DO NOT IGNORE THE 1-STAR REVIEWS. I had a decent experience here about 5 years ago, but things have gone way downhill. Whether it's the location or the entire practice, they need to do better. The staff is nice--that's the only reason this isn't a 1-star review. My appointment was in March for a check-up and cleaning. I arrived on time and waited over 30 minutes to be seen. After X-rays and a quick check-up, they told me they didn't have time for the cleaning and rescheduled it for June. In June, they called me just hours before the appointment to cancel again. The next available? August 1st. I agreed. Today, I show up--and surprise--they claim they don't see my appointment. I explained I was called and rescheduled for today, but instead of taking accountability, they tried to spin it like someone "should have" called. No apology. No ownership. Just excuses. They offered to reschedule again, but I walked out. I have a job and can't keep wasting time on this kind of disorganized chaos. Save yourself the frustration. Go somewhere with consistent 4+ star reviews. You deserve better. read more

Dr. Hitzel is a great dentist. I have been a patient there for several years, however now that he is spending less time at the Clearwater office his Clearwater Office Manager is hiring less qualified people and is not interested in fixing the problem. Since my last visit I have found a new dental office that is far superior. read more

I have been a patient at the Clearwater office for several years. There have been several changes in the dentists over that time but now that Dr. Zakeri has joined the practice, all it good - no, all is GREAT. Dr. Zakeri is excellent at her job and cares deeply about her patients. I highly recommend her. Vinny at the front desk is also great to work with. And Dora, my hygienist, is also tops in her field. I haven't had any issues with anyone in the front or back office. Staffing can be difficult no matter where you go but the core staff here is excellent! Thank you to the team at Champagne Dental - Clearwater! read more

Office experience, office management concerns not considered. Does not take into consideration of the patient concerns

Everything about Hitzel dentistry is Great. Very caring and expert. I would recommend them to everyone.

I started at Champagne dental at the St Pete office about 8 years ago.I left because their desk staff sits and gossips loud enough to hear all the way in the treatment room. I also had a bunch of issues with charges that were not correct. Then I switched to the Clearwater office. Im a person who loves the dentist, I look forward to my cleaning and pre book my next appt. Twice within the last year, so my last 2 visits "Vinny" their office associate called me . The first time it was literally the day of my appt telling me the hygienist called off sick and there was no way to accommodate me. The 2nd time is now this appointment 5 days before and he says the hygienist now moved to be closer to home and my appointment could be at 8am or 1pm. I work. I purposely make my appointments after work. He offers day appointments in a sing song, sarcastic way. I just told him Forget it, im not coming back to which he replied "ok. thanks" and hung up. Vinny is rude,aloof, disrespectful and unprofessional. I will never go back due to his rudeness. By the way, the last visit he was at the desk when I checked out and he never made eye contact and acted like answering a question about the cost of teeth whitening gel would absolutely hurt for him to answer. What a terrible experience. I did receive good care from the actual dentists, maybe they should remove Vinny from being their voice and face of customer service. read more

5 years ago I had Dr. Hitzel make me a lower partial and it was wonderful. Something happened inthose 5 years because when I came back to have an entire upper denture and lower partia made it became a nightmare. It started on April 3 2024 when I had my first appaointment. It took 5 weeks to get a fitting for the dentures. Then in June I finally got a fitting for the completed denture. In July Dr. Hitzel was not in the office because he was helping another dentist. I asked and the dentures finally came in mid July. They were of poor quality but I was asked to give Hitzel a chance so I did. I went multiple time for an adjustment with Charles his PA but they were not able to get them right. Then I had a metal part of the bridge hurting my tounge and Dr. Hitzel was goone on Vacation in August so I went down to his St. Pete office, which is 20 miles from my home, to get the lower adjusted. I was uninformed that the office was closed until 12:45 pm so I and another client spent 20 minutes outside in the terrible heat waitng for the office to open. When I finally got to see the dentist she said I just needed to get USED to the denture. I can not keep the upper in and the lower has a metal piece that c uts my tounge. I was made a fool out of . I spent multiple times in their office trying to give Hitzel a chance, plus $2000. I make $1973 per month in Social Security and gave him all I had. Pluse I am 82 years old so 5 months of my life is a great deal of time equity. Please do not be the fool I was. Go to dentist that has some ethics. Hitzel has lost his way. read more

I've been going to George Hitzel dentistry for over 20 years! He is the best in the industry. As I've lived in Hillsborough county and Pasco County. Seen dentist in those counties and still drive to Pinellas to see him and his amazing Staff. I've had root canals, teeth cleaning, implants. I highly recommended him and his staff. They have office in St Pete as well as Clearwater. Trish B read more

STAY AWAY from Hitzel Dental. I was a super happy patient for 8 YEARS, and I was completely lied to by their unprofessional office staff. They will double/over charge you and will make several EXCUSES as to why they double charged you. Make sure to call SEVERAL times BEFORE your appointment to ensure they still carry your insurance or dental plan - they WILL NOT be forthcoming to tell you this info until it comes time to pay. Please know, I tried to reach out to Dr Hitzel directly (twice) before posting my negative review, as I would prefer to discuss solutions, rather than complaints. Unfortunately, my requests went unanswered from Dr Hitzel. Back Story: Back in 2014, I purchased either a groupon or living social deal which led me to this dentist office. I then purchased their "in house: LIFESTYLE dental plan" and later even turned down an employer dental plan as Hitzel wasn't "in network" and I wanted to continue going there. I'm not a high maintenance patient, just my routine cleanings and x-rays. In 2020 I referred my fiancee to Hitzel, where he has been a patient for 3 years. Sounds like a local, great partnership right? In 2022: I was shocked when my fiance informed me of an incident he witnessed while in the waiting room: an office staff member being very rude and arguing with a patient regarding payment. (The one that was checking out members after their dental work.) Well, I'm not shocked anymore, as I was recently in this same position. The office staff member Kim double charged me at checkout. When I called back to inquire about the excessive charge, I was told SEVERAL different excuses to try and find something that would appease me. I personally had to report Hitzel Dental to my dental plan, as my dental plan was listed on Hitzel's website AND Hitzel Dental was listed as a provider on the Dental plan website. I have been forced to find a new dentist and I recommend you find a different one as well. read more

STAY AWAY from this practice. I had the most uncaring dentist, I had a tooth extraction and the pain was awful. I had some concerns but could not get the dentist to return my calls. The hygenist gave me all kinds of unsolicited medical advice; I'm an RN and what she told me was ridiculous. They have a large turnover of staff; I do not recommend this practice. read more

I couldn't be happier with Dr Hitzel and his helpful staff at the St Petersburg location. I come from a dental family and have worked as a dental assistant. He is professional, personable and has a gentle touch. I recently had an implant done and was amazed by how painless and quick the process was. I have referred two of my friends to the practice and they are equally impressed. read more

Everytime I call or ask for prices of dental work the front desk girls give me attitude or hang up the phone. I was in terrible pain and no one wanted to help me for two months. I had to spend extra money on an emergency dentist due to the fact that they did not want to help me. I've been coming here for 10 years. Do not recommend anymore unless you want attitude or rude service. read more

The BEST dentist I have ever been to. From the staff at the front to the doctors and dental assistants, everyone was friendly and helpful. I had every question answered and was recommended treatment options as needed. 10/10 recommend. read more

I would not recommend this dental office. My 83 year old mother had an initial consultation with Dr. Hitzel to discuss several extractions she would need before having upper dentures made. Dr Hitzel required an authorization from her oncologist before moving forward so we scheduled immediate bloodwork knowing this was a dire situation. During the appt, Dr Hitzel never mentioned he would be out on vacation for a month. While attempting to schedule a subsequent appt, I was informed the Dr would be on vacation for a month by his rude office manager, Holly. Holly told me among other things that it was "none of my business that he was going on vacation" after expressing disbelief this was not relayed to us. How garbage like this becomes an office manager is beyond my comprehension. Holly's rudeness and unprofessionalism shouldn't surprise me as she was rude to a patient she was speaking to on the phone and then proceeded to loudly complain about that caller to a colleague while I was sitting in the waiting room. Holly needs to pursue a new career path where she doesn't interact with the public, especially those who are terminally ill. Hopefully the Dr will make changes after reading this review. read more

When you make an appointment at Dr HItzel's office for a new patient appointment, they do not inform you that they require 18 mouth xrays for their file. This is their requirement before they even know if you show any signs of dental disease! I had to walk out and they charged me $35 for cancelling the appointment! the nerve of them. Poor communication and total overkill on xrays. I've never had this experience in 40 years going to dentist offices. read more

I have had numerous bad experiences here, especially with the front desk staff. I know two other people who had bad experiences and will never go back. Dental work needed to be redone by another dentist, including a crown that I was told after an x-ray had a gap and would need to be replaced . Over a thousand dollars down the drain! And forget asking the reception for help, they could care less read more

They broke hips law and just to get teeth clean it took over 6 months they lost my new number 3 times and put me on wrong date

I felt as tho I was Bait and switch!!! Felt as Tho they are trying to milk the insurance companies for multiple visits ! I am 47 years old... I called in and schedule an appt to get my teeth cleaned. Quick and efficient and the lady was super nice even Called me l"love"! She explained the process of me needing to have my previous dentist email my X-rays. I show up for my appointment .... I get escorted back and am told they will take my X-rays today and then I will need to schedule my 30 minute,60 minute or 90 minute cleaning. Since when did cleaning last have options?!? When I asked when this will be scheduled for... I was told an additional 4 mths!!!! I have never been to a dentist where they schedule the X-rays outside of the cleaning ....let alone 4 months later?!? How much ya want to bet I get "charged" for an appt that they did zero work for? I asked for my paper work back and immediately walked out. How shady of a business to be acting in this manner!!! read more

Dr De La Torre is fantastic, she filled two teeth for me and was so nice. She made sure I was comfortable the entire time, she was quick and efficient. I'm so happy to have found this practice! read more

Nice and friendly, great cleaning. As enjoyable as a Dentist visit can be. No complaints

Bought a groupon for X-rays, cleaning, exam. What a deal!! Staff was great. Mary who cleaned my teeth rocked. Loved my Doctor too. It was a great experience. I went to the St Pete location. Office was clean, warm, updated, and inviting. Can't go wrong with this place. I'll be back in 6 months. read more

The administrative staff at this office is practically incompetent, or at least extremely unreliable. I have been waiting seven months or more for a cost quote for bridgework and several crowns. The admin staff says they are waiting for paperwork from my insurance carrier, At least four times someone has told me they will followup and get back to me, but I have never received a call back. They obviously don't need my business. Don't waste your time with this dentist. read more

I have been coming to Dr. George Hitzel for more than 10 years. Currently he takes care of my wife and children, and my brother and his wife and children. I first visited Dr. Hitzel because he was listed on our (new) health insurance plan (back in 2004) and was close to home. We are so glad we found him. His associates are all excellent, but I find Dr. Hitzel to be the best of the best. At one time my profession was a dental products salesman, thus I was in this field and understand more than the average patient. My first experience with Dr. Hitzel was for a second opinion consultation, where I had gotten a first diagnosis (from another, reputable, dentist) that one of my molars needed to be pulled. I had second thoughts about this diagnosis and decided to give Dr. Hitzel a try. He examined my tooth and said optimistically "No, we can save that!" Here I am some 10 years later with the same tooth, still in my head, and beautifully crowned! Sometimes he treats me like a family member when I don't listen to his advice (he can be a bit stern) but that's only out of his great care for his patients well being. It's definitely not about the money, as he has had another successful - high profile occupation (until recently). He was a commercial airlines pilot. He does dentistry out of a love for the profession, and for his great care for people who need to be cared for. I have the greatest admiration and respect for Dr. Hitzel and would highly recommend him to anybody. If anyone ever has a poor experience in either of his offices, there must be some type of misunderstanding. As the saying goes "you can't please all the people all the time", but in my opinion it wouldn't likely be THIS dentist's fault. Nobody is perfect and he would admit to that, however in my opinion they have always done their absolute best at achieving excellence. In conclusion, I would like to add that I have had my share of dental (issues) over the years, but it was mostly due to my lack of a obedience as a patient that caused me much more grief in the long run then if I had heeded the advice of Dr. Hitzel and his staff. Take it from someone who has had to learn the hard way. :-) read more