Kind Bay Area dentist recommendations?

January 12, 2024 4:32 AM

After years of deferred maintenance I really need a dentist who is kind, effective and can sort things out without the usual judgment and scolding. Can you recommend anyone? Ideally located in Berkeley/Oakland or downtown SF but willing to travel for someone good who takes my insurance. Hoping to find someone on the younger side who might be more familiar with recent advances in dentistry and will be around for the long haul since I plan to stay in the area. Thanks!
posted by 12%juicepulp to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

I would recommend Nathan Yang, a dentist who practices with his wife in the Inner Richmond. I can’t really speak to his technical prowess (just because I’m no dental expert) but I can tell you he is an extremely personable and kind practitioner. I left San Francisco this summer, and he is one of the reasons I miss SF. He also offers Saturday hours, which can be very helpful and might mitigate the inconvenience of his location.
posted by reren at 6:53 AM on January 12 [2 favorites]

I had a good experience with SHAYA HAMID DDS at Oakland Green Dental when I lived there. I hadn’t been in years but didn’t need much work (fortunately.) but she is personable and I liked that it’s a single-dentist practice instead of a giant group.
posted by needs more cowbell at 8:47 AM on January 12

Jerome Stroumza has been a life save for my father and for my partner. My own experiences have matched and even with cavities the conversation isn't scolding, but focused on how we need to fix things now and what the future might hold. It might be a bit far as they are located in Laurel Heights, but if you can make it out there I'd highly recommend them!
posted by Carillon at 9:58 AM on January 12

Dr Erwin Yeh in Berkeley. He’s right on top of the original Peet’s in Berkeley at Walnut and Vine. He’s been fantastic for everyone in our family.

It’s kind of cool his main exam room is the corner Bay Window in a lot of Peets Marketing.
posted by bitdamaged at 2:37 PM on January 12

Not sure if he's taking new patients, but I've got nothing but good things to say about Dr. Michael Grisanti in Berkeley, on Telegraph just north of Ashby.

Kind, conservative in treatment (i.e., doesn't jump to suggest the most expensive option), carefully your treatment options.
posted by kwaller at 5:49 PM on January 12

I absolutely love and trust Dr Amy Blake on Pill Hill. She shares an office with Daniel Nam, who's also wonderful but much more taciturn.
posted by knucklebones at 8:10 PM on January 12 [2 favorites]

I was just coming to recommend Dr. Nam's practice in Oakland. All 3 of the dentists there are very kind people. My family has been seeing Dr. Nam for at least 15 years; he's really great. (And I would never think of him as taciturn! He is always asking about my family.)
posted by suelac at 9:19 PM on January 12

Dr. Jnana Patel at Studio Dental in SF very nicely talked me into getting braces recently. She listened to all my concerns and was willing to work with whatever I chose. Also, I don't even have any real dental anxiety, but the TVs on the ceiling are a game changer for cleanings.
posted by umwelt at 5:57 PM on January 13

Dr. Amy Lee is the best dentist I ever had. She was my dentist for several years and was gentle, kind, and thoughtful. I never felt rushed when she was seeing me. Dr. Lee has locations in Berkeley and Alameda. You will not be disappointed, I promise!
posted by Bella Donna at 9:28 AM on January 14

We LOVE Dr. Ivan Serdar in Union Square. His office is beautiful and clean. His dental hygienists are lovely. He's kind and gentle. They have individual video screens so you can watch a show of your choice while they work on your teeth, which can help with anxiety. Good luck!
posted by equipoise at 9:05 PM on January 14