I was a patient at Japantown Dental for about a year or two (which, in insurance talk, equates to 2-4 visits), until only recently due to a change of insurance. As a DTSJ resident, the location is prime! The service was also wonderful - I always appreciated how thorough, yet gentle, they were at each visit. the doctor has a very warm personality - surely taking and review notes before/after each visit - he goes the extra mile to remember your name, what you mentioned your summer plans were at your last visit, etc. I definitely recommend Japantown Dental, and would continue to be a patient here if not for my change of insurance read more

Yes. Yes. Hell yes! I'll preface this by saying, I have a huge phobia of dentists after a traumatic visit 30 years ago. Today, I woke up with a dental emergency. I used my insurance to locate a nearby dentist. I called the office and they fit me in same day. Dr Joe and the team were amazing from the moment I walked in. The atmosphere is very calming. And the staff, knowing of my anxiety, did everything to make me comfortable. Dr Joe came in, examined me, and had a very direct conversation about the issue. He advised he was referring me to a specialist due to my condition. The empathy and compassion was phenomenal. Everything was clean and sterile. They have accessible parking lot and ADA ramp. I think I found my permanent dentist. Thank you team. read more

If you're looking for a dentist that will hold your hand and create a treatment plan, then follow up and set appointments to fulfill that plan? This is not your place. Love the dental hygienists. Dislike that I have to self-serve when setting appointments (If I don't call to make it, nobody will follow up to see why they haven't seen me in a minute.) read more

I've been a patient at Japantown Dental for over 3 years now, and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about Dr. Mendoza and his team. The staff is always prompt, pleasant, and polite. I've never had to wait more than 2 minutes in the waiting area before being called to the back. The exam chairs and surrounding areas are always very clean; even back in the days of heightened COVID fears, I felt safe at this office with my mask off. I've seen Dr. Mendoza the most times, but the other doctors have been great as well. I recently had to get 3 fillings done (much to my chagrin) and the process with Dr. Mendoza was painless. I get anxiety with needles and I didn't feel ANYTHING when he administered the anesthesia! Lastly, I want to mention that I came right before getting married last year and the staff was SO sweet and provided me with a teeth whitening kit when they found out. I was literally speechless. I feel soo lucky that I found this place for my dental care! read more

This was my first dentist visit in several years and I'm so happy I found this practice! My hygienist, Shirley, was friendly and welcoming. Dr. Alex was friendly, gentle, and informative. Scheduling was easy, and reception was personable and clear. A great local dentistry practice- thank you! read more

I wish I would've read the reviews about the dishonest billing practices of this dental office before becoming their patient. Here's my story, which is my personal experience and opinion, take from it what you will: I received a filling from what was supposed to be Dr. Mendoza, but the day of the procedure I learned that it was another Doctor who I've never seen before and who has not been back since. No problem, I understand that substitutions need to be made based on availability. My problem is that after a week of the procedure I started to develop extreme sensitivity to hot and cold that persists to this day. I scheduled an appointment to have the Doctor check out why the procedure that was performed was causing me pain. At the follow-up appointment, the nurse performed one x-ray, the doctor saw me for all of 3 minutes and he did not fix the problem. The Dr. gave me a referral to an oral surgeon to follow up with if the pain persisted. Annoying that nothing was fixed, but alas, I remained hopeful. That was until i received the bill. That 3 minute visit cost 430$. Of course, they billed that $430 to BOTH of my insurances (reach your own conclusions). Even more concerning when I called to inquire about the 430$ charge, they explained that an "adjustment" related to a procedure would not be charged to the patient; but that my 3 minute visit did not qualify as an "adjustment" related to a procedure but was instead a "palliative care" visit. HUH?!?? The only reason I needed to come in was because my procedure was not done right. How is that not an adjustment? Based on the above experience, it seems as if this office will characterize your dental work in the way that they can bill the insurance companies for the most amount possible - just like they did for my 3 minute visit. Heed my warning - don't let this dental office charge you a premium for substandard work, then charge you a premium when you inevitably need to get that substandard work fixed!!! Oh ya, the best kicker - the 3 minute office visit costed almost 2x more than the one-hour dental cleaning. Take your money elsewhere. read more

Normally I go to my on-campus dentist, but since shelter in place it's been closed and after 1 year of no cleanings I was referred to Dr. Alex's place. Dr Alex's dental office is spotless and feels very safe. The receptionist desk has hanging plexiglass protection, everything is sprayed with disinfectant before handling and everyone is wearing face masks and shields. Dr Alex is so friendly, personable and easy to talk to. During my cleaning I had Denise as my nurse, and she was just as personable. I liked that they took their time in getting X-Rays done, and explaining them to me. I came in for a regular cleaning, and set up my next appointments here for the year. read more

Alex took great care of my teeth and his expertise brought me peace of mind. He was professional and definitely well versed in his scope of practice. I feel comfortable coming back here and would recommend to anyone in the Bay Area that needs dental work done. read more

First time here and it went out much better than expected. I started out with their online appt request and they called back within a day or 2. Finding the place wasn't too difficult for me (it's across or diagonal from poster freeze and weinerschnitzel). Parking is limited, but there is street parking available. Nicole, my hygenist was really bubbly and explained what she would be doing today. I was surprised I was given numbing cream for my gums to prevent any result of tooth or gum sensitivity. Something I've never had for teeth cleaning, but it was nice. After the cleaning, I met Dr.Mendoza who was very personable and patient when I asked maybe a handful of questions. If you have a fear of going to the dentist, I really recommend this place as they are gentle and will let you know how it will be done. TIP: I was told you can bring in your retainers for complimentary cleaning! Japantown is only 2min away so you can head there while waiting for someone or for lunch. read more

I was looking for a new location for dental work and I'd recommend this spot to anyone Alex Mendoza and the hygienist Meaghan were amazing. Dr Mendoza was nothing but friendly. Very respectable The hygienist was very kind and helpful with any questions. The staff was very friendly and made you feel comfortable I have no complaints. The building was very clean and the staff/Dr were above expectations read more

After recently moving to the Bay Area, I was really nervous about finding a new dentist as I had some pretty bad experiences in the past. My friend recommended me to come here and was raving about the service here, so naturally, I decided to give it a try. This place definitely lived up to my friend's compliments. I went in yesterday for a crown replacement and was very impressed. Dr. Alex and his staff were super friendly and welcoming and immediately made me feel at ease. From the moment I called, to when I first walked in, I knew that I was a priority. They took me in quickly and I did not feel a thing during my cleaning and crown replacement. Dr. Mendoza took the time to answer all of my questions and even stayed over my appointment time to make sure that all my questions were answered and that I felt comfortable with my treatment plan. This is hands down the best dental experience I've had so far, and I have had many....let me say. SO lucky to have found this place. read more

My previous dentist unfortunately moved away and so I was a lost nomad in search of a new dentist. I've found over the years that finding a consistent dentist is really important because they're able to spot any minor differences each visit. TLDR; I've found my new place and I will go to Dr. Mendoza until 1) One of us moves beyond 50 miles 2) he dies or 3) I die. (if he says he's going to retire i'm not going to respect that and continue going to him). I asked him if I should get braces again as I've done a terrible job wearing my retainers. But he told me it would be a waste of money and I appreciated his honesty! He even went through the trouble to DOUBLE CHECK himself by asking another dentist. His office is spacious, clean, and his staff are clearly veterans. By the way I know its close to downtown but DON'T WORRY ABOUT PARKING. His practice has a private lot for parking. read more

This review is based on my last visit to Japantown dental. I have been using them for cleanings for the last few years and have had a reasonable experience with cleaning. This last appointment was scheduled for a late afternoon. I was called to ask to move the appointment up the day off, but unfortunately couldn't make it in earlier. The doctor did my cleaning. I was told to expect some bleeding and numbness since my gum health wasn't the best. I noticed after i got home that not only was my gum bleeding but my cheeck had been ripped up. Scratch marks fairly far away from my molars. My gums healed quickly enough, as expected. However the cuts on my cheeck took a while to heal and made it difficult to eat. I understand if there was something else going on and the hygienist wasn't available, but I should have been asked to reschedule my appointment. Having the doctor rip up my cheeck right before Thanksgiving was not what I was looking for. I would not recommend japantown dental or Dr. Alex (I think that's his name) read more

Needed a new dentist, and was referred to Dr. Mendoza. The staff were very professional and polite! And the office follows all of the COVID safety protocols! I came in for a deep teeth cleaning, 2 sessions. Overall, had a great experience! Will come back yearly! read more

I didn't like my previous dentist for various reasons and was browsing for a new dentist in the area. I chose Japantown Dental based on the reviews; although, I should've kept in mind that the majority of the reviews were for the previous Dentists and staffs. This review is not for Dr. Mendoza. He's attentive of how you're feeling throughout your appointment, friendly, and is knowledgeable in his field. No complaints there. This review is for Nicole, his RDH. She was extremely sweet and friendly HOWEVER I had such a bad experience with her as she was deep cleaning my teeth. SHE SCRATCHED MY FACE WITH THE 13/14 TOOL. I was shocked. I didn't say anything. I was quite irritated that I had to pay over $100 for a horrible deep cleaning experience. As I was driving home, I noticed the scratched on my face and became even more irritated and upset with Japantown Dental. I'll most likely be choosing a new dentist to go to AGAIN. read more

I have been coming to this office for 9 months and have been holding off on a review because I have mixed feelings about my experience. As a working professional, I understand the difficulty of managing organizational behavior and staffing. However, as a client, some things, no matter how small, can really affect the general experience. First of all, I love Dr. Yee. Actually, if it wasn't for him, I might have left Japantown Dental already. Dr. Yee is a great listener and explains all possible options very clearly. He always addresses my questions and is mindful of what insurance will cover/what will come out of pocket. My only complaint is his availability--currently, he is only available two days of the week (that's less than half of the possible days), and the following is bad luck on my part, but those two days of the week happen to be days that I have standing meetings at work. On the other hand, Dr. Yee has gone above and beyond by returning my call when he was out of the office, making himself accessible to my needs. I am also a fan of a couple of the dental assistants. Shirley and Olive are very personable--I always enjoy speaking with them. Now for the cons. Although it has improved a little, the front desk staff can be difficult to communicate with. There have been misunderstandings about insurance coverage and mild dissatisfaction with phone conversations. Their saving grace is that they try their best in providing decent customer service; they just need to be a touch better at reading non-verbal cues in person and responding clearly, as well as not making assumptions over the phone. Furthermore, I get the feeling that the office is understaffed as I have had care provided to me by a temp on more than one occasion, and to put it politely, it hasn't been the best experience. I may be spoiled with excellent dental hygienists in the past, but one time, one of their temp hygienist was rough in cleaning my teeth and took forever measuring my gum pockets. At the end of the day, I am most concerned with the service and care provided to me by my dentist. Because I am highly satisfied with Dr. Yee, I come back. I hope you have found this review helpful! read more

A great place! Omg as someone who actually likes to go to the dentist its hard to find one where they are happy to have you. Everyone and I mean everyone is super nice! Anything you are concerned about they address it. I mentioned how I was concerned about the look of my tooth and they quickly addressed and gave me options! They are very transparent about price as well. They give me price and let me know what the best option is (if insurance doesn't cover, etc). I have passed by this office for years, wish I came sooner! Now every time I pass by with someone I tell them "hey! That's my dentist!" Also, I have had trouble with my insurance before (not sure if it was my name or because my insurance is out of state IDK) and they made sure to have my insurance correct in order to cover my cleaning. Other places used to say "we can't find it, you will have to pay out of pocket" so I'm glad they are determined to making sure my insurance is correct read more

Even though I don't have a plan that this clinic accepts, I'd highly recommend them. The staff and dentists are really kind, helpful and professional, and I never feel like I'm being shaken down for money or advertised extraneous products. I actually noticed that their out-of-pocket services are cheaper than what some dental offices and oral surgeons will quote you for your share of costs, which tells me how honest they are and committed to providing good care to their patients. So if you have Medi-Cal/DentiCal I'd still check them out. read more

If I could give Dr. Mendoza and his staff 100 stars, I would. Recently I had a dental emergency, and my dentist brushed me off and tried to schedule me for three days out while I was going through excruciating pain. I called Dr. Mendoza's office and his amazing and kind office manager scheduled me to come in right away even though Dr. Mendoza had personal plans. Aside from being unbelievably nice, Dr. Mendoza did my root canal flawlessly. Since then he is my go-to Doctor for all my dental work and I've been promoting him to my family, friends, and coworkers. If you're looking for a GREAT dentist, look no further! This Doctor is the ONE!! read more

The receptionists are quite rude and are not clear about their billing practices. They tried to charge me in full (without insurance) and said they would bill my insurance later to see what the actual cost was. They were very unclear on how this would all settle without being double billed. They said that this happened because one receptionist took my insurance information at the beginning and a different one was completing my visit at the end. They said the one completing my visit just wasn't aware that my insurance still needed to be run. They were sitting right beside each other. I can't imagine they don't have a system for communicating that someone's insurance still needs to be billed rather than charging them in full AND later billing their insurance. One of the receptionists tried to explain how they would settle the issue without it being double billed but it didn't make sense. The other two were just standing there with attitudes making small snide remarks. My husband has had a similar experience regarding billing when he went. On top of all of this, when I first came in they were discussing someone else who was refusing to pay a bill due to miscommunication relating to insurance. Their discussion was too loud and too personal to be held at the receptionists desk in my opinion. And now, I see that their discussion is probably very similar to what I just went through. This could be a case of miscommunication but I don't trust them. read more

After moving to the Bay Area a year ago, I had to find a new dentist. Lucky for me, I found Japantown Dental and I am not looking back! Everyone who works here is an absolute gem: the receptionists, hygienists, and my doctor Dr. Sean Lin. Went yesterday, and they are doing their absolute best with their COVID policies and made me feel like they had patient safety as their priority. Every time I have a dentist appointment I feel like I learn something new about my teeth or gums, and appreciate how much their staff knows and shares! Highly recommend!! read more

Dr. Yuri is an excellent dentist and I recommend her to anyone without any hesitation. My teeth were in desperate need of the care of a dentist can pinpoint my problems and treat them and that is exactly what she has done. I am very grateful for her care. Her dental team of assistants are fantastic! I might also add the staff is quite pleasant and they will pursue authorization for any treatment and share the cost upfront so their are not surprises later. read more

My family has been coming here since my dad first started with Dr. Tom. I grew up with Dr. Jerry since I was a kid, so much so that he was like an uncle to me, and when I tried another dentist in SF, the difference really had me missing Dr. Jerry. I saw that Japantown Dental has a new dentist that was endorsed by Dr. Jerry's wife and by Dr. Stephani, who I found out is no longer working, and his name is also Alex so I figured I would give him a shot. First off, the precautions they are taking for Covid made me feel very comfortable about coming to the dental office. The steps they take to ensure us made me feel very at ease. The last few times I came here, Diane would be the one to clean my teeth, but I found out she retired. Meghan was the one who cleaned my teeth this time and she was very nice. Next I met Dr. Alex Mendoza. He came in and was very personable. Found out that he also grew up in San Jose and would often partake in the Obon festival in Japantown, and we talked a bit before he even looked in my mouth. He even asked if I had any questions in general before starting, just to give me the opportunity to get to know him. Found out he also speaks some Japanese. I felt very comfortable with his friendly demeanor and it reminded me of Dr. Jerry. He answered all the dental questions I had, and was very detailed and made it easy to understand when explaining things to me. I'm glad I came back here and gave Dr. Alex a shot. I think all of us who have been with Dr. Jerry are in good hands. He said he's going to try his best to live up to at least half of Dr. Jerry's legacy and with the way things are starting, I think he's got a good chance of making his mark. read more

Japantown Dental: Alex Mendoza, DDS - The HEPA air filters they added among many updates for Covid - General Dentistry Near Me - San Jose, California

First time there yesterday. I know it's still new to say anything, but I felt very comfortable and relaxed. Everyone there at the office were very nice and professional. Plus, the office was very organized and cleaned. Can't say anything bad because I love it. Glad I was just moved close by! read more

I was apprehensive about seeing the new dentist who had purchased the Japantown Dental business. My apprehension was relieved when one of the staff I knew from before gave Dr. Mendoza her seal of approval. Though most of the staff I knew were not there, my cleaning and exam went smoothly. Dr. Mendoza took the time to ask if I had any questions and concerns. From then on it was business as usual. It's good to know that the practice is in good hands. So for those who are wondering about the changes in Japantown Dental, rest assured that though there may be new faces and names to learn, the care that you may have received from Dr. Hiura and his staff is still there. read more

Japantown Dental has the ideal dental experience - friendly staff, clean office, and knowledgeable and caring dentists. I've been used to minimal interaction with my dentist since I don't have too many issues outside of the occasional cavity, however, Dr. Alex was very attentive to detail and was kind enough to answer all of my random questions that I had. I would highly recommend if you're looking for a new dentist. read more

I have been using Japantown dental for several years. They have been consistently excellent, friendly and comfortable. I recommend them highly. Their care during the current pandemic has been excellent, with numerous careful hygienic precautions, so I felt completely safe in their hands. read more

This is the best dentist office I have ever been too! Dr. Stephani and the other staff are always very courteous and knowledgeable. The office is very clean and conveniently located in Japantown. All the equipment looks new and modern. I have had a couple of crowns and other dental work with Dr. Stephani and have never felt pain or any discomfort. She is always very good at explaining what needs to be done and the potential options. As far as cleanings the dental techs are always efficient and do a great job. If you are looking for a dentist I would definitely give this 5-star dental place a chance. read more

I know Dr. Mendoza for a very long time. He has always been very helpful and precise. He is also very patient to his patients and he wants the best for them. He will fix your teeth until they are to his perfect standard. Definitely recommend Dr. Mendoza! read more

Came in for a dental evaluation and Japan town dental made me feel comfortable and safe toward taking of my mask .Met Dr Alex a skilled dentist who made my new crowns shine in my great new smile . I will keep coming back and highly recommend this office. read more

i had wonderful experiences here at japantown dental! i've came to this dentistry multiple times and the staff is always very kind, making the entire process very smooth. dr.mendoza and his team are extremely knowledgeable and makes sure you feel taken care of no matter how big or small the service is and they're definitely a gem in san jose! i moved to LA but i still make sure i come to japantown dental whenever i'm in town-- that's just how irreplaceable they are read more

Dr. Hiura is possibly my favorite dentist, ever. I've never had good experiences with dentist and I mean that's probably common. Who wants to sit in a chair while someone drills into your mouth? NOT ME! Dr. Hiura is nice, friendly and so funny. He talks you through the procedures and answers your questions (even if they are stupid). Their office is pretty high tech. They have digital x-rays and this camera that allows you to see your teeth (inside). The waiting room is spacious with lots of great magazines. The staff is wonderful too. The Hygienist is lovely. She's so nice/friendly. She is gentle with the cleaning and gives good tips on keeping your gums healthy. The dental assistance are nice as well. They are also gentle which I think is very important. From past experiences , I hate it when the dental assistance poke at my mouth or squirt the mist into my face! I also love the receptionist! She's so so so nice. So, if you want an amazing dentist, call this place ASAP! read more

Japantown Dental: Alex Mendoza, DDS - General Dentistry Near Me - San Jose, California

Great office located directly in downtown ! The front desk staff makes you feel right at home immediately when you walk in the door. Everything was on time and it was an extremely professionally run office. A fantastic experience that is super easy for anyone that works downtown. read more

Extremely clean reception area. (I miss the magazines, damn COVID!). Friendly receptionist, staff and doctors.

Hands down the best experience from a dentist in my LIFE! The office is very COVID conscious which made me feel very comfortable from the start. Every staff member you talk to is so helpful. Dr. Alex did a great job with my long overdue exam and fillings. You can tell that he really cares about his patients and wants the best for them. The whole process was such a breeze! Didn't even feel like I had any work done after- it was that natural! I have fallen off the habit of going to the dentist regularly due to bad experiences in the past but Japantown Dental changed that for sure! I will be keeping up to date with my oral heath care. Highly recommend Dr. Alex and his team. read more

Started going here after a long hiatus from any dental work, and they helped get my mouth back into good shape. Japantown Dental has provided the best dental experiences I've ever had. Dr. Yee is great - always being thoughtful and thorough with all the dental work thats been done on me. I never felt any hassle around the paperwork/insurance, and they will go the extra mile to make sure I am satisfied with everything. I am probably not the best customer (I never know if my mouth is numb or not, and I missed an appointment once ), yet they are always patient and kind. Thanks for fixing me up! read more

I went to the same family dentist for nearly 30 years, and recently decided to try out this well-reviewed local dentist in my neighborhood. I'm glad I did, because my experience has been nothing short of exceptional. The first thing I noticed is how friendly everyone was, from the front staff to the dental assistants to the dentist himself. I saw Dr. Yee, and I'm always glad to see him. Every time I've come in, I've been greeted by name, and I've always been seen within a couple minutes of arriving. The procedures themselves have been remarkably painless, and Dr. Yee and his staff are always sensitive to any discomfort I may have experienced - which was always very minimal. I was always impressed by the quality of the equipment. Some examples include X-rays that swivel out of walls and don't require you to go to a separate chair/room. They also have TVs in front of you where they can show you X-rays, and different views of your teeth. All in all, the place just FEELS great - which goes a long way to making me feel less nervous about dental appointments. Dr. Yee himself is a delight, and I always enjoy hearing his sense of humor, and really enjoy his bedside manner. Jane (and some of the other staff whose names I can't remember unfortunately) have always been very sweet and informative. My girlfriend and I both go here and are happy with it, and we recommend it to our friends and family. read more

I didn't want to have to write this review. I went to Japantown dental with the best of expectations. My dentist of 30 years retired recently and I wanted to go somewhere close to my Japantown home. Everything was fine at first, the building is beautiful, the staff friendly and the dental hygienist very pleasant and thorough. Then she noted a problem with a "pocket" in my gums which I have known about. She said it was an "8", a very serious thing. It's never been more than a "5". Then she noted other 7's and 6's which I've never had This would indicated advanced periodontal disease. The Dentist checked my teeth and confirmed this, telling me I needed and expensive 'deep cleaning" ( but not a trip to a periodontist which this level of gum disease would normally indicate) I was shocked. I've gotten my teeth cleaned every six months without fail and this scared me I called my old dentist and he agreed to check my teeth Sure enough, NO "8"pocket just my normal "4" and no other 6's or 7's either !!! This is unconscionable! Dental procedures are expensive enough without being "upsold"! Plus, now I need to find another dentist. Just wanted to let people know my experience.I certainly could not trust anything they told me Bottom line, get a second opinion read more

I've been going here since we moved to San Jose 3 years ago and am very pleased with the staff, the dentists, the cleanliness of the office, and the overall service. The whole staff is friendly, helpful, and courteous. My last visit in I got involved with a conversation amongst my dentist, the front office staff, and others about "where do ice cream trucks go in the winter." The consensus was they migrate south, like Canadian Geese. Nice to see a healthcare provider not taking themselves too seriously... Keep up the great work Japantown Dental! read more

Fantastic service and a beautiful location. I've been treated here twice and I hope to keep coming back. Cleaning, fillings, and night guard impressions were easy and quick. read more