Had a great first visit, but after that things went downhill due to repeated administrative errors. I have dental anxiety (flagged in my chart), so unexpected changes and confusion are especially stressful. I scheduled fillings specifically around insurance coverage, but when I arrived I was booked for a completely different procedure that my dentist had never explained to me. I then received appointment reminders for visits I never scheduled, and when I called they admitted it was a mistake. I was also told I owed a balance that I had already paid in full (my insurance reimburses me after the fact), and the office could not clearly explain why the charge appeared or why they told me I had already paid. I was then told that they forgot to submit my claim to my insurance. My hygienists were great, but I don't recommend this office if you have anxiety or don't have time to constantly correct scheduling/billing issues yourself. read more

Always a stress free environment from walking in to getting into the chair to leaving. Everyone's so friendly and Dr. extremely informative and take the time to explain and go over all. Beyond worth my trip out of state to come back and get treated with Brookline Progressive Dental Team. read more

Hands down the best dental practice I've ever been to. The hygienists and desk staff are nice and professional, as Dr. Kwak is a miracle worker! (Seriously, see her if you've had other dental professionals say you need lots of work or that something is impossible - she gives it to you straight, sees options others don't, and actually looks at the whole situation rather than just fixing one problem in a way that will then lead to others.) My whole family now goes to this practice, seeing surgeons and gum specialists and, of course, the utterly delightful Dr. Kwak. read more

I have been going to this practice for several years and had a complete mouth restoration which looks better than my natural teeth ever did and has caused me no trouble. I have broken the natural tooth root for a crown (I bit down on an olive pit that was mistakenly left in a sandwich). The teeth have held up well. I used to have a lot of problems with my teeth, but not since I started with Brookline Progressive. All of the staff that I have had work on my teeth are wonderful and Dr. Kwak and the other dentists in the office are highly professional and skilled. I have used several dentists over the years, and this is the best practice I have ever had. I highly recommend this practice. read more

Front desk lady greeted me with a look of suspicion when I told her I needed to update my insurance info since I haven't been here in a while. She spoke to the accounts guy and insisted I pay for the checkup and cleaning in advance. I've never been asked to pay for this in advance as they usually check with the insurance first and bill me for the difference in out of pocket cost. Not a nice way to greet a returning client. After checking a cap that had chipped off, Dr. K. recommended to have the tooth removed. I looked for a second opinion and got the cap replaced properly. Do not recommend.. read more

My experience with this office started in the year 2020. Dr. Hyejin Kwak put a dental crown on me, but I have been experiencing pain since the day that I got it. After over a year of effort, countless visits to other dental offices, I was told by another dentist that there was actually a cavity underneath, and it was never mentioned by Dr. Kwak, as a matter of fact, Doctor Kwak specifically said that there isn't a cavity there. During one of the revisits, Dr. Kwak even asked me if I was making this up. I was shocked and I couldn't believe a dentist would ask a patient that question. Of course, I was not making anything up, and the diagnosis from other dentists are the proof. Also, one time, I was there to get a veneer, and one assistant, I think her name is Dariana. She reached into the trash bin, and came back to work on my mouth. I had to tell her to change her gloves before she reluctantly changed her gloves. Imagine some people bringing dirty stuff into your mouth during the procedures and the dirty stuff gets stuck between your veneer, or dental crown and your tooth structure, and these dirty stuff are stuck here with you for the rest of your life because of some bad hygiene practices. Stay away from this place! read more

I came here for my bi-annual cleaning. Upon arrival, the front staff greets you and check you in right away. It's a very nice dentist's office. For cleaning, I had Alison. I told her about my gauge reflex when taking X-ray pictures (I don't know why I have such a difficult time with these). She was very understanding and did a good job. She would sprint to the switch to take the picture and sprint back to take it out of my mouth. She's very informative and told me everything that she was doing. She answer all of my questions and was super thorough. Apparently, my last dental hygienist didn't do a good job because I have a lot of plaque built up below the gum that requires deep cleaning. Alison did a great job cleaning my teeth and schedule me to come back in June. Not sure if people know this or not but she's very funny and nice!! Overall, she's probably one of the best hygienist I ever had and that's saying a lot! After she was done, Dr. Rafie examine my teeth and X-rays. He's very nice and informative as well. They both said I have good hygiene and teeth and after the deep cleaning, I should be set! I highly recommend this place! They will take good care of you! read more

I was referred here by my dentist in San Francisco. My dentist in San Francisco had a dental hygienist that moved to Boston and is working here. Firstly, the place is super modern, clean and a pleasant office to be in. Really helps when you're going in for dental procedures! For cleanings, I've had Aimee (the one that used to work in SF) and she's wonderful. Just like my great experience in SF, the cleaning is not stressful and actually quite delightful. She also shows the problem areas that I've had with plaque build up. For other dental operations, I've had Dr. Kwak. She is truly an amazing dentist and person. I had to get some cavities filled in between my back two teeth. I've got quite a bad gag reflex so you can imagine how bad it is to do anything back there. The procedure was quite a struggle for me, having to take breaks and triggering my gag reflex. Dr. Kwak was super calm the entire time and was not annoyed or frustrated at the situation. Her attention to detail for making the patient comfortable is super admirable. When numbing your teeth, she hides the needle out of your view - something small, but helps the patient not freak out. I had to come back for a refilling due to a gap. I was honestly terrified of the operation given what I experienced the first time. But she managed to complete the whole operation in less than 10 minutes and it was 10000x better than I anticipated. It's a bit inconvenient for me to come, but given my experiences here, I'd come back again and again. And possibly even look forward to it. read more

This review is for Dr. El Rafie, who specializes in prosthodontics. I have a complicated situation with a crown, and Dr. El Rafie has been patiently helping me through all the steps. He takes the time to talk through options and costs with me, and understands my anxiety about dental work. He and his assistant make sure I'm comfortable. Everything has been pain-free. I highly recommend him! read more

I absolutely highly recommend!!! The staff is so welcoming and caring! I am extremely happy I have found a professional dental group!

Dr. Kwak and the whole staff at Brookline Progressive Dental are amazing! I have never liked going to a dentist's office and have avoided it for the past few years after moving to Boston, but Dr. Kwak and her team makes me feel at ease. I first visited Dr. Kwak for a second opinion. (The first dentist I went to in Boston was very disappointing. I felt like they just wanted my money and I saw the dentist for a total of two minutes, if that.) However Dr. Kwak spent a lot of time with me during my first appointment telling me everything I needed to get done. She was very sweet but very honest about the treatments I needed. She was easy to talk to and very understanding. She was able to answer all my questions and come up with a treatment plan for me. It did not feel like the appointment was rushed. She is a wonderful dentist! I also really hate getting local anesthesia but she made it less painful. She's good at what she does. All the hygienists that I've done cleanings with have been great as well! They are all so knowledgeable and good at informing me every step they're about to do. On top of that, this facility is extremely nice, new and clean. It has been very easy to make appointments and I've never had any issues with billing or insurance. I was always well informed about how much each procedure was prior to getting the treatment. I've had to reschedule an appointment last minute due to work and they were kind enough to waive the cancellation fee. I've also never had to wait more than 5 minutes to be seen. Everyone is extremely friendly and accommodating! I highly recommended Dr. Kwak and her team to anyone looking for a great dentist and a nice, clean dental office. read more

Horrible dentist. Did a very poor job on filling my tooth and left it very jagged and rough. It looked and felt like a child had done the job. He also created a huge gap between my teeth while doing the filling and I had to see another dentist to get the problem fixed, costing me even more money. He is a nice guy but not a good dentist. Find someone better. read more

Kind, gentle, funny, and skilled, Dr. Ken won't shame you into taking care of your teeth---he'll praise you into doing it. When drilling and filling my teeth, he checked in with me before and after each step so that I knew exactly what was going on. The first time I met with him, he spent an hour and a half talking with me and looking at my teeth to get an idea of how I live and eat and how it affects my chompers. (He could also tell just by looking at my teeth that I'm a vegetarian.) Bonuses: He has an unironic handlebar mustache and does macrame, which he displays proudly on his office walls. Easy to reach on the C line (St. Paul St. stop). read more

Don't go there. I had a very (and perhaps overly) expensive procedure there in part because I did my research on pricing based on being told that the price included two procedures, not one (in fairness, the dentist now denies having discussed two procedures). I still frequently have the same pain that I had before the procedure was done. In addition, Dr. Kwak was dismissive and condescending. The treatment verged on unprofessional, i.e., after a temporary crown was put in, my discomfort increased considerably and something fell out of my mouth as well. Concerned that this could be a major thing, I tried to reach the office only to be told that it was an unsubstantial piece of plastic and such things frequently fall out. It cannot be acceptable medical practice to insert a medical device into someone's mouth and to expect and accept part of it breaking off into my mouth where it could have been swallowed. It certainly would have been more professional to have told me that in advance. In addition, when discussing whether or not to go forward with the permanent crown after the problems with the temporary crown, I asked whether the permanent crown would eliminate the discomfort and was told that I could have pain for up to several years. That is hard to believe. But, in any case, she should have informed me of that in advance. Finally, it took three tries for Progressive Dental to file the insurance claim correctly. As a result, I kept getting rejection notices from the insurance company and bills from Progressive Dental to pay the amount which insurance was supposed to cover. read more

When my company switched Dental Insurance from Blue Cross to MetLife, I was a little bummed to find out that I would have to switch dentists. Finding new anything is always a little scary. After calling a few offices with no luck (and not so helpful people), I was very pleased to speak to a really nice person at Dr. Bass's office. The next available appointment was about a month away, but I really wasn't in a rush to go to the dentist anyway. My appointment was at 6 PM on a Monday, I was able to park at one of the meters on Beacon pretty easily (if I had more time, I would've taken the T). The office was downstairs (luckily there was a sign) in a brownstone with a few different offices. It's a small shop - a small waiting room and a few work rooms - but it is cozy. There's a fish tank in the waiting room, which I thought was fun. Dr. Bass and his assistant (I think her name is Judy) happened to be right at the desk when I walked in, and were extremely nice and pleasant. I immediately felt very comfortable. I was just in for a cleaning, and was surprised when Dr. Bass actually did it (maybe because I was the only patient there?). I'm used to having an assistant (not sure of the correct title) do the cleaning, and having the dentist come in for 2 seconds. I thought it was a nice change of pace. One of the things that I did realize, however, is that the room that I was in didn't have one of those water gun things - I had to use a cup and rinse periodically (that might be TMI, but I'm writing it anyway). Anyway, I had a really nice experience, and would definitely recommend Dr. Bass to anyone. The only downside is that his earliest appointment is at 8:30 and the latest appointment is at 6 (so I would either have to go to work late or leave early, but it's definitely doable once every 6 months). I am glad that I found a great new dentist! read more

Edit: My original 5 star review was for Dr. Ken's practice. He has since sold it and I feel like the people who took over do an adequate job of dentistry but are super pushy for expensive procedures. I feel as though the care that Dr Ken used to put into his practice has been pushed aside for fancy new (aka expensive) techniques and gadgets in an attempt to pay off everyone's boats. My whole family (parents, wife, sister) used to go to Dr Ken. We're now all switching away from Brookline Progressive Dental. Here's my original 5 star review: Dr. Ken has been my dentist/friend since the day I was born. He is kind to no end, gentle as he can be, and he tries to teach me every aspect of of what he's doing as he's doing it (which I like). At every other place I've been to for dental work (the orthodontist, the oral surgeon), I've felt like just a mouth. Dr. Ken looks past your teeth and really cares about who you are as a person and how you're doing in all aspects of your life (not just tooth-related). He's a genuinely awesome person and I would go to him for any service he offers and I recommend you do the same (just not too many of you so I can still get an appointment when I need one) read more

I went recently for some orthodontic work, and when I mentioned I was going to my wife's dentist to get my teeth cleaned, they suggested I get it done with them. They did a great job: the hygienist Galina was absolutely superb. What they didn't mention until I was done is that they would charge me $100 over whatever my insurance paid...the guy at the counter said that my insurance plan is terrible. Which is strange because when my wife got her own teeth cleaned a few days later, the same "lousy" insurance took care of the whole bill. We compared notes and we both got exactly the same treatment, so heads up folks! As much as I liked Galina, I think I will be going to my wife's dentist from now on for cleaning. read more

Most average experience ever. Was not impressed with the professionalism of the staff. Girl doing the cleaning missed a stain I asked them to remove, I had to come back. They never took the X-rays claiming insurance won't pay (which actually it would). Who checks teeth without X-rays! Then they proceeded to upsell other service. Also during cleaning the girl was so unprofessional, she was not removing water at all, at one point I chocked. Don't waste your time! read more

Dr. Bass is fantastic. I needed a new dentist in Boston, and I'm thrilled with him so far. When I called to set up a cleaning, the woman on the phone was super nice and she was able to schedule me for the next day! I've never been nervous about the dentist, but I can imagine that Dr. Bass would definitely put you at ease if you were. He's easygoing and has a nice sense of humor, and he tells you what he's doing in your mouth as he's working. It was definitely one of the most thorough dental cleanings I've ever had, too. Sadly, I had some cavities and had to go back to have them filled--but it was seriously the easiest experience ever. I didn't even feel the Novocaine going in--Dr. Bass explained that some people feel discomfort if a dentist puts the Novocaine in too quickly, but he did it very slowly--and the entire procedure was completely comfortable. Dr. Bass and his assistant (I think her name is Sandra) are both really nice people, and I couldn't recommend this office more highly! read more

I will be the first to admit, that I hate going to the dentist. I had braces twice while growing up and thought I had enough people in my mouth to last a lifetime or two. But when the mouth went into crisis mode, I took a colleagues recommendation and went to see Dr. Bass. The receptionist, Judy, is very sweet and helpful and Dr. Bass is super friendly, un-scary and explained everything that he was doing (and that had to be done) so that it sounded pleasant and not scary. When he explained that I would have to see an oral surgeon, he made a great recommendation AND he had Judy call and make me an appointment. I liked him so much, I made another appointment to see him next week! read more

Dr. Bass's office was helpful as I was long overdue in finding a new local dentist. They scheduled me in a reasonable time window, unlike some places that have their next opening months down the road. He is located right off of the Green C-Line MBTA in the basement of an old apartment building, which is a cool set up. Everyone I've come in contact in his office is very friendly and the magazine selection was adequate. He even has a spot on the introductory paper work that asks new patients to rate how scared they are of the dentist on a scale of "a little," "a lot," or "not at all." It's good to see he knows it's not easy for everyone and he's definitely aware of making his patients comfortable. read more

Was recommended by a friend to Dr. Kwak a few years ago, as I had moved to area and need a new dentist. The office isn't in the best building, but there is ample 2 hour free street parking and once you walk into the actual office you're confused on whether you've ended up in a spa or dentist office. I'm personally not a big fan of dentist visits in general, so this little things like offering free water and window facing treatment chairs go a long way for me. Dr. Kwak (and the rest of the staff) are friendly and knowledgeable, explaining necessary procedures before preforming the work. For somebody who stereotypically hates the dentist, this one isn't too bad! read more

Brookline Progressive Dental Team - General Dentistry Near Me - Brookline, Massachusetts

I don't know if a kinder more genuine dentist exists in Boston. As I am sure we all know, it's hard to find an honest dentist. Some dentists will suggest unnecessary root canals for slightly deep cavities, others will suggest other procedures that will swindle your money and shave down your teeth. Dr. Ken Thomases speaks to you when you're in his chair. With an almost zen-like personality, Dr. Ken Thomases makes you feel at ease. He answers your questions, he encourages you to understand the importance of taking care of your teeth. Also, on a side note, his front desk coordinator is probably the sweetest, most lovely front desk person I have ever encountered in my life. read more

This is the best dental office in the area. From the receptionists, to the hygienists, and dentist everyone is super professional and friendly. My RDH, Paige is the best- so thorough yet gentle, I'm never in discomfort unlike my old hygienist. I've seen multiple dentists here at each of my cleanings and they're all awesome and honest, this office does't try to scam you or rip you off like a lot of other ones in the area. Let be honest, no one LIKES going to the dentist but the team here at Brookline Progressive Dental is amazing and puts all of your "fears of going to the dentist" at ease. read more

After being with the same dentist for 20 yrs in Michigan, I had some trepidation in finding a new one in Boston. I've kind of been putting it off. But I was motivated by pain on the side of my face that wouldn't go away even with the steroid spray for sinus stuff. I read some reviews on Yelp and made a choice. I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Thomases. He is a lovely man. He found no problems with my teeth and sent me on my way to keep trying the sinus meds and to investigate further with an ENT if the pain doesn't go away. He's not going to treat a problem that isn't there. I really appreciated his honesty and his good humor at 8:00 AM. And he is now my regular dentist. read more

Dr. Bass and staff are by far the best experience I've had with a dentist. They offer online scheduling, and confirmed my appointment via phone within 15 minutes. Dr. Bass was very kind about my teeth that were long overdue for a cleaning, and his professional manner helped reduce my anxiety. I expected a dental hygienist to clean my teeth, but he did it himself. There was no wait, and I have nothing but positive things to say about my office visit. I will be going back - highly recommended, if you're looking for a dentist! read more

I cannot say enough positive things about the staff and quality of care I've received at Brookline Progressive Dental Team. Dr. Kwak and her team (Andy, Catelin, and Vanessa, just to name a few) have made my dental procedures so lovely and pleasant. They couldn't be a more helpful, friendly and a truly caring group of people! Their new office space is spectacular - it feels like I'm at a spa! The views from the dental chair of Brookline are stunning and the office is completely new and top-notch -- they left out no detail (flat screens for you to watch while having dental work, soothing music to help you relax). I am so very appreciative of the excellent care and service I've received from Dr. Kwak and her team. I highly recommend going to them for all your dental needs, and trying out their whitening services, too! read more

Let me just start and say, that from the moment I called the office till the end of my visit, the service and kindness was stellar! Its hard to find a dentist that is honest and tells you what you need and not looking at the dollar signs. Dr. Kwak was very sweet but honest about the work I needed done. I had a cleaning as well with her Hygienist Nini. She was gentle and patient with me.. I have the most sensitive teeth... lets just say, I am probably one of her most annoying patients lol! She was amazing and very educated about oral care! I will definitely be back and will be referring anyone that needs a new dentist. On a side note the office is super modern and clean, it was beautiful! Super impressed! read more

This place is amazing. Dr. Kwak was recommended to me by a good friend who is terrified of dentists...and she said that Dr. Kwak and her team were excellent with her. Since I needed some work done, I booked an appointment. The building itself doesn't look like it would house a dentists office - you take the elevator up to the 3rd floor - but once you're in their office, it's extremely clean, updated and nice. The receptionist is always friendly and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for my appointment. Today, I had to get a deep cleaning (scaling) which I've heard can be painful, but Aimee is amazing!! She explained everything she was doing, and said that I might feel some pressure - but she was so good, I didn't feel anything and am recovering well. I am so glad I found this place and will continue to go here for my care!! read more

I have been going to them for a year now and apart from regular cleaning I got a few restorations done. Very nice folks.. absolutely recommend them! read more

Dr. Kwak and the team are simply the best! I have been a patient of Dr. Bass' for a long time, and when he moved to the new office location I obviously followed him. I had always been fearful of going to the dentist, but once became a patient of Dr. Bass' I felt incredibly comfortable. Dr. Bass and Dr. Kwak are extremely knowledgeable in dentistry, both have warm and inviting personalties and they truly care about their patients dental health and well being. They are such a pleasure to be around that I absolutely love going to the dentist now! Furthermore, all of the dental assistants are very kind and knowledgeable. They are very good at explaining what they are doing and are clear and concise in their execution. The atmosphere is absolutely gorgeous, parking is easy and checking out is a breeze. I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend becoming a patient at Brookline Progressive Dental. To Dr. Kwak and Dr. Bass: Thank you for all of your hard work and dedication!! read more

This dental practice is simply the best. Dr. Kwak is so thorough, expert, and just puts you at ease. She reviews your choices and supports you to make best decision. Her staff is also top notch. Everyone there is personable and knows what they are doing. They did a great job with my daughter's invisilign as well. Have no dental fear! Brookline Progressive is here! I guess you can see I like and trust them. read more

Before today, I hadn't been to a dentist since 2009. I was fully expecting the worst--and I do need a lot done-- but the hygienist (Paulina) and the dentist (didn't catch his name; it wasn't Dr. Kwak so I'm guessing it was Dr. Bozarth?) gave good, cost-sensitive explanations of what needed to be prioritized. They didn't shame me at all for neglecting my office visits and gave me the right amount of encouragement to want to become someone who routinely goes in for cleanings. I came in panicked and left feeling like my situation was manageable. I am glad I chose Brookline Progressive Dental and would recommend them both to others in a similar situation and people who are good about going to the dentist regularly. read more

I was seen by Dr. Kwak who was very sweet and understanding. I was running a bit late on one of the appointments and her and the office staff made it a point to help me out. The front office staff were very patient when explaining to me about my payments and insurance benefits as well. Highly recommend! read more

I've been coming here for over a year now and Brookline Progressive is the best dentist office in Boston--maybe the world. Everyone who works in this office is friendly, professional, and more than competent. Linh, who handles appointments, is phenomenal and extremely accommodating. Paige, my hygienist, is a pro and always so nice to talk with. Both Dr. El-Rafie and Dr. Kwak are wonderful dentists. I've had to have a number of fillings in the past year (5 to be exact ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) and Dr. El-Rafie has made them as easy and stress-free as possible. I've never once felt pain or discomfort during a procedure--I actually don't even feel the numbing shots he's that good!! I can't recommend this office highly enough. It's a mistake to go anywhere else. read more

I am not satisfied with the service I received. After my so called "cleaning" Dr. Bass sprayed something like dry air in the roof of my mouth and a day or so later it gave me the worst burning feeling/canker soar! I was unable to eat right for over a week! That was the worst exp I ever had after a dental visit... On top of that he did NOT PROPERLY clean my teeth... So now I have to pay out of pocket or wait Six months before my teeth can be cleaned properly and the visit be covered by my ins. Co.... read more

Unlike the most recent reviewer, I've had PLENTY of cavities, but still am not afraid of dentists. The bills on the other hand...but those will come anyway, and Dr. Bass's office does deal with the coverage I have, making them less than they would've been elsewhere. Anyway: I've been seeing Dr. Bass for a couple of years now and have been very pleased. He's personable but not overly chatty, does a good job of getting the cleaning and x-rays done with and explaining what you're doing wrong and where, and then when I continued doing wrong he did a good job of getting my cavities filled. The woman who runs the front desk (whose name I'm sadly blanking on) is polite and on the ball. read more

In the interest of full disclosure, I'll admit up front that I am not afraid of dentists, have never had a cavity, and my wisdom teeth have all grown in nicely. But, hey, even with my lucky mouth *knocks on wood* you can have a terrible tooth cleaning! I've only gone more than a year without getting my teeth cleaned twice, and the last time it was awful! Painful, bloody, and felt so long. Not this time! Dr. Bass does the the cleaning himself as many other reviewers here have mentioned, and that was a first for me. It was a radically different experience! I thought for sure that again the cleaning would be terrible, but he was so gentle and fast! He's a very personable and nice guy as well, so I enjoyed our chatter during the whole process too. Also, if you are used to that weird sucky-implement that takes saliva out of your mouth while the process is ongoing, he didn't use that, and instead asked me to rinse and spit several times during the process -- I actually prefer this! Luckily I still had no cavities, and recieved a well-deserved scolding to floss more (this time I really will, I swear!). The cost of a cleaning without insurance was just under $200, which I know you can buy a dental cleaning Groupon for some random place for less than $100, but I wanted to go to someone highly skilled that I would trust to fix any dental issues that were discovered during the cleaning. I'd definitely go back! He's so well-reviewed on yelp for a reason. Also, it can take around 3 weeks to get an appointment if you like the popular evening times that are convenient for work. That was fine with me! Very grateful they had 5:30p appointments! read more

Overall, I had a really good experience here. My second appointment was very early in the morning, and Dr. Kwak was still in great spirits. She filled 1 cavity and advised me to hold off filling a second, potential cavity. I thought that was honest--something hard to find in the dentist world. She correctly diagnosed me after another brookline dentist in coolidge corner told me I had 16 cavaties (!!). After he filled 8, and i cancelled my second appointment and met with Dr. Dwak. I would defnitely go back, though I've moved. They e-mailed my xrays to me without a fuss or a fee, and mailed me a small $11 check after overcharging me a year earlier. Awesome. read more

Going to this guy is the hands-down best dental experience I've ever had. I actually looked forward to my appointments. Too bad I moved across the country, so I can't go anymore (although he's so good I thought about making trips back to Boston JUST to get check-ups). Dr. Ken should clone himself and set up franchises. read more