Compilation of Pediatric Dentist Recommendations

[Anonymous]

I would highly recommend Dr. Gichana of Arlington Center for Dentistry in Clarendon. She did wonders for my otherwise fearful DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody have any information on Beverly Pediatric Dentistry? Their office is really close but I haven't seen much about them on the forum?

Many thanks to the person who compiled this list.

We see Dr. Mohamadi at Beverly Pediatric and we like this practice a lot, but they only see patients in their downtown DC office a couple days a week so it's hard to get appointments.

[Anonymous]

I recently had dental treatment with ( Dr ) Lauren Lewis .. I put Dr in brackets because the manners and treatment by this person is nothing short of appalling I assume the title Dr was purchased online. Not only rude and arrogant but mocking of disability issues also I will never go near this wretched woman again and urge every one to boycott this practice completely

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently had dental treatment with ( Dr ) Lauren Lewis .. I put Dr in brackets because the manners and treatment by this person is nothing short of appalling I assume the title Dr was purchased online. Not only rude and arrogant but mocking of disability issues also I will never go near this wretched woman again and urge every one to boycott this practice completely

Wow, pretty serious accusations. Our kids see her and our experience so far has been positive.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much !

[Anonymous]

Reviving this thread and wondering about people's recent experiences in NW DC or downtown.

Looking to take my 20 month old for a check up. No problems that we know of. We live in NW and work downtown.

Have MetLife dental insurance.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does anybody have any information on Beverly Pediatric Dentistry? Their office is really close but I haven't seen much about them on the forum?

We take our child to Beverly and we really like them. Efficient, kind office staff; dentists are both really nice; and they have the option of a dentist's chair with a TV so your kid can watch movies (but you have to book this in advance and, naturallyl, it is popular). The Dupont office is not open every day of the week -- I think only a couple days a week or so -- it isn't always easy to get appointments if you want Dupont.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Roya Pilcher on Mass Ave. Worth the drive from Bethesda. Fantastic with kids. Office is great - staff are great.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been to Dentistry of Bethesda? New to the area and looking for a good dentist who takes our insurance (BCBS).

Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I despise pediatric dentists as they are the used car salesmen of dentistry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dr. Roya Pilcher on Mass Ave. Worth the drive from Bethesda. Fantastic with kids. Office is great - staff are great.

+1 She and her office are brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A very strong recommendation for Dr. Alan Kuwabera. My 3 and 6 year olds both love him, as us parents were quite impressed with both the office and his ability to work with kids. He was also one of the few top rated pediatric dentists who will see new patients and accepts our Dental insurance (Aetna).

It's worth noting that patients can end up paying 2 to 10 times as much when they see dentists who don't affiliate with your insurance company and only work on a reimbursement basis, because you're being billed the "full retail" rate for your visit, instead of a pre-negotiated, discounted rate. Thus, after your insurance company pays what they will allow (what they consider fair for the services rendered), you don't end up getting stuck with a huge, full-retail price difference.

Here's an example: My insurance company pays the full cost for regular check-ups. So let's say local dentists charge about $160 (full retail) for a normal check-up, but local preferred providers with your insurance company have a prenegotiated rate of $100 for the same service. If you see a preferred provider, they'll bill the insurance company $100 and you walk out not paying a dime. Now, alternatively, if they are not a preferred provider and work on a reimbursement basis, you pay the $160 full rate for the service and submit the claim. Your insurance company pays the $100 going rate for the service and you're stuck paying that extra $60 because you didn't choose a preferred provider with prenegotiated rates. That's why so many of the most popular dentists won't take insurance, assuming their patients don't mind, it's much, much more profitable not to. Yes, if you ask they'll say they'll submit the claim, but that's very different than taking the insurance and being a preferred provider.

I went to a non-preferred dentist for years and shelled out hundreds of dollars in unnecessary expenses before figuring out this small detail. So what I do now is this......I cross-reference the top dentist list from the Washingtonian, with the dentist reviews available in Checkbook.org, and then review the comments on these forums. That gave me a Top 10 list, which I then called to determine who accepted my insurance and who would see a new patient. A bit of a lengthy process, but the results - finding a great dentist for myself and a great pediatric dentist for the kids - was well worth the effort.

interesting, I look at where they went to school and where they trained. You know, Harvard Medical School / Boston Children's residency and fellowship. After that I interview them, but then again I don't consider medical care a " retail purchase". Its a professional service. Saving $60 is not a a deciding factor when it comes to my child. I'll pass on designer clothes, but my kid gets the Rolls

[Anonymous]

My family loves Dr. Sangita Doshi, who we saw at Drs. Ensor, Johnson, and Lewis' practice in N. Bethesda. She is so warm, compassionate, and no-nonsense. My son did not need nitrous oxide while his cavities were being filled. I just held his hands while the nurse kept his head still. The cavities were small enough that sedation/novacaine were not necessary. I think she is opening her own practice further away, but we are willing to drive longer, we were just so pleased with her expert care and her amazing way with kids!

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for the kinds words. I am glad you and your son had such a great experience. - Dr. Doshi

Anonymous wrote:My family loves Dr. Sangita Doshi, who we saw at Drs. Ensor, Johnson, and Lewis' practice in N. Bethesda. She is so warm, compassionate, and no-nonsense. My son did not need nitrous oxide while his cavities were being filled. I just held his hands while the nurse kept his head still. The cavities were small enough that sedation/novacaine were not necessary. I think she is opening her own practice further away, but we are willing to drive longer, we were just so pleased with her expert care and her amazing way with kids!

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any recommendations for a pediatric dentist in Northern VA?