I honestly don't understand how this place has 5 stars. They provide only the most basic care and refuse to do any real treatment. If you have medical or limited dental coverage, don't even bother--this office does nothing beyond the bare minimum. Every visit ends the same way: a quick checkup, a basic cleaning (the kind you could do yourself at home), and then a referral elsewhere. They repeat things you already know instead of addressing actual dental needs. It feels like a complete waste of time. I would never recommend this place, especially for kids. If you're looking for more than just the bare minimum, I strongly suggest going somewhere else. *********** While I fully understand that a child's safety is a priority, the care provided here is still far below expectations. My child was calm, cooperative, and sat through the X-ray and exams without issue, yet the doctor still refused to attempt the necessary fillings. Instead of trying, the assumption was immediately made that she might move--without any effort to treat her. It is also concerning that no details were shared regarding her actual dental needs. I was not informed about how many cavities she has, what procedures would be required, or what treatment plan was recommended. The default response was simply a referral, which seems to be the standard whenever insurance coverage is not ideal. Additionally, the implication that my child is in this situation because I do not care for her dental health is both offensive and unfounded. You have no knowledge of the circumstances, and to make such assumptions only reinforces the impression that patients are treated here with a dismissive, one-size-fits-all approach. Not every child is the same, and they should not all be boxed into the same category. Families deserve providers who will make an effort and offer treatment options beyond doing the bare minimum or resorting to putting a child under anesthesia for even the smallest procedures. Your response only comes across as an attempt to defend yourself rather than addressing the actual issue or providing any resolution. This does not reflect accountability or concern for patients. The so-called "5-star" rating is misleading. The reality is that this office does the bare minimum, avoids treatment, and immediately refers patients elsewhere rather than providing proper care. Parents bring their children here expecting help, not excuses, assumptions, or dismissive remarks. Until there is a real effort to listen to patients, treat each child as an individual, and provide solutions beyond referrals and anesthesia, these positive ratings mean nothing. read more

Please understand that while a business advertises that they accept certain insurance, there is a process. Please make sure you ask questions and understand the process. For instance, they may "ACCEPT" your insurance- as long as YOU pay upfront and get reimbursed later this is NOT where you have your insurance on file and are covered for a certain amount and only have to pay a co-pay or if it goes over that amount. Even when I was speaking with an employee, I had to ask questions for clarity when they said that they did "ACCEPT" the insurance, but there would have to be a reimbursement. It was not explained WHO would be reimbursed, me or the dental office. Although you have your insurance, you are still handling the entire process of payment and reimbursement to yourself, depending upon what services are performed- the insurance company may or may not cover a certain amount of money for certain services, you may just have to pay out-of-pocket altogether. I am giving a four star because of the lack of clarity when advertising that all insurance or specific insurance is accepted and then for the employee to not be able to thoroughly clearly or properly explain the details. These little details can be confusing and detrimental to a client. Hope this helps. read more

We started taking our children here as soon as they were old enough to need to be seen. We just chose it out of Google because of the name. It was a good sign, when at parties, while chatting with other parents we'd realize they took their kids there too. One mom said.. "Yeah, everyone takes their kids there." It's all set up for kids. Before the Pandemic they had iPads for the kids to play, toys, books, a movie playing, plus kid-focused colors and murals. It was a whole thing. All the staff is gentle, patient, professional, adaptive to your kids moods and fears. There's a chair to sit next to your kid as they do their thing. After the visit the kid gets to pick a prize.. and sometimes TWO! Even the sibling isn't ignored. It was great. I say "was" because recently they stopped taking out insurance Delta Dental.. or they still take them but we had to pay upfront and deal with the reimbursement ourselves. That's a hassle we just don't have the time or willingness to deal with. I don't blame the office.. they have to make business decisions for themselves. Unfortunately, we had to move on to another dentist. Not as kid friendly-focused, yet a necessary price to pay. The brother - sister team of Dr. Bhullar and Dr. Bala are great. We will miss them and highly recommend them. (no pics, because pics aren't really encouraged, so I never took any in the office, except my daughters bleeding gums. Perhaps not such a nice image while you're browsing.) read more

I'm sure many parents can relate to the struggle of finding a good kid's dentist. Brushing teeth has to be on the least favorite list for many kids which results in frustrated parents and not so happy children when it's finally time to visit the dentist. I have two young boys close in age, I read so many reviews on local dentists and let's just say there's so much "ugly" involved in dentistry for children. After much research I reached out to Hercules Kids Dentistry to make an appointment. It's so important for kids to have a pleasant experience when visiting the dentist so that they look forward to their visits. Let me just say I can not recommend Hercules Kids Dentistry enough!! I love it here and so do my children. I make tons of appointment for my fairly large family and often rely on email reminders of upcoming appointments. At Hercules Kids Dentistry they send reminder texts that works just as well if not better than the reminder emails. They send you a reminder a few weeks before your visit as again the day before. I enjoy the texts because it makes for a quick reference when your mom brain kicks in and you can't remember what you literally just read. The establishment is immaculate. They are COVID compliant as masks are still required, limited adults are allowed in the office and sanitizer is readily available. They have a small area for your children to gather to play with a toy or two and plenty of books on the wall to read. The walls depict various teeth in the different stages of life. It makes it so easy to explain what will happen if your little one refuses to brush their teeth. What was most impressive to me was how patient both the dental assistant and dentist were with my two rambunctious kids. My two boys are the complete OPPOSITE of one another. My youngest son is shy and often proves difficult when it comes to having the staff brush his teeth or floss. My oldest son is outgoing and talkative, he'll let them brush and floss his teeth all while telling them his life story. I'm grateful they are so kind and understanding that they are both different and aren't subjected to unrealistic expectations placed on many children at such a young age. My kids love it here, the youngest one especially when he's not the one being seen. As a parent I look forward to coming and encouraging good hygiene practices starting at a young age and having a great dentist office to work with helps to set the tone. Thank you Hercules Kids Dentistry for all that you've done! read more

My daughter has been coming here since she was 1 and she absolutely loves it. I can't express how thankful I am to have found a great quality dentist office that takes my insurance. Every single person from the staff to the doctors are great. read more

Office staff always so friendly. Dr. Bala is the best !! Sad once my boys had to move to adult dentist .

I had bad experiences with the dentist as a child so I wanted to make sure I found my kids a dentist they would enjoy going to rather than fear. This review is way overdue because I began taking my kids as toddlers and now the oldest is 13. Dr. Bala is patient and kind. He remembers his patients and will greet them as he passes by, even though he is on his way to another patient. My kids have completely different experiences because my daughter has had cavities and my son has had none. My daughter needed a filling at around 8 or 9 years old. She was already uncomfortable with the normal teeth cleanings and X-rays so I knew she would not like having to get a shot and teeth worked on. Dr. Bala tried comforting her by explaining what he was going to do and had no problem stopping if he thought she was uncomfortable. The office itself is very clean, welcoming and bright. There are televisions above the exam chairs to help distract the kids while they get work done. Dr. Bala has many assistants that help get the patients in and out in a timely manner. And although my kids are still hesitant going to the dentist, it is not out of fear. They just don't like the taste of the vitamins they put on their teeth. I am glad I found a place to bring my kids that they also enjoy going to. read more

Came here for my daughter's first check-up and was thoroughly impressed by their precautions with Covid. Upon arrival, they ask you to stay in your car until your appointment, which I assume is to avoid heavy foot traffic and to control social-distancing. We were greeted and then our temperatures were taken. We sat in the waiting room for about fifteen minutes before being called in. The waiting room is spacious and there are seats that are clearly spread apart. The artwork is nice and my daughter definitely enjoyed liking at it while we waited. They also had a movie playing. When we got into our private room (which is protocol for them if it is your child's first visit), we were given a basic rundown of how the appointment will go. She asked questions about our dental hygiene habits -- what kind of toothpaste we use, what my daughter eats, the kinds of liquids she consumes and from what kind of cup. Then she leaves and brings the dentist in. The staff has great methods to keep their patients calm. And I felt that my daughter wasn't rushed into doing anything she didn't want to do. There was a lot of positive reinforcement and explanations during the process of examination. I am really impressed by the staff and their patience. Definitely glad we went here for my daughter's first dentist appointment. I feel like we left on a good note and without trauma -- which is definitely a plus in my book! read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

The office did do a great follow up on adjusting the misinformation they had which I appreciate. Our recent experience was not too long ago. Long story short, my son fell, impacted his two front tooth. Being a first time mom, it scared the **** out me! It felt loose etc called them to setup an emergency appt. Not sure who I spoke to on the phone (younger receptionist) was very friendly and patient with me. I called around 11 and ideally had an opening around 2-3 but I was really hoping for sooner because it had just happened and I was freaking out and not knowing what to do. She was kindly enough to suggest now since I live down the street to catch the dr before lunch. So we did, rushed over there. Dr's approach, they were great, made me felt at ease and understand what to look out for. I appreciate the receptionist going out of her way to make me feel at ease and able to really get me in ASAP when the incident had just happened. She also help me confirm the insurance as I had switched to a new one unfortunately was out of network. read more

Came for my son's first dental checkup. He's 3, so we're a little late, but I can blame COVID. This office is just fine, I have no complaints. The doctor and hygienist were nice and patient with my very scared son who cried a lot. Their cleaning and xrays werent as thorough as it should be, but my son was pretty scared and it wasn't gonna happen lol. They did what they could, though. Hopefully next time won't be so scary and the visit will be more complete. read more

This kids dental office is very clean. My girls have been coming here since they were 2 years old. They are 14 and 16 now. The two dentists make my girls so comfortable about coming here for dental works. They have enough staff members to take multiple kids at the same time. My girls get seen at the same time at every visit, that saves my wait time. My girls will continue coming here until they get kid out to go to an adult dental office. :) read more

My 2 year old had her first dental appointment today. I went in with no expectations of how she would do, from the ladies at the front desk when i made the appointment, to the dental assistant and dentist, everyone was reassuring that she would do fine. Both the dentist and dental assistant reassured me that theyre used to little ones crying, and my daughter did cry, but she was clearly willing to letting them look at her teeth. The dentists were able to do everything! Brush, floss, polish and flouride! I had some concerns about build up i saw on my daughters teeth and they informed me that its chromogenic bacteria which would not turn into cavities but the down side is that it has color so its visible on her teeth. Dr Bala was very informative to me on her oral hygiene and health, he was good and gentle with my daughters teeth and left it up to me if we wanted to try the polishing. I was open to it and he was able to get the build up off her teeth. Everyone here uses a gentle and reassuring tone while talking and cleaning my daughters teeth. I highly recommend this dental office if you are searching for one. Thank you Hercules Kids Dentistry! Our experience was very pleasant! read more

The best. Yelp won't let me post a review that short, but that's really all there is to it. Friendly staff, extremely nice facilities, my son loves coming here (imagine that!) and so do I for that matter. read more

I brought my 5 year old son in for a tooth extraction with Dr. Bala. The office was inviting, kid oriented, and clean. Dr. Bala was great with my son, making him feel comfortable, and explaining each step of the process. He also made sure to check in to make sure I was okay! I highly recommend this office! read more

Super Friendly Staff! Definitely recommend this place to take your kids. They go above and beyond! read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - Art in the Waiting area - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

The dentists here are absolutely great as well as the staff. My daughter has had a pretty bad experience with her previous dentist in American Canyon along with the dental work which led to an even bigger problem but Hercules Kids Dentistry helped my daughter tremendously. Both dentists are very knowledgeable and explains the root of the problem while giving me the comfort of the different options I can take to make my daughter feel as comfortable as possible since she was traumatized from her previous experience. Thank you for all your help! read more

I was told by my pediatrician to see a pediatric dentist as my son has a natal tooth. It took me some time to courage up a visit with Covid but I'm so glad I did. The whole experience from the front office staff to the assistant to the doctor was great. They are definitely taking precautions during this time! I was so impressed with how Dr Bala put my little one at ease. The TVs on the ceiling are a great idea! I had a little issue with my insurance but the girls in the front were kind enough to text(they text) and we cleared that up right away. I will definitely be recommending them to my friends! read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - TV screens on the ceiling - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

Best children's dentist by far! They are so kind and my boys always have the best experience! They love going to the dentist! I tell everyone if you need a place for your kids Hercules Kids Dentistry is the BEST! read more

We recently started taking our kids here, and are so impressed. The staff was patient and calm and the dentist we saw was quick and kind. We are very glad to have found this office and will be bringing our kids back hopefully for years to come. read more

Been coming here for a year now. The employees (front and back) has a pretty good understanding on how to hand toddlers. I will continue bringing my daughter here! read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - Love their new space! - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

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Absolutely LOOOOOVE this office! As soon as you enter, you feel it's warm, inviting, friendly--- all the fun stuff you would want for a place to take your kids to. Both Dr. Bala and Dr. Bhullar are awesome! Dr. Bala is our primary dentist but his sister Dr. Bhullar has taken care of us when he wasn't available and she was just as great! At every visit, I am comforted by their compassion and their honesty. I don't ever feel judged, instead I feel I have an ally working with me to ensure the best dental health for my kids. The receptionists and assistants are all wonderful too! They're all so good with kids, so empathetic and kind. It is so important to find the right place to take your kids to for their care and health. And choosing this place is definitely one of the best decisions I've made. We're so lucky to have them! And on a side note, I usually only reserve my time to review bad places but Hercules Kids Dentistry absolutely deserves this rare positive review of mine. read more

If I could leave zero stars I would. Dr. Bala is extremely unprofessional and rude. If you don't want X-rays every 6 months on your 4/5 year old child then he will refuse to clean your childrens teeth or keep them as a patient. There are more options than just X-rays and fluoride. I understand there are liabilities and Dentists have to protect themselves. However, my only job is to protect my children. Dr. Bala was extremely rude to my Husband and three kids. He was unprofessional and has no right to treat anyone the way he treated my family. The right thing to do would be to speak kindly, maybe in a private space and discuss options. We will never go back and will tell every person we know to never bring their children to Hercules Kids Dentistry. The world is a scary place right now, people of all professions need to treat people with kindness. read more

Today I took my kids back after a pretty bad encounter. Dr. Bhullar reached out to personally apologize for my experience. So we decided to go back. I'm glad I did, im reminded that the staff here really truly care about their patients. read more

If you are looking for a dentist for your child, look no further. Dr Bala and his staff are amazing. My son recently had to get caps on his four front teeth. I was terrified to have him go under, so dr Bala gave us other treatment options, knowing eventually that would be our route. I have to also give major kudos to Dr Nikki. She talked me through the process, and helped me get comfortable with my decision to move forward with the anesthesia. She was also supportive if I decided I didn't want to go that route- the safety of my child was the priority. All I'm going to say is.... His teeth are fixed and I couldn't be happier with the outcome. Dr. Bala, THANK YOU for being an amazing dentist. I'm sending all my friends and family your way!!! This place is welcoming, clean and I won't be going anywhere else. Bonus story- I accidentally dialed their office on a Monday morning around 630am ... Instead of just ignoring the call, Dr Bala called me when he got into the office. Said he saw a missed call wanted to make sure the kids (and their teeth were ok). Does it get any better than him?! read more

We love Hercules Kids Dentistry! Thanks for taking good care of our girl! She can't wait for her visits to see Dr. Balance and Dr. Bhullar! read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - Ready for her appointment with Dr. Bala! She wanted me to send you this picture and say thanks for the healthy lollipop! - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

Professional and friendly staff.We had to go during covid, so they didn't get to enjoy everything in the waiting room like I saw in photos.There was a movie playing and children chairs.The dental assistant and the dentist were especially friendly, helpful, and professional.The dentist was very reassuring and did his best to make it a nice experience for my son and daughter.For my son he was super nice and even sang a song(my son continued to cry but it was his first dentist visit and literally doesn't like people except mom haha).He let my daughter use the tools and she had so much fun! It was also her first visit but she loved it. We will definitely be back. read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry is the best pediatric dental office! Both the doctors are very thorough, patient and amazing with kids! My daughter has had to get a couple of fillings and they have ensured that her experience is positive and successful, working within the pace for her age and maturity. The staff is also very warm and helpful. To top it off, the office is beautiful! It's a very warm and inviting place for kids (and adults). I am so happy to have found this dental office for our family. read more

Dr Bala is amazing. He took my daughter in for an emergency due to an abscess. She was extremely nervous but he made it easy and painless for her. We made him her regular dentist and we have never looked back. Their staff is great! read more

Dr.Bala is an excellent caring, professional dentist who strives to meet the needs of his tiny patients. He is gentle and clearly talks to his patients and to parents! I brought my two little fellows here and I have to say my son had a great experience after his last traumatic emergency contact with his other gentle and calm doctor. I'm thinking its the age difference, but my son did good, so we'll be back!! :) Thank you Dr. Bala! read more

It was my toddler's first dental visit. I booked an appointment and got a schedule that worked. When we came in, we had to wait a little bit because they were running behind (which was okay with me). The staff are all friendly and they have a lot of toys and little distractions for the kids to play with. read more

I was referred here by a friend and I am extremely pleased by the service received! The customer service over the phone from questions to scheduling to walking in the door is very warming. The office is very nice, clean and open! Perfect for my two year who runs around. Everyone is SO nice! I was really nervous considering this was my first time bringing and I my two year old son. I wasn't sure how things were going to be but Dr. Bala and his assistant were SO NICE! He made it very easy for my son to sit still and do his exam. We didn't wait very long either before we were seen. I would def recommend anyone with children to come here. read more

Hercules Kids Dentistry - Sons first dentist appointment! Surprised that he was wasn't scared! - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Hercules, California

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This place made my daughter feel like home feels so kids friendly and my daughter came out soo happy I love the staff super outgoing with kids . The male dentist I forgot his name lol but he was so patient with my daughter she is 2 and he was super nice I'm clad I brought her here !!! I totally recommend 100% will definitely keepers ! read more

This place has the most kindest, kids friendly & respectful staff I have ever come across. Receptionist are super sweet and helpful, my children see Dr. Bala. My priority is having my children feel comfortable and safe, they have gone above and beyond to make them feel that way at this office. I have experienced bad service from a simple phone call to the actual in office experience at those other places. We just had one of our best visits today. My daughter was nervous but the moment the receptionist greeted her all that went away. She didn't even want to leave after the visit was done. My oldest had to have some work done a while back and was extremely nervous but Dr Bala and the RDA took the time to explain her through the procedure. Then the next day we got a phone call from them asking how she was feeling and if we had any other questions. Never has that ever happened from any other office, not even for myself. I recommend Hercules Pediatric Dentistry for everyone. During this pandemic many things have changed. People have become very rude and disrespectful BUT NOT this office. They are accommodating and understand everyone's needs during this difficult time. Like I said they go above and beyond to give the best service possible. I have friends who work at a pediatric dentist and they don't even bother to take their own kids to those places the prefer to go here. They are amazing!!! I would love to be seen by this office if I could. . read more

So unprofessional! I called to schedule a September appointment for my daughter before we relocate to the East Coast and before my insurance coverage ended. At first I was told she cannot come in until October. I looked into the insurance coverage myself and found out that was incorrect. I called back to schedule the appointment; the receptionist told me they would double check the insurance and call me back one business day ahead of time if there was any issue. I did not receive a call, so I thought there was no issue. Then, on the day of the appointment, less than an hour beforehand, Hercules Kids Dentistry calls to say that the appointment may be covered or may not be covered. What the heck! Which one is it? They tell me they will check again and call me back. When they call back they say the same damn thing, "may be or may not be" but I can show up anyway... AND they could not even tell me how much it would cost me out of pocket. Obviously I cancel since they are providing me with absolutely no information. Like I'm going to show up without knowing if it's going to be $0 or $200... I wish it had ended there. But they decide to call me 5 minutes before the appointment to say it is covered! Guess what?! It's too late! I just finished rescheduling my day. And I live more than 5 minutes away. And it's the last day of the insurance coverage, so I cannot reschedule. When I start to express my frustration to the receptionist she starts cutting me off!!!! Really? Really? read more

I left my children's previous pediatric DDS in Pinole for 3 years. The office had a front staff that was not too warm, the billing dept had policies that made me feel like money was more important to communicate over how my kids were doing. I had dual coverage and being reminded to make sure I brought $7.00 due at time of the appointment over three times was ridiculous. So I took a look on Yelp and found Dr. Bala's office and decided to go there for my kids next cleaning. My 5 year old had her 1st and only cavity that was discovered during her cleaning with Dr Bala. He gave me all my options, his professional opinion, and let me decide the best treatment plan. My daughter is a chicken already so having a root canal at 5 is a big deal. But Dr Bala was AMAZING! He is very informative and let even us parents know that we are doing a good job as well. He has an amazing bedside manner and my kids don't mind coming in to the office. The front office staff and dental assistants are friendly and welcoming. And we have never left since the first appointment almost 5 years ago. read more

Today my sons appointment with the Hercules kids dentistry was amazing Dr. Bhullar Done done amazing job with partial root canal in feeling Croning he was very friendly with my kids usually my son scared from voices but today the procedure was amazing I didn't see any discomfort with my child thank you Dr. Bhullar you are amazing I would recommend for parents around my neighborhood read more

Dr. Bala is such an amazing dentist! I've been taking my daughter at his clinic for almost 5 years and he's always been so great to her. My daughter looks forward to her dentist appointments. Dr.Bala and his team take their work very professionally. They are taking all the precautions due to COVID-19. I would totally recommend this place to everyone that wants a very professional and kind and friendly dentist. Thank you Dr.Bala and his team always treating us well!! read more

Dr. Bala and Dr. Bhullar are so kind and friendly. We brought our daughter she had an amazing experience. Warm and inviting. Great staff all around. It's not easy to do dental work on kids and they make it look effortless. Great building, amazing art, great toys in the waiting room. Highly recommend! read more

Although Dr. BALA was very kind and patient with my children the lack of service his front office staff provided my family was nothing in the same. We scheduled a return visit for six months out, I took the day off to only receive a call Dec 21st (the day of the apt) that the doctors office would be closed for the holidays and we had to reschedule because they couldn't see the kids. Obviously upset we rescheduled for the end of January. January appointment comes and again taking time off of my job to take the kids in and I receive a SAME DAY CALL to say, the doctor no longer takes our insurance. REALLY!?!?! Why not learn some proper customer service communications!? When pertaining to people's time in which paying for services provided by your OFFICE make it timely, don't inconvenience your patients with inconsiderate lack thereof communication. I would NOT recommend their office. Period. Which is a shame because the physician himself does not reflect the incompetence of his staff. read more

I love this place, they always make my kids feel super comfortable and safe. So clean and great staff.