10/09/18 Update: Yep, it's 11 years since I last reviewed Dr Kevin Barry is he is *still* my dentist. It's been nearly 20 years now since he started taking care of my pearly whites. Last night I got home and cried on my boyfriend's shoulder over the bad bad bad news all around the world. As if the American political climate weren't bad enough, Brazil, where I'm from, is about to elect a man for president who models himself after our 45th president. I was upset. Then I managed to break my front tooth crown. Don't ask. It was the last thing I needed, for sure. So I descended on Dr. Barry at 7:30 this morning, unannounced and without an appointment. And what did he do? He had me on a chair in five minutes. By 9:15 I had a temporary crown that looks so good; nobody can tell it's a crown, let alone temporary. His amazing staff then sent me on my way to the lab where they were going to make my permanent crown so they can match the color of my teeth just so. They had made an appointment for me at 10. It is less than 15 hrs since I broke the crown, and I'm eating lunch, happy and relieved, thanks to Dr. Barry and his staff. They take great pride in their work and in providing excellent, far above average service; and this is why they will be taking care of my teeth until I die. 12/12/07 Review: If you're afraid of going to the dentist, fear no more. Dr. Barry is not just good. He's an artist. He's the rockstar of dentistry. And his staff is every bit as good as he is. They've been working there forever, too; which tells me that it's a great place to work - that, right there, says a lot. I've been going to Dr. Barry for 7 or 8 years. From Whitney and Melody at the front desk (nicest, friendliest people), through Patty, who has been cleaning my teeth while keeping me entertained all this time, all the way to Dr. Barry, who actually gets excited about fixing your teeth, they all get a 10 from me. I swear this man was born a dentist. When I tell people to go there, I have fun telling them to pick out which of my front teeth is the fake one. They can't tell. This clinic could only do better if they were walking distance to my house. Alas, nobody is perfect. Go see Dr. Barry. Your search for a good dentist will be over; you will never have to search again. read more

Updated: This is my hometown dentist. He's great. He's been my dentist for many years and recently I moved away. I had a dental issue and he reviewed my x-rays for me and gave me a recommendation for next steps. He's my favorite dentist of all time. I hope to see him soon when we move back! He's always honest, efficient, and does a great job. He's a dentist you can 100% trust. read more

My wife and I have been seeing doctor Barry for over 15 years. Over that time my wife and I have had the normal maintenance and occasional emergency. Doctor Barry is always there when we've needed him. Over and above. I had accident a year ago where I ended up needing some serious repair. Doctor Barry took care of it all. He pulled me into other specialist where needed. He fixed me up as good as new. I couldn't recommend him more. Also, just a great guy with a great caring staff. Located down town, by Union Square and a huge parking deck. So easy to get to too. read more

Great communication with Kevin Barry DDS and staff. I trust the care and cleaning I get at this office. Happy to be referred by a friend.

Best dentist in San Francisco. Honest, great team, excellent work and Kevin is the nicest guy ever.

I was fortunate to have a friend recommend Dr Kevin Barry for dental care. His office got me in on the same day to evaluate the excruciating pain I was experiencing and got me in to be treated by the best endodontist in the same building. Thank you Dr Barry and staff for your care. read more

Dr Kevin Barry is amazing. His attention to detail is unmatched. He takes the time to explain everything and makes recommendations based on the latest dental science. I have and will continue to recommend him as a dentist. His office staff is so friendly and helpful. I love Brittney read more

Very disappointed with the last few visits here. Usually doctor comes in after my hygienist is done , pokes around my mouth , measures something with the gum, and examines thoroughly if there issues to be dealt with. That's no longer the case. Dr. Barry spends about 5 mins max with me. During one of the visits, he had a hygienist or whatever she is perform my Temporary filling. She is not a doctor. I know this for a fact. I was not happy with the work and not happy that he assigned her to do that. Ok well, the permanent filling was done by him and that went well. Subsequent visits were like I said, you see him for 5 mins. The last visit, he wasn't even there! Yes I came for cleaning but I expected to be seen by him. I don't drive to his practice to not be seen by the doctor. I should've been informed that he wasn't gonna be there so I could reschedule. What is the reason why I was not informed he want gonna be there? I have my opinion here but I'll just not say it. This is so unprofessional and very unfair. read more

I've cycled through 2 other dentists in the past 6 years, so I'm happy that I found Dr. Kevin Barry! His staff is super nice and they are efficient and tech savvy which I love. His office sends you text and email reminders about all your appointments. His cleanings are designed to be a quick in and out. I think they said 40 mins. So if you're trying to work in your appointment during a lunch hour, this office is perfect! A dental hygienist typically does the x-rays and cleaning and Dr. Kevin Barry comes in afterwards for the evaluation. He's super personable and listens! I always asks questions and he's always happy to answer them. After the appointment, they make your next cleaning for 6 months later. (Or however long your insurance covers the next appt.) I kind of need this as I'm really bad at remembering to make my next dental appointment. They make sure it's scheduled so I can take full advantage of my dental insurance. An added plus! read more

My husband and I have been patients of Dr Barry's for 10+ years and I extremely disappointed by how I was treated when I decided to leave the practice because I moved needed to see a dentist closer to my home. After repeated emails and conversations with the staff asking for my dental records I was told they could only give me my most recent x-rays. As a medical patient, I am entitled to my full records. What's more, my husband asked for the same and was sent a lot more of his records. Very unprofessional. read more

Dr. Barry is kind, caring, and trustworthy. He doesn't make unnecessary recommendations like some dentists do. He does excellent work and is very good at explaining the rationale behind any needed procedures. Highly recommend! read more

I'm scratching my head - this is a very modern office with a very competent dentist and hygienist but it reminds me of an HMO. Appointment availability is ridiculous. As long as you NEVER have an emergency, I'm sure you'll have a pleasant experience. I made my first appointment with Dr. Barry in April - his first available was in June. Ok, fine I expect to wait to see a practitioner in downtown San Francisco. When Dr. Barry found a deep crack in an old filling, he urged me to return asap so it could be fixed. The problem was that there was NO opening until late August. That was 2.5 months away! I asked his scheduler what would happen if I had cracked a tooth and called for an appointment, she said that I would have to wait. WTF! Her explanation was that Dr. Barry was busy teaching classes and also had a vacation planned. I'm glad to hear the dentist has robust career goals and work/life balance but 2.5 months is ridiculous. Maybe he should stop taking new patients. I knew right then I had to find another dentist. I need a partner who will be there in case of a real emergency or severe tooth pain. P.S. It was a really turn-off to watch the scheduler chow down on an apple with juices running down her wrist while she'd trying to book my "emergency" appointment. Ick...made the whole front office seem unsanitary. read more

I've been going to Dr. Kevin Barry for over a year, now. But have finally had some "substantial" enough work done to merit writing a Yelp* review. First off, he's a really, really sweet guy. There's no way anyone could honestly think otherwise. He's as nice as they come. Another quality trait he has is that he explains the process very well. He wants his patients to be aware of what is wrong with their teeth as well as what can go wrong without proper treatment. He's also honest. I know my teeth and gums very well, and I know when someone is trying to upsell me something I don't need - it's happened before with other dentists. Dr. Barry has never done this with me. He cares about aesthetics. For me, it's important to feel good about my smile. I don't want some dentist who doesn't care if I end up looking like a gopher, so long as the teeth work. Dr. Barry not only wants to fix my teeth, but to fix them in a way that people won't call me "the bottle opener" behind my back. He also doesn't want me to end up with that atrocious look people have when their gums recede, and the dark colored margin appears - something I have first hand experience with. So, he was very thoughtful about selecting the appropriate material, and justifying that choice. He uses positive reinforcement. Have you ever gone to a dentist who constantly reprimands you because you just haven't been doing it good enough? I brush, floss, and use a waterpik every day, and I've had dentists treat me like a meth addict poster child, like I"m hopeless, and there's nothing that can be done to salvage what's left. But Dr. Barry always points out what good shape my gums are in - even the other day when he was removing the temporary to seat the two new crowns he remarked about how good my gums are looking. He is working with Dr. Ehsan to replace a failed bridge with an implant surrounded by two crowns, and has thus far seated the two crowns around the gaping hole that he will one day fill with an implant crown. I wouldn't say it looks "movie star beautiful", just yet, because the hole's all stitched up, clotted, and bruised, and it's hard to imagine how it will look once it's complete. But what I can say is that the two new crowns look very nice and natural - in size, shape, and color. They also feel comfortable. The office staff is friendly, especially Corinne who works at the front desk. She stands out, she's so pleasant. The dental assistants are always nice and happy, some having worked there for many years. They have worked there for many years, as it was started by Kevin's father. Another advantage to going to Dr. Barry's office is that it is in a building where there are tons of other dentists who specialize in particular procedures, such as implants and root canals. So, you can often kill two birds with one stone, because they all know each other, and everyone's right there. I wouldn't say something nice about a dentist unless I truly felt that way - mainly because I've gone to some really bad ones, and a.) wouldn't want to send more business their way and b.) there are certain things I wouldn't want for my worst enemy, up toward the top of that list is for them to go to a lousy dentist. read more

I love this dentist. As much as you can love a dentist. Of course I still dread going there when I know there will be drilling involved but that's not Dr. Barry's fault. Once he starts 'taking care of me' it all gets a lot better. I just trust him completely. He always explains every step in detail, answers all questions without rush, has got the latest equipment (I think he really likes his gadgets too, like the little in-mouth-camera) and is super gentle and understands the psychology of a person who is scared of the dentist. And all the ladies at the reception desk are super darling and very upbeat and happy. I almost forget I'm at the dentist when they smile at me coming in... read more

One darn good dentist. Explains everything in a clear way and even draws pictures. He focuses on prevention and lowest impact possible, both physical and financial. Modern equipment in a clean, no frills office. Skilled hygienists and friendly office staff that keeps appointments running on time. Bonus points for taking Delta Dental PPO. read more

I think Dr. Barry is the nicest dentist I've EVER encountered. Actually, he might be one of the nicest men in general I've ever met. He always has a smile on his face and he greets and talks to you like you're an old buddy of his. He's also very informative and gives me details on everything he plans on doing to my teeth. Actually, everybody that works there are super nice - front desk people, hygienists, assistants, etc... The best part is I switched insurance when I switched jobs and they actually didn't accept my insurance but they worked with me and continued to service me even though my insurance wasn't on their list. Not only are they super nice there but they help you with all the annoying insurance stuff. read more

Kevin Barry, DDS is wonderful. He explains everything in detail and is very gentle when filling your cavities (should you have any). The office staff are also very courteous and friendly and when I've been there they are running on time. It is sometimes hard to get an appointment as they are pretty busy. read more

My insurance changed so I was unable to visit my usual dentist in SF. After reading through my insurance directory and looking at yelp reviews, I decided to go to Dr Barry. First, his staff was extremely helpful getting me in a timely manner, especially during the end-of-the-year buzz! Corrine is the BEST! Dr Barry is GREAT! He explains everything in detail so there's no wondering why he's poking you in certain areas or why there's a pinching feeling in another. It helps take away the mystery and the anxiety that goes with it. He is gentle and he develops an "action plan" that works best for all involved. It's comforting to know that I have found my new dentist :) read more

Dr. Barry's office and staff runs like a well-oiled machine; I've never been kept waiting more than 10 minutes. Plus, he never pushes unnecessary procedures. Maybe the best thing about them, though, is their relationship with some of the best specialists in town, all in their building. They referred me to Dr. Fulton Yee for a root canal, which was as painless as one could wish for, and all four wisdom teeth to be removed by Dr. Bedrossian, who is an incredible oral surgeon. read more

Anytime you leave a dental office with a smile on your face it's a good sign. I went here today for the first time and was very happy I did. Dr. Kevin Barry is a very personable Dentist with a gentle touch and his entire staff was very professional and friendly. I appreciated all of the information and education he provided during our exam and procedures. I had a cleaning today that went fast and smooth and I have a good amount of work already scheduled. My fault for not going to the dentist regularly. I hope to change that habit now that I've found a permanent dentist. read more

5 stars for Dr. Kevin Barry. After numerous bad experiences trying new dentists (telling me I had 8 cavities when in fact I had NONE!), I was extremely leery when I moved up here and had to find someone new. Dr. Barry was highly recommended by a co-worker and has been done a very professional job on my last 3 visits. Plus he always has some interesting tidbit for me. So far I have learned: 1) You can catch the bacteria that makes you prone to cavities by kissing 2) Glide dental floss changes it's formulation and no longer does a good job getting the gunk off your teeth (I feel robbed!) read more

I honestly have never had such a good experience. Dr.Barry is THE BEST dentist. He is so intelligent, professional and respectful of letting you know what he is doing and why. He is never in a rush, in fact he takes his time and is very detail oriented but somehow gets you in and out in a very timely manner. Today when I was leaving work early to go to get a cavity filled my coworkers said "good luck, I hate the dentist" and I honestly said "Oh, I don't mind-I love my dentist so it makes it easy to go." Could not recommend him more. The. Best. read more

I love going to Dr. Barry's office. The staff are friendly and go out of their way to make things easy for you - contacting your insurance company, etc. Dr. Barry is warm and honest. I've worked with him when I needed all four wisdom teeth pulled, met with an Ortho he referred and now having massive bridge work done. Every step of the way he makes you feel comfortable. He is an expert in his field and the best dentist you could find. I highly recommend Dr. Barry. read more

Dr. Barry is undoubtedly the best dentist I've ever had. His bedside manner is great; you can tell that he's a good guy just in general. His administrators, and assistants, are all top notch. (I've had some nightmares getting prepped for the dentist.) And sometimes the dentist isn't there, and you're dealing with Dr. Nick Riveria: "Did you graduate from Hollywood Upstairs Medical School too?" His staff got me in quickly on my entry, and return, visit. I cross-referenced my insurance's dental providers list with Yelp reviews, called 4 offices when my tooth broke, and they called back first thing Monday morning. (I broke a cap on my front tooth, which had been in place for a couple years.) My extreme cross, and under-bite, make it difficult to treat me. He made me feel at ease, and just went about his business. Never have I ever been thrilled to go to the dentist, but I can't wait for my check up in a month! Thank you Kevin R Barry, DDS!! read more

Finding a good dentist in a city is pretty tough. That's what people tell me, anyway. I didn't really have that problem. Some friends of mine recommended Dr. Barry to me, and he's the only dentist I've had in SF. This is the first Yelp review I've written, and came here to say that, as far as dentists go, I really couldn't be happier. As a general dentist, he's great. But I've also had some crazy circumstances where Dr. Barry saved me. I had my two front teeth broken off not once, but twice (drinking accident, karaoke accident... I'm not here to talk about the past). On both occasions, Dr. Barry and the staff there (who are all wonderful) were able to move things around and get me in the next day. And, if I do say so myself, my smile's looking alright. I'll definitely be going here as long as I'm living in San Francisco. If you're unsure about a dentist, take it from me, a random guy on the internet, that this is a good spot. I'd post before and after pictures of my teeth, but Jesus Christ, writing a glowing review about your dentist on Yelp is embarrassing enough. read more

Dr. Kevin Barry and his staff provide excellent service. I used to hate going to the dentist however experience with Dr. Barry has changed my mindset. He explains all issues and procedures in detail and is willing to answer any questions or concerns you may have. Could not have had a better experience read more

I've been seeing Dr. Barry since the 90s. I have seen other dentists when I lived outside of the Bay Area and I can't even explain how weak they were compared to Dr. Barry. Yes it can be hard to get an appointment, but that's a good sign. Would you rather eat at the empty restaurant because it's faster or wait for a table somewhere great? And you need those teeth to eat! : ) read more

I just stumbled on Yelp when trying to find Dr. Kevin Barry's phone number. I broke off a piece of a tooth last night, and wanted an appointment ASAP. Melody at the front desk went to talk to Dr. Barry to see if he could see me on a short notice. I was very impressed when Dr. Barry picked up the phone in person and asked me for details. I explained that I was not in severe pain, but he still told me to come in the following morning. Dr. Barry is an excellent dentist. In fact, when I moved to the East Bay a few years back, I did not even consider looking for another dentist closer to my home and work place. Apart from having a very pleasant personality, he is very attentive and continutally asks the patient to let him know if anything hurts. I also like how he takes the time to explain what is going on terms that I can understand. Furthermore, I've also noted that he's on the cutting edge of new developments, and this is also reflected in the clinic's equipment and technology. Finaly, the admin staff and hygienists are very pleasant and professional. I have a foreign surname, and I'm always impressed by how they remember me by name. All in all, lots of people recommend their dentist, but as reflected by the reviews here in Yelp, Dr. Kevin Barry definitely must be doing something right. read more

Dr. Kevin Barry -- and his entire staff -- are the gold standard of dentist offices. If you're lucky enough for him to take you on as a new patient, you will not be disappointed. When you arrive at the office -- whether it is your first or your 50th visit -- the place is always busy. Likewise, Dr. Barry's scheduled is always booked -- which is probably the only negative aspect of going to see him -- the wait to get an appointment! The front desk -- Corrine and Whitney -- are probably the two most cheerful people I have ever met at a doctor's office. They will help you get seen if you are having an emergency -- and they will juggle the doctor's schedule to get you in as soon as possible. The hygienists and dental assistants are highly professional, friendly and efficient -- getting X-rays or your teeth cleaned is a fast, painless process. And last but not least, Dr. Barry is like the Michelangelo of dentists. Don't let his laid-back California demeanor fool you. The guy is on the top of his game. Whether Dr. Barry is making a diagnosis or performing a procedure -- his insights and skills are flawless. And on a doctor-patient level, he really takes the time to answer all of your questions -- and helps you understand what you need and why. Finally, Dr. Barry is networked with two of the best dental specialists in the Bay Area -- oral surgeon Edmond Bedrossian and orthodontist Robert Quinn, both of whom happen to be in the same building, 450 Sutter Street. read more

I never understood why people are afraid of the dentist. Its just your teeth, not your heart or other vital organs. But maybe I've thought this because I have an awesome dentist in Dr. Barry and his team of super friendly and highly competent staff. Dr. Barry knows his patients are usually not medical professionals and don't understand medical jargon so he explains every step of every procedure so that you know what's going on. Meanwhile, his assistants are very thorough and quick in their cleaning and other preliminary duties so that you can get in and out as fast as possible. And finally, Whitney at the front desk always greet you with a friendly smile. She's really warm and welcoming in person and on the phone when making appointments. One Monday morning, I completely forgot to show up for my appointment. She was completely understanding and accomodated me. If you need a dentist or if you're scared of them, see Dr. Barry! read more

Dr. Barry is great. He explains everything that he will do so that you are very comfortable. He also takes his time with the work so you don't feel he is rushing off to work on someone else. His dental work, from replacing fillings and crowns, to filling a cavity has been excellent. He really cares about his patients and it comes across not only in his work but it carries over to his staff. Don't want to let too many people in on how great he is because I still want appts. Mary G. read more

I've been going here for 7 years. They are fantastic! Dr. Barry has kept the chompers in pearly, strong form. Always on schedule. Zealous but not overzealous. And the most wonderful, soft toothbrush gift with every visit. Highly recommend. read more

A co-worker recommended Kevin Barry as a dentist. Being new to the city, I decided to give him a shot. Well, after my first visit, he told me I really needed a night guard. OK, fine, I thought - you have bills to pay, and you make a killing off little extras, so I'll play along. Next he said I should see a surgeon upstairs to look at my back tooth. Uh oh.. maybe something was wrong? So I went. That dentists busts out with a microscope and finds a microscopic crack in my back tooth. Never had any issues with it... but he was adamant that I had to have a root canal right away. "No thanks, I'll get a second opinion." I said. The guy Kevin Barry recommended wanted none of that - he was very pushy. I finally agreed, and then cancelled the appointment later that day - I just wanted to get out of there. When I was back home, I saw my lifetime dentist - he laughed and said there was no need for a root canal - it's all a scam. (my dentist back home is also a trusted friend of the family). So, I figure Dentist Kevin Barry was just having a bad day. We all have them. It was time to get my teeth cleaned. So I went back. They cleaned my teeth and all that fun stuff, got my night guard fitted... and then said I had to have one of my fillings replaced. Easy enough. So I get the filling replaced. Filling is too high, and bits are flaking off every now and then. I call the staff and they say it's normal - nothing to worry about. So, about a month after the filling is done, my jaw starts hurting. I ignore it for about two weeks, figuring it would go away. It doesn't. It gets worse, and worse, and to the point where I can't chew, close my mouth, or talk without horrible pain. I call their office on a Wednesday morning. They MIGHT be able to get me in the next Tuesday. I ask them what I can do for the pain. They say to just bear with it. The next day, it's worse. I call again. "Hey guys, this really, really hurts." "We can definitely get you in Tuesday morning. Just bear with it for a few more days." Now I'm at the point where I can't sleep, the side of my face is swollen, and I'm taking 6 advil every couple hours for pain. My poor, poor kidneys. So, I spend Friday afternoon calling around and found another dentist who could see me first thing Monday morning. Great! I call up Kevin Barry's office and leave a message: "I'm seeing another guy Monday morning - please have my fitted night guard ready, and a copy of my x-rays, records, etc. I'll be there at 8am." I get there at 8am, and they decide to do the official fitting process for the night guard then and there. It's a complicated process - the dentist puts it in your mouth and asks "how does that feel?", and you say "feels alright." He then sends me to Dr. Ehsan (see my review on his profile) to look at the severe jaw pain. "I already have another guy I'm seeing - I left a message..." I say. "Just see Dr. Ehsan, he will be able to help....", I am told. Terrible, terrible dentist. Scam artist. Not recommended. Does not care about his patients pain; he might be responsive, but only if you're rude. I don't like to be rude, so he's just not my style. Or if you're female - the co-worker that recommended him was female and she got all sorts of pain meds from him. Hmmmmmmmm...? I do have another appointment with him in a few days, though. And insurance covers it - I pay nothing out of pocket. I'm going to keep it - I haven't been brushing my teeth or showering for the past week, and am going to eat tons of garlic and onions right before the appointment. As far as listening to anything he has to say about teeth - I'd probably listen to the guy who cuts my hair before listening to Kevin Barry, DDS. Oh yeah - my jaw is still killing me. I've kind of given up on the healthcare system in San Francisco, so I'll deal with it when I go home in a few weeks. One star for.... well, I'm actually not sure what for. Everyone has a redeeming quality, though... so for whatever that is. Peace! - Joseph Ellis read more

If there was an award for "Most talented, most helpful, most pleasant dentist," Dr. Kevin Barry would be a perennial winner. I came in with a painful cracked tooth, plus other assorted tooth problems. From the first moment I felt cared for, and not just professionally, but as a human being. My particular situation required a specialist in the same building--and Dr Barry provided an excellent referral. Then, after a couple of adjustments, Dr. Barry, and his excellent staff, gave my teeth a new lease on life. (I had avoided dentists for years). Answering questions, explaining the details, and offering sensible alternatives--this office does it all with compassion. I'm really blessed with this dentist. If you need dental help, this is the office for you. I actually look forward to my regular teeth cleanings now. read more

BEST. DENTIST. EVER. I have never met a more knowledgeable, attentive and humble dentist! His calm demeanor and extensive explanations makes trips to the dentist better than I ever imagined. I've learned so much from him and will continue to go to him, even if I move across the country! read more

I have thought and thought about whether or not to write this review. basically i decided to write it so others are completely informed; i believe that his office makes allot of kickbacks from referrals. Before u know it, you will walk out of that office running around all over Sutter Plaza with a half dozen appts. The mouth guard thing is a scam. You probably don't need it just like i didn't need it- although, I was "advised" to get one. Use your common sense and make your own decisions. read more

Dr. Barry is awesome. He's so good I actually feel asleep while he was doing dental work! Plus, everything in this practice is automated, from appointments to patient feedback. Also, Dr. Barry cares quite a bit about his patients and one thing you will notice is that he's just a really good person. That goes a long way. Beware though, this is a very popular dentistry practice, so you'll have to wait a bit for your first appointment! Thank you Yelp for helping me find Dr. Barry! read more

I went to Dr. Barry for a check-up and cleaning last year, and it was a great experience. His office is quick and efficient, plust I had the best cleaning ever. My teeth came out feeling sparkling. Dr. Barry didn't push any extras like whitening or veneers, but he did educate me about how to floss better! I went back 5 months ago for a second cleaning, and again I was impressed the whole time. I recommend Dr. Barry's office-- two thumbs up! read more

Dr. Kevin Barry and his office staff are exceptional. Kevin explains procedures in a very clear manner. I was a patient at his office for many years prior to moving to the East Bay. Throughout this time, I found his staff courteous and helpful. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Kevin Barry for at least five years and every appointment has been awesome. The staff and the dental assistants are very good and treat you like a human being. Like in the other comment, he tells you what you need and suggest things you do not need. He gives you options and I don't feel a bit in a hard sales pitch. Kudos to Heidi, the Dental Hygienist. read more