left cuspid or bicuspid, I can’t remember. We decided to go with Loma Linda, even though I don’t really like the idea of anesthesia. So the assistant proceeded to write the referral. She asked me my first name, and then said, «S-​H-​A-​R-​E-​N?» (Seriously? Who doesn’t know how to spell Sharon?) Then she asked what my last name was. I told her «XXXXXX, same as the patient,» and spelled it for her. She left to get the doctor’s signature on the referral and returned after a few minutes. We left the exam room shaking our heads. Wow!
As I passed by the front desk, I asked the receptionist for my Guardianship papers back. They were still on her desk and she STILL had not made copies of them. She removed the staple to make copies and I said, «Never mind, we’re not going to be back here, so you won’t need them.» She said, «You’re NEVER coming back?» I told her no, we wouldn’t be back, ever. As we were pulling into our driveway, I received a call from the receptionist. They had apparently given us the referral for ANOTHER PATIENT and asked if we wanted to bring it back to them. I told her no, but thought to myself, «Sorry, I won’t spend anymore precious gas on YOUR incompetence!» Oh, and although the referral had another patient’s name on it, the parent’s first name was Sharon and it had MY cell phone number on it. Unbelievable!
Bottom line, don’t waste your time on these rude, incompetent people! Sorry if that seems cold, but I just wasted my morning AND my gas! The dentist might be a good one, I wouldn’t know; but first of all, who diagnoses cavities without doing x-​rays? Plus, he acted as if he didn’t want to be bothered with us, and would actually prefer that we go to Loma Linda. Great! That’s fine with me! I would actually prefer that too!

One of the greatest dentist places I’ve been to. I’ve been to many different ones around my area but they do not compare to this one. They treat you amazing and everyone is so genuinely caring to their patients. The drive is worth it! Amazing!

I highly recommend Dental Care of San Bernardino. I’ve been treated by many dentists in the past & I’ve never experienced such a pain free visit as I had yesterday being treated by Dr. Patel. He was so caring, friendly, and highly skilled. He truly has an amazing skill administering pain free injections. I’ve had a few root canals & have been numbed via injection many times & always had a little discomfort but with Dr. Patel I felt nothing, not even a pinch! The entire staff is warm & welcoming. His assistant Sylvia was great, she massaged my jaw through visit & was very attentive to detail & quality of care. If you’re in need of a dentist, this is the office to go to. Take my word, they are wonderful! –Carlyn

I’ve been coming to this dentist office for years and they are truly wonderful! Great Doctors, Great Staff and Wonderful Baby Sitters ;-) lol

This dental office is the best office that I have gone to ever! The front desk help is very friendly and welcoming. Not to mention the dentists who are gentle and take care of their patients. I look forward to my next visit.

Staff was very friendly. But the dentist seem like he was more interested in money then helping. You can’t compair your prices with Beverly hills dental when you are in San bernardino no matter how modern current your equipment is… Btw it’s not all that.

So this is my second visit here and so far, so good. I was actually referred here by a friend who loves this dentist. The staff is very friendly, the lady that explains your benefits was extremely patient and kind in our round of 20 questions, and Dr. Patel paid attention & responded appropriately to my concerns about my reaction to the numbing shots… And he made not feeling pain a priority. Also, they use digital X-​rays so you get to see your teeth on a flat screen as he explains what you need and you can opt to have text reminders & confirmations for your appt. It’s also a plus that the dental assistants appear to be well versed & can also explain to you what’s going on.

I have been coming here for about 20 years or so. Everyone I deal with here is very courteous and professional. My dental hygienist is the best. They also have the best kids dentist here, too bad he doesn’t see adults but Dr. Patel (Older) is great too. I highly recommend this dentist!