Always excellent customer service and very clean and fresh facility. Our whole family sees Dr. Torres and she is amazing especially with kids. I have been seeing her for 15 plus years. read more

Absolutely the worst experience I have ever had at the dentist. First, she recommended that I need crowns on almost all of my teeth because it will "make my teeth stronger". So she goes in with the numbing shot and extremely painfully hits a nerve shocking me and I needed a second to calm down. She THEN says to me "Are you gonna let me do this or not, I have other patients after you" so I stood up said no and left. Thank god I did. Never come here. read more

Bonus: Nice front desk team. Concern: No one was wearing masks in the front desk area, even though they were behind a clear partition.... I found this unusual since other dental/medical facilities I've been to recently are still all wearing masks, even behind a partition. Omicron Covid variants are still around us - vaccinated, boosted or not. I found it a little alarming and felt bad that the front desk team were putting themselves and patients at risk.... Bonus: As of August 2022, they were fortunately still part of the Delta Dental Insurance Network; very few dentists in Santa Cruz are. Because of my insurance plan, this was mostly why I came here. Concern: As mentioned in previous reviews, expect to wait a month or two to get in for a first time appointment. This is a very busy office. Recommend putting your name on their cancellation list. With your permission, they will call or text you when there are any cancellations. Even responding within 30 seconds, they've replied that the appointment(s) have been filled. Keep trying if you really need to get an appointment sooner than your scheduled date. Bonus & Concern: I thought I would be seeing Dr. Torres for my first visit, but I was assigned a different dentist, Adriana Clark, DDS. Lovely person. She was not mentioned in Torres's website, so I had no idea what to expect or what her background was in. During my experience, she had a wealth of knowledge and information. With all the other background noise from other clients being worked on and her speaking from behind a mask, ask her to repeat any info if you want to have a successful experience. Recommend Torres's office update the website and profiles of the team of dentists that work there. CONCERN!! : I went in expecting a simple exam and a cleaning. My previous dentist (recently retired) had found minimal issues and was conservative with his treatment plan. He had no red flags to address immediately. Dr Clark gave me a cleaning and examined my mouth. She did a decent job, but seemed very rushed. In addition, she proposed a long list of additional fillings, a crown, and an additional consultation with another dental specialist - maxing out my plan and more! Not sure if this is Dr. Torres's business model - to have her team possibly over diagnose and prescribe procedures that max out insurance plans, but it sure seems that way. I'll be getting a second opinion at another office to weigh her team's findings..... Conclusion: I appreciate Torres's office for being on the DD insurance network and her team's care. However, as a new patient I'm a little shocked by the staff's optional mask wearing and the sticker price I'd have to pay for a potential low priority, non-essential list of procedures, especially on a budget! It would be more helpful to be coached on how to do a better job with preventative care and measure the results BEFORE considering any future (necessary) procedures. read more

She advertises that she does Pinhole Surgery for gums on her website. However, calls are not returned in a timely way and her staff knows nothing about Pinhole Surgery. I was referred to another Periodontist although they don't do it either. Hard to recommend based on initial experience with this office. read more

I was there two weeks ago Dr. Torres. She's a nice doctor and she's good but the office people in billing department they don't know nothing every time since Holga left everything is different manager of the building department. She doesn't know anything you ask question and she always trying to guess pretty much. Every time I was asking her question about my out-of-pocket never was right hand in my cell Colin insurance almost every single time. read more

Since my review, Dr. Torres called me and apologized profusely. Because of that, I added another star. But I can't give more than two because if I and my husband hadn't pursued disputing the charges on our account we would have had to pay over $1700 instead of less than $200. I've moved to another dentist, but I do appreciate Dr. Torres' phone call. read more

If I could give Dr Torres 5 stars on this page I would. She is gentle, communicativê and makes sure you are comfortable. The 2 stars is for Dr Choy as anesthesia was not used while putting on a crown making the experience painful. I have never experienced that kind of pain before at a dentists office. read more

Dr. Torres is a lovely person and her staff is always friendly. The office is beautiful, as well. The only downside is that it can take a long time to get an appointment if you need to reschedule. read more

My family loves Dr. Torres and Staff! The office is always immaculate and newly decorated. Dr. Torres is so kind and has the best bedside manner. She and her staff are very professional with the latest up to date technology, from billing to equipment. We highly recommend Dr. Torres's for all of your dental needs read more

Wouldn't trust Dr Torres. Came here because I wasn't able to travel home to see my same dentist of 15 years. I have never had a cavity or any issues with my teeth. I came in for just a cleaning. The dental assistant had very nice things to say about my teeth. Dr Torres came to check them out and had very a different message. She said there was a couple of teeth that would definitely need to be filled (maybe even a crown) based off my X-rays. This was super upsetting to me because I have never had issues before. I found it very hard to believe and sure enough went home to my dentist a few months later and they told me there was absolutely nothing wrong with my teeth. My mom warned me there are dentist who will lie and scam you out of your money just to mess up a perfectly good smile. So happy I never went through with it. read more

i love love love LOVE Dr. Torres!!!!! every time i see her, she makes me feel like i have the best teeth in the world :D. there is positive energy flowing everywhere in her office. even the scariest procedure doesnt seem that bad. Dr. Torres has the best recommendations. I need to get an implant, so she referred me to Dr. Amer for my TADs and Dr. Yellich for my oral surgeon. both have been excellent!! the hygienists are all really nice and careful with your teeth. i love the text message reminders/appointment confirmations!! highly recommend Dr. Torres!!!!! :D You'll want to smile before, during, and after your appointment. read more

I have no trouble getting appointments with Dr Torres. She takes EXCELLENT care of me, being kind, gentle and thorough. Her staff is very gracious , thoughtful and attentive. I appreciate Doctor's post op attention as well. After reading some of the negative reviews here I had to just shake my head. In my estimation the patient is just as responsible for good care as the dentist is ! read more

Dr. Torres is a pleasant woman with a great disposition! Her staff are all so nice too! My family and I have been seeing her for a couple years now and no issues, but expect to take a month or two to get an appointment. Today I was in the middle of putting out fires, late to the appointment and had to be somewhere right after. She got me in-and-out there so promptly. She made my experience getting fillings (yes fillings!) seem like a spa retreat in the middle a crazy day. :) read more

Too aggressive with recommending fillings before they are probably necessary. Canceled appointment more than 24 hours in advance of appointment time because they hadn't received a confirmation text yet. Immediately asked to hold appt but they'd already filled the spot. We'll be looking for someone new. read more

My entire family (youngest starting coming at age 5) loves Dr. Torres and her excellent staff. The office is clean and well-run. The staff is kind and welcoming. It's never easy to find a good dentist, so I'm so relieved we found Dr. Torres! PS.. they play really fun music - a wide variety from 60's soul, country, current pop- it keeps changing and never feels like muzak. read more

Aura Marcela Torres, DDS - Dr. Torres - General Dentistry Near Me - Santa Cruz, California

Don't go to see this dentist. Although Dr. Torres is very gentle and kind, her skills beyond fillings and extractions are lacking. She continually attempted root canals and couldn't kill the entire root. Sometimes she placed the crown on the tooth despite my post root canal pain. Still having pain, I went to the Endodontist. And found out there was still root under the crown. This happened twice. The Endo broke my new crown two different times doing a root canal through it. Then I had to pay for another crown! Stay away from Dr. Torres. I gave her so many chances. And wasted SO much money! read more

Dr. Torres is great. I accidentally ended up being 30 minutes late to a 90 minute appointment and they were all still very nice and understanding. By choice, I don't take Novocain (except for root canals) and Dr. Torres does a fine job not causing unnecessary pain. Dr. Torres has a big heart and sometimes treats patients on her day off. The office is high-tech and up-to-date. Highly recommended. read more

I recommend Dr. Torres's office to everyone! My wife and I really love going into Dr. Torres's office. Dr. Torres and her staff makes going to the dentist an enjoyable experience. My wife is not a big fan of dentist to put it nicely, but thanks to Dr. Torres and her staff she's totally relaxed and comfortable getting her dental work done. The staff is great, the office is clean and they play great music! Thanks for giving me beautiful teeth read more

Best dentist! Awesome staff! When you come to your appointment, it really is all about you! They make you feel welcome and well cared for.

Straight up the best dentist I've ever been to. Dr. Torres & her staff are skilled and kind. I had several cavities filled and the experience was near painless. The office in general is immaculate and they play good music. I've recommended Dr. Torres to everyone I know. Also, the office takes UCSC Dental insurance. read more

Dr. Torres and her supportive staff have a very progressive, family friendly, general dentistry practice on Frederick St. in Santa Cruz. Her chair-side manor is kind and gentle and immediately puts one at ease. She is very experienced and commitment to her clients. I am grateful that I was referred to her and I recommend her unconditionally. read more

Dr Torres is awesome. I have had a few not to great dental experiences in the past, and have been a little gun shy about seeing a dentist again. Dr Torres was very calming and has a great demeanor. She put me at ease. Thank you again, Dr Torres! read more

I've been going to Dr Torres for more than a decade and would give her 6 stars if I could. She is a wonderful, ultra-competent dentist who's running a uniquely warm and welcoming dental office. A Santa Cruz treasure! It seems strange to say that going to the dentist is a pleasant experience, but in her case, they're doing everything possible to make the experience pleasant, and it makes a big difference--from the welcoming staff, to the clean and pleasing office, to the music they play to help take your mind off your mouth while they're working. Kelly handles my hygiene appointments and I recommend her highly as well, though every hygienist I've ever had there has been top notch. Until I went to this office for cleanings, I didn't realize that cleanings don't have to *hurt.* As a nice side bonus, Dr. Torres' rates are very reasonable and competitive. read more

Very good dentist. She seems like a genuine, caring person, and her staff were very friendly as well. Recently went for my first visit and she took my x rays and cleaned my teeth in the same visit. After going to another dentist a few months ago that made me schedule two different appointments for x rays and a teeth cleaning, having both done in one visit was a relief. Give her a try if you, you won't be disappointed. read more

Dr. Torres does fillings before she needs to. This earns her money but expedites dental issues. Both my wife and I have had this experience with her. Plus, in December the Christmas music is maddening. read more

I e-mailed this office about scheduling my first visit and did not get a reply so I called in May and did not get scheduled until July and was suggested to try and find somewhere else. When I show up for my scheduled appointment it turns out that they didn't even have me in the system. Staff dealt with the situation very unprofessionally and did not give me many options when noticing their scheduling error. I was excited to go to an all female office and walked out very disappointed. read more

This review is solely based on getting an appointment and the front desk staff. First time I called I couldn't get through. By the third time I just left a message. They never called back. Finally I got through and had to make an appointment 4 months in advance. No big deal she has great reviews right? Then I get a call 2 weeks before my appointment that they have to change my appointment (so clearly not an emergency or sick call), they give me one other option for a date that week and then say they are booking into July. So I've waited 4 months for you to cancel my appointment and tell me I have to wait another 4 months. No thanks. Oh and the front desk said it was my fault since I couldn't come on the one day she offered me next week. read more

I've been coming to see her for years. Staff is always friendly. Except when it comes to insurance issues. If you have double insurance coverage I DO NOT recommend you coming here. They don't know how to bill the secondary insurances. Overall Dr. Torres is amazing and so gentle. You don't even feel it when she numbs you up. read more

Dr. Torres did a good job showing me where she found problems and explaining a path forward. I'm left with the feeling that she will be sufficiently careful to trust with a drill in my mouth. The hygienist, Amalia, was patient and friendly. My only complaint is that the next available appointment for a filling is not for two months. read more

I have had extensive dental work in the past, and today was my first appointment with Dr. Torres. A co-worker recommended her highly and I concur completely !! I had x-rays, cleaning and the initial exam, and came away feeling good about the entire appointment. read more

The office was pleasant and I really liked being able to do all my paperwork online prior to my appointment. I also appreciated the appointment reminders via text. Dr. Torres was wonderful, she was professional and kind. It looks like I finally found a dentist that I like! read more

Dr. Torres ruined my teeth. I went to Dr Torres about 8 years ago, back then I was naive and I took her recommendation that I needed 11 fillings at face value and followed through with her recommended treatment. I had 1 cavity prior to seeing Dr. Torres in my entire lifetime, and I have not had any new cavities since. I think that it is highly unlikely that I needed any of the fillings that she put into my mouth. Moreover, after she was done I noticed that she had liberally drilled all the grooves in my back teeth, which I am certain had not been decayed. Now, for the rest of my life, I will be stuck will 11 fillings that I probably did not need, along with the complications that continue to come from having so many fillings. Fillings get old, they need to be replaced, and the more a tooth is drilled the more the structure loses its integrity. This is not to mention that I have plastic compounds in my body leaching toxins that served no purpose other than to make money for Dr. Torres. I wish that I could go back in time and get a second opinion, if I had, my teeth would probably not be like Swiss Cheese filled with plastic composite. I want my teeth back. read more