I went here for a cleaning/exam after my previous dentist retired. The hygienist was very friendly and I had a nice cleaning, but my experience with the doctor was off putting. He didn't introduce himself when he came into the room and started looking in my mouth-- very strange and it felt awkward. He then let me know that I had 5 cavities that needed to be filled. He diagnosed these via my x-rays and didn't use tools to check each tooth before confirming the need for fillings. Something just felt off with the whole experience, so I went to another dentist who let me know I did not have any cavities.. from reading the owners response to reviews by other folks, they seem to have a more aggressive preventive care strategy/approach. Which is fine I suppose but just not for me. read more

Something about this place made me uneasy. My dental cleaning felt a little more like a business transaction than a doctor's visit, and I left feeling pretty unsure if I should trust Dr. Yang about having cavities. Pros: - the front staff were very nice, professional, and helpful - the location is convenient - the physical office is nice - my hygienist was great - the dentist took a lot of time to sit with me and answer questions Cons: - the front desk handed me a printout of estimated costs for filling a cavity... I know that seems weird to complain about but the only other place I've had this was a very bad dental office - the dentist felt like he was trying to upsell me on an oral compliance by touting how their office had advanced technology to make them better than other offices (the device was over $500) - the dentist seemed unsure how many exact cavities I had but then it felt like he was guilt-tripping me to fill as many as possible Giving 3 stars because I don't think it's fair to tank their reviews based on a gut feeling. But I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

I'm a new patient at Wallingford Smiles, and really was just an overall great experience. I have a longggggggggggggg history of dental issues including broken crowns, fillings, general anxiousness around needles and drills, etc, so dentist visits are usually upsetting and stressful for me. I was able to get in for a new patient exam pretty quickly, which I appreciated. I also appreciated that they offer nitrous oxide, bc drills are terrible. The first thing that impressed me was the detailed scans they took of my teeth. I had full xrays, but it was really the scans and photos that were most helpful to me. I had all these little troublesome annoying areas on various teeth that were bothering me, but no idea how to describe them, but when Dr. Yang reviewed the images with me, it was easy to see exactly what was going on with my teeth, and to describe what parts were bothering me most. My cleaning was great, and the tech who handled it for me was thorough and gentle. I was also impressed with the billing summary - in the past I have been to dentists who take forever to confirm insurance or my portion of things, but WS had it ready when I was done with my appointment, and it was very clear and easy to understand. In addition, getting my crown preparation was pain free, I was properly and effectively numb, which hasn't always been the case with other doctors I have had previously - literally nothing worse than being half way through a crown prep and feeling a drill hit a nerve, and I was VERY glad this didn't happen with Dr. Yang. I was also actually functional when the numbness wore off, so the novocaine left my system quickly, which was appreciated as crowns have previously taken me out for an entire day, so this was a bonus for me as well. Overall had a great experience and would suggest! read more

I have done all kind of dental work in this office. Cleaning, whitening, filling, crown replacement, implant. You named it I have done it. Two weeks ago, I was supposed to install permanent crown on my root canal tooth, when Dr Yang fitted it on my tooth, he didn't like the color and also how it sat. I told him that I was only concerned about the health issue couple year down the road. He decided to get a replacement which took another 10 days. I came back and installed the permanent crown yesterday. It fits and color match perfectly. This is the third crowd I have done In this office. I can't say enough Dr Yang's perfectionist. I go to this office often due to my condition. I see new equipments added all the time. And staff are taking my problems personally. If you have a lot of dental concern like I do, I highly recommend this office. read more

It's a few years later since I abandoned this dentist with his 6 or so recommended fillings left undone after I trusted my gut after he did the first five, and switched practices. I still haven't needed a single filling since then, despite those 6 unfilled "cavities" and have just left my current dentist with a healthy mouth with "two spots to watch" (so much for those 6 unfilled cavities after 3 years!) Still so angry I had those first five fillings done with this dentist. read more

I'm a little dental phobic, so finding a dental office that puts me at ease is my top priority. From the moment I walked in and was greeted until the moment I left, the experience was full of care and support. Very professional and knowledgeable. Will definitely recommend to my friends and family read more

I had a horrible experience with Wallingford Smiles. I went in for an appointment and they were friendly enough. The dental hygienist (I forget her name) was actually the highlight of the whole experience! I got x-rays done, a cleaning, and a consultation with the dentist. He asked me what my main concerns were and I told him I wanted to know if I had any cavities. As ne analyzed the x-rays, I turned around in my chair and asked (out of pure curiosity) what he looks for on the x-rays to determine if there's a cavity. He barked at me to turn around and he would talk to me once he was done looking at the x-rays. He finally concluded that I had nine cavities. I was a little shocked because about a year ago I had NONE. So, they tried to book me several appointments to take care of these "cavities," with a plan that would end up costing me upwards of $600--even with insurance. I was reluctant and asked that my chart be sent to me. After asking twice for copies of the x-rays, Wallingford Smiles sent me the files. I forward the x-rays on to two different dentists who looked at them and BOTH concluded that I did not have ANY CAVITIES. To top that all off, Wallingford Smiles keeps sending me bills for $0.45, that I apparently did not pay from when I went in for my cleaning (despite the fact that I paid with a credit card). I did not pay and now they are billing me $30.00 because my "payment" is late. read more

I hesitated on writing my review until I heard from many other in the community about shared bad experiences. Like many, I used the good reviews on here to pick this dentist so I want to add my voice. The TL;DR version is that many people, myself included, suspect this business over-diagnosing issues that are minor or non-existent. In my own personal experience I was told by the dentist that my bad situation had only happened once before which doesn't match what I've heard from others. A number of folks have had their mediocre or bad reviews removed and there is a high level of defensiveness from the owner at anything critical. Based on all this and my more long winded summary below, I'd really recommend you look elsewhere. Full summary: I went in for gum pain around one of my wisdom teeth and was told I needed all four out (a first from any of my dentists; three were grown in and one was impacted). I foolishly agreed without getting a second opinion. Midway through the extractions I was told I needed to make an emergency visit to an oral surgeon to get the final, impacted tooth out. In retrospect I should have been referred to an oral surgeon from the onset. Once at the oral surgeon's it took him 40 min alone to figure out what was going on with my broken up tooth but he finally got it out. I was also told by the oral surgeon that the prescriptions Dr. Yang gave me were wrong and I had to throw those away and get new ones. The next day (Friday) I received a check-up call from Dr. Yang 30 minutes before his office closed so I had very little time to return his call. When I called the office back I got a voicemail saying he was on vacation the entire next week and was left no information on stitch removal timing or what to expect, eat, drink, when to start irrigating, etc. I finally got ahold of someone the next week and had my stitches out almost 2 weeks after extraction. To recap: A dentist told me I needed more dental work than I probably did, couldn't get an impacted tooth out, went on vacation right after he extracted my wisdom teeth, didn't give me any aftercare instructions or follow-up appointment to have stitches out, and to top it off when I went back in for stitch removal I was asked when I wanted to schedule time to get filling work done. I definitely felt like the focus was on money and not me and in talking to a number of others in the community I'm not alone in this feeling. The whole operation, including a number of the positive review on here and Google is highly suspect. Save your money, time, and trust and go to someone else. read more

Wallingford Smiles really puts a smile on your face, a beautiful one, to say the least. I have nothing but positive things to say about my entire experience. When I called to confirm my appointment, the friendly staff told me that earlier time slots became available and asked if I wanted to come in earlier, which I gladly complied, which is simply efficient. The clinic is just a few minutes off I-5 and I found street parking right in front of the clinic. Waiting room is quaint, decor is tasteful, wait time is minimal, and the front desk is extremely welcoming. Naturally, Dr. Kuo has a great smile that put me at ease. She made sure I was comfortable and did not make the mistake that most dentists make, which is to repeatedly ask you question when you have no way to answer with your mouth opened. The entire experience was focused and professional. Even though the place was bustling, I felt pampered, never rushed or unappreciated. Needless to say, Dr. Yang and Dr. Kuo have gone above and beyond to make this a great place to visit, setting a new benchmark for the industry. I'm just glad that I don't have to travel very far to experience it. Highly recommended! read more

This is my first yelp review... never took the time because I had to actually sign up for Yelp first. My consistently good experience with this dental office makes it worth it. I moved to Seattle 2 years ago and became a patient of Wallingford Smiles shortly after I arrived. Every member of the staff that I've come in contact with seem genuine, knowledgeable, helpful, gentle, efficient and happy to be there (sign of a strong practice). The doctors, assistants, front desk receptionist and office manager are all wonderful, with an extra special shout out to my super fabulous hygienist, Joan. I have never met the other hygienist but have heard great things about her. Scheduling is easy and their website is informative. Billing of procedures/visits are well explained so you know what to expect and appointment reminder texts and/or emails keep me on track. I have not had any major restorative work (knock on wood) but I trust that should I need any in the future, I would be well cared for. My confidence in Wallingford Smiles is so high that in 2015 I transferred the care of my 2 children (now 10 and 13) from their pediatric dentist office to this terrific practice. I highly recommend that you check them out! **after reading other reviews I wanted to mention that it truly is our own responsibility to know what our insurance benefits are. That can be a hard lesson learned (mine was many years ago). Most dental insurance companies have patient portals where you can sign up online and see in real time what your balances and benefits are. Our dental offices can only interpret the information given to them which sometimes will not include claims that have recently been submitted by other offices. read more

Wallingford Smiles makes me smile! Receptionists are pleasant, helpful and responsive. I've gone in for my biannual cleanings and I am also on invisalign with Dr Kuo. Dr Kuo is kind, considerate and always willing to answer my questions. Cleanings with Joan have been great! My gum health has improved significantly. The office itself is clean and inviting. Highly recommend Wallingford Smiles. read more

I've been coming to Wallingford Smiles for 10 years. They are always friendly and professional. They make me feel welcome and comfortable and I never have to wait for my appointment. read more

Going to the dentist is usually a traumatic experience, but coming here is pretty wonderful. The office has a nice soothing vibe and the staff is wonderful. I've gone here for two cleanings and I have every intention to keep coming back. read more

Clinic corrected the issue. I am satisfied with the outcome and plan on seeing them for future cleaning and services. Patients beware, you cannot trust them to accurately quote insurance before services. I requested a cleaning since I was losing insurance on 12/31/15 so I wanted to have cleaning before the years end. The office manager checked my benefits twice and ensured me that they were good to go for the cleaning. I would have not scheduled my appointment with them if I had known I would receive a bill for $200! I complained to the office they told me there is nothing they could do. read more

I stayed with this practice through different dentists, largely because it's within walking distance from my house, but I really never bonded with Dr. Yang. I have moved elsewhere and am much happier, with a dentist who seems altogether more human and humane. I have to drive, but it's worth it. read more

I needed a dentist near my home in Wallingford and found these people on Yelp. They recently changed hands and are under this new name of Wallingford Smiles, but it's basically the same business as before. They did everything right: they go out of their way to provide insurance estimates quickly, the dentist himself teaches at UW and is patient and friendly, and the hygienists are really sweet. Everyone here works quickly and tries to make it a good experience with minimally invasive procedures. Good job, Wallingford Smiles! read more

I was so impressed with this practice. Dr. Yang was a really clear communicator and I thought his recommendations were excellent. The staff was all friendly and helpful. This place is great! read more

Outstanding dental practice! Very warm, welcoming, professional, and experienced staff. The front desk ladies are very knowledgeable and organized, my hygienist Lisa was gentle and educational, the dentist assistant Michelle always makes sure I'm comfortable during procedures and let me watch Netflix during the appointment. I have met both Dr. Yang and Dr. Kuo and they both provided excellent customer service and thorough explanation during my new patient exam, and treatment appointments. This is a very beautiful, modern and clean office. Would 100% recommend this office to anyone! read more

This is the best dental office I have ever been to. The decor is very warm and homely. Everyone from the receptionist, hygienist, to the assistants are so friendly and professional. Dr. Yang is the most caring and wonderful dentist I have ever had. He spends time to show you x-rays and explain everything in detail so you know exactly what is going on in your mouth. These people do everything they can to make you feel so comfortable in a dental office. I was able to listen to music on headphones they provided during my filling. The dental work was fast, painless, and my mouth feels great! They even gave me a lavender scented warm towel at the end of the appointment to freshen up!! I am definitely going to be back for my cleaning appointment in 6 months. I love my dentist! Never thought I would be able to say that!! read more

I have been going to Wallingford Smiles ever since I went to school at UW and still go now that I live further away. I appreciate dr. Yang and all the other staff there who have been doing a great job on my oral health. It is really easy to schedule appointments and they are provide reminders for checkups every 6 months. They were also very helpful with figuring out a way to work with my insurance which is usually a huge nightmare at other places. read more

I moved up to Seattle just a few months ago and needed a dentist. Wallingford Smiles was recommended to me by a coworker who raved about the office so I decided to set up an appointment. I have to say that this is the best dental office I have ever been to, from my phone conversation setting up the appointment to meeting the doctors, everything was wonderful. Dr. Kuo came and did my initial exam and was very thorough in explaining everything that she recommended, she even showed me my x-rays and photos to help me better understand what she was recommending and why. It was also very refreshing to have Dr. Yang come in and introduce himself since Dr. Kuo is pregnant and due in April they explained that I would most likely see Dr. Yang for my fillings (they are a couple btw). He seemed very knowledgeable and caring as well and I felt very comfortable. My cleaning with Joan the hygienist was great, she was very friendly and knowledgeable and has great tips for home care. She also turned me onto a bleaching system they use which only take 20mins in office, this works great for me because I feel that other bleaching systems make me a bit antsy since they are usually an hour or so longer, with their bleaching system you also get a take home pen which you use for 20mins at home right before bedtime which is awesome! I highly recommend this office to anyone looking for a dentist. The staff is wonderful and friendly. Oh they also offer you a warm towel at the end of your appointment which is awesome!!! read more

I've gone to Wallingford Smiles for a couple years for six-month cleanings as well for bigger work, and the staff and the facility are both great! They really stand behind their work too. This past year, there was a problem with some work they did (it could happen anywhere), and they got me back into the office right away and just took care of it for me. They were also quick to let me know if there was any other issue, just let them know within 12 months and they'd take care of it. read more

I go to Wallingford Smiles for all my dental works for 2 years now. Ever since my first appointment there I am amazed by their friendly and professional services. My hygienist Joan is wonderful. She is very detailed and when I first saw her she taught me how to correctly use dental floss to prevent future decay. My gum health score has never been this perfect. If you are afraid of needles for numbing before procedure you have to see Dr. Kuo! She has the most soft hands. I didn't even feel any needles sticking in then it's all done. Usually I get nervous in dental clinic but here I feel relaxed and I know I'm in good hands. read more

Dr. Kent has just retired and sold her practice to the husband and wife team Dr Benjamin Yang and Dr. Joan Kuo. I'm happy to report they are excellent dentists. They are very focused on having a top practice. Went in for a routine cleaning. Dr. Yang identified problems with and old crown and fillings that I got replaced the next day by Dr. Kuo. Quick but excellent work. Very personable bedside manner. He is also a prosthodontist plus an instructor at UW so the business can offer more services.The couple seem very focused on the latest techniques. I hate being numb after treatment, and they offer OraVerse injection which makes it go away quicker. I decided to try this after the service.. By the time I got in my car, the numbness was gone so it really works. I've now been going to this same practice for almost 30 years and have been very happy. read more

When I started coming to this office I saw Dr. Bloomberg. She was great and I was 100% happy with her. Couple of years later I came back to see Dr. Bloomberg, but unfortunately she was no longer there and since this place had all my records and Dr. Yang seemed pretty nice, I decided to keep coming here. Years back when I was still seeing Dr. Bloomberg she did a filling on one of my teeth and said that this tooth will need a root canal in the future so I was a little surprised that Dr. Yang recommended a crown on this tooth when he first saw me. I didn't say anything about the root canal that my previous dentist told me thinking he is the expert and he knows what needs to be done. So on July 17, 2015, I went in to get the crown done. The next day after the crown was put in; I had the worst pain and sensitivity to cold, hot and pressure. I knew something was wrong. I started taking tylenol and ibuprofen. I called the office to let them know I was in pain so they had me come in on the July 28th for Dr. Yang to take a look at it. Dr. Yang thought it was hurting from the pressure so he smoothed out the crown but when he put some cold air on the tooth I felt a sharp pain and told him how painful it was. They took an x-ray and told me that this tooth might need a root canal if the pain doesn't go away although he thinks it will. He didn't give me anything for the pain and he said he would call me the following week to check on me. The pain just kept getting worse so I called on Thursday, July 30th at 4:52PM and left a voicemail since the office was closed. No one called me the next day so I called again on Saturday, August 1st at 5:28PM and left another voicemail on their emergency line. I never got a call back. On Monday morning I was able to get a hold of someone at the front desk and told them about how much pain I was in. That same morning Dr. Yang finally called me and told me to go see a specialist for a root canal. I went to Endodontic Associates of Seattle that same day. The specialist only tapped that tooth to know that I definitely needed a root canal. He asked me to come back on Wednesday August 5th for a root canal. I called Dr. Yang's office to see if they can give me some kind of discount and they said that they can only give me $100 off my portion of the bill for the crown because of the inconvenience. They told me, "How are we supposed to know that the tooth needed a root canal?" It was an unacceptable response to me because isn't that what an x-ray is for? I was in extreme pain, enough to keep me up at night for almost 3 weeks. $100 off is almost an insult for the pain and suffering that I went through. What's very frustrating is that they kept telling me (front desk and Dr. Yang) that they never received my calls or my voicemails so I told them that I have the phone records since I used my cell phone to call them. Finally yesterday, Dr. Yang called to check on me and said that he actually did see my missed call but didn't get a voicemail. Never again will I ever set foot in this office and I hope that this review will help someone avoid all the pain and suffering that I went through. read more

I have had two wonderful experiences at Wallingford Smiles, thus far, and I look forward to many more. The location is very convenient and I found street parking right away. The interior is beautiful and very welcoming! I love the family pictures in the front and all of the pictures from around the world on the patient televisions. I found the patient televisions to be very helpful for distraction during the procedures and was impressed with the number of options we have for shows! I also appreciated that the television is utilized for education as well. I am a visual person and it was very helpful for me to have Dr. Kuo explain everything while utilizing the x-ray on the television as a visual aid. The bedside manners of both dentists, as well as Michelle the dental assistant, were excellent! I felt welcome and at ease, and I will most definitely be returning for all of my dental needs. I will also be referring Wallingford Smiles to all of my friends and colleagues. Thank you for such a remarkable experience and exceptional service! read more

We have been very happy with Wallingford Smiles. Everyone is very friendly and professional. They do not push you in to expensive procedures but do let you know all your options and the costs associated with them. They have taken care of all the insurance hassles for us. I highly recommend them! read more

I love Wallingford Smiles! This is the best dental office I've been to, and I have had quite a few living in different cities. The office is clean and modern with all the amenities you'd expect, the staff is always friendly, they are on time, and the dental work is always well done and as pain-free as possible. I've had to change dental insurance multiple times, and they've always been very accommodating and gotten my billing right. Bottom line, I highly recommend them! read more

After going to the same dentist in Illinois for 30 years, I lucked out when selecting Wallingford Smiles based on their convenient location. It is an excellent practice and clean facility. Everything that needed to be done was explained clearly. The entire staff is friendly and accommodating. Joan is a wonderful hygienist; there are small but nice touches (like lemon or lavender hot towels after a cleaning) that make the experience that much better. I have no problem recommending this place. read more

I have had a great experience as a patient at Wallingford Smiles over the last 4 years. The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable, and there is little turnover. Dr. Yang is usually my dentist, and he is always personable and answers my questions about my dental care. When I get cavities, they show me on the x-ray where they are and explain why it's important to get them filled now as opposed to waiting. (They also point out possible future areas of decay to work on, and explain why it's not worth getting those taken care of now.) When I do need cavities filled, they have a setup that allows me to watch Netflix or Hulu to distract me during the procedure. AND, when my boyfriend experienced some tooth grinding, instead of trying to sell him an expensive night guard, Dr. Yang suggested he take up meditation to destress. I've been so happy at this practice, and I frequently recommend it to friends. read more