I now consider myself a vintage patient here! Dr. Ian Leopold is hands down the best dentist I have ever had! I originally saw his father, and Dr. Ian has inherited all the skills and patience that his father had. I also go in regularly for dental hygiene with Maria, and am just as happy with her work to keep my teeth looking and feeling healthy! Maria works quickly and I always walk away feeling like I have a new set of teeth. The office is in a beautifully restored Craftsman style house near Highway 101 and also close to Poly. It is clean, calm and relaxing. The front office staff is also attentive and patient. They can navigate the intricacies of billing and scheduling with cheer and ease. Dr. Ian also works on Saturdays, and they can fit you in should you have a dental emergency. They can also recommend specialists in the area if you need further work like dental surgery. The only downside for me is that they are out of my dental insurance provider, but I still get partial reimbursement. I would never go anywhere else because the quality of the work here is worth paying a bit extra for! read more

Dr. Maine retired...miss him...just have to say he picked an amazing replacement, Dr. Ryan! True to this dental practice since established in the 70's. Was kinda scared to get a new dentist cuz I'm a special needs patient but Dr. Ryan and her assistant are truly caring n sensitive to your needs. Dr. Ryan listens and she's patient, understanding, gentle...through and through! Plus she knows her stuff!!! If you ever get to have her as your lifetime dentist you won't ever regret it. SLO SMiles is the best place on the Central Coast! Dr. Ryan is an amazing addition to the practice! read more

I had a fractured tooth and was given a appointment within a couple days. Dr Main and two outstanding assistants, sorry I don't remember their names cared for me. The removal of the crown was a long process a little stressful but no pain. Best dental care and kindness ever! I have been to many dentist over the years but SLO SMILES is the best! read more

The best dentist I ever had, and my good friend was my dentist before! I have had a lot of work done w Doc Leopold and crew. All of it has been top notch. The replaced all my 40 year old fillings, what a easy process it was, painless, easy, and they kept me informed the entire way. Simply, these guys are as good as it gets. read more

We Plan To Stay Until We Run Out Of Teeth... Pros: Really good people. Organized office. One-stop shop. Cons: Just a few minor things (see below) Ratings: - Overall: 5 - Location: 5 - Interior: 4 - Office Atmosphere: 5 - Covid Caution: 5 - Dr. Ian Leopold: 5 - Hygienist Lissa Cera: 5 - Dental Assistants: 5 - Office Staff: 4 - Billing and Insurance: 5 - Scheduling: 5 - Parking: 4 Moving is never easy. Moving to a new city 200 miles away from the last one can get very complicated, especially when you need to find new doctors who are as good or better than the previous doctors. My wife and I went through that process relocating from San Jose in May 2018 and, after lots of research, tried SLO Smiles. They offer many services under one roof and we plan to remain patients for many years. - Location: Convenient. SLO Smiles has its own building located about 20 seconds from the Osos Street exit of Highway 101 (if you're heading northbound). For southbound drivers, exit Santa Rosa Street and circle back to Walnut Street. - Interior: Inviting. The reception section has 2 mini-wings which both have clean, comfortable and contemporary furnishings. The work areas farther back are much larger than they appear from the front and can seem like a maze to the visitor. However, an employee always leads us to where we need to go and the individual rooms are fine. - Office Atmosphere: Friendly. Everyone we've met during the past 2+ years had a smile and most seemed happy to be there. - Covid Caution: Excellent. SLO Smiles closed for quite a while to develop appropriate procedures for reopening. Everyone wears a mask, including the patients when walking around, and they seem to do the best they can with social distancing. My wife and I are young seniors with pre-existing autoimmune conditions and we felt in good hands. - Dr. Ian Leopold: Knowledgeable and skilled with a nice bedside manner. Examinations are thorough, the work is done without much fuss and, a sometimes overlooked factor, he doesn't recommend unnecessary procedures. Things to watch for...yes. Questionable stuff...no. - Hygienist Lissa Cera: Same as Dr. Leopold. Detailed cleanings can be painful, but Lissa has a great touch. Plus she's very friendly and likeable. - Dental Assistants: Fine. The 2 assistants I met during appointments with Dr. Leopold were both professional, prompt and worked very much in sync with the doctor. - Office Staff: Organized and personable (overall). Everyone knows their job and seems to work with a smile. Perhaps the staff you see depends on the day of the week and time of day, but the people I saw pre-Covid might have been a bit warmer and outgoing. - Billing and Insurance: No problem so far. Billing is explained by Dr. Leopold (in a general manner) and by the front office in more detail. Questions are answered on the spot. We've used our Aetna medical insurance for a variety of procedures and have no complaints so far. - Scheduling: Easy. The next appointment is always made while you're still in the office. SLO Smiles is very flexible with changes due to unforeseen issues and we haven't had any problems. - Parking: Interesting. They've got their own lot next to the building, although the number of spots is fairly small (about 10). However, we've never had to park on the street. If all our doctors (and we've got quite a bunch for different things) did as well as SLO Smiles for dentistry, our lives would probably be better. read more

I recently had a teeth cleaning by "Adriana." Going to the dentist has never been anything l love to do but I can honestly say that I can't wait to go back. Adriana was not only skilled, but took exceptionally good care of me making sure that I had no pain and was very patient in the process of making sure that I was comfortable during a teeth cleaning which is virtually unheard of. When the cleaning was done, I told Dr. Main that I can hardly wait to return for my next teeth cleaning and I wish I could come back every month. I seriously meant it and if you're looking for somebody to clean your teeth because, we know it's the healthy thing to do but you're afraid it's going to hurt more, well check in with Adriana at SLO smiles. You'll be glad you did, and amazed at the results! read more

Great staff and dentist was friendly and very informative about my dental care options.

I switched to SLO Smiles about 8 months ago when my other dentist sold out his practice and the new owners turned out to be a high-volume, no service kind of a place. My partner had told me about SLO Smiles and how great they are so I gave them a try. In my 50 years of memories of dentists, they are the best I have ever experienced. In my last cleaning, the hygenist spotted some small spots of decay in a hard to reach place. I guess my other dentists were not looking hard enough, but SLO Smiles found them. Dr. Main did 2 small fillings and filled another tooth where I hade lost a filling in just under an hour. No waiting, no downtime, the easiest and most pleasant fillings I have ever had. The team is well trained, works seamlessly with each other, the admin staff is on top of billing, insurance, and what costs I can expect. I would recommend this practice to anyone. read more

VERY Expensive. Really detailed state of the art services. My dental exam was 4 hours. My husband thought I had been kidnapped. The x-ray machine is out of startrack and even reads your blood. Everyone is super nice and helpful. Long story short, I could have purchased a new car for their estimate. I drive a Volvo. I ended up having the work down for 1/2 by a brilliant experienced dentist a few towns over. I do have dental insurance and it was still out-of-sight. They have the latest and greatest technology and amazing cavity prevention lasers. I would go for some things. It really depends on what you want to spend. read more

I had a great first visit! I'm am dentist phobic. I have visited dentist after dentist seeking the right sorta place. I'm writing this for all those like me who have deep insecurities regarding dental care. Dr. Ian was great, a bit funny and very gentle. The exam was great as was the assistant who's name I forget bit she was great as well. I have gone ahead and scheduled the cleaning and they selected someone that would be a good fit for my fear level and for the proper level of dental education I need. I did not get any hard sell for services or have services recommended to me that may not be necessary. From the front staff to the back office I was relaxed and had a great visit. Hope the cleaning goes as well!' read more

During the six years I have been under Dr. Murphy's care, he has placed a crown, replaced several amalgam fillings with ceramic fillings, and fitted me for a bite plate. Each procedure was skillfully accomplished with attention to detail. He is serious about making me comfortable while completing his work quickly and skillfully. Dr. Murphy can be trusted. And that is important because for most people it is difficult to assess the skill of a dentist. Dentists work in a difficult to visualize small space, on problems that can be tricky to diagnose, whose treatments may take years to show they were incorrectly performed. As a doctor myself, I appreciate Dr. Murphy's medical acumen and feel confident his skills produce consistently excellent results. His practice is busy because his current patients continue to refer their friends and family. I recommend scheduling an appointment before you have a dental emergency. read more

I am very impressed with the professional, knowledgeable and caring dentistry of Dr. Ian. Leopold. He and his terrific assistant Gina, are an awesome duo. Dr Ian has performed several surgeries for me... from implants to caps to a five tooth bridge. He even went so far to insist I have his cell number in case I had a problem with my temp. bridge. Dr. Ian and Gina graciously offered to come in when the office was closed over the long Christmas through New Year holiday. You can't ask for more dedication to a patient than that! I usually don't write reviews. It takes someone or something exceptional to motivate and impress me. Dr Ian Leopold checks all the boxes for being an exceptional dentist!!! read more

I really like my dental hygienist, Maria! She is very kind, knowledgeable and professional. I appreciate her caring attitude and thorough yet painless treatment. I trust her and her advice. This is also a friendly, efficiently run office that understands customer service. read more

I have had less than stellar experiences with some other dentists in the area since moving here many years ago. I was recommended to this office by a trusted coworker. They have aome useful online tools and let me fill out my new patient paperwork on line at my leisure before my appointment. I arrived a few mins early as is my habit and was greeted courteously. Their waiting room is comfortable and clean. I was led back to an exam room. There are a lot of rooms here! My history was reviewed and x-rays taken. I watched a video while my x-rays were reviewed. Dr. Main came in and introduced himself and hit each of my issues on point. He was kind, and had solutions for my issues. He was very astute and I appreciated that he came to the table with options and a can fix attitude. We drafted a plan for care and I will be back soon. Upon leaving, the secretary at the desk was super kind and very helpful. My friend/Co workers had given me a card that I was able to turn in for a tooth brush. I was expecting a toothbrush. I got a Sonicare platinum thing with all kinds of neat stuff. Impressive!! I'm not big on 5 star reviews right out the gate, but I think this office is well on their way!! read more

I recently visited the office as a new patient, and read a lot of good reviews, so I felt like this was where I'd end up going for many years to come. Unfortunately, I will not be returning to this office. During my initial exam, it was estimated and told to me that it may take 2 visits to remove all of the tartar on my teeth (it had been 2.5 years since my last cleaning and I have permanent top and bottom retainers). That was all that was said about the 2 visits. I scheduled my cleaning for a month out, since they would not do it at the time of my initial exam, and with their availability and my schedule, that was all that would work. When I showed up to my cleaning at 8 am, the hygienist, Maria (I think) started by doing this laser thing that is supposed to kill bacteria around my gum line. Then, she scored all my gums and noted bleeding. Then, the cleaning began. At about 8:45am, she had finished scraping my right side, and said "I think this is a good place to stop." I was a little confused, and said "you mean, the appointment is over?" And she told me it was. I didn't say anything else, but she could tell I was confused, and defensively asked me what I did not understand. I explained to her that I was under the impression that I'd get a full cleaning, then if necessary, I'd come back for a deeper cleaning at a second visit. I'm not a hygienist nor do I know how a 2 visit cleaning would work. Her response was "so, you thought I'd clean your teeth, then clean them again? Why would I do that? That doesn't make any sense." I was a little taken aback by her response, and the fact that she was making me feel stupid for something that wasn't fully explained to me. She further explained that they only have one hour appointment slots, and this was why I would have to come back (even though she stopped after 45 minutes). She said some people only take 20 minutes while others take longer, but that they can't have 2 hour slots open for those who need more time. She apologized for the misunderstanding, but in an annoyed kind of way, instead of a genuine way. Mostly, I was frustrated because I had made the appointment over a month before. Luckily, she added me to her schedule two days after this appointment, which I appreciated. Nonetheless, I was charged for 2 full cleanings and had to pay for 2 full cleanings (more than I've paid at any other dentist office might I add). I've never, at any other dentist office, had a hygienist stop after scraping the tartar off half of my teeth, been told to come back for a second visit, and then been charged for 2 cleanings, all while made to feel stupid for not understand that that's how they do things. Friends, coworkers, and family members of mine have heard this story and say they have also never heard of something like this. I felt like I was treated like an appointment slot and not a person, and for this reason, I will not be returning. read more

The office of this doctor has been unprofessional and downright rude. My son broke a tooth during the night and was in pain and seeking an appointment to fix it. He was told "we need to talk to the doctor to determine weather we are willing to treat you". As justification they said that he refused to take X-Rays the previous time, as he had recently taken them (few weeks prior) by his home doctor (and x-rays were being provided from previous doctor) All of this, in the face of a 19 yrs old guy, who had a broken tooth and in pain. read more

My wife and I both went to Dr Murphy for about 3 years. While the office is very well furnished with good staff we both felt Dr. Murphy did unnecessary work, and that it was poorly done. I had never needed a crown before seeing Dr Murphy. he felt i needed one and it came back needing to be redone. i believe it did not fit properly. My wife, was told she needed three over the time we were there, and not one of the three fit her properly or were the correct color. I did some research and was told when a crown does not fit or have the proper color it is not the labs problem; it was improperly ordered. Lastly, since leaving this office over three years ago, neither one of us has been told we need a crown. Does Dr Murphy order unnecessary work? you decide read more

I'm not currently a patient I just wanted to write a review because the gal Kathy who works with new/perspective patients was an absolute wealth of information. My insurance wouldn't be fully accepted here so she gave me some advice on how to proceed/what would be in my best interest. Truly a selfless woman. Thank you! read more

Received a referral card fro a friend - and everything has been stellar since! They listen and are courteous from the front desk to the final exam, and I couldn't be happier. I don't know how others are having other experiences, but they were great! And pricing was better than my previous dentist, and more strategically broken down so I could pay for what I needed vs. getting a huge hit for a large operation. (yes, my teeth need help!) read more

Excellent service and very informative. I truly appreciate the availability. I needed emergency services and contacted the office on a Sunday. At the time I was not a patient of the practice. Within 30 minutes received a call back addressing my concerns and scheduled an appointment. I received follow up calls along with thorough instructions. It was a very pleasant experience for someone needing a root canal. Since then I've decided to stay regardless of my 45 min drive time. I continue to have great interactions with all staff members. They are very courtesy and helpful. I would hands down recommend this office. read more

I could not be happier with my experience at SLO Smiles. Dr. Ian Leopold is a true pro. He takes the time to get to know you and learn everything about your dental history. I have really strong teeth and I've never had a cavity. He did notice that I grind my teeth and recommended a mouth guard to wear when I'm sleeping. My hygienist Michele Early is incredibly thorough in cleaning my teeth and I honestly think she cares more about my teeth than I do! LOL! If you want the cleanest teeth in town, call SLO Smiles, and ask for Michele Early. She's really amazing. read more

What a wonderful dental office!! I came here after breaking my tooth and riddled with anxiety... the assistant made me feel so comfortable and that everything would be okay. Dr. Main was great and did everything he could to fix me up and was straightforward with what was going on and how he could help. I'm new to the area and so happy that I found a new dentist. I highly recommend SLO Smiles to anyone!!! read more

The Most Amazing Dental Office visit EVER! I called in around noon with a toothache. The office was open until 2pm and they still fit me in. I am a new Patient and they still made it happen! Dr. Ian was the best as well as the entire staff! Wow keep doing what you do! Your office is the best! Thank You, read more

In addition to the aggressive collection of $83.60 because I would not pay confusing statement, now my Dentist Ian Leopold has decided to quit because he feels he is unable to establish the necessary relationship vital to the success of my treatment. Wow, I guess this office does not realize there are other dental offices in San Luis Obispo. I can't recommend Ian Leopold for dental services. read more

For me, they were terrible. Me: "I have a hole in my tooth" Them: "Well, we'll have a look and see" *Starts poking around in my mouth... Them: "You seem to have 2 cavities..blah blah blah" A month later I got the cavities fixed. 3 months later I come in again. Me: "My mouth is still bothering me, the filling isn't shaped right, and it keeps rubbing against my lips" Them: "We'll fix that... As the guy was getting done, he looks at me and says: "Hey, you've got a hole in your tooth" Most frustrating experience I've ever had, needless to say, I never went back. A friend says she gets great service there, but that's about the opposite of what I experienced. read more

Sadly, I was introduced to the world of dentistry when I was very young, and my teeth were very crooked. I don't remember my first visit to the local dentist/orthodontist, however, I do vividly remember the pain suffered at the hands of my Dr.'s... I think they used me as a guinea pig to test out all the newest and "innovative" orthodontic devices. At one point or another, I wore; braces (including rubber bands, and other weird attachments), retainers, headgear, and an expander where I used a key to adjust. Let's just say my experiences have not been pleasant...until Leopold Murphy and Main, DDS! The office is cozy, and each room overlooks well manicured outdoor gardens where I often see birds flying to and from. This sets the stage for a much more enjoyable visit than some of my previous experiences. I remember my first visit; one of the staff asked if I wanted dark glasses (to block the light?), or headphones (to listen to music of my choice). I was pleasantly surprised, as in all my years going to the dentist, not one ever considered my comfort! Dr. Main took some time to introduce himself and get to know me on a personal level, which always earns points in my book! Building rapport is key, and he earned my trust quickly. All the work I've had done has been executed professionally with limited discomfort. Let's face it, when you're getting a tooth drilled, it's hard to mask all the pain, but they go the extra mile to make sure you're as comfortable as possible. All the staff I've interacted with are extremely friendly, and their reminder system is very convenient. They have a great process for following up and scheduling appointments so you stay on track! Without a doubt, after 20+ years of seeing dozens of different dentists (from NY to California), Leopold Murphy and Main, DDS is the best I've experienced! read more

Updated review: Part of my family continued to have dental work done here after I had moved on. They now regret it, and have had to find a new dentist in town. Two botched dental procedures, the last needed to be completed else where in town. Also failure to recognize a dental problem while having regular check up and cleaning. Unacceptable!!!! Information in my previous review still stands, with revised star rating due to above information. read more

I came here on a weekend with no appointment and a chipped tooth. I chose this dentist because they were one of the few that was open on the weekend but I am so glad this is where I went. Everyone was extremely kind and thoughtful. They went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable despite the state of my mouth that, in October, would have been considered a Halloween costume. The doctor I saw was beyond professional and experienced. He told me step by step everything that he was going to do and made sure I was okay and in as little pain as possible. I also needed to take an antibiotic before he did work on my tooth. The nurses very willingly got in touch with my primary care doctor to find out which medicine, prescribed it, and put a rush on the prescription so I could have my tooth fixed ASAP! My friend who is a dentist told me that the person who fixed my tooth did an amazing job and that most dentists don't take the time that Dr. Ian Leopold did. So grateful to this dentist that I can smile with all of my teeth and that he spent so much time and attention getting it right. No complaints. read more

I have used the dental care of Leopold, Murphy and Main for a long time - at least 15 years or longer. Over the years I've had routine teeth cleaning, cavities filled, crowns, bridges and even their smile design. In all of those years I've never had pain. Ever. Their work has been meticulous and exemplary for all my dental procedures. I especially appreciate the customer service that goes way beyond routine. Dr. Murphy has fit me in for emergencies several times when the unexpected happened. He, and all the staff, have taken all the time I've asked for to explain the procedures and options available. Lynn, working on the scheduling and financial side of things, has done the same. Just the other day Dr. Ian Leopold did an implant for me. Once again he explained what to expect in advance and on the day of the surgery. Once again I didn't have any pain. Dr. Leopold even called me the night of the surgery to see how I was doing. Overall I highly recommend Leopold, Murphy and Main for all your dental needs. Kim read more

I've had my share of dental treatments but I have never experienced the knowledge and kindness shown to me at SLO Smiles. They are on top of their game, from the front office to the doctors and assistants. My hygienist Tami is fabulous. I've had fillings and extractions with Dr Ian, Ortho with Dr Main and even gum care with Dr Mark. Lucky for me I haven't had the need for root canals or implants but I've heard they are pretty awesome at that as well. Highly recommend this practice and the wonderful people working there. read more

I absolutely love the Dental practice of this office! The problem is the Billing department (Kathie). She has been so rude to me from the start. I referred my husband as a new patient to this office as well but, Not sure if I want to continue going here because of the customer service I've received. read more

I've been going to this office so long I'm on the second generation of Doctors Leopold. They are all highly skilled, super kind, and efficient. Actually, my mouth has been worked on by all the dentists except Dr. Main (so far). A special shout-out to hygienist, Maria, who is wonderfully exceptional in every way. I will wait for her to have a vacancy for months if need be. Also, I am extremely impressed by the latest technology the practice employs. Top notch. read more

SLO Smiles is *seriously* the best. Dr. Ian and Dr. Nick are like family! They are courteous, professional, patient, and always ensure you are comfortable. I'm super happy that I've found them here in SLO and would highly recommend the office. They are passionate about their work, their clients, and your health! read more

O.K First things first I HATE DENTISTS!!! BUT............ I went to L,M&M and saw IAN I felt very comfortable and relaxed and I hadn't even had laughing gas!,lol I really don't like dental apps. And actually FEAR them. But I'm returning to get a filling and prob also to get my teeth cleaned (the worst thing ever since you don't get any numbing stuff) the staff was excellent I especially liked GINA she was the first person I dealt with and she put me at ease because of her friendly kind disposition and she's also just adorable. Anyway if you MUST go to the DENTIST and fear them as I do, you should try L,M&M ask for Gina & Ian then BREATH!!! read more

I have been going to Nick Murphy for years. He has always taken good care of me. Plus his hygienist , Tekkie, is a delight to work with.

Best in the business. Been going to Dr.Murphy since 1993. Invests in new technologies, stays educated on new practices and research. Staff is friendly and professional. Can not recommend this office enough. Seriously...best in the business. I recommend to everyone I know. read more

Dr. T is amazing!!! I usually hate going to the dentist but she makes it actually enjoyable.

I've been a patient for over twenty years. LM&M always has the most up to date equipment. Last year when I needed a crown, they made it in house while I was in the chair listening to their music library. They have always treated me with respect, kindness and professionalism. As I've aged, my hygiene always improves with their guidance. read more

I was originally referred to this office from one of their very happy patients. My wife and I have never been disappointed with the staff or the care we've received. Everyone is very professional. It's obvious when you cross the threshold that they take their level of care seriously. They use the latest techniques and equipment. All the staff and Doctors I've worked with take time to clearly explain what they are going to do or what they recommend for treatment, I really appreciate that. read more

Told Dr. Leopold ( younger) the nitrous was not working and he laughed at me and said it was and to breathe harder, I told him again no, and he still didn't check it himself. The next day I was told the machine WAS broken and I had not received any nitrous, I told the office manager I would never come back and neither would any of my family. As an RN we are taught, treat the patient, not the machine. Dr. Leopold should learn that asap, and he missed 2 cavities my new dentist found. read more