PROS: Very skilled (esp. Dr. Ruby Gelman). Very knowledgeable. Office staff are super-nice. Fun magician comes weekly. Nice ceiling TVs & prizes. CONS: Gelman is too emotional. She's at the top of her field, but reasonable questions asked in a reasonable manner can set her off. The best doctors are also best at communicating; welcome basic inquiries. Amazingly, by contrast, Gelman projects her own emotionality onto the parent(s) (e.g., "You have to manage your anxiety!!", when everyone is entirely calm, except her), and can't control herself from snapping -- and once actually physically jerked herself while examining our child. Dentist Dr. Leah Fine is a rude, eye-rolling, paranoid @$%, unfortunately. We're relieved Dr. Fine is now gone from this practice and NYC. Astonished by Fine's behavior ~ no joke: glaring repeatedly at her nice tech helpers, as if to pull them into tacitly disparaging the child's parent. Does Fine really think parents cannot see her eye-rolls & scowls, when standing in the same exam room with her? Leah FIne has a middle-school level demeanor. Utterly juvenile. Zero respect & scant bedside manner. One of us asked Fine a legit question. She stopped treating our child, and said, "Are you secretly recording this conversation?" ...What!? Fine never apologized. We literally showed her our phones. Support staff in the room were mortified with her abuse of power, and it was clear they felt embarrassed and apologetic towards us. They tried to smooth over Leah Fine's abuse by lavishing an extra amount of toys on our child, and many times inquiring when we'd like to schedule next -- understandably almost as if to reassure themselves, too. ...BOTTOM LINE: Skilled dentists, esp. Gelman, who know they're skilled, so they don't self-regulate or communicate respectfully. Particularly when there's any dental uncertainty (e.g., when treating special cases, kids with injuries, or things necessitating parental inquiry, etc.). Surprisingly low self-awareness, emotional maturity, & self-control levels, from the dentists. read more

I highly recommend Dr. Gelman. Visits to the dentist may be very stressful for anyone especially someone like my daughter, who has special needs with sometimes debilitating anxiety issues. Because of Dr. Gelman's kindness, understanding and empathy, Hana always looks forward to her appointments with Dr. Gelman. Dr. Gelman always takes her time with Hana. After every appointment, she will come out to let me know how Hana did and how her exam went and if she needs further treatment. read more

The office & exam rooms are very cramped, yet they are clean and very neat. They have toys / trinkets the kids can choose from after their exams. One day a week a balloon artist comes to the office and gives the kids cute balloons. They have television screens on the ceilings so the kids can watch. That's the "good" ......... The bad & it's pretty bad is their bedside manner. If your kid is afraid of the dentist or might cry or scream DO NOT bring them to Dr. Gelman's practice. I understand that when a child does that, it can upset the other kids in the waiting area or in the other exam rooms. HOWEVER, that does not make it ok to scold a terrified 4 year-old and say, "you're not allowed to cry here!!!" My kid was good for the most part but didn't like the grit of the toothpaste they used. She cried and gagged... sh*t happens..... We went to Dr. Gelman for about two years ...... and stopped taking her after I saw the lack of understanding and patience on her behalf during our last two appointments. In addition, she's too expensive ... read more

So I'm writing another review this time it's for a new dentist that Dr Gelman hired; Dr Leah. I was very nervous about Tyler seeing someone else (esp since Tyler has only seen Dr Gelman) but I really had no choice. I'm happy I gave her a chance bc she turned out to be great. Of course as time passed she earned my trust more and more. She was so sweet to my Tyler and calm. My Tyler turns into the impossible monster but she managed & did what she had to do. She was cracking jokes with him, reassuring him, making pinky promises :) it was all very cute! Her approach was professional but also earning Tyler's trust. I would highly recommend Dr Leah. Another 2 thumbs up for the girls who work there. Very sweet young ladies who definitely love what they are doing. We absolutely love and adore Katima. read more

Dr Ruby is the best! Kind, gentle, loving and truly loves everyone who crosses her path. She has assembled an amazing team of hygeniuses that pay attention to detail and knock it out of the park. You and your kids are in great hands when with Dr Ruby! read more

"When can we go see Dr. Ruby again?"- a popular refrain in our home. Dr. Ruby Gelman is a top notch, skilled pediatric dentist with exceptional patience, an incredibly calm demeanor, and simply the best chair-side manner. Both of my kids, ages 7 and 4 have been seeing Dr. Ruby for years. To begin, her office is easy to get in touch with and is always polite and efficient. Once we arrive for our appointments, we are greeted with a smile and books or a loaded iPad to keep the kids occupied. When in the chair, Dr. Gelman takes the time to explain every step of what is going on to both the child and parent. My daughter had cavities that needed tending to and Dr. Ruby exhibited the patience of a saint when dealing with her. She was clear, calm, and kind even when my daughter was not! She turned what could have been a visit fraught with fear in to a positive experience for my daughter. I brought my son in early (right when he turned 2) and was amazed how Dr. Gelman connected with him and made sure to explain everything to him (even though he was more interested in the Thomas the train video playing on the ceiling TV!). Dr. Gelman has earned my trust and respect. She has also earned trust and respect from both my kids. She has made going to the dentist a positive experience for my kids and for that I am forever grateful. Her dentistry skills are superior and the relationships she builds with her patients and parents are truly remarkable. I have recommended Dr. Gelman to many friends and will continue to do so. read more

When your eight-year-old tells you, "I can't wait to go back to the dentist!" you know they must be doing something right. And this was after a visit where my son had cavities filled. Dr. Gelman is so fun, friendly, kind and easygoing, it's easy to forget that she's also an expert at what she does, and that what she does is something children typically resist at all costs. Her practice is beautiful and kid-friendly; the entire staff is on the ball, helpful and friendly; and Dr. Gelman and her team do excellent work, even with tricky cases. My son has some sensory issues and had no problem with the exam or the fillings. He's the one who couldn't wait to get back to the office. The hygienist did a great job of helping my kids learn to brush their teeth by actually having them do a practice run and showing them what they got clean and what they missed. She provided us with toothbrushes and floss sticks and clear guidelines for how to help them take care of their teeth. Both my kids are more responsible about brushing and flossing now (including the 4 year old). Dr. Gelman is also great with the parents--encouraging, helpful, patient and non-judgmental about the fact that I was not at all on top of flossing... Dr. Fine did the work on my son's cavities and my son's still looking forward to his next visit. I cannot endorse Dr. Gelman and her practice enough. I just wish she took adult patients... read more

Dr. Gelman and her entier team run an office that is super efficient and kind. The kids always get tips on brushing after an assessment of their work, a toothbrush to go home with, and their choice of TV to keep them busy while their teeth are being cleaned. Dr. Gelman is kind and always explains everything and answers all our questions. We make our appointments online and confirm by text. read more

DR. GELMAN IS MY HERO My son broke his two front teeth recently in gym class. By the time I got him home, Dr. Gelman's office was closed for the day and I thought we'd have to wait till the following morning to have him seen. When I called to see if her receptionist could recommend an emergency dental practice, Dr. Gelman got on the phone herself and told me to text her a picture of his teeth. She was on the way to an after-work engagement, but after looking at the photos, told me to come in so she could evaluate the situation. (We live a block away from her office) My son was ushered straight into a room, had x-rays taken, and Dr. Gelman had the situation under control. I hadn't known how freaked out I had been till I started relaxing in her office!! Long story short, everything is fine with my son and I'm so grateful to Dr. Gelman. It's easy to be good when everything is going well. It's the emergency that shows the true mettle of a doctor. read more

It's crazy that it's my children who are the ones reminding me of their dental check-ups, asking me when they will be seeing Dr. Ruby, and harassing me until the appointment is made and I can give them a solid date. I know this sounds ridiculous, but this is sincerely the truth. My children are now 13 and 11, and my oldest has been seeing Dr. Ruby since he was 3 years old. The first dentist he went to had a terrible bedside manner, and as an anxious first time mom, I asked the receptionist at the office if she could recommend someone who was more gentle. She recommended Dr. Ruby and said, "You guys will love her. She's the best, and he won't have any problem with her at all." She was SO right. The children truly look forward to their annual visits. Dr. Ruby is kind and gentle with the children, and always explains the procedure very carefully to both them and me so there are no surprises. She cares for the children with complete respect and love, which is what makes them trust her so much. The kids have unfortunately had to undergo a couple of extractions, but they've never questioned Dr. Ruby's suggestions, and neither have I. For me, as a pediatric clinician myself, I look for other professionals who are sincerely dedicated to helping others, ones who have an innate love and devotion to their work and their community. Dr. Ruby possess these qualities, which is what makes her the special person she is. I sing Dr. Ruby's praises because she has proven time and time again how competent, gentle and devoted she is as a doctor. Bring your child to Dr. Ruby, and you will not look back. She truly is fabulous. read more

I am now writing this review after hearing experiences from parents and kids at my kid's school and wishing I posted this sooner. I've heard a similar story from 2 other parents. My child had a deeply traumatic experience, and so did I as the parent. The partners and staff have a terrible bedside manner if your kid actually has a problem - a child who doesn't respond well to their outdated xray equipment, a child who doesn't respond well to painkillers, a child who resists being held down to have a tooth extracted. As a parent, I was always being called out of the treatment room and told the problem was me, not my child - that I was creating an environment for my child to resist the command of the dentists and assistants. They are not transparent about the cost of care and were rather surly when questioned after the fact about thousands of dollars worth of treatment with no prior discussion of cost. When they had a problem that they caused through a failed treatment they didn't take responsibility. They seem to only like children who are happy to be at the dentist and overreact with clamps and medieval forced care techniques when your child has any sort of resistance. There are better pediatric dentists. Don't be fooled by the cutesy decor. Keep looking. A clue is to find a pediatric dentist using more updated tech and less surly assistants. read more

We switched to "Dr Ruby" a couple of years ago on the strength of a friend's recommendation. We have not been disappointed. Dr Ruby is kind, funny and very conscientious. She always takes the time to explain everything to us - and to our son as well. Even though most of Dr Ruby's patients are much younger (our son is 14 now), she doesn't treat him like a baby and he loves going to her office. We are particularly grateful that she was able to convince him that a consultation with an orthodontist would be a good idea (he was not accepting that verdict from his parents!). On one of our first visits, Dr Ruby discovered that our son was missing one permanent tooth which had never developed (a condition which I had never heard of but which is apparently not uncommon). Without our requesting it, she emailed us a copy of the xray so that we'd have it for future reference and took the time to go over it with us in detail showing us how she had reached her conclusions about the prognosis for his future dental health (and her view that no intervention was needed yet). I might also add that the full set of dental x-rays that led to this discovery was taken with absolutely no difficulty at all - a nice change from a less pleasant experience at a previous dental practice. Our only regret is that we didn't start with Dr Ruby when our son was much younger. We would recommend her practice unreservedly. read more

We love Dr. Ruby and her practice! Today, even though my son is now 15 and has been a patient for years, he asked how long before I am no longer supposed to be here. He was relieved to know they would only give him the boot when he graduated from college. It's a warm and welcoming group, and they go the extra mile when we have questions or worries. We never have a long wait, we are always comfortable when we are there, the hygienists are gentle and appropriate on guidance and encouragement. Efficient too on payment processing, and courteous/helpful on insurance form assistance and referrals. Professional, and enjoyable. (Ceiling tv programming definitely a PLUS!) Above all: great start - I am sure - to our son's good habits and long, strong dental health! read more

my poor son woke crying at 3am in so much pain from his molar - couldn't get him seen by the usual guy - and called like 8 places many of which close early on fridays or dont see new patients on fridays. so lucky we got him seen here at noon by Dr Fine (fein?) they were so wonderful and accommodating and great. prices were very fair. we will stay with this practice. read more

Drs. Gelman and Fine and their staff are the most professional and kind pediatric dental practice you could ever want for your child. Whether the visit has been routine or out of the ordinary both my son and I have been made to feel calm, supported and that no question either one of has had was too small or unimportant. I wish we could give the practice more stars. I hope my son can keep going there for a very long time. read more

Great dentist if your child doesn't mind being mistreated and their discomforts dismissed and disregarded.

We have been goign to Dr. Gelman for the last 6 years after trying two other practices to get my (toddler at the time) comfortable with seeing a dentist. Dr. Gelman was AMAZING - she intrinsically knew how to let my daughter know what was going to happen without her being scared. 6 years and extractions and fillings later, my daughter still LOVES going to the dentist. It is incredible. I cannot recommend Dr. Gelman highly enough. read more

Dr. Gelman is the best medical professional I have ever encountered. I have been taking my kids to see her when she was practicing in Greenwich village. When Dr. Gelman moved to the midtown office, we had no hesitation to follow her even though it was a commute. I know many families which did the same. Dr. Gelman is a kind, caring, knowledgeable, and attentive. She has an amazing way with kids. Her stuff is good and well-organized and the wait times are manageable. She is also very honest in her business practices (e.g., sending an unsolicited refund for a procedure which insurance covered less than expected). Have you seen a dentist do this? I cannot recommend her more highly. I also heard she may be moving back to the village soon. Can't wait! read more

My kids count down the days until their next visit and are always disappointed when they don't have cavities because they want an excuse to visit Dr. Ruby's super-cool, tripped out office! I have three criteria: 1) the most skilled dentist 2) a warm and professional staff and 3) no long waits! This practice meets/exceeds all my expectations. (Only caveat: She doesn't accept insurance but she'll submit the forms to your carrier.) read more

Dr. Gelman's devotion and expertise are unsurpassed! I called her office because my 9 year old was experiencing pain and his jaw was so swollen he looked like a chipmunk from a certain angle. I was disappointed to hear Dr. Gelman was out of the country. Imagine my surprise when she called me from a foreign country in the Mideast! And she had looked at my son's x-rays from his previous visit! yes from another country! And she called her colleague and used her (considerable) influence to have him operate on my son within hours. Then she called to find out how he was recovering. if you think she is a great dentist when she is away- well she is amazing when she is in her office! read more

If I could give more stars, I would. My daughter has been a patient of Dr. Gelman's for years and we wouldn't go anywhere else (we travel from way uptown and it's worth the trip). Saturday night, my daughter fell and broke her two front (permanent) teeth. I immediately called the office and the service notified Dr. Gelman right away. Within minutes, she texted me back. She asked me to send pictures and asked a ton of questions about what happened. She was out of town and said she would have her colleague, Dr. Leah (Fine), call me, which she did, also within minutes. Dr. Leah also assessed the situation and said she could meet us at 9am the next morning (Sunday). I was a little nervous, as I am so confident about Dr. Gelman and had never met Dr. Leah before, but knowing Dr. Gelman, I was pretty certain she would only hire the best to work with her. Boy, was I right. I can't even begin to tell you how fantastic Dr. Leah was. She was so kind, calm and nurturing with my daughter and made her feel very comfortable about the situation. Even more than that, the work she did was amazing - and she did it alone, without any assistant there to help, which I know made it all even more difficult. She was able to repair both teeth, I think perfectly (one of them using the complete fragment that had broken off, which we had saved and kept in milk). They look like her old teeth and you can't even tell they're repaired. From the quality of her work to her extraordinary bedside manner, Dr. Leah just made the whole situation better. Dr. Gelman and Dr. Fine are a remarkable team, and I feel very grateful to have found them both! read more

What a fantastic experience for my kids. They were nervous about their trip to the dentist but were at ease the minute they walked into the office. The staff is wonderful and Dr Gelman is fantastic. From the ipads while you wait to the little toys after the check up it was an all around wonderful experience!! read more

My daughter needs two teeth pulled to get her braces. Our former dentist wanted to give her nitric oxide. I've had the chemical compound before, it had worked perfectly every time. Her rude assistant hooked her up. When she said she was severely nauseous, Ruby said that she was making more of what it was and only had it on for 1 minute. But they seemed to leave out that they cranked it up. Most likely too much for her, any other dentist would've asked her what her weight is before hooking her up. I am not going to lie. My daughter is not the most easy patient. She is prone to anxiety and had some negative experiences with doctors. She was then ambivalent to continue with Ruby. Everything my daughter said to her like asking why she needs to pull her young out of her mouth with gauze, (even though she has a terrible gag reflex), she completely negated. She exaggerated the amount of appointments to pull these two teeth out, said it was 3 when in reality it was the 2nd appointment. In the middle of the chaos, she stormed out in a huff for no reason at all. In addition to this, Ruby gave my husband and I extreme attitude. To me personally, she doesn't deserve this star, I am being generous. The only time I would recommend her, is if your child is super laid back and you will hold them down. read more

Dr. Gelman and Dr. Fine and the entire staff are super warm, courteous and are beyond AMAZING. I have the unfortunate story of a previous bad dentist who left my kid with 6 cavities, a tooth infection and needing an extraction. I was so stressed about my son's reactioN and his soon to be experience. The Gelman team put together a plan of action and Dr. FIne talked to my son step by step through the process in a calm and kid appropriate manner. My son remained calm throughout the whole thing and didn't even notice the big needle of novicane entering his mouth. He was able to sit for 40 minutes( which isn't anything short of a miracle) and had an a great overall positive experience. I want to also share that I was trying to push to have all the work done in one sitting and Dr. FIne appropriately advised to separate the visits to keep my son in good spirits and not overdo it. She was so wise and am so grateful for her professional and practical guidance!!! Two thumbs up!!! read more