I've been to many dentists in town and I have to say she's the best! Very professional, comfortable and clean environment. The staff is really kind and patient. It feels good when I'm there maybe because it's a family business? Or It just feels like it. Dr. Madavi is very detailed oriented and always making sure I'm happy about the work she's doing. On top of that she's delightful to talk to. I found my dentist in Santa Barbara Highly recommended! read more

I just moved to Santa Barbara, and was looking for a reliable, trustworthy dentist; this was NOT that place. From beginning to end, they tried to upsell me on several thousand dollar treatments when I just wanted a free 6-month cleaning. The cleaning itself was super uncomfortable and I just about walked out when the dental assistant splashed water all over me and my clothes. They tried to upsell me everything from teeth whitening, cosmetic dentistry services, deep cleaning, root canals, etc. By the way, my teeth are nearly perfect. I got a 2nd opinion a week after my visit from a different dentist, and there were no issues. This place is a complete scam. Dentists are RUDE, dental assistants are unskilled, and the whole experience was awful. Save yourself time, money, energy and stress by going anywhere else. read more

I am continually impressed by Dr. Madavi level of commitment and to the extent she puts her patients first . Thank you again for seeing me last Friday. You are the best Dentist and your staff was very caring. We are so lucky to have you as our dentist thank you so read more

Stay away from this place!! The experience from start to finish was hands down the worst I've experienced at any doctors office! Dr. Madavi, on my first (and last) visit told me I had four cavities with one of them potentially needing a root canal. I've only ever had two cavities so suddenly being told I had four seemed seriously excessive. I immediately made an appointment with another dentist to get a second opinion and was told by the second dentist that I had ONE small cavity, yes that's right, just one. The office staff was incompetent (couldn't spell my name correctly or accurately take down my birthdate after three phone calls), and wouldn't allow for a moment for someone to skim through a consent form without scoffing, sighing, or in general making you feel like you are an imposition. The registration process with multiple computers & tablets having to be used is unnecessary and cumbersome. The tablets weren't working properly and needed to be rebooted multiple times. The cleaning I went for was sufficient. Dr. Madavi did the cleaning herself using an ultrasonic water system. I've never had a dentist perform a routine cleaning before and am slightly suspect that she personally did the cleaning to simply bill my insurance company more. The general vibe in the office seemed frazzled and like I was walking onto a used car lot on Memorial Day weekend. Basically, I think all they wanted was to see how much money they could take me for. read more

Kind, Gentle and Professional. Nina is one of the best dentists in the Santa Barbara area. I've been a patient of hers for the last 13 years and had many procedures done. She has always been very gentle with me and treats me like her son. I don't live in the area anymore (San Diego) but I make it a point to drive to her every six months to get my cleaning done right! The staff is super friendly and the place is very clean. Parking is easy and free. read more

Hands down the best dentist I've ever been to. The whole team is incredible and very friendly. Dr. Madavi is very thorough and just generally wonderful. read more

I would NOT recommend Dr. Madavi. I had a really bad experience there, Her camera/digital display is a joke. She looked at my teeth and said that i didn't have fillings ( i had three), but I was like, well anyone can make a mistake.... she told me that i had a crack in a tooth that needed to be drilled and filled, because it may turn into a cavity. I guess she wanted the extra $100 bucks for filling a cavity. Then I asked if she could file out a tiny chip in my front top tooth. She got out the drill thing and kept drilling....and drilling. The technician started making comments about how a little off went a long way. I told her is was starting to hurt, but she kept drilling. She drilled until is was incredibly painful, and i actually screamed-seriously, this was classic dentist nightmare material, people. The woman drilled into my dentin, all the way through the enamel. I wouldn't let her do more after that, and i was talking with a lisp for the rest of the week, because she took so much off. And enamel doesn't grow back. Let my pain be your gain----find a different dentist. read more

I adore Dr. Madavi and her dental practice. She is not the only dentist who works there, but they are all consistently as nice and as competent as she is. I had not been to the dentist in three years when I first visited Dr. Madavi because I had most recently had a negative experience with another local dentist. Dr. Madavi was understanding and patient, provided me with thorough advice and encouragement, and never made me feel embarassed or uncomfortable. She has redone three of my fillings - all of that work was relatively pain-free. She has also outfitted me with a night guard to protect my teeth from grinding. She has been able to deftly identify previous dental/orthodontic work and I can honestly say that she has been instrumental in improving my dental health and my own dental habits. I recommend Dr. Madavi frequently. While I'm sorry to hear someone else has had a bad experience (a. h., 1/8/2010), I will definitely continue to go back. P.S. On a side-note, Dr. Madavi's office uses a blue light teeth bleaching system that many dentists use. About 80% of the reviews that I have read about that particular bleaching system say that it is very painful and not worth it. So I WON'T be bleaching my teeth there any time soon. But all other Madavi services are recommended. :) read more

My husband and I have had a really great experience with Dr. Madavi. We've lived in SB for 9 years and have been to other dentists and Dr. Madavi is the best. I feel like Dr. Madavi is really knowledgeable, talented and wants what is best for her patients. Her attitude and the attitude of her staff proves that she is invested in your teeth, smile and overall care of your mouth. Her office is really clean and has great new equipment. My favorite is the which camera she uses to show you the work she is doing inside your mouth - also before and after pictures. I don't know that anyone enjoys getting dental work done but I really trust her and the quality of her work which makes it a better experience. Thanks from a satisfied customer! read more

I've had great past experiences with Dr Nina Madavi but my boyfriend's latest visit left us feeling cheated. He had some with work done including a cleaning but charged was for 'irrigation' fees that were not covered under his insurance. We were not told about this until we received his insurance EOB. I would seriously caution anyone visiting this office to verify what exactly they are being charged for and not be surprised by 'irrigation' fees that should be included in a cleaning. read more

I have been Dr. Madavi's patient for over twelve years. Not only did she do an impeccable job replacing ALL of my metal fillings with long lasting fillings that matched my teeth and gave me a very natural looking set of teeth, but that work has lasted for over a decade! Dr. Madavi, does her best to give her patients exactly what they want both in terms of work done on your teeth, but with scheduling and working with insurance companies. Most recently, I have had a very difficult schedule because I travel often. On my last trip, I broke off a part of my molar and I was due for an exam and cleaning. I had a very small window of time to get this work done. Dr. Madavi and staff worked with me to get the exam, cleaning, and tooth repair done in one visit! I really needed this because I was scheduled to leave Santa Barbara that evening for another month! Dr. Madavi can't always make this happen, but she definitely tries to accommodate your needs. She worked with me to file paperwork to help me get reimbursed by my travel insurance as well. I am very grateful to Dr. Madavi and staff for her quality of work, her impeccable, fastidious dental records, her effort to accommodate me with scheduling and insurance issues, attention to detail and her pleasant demeanor. She cares about your health, and values aesthetics too. This is not always the case with dentists. Dr. Madavi is one of the best dentists in Santa Barbara. I give her my highest recommendation and complete trust. Go to her office with confidence knowing that she will give you her best work. Every time. Don't be swayed by the psychology involved with the negative reviews here. I am very satisfied with all aspects of her dental practice. read more

Horrible dentist. In fact, she was the worst one I've ever met. She told me she does things "the right way" rather than "cheap". I trusted her and fixed my filling. When I had sensitivity with that tooth, I asked to see her. I saw her during her normal hours but took the first opening. Guess what? She wanted to charge me for an emergency appointment. I protested and ended up paying for a regular appointment (no work was done other than looking at the tooth). When I changed to another dentist, I had x-rays done again. He pointed at the filling Dr. Madavi did and commented that it is done very poorly. He said whoever did the work didn't spend proper time carving the filling, which is why it was so sharp at the end. He asked for the name of the dentist. I would NEVER recommend her to anyone. read more

Went there for a cleaning and had a wonderful experience. The dentist was very nice and quick! I will recommend to my friends and family!

I called in and made an initial appointment back in October. I asked what the price of a regular cleaning was out of pocket since I do not have dental insurance. I was told that they did a slight discount for non-insured persons and a cleaning was around $100 dollars (cant remember the exact amount I was quoted now) which is right about normal. I was examined by Dr. Medavi and she did the cleaning herself. I had recent X-rays sent over since I had gotten oral surgery in San Diego a few months before. Dr. Medavi definitely goes for the hard sell. I was told I would need sealants in all of my molars- at $50/ tooth out of pocket and should get Invisalign to "prevent tooth decay" caused by crowding. Side note - I have an uncorrected overbite that has never bothered me and every other dentist I have ever seen has told me that Invisalign would be purely cosmetic. At check out my discounted cash total was $150 not $100 apparently because Dr. Medavi had to do the initial exam. Whatever. After leaving the office and explaining that I wanted to get a second opinion on the sealants I started receiving calls from her front desk staff telling me that I had a procedure they needed to schedule and to please call them back to get this taken care of. I get it, dentists have to make money but why is it so hard to just get my regular cleanings without being bombarded by sales pitches? Demonstrating my pure laziness in finding a new dentist I called back today to try to get my 6 month cleaning. I figured, hey at least I know what to expect right? Be strong, just say 'no'! Unfortunately, you cant get a regular cleaning. They do check up exams every 6 months that include a full x ray and evaluation... costing $200. Since a regular cleaning schedule is every 6 months that means that every cleaning is a $200 exam. No thanks. Bottom line: This office needs a do not call list. read more

Not what I would expect from a professional. The staff was very rude and the service was almost insulting. I WOULD NOT recommend Dr. Madavi to anyone. BEWARE! read more

My father has been a patient of Dr. Madavi for 10+ years. I have recently switched over to Dr. Madavi as my primary dentist and I couldn't be happier! She is the most trustable and reliable dentist in Santa Barbara. The dental hygienists and other staff are so sweet and helpful. Her office is comfortable, clean, and inviting. I really appreciate everyone working alongside Dr. Madavi and look forward to coming in every time. read more

Great dentist. She is excellent at explaining what you need, why and focusing on the long-term health of your teeth (versus solely cosmetic). I went to her for a 2nd opinion and I got a completely different assessment than SB Dental Spa. Her advice made me much more comfortable and today, I'm a huge fan. Don't hold back especially if you have Anthem as she's also in my network. read more

Friendly Santa Barbara dentist. Went in for my usual check up, and as always had a fantastic experience. Thanks Dr. Madavi for making sure I have a great smile! read more

I had my best dental experience at Dr. Madavi's office. I was referred to her by a friend of mine who had veneers done by Dr. Madavi. and was very happy with the outcome. I scheduled an appointment and found the office & staff very pleasant & professional. On my first visit, Dr. Madavi spent alot of time & explained everything in detail. To make a long story short, I now have 4 beautiful veneers, love the way they look and get compliments all the time. I am a patient for life. read more

Great and clean Dentist as well everything is very professionally handled.Anything you need or have any questions they are able to fulfill and assist you with,overall it has been a great experience here! read more

I went to Dr. Madavi's office for some time. I have had to leave her office twice due to dental insurance network issues and every time I try to find a new plan the following year just to go back to her. So far, I haven't found a dental office in all 19 years of being in Santa Barbara that has a professional an environment, immaculately clean, up-to-date technology, thorough check up, highly detailed cleanings, great knowledge but not in the pushy way, and literally artistic level of molding when it comes to cavities. read more

In the past I hated going to the dentist. SInce going to Dr. Madavi (for 9 years), I now enjoy going to the dentist. Her staff, especially Millie are awesome. In addition, for years I neglected my teeth because I did not have dental insurance. The kindness and patience that Dr. Madavi and her office staff have shown me over the past 9 years have made me feel like I am 'visiting family' rather than going to a dental appointment. I initially needed a LOT of hand holding because I had so much anxiety around dental work. If you live in the Santa Barbara or Ventura area and are in need of dental care, I strongly recommend Dr. Madavi. She is a gem. You will not find a better dentist on the Central Coast. read more

Dr. Madavi is professional, trustworthy and detail oriented. She is honest about necessity of treatments and will do anything she can to save your natural teeth. I have confidence in her judgement and ability. Additionally, office staff is friendly and professional. read more

Amazing! I would definitely recommend Dr. Madavi. She is by far the best dentist I have ever been to. She is patient, careful, sanitary, and personable. Her staff was beyond patient everytime I go. She makes sure to explain to her patients what's necessary to maintain ideal oral health. I am beyond satisfied with her work! read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Madavi's for about 3 years now. It goes without saying that she and her staff are nothing less than the best! Dr. Madavi is not only an exceptional dentist, but a most caring and wonderful person. I have seen many dentists and have never received the kind of care that I have received from her and her office staff. They are all so wonderful to me and for that I am so grateful. As long as Dr. Madavi is practicing dentistry I will be her patient!! read more

Very clean, super friendly and great work. I'm very happy and intend to remain a patient of Dr. Madavi until I move from Santa Barbara.

I have been to Dr. Madavi's Office for my dental work for about three years. She is very knowledgeable and kind and above all very professional. recommend her highly. A+ read more

I normally wouldn't write a review, much less about a dentist. But, I was blown away by my dental expereince today. It was my first time with this dentist and all of her staff were amazing from beginning to end. When I got there the receptionist seemed really happy to see me. She even shook my hand. While she got my papers together, I looked at the million Christmas cards on the wall (I thought it was weird people were sending their dentist Christmas cards, but I now see why) . I then filled out my papers (which included a full medical history. i was a bit annoyed by that but after all the attn i received today figure she might actually pay attention to it.) Once I had handed in my papers, the secretary came out and gave me a full explanation of benefits that my insurance would cover. It wasn't to tell me what I would have to pay (because that was nothing. yay insurance), it was just a couteousy. I then proceeded to leaf through a really interesting book of random dental hygiene facts that had been put together by someone. I probably only waited 3 minutes and the hygeinist called me back. She immediately took x-rays, which were digital and displayed on an lcd as they were taken so I was able to have a look. I didn't really like that 18 pics were taken to get a full image of all of my teeth (the standard. no mess ups.) and mentioned it to the hygeinist because I didn't really like the radiation exposure. She calmly explained the rationale behind the images and assured me that they were only doing this because I was a new patient. After that she said they'd probably only do around 6 every 2 years or so. She was totally cool and informative for a hygeinist and showed no signs of attitude even though i questioned what she was doing. Then the dentist came in. She easily spent 45 minutes with me. I have NEVER had a dentist spend more than 10 minutes. Most times the average is 5. I don't have a bad dental record at all. (No cavities. Ever. You can congratulate my mom for that.) However, Dr. Madavi was THOROUGH, very informative, and very responsive to any questions. After looking at X-rays, she looked in my mouth with a small "tooth camera" and took pictures of my teeth and displayed them on the LCD. She noticed that I grind my teeth more so on the right side. She evidenced this by showing a small crack (not to worry about that) and slight wearing on the right side. She recommended a night guard (but did say not to waste my money if I wouldn't wear it). Normally, I wouldn't even consider wearing something that sounds so annoying. But. She did show me how my teeth are wearing away. Not to mention I occassionly have pain in my right jaw. NO dentist had ever told me my teeth were wearing away, or suggested a night guard, or even suggested I grind my teeth. I'd just been told if my mild TMJ that I mentioned by saying my jaw occassionally pops got bad enough, there was surgery. She then suggested a mild cosmetic procedure I could have done to reduce a slight uneveness I have on my front tooth from a chip when I was 7 and showed me before/after pics of other patients. She mentioned it wasn't covered by insurance, and I shouldn't do it unless I wanted to. I then asked her if my permanent retainer I have on my lower teeth might be removed. She was incredibly responsive and came up with a plan right away that included a retainer/mouth guard I would wear at night. (With the retainer, insurance might cover the mouth guard.) The last dentist I asked about having it removed wanted to refer to an orthodontist and periodontist first since I had seen both in the past. Finally Dr. Madavi (THE DENTIST) cleaned my teeth along with the hygeinist. She sprayed them everywhere with an instrument kind of like a water pick but more intense that I had never seen before, then scraped them. Then the dentist left. The hygeinist then just polished my teeth and flossed . Oh, then she took after pics with the "tooth camera" so I could see the diffence. And what a difference. My teeth feel GREAT. Incredibly smooth and polished. Best dental experience I've ever had. By far. PS-Her office is on State St now, not Arrellaga. read more

My favorite Dental office in town. I had an appointment with Dr.Madavi this morning and thought to write and brag about them. I have been a patient of Dr. Madavi for a little over a year now and am happy to say that my first impression was right on the money. I had always been afraid of my visits to the dentist until my first experience with them. They always make me feel so very comfortable and their office as a comfortable and relaxing feel to it. Dr. Madavi is very thorough and knowledgeable and has a calming presence. If you are afraid of going to the dentist, this is the place for you. She and the rest of her staff are very kind and caring. I'm originally from the Bay Area and the fact that she is a graduate of UC San Fransisco (great Medical/Dental school) was the main reason I selected their office. I am glad I did ! read more

I was recommended to Dr. Madavi by my co-workers and also my medical doctor suggested her when I was looking for a good dentist for my daughter. If TLC matters to you, you should go to this office! from that very first phone call it was there! Dr. Madavi is such a wonderful dentist, her exam was very detailed and informative and she did not mind at all to spent so much time to educate my daughter and answer all of our questions about what was going on with her gums and teeth. her intra-oral pictures and digital x-rays supported everything she diagnosed. She was very gentle during all dental procedures. I am very pleased with our experience at this dental office and we are going to switch to her as a family. By the way, she has got the most wonderful staff. read more

If you are seeking the best dental care from a kind, patient and professional dentist in Santa Barbara - schedule an appointment with Dr. Madavi. I have had bad experiences with dentists in the past. As a consequence, I neglected my teeth for a very long time and was in bad shape when I first went to Dr. Madavi. I used to have panic attacks when I needed dental work. Dr. Madavi has completely changed my attitude and now I look forward to going to the dentist. Dr. Madavi is the most compassionate, professional and patient dentist I have ever known. She carefully and clearly explains all of the procedures and always gives the options. When I go to Dr. Madavi's office, I feel like I am returning "home" to see family members. Mellie, the receptionist is equally adorable, kind and patient with my delinquent behavior (missing appointments due to my hectic schedule). The truth is that after years of going to Dr. Madavi I can't imagine seeing another dentist. I feel very fortunate and blessed to have found her and of course, she and her staff have kept me smiling. read more