Dentist and optometrist reqs?

[freetobeme18.livejournal.com]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good dental and/or optometry practice near Davis or Porter? I know Gentle Dental is in the Porter Square Shopping Center, but does anyone have any experience with them? I have Metlife insurance for dental and Blue Cross for vision and will need to see somebody who is covered. In terms of what I'm looking for, well I have a really low pain tolerance and am easily squicked by visits to the dentist, so want someone who is gentle with a soothing personality who will warn me before they're about to stick something in my mouth (especially something that might hurt). As far as eye care, well I recently broke my glasses and am in need of new frames. I look for fun and funky frames in vibrant colors when possible, so a place that has a good selection of frames like this would be good. Thanks!

Comments

[smk0307.livejournal.com]

Ihave major dental fears. I've gone for years until I'm in major pain before going to the dentist. Not any more! Sarah Perkins at Porter Square Family Dental is so patient. And kind. And aware of pain sensitivity. I no longer tremble and cry when I go to the dentist. As Sarah put it, she's doing "bunny slope" dentistry with me. Seriously, give her a try.

[mjg59.livejournal.com]

I'd second the recommendation for Porter Square Family Dental - an excessive amount of time between dental work left me needing plenty of work, and they've been prompt at arranging appointments. I don't get worried about dental visits, but they've always been happy to answer any questions I have and explain exactly what's going to be done in advance and at every point during the procedure.

[dominika-kretek.livejournal.com]

Can I assume that perennial favorite, Dr. Casey Cook of Davis Square Dental is still around? Sometimes I consider driving three hours back to Somerville just to have him work on my teeth.

[visage.livejournal.com]

He is, indeed, still around.

[contradictacat.livejournal.com]

While she's pretty far away from Porter Sq, I really recommend Rosie at Smiles By Rosie. She's super cool, really gentle and nice and really, really gets the "going to the dentist is scary" thing. She's based off of Broadway in East Somerville (on the 89 and 101 bus lines), so it's a bit of a hike, but really worth it, I think.

[whowehavetofear.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend Rosie Wagner as well. Her office is extremely relaxing and everything is designed to put you at ease.

[littlecitynames.livejournal.com]

I third that recommendation!

[somervillebeat.livejournal.com]

I also recommend Rosie, she is wonderful!

I wrote a story (http://somervillebeat.com/features/2979/a-new-kind-of-dentist-comes-to-town/) about her a few months ago and have since become a patient. She is truly unlike any other dentist I've been to.

[she-of-emeralds.livejournal.com]

I had mixed experience with (a different location of) Gentle Dental. The actual dental work was good but they kept mixing up my appointment and getting my insurance claims wrong and so on. The administrative staff couldn't administer their way out of a paper bag. I hope that the G.D. in Porter Square is better-run. I'd try them out if they took my current insurance.

Alas, Kool Smiles is gone and I do not recommend a Dr. Herbert Dorris, but have you tried the dentist at 30 College Ave.?

[enveri.livejournal.com]

If that's Dr Lally, Dr Pierce (and her two hygeinists) are fantastic and highly recommended for gentleness.

I'm not so sure about the administrative side of things- I had to pay $700 out of pocket for a crown, and they wanted to do a deep cleaning which would have run me $1000.

[squirrelitude]

Is $700 an unusually high after-insurance cost for a crown?

[enveri.livejournal.com]

I honestly have no idea- it was my first one. It might be completely normal. :)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I have experience at Gentle Dental and do not recommend them. For the last 5 years or more I've been going to Dr. Bright at Bright Dental, which is next door to Dali. She's great but busy now.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Dentist; Geoffrey Davis in Copley sq. small practice, incredibly friendly, staff is talented and kind. And they have a good website and email reminders & apppt confirmations which is a big plus in my book.

Eyes: I like Eye-q in Harvard sq. frames you won't find everywhere else. Again, talente staff and really good optometry.

[audioboy.livejournal.com]

Casey Cook is my regular dentist and he and his staff are fantastic, but it's very tough to get a timely appt. I've also used Smiles By Rosie in urgent situations and everything said here about get and get office are true. My favorite part is that you get to select your own Pandora station. :)

[enveri.livejournal.com]

I was seeing Dr. Pierce at Lorna Lally's clinic on College Ave and loved them when we were living in Davis- although I often had to pay significantly out of pocket (3 cavities and a crown, absolutely no pain).

I was phobic about dental visits (wisdom tooth removal went horribly badly) before I went there.

I have Delta Dental insurance, so milage may vary.

[toniamato.livejournal.com]

Dr. Alvi at West Somerville Dental on College Ave. I had to have a full dental extraction--16 teeth in one day and 9 on the other, and I had NO PAIN. She and her staff are wonderful.

[sparkymonster.livejournal.com]

Hands down my favorite dentist is James Nager at Belmont Dental. (http://www.belmontdentalgroup.com/) He specializes in working with patients with low tolerance & nervousness.

For eyeglass frames I love See Optical in Harvard square. The eye doctor affiliated with them isn't very good though