I got fillings done in their office in December of 2022. Now, it is August of 2024. And, my front…read moreteeth, filled by Dr. Skinner, still hurt until NOW, even after RCTs! Over one year and a half! My new dentist told me that the pain will very likely persists for years and nothing can be done at this point. Dr. skinner told me that I am sensitive to fillings. He tried to explain that different teeth respond differently to dental work at different ages, because my another dental filling done many years ago never sensitive. But, I recently got fillings done in China and NONE of them are sensitive and painful. ALL the fillings done here were sensitive and painful! So, it is HIS fillings that are sensitive and painful but NOT I am sensitive to dental work! After his fillings, I have seen a couple dentists for pain and even flied 18 hours to the other side of the world to seek solutions. Jesus, nobody can stay calm with such annoying pain and sensitivity for over one year and a half, very likely two, three or more years. Well, I will definitely give them zero if can.

Decided to leave a review cause now I'm looking for a new dentist since I am hesitant to return…read morehere. I seen one of the dentist here for a routine visit and ended up needing to get some dental work done. What was supposed to be a quick and easy fix. It ended up causing me extreme pain for weeks! Every few days I'd call the dentist and let them know my pain was not improving so they'd have me go in and they'd make adjustments and this happened about 4 times and the last time the dentist told me that I'd basically just have to wait it out. Ended up with pain and discomfort for 2 months.

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!

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.

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've been a patient of Dr. Megally for 20 years now and I have had nothing but great experiences…read morehere twice a year for my regular cleanings. The front end staff members are by far the most amazing and friendly staff I've had and any doctors office. Honestly, cannot say enough good things about the people here!

I have been bringing my daughter to Apple Dental since her very first dental appointment was made…read moreshe is now going to be 10 years old and they have done an amazing job! We both really like this dental office and plan to stay as their patients as long as we can!

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

I feel compelled to come forward due to a recent podcast I listened to about cutting babies tongue,…read morealso known as Frenectomy. My husband and I took our daughter just after she turned 1 in May of 2022. Almost instantly the Dr. suggested cutting my daughters tongue- giving multiple reasons of the benefits. We highly considered it, but wanted to do some research and get a second opinion. I am glad we did. The next Dr. suggested against it and I am so glad we went with our gut instincts. My daughter is now almost 3 and not having any speech issues like the original Dr. suggested she would have. My point is to not criticize the Dr. but to keep in mind that dentistry is a business and to always get a second opinion. If you haven't already, listen to the podcast from The Daily- "The Booming Business of Cutting Babies' Tongues" Episode dated: Feb. 24, 2024. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-booming-business-of-cutting-babies-tongues/id1200361736?i=1000645852980 In my opinion, always get a second opinion.

Had such a nice experience here! They took care of my daughter for her lip tie the same day I…read morebrought her in. Doctor accessed her and took my concerns into account and proceeded that the best course of action was to perform the surgery that same day. I valued the dentists and staff concerns and how promptly they responded to our needs.

I'm still affected by my experiences here. To clarify, Dr. Pang said he would file down the front…read moretooth that had the cavity to fill it in. I did not know that that would include my canines. I loved my canines. When I mentioned it to him afterward, he replied along the lines of "well, I said I was going to file down the front teeth." Mind you, there was only 1 cavity on 1 front tooth. There was nothing wrong with my canines; no cavity, no infections, etc. I felt completely dismissed about it. I've read he is operating out of different offices. I do not recommend him at all.

Started out nice but then turned unprofessional. Very similar experience to other reviews here…read more Extremely unprofessional and left feeling annihilated and traumatized from this "Dentist". Wish I would have read these reviews before going, but replaced this Dentist within minutes of leaving! The truth hurts. Office staff tried to be friendly but seemed stressed out all the time.

I had such a great experience here. Jennifer P was always such a great help. Jennifer always made…read moreme feel comfortable. I would highly recommend to get your braces a done at this location. Thank you Merced Western Dental.

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