Dr. Lau and his team are amazing. He was previously highly recommended by another mom and he did not disappoint. Our 2-year-old is usually pretty reserved during dental checkups, but he had her laughing during the appointment - and she left smiling ear to ear. He took the time to explain pediatric dental topics clearly and was so warm and engaging with both of our kids. The office is spotless, kid-friendly, and welcoming. Highly recommend! read more

Great Dentist...Poor Office Staff/Manager ! Really Disappointing experience. My daughter has been going here for years when since she was a baby. She is currently 18. Missed our one and only appointment in 15 or so years and Office Manager Cathryn charged us a fee. She has never missed an appointment before and did not want to give us a break! This just left a bad taste in my mouth after referring this dentist to numerous families! How sad ! read more

My kids (ages 3, 7) love going to the dentist! Dr. Lau walks them through what he is going to do, explains what each instrument is, demonstrates on their fingers before working on their teeth, and is thoughtful and patient with his interactions with them. This (plus the videos that they get to choose on their way in) helps our cleanings stay calm and fun. read more

Dr. Lau has provided our family with fabulous care over the past 7-years. We are so pleased with his professional, thorough and detailed work. We started at age 2 for both of our girls and they still get excited to go see him! The office has always been clean and inviting and with COVID protocols we have felt safe the whole time. Thank you Dr. Lau for listening to our concerns, your conservative and informed approaches and for always welcoming our family with a smile! read more

Efficiently run practice and friendly staff. I don't like how every time a procedure is recommended (eg filling cavities), staff pressures you into selecting laughing gas. From we would have to reschedule if you don't use laughing gas (it takes months to get another appointment)... it seems like another way to upcharge you. read more

Both of my girls have been patients of Dr. Lau, ever since they have had teeth. He does a great job of keeping them calm and cooperating. My kids don't mind going to the dentist and seem to enjoy it, since they get toys from the treasure chest after. The staff is great and friendly, they will help you get the most out of your dental insurance. They have always been accommodating, especially when we have urgent requests. The location and parking are very convenient. Highly recommend Dr. Lau for all your little ones dental needs! read more

Our first pedatric dentist was our friend. After moving we found Dr Lau. He is amazing! His approach and his office is perfect for our two boys. Both boys now have had dental work with Dr Lau none previously. One preventative and one for treatment. Both boys had glowing reviews of how Dr Lau handled their cases. One was complex. Dr Lau was a recommendation and I am so glad I I listened!! read more

We went to this dentist for 7 years. While he's competent, his staff are rude and unprofessional. We moved to Palo Alto so we saw another dentist closer to where we live once before deciding to return here. When we called to schedule an appointment for our daughter, we were aggressively questioned as to why we didn't tell them we left and why we decided to return. I told them we left because we moved 30 minutes south and that we preferred them due to their history of having seen our kids (despite the longer drive). Apparently, this wasn't enough because they kept interrogating us about why we left, as if they were some kind of cult. Obviously, Karen is related to Terrence (probably his wife), because no actual employee could get away with talking to patients this way. Good luck if you end up going here, you'll need it. Oh, they're also no longer with Delta Dental and now require payment on the spot, in full (Karen will aggressively point this out more than once if you call, though we always paid promptly in the past). read more

This review is mostly regarding billing and lack of understanding by the front office. The office charges high prices ($300 for a routine checkup and cleaning for one child! New patient charges will probably be more since it'll be a comprehensive charge). They don't tell you how much it will be ahead of time, and very conveniently tell you they will just help you bill insurance. As for as the help and understanding after they've billed your insurance is a completely different story. routine checkups are covered by my insurance at 100%, but they failed to tell me they added flouride for my children, and that insurance doesn't cover it. I specifically told them I don't want any treatment done that isn't covered at 100%, unless it has been discussed with me - very standard request so I know my out of pocket beforehand. My issue isn't so much because of my insurance coverage, but with the lack of understanding and communication from the front office. They never informed me ahead of time I would have to pay an extra $100 ($50 each child for flouride!) out of pocket before performing services that should have been covered with a routing cleaning. Mind you, this is only for a routine cleaning. I wasn't asked if I wanted my kids to have flouride, he just did it. It is the principle of clear communication and informing parents ahead of time that is very dissapointing. This way of doing business is NOT ok. Full review is yet to be determined as I am awaiting speaking to the owner of the office, Dr. Terrance Lau. He is a good dentist, and I hope he can carry his great manner of handling children throughout the rest of his practice. But as it stands, the uncompromising and unprofessional front office outweighs the treatments themselves. Update - The front office/manager is very unprofessional and unhelpful. When I asked, several times, to speak to the doctor, she refused and said the doctor only speaks about treatment, even though this is his own office. She told me whatever decision she decides, Dr. Lau agrees with, so there's no reason for me to speak to him. I'm not here to bash a company, but the treatment and customer service and finance handling of this office is appalling. I have worked at a dentist office for years, this is no way to handle finance/billing with patients at all. There is no compassion, understanding, or care from this team. I never received any calls back. I did receive bills and letters of threats to send me to collections. I paid the $100, and needless to say, I never went back. read more

5 stars -- as good as it gets! I was pleasantly surprised with our first visit to Dr. Lau's practice. My 10yo daughter was overdue for a cleaning and a friend recommended Dr. Lau. I was concerned that his focus was towards a much younger age, but he related well to my pre-teen. I liked that the waiting room was so pristine like a page from a Pottery Barn Kids catalog. I felt very comfortable on the banquette seating, and my pre-teen found her inner toddler again by playing with the train table and foam building blocks along with Groovy Girl dolls -- all stored in rolling drawers underneath the train table. What I think sets Dr. Lau apart from others is his ability to relate to both child and parent and his ability to educate about dental health in layman's terms -- not condescending at all, not too clinical or cold. Ask him how cavities are formed and have him illustrate it on his magna doodle :) He's very personable and explains everything before he does anything to your child -- showing the tool, what it does, how it feels. During the procedure, my 10yo watched a movie of her choice on a TV mounted on the ceiling. At the end she got to choose 2 prizes from a treasure chest. The check-out went smooth as well -- next 6month cleaning scheduled and pre-addressed postcard they will mail to my daughter as a reminder. Other pluses include mailed new patient forms to complete prior to your appointment, parking garage underneath (limited spaces though), and they file your insurance forms for you. From today's experience, I highly recommend Dr. Lau. When we left, my 10yo turned to me and said, "I LIKE my new doctor!" She's NEVER said that about any doctor. Later in the day, she told me that she couldn't wait for her next appointment. Say what?! A kid actually looking forward to a DENTIST appointment?! For realz. Now here's what got Dr. Lau the 5th star: he changed my flat tire! He's not only a good dentist but a good Samaritan. read more

My sons now brush their teeth since I tell them if they don't they can't go visit Dr. Lau. The office is decorated well for children and Dr. Lau has a good bedside manner. One of my sons is legally blind and Dr. Lau was good at taking queues from me (mom) to get his teeth checked and cleaned. I would recommend Dr. Lau to anyone with kids. For all of you out there with sons, he has a train set in the waiting room and will put on a Thomas the Train video on the flat screen above the chair while he is doing the examination. I will continue to determine how well he masters the dental portion, but so far so good! I have since been back for another visit with my son and wanted to say that the service Dr. Lau and his staff offers is impeccable. Such a releif to find a good dentist and all with the help of yelp.com! read more

I had taken my son for his first dentist visit at 2.5 at another dentist office, and after a 10 second swipe of the teeth and a balloon for my son's time, I knew there had to be a better way. I went to Dr Lau based on reviews through my local mom's group, and the experience was night and day. He does spend some time on the first visit talking to you - the parent - about cavities using a Magnadoodle, but after that it's a thorough check up with your kiddo where he keeps things light hearted and non scary the entire time. The environment is bright, cheery, and airy, making it an inviting place for a toddler to come and open their jaw while watching Dora the Explorer. Honestly, I probably would've given him 5 stars and cool cred just for wearing Chucks in the office. But my kids get excited when I tell them it's time to go to the dentist, so he fully earns his 5 stars from them too! read more

My husband and I are very pleased with the attention and service that our daughter receives. In addition to the bells and whistles of toys and movies to watch, his office and staff are very warm and all have a natural rapport with kids. Dr. Lau has given great tips on how to prevent cavities as well as the importance of flossing for our daughter's overlapping teeth. Because of Dr. Lau and his staff's great chairside manner, my daughter has no fear of the dentist and actually looks forward to her appointments. read more

I was referred to Dr. Lau by a close friend who has two kids. Dr. Lau is amazing with toddlers! I brought my daughter here at the age of two. At that appointment, he did the initial consultation with me and took a look at what was going on inside her mouth. At this appointment, she was very hesitant and did some crying. Today we went back for her second appointment, she is now 33 months old. Dr. Lau made her feel so easy. He counted her teeth, polished them and talked to me about what was going on. She was excited and had no problems. My daughter gives me a hard time daily when I help her brush her teeth! To see how easy it was today was astonishing. Dr. Lau is truly in tune with kids and pediatric dentistry. She can not wait to go back! The office is totally kid friendly....trains, basketball court style hardwood floors, flat screen TV on the ceilings. Your child gets to pick a movie to watch when they get there. Makes them feel like they are super special. A++ to Dr. Lau and his staff. read more

Just came back from his office. We moved to Burlingame a year ago and took quite a long time to find the right pediatric dentist for my two toddler boys. Interviewing and calling all possible pediatric offices for months totally paid off. All staffs from the receptionist and nurses were very friendly. Most of all, Dr. Lau took time to educate mommy how to prevent cavity and what we can help our kids' health in daily life. He has a great passion for his job as well as a unique but great philosophy. And boys giggled and were very comfortable during the procedure. Plus, beautiful + extra kid friendly office. I can see our kids grow up with Dr. Lau. read more

I've taken both my 6 and 4 year old here (my 6 year old for some fillings) and it's been a fantastic experience. Dr. Lau's chair-side manner is fantastic, and he really relates well with kids. Not just for a dentist, but really well. Made both of them feel very comfortable with what was going on and, more importantly, made both me and my wife feel comfortable (which, as he explained, is more important than how he handles the kids ... if Mom or Dad is nervous, the kid will be). As you'd expect for a pediatric dentist, he has a good setup for kids - TV in the ceiling, a selection of movies for your kid to choose from. I like, though, that his office isn't overblown with videogames and other super-intense kid stuff. The balance of stuff allows Dr. Lau to build a relationship with your kid and educate them, instead of just sneaking in some dental work while the kid's distracted. read more

Wow, booking an appointment as a first time customer for my kids is in itself like pulling teeth. This has nothing to do with the quality of the dentists but with their processes and operations. They are considered out of network with Delta Dental, so I doubled checked with this office what their exact fees/codes are so that I could check with my insurance. After multiple calls with my insurance plan I confirmed that I have top dental coverage and that all fees this offices charges will be covered by my insurance - I reviewed exact codes & prices. One fee this office quoted is $1 higher that what insurance said they have a record for and what they would cover, but I didn't think that would be a problem. However, this dental office continued to tell me that I may still get a bill because what insurance companies "claim" they cover won't always be the case. Given I have top of the line dental insurance and have never had any issues with other dental practices (for me or my husband). I then asked if they could tell me if my insurance has given any of their previous customers issues with additional bills beyond what was stated that was already 100% covered. They kept repeating "eventhough insurance claims they cover 100%, they don't always cover it all so you may get a bill". Bottom line, this office lead me to believe they charge what they want and this office will likely charge me something higher than what insurance will cover or possibly what this office quoted me, and I'll be stuck with some huge bill. Based on other reviews this seems to be a common issue. I'll take my business elsewhere to someone who can give me a clear answer on what my insurance does and doesn't cover. read more

My 4-year old daughter loves going to Dr. Lau's office for her bi-annual check-ups and teeth cleaning. We've been going to Dr. Lau for 2 years. As mentioned by the other posters, the entire experience is kid-friendly. I especially like the time and care he took to explain some pretty tricky concepts to my daughter. Now she understands dental hygiene fundamentals better than most adults I know. And, I LOVE the trick he did with her finger and the teeth cleaning machine. read more

My 5 year old son has already had to have some fillings and Dr. Lau and his staff were wonderful. I had bad experiences at the dentist as a child so I was extremely apprehensive. Dr. Lau explains what he is doing at every turn. The environment is open and kid friendly. If you are looking for a dentist for your young child--he's the one! read more

I first took my then-3 year old to Dr. Lau when we lived in San Mateo. I was very impressed with how well Dr. Lau interacted with my son. As others posted, he took time to explain what he was doing and demonstrated first in funny ways, which made my son giggle and put him at ease. He also took a lot of time to explain a few things to me that I did not know. His new office is very lovely and is set up for kids in every way. I highly recommend checking out Dr. Lau's office. read more

I came across Dr. Lau from among 3 pediatric dentists' business cards handed to me at our pediatrician's office (when I asked the front desk for dentist names). At that time, I had a coworker who recommended another pediatric dentist to me; I'd called to make an appt with that dentist when I found out the wait time would be months before we could even see him. That prompted me to refer back to those business cards and picked out Dr. Lau since his office was first in responding to my inquiry about making an appt. Well, we've been seeing Dr. Lau for about 2.5 yrs now and I'm proud to say that we're lucky we found him! He has been my son's first and only dentist and we have done exams, cleanings, x-rays, and fillings there. My son actually likes going to the dentist and asks when we can go back next ever since our very first visit. I've been recommending Dr. Lau to anyone who's looking for a dentist for their kids. My coworker's daughter says she likes going to Dr. Lau because "he shows you what he's gonna do before he does it", and of course, the kids love the TVs that are mounted on the ceiling as well. read more

We've moved quite a few times and Dr. Lau is the 4th dentist in 8 years. He is hands-down the best! He is amazing with the kids. My oldest has been seeing the dentist for years, but my twins first experience was with Dr. Lau. They can be quite apprehensive of new experiences, Dr. Lau spent a lot of time talking to them and explaining all his equipment before he got started. The entire staff is very friendly and welcoming. Besides his manner with the kids I have found him to be the most practical dentist out there. He's in no hurry to fix your child's teeth or push treatments like many other dentists. We know my oldest child's mouth is going to need some major work, but Dr. Lau is simply giving us a head's up for what's to come, but not insisting I put braces on my 8yo or pull teeth, like some other dentists have insisted on. And, I will say, it's pretty crappy when clients bash a business bc they are irresponsibly delinquent in their payment of service. Also, anyone sensible will get an upfront estimate of charges before agreeing to have work done. Given the state of insurance companies these days, that's just practical sense...again, bashing a business because you were billed for a service is ridiculous. read more

Nice guy, but.....he a very young dentist and hasn't yet learned yet how to handle any detailed questions. He couldn't tell me for instance why it's important for kids to have an annual check up (his response was something like "What, you don't want the best for your kids?" to which my response was "Please answer the question.") His office also aggressively called my house multiple times 6 months after the initial check up and tried to guilt me into scheduling another apptmt ("You should do what's best for your child.") I finally had to tell them not to call me anymore. When I did call back 6 months later, they told me I wasn't welcome. (Great bedside manner, eh? .... I couldn't *ever* imagine doing that to a customer, I would be fired instantly.) Maybe in a few years he'll combine his good personality with enough experience to handle a variety of situations. But for now, no thanks....I'll go with someone who has more experience and can give me cogent answers, instead of just processing my kids through a mill. read more

This guy was horrible! The first initial appointment was a consultation, well it's really a consultation with the parent and it should be with the child. He did not try to make my child feel comfortable in any way possible form. Dr. Lau only scared him. The one thing that really urked me about Dr. Lau was that he tried to get my son (almost 4) to hold the mirror that goes into his teeth. When my son did not want to hold the mirror, Dr. Lau grabbed my son's hand and tried to pry his fingers open. read more

Just called to see how much an initial exam is--$235 not including x-rays? Seriously???

Review is mainly for billing. In most cases, businesses will reverse a finance charge for a late payment if that was the first time. In this case, the billing department was unwilling to do that. This is especially the case with dental and medical offices since it takes awhile to get a bill because insurance needs to process it. In this case, Dr. Lau's office was unwilling to do so. I explained that we tried to call to pay the bill ON TIME but since no one picked up we overlooked the bill and that this was the first finance charge. Despite all of this, the office was willing to lose multiple patients over a measly $2.18. This is very short sighted and unprofessional. Unfortunately, the billing staff does not understand that sometimes you need to be flexible to gain good, loyal customers and that will benefit the business in the long run. read more

We have been seeing Doctor Lau for three years. Over time, we noticed his services lapsed. But his recent response to my son's symptoms was shockingly disappointing. We would advise other parents to be cautious. Doctor Lau's schedule is always full. My son was assigned to a different dental hygienist even when we scheduled the appointment with doctor Lau himself. And my son was asked to take an X-ray every six months for various reasons. I think it weird but followed his advice. My son had a cavity procedure last Wednesday with doctor Lau. My seven-year old bit his lip while he was numb. His lip was badly swollen and became infected a few days later. I called the doctor's office for help. This is what I got from his front office. "The kid bit himself. There is nothing the doctor can do at this point. Just google dental biting images online." Fortunately, our pediatrician stepped in and prescribed a dental cream to relieve his pain. Even she thought the dentist response was off the normal service line. Thank you for blaming the patient when we are seeking help. Either the front office needs a better customer service training or the doctor should follow up with the patient better. Parents, do yourself a favor to seek a more responsive and caring pediatrician dentist. read more

My overall impression of Dr. Lau: He's not great with kids. Rather I find him a little awkward with kids. When I brought my 4 year old for her first appointment, he spent the first 15-20 min just talking to me about cavities blah blah. If he knows anything about kids, he should be getting them comfortable with him, getting them situated and starting his exam. So what happened? My daughter ,who is normally chill and listens really well, didn't even want to sit in the exam chair. He didn't know how to handle the situation- I could tell he's not good with kids. Now on the level of his knowledge and skills, I'm not sure if I trust him with complicated cases. There was another time that I brought my daughter in for non routine visit and he gave me his two cents on what was happening with my daughter's teeth and I was like wut??? Didn't make sense. He didn't seem confident. When I brought my daughter back for the following routine check, he went back on his assessment and said that I was right all along. So yeah. I would only go there for routine cleaning. Billing/front desk: Alright ya'll, other people may have covered this topic. Ok. Any medical practice take gazillion years to bill. Ok. I'm exaggerating. I understand they won't know exactly how much I owe. But. Big BUT, my experiences with previous dentists, they are able to get a pretty idea of what the coverages are. The front desk comes off as if they have NO Idea of what the coverage is. Nice office but looking for someone with more experience. Hey. But doesn't mean that he won't get better. read more

Brought my 8 & 9 year old boys to see Dr. Lau for the first time today. Not only is his office gorgeous and welcoming-- but he was all about making everyone feel comfortable and relaxed. What a great trip to the dentist-- such a relief. Yay for us. read more

I am proud to say that Terry Lau has been the best pediatric dentist my kids have ever had! I also have to mention that he's one of my greatest friends. I've known the guy since 5th grade!!! Anyhoo...I absolutely encourage EVERYONE to check out this kid-focused/family-friendly clinic! The kids will love all the fun gadgets around the place. Immediately, the kids will enjoy the train set nestled in the lobby area. Your child will forget about the ouwwees and booboos when they recline in each hi-tech hydraulic chair which has its own separate LCD monitor playing Disney flicks...most essential during the drilling and poking moments. Moms & Dads, you will be thankful for this little distraction factor!!! Furthermore, the clinic is decorated brilliantly with a mesh of pottery barn kids' furniture complimented with a Ralph Lauren flare! The colors are fun and soothing for the little patrons. This kid-friendly environment + Dr. Terry's magic touch = clean set of kid's teeth and a FUN experience for everyone. No longer are the days when you have to drag your kids to the dental office. I know... my kids look forward to seeing Dr. Terry every year! read more

My son has seen this pediatric dentist twice and on both occasions, I dreaded the visit, but was pleasantly surprised. Dr. Lau's patient rapport with children and his gentle touch make him perfect for this job. The scaled down dental equipment, train set in lobby, flat screen tvs on the ceilings and many other child-friendly decorative touches made a visit to his office pleasant. read more

I would highly recommend Dr. Lau to any family! My son had his first dentist appointment last week, and it couldn't have gone better. Dr. Lau spent an hour with us, and he and his staff were wonderful. State of the art office, friendly, relaxed environment that made my son feel right at home. He can't wait to go back in 6 months! read more

My two boys have never had a cavity. Perfect gums. They LOVE going to see Dr.Lau. So do I! read more

What an amazing pediatric dentist! My daughter has been seeing Dr. Lau for a couple of years now and (I can't believe I am actually going to say this but...) she asks me to make sure I have made the appointment every six months - she likes going! In what world does that happen! One thing to note is that he is not in network for any insurance plans - so you will have to pay the out of network costs. His office does complete the insurance billing for you, however. You just pay the difference between his fees and what your insurance plan pays. He is very thorough in his examination, answers questions seriously and completely, and takes a long term view of your child's dental health. I will not take my daughter anywhere else! read more

Dr. Lau and his staff are the best! My girls (ages 10 and 3) love going to the dentist. Could not recommend more!

My son had a great experience at Dr. lau's dentist visit. the enviornment was kids freindly and not make him nervous at all. He was very comfortable and so corporative so he had everything done without a fuss. After the first visit, he wants to go back to the Dr. Lau for more teeth cleaning. Now that we lost insurance and will not able to go for a while, but will definitely going back when we have insurance again. Highly recommended Dr. Lau. read more

Dr. Lau is Fantastic! My kids (8 and 10) actuall enjoy going to the dentist. He explains what he is going to do and he really listens and understands the kids. We have NEVER had to wait for our appointment. The kids get to select from a long list of CURRENT movies. They recently moved to 121 N. San Mateo Drive and the space is lovely. Overall a great experience. read more

I also completely disagree with Karen E's review. We first went to Dr. Lau after my 2 1/2 year old daughter took a big fall on the street on her face and banged up her mouth. Dr. Lau handled a freaked out child and freaked out mother amazingly well. He was able to do the necessary examinations and xrays in her mangled mouth and could not have been more thorough in showing us and describing to us what had happened, what to do about it and the potential long term ramifications. Our daughter is now 6 1/2 and has seen him 8 or so times, and our younger daughter has seen him 4 times. His practice is anything but a "factory." We never feel rushed, he pays a lot of attention to the details, and he is very thorough in his explanations. The last 2 times we've gone, we've discussed my yonger daughter's thumb sucking habit and he has shown the changes in her growing mouth from this and has given us multiple solutions to get her to stop (which is now has!!!). The office staff has been nothing but polite, including being very patient working with me when my husband's company changed dental insurance providers and I forgot to give them the updated info. They are highly responsive, but never intrusive. While he may be relatively young, he is very well educated and versed on children's dentistry. I've never walked away feeling I didn't get a satisfactory answer. He is proactive in addressing issues and questions, and I've never felt like I had to know the right questions to ask in order to get an answer. His office setup and his demeanor are absolutely perfect for children. Can't recomend him highly enough. In fact, I've sent many of my friends his way, and they all have thanked me profusely. read more

Long overdue review. My young daughters had some complicated cavities and Dr. Lau was AMAZING. He is truly incredible. He is patient, thorough as can be, and so professional. His staff is wonderful and the office runs beautifully. I can't recommend Dr. Lau more highly. read more

My 3 busy boys completely trust Dr. Lau and are very comfortable going to the dentist. Movies on the ceilings. Entertaining explanations of what he's going to do before he does it, including fun demonstrations to put them at ease. More impressive, when my 9 yo son's adult front teeth were broken in half by a baseball, Dr Lau met us at his office at 6PM and worked by himself for 90 minutes to glue the pieces back on. My son cried, bordering on hysterics, from the time it happened until he saw Dr. Lau; then he just calmed down and felt taken care of. When Dr Lau gives them a shot, they don't even know it's happening - he works so hard to make the kids feel comfortable. At the same time, he is extremely knowledgeable. He's an expert in new technologies and techniques so you know you're getting the best possible dental treatment and advice. Great with kids, great dentist. Some of the negative reviews astound me because they are totally opposite what I've experienced. We are so thankful to have him! read more