I did a lot of research on North County dentists before picking a dentist and found this place…read morethrough Reddit. The reviews on Google Maps and Yelp, especially people who've been coming here 15-20 years really stood out to me, and after my first visit I totally get it. Got in quickly through the cancellation list which I was thankful for, specifically for a cleaning and x-rays. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The person taking my x-rays made it easy, and my hygienist was gentle and talked me through everything as she went, which I really appreciated. Dr. Chang kept it conservative and didn't push any unnecessary work. Exactly what I was looking for. Highly recommend!

Great care, kind attentive staff From the amazing front…read moredesk staff To very knowledgeable dental assistant The entire staff is very caring Of course dr Chang is a rock star So grateful

I'm sharing this as my personal experience so others can make an informed decision…read more I had been a patient of this dental office for years and was explicitly told that this was the same practice I had been seeing all along. At no point was I informed--verbally or in writing--that my insurance was now considered out-of-network. Based on those assurances, I reasonably believed my coverage, billing expectations, and standard of care would remain the same. My first concern arose when I was scheduled for what would have been my third cleaning in the same calendar year. When I arrived, I was told the cost would be over $200 due to insurance coverage. This was surprising, especially since the appointment had been booked by the office with full knowledge of my insurance history. Again, there had been no communication that my insurance was no longer in network. I ultimately rescheduled for 2 weeks later, after the new year, once benefits reset. When I returned, the cleaning itself was fine, but the experience felt noticeably different from what I had consistently received at this office in prior years. The technician took an unusually high number of X-rays because the images weren't capturing properly. The office claims a full set of X-rays was taken, which is fine and what I expected - but the tech repeatedly x-rayed the same areas telling me he was having trouble capturing the images. Despite being told this was the same practice, the overall experience felt different from what I had come to expect. Based on those X-rays, I was told I had a cavity that needed filling. This was concerning because my prior dentist at this same office had been monitoring the tooth and believed it was coffee staining rather than decay. I understand that dentists can have differing clinical opinions, but given the recent changes, it gave me pause. When I brought this up to the front desk I was told Dr. Farahani noted a cavity in my chart - which may be the case (I haven't seen the notes) but what was verbally communicated was that the area was not of concern and to wait and see. I previously saw Dr. Norling who believed the area was stained from coffee and also opted to monitor the teeth rather than perform work. This was the case for years and never do I ever experience any discomfort to the teeth in question. Despite my hesitation, I returned for the procedure because I wanted to trust the practice I had been loyal to for years. What was not clearly communicated until the day of the appointment was that I was now considered out-of-network, nor was I given a clear estimate ahead of time. This was especially frustrating given that I had been assured nothing had changed with the practice itself. While I was already in the chair and desensitized, it was decided that an adjacent tooth should also be filled. These fillings were performed on my two front teeth, which made the situation feel particularly high‑stakes. When I asked for an updated estimate, I was told "I'm bad at math. Just double it," by the front desk. At that point, I felt pressured to proceed since the procedure had already begun. I'm not confident that both fillings were necessary, and given that they were done on such prominent teeth, I now have ongoing concerns about future dental work on them. I worry that I may need continued treatment on these teeth over time, potentially even crowns someday, which is especially stressful considering their visibility. During the procedure, there appeared to be miscommunication between the dentist and the assisting tech, who seemed new and required frequent coaching. While I understand training is part of any practice, it was uncomfortable as a patient to hear uncertainty while work was being done. Afterward, my bite felt significantly off, and one of my front teeth was left uneven. The issue wasn't resolved during that visit. Rather than return to this office I opted to see another dentist two days later and pay additional money to have the tooth adjusted so my teeth would stop hitting each other when I bit down. In total, I paid about $550 for two fillings, including the follow‑up adjustment elsewhere. I left feeling disappointed and frustrated, particularly because I had trusted this practice based on years of exceptional prior care and was never clearly informed of changes to insurance status, costs, or treatment expectations--especially for work performed on my front teeth. Others may have had different experiences, but this one missed the mark for me, and I won't be returning.

I had a great experience today with a dental cleaning, xrays, and exam. I was treated gently and as…read morea result I will be back! Clean office environment, friendly staff, and non rushed approach to dental visit.

I highly recommend this dental office it's hard to find a good dental office who actually care…read moreabout there patients , the whole staff from front desk to dental hygienist to the actual dentist were pleasant. Website was easy to navigate and they ask you how can they make your visit pleanst would you need anything additional or is there anything they should know about you for you prior to your arrival . ‍ Don't walk to get your dental needs taken care of .run to them your teeth n mouth are in good hands.

Dr. Purin and the staff are great. The office is modern and clean. There are financing options…read moreavailable to fit your budget.

This was the absolute best experience at the dentist! Admittedly, it'd been some time since my last…read morevisit with any dentist, but everyone at Pristine Dentistry put me at ease throughout my entire visit. Ivan was very kind and friendly during the X-rays. Sheila was such a reassuring hygienist. And Dr. Ashley was an absolute gem. She was very communicative and explained what we need to prioritize to get me back on track. I never felt like I was being sold on something I didn't need, never felt overwhelmed or judged, and they checked in often to see how I was doing. If I could give Pristine Dentistry 10 stars, I would. The made an appointment I was dreading an absolutely wonderful experience!

I just had the greatest dental appointment ever, are words nobody thought would ever be strung…read moretogether, but it's true. I had Sheila as my hygienist (second time with her) and she's very friendly and has been 2-for-2 in being very gentle and quick with her work. She was joking with me and making me feel very at ease. I like how she was describing her work and procedures and offering tips on brushing, etc. It was fun, informative and thorough. Then the dentist showed up and she was just as great or even better. She reviewed my x-rays and engaged with me personally and professionally. I actually found this office because I followed the dentist specifically from the practice she used to work at. This business is hers (and her husband). All of the staff made a point of calling me by name (keep in mind this is like my 4th ever visit here). It was really a ridiculously great and pleasurable dental visit. Who'd have thought that??!!

Friend suggested this after a move. Love the location yet I don't feel I'm paying for fancy…read moreatmosphere. Dr is friendly and I feel he's doing a great job, but not pushy to sell anything unless needed. (Last place was paying for fancy office and several workers. Ok but why do that?) so far only had general cleaning but when I said previous dentist told me to start saving for gum issues- Dr Nguyen said "no / we will just do a little filling when needed". As a senior I liked that!

Dr Nguyen is a dedicated dentist who really cares about his patients and provides them with quality…read moredental care. This is not a commercial dental office that tried to sell you unnecessary treatments. If you ever need a second and honest opinion don't hesitate to contact him for you will get an honest opinion. I highly recommend patient centered dental care.

Both Kevin and Stephanie are amazing . I have been a patient…read morehere for over 15 years. Kevin is a great dentist and Steph is a great dental hygienist. I had very bad gingivitis when I first became their patient And my teeth have been in great shape for years now. The office is small but they all provide great service and has a family vibe Their receptionist Michelle is great also. Definitely recommend them if anyone asks me for a dentist. I got my husband and cousin to come here as well

There is just so much good stuff I can say about the Creative Smiles team but it is nearly…read moreimpossible to articulate all the good that I have experienced and have been witness to. Honestly, I wanted to write a review as soon as I got out of my first visit. That is how positive my experience was. Dr. Salgado, Stephanie and Michelle has made their office such a warm, friendly, and amazing environment. I never thought I would ever say those words about a dentist office. Let me start off by saying that in the 40 something years I've been going to the dentist, I have always had an enormous fear and anxiety over going. I remember white knuckling the chair just about every appointment and TONS of pain. So when the money became a problem, it was the perfect excuse for me to stop going, because I couldn't afford it. I never had great teeth but needless to say, it got worse. Even taking medication for that anxiety didn't help. That fear became so profound, that I skipped going for years. Prior to going to Dr. Salgado, I tried to get back into this and take care of the problems that I was having. The prior office seemed so aggressive in their handling and they stated that I needed work that turned out to be not necessary. Fast forward to the present day. After all of that neglect on my part, I ended up developing a pretty painful tooth infection and had to find another dentist. In my first visit to Creative Smiles, you can tell right off the bat that every staff member genuinely cares. Michelle has such a friendly demeanor when you walk through the door that it automatically puts you at ease. She has gone above and beyond in ensuring that I have all the info I need but most importantly, she ensures that I understand it. I've been to other offices where they don't even to explain and they even get mad if you ask too many questions (because they did not explain). . I truly appreciate the whole team's attention to detail. I have not had the opportunity to work with Stephanie directly but I'm looking forward to it. She has already been a wealth of knowledge. She recently explained something to me regarding my flipper tooth. I know this should have been common sense on my part but she never shamed me for not knowing. It was not explained to me by my prior dentist, the ramifications of not wearing your stay plate consistently. As with Michelle, Stephanie is always friendly. Her positive energy makes for a warm inviting environment. As for Dr Salgado, there are not enough words to explain what a stellar doctor he is. When I came in for the first time because I had tooth pain, initially it was supposed to be a consultation but he ended up going above and beyond to try and do some of the prep work so I can go to the Endodontist to get some relief. He provided a treatment plan and options but what I appreciate a lot is that he did not tell me I need things that were unnecessary like another office did. Dr Salgado takes you every step of the way during the process which helps so much and curbs any anxiety that might come up. One thing I appreciate very much is that he knows I am working with a limited amount of funds. Not once has he tried to steer me toward the more expensive option or take the easy way out and just pull them. I was told by another office pulling them would be the best way to go. Dr Salgado is trying to save my teeth. He has made me aware of my options and has tried to help me stay within my budget. Dr Salgado has a way of putting patients at ease. I can honestly say that there has NOT been a time when I was not petrified of going to the dentist. But during my first visit and each subsequent visits I can say I was not nervous and had ZERO anxiety which has never happen before. He is very thorough every visit and does everything he can to save your teeth. I know I said this earlier but that Dr. Salgado and team truly cares about their patients and they try very hard to improve oral health and change lives. I'm very happy with the work that has been done so far. The whole team is passionate about what they do and it shows exponentially. Dr Salgado is energetic and enthusiastic about his work which in turn makes me more motivated to take care of myself. A step at a time, I will be able to face the world with confidence and a better smile.

Seeing the Dentist is not top of the fun list for most people. I have been seeing Dr. Coleman for…read more10+ years and now his son Dr. John. I am unfortunately one of those people with weakened enamel that is hereditary so I find myself in the chair getting procedures regularly. It has been a while since I needed anything until yesterday. To say I was terrified would have been an understatement. I couldn't eat, I was shaking, my heart was racing all the way up until I sat in the chair. Then I was reminded why I love this practice. Sara cranked up the 60's jams to give me something to concentrate on, threw a stress ball in my hand, and helped me calm down. Once I was settled, she talked me through every step that was going to happen. When Dr. John came in he makes you feel like your friends from way back with his calm bedside manner. My crown was a breeze with the help of some gas... and his steady hands. I trust Dr. John and the staff of professionals implicitly and that's why I will always recommend his practice to anyone who will listen. His front office professionals are always going above and beyond. Alisa and Stacy are kind and thoughtful. My hygienist Gillian is as good as it gets, she even stopped in just to give me a hug yesterday since she knows I get nervous. It's the little things too, like knowing I don't care for mint so making sure I have Pina Colada numbing agent or Cake flavored fluoride paste. They deserve 30 stars, not just 5!!!

I've been going here for years. Up until recently I thought it was the best dentist around. I…read morereferred numerous people and for once truly felt comfortable going in the dentist. That was until my last cleaning. It has taken me a long time to write this review particularly because of life and particularly because I really didn't want to- but here goes. I went in for a cleaning and will admit I was overdue. I was called in by a younger hygienist who made a point to tell me she hadn't been working long. Ok? On examination she screamed oh my god is that popcorn?!? Did you eat popcorn on your way here?!? I was incredibly embarrassed. Then she checked for pockets in my gums and pushed herself away from my chair and said I need to get them to make an estimate and left the room. She came back and said I don't think I should even do the cleaning because you're going to need so much more. I looked confused and she said she could do it if I really wanted but it would really be a waste of time in her opinion. She then asked if I wanted to look at a kids picture book about stages of dental disease. I was done!!!! I didn't know what to say so I started to laugh partly to keep from crying and she asked me what I was laughing at. I said you know what- I'm done. I unclipped the bib and walked out. While sitting in my car trying to compose myself before driving home- the manager followed me out to ask what happened. I explained everything and mentioned I kinda have a fear of the dentist so this made it all so much worse. She told me the hygienist was newer and recommended I book an appointment with a more experienced hygienist. But this meant more waiting and talking time off work. Honestly it never happened. I'm sad about this because as I said this has always been a kind and gentle place that aside from a crown popping off did what I thought was good work.

I had a great experience here. The entire staff is incredibly kind and made me feel comfortable. I…read morecame in for a dental crown and I am very happy with the outcome--it looks and feels perfect. Professional, friendly, and efficient. Highly recommend.

I had a dental emergency today and my front tooth was chipped. I called Vista Village Family Dental…read moreand talked to Heather and she got me a same day appointment. Heather was totally understanding and gave excellent customer service over the phone and in person. I then was seen by Dr.Kobayashi and Her assistant Nessy. Both of whom were so extremely nice and very professional. I was so pleased that Dr.Kobayashi did a fantastic job repairing my chipped tooth! Thank you so much to everyone!! I look forward to my next visit! Thank you so much Vista Village Family Dentistry!

I was very happy with my first visit with Dr Al Khouri for dental exam and broken tooth. The…read moreoffice was busy but I was seen on time. The staff was pleasant. Dr Al Khouri was thorough, professional and very knowledgeable. I was impressed with the modern digital "x-rays" (90% less radiation exposure) and the saliva test to detect gum disease. I felt confident that my overall health was being addressed as the screen in the dental exam room cycled through information about the connections between dental health and heart disease, diabetes, strokes, etc. After Dr Al Khouri reviewed my "x-rays" with me, I was presented with the options and costs for tooth repair up front. Work was done to prepare my tooth and a temporary crown placed. I was very comfortable throughout the procedure and I was able to eat dinner after I left the office. The tests and procedures were documented on My Chart so I can look on my phone to review what was done and verify my follow up appointments. Overall I was very impressed with the cutting edge dental procedures, tests, and digital access to my information at Vista Modern Dentistry. I highly recommend Dr Al Khouri.

I have been coming to Vista Modern Dentistry for 7 years. Dr. Christine is great, as is my…read morehygienist, Stephanie. The staff are all friendly and competent. Highly recommend.

Dr Chalk, and staff, have provided good dental services for me and my family. Also, not pushy for…read morethings that we don't need. We value both.

Please don't go to this dentist. He messed my whole grill up. Now I'm paying thousands to fix it…read morefrom someone that went to dental school! No wonder everyone in vista calls him centrist the wanna be dentist. Place smells like doo-doo too.