Compilation of Pediatric Dentist Recommendations

[jsteele]

One of the more frequently asked questions is for a recommendation of a pediatric dentist. A very thoughtful DCUM poster compiled a list of recent threads on the topic.


DOWNTOWN DC

need recs for pediatric dentist downtown/foggy bottom/dupont circle who takes metlife:
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/133510.page

NWDC/MD

Need great pediatric dentist for 2.6 y/o with cavities: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/12315.page

Pediatric Dentist that takes Blue Cross: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/115575.page

Pediatric dentist recommendations: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/153017.page

Need recommendation for dentist for 3 year old: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/95621.page

Pediatric Dentist in DC: www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/115272.page

ISO a pediatric dentist in NW DC: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/57603.page

Pediatric dentist recommendation in NW DC (besides Dana Greenwald…) – FEEDBACK PLEASE!
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/20710.page

Pediatric Dentistry - Help! (Bethesda-Chevy Chase area): http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/16939.page

Recs for pediatric dentist in NW or Bethesda/Chevy Chase area? http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/82690.page

Pediatric dentists: Dana Greenwald, Amy Light, Ricardo Perez: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/89515.page

Excellent pediatric dentist! Dr. Alan Kuwabara: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/13080.page

Dr. Ricardo Perez or Dr. Alan Kuwabera: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/15015.page

Experience with Ricardo Perez, DDS? http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/63863.page

Dr. Ricardo Perez: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/6321.page

Pediatric dentist in Rockville area/Experience with moved baby teeth?
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/39751.page

NOVA

Pediatric Dentist – VA: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/2803.page

Pediatric dentist: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/150398.page

Pediatric sedation dentist in NoVa?? http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/110226.page

Recommendations for a good Pediatric Dentist in NoVa?
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/89003.page

Pediatric dentist in NOVA: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/50662.page

Pediatric Dentist recs (NOVA - Springfield/Burke area): http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/27213.page

Pediatric Dentist in McLean Area: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/62556.page

SPECIAL NEEDS

Seeking Pediatric Dentist experienced with special needs children: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/145904.page

Dentist Recommendation for 3 year old with sensory issues: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/88308.page

Dentist Recommendation: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/104506.page

[Anonymous]

Does anyone have any experience with these pediatric dentists?

[Anonymous]

thank you for this! as an FYI Dr. Dana has a 2-month delay in scheduling new patients. Just learned tht the hard way.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Ephraim Altmon is an amazing pediatric dentist. He is located 4301 Connecticut ave. NW, Suite #453. Ph# 202-470-3676. His office is bright, cheerful and new. His staff is friendly and helpful. Dr. Altmon, was born to be a pediatric dentist. He made my very scared 5 year old very comfortable and and by the time we were done she was really excited about the dentist. He told the funniest jokes that my child found so funny and he was very spontaneous. He was very skilled and gave her numbing medication without her even being aware it was happening. It was a painless experience for my daughter and a relief for me. Trust me, been back more than once, excellent experience every time.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Teresa Regil in Prince Georges County is great!

http:/www.thedentalgroup.com

[Anonymous]

I recently took my 5 year old to Dr. Angela's office. The office name is Alexandria Children's Dentistry in Alexandria. Everyone was so nice! And he had a great time Here's their website: www.lovekidsteeth.com
Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Dr. Perez
Saw our 3 yeard old (his first appointment) and we will be back! What a great experience for our little guy.

[sschmelling]

Just wanted to add to the discussion a strong recommendation for Drs. Morgenstein & Levy in the Rockville/Bethesda/Kensington area (actually in the White Flint Mall). http://www.morgenstein-levy.com

We couldn't be happier with the treatment our 3-year-old son received there.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Dr. Saba Lakhani on East-West right across from B-CC HS is great for the whole family. We've had 2 year old, 5 year old, and mom & dad all really love it there.

[Anonymous]

Can anymore recommend a dentist in Bethesda who can perform sedation dentistry on a 13 year old with a lot of issues? The nitrious gas makes her very sick.

[Anonymous]

Great experience with Dr. Ephraim Altmon today. He was excellent with my 5yo DS. He was funny, engaging and still professional. Explained everything very well and even invited me over to look in my son's mouth to show me a little area of concern on a tooth.
Luckily we didn't need any procedures but we will certainly be back for the routine stuff.
Highly recommend!
www.kiddiecavitycare.com/

[Anonymous]

Dr. Bob Testen in Germantown. A bit goofy but he's great with kids.

[Anonymous]

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?

[lamnguyen]

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