If I could give 0 stars, I would. Let me paint you a picture of my absolutely bizarre experience with Smile Design Manhattan, which has officially earned the title of the most chaotic dental journey I've ever had--without even making it to the chair. It all started innocently enough: I called to schedule an appointment. I was greeted by a virtual assistant, not in the office, not in Manhattan, but somewhere in the Philippines. Cool, tech is great. I asked to make the appointment right there on the phone. Seemed logical since, well, I was on the phone. She told me to book it online instead. But eventually, an appointment was "confirmed" for Saturday, April 12th at 1PM. I didn't have my insurance handy, so I called the next day to provide it. That's when I was told... surprise! No appointment existed. No problem, let's do it again. This time, the receptionist told me they'd call me back to confirm if I'd owe anything out of pocket because he, and I quote, "never talks insurance" with patients. Odd, but I played along. Days pass. No callback. I follow up. They now say my insurance is good. I mention the missed callback--they apologize. We move on. But wait, there's more. Days later, I get another call to confirm my appointment--along with another request for my insurance. Yes, again. I called back and politely expressed that I was starting to lose faith in their ability to run a medical office. Still, for some reason (convenience? curiosity?), I decide to keep the appointment. But on the day of, I had a realization: if it's this hard just to book an appointment, what fresh dental hell awaits in person? I decided to cancel. Easy, right? Buckle up. First call: Someone says she can cancel for me and reassures me everything's fine. So I keep the appointment. Then I call back minutes later, speak to someone else who says I'll be charged $125 to cancel. I mention the previous conversation, and he basically says, "Well, they must outrank me," and hangs up on me. Let me be clear--I was polite. There was zero reason to hang up. But I call back anyway (because at this point, I'm invested). They send an "urgent" message to the office. I wait. Crickets. No call. No text. No email. Now it's creeping up on my appointment time and I still have no clarity. Do I need to physically go there to avoid a fee? Should I just show up and cancel in person like this is 2003? I call again, and one of the receptionists actually recommends that I do just that--go in and cancel... in person. At that point, I was out. Completely done. So here we are. Smile Design Manhattan has great reviews--and that's what kept me hopeful. But I honestly don't know how this place is functioning. Between 10+ remote receptionists, multiple dropped balls, and an appointment process that felt like a corporate escape room, I couldn't even make it to a cleaning. All I could envision was billing nightmares, more scheduling disasters, and just overall disorganization. If the front desk is this disjointed, what happens when it's time to pick up a drill? Hard pass. Never again. read more

The office called me to follow up on my issues at my previous appointment. I spoke with Nikole. She really went about things the right way to resolve this matter and helped me understand what went wrong. I received a sincere apology which is not something that happens often nowadays. She strived to fix the relationship and make me feel valued as a client. I appreciate the effort that was made. read more

I rarely write any reviews but I wanted to share and explain my outrages experience especially the front desk with the following facts: 1) At my recent visit last week I have never been notified in advance that there is a COVID test upon arrival and there is a decent CHARGE for it even though the rest of the NY state is testing for free and I could of bring it with me with out paying extra if I knew in advance. 2) They don't bother to notify you that their prices went up 20%-30% in the middle of ongoing pandemic while all the businesses are dropping their prices. At my last visit I was also bummed at the check out that I had to pay more for the same procedure I have been doing for sometime with them. I didn't refuse to pay more but It felt like they are taking advantage of their patients and again ongoing unprofessional approach. 3) I agree with other reviews here they will smile to your face and act friendly but they don't do their job after you leave the office as long as swipe of your credit card is done. No one will follow up with you on separate appointments that was promised to be set up with different specialists. You have been referred to from the main doctor to see them and you don't know those doctors and you have to chase them over and over again to get that done. 4 ) Filing claims with your insurance for medical needs of botox that was performed in the past with them and due after 6 months is another complicated task for front desk people. Even though your insurance fully pay for it and its been done in the past by their Dr. After my last visit I was keep calling them over and over again and texting. Front desk have promised its done but the new person who picks up the phone tells you that there is no records of it and they don't accept my insurance after days of previous conversations waisted. This is happens every time you call and feels beyond frustration because they can't pull any records correctly and mislead you with new info every time, mostly negative one. 4) The last most disrespectful experience I had this morning. After a long chase for days with bunch of different people at front desk on setting up periodontist referral appointment I was finally able to get the virtual one at 10 am with periodontist Dr Daniel Berant. Of course, it never happened. This doctor never showed up and nobody bother to tell me that he canceled on me. I have been sitting and waiting for over an hour texting their messenger system and asking where is my doctor but no one ever responded to me. After I called the front desk acted so dumb as usual like they have no clue on what is going and they just walked in on me and that Dr most forgot or working on his other appointments already. It was so humiliating and unprofessional. I was referred to this office from the modeling agency some time ago. I have been contacted and invited from their manager to be their patient but nobody cared that I am referral anymore. I honestly have never experienced this before. read more

Lee is the best dentist in NYC! I will use him forever and his staff is very helpful + informative.

Sometimes I hate reviewing places I love b/c I don't want them to get busier. However, I've been a patient for over a decade and I love to see their growth. Excellent communication! Dr. Lee G. was my first dentist in NYC and I've never left his practice. He filled my first cavity and my dental health has never been an issue in my life. They got super fancy recently but the care hasn't wavered. Love them. read more

Zoe was my hygienist and really put some work into cleaning my teeth. I wouldn't say it felt particularly therapeutic but my teeth have never felt cleaner! I love that Dr Gause is concerned about my smile and how white my teeth are because while I want healthy teeth I want a good smile too! I left with a better and whiter smile Tony at the front desk was very friendly too All in all a good experience for the dreaded dentist visit read more

Smile Design Manhattan - My teeth feel so clean! - General Dentistry Near Me - New York, New York

Smile Design Manhattan is definitely the best dentistry practice that I've been to in my life - and having lived in five different states over the past two decades, I've seen my share of dentists. I was a patient here for about three years and saw Dr. Lee Gause every six months for a cleaning. I also had one cavity filled here, a chipped tooth repaired, and in-office whitening. All of the services that I received were excellent; the doctor himself as well as his staff are extremely pleasant, professional, and knowledgeable; they don't try to up-sell you on services; and the office is beautiful and very relaxing. They also offer Saturday appointments once a month, which is huge. I think there are two things that impressed me most about this practice. (1) Dr. Gause doesn't try to push products and services on you that you don't really need. I became fixated on one of my front teeth being a bit more forward than the other - something that no one else seems to notice - but when I suggested Invisalign to him to "correct" this, he told me that it would be a waste of my money and that my teeth look great now. He didn't jump on my insecurity bandwagon just to get a couple thousand dollars from me. (2) Dr. Gause and his team are very thorough, they explain exactly what you're doing wrong and right with your teeth, and give you friendly / non-judgmental advice about how to improve your oral hygiene. And, sort of back to my first point, when Dr. Gause suggested trying a Sonicare toothbrush to improve the plaque on my lower teeth, he didn't even mention buying it from him. He agreed that I could probably just get it on Amazon. P.S. Dr. Gause was on a Bravo reality dating show, so if you're a single lady, you may want to look nice for your appointments ;) read more

This practice is top of the line! From Janel and Tony at the front desk to Dr. Gause, himself, they are very caring and professional! I've already referred several friends. read more

I visited this office on a Groupon last fall as I hadn't had dental insurance for a couple of years. I would buy a Groupon for a different dentist every six months. The cleaning was good. Then when they looked at the X-Rays they said I had eleven cavities. I'm not exaggerating. ELEVEN. I was dubious, especially since I had no pain or problems with my teeth. Their receptionist worked out a treatment plan and showed me that each filling would cost $500. But if I paid for all eleven up front I could receive ten percent off. They also told me that if I didn't have them fixed soon they would probably need root canals. They said root canal about 10 times. I don't know if this is a buzz word they use to panic people or what. I wasn't panicked. Recently I got dental insurance again and returned to the dentist I'd gone to for years before losing my insurance. Bracing myself for at least couple drillings I was shocked when my dentist turned around and said, "Looks great. See you in six months." No cavities. ZERO. In six months either my teeth had miraculously fixed themselves or they were trying to milk money out of a low income uninsured Groupon customer. Do not darken the door of this place. read more

First I must say, Dr. Lee and team treated me so well and even educated me on how to maintain my whitening! They were so professional and made me feel like royalty. I now come back consistently because of how nice they were and how excellent the entire experience was! read more

See all

So I've had 2 cleanings and a check up done here and I was very pleased with it... Then came my teeth whitening appointment. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM FOR TEETH WHITENING. The tech who did the procedure burned my tongue and gums. When she burned my tongue she told me it was my fault because I didn't keep my tongue back in my mouth, how about she didn't use the right guard. She had to call in another tech who was smart enough to rinse my tongue off and insert a new guard that kept my tongue back. It was soo bad I had to quit 3/4 of the way thru. It was the worst dental experience I ever had in my life. I just gave birth 6 months ago (natural by the way), and this whitening left me with more tears due to the pain than giving birth! read more

I've always been a dreamer, and I dream BIG. I can also screw up on a BIG scale, and when it came to taking care of my teeth by way of regular cleanings, I flunked out, and miserably so. Periodontitis/Gum disease and procrastination resulted in my receiving rather troubling news, once I finally made it to the dentist...Plaque had eaten away at my bone mass. My treatment plan: 10 extractions, Yes, TEN, and Implants. Although I had confidence in my wife's (excellent) dentist, I wanted a second opinion. Enter Dr. Lee Gause of Smile Design Manhattan, to whom I was referred as result of conversing (ok, crying my dental blues) on the shoulder of a neighborhood clothier. Two Saturdays later, I nervously arrived at my appointment, somberly accepting that most of my upper teeth were being removed, consoled by the fact that a customized temporary bridge would be in place when I awoke, and quite impressed that several titanium posts would also be implanted. Estimated surgery time: 2.5 hours. As fate would decree, I had lost so much bone mass that Bone Grafting was deemed necessary, (unless I wanted dentures, which was NOT an option) and my surgery stretched into 4.5 hours. Once awake enough to walk, Gause took my arm in fraternal fashion and led me to the waiting area where I dozed on my wife's shoulder for about 20 minutes, and to my home I went. The 11:00 song (I'm a theater and opera performer): WHO EVER HEARD OF GOING THROUGH A PROCEDURE THAT EXTENSIVE, AND ONLY NEEDING 2 600mg Ibuprofen, AND GOING TO WORK THE NEXT DAY, PAIN-FREE? I DID!! And of course, my following appointment didn't come quickly enough, as I HAD to know what kind of wizardry Gause and his brilliant oral surgeon partner, Dr. Spencer Howard were practicing. Dr. Gause explained that the longer the human body endures trauma, the more painful the process, including painful recovery. I liked his analogy of touching a hot pot handle. If one bear-handedly grabs a pot handle, instinct makes us drop it (and the food it contains) without thinking. Or, hold onto it and risk a second degree burn. Who does THAT?! Dr. Howard practices along that principle: Less time, Less pain. He removed my 10 teeth in a matter of mere minutes! There wasn't even any noticeable swelling. Incredible!! To make a solid believer out of me, Dr. Gause showed me a video of Howard removing 4 IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH at a speed resembling how long it takes to remove food particle with a toothpick. 12 months later, I have a smile that rivals ANY porcelain veneer. I'm not bragging. It's simply the truth. Can it get any better? Absolutely, because Gause and his team are some of the most caring and relationship-oriented folk you will ever encounter. Genuine sweetness and consummate professionalism. What a combo. read more

I had a fine experience using a Groupon at this office for a cleaning / whitening. It's a clean, high-tech office with friendly staff. The tech doing my whitening accidentally burned my lip and, while I'm not one to get worked up about an honest mistake, I appreciated them giving me a complimentary cleaning to make up for it. But be warned that they will call, text, email, Facebook and basically harass you to make a follow up appointment down the road. I've now heard from them several different ways, multiple times, including a personal friend request on Facebook. It's aggressive, annoying and spammy. read more

I have been a loyant patient of Dr. Lee Gause's for 2 years now. I have had lifelong conditions with my teeth and been in and out of bad dental offices and Lee is the only exception. Let's start with how clean, well designed & welcoming his office is. All the rooms are equipped with the latest & greatest technology. There is great art to look at while you are in your appointment. The rooms are floor to ceiling glass so it feels really transparent. And all the staff are so friendly too! I've always been scared of filling cavities but when I went to get mine done today with Dr. Gause, I couldn't believe how quick and pain free it was. It was absolutely pain free. It was incredible. My teeth has dramatically improved since I started coming to Dr. Gause and I think it's also because I am always more than happy to make an appointment since the experience is always so pleasant. If I can give this clinic a 10 stars I would!!! read more

Dr Gause and his staff are simply the best in the business. They are the best clinicians on the Globe and are the most friendly staff to the point where I call them family and look forward to every single one of my visits! Cant say enough about this office and these amazing people. read more

I agree with what Shaun V said - the best dental experience I've ever had. After my Groupon cleaning and whitening a year ago, I went back for a cleaning and several fillings this year. I also needed my wisdom teeth extracted. Every procedure was carefully explained and virtually painless. Dr. Lee Gause is excellent at what he does, as is his oral surgeon, Dr. Dolman. I had my teeth extracted yesterday and feel great today. The staff is friendly and caring. They check in after procedures to make sure you're doing OK (as do the doctors; Dr. Dolman just called me on his cell). They have an automated appointment confirmation system that uses email and text messaging. Everything runs smoothly, and I've always felt free to ask as many questions as I need to. And best of all: Dr. Gause is honest. When he has enacted a course of treatment and finds something else to fix, he doesn't charge extra for the added procedure. For those without dental insurance, they offer a dental plan. $350 a year for two cleanings, plus a deep discount on other procedures. I will be going to Smile Design for many, many years to come. read more

A groupon deal got me in the door for a cleaning and a whitening. It was a two-part appointment and after the second one, I was ready to sign-up for my 6th month cleaning and stick with Dr. Lee. It's refreshing to have a dentist office sport iPads and a flashy office but underneath be extremely friendly, professional and good at what they do. Props to all of the staff! read more

this place is great! Came here for a cleaning, my hygienist was fantastic. I was nervous (the dentist has never been a favorite doctor of mine) and she walked me through every noise I would hear and everything she was doing during the cleaning. Afterwards, Dr. Lee came in to review my x rays, he was thorough and walked me through the X-rays and specific teeth he was monitoring. Great experience! They were slightly backed up when I arrived for my appointment, but everyone was really communicative and apologetic for the delay. read more

Lee gave me a crown made with the cheaper material that needed to be replaced only 3 years later. That's not what you'd expect when you're charged full price out of pocket with no discount. His prices are the highest I have seen. Lee's demeanor was that of a fake-friendly businessman. He will shake your hand and pretend he respects you only to speak to you disrespectfully minutes later. I could tell that he was not treating all his patients equally. Don't be fooled. He's more concerned with celebrity status than your teeth. No thanks. read more

Immaculate and ultra modern - Just check out the pics on the web site. Incredibly high tech - You can expect the latest and greatest, not just in the dental care department but throughout the office... goodbye, magazine rack. Hello, iPads! Painless and personable - The exam and cleaning are a breeze and everyone greets you by name. I went there for my first appointment before the winter holidays. What can I say? They make a great first impression. Oh, and if you don't have dental insurance they offer reasonably priced coverage. Just sayin'. So... now you've got no excuse for not taking care of those pearly whites! read more

Wow so many great things to say about this establishment. First, the staff is super nice and so informative. When I was getting my teeth cleaned I was told what was going on every step of the way. I'm use to dentist just going in my mouth very rough not caring to be gentle that i actually thought that was part of the dentist experience. It also was very clean and not a messy job at all. The whole time I felt very comfortable. They went above and beyond by also telling me how to improve my overall oral health. My biggest problem is I don't floss enough which didn't surprise me. In general this was the best teeth cleaning experience I've ever had by far. My teeth have never felt so smooth. I'm so excited to go back for my teeth whitening appointment! read more

Dr. Gause is the best dentist that I have come across .The staff members are pleasant and beautiful! Whenever I come to this dental office I feel comfortable .I would recommend coming here to anyone, especially those who want to feel like a celebrity for a day ;) ! read more

I'm waiting for them to help me...just sitting in the office calms ny nerves. I was raised in NC and we had no AF/AM Dentists or perhaps my Great Grandparents didn't take us: I have no memory of a visit. They were in their 60s when we showed up, but I am grateful to God we had a wonderful NC childhood. Mom worked at Bellvue Hospital and took care of us financially while I lived with my Great grandparents. When my brother and I were 6 and 4 we visited our Mom and had our first Dental visit here in NYC. What an experience. Thank goodness things have changed. My son had his first appt for advice and to familiarize him with the office before he had teeth in wonderful CA. read more

Dr. Lee Gause and his team did an amazing job cleaning my teeth and advising my pregnant wife to get the saves the procedure for her root canal. Overall a very pleasant experience and we could not be happier with the results. Thank you Smile Design Team. read more

Wow! Is all I can say. When calling to set up my appointment it was very easy and the lady taking my information was so kind. Went in today and got my teeth cleaned and it was one of, if not the best cleanings I have had. The atmosphere is so welcoming. Had some trouble with my insurance, but everyone was so patient and willing to help in any way possible. Can't wait to come back in and set up another appointment! read more

I was referred by a friend to Dr. Gause's office and had a wonderful experience. The office was clean and beautiful. The staff was all extremely friendly. The entire experience was relaxing and enjoyable. I would definitely recommend this office to anyone in or around the NYC area! read more

The office is modern and clean; however, this one receptionist, Eboni, is extremely unprofessional. I accompanied my boyfriend to the office for a visit and she blatantly flirty the entire time, I mean... full out batting of eyes and staring into his face as she giggled and spoke with him. It was so bad that her colleagues (other receptionists) looked uncomfortable. I say nothing about it. I came with him again for another procedure and she shows the same behavior. As I sat in the lobby, I noticed that she does not interact in the same manner with other patients. How terribly unprofessional! She is the worst and I can't believe such an establishment would employ a person like her. I'll definitely never come here for any of their services. The second time definitely deserved this review. With all of this, I hope the operations at least are done well. read more

I had a great experience with smile design, the hygenist "Thaty" was so friendly, made me feel comfortable & relaxed. Dr. Gause was very friendly honest & made sure i understood what my situation was & how to make sure it gets & stays better. I recommend! read more

A groupon deal got me in the door. Nice office very modern with all glass rooms. I had exrays, cleaning and check up. Not to fond of the dental hygienist that did my cleaning. I have very sensitive teeth and gums and she had me bleeding bad. Other than that everyone including the dentist is wonderful. read more

Dr. Gause and his team are absolutely amazing. I've had a life long fear of the dentist and Dr. Gause and his team did a great job of putting me at ease. Their treatment coordinator on staff is very knowledgeable and helped me to understand how to navigate my dental insurance with the treatment plan they gave me. Their oral surgeon is friendly, fast and the tooth extraction I had was actually painless - I couldn't believe it. Thank you Dr. Gause and team! And shout out to Thatiane, the best dental hygienist ever! Obrigada Thatiane! For once in my life, I've found a great dental practice and I will always come back! read more

Update! Reimbursement situation sorted with Smile Design and I've been reimbursed. Bumping my review up another star. Dental service here is good, just wish they'd sort the insurance situation more quickly. read more

I have had a fear of dentists for quite some time and did not visit one for years until I was stricken by unimaginable pain one day. A coworker suggested I visit Dr. Gause, and I scheduled an appointment for later that day. It was early evening when I got into the office and Doc told me I needed a root canal. I assumed he would give me some pain meds and tell me to come back in the A.M. for the procedure, but he stayed until well after 7 to give me the root canal that day. His behavior, I now know, was not unique, but indicative of the mentality of all those at Smile Design. They are always pleasant and accommodating. Visiting the dentist is not on my list of favorite activities, but it is no longer the dreaded experience that it has been for many years. I'd definitely recommend them. read more

After reading the extremely positive reviews, I was unsure if they were actually true. However, after a friend recommended Dr. Gause and doing some research, I decided to give Smile Design a chance. I decided to visit Dr. Gause recently to receive a second opinion because another dentist urged me to have five fillings replaced, a periodontist consultation due to gum recession, and orthodontia work. When I made my appointment with Smile Design in mid-August, I explained that the purpose of the visit was to receive a second opinion based upon a dentist visit I had a week earlier. I sent a digital copy of my X-rays from the previous dentist and asked if they would be sufficient, as my insurance wouldn't cover a second set of X-rays. Dr. Gause returned my call and left a message at 9:30 PM explaining that my X-rays were too small to read but that another set of X-rays would be taken free of charge. I was quite impressed that my call was returned the same day (and at that time) and that I wouldn't be charged for the X-rays that would be taken in his office. During my appointment, I met with Dr. Robert Gause (Dr. Lee Gause's brother). He was warm, personable, and knowledgeable. He explained that I did not need any fillings replaced and that it was not necessary to see a periodontist as my gum recession was very mild. He mentioned that I should consider Invisalign and explained what would happen if I did not have any orthodontia; however, he did not by any means push me to get it like my former dentist. Another dentist confirmed Dr. Gause's recommendations. I was very pleased and actually impressed by the patient-centeredness I saw. Additionally, only necessary and appropriate treatments were recommended. My previous dental hygienist (at my former dentist's office) recommended that I have a teeth cleaning in 3.5 months--right before the end of the year. Teeth cleanings are recommended every 6 months and the only reason why it was recommended was because it was an opportunity for the dental practice to bill my dental insurance and earn some more money before the end of the year. When I saw Dr. Gause just a week later in mid-August, I said I was interested in having my teeth cleaned in the future. He said that I should schedule the cleaning in 5-6 months (which would be in early 2012). To me, this was important as it showed that he recommended only what was necessary and appropriate--not what would earn the practice more money. Also to note is the office manager, Janel. She is extremely friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. The office is very modern, too. Smile Design focuses on the needs of the patient, and it is a extremely well-run business. I would highly recommend this dental practice. read more

Wow!! I have finally found my New York City dentist. As a transplant to the city, I found it daunting to find a dentist with so many options, especially one I could trust, since I am scared of the dentist. Dr. Alex and his hygienist Zoe did a great job. I was in and out in no time. I am forgetful and found their digital reminder system very helpful, their office is high-tech, up to date, and very clean. They educated me on the cavities I had and even showed me with a camera that took pictures of my teeth!! Hands down best dental experience I have had thus far. Definitely will be back for my 6 month check! read more

I typically have a fear of any kind of dental work. After avoiding going to the dentist for far too many years, I finally bought a Groupon and went to Dr. Gause. Immediately surprised at how wonderful the office and staff were. Very friendly, very professional, and went out of their way to make me feel comfortable and address any concerns I had. The hygienist was great and no nonsense; she told me exactly what I should do to maximize my dental health. Dr. Gause was helpful and knowledgeable. I now have a new dentist and - moreover - am no longer afraid of dental work! read more

My chompers are looking mighty fine after a visit with Dr. G. I might even get the fangs next time - jk. Really though, I got the whitening and my teeth are really white! I have been getting compliments all week! read more

Smile Design was the most amazing dental experience I have ever had in my life. Discovered them via Groupon. The office is in a converted art gallery space and is bright & clean. The staff is extremely professional, and incredibly attractive. Many times I feel rushed out of the dentist's office as they are generally busy and have other clients; not so here the cleaning was thorough. Dr. Gause & his team are amazing. If/when I get health insurance I would love to visit them again. read more

Been here only once but WOW never experienced such a great customer service, from each member of The team, expensive but totaly worth it

The staff at Smile Design are superrrr friendly and always make me very comfortable, despite any possibly anxiety I might have of upcoming drilling in my mouth! :) Dr. Lee Gause is really amazing at what he does and always makes my smile so much better. This place gets 5 stars from me based on cleanliness, customer service, dentist visits and results. Thanks Dr. Gause! read more

Another Groupon groupie for Smile Design here. I was surprised and thrilled by how clean and high-tech the office was, and everyone was incredibly friendly. My teeth looked and felt great after the cleaning, and Dr. Gause was great to meet. I didn't realize they were full-service until I arrived, and now I have a new dentist. read more