zero stars - minus* Buyer Beware -- Extremely Unprofessional and Unethical Experience This is a buyer beware review. We had an incredibly disappointing and frustrating experience at this practice. The physician remained largely inaccessible, hiding behind office staff until the very end of the process. Overall, our experience was riddled with incompetence, unprofessionalism, unethical behavior, and deception. My daughter had braces placed here and remained under their care for about 5-6 months before we moved out of the area. Below is a summary of the major issues we encountered -- both during treatment and while transferring to a new orthodontist. 1. Constantly Broken Brackets Almost every visit involved repairing broken brackets -- something we never experienced with our two older children who completed orthodontic treatment elsewhere. The staff repeatedly blamed my daughter, claiming she was eating "hard foods," even when the bracket broke after biting into something as soft as a French fry. Having to return after nearly every routine appointment for broken brackets is highly unusual and concerning. 2. Obstacles in Transferring Records When we requested treatment records after moving, we were told we had to come in person to sign a release -- despite living over 60 miles away. This is not compliant with HIPAA, which requires practices to release records upon a patient's written request without unnecessary barriers. The delay in transferring records to our new orthodontist caused a significant treatment gap, leaving my daughter with broken brackets for an extended period. It took multiple follow-up calls before anything was finally sent. This behavior was both unethical and unprofessional. 3. Extremely Limited Orthodontist Availability The orthodontist was only available Tuesday through Thursday with limited hours. Emergencies or urgent concerns outside those times were left unaddressed. For a medical practice handling active orthodontic cases, this lack of accessibility is unacceptable. 4. Dishonest and Inconsistent Refund Process When we moved, we were told we'd receive only 50% of what we paid -- despite my daughter having completed only 5-6 months out of a 30-month treatment plan. Even their office manager, Daniela, admitted that the fair and standard approach would be a prorated refund of about 80%, but could not justify why the office offered only 50%. They also tried to change the documented treatment time from 30 months to 24 months, reducing our rightful refund. Additionally, although we paid $6,100 out of pocket, the practice also billed our insurance, which wasn't factored into the refund discussion. The entire situation was handled with dishonesty and questionable ethics. 5. Unprofessional Conduct by the Physician After weeks of back-and-forth with staff, the physician finally joined a call -- only to speak in a rude and unprofessional manner. By that point, I had dealt with their team nearly ten times and had lost confidence in the integrity of the practice. Given the repeated mismanagement and lack of accountability, I requested a full refund, which I have yet to receive. Final Thoughts This practice appears to care more about money than patients. Our experience reflects a lack of professionalism, poor patient care standards, and questionable ethics. I would strongly advise families to look elsewhere for orthodontic care. read more

I only wish these type of offices existed when I was a kid! It would def have made getting braces more enjoyable when I was younger. I'm glad my son went here as his first dental experience. When he was younger he went to the ER a lot, and had more doctor appointments than I want to remember; so he always associated doctor with traumatizing needles. Everything was easy, from booking an appointment to filling out paperwork (on an iPad). Once we stepped into the office, it was bright and everyone was pretty cheerful, very kid friendly. There's also a chalkboard by the door that writes the name of first time patients to welcome them! The dental hygienist and dentist explained everything pretty well and answered any questions I had. They used a stuffed animal to explain to my son how tooth brushing and flossing works and what they would be doing when they checked his teeth out so he wouldn't be too scared. A nice thing about a high tech dental office is TVs on the ceiling as a distraction for the kids. read more

Newton Pediatric Dentistry - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

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My son had a severe accident that impacted a few of his front teeth. Dr. Van was super accommodating and saw him the same day of the incident and was able to explain to us what he was seeing and the different options that were available to treat it. He understood the severity of the trauma and the amount of anxiety and unease it caused us as parents. Really appreciated the follow up call during off hours to check in as well as making himself available during a separate incident that followed during the recovery period. Highly recommend as a pediatric dentist! read more

I am so thoroughly impressed by Dr. Van and his team. My son had a horrible accident with his two front (adult) teeth this weekend (fractured close to the gum line). Dr. Van was so unbelievably accommodating and put me and my 10 year-old son at ease during a very traumatic time. My twin boys have been seeing Dr. Van for many years now and our experience has always been amazing - everything from regular cleanings to needing teeth pulled and orthodontic recommendations, to our current situation. I cannot say enough good things - I wish I could give 100 stars. read more

This is a top quality and comfortable office. The staff sre wonderful - Grace and Nancy helped us inoridnateky! Dr Van is wonderful. I can only say good things about this practice - a thorougy enjoyable pediatric dentist offifce to work with through ans through! read more

Best Place for Autistic/Neurodivergent Kids! I am overwhelmed with gratitude to Dr. Van and Newton Pediatric Dentistry. My kiddo is Autistic and they treat him with deep acceptance and respect. When I asked if I could bring him in every 3 months for shorter appointments, they said OF COURSE, great idea. When I asked if they ever do house visits because he was due for Flouride but experiencing too much anxiety to leave the house, Dr. Van said OF COURSE. He drove 15 min to our home on a Saturday, bonded with my kid, and gave him a flouride treatment in his room where he currently feels safe. Run do not walk to join this practice if you have a child with any sensitivities or phobias. They get it, and clearly Dr Van has a calling to serve these children. read more

Great pediatric dentist. Great experience for the kids. The staff is so patient with the kids. It's great bc they can pick a show on Netflix to watch while getting their teeth cleaned. Also I was just there because my daughter tipped her two front teeth and they were able to get me in and fill them and fix them and they look amazing now read more

Newton Pediatric Dentistry - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Based on the other excellent Yelp reviews, made my son's first (ever) dental appointment here. We drove from East Boston and I am so happy that we did. It was best possible scenario for my 3 year old who mostly squirms, screams and runs away at home when we try to brush his teeth. I wish I could remember the dental assistant's name because she was awesome with my son- so patient, explaining each step and making a game of it. He did everything she said and enjoyed it too. The Dentist introduced himself at the end of the appointment and did his part. He also helped me out with the "binky has to go" schpeal- thanks doc! Office is very clean and kid friendly. read more

Newton Pediatric Dentistry - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

We are new to the area and were very happy to find this wonderful practice. It's oddly hard to find a good pediatric dentist. My daughter's visit was quite pleasant, the front desk ladies were very helpful and sweet. I can't wait to see my boys' reaction to their first visit which is coming up very soon I just wish they had a better parking space other than the lot behind the building. read more

Newton Pediatric Dentistry - Waiting room - Pediatric Dentists Near Me - Newton, Massachusetts

Not a huge fan of this practice. At one point, the dentist said to my 3 y/o daughter, "C'mon kid, really? Can't you just open your mouth?" That was our last visit. After 3 visits, Dr. Van still hadn't won enough trust from my daughter to do any sort of cleaning. We went to a new dentist, and my daughter was laying back in the chair with her mouth wide open for a full cleaning within 10 minutes. And that was accomplished without TVs on the ceiling - which, as a parent conscious of screen time, I never appreciated the philosophy these represented. I'm so glad we left when we did so that my daughter won't have a lasting negative association with going to the dentist. read more

In ordinary times, I am a fan of Dr. Van and his team. I am even more impressed with how they are handling their office, patients and parents during these challenging times. Dr. Van communicated with me while my son was in his office having a procedure. He also communicated with my son in such a thoughtful way. Together, they came up with a plan to handle a lingering baby tooth. Finally, once my son was finished with his appointment, a staff member came out to clarify everything. Thank you and keep up the great work! read more

I am so lucky to have found Newton Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Van and his staff are experienced, kind, gentle, and accommodating to my child's particular needs and readiness. Amazing. read more

This is definitely a 5-star office all around. My children get undivided attention from the doctor and staff, personalized care, thorough treatment, and thoughtful advice. Highly recommend. read more

If you live in Newton (or anywhere in driving distance) and you have a child, you really need to visit Dr. Van. At our most recent visit, hygienist Yolanda did an amazing job of calmly walking us through everything from counting teeth and flossing them, to introducing Mr. Thirsty (the straw) and the menu du jour of toothpaste flavors. Dr. Orenstein is equally adept at explaining things to grownups and making kids feel at ease. My child actually looks forward to his appointments. And if yours is a fan of giraffes and/or giraffe-inspired decor, you've hit the dental jackpot! read more

I have never seen my 4 year old so relaxed on dentist's chair. Chatting and letting him examine her teeth. My daughter would not even open her mouth to our previous dentist for simple teeth counting process. Dr. Van accesses kids minds and emotionally connects with children first before examining their teeth. Yesterday My daughter left the office very happy and gleeful, continuously asking for Dr. Van's name trying to memorize it so she would ask me to take her to him next time. As a parent, I am very relieved and grateful that we chose Dr. Van. True Professional! read more

I took Daniel this morning to Dr. Van because we could not wait for two months for the treatment of a deep cavity at a different pedo clinic. Dr. Van very nicely helped us and finished the treatment for Daniel right away. He's so nice, patient and professional. Daniel enjoyed the experiences at Newton Pediatric Dentistry and thinking he may want to be a pediatric dentist just like Dr. Van. read more

They do an amazing job with kids with anxiety. Our child has extreme anxiety and sensory issues and had to have a teeth pulled. Dr. Van was unbelievable at talking to him to help him calm down and he was able to actually have the procedure done when we thought he wouldn't. We couldn't be more happy with this place! It was recommended to us by our neighbors as all the kids on our street go there for dental care. read more

Just had our first visit here and I was so impressed. My daughter did NOT want to go to the dentist and screamed the entire time and the entire staff was patient, caring, and made the situation completely bearable. They were so kind and we ended up being able to do our exam after my daughter calmed down a bit but I was just so pleased with how they handled it all and the techniques they had to make her comfortable. We will definitely be regular customers and now I think my daughter realizes she was scared for no reason ! read more

The administrative staff is incompetent. I cancelled the appointment because they could not figure out (after three weeks of calling back and forth) whether the costs for a basic checkup appointment would be covered. I might understand if this was the kind of service I received from Comcast, not my little daughters dentist. read more

We took my daughter here for the first time and she really felt comfortable with Dr Van and hygienists. She loves how they will turn Ina Netflix program while they do the cleaning. Dr Van has a really great "chair-side" manner and gets along well with the kids. read more

This is a wonderful pediatric dental practice, with friendly staff and a lovely environment. Dr. Van Orenstein has a fun and gentle manner with the kids, putting them at ease during appointments. He provides parents with thorough explanations of his exam and any issues that need to be addressed. When my child had a dental emergency, he responded immediately, met us in the office after hours, and skillfully addressed the problem while keeping my child at calm. We are very grateful for the excellent care he provides. read more

I can not say enough positive things about Dr. Van and his team! Everyone in the office is super friendly and makes you feel comfortable from the second you walk in the door until the moment you leave with happy kids who now have sparkling teeth! I can with great faith recommend this office to friends and families in search of a great Pediatric Dentist! read more

My daughter (5 years old) loves Dr. Van! She's actually excited to go to the dentist and asks me when her next appointment is. Dr. Van is great with kids - very kind and understanding. My daughter is shy and reserved, but he has been great in making her feel comfortable during our visits. The office is also clean and bright. Overall, we've had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend the practice. read more

My three year old son is very shy and although he didn't talk much during his first appointment he responded well to all requests. Taylor, one of the hygienists, was friendly and gave him plenty of time and space and introduced him to the all the things in their office to get him comfortable. I'm hoping future appointments go as well as his first one did, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Dr Van Orenstein to others. read more

We new to the area and we chose Newton Pediatric Dentistry out of the HUGE pool of kid's dentists in Newton based on recommendations from a facebook group - plus, they took my family's flavor of Delta Dental. I appreciated that it was easy to schedule an appointment, and any necessary follow up appointments. The kids were seen on time, but what matters most is how well they relate to kids. Our kids felt very special, had a great time, and can't wait to go back. I appreciated how they talked and explained everything to our our kids, and gave some great advice and motivation to stop thumb sucking. This is by far the best place we've taken our kids for dental care. read more

Dr. Van and his team are wonderful - patient, kind, efficient and easy to talk to. We've had numerous successful visits with 2 young kids that don't love the idea of going to the dentist. read more

Thanks to Dr. Van and the staff at NPD, my 3-year-old daughter loves to come to the dentist. We are always greeted with the smile and my daughter feels very relaxed during the oral exam. read more

As an orthodontist in the Boston area, I can proudly say I refer my patients to Dr. Van for pediatric dental care. Dr. Van's brand new, state of the art practice is the perfect place for families. Dr. Van is ivy league trained and truly knows how to treat children and make an enjoyable visit to the dentist. Your family will be in good hands with Dr. Van! read more

I can't say enough about this practice. Truly gifted with children, Dr. Van provides a very high quality of care in a warm environment. Great communication with both the kids and their parents. Highest recommendation! read more

Dr. Van is amazing! My son has special needs and he is exceedingly patient with him. My kids actually ask if they can go to the dentist extra times. read more

I can't say enough about this practice. On the basis of several recommendations, we went to Dr. Van Orenstein at Newton Pediatric Dentistry. We absolutely love him and the practice. I have now been in several times and feel like I know it well. They and he are great with explaining things, relating to kids and parents, making everything easy and comfortable. I can't recommend them highly enough. I am posting this while sitting in the room with my young teen daughter while he puts sealants on a few teeth. She is super-sensitive about any medical procedure and is doing great, watching Friends on Netflix. Now Dr. Van is discussing Rachel's hair with her :-)...seriously, they are clearly devoted to this being a positive experience. I recommend Dr. Van and Newton Pediatric Dentistry highly! read more

not one to write reviews we felt it important to share our opinion for this new establishment. First off, our daughter (4 yo) has been a patient of Dr. Van since her first visit 2 years ago. Dr. Van's demeanor and authenticity with the kids is valuable to us. Our daughter can relate to why the need for daily brushing with having her teeth examined by a likable and relatable person. We are thrilled that Dr. Van opened his own practice. A very family friendly place the office is clean and child friendly and conveniently located which is a bonus! We are looking forward to visiting regularly for a very long time. read more

Dr Van and his team are truly as good as it gets! They have a gift for treating children. As a mother with a fear of the dentist, it comforting to see my children cared for in such a fun and loving environment. The office is inviting, clean and state of the art. My kids love and trust Dr. Van. On our last visit he gave he challenged each kid. 1 to give up her binky and the other milk in bed. I'm happy to report we are 4 days post visit and neither kid has looked back, often saying "Dr. Van said....." We are lucky to have found such an amazing Dr and practice. read more

We had a great experience with Newton Pediatric Dentistry. We had taken my 8 year old son, who was complaining about a toothache, to a different family dentist to try and have his cavity filled. However, he was so resistant and afraid that he would not sit still for the dentist, who tried his best, but eventually had to give up. At a loss for what to do, I began searching online and found Newton Pediatric Dentistry. They were able to see my son immediately. Though he was still very resistant to the whole process, Dr. Van Orenstein and his staff had many ways to try and calm him and were remarkably patient. In the end they were successful and the cavity got filled! I would highly recommend Newton Pediatric Dentistry to any parents with children in similar circumstances. They do a fantastic job and in the end everyone was happy. read more