Natural Dental Arts

I can only really assume that the work Dr. Zakarian did in my mouth was done correctly, as very little of it is visible in a mirror and it wasn’t pain-​related, but as a person I didn’t really care for him. One of the first things he said to me was, «How do you bite into an apple?», in some mock shocked voice. Well I can bite into an apple just fine, thanks, I do have a bit of an overbite but insulting me isn’t exactly going to make me want to hand my money over to you to «fix it». Nice try though.
He also told me that I need to see a periodontist to fix my «receding gums». I have a regular dentist that I go to in addition to knowing another dentist personally. I asked both of their opinions and they disagreed. That was the second red flag that Zakarian is more about the money than the patient’s best interests.
On the plus side, the zen garden that you look out on is quite nice and the secretary was very responsive to my emails.
Maybe he was just having an off couple of weeks, maybe not, but my experiences with him were less than pleasant. Maybe he does good work, but he charges more than others and I wasn’t really comfortable around him. The rest of the staff were polite enough but seemed a bit disingenuous, not that I need to have a special bond with them, but it just added to the sour taste already in my mouth.

I’ve gone to Dr. Zakarian for a few years now, and he has always done a great job on my teeth. He is quite knowledgeable about alternative medicine, and willing to spend extra time with his clients answering questions. I always have a lot of questions. There is a mistake here on the listing for Dr. Zakarian. The phone number listed above is wrong. (858) 488‑2900 is actually the phone number for Pernicano’s Restaurant. Dr. Zakarian’s phone number is (619)574−0900.

Dr Z is a good dentist who cares about your overall health. He avoids injecting you with novocaine unless you need it. He makes sure that the filling are biocompatible. He has a calm disposition. I don’t know how his prices compare to other dentists as I’ve only been going to him for 8 years now.

I’ve been going to Dr. Zakarian for about 8 years and the whole experience has been wonderful. Rebecca and his various dental assistants, the current one being the lovely Tina, are always helpful and kind. The office environment is peaceful and serene with a lovely Japanese garden to look at to take the nerves off being in a dentist office in the first place. I had a full range of dental experiences from wisdom teeth removal to teeth cleaning.
I would not hesitate to recommend Dr. Zakarian and his team to anyone searching for dental care.

Dr. Zakarian rocks! And, Rebecca and Tina are also pure awesomeness. I appreciate the entire team for a number of reasons. They run a tight ship — appointments are easy to make and I’ve never waited in the waiting room for more than like 3-​minutes. And, parking is easy. Fantastic!
All three are impressively knowledgable on holistic dentistry.
And, Dr. Zakarian, is generous with his time and knowledge. I enjoy his great sense of humor, expertise and willingness to take the time to carefully explain my dental options and to get to know me on a personal level.
I am a fan — and highly recommend Dr. Zakarian.

My experience went from 5 stars to ONE. Here’s why. I visited Dr. Zakarian in February earlier this year (2014). At the time, getting my appointment, getting in to the appointment, and my experience of the staff was all very positive.
Turns out that the X-​Ray machine broke the day of my visit, but they were unaware until they went to view my images. They said they would call to reschedule after repairs had been made.
When after 2 weeks they had still not called, I called them. But had to leave a message during business hours. Days passed. I called again. Left another message during business hours. More days passed and more of me calling and leaving messages. Finally, at the 2 week mark, I was able to get them on the phone. I was apologized to and set up a return appointment to come back. It all went splendidly. They did a cleaning that day as well.
Overall, I was still pleased during appointments and the assistant who did the cleaning, although the lack of professionalism had already marked them down a star by then. They said they would call me after reviewing the images and getting coverage details and authorization from my insurance, and that we would schedule a treatment plan consult. I’m thinking I was going to be going to the office to see images, talk with the dentist directly, and get a print-​out, like I did at every other dentist I’ve seen in the last 20 years.
No. No calls. Nothing. Weeks. I called them. And again we began the game where I call and leave messages and they don’t return calls so I call again.
At this point I was desperate to get in. I was having issues with one of my teeth. Still nothing. I might have left an irritated voice mail and I actually got a response. It had been 2 months and she was claiming that she still had never heard back from my insurance. Now, I’ve had this insurance for years, and it usually is within the same business day that previous dentists have heard back, so I’m thinking something is strange. I told her to re-​fax as well as mail a hard copy to them. She said she would do that as soon as she hung up. Later that day I called my insurance to be sure they’d received it. No. Nothing had been sent during all this time. They confirmed their policy is to have authorization within 24 hours and assured me they had received nothing from them about treatment.
So I called Dr. Zakarian’s office again. Left a message. Another several weeks of me tagging them over and over happened. Same as before. Finally got a call that they had received authorization. By now, I’d treated my bad tooth with tea tree and oregano and was able to deal with life, but I was looking forward to getting my other work done… and finding a dentist I think is gentle enough is challenging. So I requested a treatment plan in writing.
More time passed. I received an email with a treatment plan like that which they sent the insurance. I don’t know what their codes mean. «Resin Composite» was listed for each tooth. But I remembered from my office visit all so long ago, that there were amalgam fillings to be replaced, a tooth that needed a crown, and a cavity that needed filling, and maybe something else, but at this point, I’m truly clueless as to what or which. Which one were those and which should we do first was what I wanted to know.
Okay, after more emails and more time, we finally seemed to settle that question. But they wanted to do a dental dam, and I cannot have those. Even with mild sedation, those do not work for me as I will hyperventilate and panic. So more time passed as the receptionist was talking to Dr. Zakarian about alternative options to do this. A lot more time. May 9 to June 25 to be exact. I have all the emails. On June 27 I asked via email to verify that all authorizations for all treatments had come through so we could schedule… and that was that. Never heard back. Of course, I called them some more. Tried to schedule an appointment several times. Never heard back.
Then, at the end of September I got a bill. First I’d seen. It was a statement with a past-​due balance. But I was leaving town and couldn’t handle it just yet.
I had the opportunity to call today. Within 10 minutes, I got a call. Got the details. Called my insurance to verify. Called Dr. Zakarian’s office back moments later to tell them I could pay via credit card over the phone, and within 2 minutes got a call back.
By this point, I had already written them off as a viable option for my dentistry needs. Really. They don’t call or email within any professional or respectable amount of time to schedule, they make excuses and play games about x-​ray machine repairs, excuses about «never hearing back from the insurance», and researching options for no-​dental dams for 4 weeks, and here we are in October and I still need my teeth fixed. February to October. But when I call them about a bill and tell them I can pay them right now… their phone call turnaround is zippity quick. You decide if it’s worth it.

This is by far the best dentist I’ve ever had. All the great things people say about him are so very true. In fact, because I have such a great experience there… I think I go without hesitation, where in the past Id avoid the dentist only delaying the inevitable. Dr. Z and his staff are warm, welcoming, and smart! I had to have a tooth removed and fillings replaced and he was great in both instances. Plus… he and his staff are awesome people to top it all off!

I went to Dr. Zakarian couple years ago with a HUGE pain & fever. BIG MISTAKE! He couldn’t localize which tooth cause the pain and suggest to pull one of them out, hoping that that’s the right one! Yes, it did happen! My husband took me out of that place. I called another doctor, who’s currently practicing in LA, asking for immediate help. What showed up I had huge infection under bottom tooth #5 that cause that pain and fever. He performed surgery and root canal for almost 4h, and gave me antibiotics afterwards. Year later I went beck there for a crown. I haven’t had any issues with it since then! Please DON’T GO to Dr. Zakarian!

Dr. Z initially saved me close to $ 10,000 by treating me conservatively and naturally. I have had a Holistic Clinic in San Diego for over 20 years and initially I was apprehensive to Dr. Z’s use of the word «holistic». This term has been used without substantial training by many. The reality is he is significantly trained in all aspects of Dentistry and health and brings that to his patients in a very professional and personal way. Dr Z is constantly taking advanced training. I have had nothing but good reports from all the patients I have refered to him as well as my family, and we are all a picky group. Dr. Z is a perfectionsist… I want that in a Dentist.

Dr. Z is the best dentist I have seen. I had a really bad experience with Poway Dental, so I came to Natural Dental Arts. The staff here was super friendly and professional. It feels GREAT to have personal service from a small office like Dr. Zakarian’s rather than a Corporate Dentist that treats you like a walking $ sign. Rebecca, the office manager requested my x-​rays from my previous dentist to save me money and Dr. Z gave me an honest consultation regarding my treatment plan. At my previous dentist, they tried to upsell me on everything to charge me more. Dr. Z and staff gave me choices and explained the benefits… never pushing unneeded or costly services. For once I actually have a relationship with my doctor and look forward to my next visit.

I like Dr Zakarian’s office because they are naturalists. They don’t believe in unnecessary treatments and always opt for natural remedies. I have a lot of issues and feel like I can work with him to help prevent these issues in the future. I usually have tons of questions and he makes sure they are all answered.
The front desk person, Rebecca, is so sweet and sincere. Always takes time to listen and fit me in when it works for me.

Going to the dentist is not on my top 10 list but you have to like Dr. Zakarian. He is funny, gentle and hey my teeth are still chopping away. You get the feeling that he truly cares about your oral health and he doesn’t lecture when you’ve missed flossing for a period of time.
I highly recommend Dr. Zakarian. He is a good dentist with fair prices and outstanding dental skills.

One of the best dental experiences I have ever had over the years. I’ve been going to Dr. Zakarian for five years and keep coming back. He is really tuned into a holistic approach to dental care while doing only what is necessary to keep my teeth and gums in shape. Recommend him highly to anyone.

Dr. Zakarian and his staff are great. I have been going to him for a number of years now, and have never had anything but great treatment. They are honest with you about what needs to be done and don’t upsell you with unneeded services. When it came time to come up with a treatment plan, they were flexible and understanding. I would not hesitate to recommend him for any dental work.

Dr. Zakarian is the best dentist I have ever had. It is a very homely, friendly atmosphere every time I am there. They treat you like a friend, not like Patient #1,032. I originally came to him because he is holistic and because he takes my insurance, and it is his skill and kindness that has kept me coming back.
When I got my tooth pulled, instead of him prescribing me antibiotics immediately, he said «Do you have colloidal silver and oregano»? (to keep from getting an infection). Now that’s love. He speaks my «language». He also called me the day after my extraction to make sure I was doing alright. I email the office any time i have any questions, and I usually get responses within hours.
Not to mention, every dental chair faces a beautiful pond with bonsai trees and fountain.
The only way I could see someone not getting along with him is if they are a demanding, rude person.
He has never recommended anything that I didnt know I already needed, and has never nickel and dimed me. Its been quite the opposite.
I hope he always takes my insurance, because I dont ever want to give this one up.

Doctor Zakarian’s method of treatment left me confident in his ability. His office and staff make you feel comfortable and relax. As most of us hate going to the dentist, the spacious reception room with hot tea and the most spectacular Japanese Garden (with Koi and Turtles), made my visit tolerable. I appreciate his concern and even got a phone call from him to find out how I was doing. No doctor does that!

Though he appears to be, this dentist is not a nice man. He actually jokes about liking to cause pain to his patients, some patients he said. And every time he did work in my mouth I did feel pain.
At his recommendation I had fillings replaced with porcelain enlays at a heft price. I am now having to get one replaced with a crown, just 2 years later.
You cannot run from this dentist fast enough!

Dr. Zakarian is a marvel. Okay I am exaggerating. He is just a wonderful dentist that has been serving the area for several years. I have gotten to know him well through his service and his recommendations for other oral services for orthodontia, oral surgery and other dental requirements outside of his purview.
I would recommend him to more people as much as I can because he knows how to treat his patients with humor, a nice and quiet environment and of course an atmosphere of no pressure regarding getting work done unless its necessary. He understands if you are not able to immediately get everything you need done based on the cost of services, he is willing to explain what is most important to take care of.
Of course it helps if you have insurance but there is no pressure selling of products or scare tactics that you need to take care of your problem immediately. He honors his colleagues as much as they respect him.
He is just doing what he knows best treating you well. I used to be afraid of dentists but actually enjoy them now especially if they treat you well. I was with my dentist in Chicago for more than 10 years and hope to stay with Dr. Zakarian until one of us moves on. If you are unhappy with your current dentist, give Dr. Zakarian a try. Go to his website and check out his services and make an appointment.

Dr. Zakarian is a great dentist! He is caring, gentle and his office is beautiful! Not like any other dentist I have been to, anywhere… I rarely wait more than 5 minutes (if at all) for my appointment, but even if I did, the reception area is gorgeous (& comfortable!), so it’s not so bad. They offer Holistic services too, which is important in this toxic world we live in. The staff are great as well — very helpful, courteous & friendly! Try them out — you won’t be disappointed!