This dental office does not accept any insurance. Even with two complimentary insurance plans, I was reimbursed for only half of the procedures. According to my insurance provider, their prices are 30% higher than other dentists. The quality of their work is mediocre at best, with a noticeable lack of professionalism. The glowing Google reviews seem misleading, as my experience was far from what those reviews suggest. read more

I do not recommend this business. They charge privately for all services and bill your insurance for you to get reimbursed at a later date. This was not pleasant but I was willing to accept even though I have dual insurance coverage and would not have to pay any portion. The unpleasant part of being a patients is you plan and budget to pay for a services such as exam and cleaning and when I showed up for the appointment they added X-rays and others services as well. Not a problem just would have been good to know about the added expenses I would be charging on my credit card. The bigger concern...the doctor did not review my X-rays with me and advised that I have a crown that is decaying which she seen on my X-rays and needed attention. Also advised to remove my silver fillings and replace them. What she did not expect was my response that I DO NOT HAVE ANY CROWNS IN MY MOUTH. Then she said well they must be a partial. Huh?? Not even that. I had a clear small filling sealer which still was 98%+ of my tooth still in tact. Wow. My childhood dentist who retired last year informed me that any good dentist will show you your X-rays and identify the problem with you, if not don't trust them. I mentioned to her that I would like to think and consult with my childhood dentist and she gave me the most rough and poor cleaning experience ever. Parts were so painful from the scraping I had to stop her twice. Then upon exiting, she refused to complete the exam and discussion then stated perhaps I should go back to my retired dentist for further service. And that they would email my X-rays to me. It's sad that Dr Pokeras the founding dentist left such a reputable establishment in the hands of such an undesirable dentist. Obviously I will not be returning here. read more

I was recommended to this office by a practitioner that I trust and admire and was encouraged by the various stellar online reviews. My experience was roughly 10 minutes and I'm only mentioning the main issues that happened while at the office. I went to the office March 4th for an afternoon appointment. John the dental assistant was unwelcoming, rushed and unempathetic. He burned me with a metal mirror, used for taking photos of the upper mouth area, when he hurriedly inserted the into my mouth. When I reflexively pushed his hand away and told him the tool was hot, he didn't apologize or check if I was ok. He then reinserted the tool and applied pressure to me extremely sensitive locked jaw at which point I decided to end to appointment. It took roughly 6 days for my upper mouth, gums and tongue to no longer be tender and stop peeling. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Praj at Transcendentist for several years and have always received excellent care for an array of dental issues. Could not be more pleased. Highly recommend this office. read more

A really wonderful dentist. I drive all the way to Berkeley from Sacramento to see them. I have a rare medical condition that has specific implications for dental health. They've been accommodating and proactive -- doing research where necessary to make sure that I'm getting the best care possible. I've also never had an attempt to upsell cosmetic work here; no discussion of whitening or veneers, both of which I had every dentist mention every single visit the whole time I lived in Los Angeles. Do I have to bill back to insurance? Yes. Have I ever had a problem with that? No. Ultimately, billing back to insurance (as others have mentioned in their reviews) is a very small tradeoff for me when compared with having a dental team that I trust. read more

I had my first appointment for a cleaning with Transcendentist today. I had asked my former dentist in Los Angeles to send over my records and recent X-rays from just 6 months ago, but due to the catastrophic fires of Jan 2025, and the fact that the LA dentist's office are in a FIRE EVACUATION zone, they could not do so in time for my Transcendentist appointment. I explained this when I checked in. I was told the dentist would see me. I sat in the dentist chair for 30 minutes and received a tooth scan. Then the receptionist came in and said the office could not perform a cleaning without X-rays. She said that while the office is sympathetic to the situation in Los Angeles, it is against their policy to perform a cleaning without seeing X-rays. I find this reasoning ridiculous - why can't you do a cleaning without X-rays? It's just about $$$$$$! I can't work with anyone in the healthcare industry who doesn't have real sympathy or compassion for the kind of disaster unfolding in Los Angeles where thousands of people have lost everything and 100,000 are evacuated. How cruel, how heartless, and just plain unethical. It's greed over healthcare. I won't return. read more

Great service, very personable and lots of details to make the environment relaxing. Love the warm blankets and colored protection glasses. The evaluation tools are impressive. Highly recommend this practice if you're looking for a dentist and personal treatment. It's also in a cute location. read more

(NOTE: Please read my original review below this first) I came back on here to update my review after my last visit and ended up reading some of the other reviews. There are a couple below that strike me as totally off base so I felt the need to comment on them. I must admit I feel a little protective because of how Dr Fred & staff helped me get my life back together, both physically and mentally, after my mugging... The review from "Apico A." simply comes off like an internet troll. (or competition?) First, it seems she misread the "Danielle S." review. "Danielle S." said the OTHER dentist she went to quoted her $200 per filling, NOT Dr Fred... It's also apparent "Apico A." knows nothing about Dr Fred. If she knew his history she'd know he lived in India for 10 YEARS!!! She makes it seem like the decor is some kind of trite new age nod or something... He's actually a super spiritual dude and the decor is a reflection of that! I will add this. I'd been to 3 dentists in the bay are before finding Transcendentist. I tried doing the "dirt cheap" route thinking "eh, a dentist is a dentist." I couldn't have been more wrong. My first experience was going to the USF dental school. BIG MISTAKE. They were horrrrible. The two fillings I got both fell out months after my visit. Then I went to a "low income" dentist on Market street to get those repaired and it was a very cold and unpleasant experience. I finally decided to find a "real" dentist and went to someone (whom I won't name) and was told my mercury amalgams were "safe," dealt with a callous staff, and felt pain during the one procedure I had done... (note: Anyone who has studied the toxicity of mercury amalgams knows they are suuuper dangerous) Finding Dr Fred was like night and day. I've finally found a trustworthy doctor to work with from here on out. As for costs..... .. Like someone else's review says, you get what you pay for. I now know how important it is to have quality work done. Like I've stated before, his office is state of the art. His staff are total sweethearts. And Dr Fred is extremely skilled at what he does. Our teeth are such an integral part of our overall health and confidence. Never again will I get shoddy work done with a subpar dentist. Lastly, in contrast to that Apico person's statement of Dr Fred trying to gouge his customers, I couldn't disagree more. I just had an emergency situation with pain from an exposed nerve due to a receding gum . Dr Fred stayed late last night (even though he was exhausted from being sick earlier in the week) to do digital imaging and put a protective coating over the area. It feels great now! And the best part; because I've been going there for years, he did it for FREE... "Deep capital ransacking???" Not so much! read more

Transcendentist - The before and after photos of my mugging. An example of the wizardry of Dr Fred who miraculously put Humpty back together again.... - Cosmetic Dentists Near Me - Berkeley, California

The Dentist and team which includes John and a young lady are fantastic and the dental care is fantastic but the administration is very greedy. They are about 20% more expensive than the other green dentist in the Bay area. The thing that disturbs me the most is their lack of financial flexibility and compassion for those of us who do not have dental insurance or are on disability. Regrettably I am seeking out a more reasonable green dentist. read more

Best dental office EVER. Besides the bio dentist in Greenbrae. I went in to Transcendentist this morning and got a lot of much needed work done. They made me so comfortable and took their time and explained everything Great office super nice caring staff. read more

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I arrived to Transcedentist almost phobic of the dentist and was totally transformed over the course of several visits to this practice. Immediately, you feel at ease by the calm, peaceful setting and the warm, welcoming staff. When you are seated in the chair, you're offered a blanket and socks. During procedures, you are given a neck pillow and repeatedly offered lip balm. The staff also utilizes several techniques to avoid injuring and/or straining jaw muscles, mindful of every detail to create a comfortable experience. This practice leverages the latest technology to optimize both precision in their work and comfort for the patient. It is also truly focused on holistic patient care with a personal touch. I was impressed by the thorough and absolutely painless dental cleaning on my first visit. They also used a high tech imaging tool, along with xrays, to scan my entire mouth, which gave stunning 360 degree insight into what was happening with my teeth, providing detailed images of the cavities that had developed. The process was extremely transparent, they talked me through every detail with the imagery to support their findings and recommendations for treatment, and it was obvious exactly what needed to be done to get my mouth back into shape after some pandemic lapses. As I mentioned, I was terrified of dental procedures due to past traumatic experiences. Dr. Praj worked with me to conduct the treatments I needed in stages to help me re-acclimate to the process, reduce procedure time, and make it more manageable for me. During my first visit to fill two of my four cavities, I arrived with a flare-up of chronic TMJ. Dr. Praj decided to change the treatment plan to complete the work without exacerbating the injury and utilized devices to ease the pain on my jaw. She even massaged the area after treatment, and went above and beyond by recommending an incredible specialist who helped me completely cure my lifelong TMJ! Absolute miracle. She also gave me homeopathic anxiety support that soothed me during the procedure. The entire staff is incredibly supportive, patient, and understanding and the way the work as a team instills both calm and confidence in the overall practice. They answered every question and took the time to understand what my concerns were so they could respond to them directly. For example, some of my fears were that I would get too numb and feel out of control (whereas most people are concerned about feeling pain!). Dr Praj explained how numbing works, how it's different for upper and lower jaw, and told me exactly what I would feel, for how long, and how to reduce the numbing sensation after the procedure was over. I cried in the chair prior to my first procedure, and they responded with empathy and compassion to help me work through my fears and feel supported in accessing my courage to take care of my health. Ultimately I have felt zero pain throughout all of my procedures, I never felt overly numb, and I was checked in on regularly to ensure comfort. Dr. Praj also checked in on me in the evening and offered suggestions if I was feeling any pain or discomfort. Over the course of my extended treatment plan, my dental phobias completely melted away. Dr. Praj is exquisitely meticulous and precise with literally every detail of her work. She brings a level of artistry and attention to her practice that is astounding. I ended up building a lovely relationship with Dr. Praj that is exactly the way I want to feel through any medical intervention if possible. I've never encountered a more incredible practice on every level. I'm moving out of the Bay Area, but would honestly come back just for dental visits. I see in other reviews that there were concerns about pricing and excess charges. I never experienced or witnessed anything like that and can't imagine that being possible here. I was able to thoroughly review pricing, including for the expensive Invisalign treatment I'm currently undergoing, and get clear answers on how much my insurance would cover the work. Honestly, I was so grateful they take care of billing insurance, which is how most practices operate. I would not want to handle that headache! They did it seamlessly, and even when there were delays with getting my insurance reimbursements, the staff was more than generous in checking/following up, and making sure I felt totally comfortable. So grateful to this practice for not only healing my entire mouth, realigning my jaw, supporting cosmetic improvements to help me feel more confident in my smile, but providing such a nourishing, holistic experience that I actually feel like a stronger, healthier person overall. read more

I have needed every kind of help with my teeth over the years- grafts, crowns, implants, root canals... from surgeries to aesthetic fixes. I have seen so many professionals. But I've never felt so taken care of as I do in the totally capable and gentle hands of Dr. Praj. I feel uniquely positioned to recommend a dentist and I recommend her with literally not a single reservation.. Not only is the work beautiful and nearly pain-free (which is like magic) the whole experience feels less like a business transaction than a service aimed at a patient's well being. Such a rare feeling. Wonderful doctor, wonderful office. read more

Don't believe the hype. I followed a review on tribe.net that lead me to find this dentist in the year 2006, from what I believed to be written by a member of my on-line networking community turned out to be written by one of their two Receptionists. I came in and signed on for the "new client/patient package", I was prompted to take out a "dental loan" from Capital One. I was approved instantly, and was excited to begin on my dental work package. At the check out after my x-rays and exam, I was told my loan was not enough to cover the costs for my visit- and would have to call Capital One again and raise the amount of the loan for more money. The website stated the "new patient package" price, and I was charged for "emergency" extras that were not discussed at the consultation estimate. I even took out a second loan the SAME DAY thinking that it would be enough to cover my dental work for my NEXT appointment - it wasn't. I was charged about $600 for a sealant and Dr. Pockrass didn't even remove the fillings I complained about needing to have re-worked - he instead drilled other teeth as an "Occusional Adjustment". ($300 to file a tooth down?) well guess what - he later referred me to another dentist that 'specialized in adjusting bites'...Stating he did not know how to adjust a person's bite. I was told this after being billed $800...for what a foot massage? I paid off as much of this loan to Capital One over time as i could, and decided I was not happy with my treatment at this office. I felt it was time to demand the remaining bill balance due be dropped. With much resistance from Dr. Pockrass' bad cop Receptionist ( the one that is only nice to you until you question why your costs are so expensive for not receiving any dental solutions) As I waited in the waiting room for my appointment I watched the patients ahead of me in shock when their visit billed them "$500", they're jaw would drop - as the Receptionist played coy with a "Now Pay Up" look. What had happened to the "we'll bring you tea and slippers" act from earlier? What kind of "Holistic Dentist" doesn't know how to take out old amalgam fillings and replace them with resins? That is what "holistic" dentists do. So why did after all that money billed- did I get referred to another dentist to re-do an amalgam filling? Simply because I could tell the office staff didn't like my questions or concerns. By the way the "Occusional bite adjustment" work Dr. Pockrass did on my teeth has caused further TMJ = I have reported this dentist's payment plan practices to Capital One's Medical Loan department. Capital One Dental Loan's customer service supported me in getting my remaining balance dropped! Capital One also stated that if any more patients report that they have been wrongly charged or pressured into filling out a loan without a full dental estimate first - they will discontinue allowing the Transcendentalist office of their loan services. as for all this office's "community work" offered by "donating 500 toothbrushes to the children of South America" ? With the money I paid this dentist in one visit - I could buy 1000's of bulk toothbrushes with the costs. Get real. A coat of dental sealant varnish does not cost $300. I also wrote a negative review on tribe.net letting my community know how i felt totally scammed from this dental experience - and was told to erase my review in order to get my bill balance dropped... Think that over!!! read more

Highly professional staff! One of the hygienists named Victor is probably one of the greatest and professional members I've had the pleasure of interacting with!! read more

This place was a disaster for me. I chipped my tooth one day and went in for a filling. The filling lasted one night before it chipped again while I was sleeping. They say it's because I grind my teeth at night which is true but I've gotten this same filling 3 other times at Western Dental and Total Health Dental and never once did it re chip while I was sleeping. I went in to Total Health and asked what are there procedures for filling and they gave me a whole breakdown of how they get a mold of my bite then send that to a specialist who designs the filling and sends it back and then they fit it on. It's a long process like a week or two. At this place it took them like 45 min and they were done. At the time I didn't think nothing of it bc I was just thankful to have teeth. After one night it completely chipped off again I went back got it filled again and yet again it chipped again. At least this time it last a week or so but I could see it slowly chipping away the whole time. Either they are using cheap materials or they did the procedure all wrong. Now I wear this big mouth guard every time I sleep and am saving some money to get vaneers at a real Dentist. I'm a college student with not a lot of money to my name so was really depending on them to do a good job. I was extremely disappointed bc I had high hopes for this place. The lady at the front desk was very friendly and loved telling me about how "green" there place is. I don't want to hear about how "green" your place is if that means you use cheap materials. If you want a massage or teeth cleaning by all means go here it looks like they get good reviews for that but if you need some serious work done I suggest going to a more professional dentist like Total Health Dent Update: I just got a call from them trying to sell me a mouth guard. Yeah no shit I need a mouth guard bc there shitty fillings can't even last a night in my mouth. Once again don't go here!! read more

Transcendentist - I used to have perfect teeth - Cosmetic Dentists Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Another reviewer (Palmira A.) below had a similar experience as I did. I had a couple of really great cleanings with this office, loved the atmosphere, and had been looking forward to seeing them for the long haul. However, after my second or third cleaning things took a turn for the weird. During my latest cleaning, after the last cleaning being completely great, I was told that I had 6 cavities (I've only had 1 cavity in my entire life, eat well, and brush well -- I could do better flossing...but couldn't we all :) ). When I asked Dr. Pockrass about if they were full on cavities or if this was a preventative suggestion I got a non-clear answer but was told that I would "eventually need to do something about them" implying that the $3K in cavities they were assuming would need to be done. My spidey sense went off and I saw another dentist to get a second opinion. When I got the second opinion I was told that I had 2 minor cavities and that they would only be about $200 each to fill...the difference was staggering. I've since switched dentists to Dr. Burg on Broadway and have been very happy. Like the other reviewer said, the cleaning was great (and I think even the hygienist was confused by the doctor's recommendation), but I honestly wouldn't go back because I don't think they have their customers in mind especially when the explanation for something so expensive and unexpected was paltry. read more

I'm ultimately a bit confused about how I felt after my first visit here. The office has great technology and the approach is very zen (swirly colors on the walls, complimentary foot massage), which was a very pleasant atmosphere. Their dental hygienist was phenomenal and had a great touch. I'd definitely go back for that service. So at this point you're probably like "why the three stars then?" Well, while I was there they somehow convinced me that I needed to get EIGHT fillings (I'm 23, I take good care of my teeth and I don't actually have any cavities) to preempt cavities where my enamel was weaker. Before I realized that I had a say in what was going on, I'd been booked a follow up appointment that was going to cost me thousands of dollars. So ultimately while their atmosphere was nice, when I thought about it it really felt like I'd just been pressured into spending a lot of money. I did not feel respected as a customer and a human being. And considering how expensive this place is, they really shouldn't have an "out-for-your-money attitude. Like I said though, I would go back for the dental hygienist. She was great. EDIT: 6/3/2018, changing review to 5 stars. The establishment has been taken over by head dentists - two WONDERFUL and capable women who really care about providing good service and take time to explain to you what the situation is and what your options are. Really feels like they care about providing trustworthy, quality service. The rest of the staff is still there and as pleasant and personal as always. This place is perfect now - highly recommend!! read more

I fell like I can finally refer to a dentist as "my dentist". Transcendentist is comfortable and provides excellent service. I have always been met with patience and professionalism, no matter how many questions I have about a procedure. Dr. Fred corrected some filings that were improperly done years ago, which had been causing me a lot of pain. I was unable to figure out what the sore jaw was from until he pointed out that my bite was off. Transcendentist uses state of the art equipment and everyone goes out of his/her way to make the client feel relaxed and taken care of. The fuzzy slippers, foot massage and nature programs you can watch while getting your teeth worked on make it a really nice experience. I am grateful for the care and attention to detail that Dr. Fred and the whole staff is clearly committed to. read more

This is the best dentist I have ever been to. Everyone from the front desk to hygienist to the doctor herself were excellent, kind, gentle, and explained everything. They gave me pillows and warm blankets for my comfort. I came here to get my mercury fillings replaced because they practice the safe mercury removal technique. This is a very professional and knowledgeable group. I highly recommend them and their gentle touch, read more

So I have been looking for a dentist to give me an opinion re my need for veneers for my front teeth which had unfortunately chipped significantly. Given the magnitude of expense involved and some bad luck I've had in past years w dental procedures I decided to get the opinion of a few dentists this time. To my dismay one opinion seemed to contradict the next so I knew that I needed at least one more dr to evaluate my case. When I called to ask the fee for consultation of transcendentist I was pleasantly surprised to hear that there was no fee involved in initial visit. And when I asked on the phone for an estimate of what veneers for front teeth cost the gal at the front desk would not give it to me. She said I needed to come in for the exam and the dr would evaluate and give me that answer. I was taken aback at first because all the other dental offices I called were up front and told me the fee for service or at least the range of what it could be. The woman I spoke to seemed very kind and reassuring that the answer to my question would come after the evaluation. I was still hesitant and told her so cause I worried that I might like the dr and not be able to afford her fee as a single mom of a cancer survivor so why put myself through that. But she sounded so kind and convincing that I went. Parking was tough to find as it is street parking only but I was determined and found it after 15 minutes of searching. The office is very unique and indeed more of a spa atmosphere as the name indicates. I filled out their super lengthy intake form at home which took me about a half hour tbh loaded with questions I've never heard of before st a dental office. So when I got to the office finally I just had to wait my turn. I was shown to the office which was quite pleasant and did not wait long at all for the very pleasant dentist to arrive. She listened as I shared my dental story and asked a couple of questions. She then did a quick examination of my mouth and proceeded to share her thoughts. She thought I should have a binding procedure instead and gave reasons why. When I asked her what was her fee for veneers and or bonding she would not answer but told me that front office staff would provide this. I was getting suspicious. What she did say was that I could become their client and have a real and detail examination that takes an hour and then have a cleaning to the tune of $300. They don't work with insurance. I said I prefer my cleaning at firmer dentist who accept my insurance plan. When I asked why I needed yet another exam before telling me what the fees for service would be she said that this is their protocol. I was baffled and getting madder by the second but kept it to myself feeling that I had been lured into a trap. So I thanked her and went to does to the receptionist to ask her how much it would cost me to do bonding and or veneers on my front teeth. She proceeded to tell me that they could not tell me until I come in and pay $300 for the real exam plus cleaning. And when I asked why she tells me that they don't know how many surfaces are involved etc. I was mortified but I proceeded to try and get her to answer me cause I just wanted two hours of my work day on the deception. I asked if she could tell me the price of one surface so I could have a "ball park " idea as I had asked for on the phone when I asked for appt. long story short she would not tell me. This way you come pay $300 for an evaluation I thought I just had with X-rays of my own that I brought in which she didn't study for very long but enough to tell me that I needed yet another exam before they would share their fee for service. Oh my god. I feel duped and conned to say the least. And I made it clear that I had been through a lot w my dental health and price and quality of service was a big concern for me. Bottom line if money is no object for you then this might be a good place for you to consider as it seems to be pleasant and clean. The way that I was lured in was by being told that the dentist is "an artist" and that she could help me despite having chipped teeth etc. well she is indeed an artist but did not help me one bit. I was left frustrated and angry that I wasted the last half of my work day. I felt like an idiot for believing what I had been told on the phone and knew that I would have to spend some more time searching for another honest dental opinion. Live and learn right? I hope this is of help to someone out there who is in need of an honest opinion from the right dentist. read more

I am extremely picky with my choices for dental and medical care and I have never been happier with a dentist. Not only Dr. Fred, but everyone in the office is super-friendly and professional. As a performer and yoga teacher I don't have dental insurance or a lot of money and I always feel well respected and taken care of. I don't feel like they try to sell me treatments I don't need and I feel like Dr. Fred does an excellent job of prioritizing treatments to fit my budget while taking care of my health. Finally, the atmosphere at the office is tranquil and beautiful. I hate synthetic clinical environments and the beautiful art, orchids, and super-friendly staff always puts me completely at ease. read more

I was really shocked to Read Robyn's review above, as it was SO far from my experience. I find the people, including Ina to be extraordinarily helpful and kind. I guess everyone has a bad day now and again. But seriously, this is an office full of people who are passionate about giving clients a warm, nurturing experience. Furthermore, Dr. Fred is extremely skilled as a dentist. He has the "touch". My new filling fit like a glove (I have deep bite grooves, and normally need to return for an adjustment after a filling has been completed) with no adjustment necessary. Even the injection didn't hurt at all. Furthermore, the staff did lots of small extras to make my treatment more comfortable. When they found that my jaw gets sore during procedures, they provided a bite pillow so I could relax. The foot massage was wonderful as well. I left my appointment happy and content, and would recommend this to anyone who wants a different kind of dental experience. read more

I originally posted this review in 2007 and am updating it 2 years later in 2009, Just confirming that now that I've been going to Transcendentist for about 4 years I can still stand by my review. Not sure why someone is claiming that only new patients compliment them... but wanted to dispel that nonsense. **** There is nothing not to like about this dentist's office. The whole office is so peaceful and well-decorated with eco-friendly furnishings. There is tea for you when you arrive. Dr. Fred is a caring, knowledgable and highly skilled dentist who answered my incessant questions and really seemed to be interested in my dental history. My teeth cleanings have been painless and quick. They use some kind of sonic teethcleaning thingie which doesn't hurt at all. And digital xrays instead of the radiation kind so you can really see the pictures of your mouth in a clear way, as opposed to looking at those old fashioned skeletony xray shots that you can barely see. I've had cavities filled, sealants put on (that didn't fall off) and many cleanings. The foot massage is just icing on the cake. read more

I am VERY serious about my doctors. I once flew from San Francisco to Anchorage just for superior back treatment. Dr. Fred is the only dentist I have ever been fully satisfied with my entire life. I know medical science and he is unbelievably detailed and thorough. He is one of the most cutting edge in his field. Generally I'm a pretty cheap person and so initially I was a bit worried about the price tag. But I promise you, this dental work is worth every penny. You will save at least as much as his fees by getting your work done right. I'm sending my girlfriend to him to re-do a filling that another dentist messed up on. She's even cheaper than I am (a coupon addict) but she's seen the transformation in my mouth and wants the same. Dr. Fred has an arsenal of high tech integrated instruments that make digital maps of your teeth complete with magnified high res images of every surface. Every time you visit him YOU CAN SEE exactly the improvements he has made on your mouth. For me they were astounding. In four appointments he eliminated all bleeding from my gums and replaced dangerous mercury fillings with composite ones (a very difficult procedure that should only be trust to the most experienced professionals). He did all of this without threatening my health with all-to-common industry chemicals. I feel confident that my smile is the best it has ever been and will remain that way as long as Dr. Fred is around. read more

It feels so good to be able to truly say that I love my dentist! The moment I enter the office, I feel at home. How many doctors' offices can you say that about? Dr. Fred and his wife, Ina, together with all of the staff at Transcendentist are both warm and professional, genuinely kind and nurturing as well as highly attentive to the smallest detail about my dental health. As a matter of fact, I have learned a lot about my overall health and how to care for myself through things I have learned from them. For instance, I was not aware of the extreme importance of gum health nor its direct correlation to overall health. It was because of understanding and encouraging conversations with Dr. Fred that I finally became a full-time flosser! In terms of cost, I am well aware that I am getting a total and complete service, above and beyond a regular dentist visit, actually, for the amount I pay. The wellness of my teeth and mouth is not something I want to compromise. It is something that pays off overtime, especially in later years of life, so investing in my well being now is essential to avoiding more problems later. I feel so safe, held, at ease, and blessed to have the Transcendentist team in my life. I recommend them to all my friends and loved ones. And that is what I do to you, too! read more

I rarely write reviews, but I must not neglect this one. I'm not even sure where to begin. My experience with Dr. Fred and the staff of this "trancendentist," go far beyond expectation. Foot massage during restorations and cleaning? Yes! Booties to keep my feet warm? Mandala images on the television screen..."color therapy" glasses to protect my eyes...100% natural mouth wash and homeopathic arnica after the procedure...alright. I won't list everything, but I must say-this place is as close to the perfection (for my standards) as it gets. Everything about this office feels warm and welcoming. I am never given clear-if any at all; instructions following dental restorations. Not this time! Clear instructions. Offered advil-advised to take it immediately to avoid pain once the numbness subsided. I'm certain that this is a first. Dr. Fred even mentioned that I should not go, "chomping down on an almond." How did he know I planned to eat almonds? No really, this was very useful information-as I realized that anything with the density of an almond or greater would be painful to chew. I wouldn't have considered this quite honestly. Once again, I won't list everything. I will mention that I felt supported and spoken to with clarity and care. Dr. Fred called me a few hours after I'd left and checked on me. This! This was very important, as I always have a million questions every time I arrive and of course-leave a dental visit. I must mention, the prices are high, I believe, however-I didn't feel like "just another mouth." Also, one important piece to add-following this comment-the technology is amazing. I haven't ever felt so informed about what's going on in there! To view it as well! They had a camera inside my mouth that I could view on the screen before me-I truly have not had the opportunity to see the inside of my mouth in such a way. Wow! I felt that there was authentic gratitude expressed towards my decision to choose Trancendentist for my dental needs. A gentle handshake was offered multiple times, with a warm smile and words of gratitude. The job seems to be done well (it only took place a few hours ago) and Dr. Fred and his staff are most certainly competent and efficient-and quite possibly the very best I've encountered (I've had 10 or more dentists)! Needless to say-I highly recommend. read more

After re exam yesterday DR Gary admitted the teeth are wrong, changing color from MOISTURE Here is his quote: At your convenience we can retreat #'s 8 and #'s 9: My quote is $500.00 for each I don't plan on contacting your previously treating dentist. You are free to contact them and let them know what is happening. I am not interested in legal battle or having you make it rite I can not engage in the negativity But you ruined my teeth and now it will take me $1000 dollars and more time, to fix your mess Thank god I got aware of your skills before I let you do more work on me Pockrass would be horrified. I spent thousands and thousands of dollars with him, his work was all but one perfect, and he made that rite, admitted it was not great BLESS YOU I hope you learn how to do your job in the future or sell the business Because you defaced me And caused me a great deal of anguish time discomfort and horror. read more

Always an amazing dental experience. Dr. Fred and the staff at Transcentdentist Dentist operate a truly first-class dental spa. I've been a patient for about 3 years now and I can honestly say my smile (and overall oral health) has benefited from Dr. Fred's extraordinary talent, professionalism and courtesy. I 100% trust his judgement and outlined treatment plan. His staff is truly outstanding - individually and collectively. I could not recommend this dentist more highly! read more

If you are looking to experience the best dental work of your life, you should go to Dr. Fred. They are super friendly and professional. I was always scared of going to the dentist, even for regular check ups. Ever since I have been visiting Dr Fred, I look forward to my next visit. No joke, I go there to relax. They have made the environment so relaxing and calming that you won't want to leave. Dr Fred himself is so amazing as doctor and person. He is down to earth and cares for your overall health, exactly how a good doctor should be. Beside my amazing experience with them, I am very satisfied with my dental work. I am a student and obviously broke, but my experience with them was worth every penny. You will not regret your choice of going to him for your dental work. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Fred for about 6 years and I am very happy with the service which he has provided. Preventative dentistry is very important to me and this is his specialty. I trust that he and his team are helping me to maintain my oral health to the highest standard. I feel safe knowing that he uses microscopic equipment to examine my teeth so that we can address cavities before they grow to be a pain. I appreciate how he takes the time to listen to me and communicate what he sees. I also appreciate how he has done a good job at building and maintaining the team of people who I interact with when I visit the office. I just had 6 cavities filled by Dr. Fred last week and I really liked that since we caught the cavity development early enough, he was able to perform the procedure without drilling using a technique called air abrasion. Check it out: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/air-abrasion . It feels nice to be taken care of nicely. Much appreciation to Dr. Fred and his team. read more

I needed a dentist in the East Bay but had trouble choosing among the many dentists with favorable reviews. I believe strongly in sustainability believing it is not only reflected in actions(material selection, conservation, etc.) but consciousness so I decided on Transcendentist. I almost cancelled after reading negative reviews about extra dental work but decided to see for myself. The initial appointment was two hours and included a thorough exam, detailed pictures, an explanation of the status of my mouth, a treatment plan and a good cleaning including gum measurements. I had never actually viewed my teeth on a screen before this appointment. When it came time to pay I was presented with a folder explaining the relationship between our oral health and our overall health and a treatment recommendation including a first step involving the replacement of two fillings. I think it is at this point that the negative reviews come into play and I think I understand why. The Doctor did a great job of showing me what was happening in my mouth but did not describe a treatment plan. Instead that was given to me at the end by the receptionist who really could not answer the questions I had. One suggestion would be for the Doctor to explain the proposed plan, prioritize the work to be done and explain why some issues are more urgent than others. I don't have insurance and so appreciate knowing what work must be done but also that some issues can wait longer than others. EG. I learned that the closer a cavity is to the root the sooner the work should be done. I actually could see this. There was no pressure to schedule the appointment on the spot in fact I only scheduled my cleaning and have yet to schedule the filling appointment. The receptionist and the rest of the staff were very polite and eager to help. Yes I would return. read more

Best Dental experience ever. Staff is caring and efficient. Practice has the latest equipment and a holistic mindset that I greatly appreciate. Dr. Fred is an artist. For 17 years as a pharmacist I have been advising people to get to the dentist ASAP when there is any pain-- often as I sell them oral anesthetics or dentemp temporary filling kits. All day I recommend floss or toothpaste or mouthwash or the myriad of tools available for good oral hygiene. At the same time I see prescriber errors all day and have a strong aversion to medical professionals. And I had some egregious dental experiences 15 years prior. So... I do an OK job with the usual dental products and my front teeth look great so I was surprised when my back molars were sensitive to temperature. Then they became sensitive to pressure. With a trip planned to a rural area abroad I thought I should heed my own advice and have my mouth checked out. Dr Fred used the latest imaging to show me what was really going on with my teeth. I was horrified-- as if I was looking at a worst case scenario dental textbook-- and thought he would have to pull all my teeth out. I had cavities at the gum line and teeth clenching in my sleep had destroyed all my expensive fillings from years ago. Without judgement Dr. Fred created a treatment plan that worked for me and financed fixing up my mouth and all before my upcoming trip. It is difficult to describe the sense relief and gratitude I feel adequately. I love my fixed up choppers. Food no longer gets trapped in places it used to. No more pain or sensitivity. And the foot massages and careful anesthetics-- much appreciated. The dental care was great, my trip was great and I am now a regular for cleaning. I cannot imagine going anywhere else for the best conscious and leading edge dental care. Thank you Dr. Fred and staff! read more

If you want to be parted from a lot of your money while getting a holier-than-thou attitude, this is the dental office for you. Dr. Fred is capable of finding a lot of unnecessary work that you need done on your mouth, but he's not capable of ever admitting he made a mistake. I came in to get a broken filling replaced, and he immediately tried to sell me on getting about $15,000.00 of dental work. I told him that I was only interested in what I came in to have done, and he seemed offended. Then it turned out that the filling he actually did wasn't done properly, and I had to have it re-done by another dentist after a couple of months, because Dr. Fred wanted to charge me again for fixing his own work. He also has the most annoying dental assistant you could imagine, who agrees with everything he says about your teeth, like some kind of yes-man TV talk-show sidekick. Example: Dr. Fred: "It looks like you need a deep cleaning." Assistant: "A deep cleaning. That's important!" Dr. Fred: "And here's another problem area" Assistant: "Right, look at that!" Dr. Fred: "See that discoloration?" Assistant: "Oooh, discoloration!!!" etc. etc. Seriously, stay away from this place. read more

Maybe other people are deceived by the bells and whistles, but I was not impressed. Is the office very zen? I guess! But I'm not going to the dentist for a yoga class. I want a dentist who will do good dental work. My experience was less than pleasant. I spent so much of my childhood getting dental work so I'll preface this by saying that I am certainly no fan of dentists. I went to this dentist for amalgam removal because he is one of the few in this area who are trained to do it properly. My first appointment was an exam and it was ok but the dentist pushed me so hard to schedule a cleaning (later that same day!!) and appointments to get my other teeth filled (all 8 of them!) that I almost didn't go back. It was really obnoxious and I finally had to remind him that can't just take all this time off work and pay thousands of dollars up front, especially for services I never agreed that I wanted to have done there! The second appointment was my first amalgam removal. It went ok and wasn't painful and I was done in about an hour which was great. But my third and final appointment was awful and traumatic and completely changed my opinion of this dentist. I think he felt rushed, as my appointment started 30 minutes late (which he didn't say one word about). He didn't give me enough numbing gel so I felt the drill which is not a good feeling at all. Then he tried to numb me more but it happened again! It was so beyond painful. He blamed my tooth for the problem, which was irritating since HE is the dentist and should be able to take responsibility for something like that. Even if it's not your fault, you can apologize when a patient is upset. He did not. He repeatedly expressed his contempt for the way my previous dentists had done on my fillings. He didn't seem that concerned about my comfort level or the fact that he just drilled into my un-numb jaw. He had me laying at a weird angle which was killing my neck (for 2 hours). And I almost choked on the gel running into the back of my throat because my head was so far back and it was going up my nose (I had an oxygen mask on so I was supposed to be breathing through instead of my mouth). In my opinion, this dentist is more concerned with making money (and scheduling your follow up appointments IMMEDIATELY so he can make even more money) than being a really good dentist. Your required oxygen mask will cost you $125 per hour. He even charged me $10 for a small tube of Sensodyne which I never actually said I wanted. Sure, he is polite and acts like he cares and talked a big game about how he wanted to give me a positive experience which would change my opinion of dentists (epic fail, doc). And the plants and plastic Buddhas are very Berkeley. I opted out of the foot massages because I didn't want to be charged for those too so I can't comment on that. But none of what he does seems at all genuine to me and it seems he uses the kitschy zen stuff to mask the fact that he's not that good of a dentist. Also, his new receptionist is really, really disorganized and rearranged/rescheduled/canceled my appointments multiple times. The pay up front policy is also total b.s. considering the high cost of the services. I realize many dentists do this because insurance companies are a nightmare, but in general I think it deters patients because it puts the burden directly on them. If you are going to have this type of policy, at least lower your fees to a reasonable amount or offer payment plans. They also don't explain the fees, or the process for submitting claims to insurance...or anything. They spend the checkout process trying to push you to schedule new appointments and as soon as they run your credit card, they push you out the door. He certainly made a pretty penny off me but I will NOT be back. UPDATE: I went to a new dentist 6 months later who told me I only had 3 cavities, not 8. He also patched one of the fillings that Dr. Fred gave me..for free. He didn't try to upsell me or pressure me to come back right away. I am so glad I finally found a good, trustworthy dentist who has integrity and doesn't make a business out of ripping people off! read more

Lots of cultural appropriation, lots of $$, lots of unnecessary services, and lack of transparent billing process.

I love the location of this office and the whole idea of a holistic dentist, but I felt like Dr. Pockrass tried really hard to push things on me that I didn't need (sealants on my teeth, non-impacted wisdom tooth removal, etc.). I felt like they use the whole foot massage thing to lure you in there so that they can give you the big sales pitch; it was more like an experience at a used car dealer than a dentist. Since then, I've been to 2 other dentists who say I don't need any of the things Dr. Pockrass tried to sell to me. He's worth a visit if you are just wary of the sales tactics; I do love that it's an eco-friendly practice and a beautiful office. read more

Beware! I agree with all the reviews about this dentist being out for money. He does unnecessary and inappropriate work. He did a ROOT CANAL on a healthy tooth of mine. Now that same tooth causes chronic pain. AVOID THIS DENTIST! read more

Just wanted to add that I finally found a great endodontist, Joseph Schulz in Oakland, who was willing to treat my tooth rather than pull it. PS the tooth is doing great! read more

There is truth to both sides of these comments. The office is great, warm, comfortable, and it is truly the most comprehensive examine you can get. The imaging and detail of the examine is very high quality and there is no debating that they find EVERY imperfection with your oral health. However, the practice is designed to persuade it's clients into fixing EVERY imperfection they do find, so yes, it does have a strong "selling" element to it that is a legitimate complaint. So, here is what you do. Go in for the initial examine and get a great overview of your current oral health. Then, grow a backbone and tell the doctor which of the procedures you want to move forward with, and which you feel are unnecessary. Or, go to another dentist to have the work done. Overall it is by far the best Dental experience I have had to date, but I can't disagree with the feeling that I am being sold more then I need. read more

Dr. Pochrass is a great dentist and is always attentive and courteous. I feel that he cares for his patients and provides great service. I cannot give more stars because I always feel like I'm getting a hard sell, the prices are astronomical and, most importantly, the turnover at the business is truly troubling. Before I moved to this area, I saw the same dentist AND hygienist for over ten years. My hygienist knew me, knew my history, and we both knew what to expect. When I walk into Dr. Fred's office, I don't know who will be at the desk, if my hygienist is still there (I'd say no one stays for more than 6mos to a year). It's an awkward atmosphere. I'd like to know why no one stays. And, if you're looking for timely reimbursement, go elsewhere. Their bookkeepers are barely competent. Anyone know why they can't keep staff? read more