My daughter has been a patient for well over 2 years, it was estimated that she wear braces for up…read moreto 2 years. No explanation was really given as to why it's taking longer, they just keep scheduling follow-ups. Makes me wonder if it's cause they want to just bill our insurance. If that really is the case I will be furious, don't make my poor daughter keep her braces on longer for more $. What I am most upset about is their appointment reminder system admittedly had a glitch and a reminder text which I am use to getting was not given for her appt. that was scheduled 2 months ago! If it is their system that failed then we should not be billed, period. I tried to fight it because it really isn't right but the office manager demands I pay because a fee was already waved for a previous missed appt. which might I add was due to an emergency. She was also trying to tell me what she does to remind herself of appts. which is ridiculous, telling me that's it's my responsibility to remember and they give reminder slips which should suffice but from 2 months ago, really?!!! I am getting greedy vibes for sure and can't wait until my daughter gets her braces off, I would never go back here for my other daughter or refer anyone to go here.

Dr. Lauritzen and staff go above and beyond to make my child's experience and smile the best!read more

Love the dentists and hygienist. Major concern for the front staff who handles billing. I had…read moremaxed out on my insurance benefits and was never informed that my cleaning would cost $250 out of pocket. I arrived to my appointment with a surprise bill vs. canceling and "donating" $50 for a late cancelation. I clearly would have canceled my appointment if i was made aware of the cost. The woman in charge of billing decided to argue with me, claiming that she informed me last time but never did. I received a bad attitude and no apology. I decided to pay $150 for some flossing rather than wasting $50. You should inform your staff to do their job and notify clients of upfront costs so we can make an informed decision. And a little customer service would go a long way. I advise anyone who goes here to ask repeatedly about future appointment costs since staff delivers unreliable communication.

I received good care from the dentists here, but I found their business side predatory and…read moredishonest. I showed up for a routine cleaning to find that they no longer accepted Delta Insurance (they did not inform me of this change ahead of time). I chose to cancel my appointment and my wife's, which was scheduled soon after. The business manager met with me, and said that because they hoped to keep us as customers (and hoped to resume taking Delta by our next appointments), they would waive the charge for both my appointment and wife's if we did not cancel them. All went well until they were unable to resume taking Delta, and we had to change to another dentist (which provided superior care AND covered 100% of our dental expenses under Delta). Then, we suddenly began receiving bills for the appointments the business manager had waived. It seems that if they couldn't get us to pay cash for future appointments, rather than use our insurance (a cost of well over $1000 a year just for cleanings and exams), then they were going to do their best to squeeze what they could out of us, and were not going to let ethics or integrity get in the the way of a little money. I've talked to them on the phone, in person, and written to them. At first, they confirmed that the cost should have been waived. But they just keep sending bills for the amount they previously waived. I don't even know if that office manager still works there, and there's likely no one who now remembers a conversation from that long ago. It's a pain to deal with them constantly trying to collect less than $300 they are not owed. I think it's been two years of harassment from them. But they did me a favor too, and I hope it's one for you too if you're looking for a dentist in Merced. There are so many dishonest dentists preying on patients. I thought I'd found an honest one in El Portal. As stressful as this is, it likely saved me far more money in the long run by forcing me to leave them before getting taking advantage of by their unscrupulous business practices. Steer clear! I know it can be hard to find a new dentist in Merced, but don't settle for a practice you can't trust. Update: June 2026 I was contacted again by this business. They confirmed that I did not owe the approximately $300 they keep sending me invoices for. However, they instead claimed that I received a check from Delta Dental for about $90 several years ago, which they believed they were entitled to. They confirmed that they would continue (knowingly) sending me bills for the larger amount, but that if I paid what they believed I would actually owed, they would stop. I still have not received an invoice or any written documentation for what they now say I owe, and there's no way I'm just going to send them a check based on a voicemail and hope everything works out. This was followed up by a later voicemail threatening to "send me to debt collections," but they did not specify whether they would be trying to send to collections for the less than $300 they are (knowingly) falsely invoicing me for or the $90 they now claim I owe. I've requested that they send an invoice and documentation for what they actually believe I owe, while alerting them to my concerns that their continuing to send false invoices appears to be criminal. The saga continues. Again, avoid this business!

Dr is good but billing department is horrible! There's a manipulative lying woman named Elvia who…read moreafter you sign a contracted payment arrangement tries to force you to sign up with a company who pays them in full and then you pay the company payments sort of like after pay with intrest I'm sure But when i declined I was told they can't take my scheduled payments in office anymore all though they could take payment in full or even half this all happened after the 5k balance was paid down to 800..so I told her I'd be happy to pay the remaining balance in full when the job was finished and my daughters braces were coming off but I was not paying in full early since there were already 1 1/2 years passed due on there planned completion date which she blamed covid and blamed my kids mother for not scheduling her appointments and stated it wasn't there job to make appointments for my kid which made zero since since ya know dr's tend to know when they want to see you next but she eventually agreed to me paying in full since she claimed they would be removing her braces in 4 weeks and I agreed to pay that day 4 weeks later.. fast forward a few weeks my daughter goes to her appointment Elvia calls says they are removing her braces and I have to pay I agreed and told them I'd pay then I tell my daughter she's getting her braces off and she says dad my teeth are still crooked on the bottom so I questioned Elvia on this and she says ok so we're not removing them but you still have to pay in full today lol...after I refused to pay until they were ready to remove her braces she decided to tell my kid that they couldn't look at her teeth that day because her dad was being difficult and wouldn't pay! Luckily the dr said no that's not how it works and did the rite thing at looked at her teeth.. then she decided to slander me and complain about me to my child and my child's mother but took no blame herself for being a liar and trying to manipulate me because she's bitter I wouldn't agree with all her lies and excuses anyways long story short since there was a lot more drama I'd just say be careful here unless you like hearing excuses and being manipulated lied to and possibly talked bad about to your child because you defended yourself from miss Elvia

I loved my experience with Dr. Boese. I started out in 2006 and got my braces off in 2009. (It…read morewould have been faster but I would always reschedule with them because I was active in sports). The staff was wonderful and I was always excited to go back in and see everyone. They have continued to help me as an adult with retainers when they break, and the orthodontists are wonderful. Because of the procedure I had done, I only have to wear a retainer once a month (if that). I'm so proud of my teeth and it's all because of Dr. Boese and Dr. Boese Sr.

The dentist and the staff here are remarkable. The office is always clean and vibrate…read more Upon entry, guardians will notice The "Under the Sea" decor helps create a fun and exciting atmosphere for everyone. There are video games in the lobby for the kiddos and a television usually playing something interesting. My children loved attending here and always enjoyed their experiences. Sadly, we moved to another state and have missed this place greatly! As a mom, it's been challenging finding any dental care that exceeds my expectations like First Step Dental did. I recommend FSD to every mother who wants peace of mind and the care and professionalism of this group.

Nothing but professionals. I have been taking my children here for over ten years and have zero…read morecomplaints.

I started off with a attitude and Ruth still helped me with the most efficient customer serviceread more

My husband has had 3 appointments with them because he has been having pain every time he goes they…read morereschedule his appointment so he still hasn't been seen

Dr. Chang is superior at making dentures. My daughter and I have both went there for a long time…read moreand we have always been treated with the utmost respect. The office staff is very kind and caring.

I first went to Dr Chang when I was in rehab and it was a whole process bc I had to travel to…read moreClovis and then to his office,he gave me back my beautiful ,He is highly recommended