So this dentist was absolutely horrible. He said my 10-year-old has gum disease, and was rude blaming us, mom and dad. He dropped my son as a patient saying he needed to see an adult dentist. But, we took him to a periodontist today, as recommended by his orthodontist, and find out that he DOES NOT HAVE GUM DISEASE! This man made us feel so terrible and negligent as parents, but we found out his gum issue is actually from the way his bite sits and how his teeth have erupted putting pressure on his bottom front gum line. Why wouldn't a pediatric dentist recognize this?! He can't even shut his mouth completely over his teeth! We had to initiate his orthodontic and periodontal examinations ourselves to know what was really going on. It saddens me as a parent that this dentist would make us feel like we failed our son when the real failure here falls with this dentist. We knew we were caring for his teeth properly and giving him good nutrition to support healthy teeth (even with a genetic issue affecting this), and he obviously didn't recognize that; barely evaluating him to figure out the real issue. On top of this, he wasn't interested in listening at all to us about our son's teeth or health history; he jumped to conclusions that were flat out wrong. I most definitely do not recommend this dentist. We deserve an apology from him for treating us with total disregard and disrespect, too; I won't hold my breath waiting for that... We will find a new pediatric dentist; along with continuing to care for our son's teeth as we always have. read more

Not kid friendly at all!! Took our child who has sensory issues and anxiety as a result. Does not talk to child or try to make them feel at ease. Not sure why this is a pediatric dentist office. We will not go back. read more

I took my son to this practice so that he would have a positive experience. A lot has happened in our lives the past two years, one being my son's father passed away. I had to cancel a few appointements due to the timing of his death and the appoinments. I received a letter saying I would be discharged from the practice if any other appointments cancelled. I understand this, however, a little bit of grace would have been appreciated. Then last week, my son went back due to his tooth pain. He is told no antibiotics until he is swollen and first available appt is in three weeks to take care of his tooth. He is 5 years old. I am sure that grown ups wouldn't tolerate this timing, but a 5 year old?? The Dentist was rude to my son and my sister. PSA...if you can't tolerate children, don't be a pediatric dentist. I will tell everyone that I know to not go here. read more

We had a very negative experience with this practice. After not going for a cleaning for a year due to the global COVID pandemic I was told that my 6 year old kid could no longer have them as a dentist. This seems like a very inflexible and ridiculous policy. Apparently this is one of those places that cares more about adhering to arbitrary policies than actually providing client care, which is pretty scary. They are rude and unwelcoming and I do not recommend them! There are plenty of better dental practices in town. read more

Despite some of his great staff members, I CANNOT recommend this dentist. He has no mask policy in his waiting room. I had to leave appointments twice because his waiting room was crowded with sick coughing people. I actually caught pneumonia a couple weeks after the last incident. I have asthma, I almost died. This is not a joke. Every other medical/dental office in Asheville has a mask policy in their waiting room. I don't understand why he doesn't protect his patients and staff. After I decided I couldn't handle his waiting room, he sent me a dramatic letter refusing to see my four children as patients anymore. I sent a letter to his office requesting to transfer records, with all the necessary information. His office sent me back a requirement that I fill out their particular form- even though my letter requesting records contained every single item of information their form required. I only stayed with this office for one dental hygienist and other staff. The other reviews here regarding Dr. Knechtel's personality are accurate. Another issue with this office is if you want one of the highly-experienced native-English-speaker dental hygienists, you have to ask for them by name. Otherwise you get a newbie whose English isn't great. read more

2 stars because the staff were kind and friendly. I will not be returning because I found the dentist to be judgmental and rude. I made one comment about a popular tv show to my child to distract him from what was going on and Dr. Dan made 3 different comments afterwards to make sure I knew his children didn't watch this show and my child should spend more time outside (who ironically spends a ton of time outside). Pediatric dentistry seems like an odd fit for him. read more

The demeanor of the dentist and his staff is terrible. Both my mild mannered husband and I have had heated exchanges with the staff regarding insurance and billing, and the bedside manner of the dentist is abrupt and bordering unprofessional. I would NOT recommend this practice for anyone. read more

Dr. Dan is always so positive and so wonderful! Wait times are typically very short. He has been wonderful with my daughter in the office and also with an outpatient surgery. Today he took care of my son (20 months) today. We appreciate Dr. Dan and the compassionate hygienists. read more

The best!!! Took my nervous toddler here for several dental issues and I'm SO glad I did! We've been to three dentists in Western NC and this is by far the best!!! The atmosphere is perfect for children, and so is the staff. The hygienist was sweet and just overall perfect. Dan Knechtel was patient, respectful, kind, and helped my son to relax and got us in and out. I'll never go anywhere else for my children! read more

Worst experience with a dentist EVER. My grandson was frightened. We were moved to a private room in the back so as not to frighten the other children. The staff tried to reassure my grandson but I sensed that they were more concerned that the Dentist was going to hear him than really being concerned about his fears. "Dr. Dan" came into the room and was barely able to conceal his disgust at a crying child. He was very rough in his handling of my grandson. He forced a toothbrush in between clinched teeth and caused his gums to bleed due to the plastic scraping his gums (not the bristles). He was NOT NICE at any point during this visit. He was actually quite curt and rude. I can not imagine WHY this man is a PEDIATRIC dentist nor can I imagine why our pediatrician referred us to him. read more

Have a young child in need of a cleaning? Find another dentist. My wife and daughter were made to wait almost 1 hour with the first scheduled appointment for the day and no one else in the waiting room. The receptionists loudly complained to each other about how long they had to wait on the phone with our insurance company. For an establishment who advertises they specialize in Pediatric Dentistry, these receptionists behaviors would be considered inappropriate in any office setting, let alone an office geared towards children and young families. Dr. Dan Knechtel was no better. Once my wife and daughter were sent back, they had to wait another 30 minutes. He made very little effort to make our daughter feel comfortable (her first trip to the dentist) and nearly exclusively addressed my wife during his evaluation. He gave no helpful pointers or tips on how to better clean our daughter's teeth and sent us away with the standard pamphlets you would expect. Our daughter was visibly scared during his examination and Dr. Knechtel made no extra efforts to make her feel more comfortable during his examination. I can't believe we paid $200 for this appointment. Needless to say, we won't be returning and would recommend that you find another dentist for your kids. read more

I truly wish that I could give this dentist (Dan Knechtel) zero stars. Or negative stars? Yes, that would be nice. This man turned us away from his practice while my child was in the chair about to get a filling, because I told him that we were choosing not to go with the Nitrous Oxide and molar sealants that he had suggested at the previous visit. I told him that we had chosen to go simply with the local anesthetic over the nitrous (since she was only getting ONE small surface filling in a tiny baby tooth), and that we would revisit the idea of tooth sealant when her baby teeth fell out and she started to get some adult teeth. (Note: while researching child molar sealant, I found that most dentist do not suggest this until the baby teeth fall out. $350 to seal baby teeth on a 7 year old with only one small cavity, who is loosing teeth left and right, seems a bit superfluous). I also told him that we as a family had decided to all begin the habit of brushing three times a day to ensure healthy teeth between visits, and to help compensate while we decide about the sealant. He promptly turned to me and told me "I don't feel comfortable seeing a patient under those conditions." Then he suddenly stood up, with tight lips and a set jaw, and told me he would concede to transferring our records to another dentist. End of story. When he had brought up the nitrous usage to me the week before, and I was skeptical but said I would think about it, he told me it was an "OPTION that was available to us to ease the child's stress". But clearly he can not do a tiny surface filling in a calm and well-behaved child (who incidentally wasn't even scared, just curious) without knocking them out first. His demeanor after I had informed him of my decisions for MY CHILD seemed like he was poorly suppressing a temper tantrum. When I was on my way out (without the filling), I asked his assistant if it was the practice's policy that both molar sealant and nitrous usage during fillings were mandatory, and told her I was confused as to why he had made them seem like options to me merely the week before. She refused to answer any of my questions, which pretty much confirmed to me that it was NOT in fact mandatory for all patients and procedures, and he WAS actually having a temper tantrum. NOT professional. I had taken off of work for the day and kept my child out of school in order to get care for her teeth. Not to mention driving to the next town and back. It would have been wonderful if he had informed us that we didn't have the choice not to use nitrous BEFORE we showed up and were in the chair, or we would not have wasted our time with this unyielding practice. read more

This dentist will not see you if you have been previously seen and do not re-schedule with them. I chose to have my child's cleanings done at our family dentist, because it was closer and was going to keep them for cavities and other dentistry needs. But because I had the child's teeth cleaned at the closer place they will no longer see her. The staff were not even remorseful telling me this when I called they simply said we will not be seeing your child ever sorry. I feel that this was very unprofessional especially when it was not because of missed apts. read more

VERY DISGUSTED AT THIS DENTIST. The staff however was kind and polite and helpful. My situation began a yr ago when my daughter busted her mouth at grandmas house on dryer door that been left down and she ran and tripped and well 4 BROKEN TEETH AT AGE 2. I came to him in high hopes hed make sure they didnt get infected nor cause any other health issues. Bad teeth can cause heart trouble and many more things. The very first visit I was skeptical, he came in rude not saying hello to the CHILD THE PATIENT JUST , NON EMOTIONAL AND UNCONCERNED WITH REALLY HELPING. He refused then to do the pullings give it til next cleaning and we will discuss our options. STILL VERY RUDE... cold and seemed to NOT CARE A BIT , as if he just didnt want to do the work. My daughters teeth r black in fron and other teeth following that she didnt break. Has me seeking second opinion and never recommending a kid to ever step back in that practice. He compered my 3 yr old TO A JUNK CAR TODAY. I almost hit him..... said general anst. can kill blah blah , SO DO TEETH.... the my friend said he refused to do the care on her kids teeth CAUSE HE DIDNT GET TO USE THE GENERAL ANST. Whats really wrong with this picture im begging him to put her under and get bad teeth out thats harming everything else, disturpting her and my sleep now, and with no x rays he could tell me infection wasn't there. BS. One of these days hes gonna talk about the wrong ones child .... or neglect their help and either get hurt or lose lic. How I help my cool Ill never know! .... I think those staff deserve a better doctor before their families are affected but law suits. CAUSE TODAY WAS RUDE, NEGLECT AND MAL PRACTICE. AT ITS WORST..... ILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN. UNLESS ITS W A LAWYER FOR HIM INSULTING MY BABY.... HIS DIPLOMAS MAKE HIM NO BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.... read more