I've been a patient here for more than 15 years, have referred numerous friends and family members to the practice, and have consistently had excellent experiences with the dentists and hygienists. Unfortunately, my recent interactions with the front office (David) were disappointing. I had to cancel a same-day appointment due to illness and called as soon as I woke up with symptoms. In response, I received a text stating that my appointment history would be reviewed before another appointment could be scheduled. The message referenced a cancellation policy, although I do not recall ever being provided with one. Understanding that late cancellations can have a financial impact on a practice, I immediately offered to pay the full cost of the appointment. I received no response. Several days later, after hearing nothing further, I requested clarification regarding my status as a patient and instructions for transferring my records if the practice had decided to dismiss me. Again, I received no response. My concern is not that the practice may have a cancellation policy. My concern is that after 15+ years as a patient, I was left without any follow-up, explanation, or guidance regarding my care. If a practice is considering dismissing a patient, professional communication should be the minimum standard. The dentists and hygienists here have always been outstanding, which makes this experience especially disappointing. Unfortunately, the front office communication fell well below the level of professionalism I had come to expect. read more

I have been going to Padre Dental for 5 years. I love my dental hygienist, Jen! I rarely have any issues with scheduling. My experiences with Dr. Preston & Dr. Valerie have been good. I would recommend this office to anyone looking for an honest, reliable dentist. read more

Everyone is so nice and professional. Appointments are on time. Dr Preston took the time to explain things to me and I never felt rushed. Shoutout to David for always being so friendly from the start of any conversation. read more

This is a great dental group. Dr. Val is super knowledgeable, honest and doesn't try to upsell.

The stars aligned when I found Padre Dental Group. My hygienist (Morgan with Dr. Abe) noticed what she believed to be a cavity near a crown. Any cavity I get is going to be near something. I have one real tooth left -- a molar. I can't just go to any dentist. Multiple implants, an implant bridge, tons of crowns...tens of thousands of dollars of dental work in my mouth. Dr. Abe recommended Padre Dental. Literally down the hall from him. I decided to just walk in and see if they could fit me in. I was warmly greeted by David, who took the trek down the hall to talk to Dr. Abe's office to get the details on the suspicious tooth. David got me scheduled 2 days later. I completed all the paperwork online. Mind you, Dr. Preston (his first name, it's a husband/wife practice), could have told me I needed a crown and I would have believed him. But he said it was a small cavity with no need to remove the crown. Didn't even need to numb this root-canaled tooth. While there he explained why I likely got the cavity (acid reflux), prescribed a fluoride rinse, recommended tea tree oil for my gums (diluted with oil or a few drops in a water pick), checked my night guard and explained how to properly care for it. If I need a new one, they do it (and crowns) onsite. He and Dr. Abe are my new dental team in San Diego. I highly recommend Padre Dental Group. read more

Dentist is super nice but the customer service (male) was rude af. I had to reschedule due to medical reason, last minute and he made it clear I had pissed him off. He was curt told me they don't have appointments and would not reschedule me. So I got the feeling they don't care about patients returning, they have enough clientele and you don't really matter. My whole office was listening to the way he was speaking to me and thought he was rude. I never want to go to a place that I am paying and be made to feel like I don't matter. So I won't return and it's not because of the Dr but because of the trash I have to get through to get to them. In the scheme of things I don't matter to a dentist that books so far out you can't have an emergency visit, but if people keep reading all these well deserved negative reviews and the patients stop going because of the office worker with no real stake in the company causes them not to return, you will have plenty of appointments available. Do better Padre Dental. read more

All 3 dentists here are great. Recently seen Dr. B for a crown. She's very conscientious, professional and gentle working with you. I highly recommend her or anyone in this practice. Excellent dental care, you will not be disappointed. read more

Five stars for Dr. Val and the team at Padre Dental Group! From Kelly at the front desk to Kelly the dental hygienist to Dr. Val and everyone in between. One of the most professional and genuinely caring group of individuals you could ever come across. They care immensely about their jobs and more importantly, about their patients. Without getting into too much dental detail, my lovely wife Becky needed extensive dental work. She was referred by a friend to Dr. Val. After an initial consultation the work was completed in four visits over the course of about six weeks. There was no overcharging. No upselling of unneeded work. Dr. Val was up front, forthright and honest about everything. No shady practices at all. The results are absolutely stunning. Not only did Dr. Val and the fine people at Padre Dental Group give Bex her smile back. They also restored her pride, confidence and self esteem. It is a joy to see Becky smiling with pride again. read more

I had dental work today that will positively alter the way I smile - thanks to Dr. Val :) She went over and above to ensure satisfaction, of which I am truly appreciative. Everybody is welcoming and personable (David), and all the assistants. Thank you again! read more

I've been going here over 5 years and have only good things to say. Everyone is friendly and welcoming. They do not try to sell you lots of services; not at all. The dentists are so nice. I've very happy here & recommend it to others. read more

Had my first visit with Dr. Preston, and the entire staff are awesome. Dr. Preston was amazing, even though I just met him for the first time, I can tell he cares about his patients.Everyone is very professional, and explained everything that needed to be done. Haven't been to the dentist in a while so I have lots of dental get done. Highly recommend Padre Dental, you won't be sorry. read more

I went to Dr. Val Kaenel and Dr. Preston Kaenel for 3 years. Dr. Val did my invisalign and Dr. Preston was my regular dentist. The staff was amazing and so nice and the hygienist always took time to explain what they were doing and how I could better take care of my teeth. I wish I still lived in SD, as it's not easy to find a dentist as great as either of these two :) read more

I've been looking for a dentist for the last couple of years and highly recommend Padre Dental. Kelly at the front desk was super friendly and made me feel welcomed. Can't say enough about Dr. Val!She immediately made me feel comfortable and had a great checkup and cleaning. Again highly recommend this Dentist office in Hillcrest. read more

I've been a customer of Padre Dental for over 10 years. I absolutely love the staff and the way they accommodate you. It's such a clean office (can't complain about the view either) and always seems calm and relaxing; exactly what you need when you're entering a dentist office. Parking can be a bit tricky, but that's just the territory of Hillcrest. Give yourself a bit of time in case it takes a bit to park. read more

Been wanting to write a review for PD for awhile. I am a former client and initially found them here on Yelp after seeing all the great reviews. Well, I got a chance to see them - ONCE. I loved their office, it was quaint. I loved the dentist who saw me. I told him I was traumatized long ago as a small child at my family's dentist and because of it, I was kinda phobic in the chair. He was really great about my situation and ended up being kind, caring and gentle on my teeth. Not once did I fear for my life...or my mouth. He wasn't pushy about products either, which I was relieved about. In the end, he discovered a tiny cavity that he said could easily be filled with no anesthetic needed. I was overjoyed and was told I could book this appt on the way out. Between the addition of a lovely assistant who was present during my exam and their receptionist who seemed sincerely interested in both clients calling in and stopping by in person, I felt like I had finally found a dentist I could never leave. Sadly, I never saw them again. Frankly, I could never get in. What do you mean the soonest you can see me for my small cavity filling is 3 months from now? Fine...ok, let's book it. When I had to reschedule it because of being short-staffed at my job, I figured I could reschedule it out again with no problem. Maybe I'd have to wait a maximum of 1 month. But when I called, I was told nothing was avail until another 3 mo's from now! By then, my cavity would no longer be the small speck it started out as, would it? My heart broke. I knew this was a sign. How does a business intend on building relationships and retaining clients when they can't even see them in a timely or even semi-timely fashion? I understand scheduling is dependent upon both parties involved, but seriously, we were now 6 to 6 1/2 mo's out from my initial visit - for a cavity filling! So Dear Office, I agree that you are a lovely team with well-deserved reviews for your dental work but you should inform new patients of your severely limited availability that one must deal with when trying to book a follow-up appt. If an emergency comes up and a client has to reschedule, well, good luck with that (this is especially vital to those of us who are already phobic/nervous to initiate a phone call to the dentist to begin with!). Expand your dentists' availability and have a more accommodating schedule for your clients, new or old, and I'd come back in a heart beat. read more

This is the best dentist I have ever had! I called them because I was having severe tooth pain a couple years ago, and my regular dentist told me they couldn't get me in for a month. I live in Hillcrest so I looked up dentists near me, called Padre and even though I was a new patient to them, they got me right in. I have been seeing Dr Val ever since! The office is warm and inviting, and even though I don't love going to the dentist, I do walk out of there with a smile. Kelly at the front desk is awesome too! Everyone is very friendly and thoroughly answers all of your questions. read more

I decided to go to Padre Dental based on a Yelp search. They were the highest rated dental group and now I can validate that! They are so friendly and nice, Bobbi up front is awesome, she remembered my name and where I worked. The dental assistants and Dr. Preston were very knowledgeable and willing to help me and do what's best for my situation. The only thing keeping this from being a 5 star is the same reason why I went to them...THEY ARE SO POPULAR! I have to schedule out at least a month in advance for simple procedures, and they don't validate parking. read more

Despite not being able to locate the cavity on an x-ray, laser, or manually with a tool, Dr. Valerie decided to drill out a STAIN one of my molars. The procedure was painful, and after a month of constant pain I went to another dentist, who confirmed that the procedure was unecessary. 4 years later, this morning, the filling has broken out of my tooth and I'm in the position of having to have it repaired. I've never had any uneasiness about visiting the dentist until I went to Padre Dental Group and I will ALWAYS regret it. 4 years later, and I can't believe that I'm still dealing with this mistake. read more

Dr Preston is a kind caring professional dentist and his staff are great people. He took care of me in the corner office with a fantastic view is San Diego. He replaced a filling that had dropped and did magnificent work. I was leaving on a trip and got a same day appointment. Wonderful. read more

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Padre Dental has administrative scheduling problems. Coupled with limited availability, scheduling is very difficult and it is hard to schedule, keep, or reschedule appointments. Twice, we have made follow-up appointments BEFORE leaving the office (several months in advance) that were later cancelled by Padre Dental. Both times Padre called to explain that "they don't have appointments at that time of the day and we should have never been able to schedule that time in the first place". But we did, with the receptionist, in person. Rather than rectifying their mistake and finding a similar date & time next to our original appointment, the best they could do was push us out to the end of their calendar, which was several months out, well beyond the suggested follow-up for a cleaning. *Edit: Speaking with the dentist directly, he was able to rebook a time close to our original appointment, so I'm upping our rating back to 4 stars. read more

I cannot say enough about Dr. Preston and his wife Dr. Val. They've been caring for me for almost a decade. Their staff is amazing. From the moment you arrive you're greeted with kindness and compassion by Kelly in the front office. The care is far above anything I've ever had with other dentists. I once had an dental emergency and was in severe pain when they were out of town. Within moments after contacting Dr. Preston, he arranged for colleague to rush over and treat my pain in office before I went to have a root canal. That's compassion. There are so many other instances where they went above and beyond to care for me. The hygienist Jennifer is by far the best I've ever had. Ever. Myriam, the Registered Dental Assistant has advanced training far above most in her field and always makes sure your comfortable throughout the procedures. So yes, if you want an amazing dental team, look no further. You're welcome, lol. read more

I was referred here by a friend who hates dentists, so I knew it had to be good. I had some cavities I could see and feel and major sensitivity to cold/sweet in those areas of my mouth since having my daughter. Apparently, pregnancy and breastfeeding make the bacteria in your mouth more prone to making cavities because of the hormonal changes. +1 to things to expect ruined when you have a kid ;) Dr. Preston Kaenel is amazing. On my first visit/cleaning, he actually did the cleaning which I am not used to at all. All other dentists I have been to, a hygienist does the cleaning and I see the dentist for 1 minute. I don't know if this is customary or just the luck I had, but I was impressed and also got the feeling he really had the time to observe what was going on in my yapper. On my visit to fill my cavities/be fitted for a nightguard, I was even more impressed. It took much less time and was less uncomfortable than I recall being at other dentists. Also, the sensitivity I had is GONE. I feel like I can finally let things hit my mouth again and not just quickly slurp anything cold to my throat as fast as possible because it hurts so damn bad. It's like having a new mouth! He also took extra time explaining the difference between the nightguard I was getting and the ones you can buy on the cheap at Target. He also took time to show me different shades of teeth, assess my color and go over the whitening options he had at the office and how they rated on ease-of-use, effectiveness and sensitivity. WITHOUT pushing anything on me at all! I feel like most dentists are always in a rush and kind of treat you like you don't know anything and are always trying to upsell you to a electric toothbrush or something like that. Dr. Preston really takes time to make sure you understand your treatment and treatment options and strikes me as very honest. He is effective and gentle and amazing. I can't say enough about how great this dentist is. Bobbii at the front desk is also a doll. She is really nice and seems to really love her job. read more

I haven't been to the dentist in over 5 years. I lost dental coverage when I went to college, and then had to wait until I found a job with benefits. That being said, there is a lot of dental work that needs to be done. Upon entering the office, I was pleasantly greeted by the very friendly receptionist. Filled out my paperwork, and dreaded the moment the dentist came in the room. However, Dr. Val was so nice and welcoming! I know, not what you expect from a dentist at all. I was expecting her to give me a hard time about the current condition of my teeth, but she was very understanding, that sometimes life gets in the way. She was very thorough when going over my xrays with me. I don't know if other dentists now show you, your xrays on a computer screen (since it's been so long since I've been to one), but she showed me mine. I was very surprised at how little work actually needed to be performed on my teeth, since I previously went to Delta Dental and they told me I needed 4 ROOT CANALS! After talking with Dr. Val, I may not even need one! To wrap it up...friendly dentist and staff. Nice, comprehensive, and understanding dentist! Only negative...they don't validate parking. read more

For years I didn't have dental insurance and consequently I haven't had a regular dentist in some time. I tried one other dentist in San Diego and didn't like my experience there, so I turned to Yelp and found Padre Dental Group. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I actually don't hate dentists. I'm less concerned about gentleness than about the quality of the work. I don't want fillings (or other work) to look bad, fall out, or generally suck more than they do inherently. Well, it's been a little more than a year since I had work done by Dr. Preston and so far so good. Additionally, I've been back twice for cleanings and every single person I've interacted with there has been very nice and professional (this includes both Dr. Kaenels, receptionist Bobbii, and Emi for teeth cleanings). Nobody ever seems too busy to deal with you, which is a sharp contrast to my other recent experience. They also happily answer any questions which is nice because I tend to be curious about every procedure or piece of equipment. During each visit, I was advised (by different individuals) that I could be a candidate for Invisalign, but as other reviewers mentioned they are not pushy. This place probably doesn't need more reviews that say the same thing, but they are really good. If only I could commute 2,000 miles to go to the dentist! read more

I hate dentists. I actually have never had major issues with my teeth, so my hate is a little different. I hate being sold dental work i DO NOT NEED. 5 stars for my first exam - got to meet a real dentist and he looked over my xrays and told me my teeth were pretty "boring." He didn't try to sell me a "deep cleaning," or "Zoom Whitening." He didn't try to convince me I needed my wisdom teeth out. He just let me know I needed more floss in my life, then cleaned up my teeth and sent me on my way! AMAZING! Also - the staff is SUPER friendly. The front desk gal, Bobbii, is a sweetie, and the hygenists are awesome. No fuss, no muss, no sales pitch - just family dentists that care about your teeth - not stealing your money. GO HERE! read more

I absolutely hate getting work done on my teeth! And....somehow Padre Dental Group always makes it comfortable. While visiting their office last month I had a few questions about my cleaning that I probably should have asked before I hopped in the chair. However...I just get so nervous every time I walk into the dental office that I just forgot. Ahhh! So... Dr.Valerie came in to chat for a second. Instead of just handing me back to the dental hygienist, Dr.Valerie actually did my cleaning. I was honored and felt so spoiled. There is SOO much to be said for an office where the busy owner isn't afraid to get their hands dirty. It completely made my day and reassured me that I'm in good hands. Also! Bobbi, their receptionist consistently makes me feel at home. As a matter of fact, years ago her friendly phone calls made me feel welcome before I had even stepped foot in their office. Kelly my hygienist is professional, friendly, and so down to earth. I've always said, "The fish rots from the head down." Not the case for Padre Dental, they are thriving with abundance. Dr. Val and her husband are definitely involved and it shows that they are doing something right. This is the only dental office I've been to during the 8 years I've lived here. Their passion, friendliness, and family orientation will keep me coming back for years to come. Thanks Dr. Val. See you soon. read more

5 Stars! Love, love LOVE them! They are the friendliest group of people and have the most adorable receptionist. Within minutes, Dr. Kaenel (female) decided I needed a mouth guard to prevent grinding my teeth and it has been like a dream! I simply don't have enough good things to say about them. Go there! Wonderful staff makes a trip to the dentist so much less painful! read more

I really, really hate going to the dentist. But Dr. Preston and Dr. Val are absolutely, hands down, the gentlest dentists I've ever visited. Dr. Preston has done my restorative work, and I don't even feel the needle or drilling -- the man is that good. His wife, Dr. Val, is doing my Invisalign and I just ADORE her -- she has such a fantastic bedside manner and really knows her stuff. (They were apparently #1 and #2 in their dental school class at USC...something about having uber-smart dental professionals is comforting to me.) I've been coming here for several years now and have recommended family members to the practice as well. (And Bobbii, the front-desk lady, is adorable! Love her.) The only downside is that parking can be a pain and the office doesn't validate. You should allow yourself an extra 5-10 minutes to get parked, get acclimated in the garage, and get upstairs. Still, two VERY enthusiastic thumbs up! read more

What is it about the way a dentist's office's smell that invokes fear? Any tension I had was released after consulting with the Dr. who explained everything that was going to happen and kept me in the loop. Hmm. Maybe if they had some bacon cooking in the back, people would have something different to sniff! I've had nothing but positive experiences with Padre Dental. I saw Dr. Val, had a filling that cracked with a large cavity. Ideally, she told me, they would do a crown, but because I don't have dental insurance... she opted to attempt to make a new filling. I did have to wait a month before I could get back in, but when I did, there was no rush. They explained what they were doing. Everyone was nice. She explained the risk of needing further work done, which I appreciated. No one likes surprises like, Holy Shit! I need a root canal! And their fish tank is nice. :) read more

I was pretty concerned about finding a new dentist - as my last dental experience pitted me in an office with white-coated crooked teeth salesmen.nnBut I felt so GREAT after going to Padre Dental! Padre dental was hand's down the best customer experience I've ever had. I was greeted by Bobbii, oh yeah - that's the right spelling. She was hilarious. Seriously the coolest woman I've ever meet. I bet you couldn't guess her age! Try next time you're in. I told Preston the dds about some tooth pain I was having. He spent at least 15 minutes breaking down the potential causes. He actually sat down, looked me in the eye and talked to me. Most doctors/dds stand and busying themselves with things around the room while they pretend to care - Preston sat down and calmly walked me through my concerns Best experience in a quite some time. Go Padres! read more

This place makes going to dentist like a dental spa day. Very thorough and comfortable. Nice to talk with the dentist without feeling like they want to rush to the next patient. read more

Your treatment experience starts when you open the door. Queen Kelly welcomes you with knowledgeable professional efficiency and sincere attentiveness. Glowing praise is well deserved because a front desk can make or break a dental office. This husband-and-wife Dental team along with supporting staff work seamlessly to address your individual concerns with detailed concentration. Dr. Val executes her dental procedures with progressive technical function and a fresh artistic appeal. I believe that your smile and dental health is the billboard of your existence. If you want the best, forget the rest and make an appointment with Padre Dental now!! Trust me ... you will be glad you did. read more

I had a good experience here. I was looking for a dental office that accepted Delta Dental coverage and was in the Hillcrest area... this one fit the bill. The receptionist was friendly and helpful, especially when I had to call them because I am a spaz and got lost trying to find their office. Everything is clean and organized and modern. They have a nifty machine they used to detect decay on my teeth. It was a painless laser that would beep if decay was present. I found this to be extremely helpful since many dentists will just look at my teeth to check for decay. The laser method is much more precise. So I ended up having cavities (barf!) but this office did a great job at fixing them. They even gave me an ipod to listen to while they drilled away. The dentist was very strict with me about my brushing/flossing habits, but I think I needed it. I use my fluoride rinse every night now! I don't want to be scolded again. read more

What an AMAZING experience! I know many people would never say this about a dentists office, but my goodness, everyone here from Bobbi up front to the dental assistants to Dr. Val herself are all friendly, smiling and make going to the dentist, easy, pain free and well, FUN! Not to mention the view from the exam room is breath-taking! I'm actually looking forward to going back and continuing to make my smile better. THANK YOU PADRE DENTAL!!!! read more

Friendly, gentle, clean dental practice. Everyone is welcoming and the space is comfortable!

Truly the "softest" touch dentist I have ever had. Dr. and Dr. Kaenel are very good at making their patients feel wonderful. Everyone who works there is very nice and knowledgeable. I even got to see the amazing cerec machine, that can make crowns without the long waiting time and without the temporaries. As a jeweler, I appreciate the milling machine similar to what we use, just for teeth...very cool. Padre Dental Group is the best. Love them! read more

Thank you yelp for helping me find the Padre Dental Group. They are everything one hopes and expects a Dental office to be. The positive reviews here echo everything I could possibly say. read more

First off, I must admit that I am the BIGGEST baby when it comes to dental stuff but I've been with Dr. Preston and Padre Dental for the last 5 years because of the quality of care and level of comfort they provide. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Preston and his staff. To start, the facility is so clean and all of their equipment is state of the art. Bobbi, the office manager, is so friendly and really treats you like you're part of the family. It's nice to walk into their office a few times each year and see a familiar face. Dr. Preston is excellent and really does a thorough job with all of us his work. He's got a great bedside manner and makes you feel at ease. I see Kelly for my routine cleanings and she is a highly skilled, awesome hygienist. Scheduling appointments is a breeze and they use an automated system to send you reminders to your email or cell phone a few weeks in advance to confirm your appointment. If you're a big wimp like me and hate the dentist or you're looking for quality dental care then Padre Dental is the place for you. read more

The actual dental service is good. I'm giving them a bad review because their receptionist customer service. I went about 6 months ago for a dental clean up. Despite me not wanting to schedule an appointment as I can't predict or remember what will happen in 6 months time. They still put me an appointment for today. I did not confirm an appointment and after hearing a voice message today of the appointment. I called them that I was not going to go today. I explained that I went 6 months ago and that I didn't want an appointment for the day, but somehow I still had an appointment today. Abby I think is her name, was condescending with her voice tone. She said well we have send you emails and texts, so my question is-did I confirm or said I was going "no". I told her, I heard your voice message and I can't make it today as I did not want appointment and somehow you had me scheduled for one. She was upset and said next time cancel 48hrs in advance. I did not make an appointment, so some how she made it sound as it was my fault. I work as anyone else. I will not be going to appointments I never agreed to or did not schedule. It is a shame that they coerce you into appointments that you did not want. I will be in the search of another Dental place read more

While we have had a positive experience before, this office failed us when needed. We came into the office about 3 weeks ago for my husband's cleaning and check up. Dr Val gave him a once over and announced that his teeth were "fine" and didn't need a cleaning or exam, and could wait til "next year". No X-ray, no real exam but a glance in his mouth. He hadn't had an exam or cleaning in over 6 months. We came to Abu Dhabi for 3 months as we are stationed here through his contractor. About two days ago, my husband started having incredible tooth pain. We had to scramble to find a dentist in Khalifa City who takes our insurance, and he has a deep abscess which needs a root canal. If he had been properly examined and X-rayed, as covered by our insurance and as requested, this cavity would have been found to be forming before he went through all this pain and difficulty of trying to find a dentist while overseas. I am so disappointed that the dentist rushed his visit and did not do xrays. I honestly feel that this is negligent on your staff's behalf. If you had done the appt, it would clearly have shown the cavity on X-ray. Now we are having to pay out of pocket, and hope our insurance reimbursed us. I understand our apt was late in the afternoon and maybe you guys wanted to leave, but now it's moved to a point where we may be out of money, and he's in incredible pain, for want of due diligence. We will not be returning when we come home in March. read more