I originally went to this dentist because it was convenient location at the time and since have kept this practice as my dentist over the past decade! No matter where in SD I am traveling from now. They have worked with me through various insurances over the years and accommodated my work schedule time and time again. It's a bit of a family feel with Karen the hygienist and Dr Israel Ismaj really knowing their patients. They make you feel right at home. They are both very wise in their practice from much experience, and they also take time with their patients to explain things. Front desk is polite and friendly too. I'm glad I met this dental practice! They really do good work!! :) read more

I was hesitate to post a review but after a long one year battle to just get the name of the implants that were put in by doctor ismal. It's been a struggle with him im a military vet and this how I get treated money make people do funny things. Anyhow I sent a certified email from my current doctor and they have made many attempts to get JUST the FREAKIN name of the implants and he keeps saying he never received my email which is BS because I have my copy of sent emails. He's very paranoid about something but I'm not sure why maybe because unhealthy dental office it smelled like old dental materials. That's just one reason to write a review. He was very aggressive about getting me into to the dental office after I had told him I had major surgery he didn't care he was all about the money and how I know is because I asked about a teeth whitening as well and he gave me a smirk like that's cost money and I can't afford it. Also another reason he was freakin rough with my mouth and was being a smart ass about it after I had told him it hurt he didn't care he just wanted to get the implants in my mouth to get paid. He gave me more morph fine then it is allowed by law and he kept calling me all weekend just to make sure I was still alive. It was strange and awkward because I have been to many different dentists and never in my 40 years of life have I ran into a disaster he's rude with his dental assistant yelling at them in front of the patient it's like he's teaching them on the go while I'm on the chair it happened every time I went into the dental office and I went in on like 5 occasions. To top it off there was a different dental assistant that had no clue what todo like the simple stuff of using the sucking tube. I would ask about the other dental assistants because it was strange to see a different dental assistant every time for such a small office. Oh yeah I would ask where was the other dental assistant from the first time and he said oh she's on maternity leave and I was like what because it was the 4th of July weekend and she was talking about going down to Mexico to camp and drink and party so that rang a bell like is this doctor lying. I was like wow. So I highly recommend not to see this dentist very unprofessional rude doesn't know what he's doing he had to call another doctor on the phone to help guide him to put my implants in. That's was a terrible feeling to be sitting on the chair and listening to it. Also the dental assistant told me after the implants were put in that to be careful because he gave you more numbing and pain medicine then what was allowed her look on her face said it all. I would report this to the health board but the VA is already on it. I would check his credentials I WOULD STAY VERY CLAER OF THIS DENTAL OFFICE. Oh yeah I have saved voicemails that were very rude and was trying to intimidate me. If I was able to share this multiple voicemails I would. Five thumbs down. This dental office should be shut down read more

**UPDATE*** Since I wrote my last review, I got a call AT WORK, from Dr. Ismaj who wanted to talk about my "misconception" of Delta Dental's coverage (although they had already admitted to their mistake and had refunded my $50 "deductible"). I then followed up on the cancellation of my next appointment in July since they will charge you if you don't formally cancel your appointment. In response, I received an e-mail which stated that they are "dismissing me from the practice". HA Today, I received an Explanation of Benefits from Delta Dental in the mail with the patient portion of my bill coming to $117.00. Which is strange since all I got was a new patient exam and cleaning. The bill shows a $63.00 charge listed as Preventive which I believe is the oral cancer screening that I told them I didn't want because insurance doesn't cover it. There are also 2 separate charges for x-rays, and a charge for fluoride which I KNOW I didn't get. This place is RIDICULOUS, or as Elle O. would say SCAMTASTIC! read more

It was time for me to say goodbye to my previous dentist and begin my search for greener pastures. Obviously my first stop is Yelp, so I can see who is recommended. After sorting through reviews I chose Avoid Urban Decay. Digital X-rays: Check New Office: Check Cool gadgets everywhere: Check T.V. on the ceiling......uh okay sold. The enrollment process is simple, and everything is done online in the comfort of your own home. upon entering the office I noticed it was a little small, but they made great use of space. The front desk was really nice and I sat down to wait in a... what's this?? massage chair? awweesome! Dr. Vane is a really really good dentist. I love how she explains everything with normal technical terms and doesn't talk to you like an idiot. The digital X-rays are great, because if something is going on and Dr. Vane needs to just check out a tooth really quick, bam x-ray without all that waiting to develop stuff. 5 stars easily from me.. check this office, you won't be dissapointed. read more

I have to preface this review with saying that I have given this office many chances, and at first I REALLY liked them (but I guess its a good thing that I waited to write this review so I could see the error of my ways.) This was the first dentist office I visited after moving to SD, and having the same dentist for almost 15 years. I was nervous about seeing someone else and I had heard horror stories about scam artists masquerading as dentists from friends. I loved the office and the TVs on the ceiling as well as the super-friendly polite staff, dentists and hygienists. But, I did not love the fact that two different dentists lied to me and tried to scare me into having $3000 of unnecessary dental work done. I had the full set of x-rays done on my first appt (which is terrible!) and soon after they were trying to tell me that I had SEVEN(!) cavities. I have never even had ONE in my 25 years and yet all of the sudden I have SEVEN?? So I asked to see the proof and they showed me the xrays with "dark spots" on some of my teeth (which I saw on ALL the teeth lol) and then talked me through how I really needed to have this done and my insurance wouldn't pay for the type of fillings they do so we could split the cost!! LOL WTF is this a flea market here? Are we gonna haggle over the cost of my teeth...geez that should've been my first clue. I barely got out of there in time to call home an book an appt with my old dentist back home who reassured me that she did not seen even one cavity and that I didn't need to have anything done but a basic cleaning. I am giving this office two stars because of the staff and how awesome the office is...very high tech. Just remember that you should ALWAYS get a second opinion, especially after going here because they are gonna try and sell you stuff that you don't need...but hey they gotta pay for the flat screens on the ceiling somehow, right? ;) read more

It is hard for me to give a dentist 5 stars ... it is just a dentist thing. Dr Parrone, though, is great. Talented and totally state of the art in terms of treatment and equipment. The place is right next to Petco, so convenient for Downtown dwellers and businesspeoples. It has a great feel (and even a pair of my old sneaks hanging from the pipes that run above the waiting room). read more

Unless you're really warped, nobody likes going to the Dentist...me certainly included. I went to the "Avoiding Urban Decay" office last month and have been back a couple of times (the annual fun) and gotta say they are AWESOME. From the receptionist, to treatment, follow-up, etc. they are great. Super location if you live downtown, comfy office with screens on the ceiling to watch while you're getting raked with metal hooks. Nicole Vane is highly recommended - she did most of my treatment and I can't imagine a better recommendation. Heidi (pretty sure it was Heidi) is a great Hygenist too, so make sure you ask for her! They also recommended me to Dr. Brian Oleksy for getting my wisdoms out, yes it's been a fun couple of weeks, and that guy rocks! If you need surgery, I would ALWAYS go with this guy. He knows his stuff. Not a fun topic, but I wanted to commend these guys as it's tough to find great folks in this line, but I would endorse these guys for sure! Oh yeah, and if you have never seen the movie, THE DENTIST, it's a must see!!! Cheers read more

Best dentist I ever had. He was kind and listened to me. I felt very safe. I had three teeth extracted and was in no pain. I think all my dental procedures will be done there. read more

Dental services are ok but the poor business practices and how the office is run overshadows the good qualities of this establishment. Have the services and billing explained to you in writing before having any services rendered. They will try to upsell you services you don't need. This Dr. Ismaj is a bully and condescending to his patients who don't see things "his way". Again nothing wrong with the quality of dental care but definitely not worth the headaches that Dr. Ismaj provides in abundance. Recommendation? "Avoid" Urban Decay read more

This office is awesome!!! There are TV's on the ceiling so you can watch while they work on your teeth. It's clean, the staff was great and everything is brand new. Dr. Ismaj was super cool. He filled 2 cavities and I also had my teeth cleaned. Didn't hurt AT ALL!! If you're mortified to go to the dentist, I suggest going here. He knows what he's doing! Parking wasn't hard and the office is easy to find. High recommend going to Avoid Urban Decay. They also have a FREE whitening for life that I'm getting next week. How sweet is that?? read more

If I could give Avoid Urban Decay 10 stars, I would. In a heartbeat. People of San Diego, do not be scared away by the negative reviews. Avoid Urban Decay is the most amazing, caring, customer service oriented, helpful dental office I have ever encountered. I am a problem dental patient. I get a little teary and nervous when I think I'll need a filling. I am terrified of the sound of the drill and it takes a lot for me to submit to cleanings without drugs. So far, I have had 5 cleanings (mostly with Stacia who ROCKS!!!!!) and two major dental procedures including multiple fillings and crowns at Avoid Urban Decay. Every procedure has been fantastic. Dr. Ismaj and his staff hve treated me like a beloved family member. The staff has called after procedures to make sure I was feeling well and not experiencing pain. After the last round of dental work, I experienced a lot of pain, which ultimately resulted in a root canal (not the dentist's fault, I had a very deep filling that was being replaced with a crown). The dentist and the staff were extremely attentive to my complaints of pain, calling every day, and ultimately referring me to an endodontist. Dr. Ismaj called the endodontist personally before I was referred and then repeatedly afterward to ensure I was receiving good care. Most of the negative reviews refer to billing issues and not dental work or dental care. Let's just be honest, dental work is not well covered by insurance and it is ridiculously expensive - no matter what dentist you see. I don't have a Dental HMO. I have a Dental PPO. Even still, my insurance BARELY covered all of the work that I needed. And, it didn't cover the root canal. Do you see me taking out my frustration with my insurance company with Avoid Urban Decay? No. Avoid Urban Decay is worth every single penny I have paid for the amazing care that I have received. read more

I had an dental emergency and I was impressed by the COVID19 procedures that have been implemented by Dr Ismaj and his staff. I could tell they have gone through great lengths to clean and sanitize the entire office in order to abide by the new COVID19 standards. I felt safe and know I am in good hands with Dr Ismaj. read more

Dr. I is the best. I'm not a fan of going to the dentist but he makes it the best that it can be. He will work with your schedule and bills your insurance. I have no complaints, he has been great read more

Dr. I is the best dentist I've ever had. He and his staff are so friendly, it actually makes going to the dentist an enjoyable experience. And the quality of the dental work is top notch. I can't recommend Dr. I and Avoid Urban Decay highly enough. read more

I had an appointment for dental cleaning today. As always, Dr. Ismaj and staff were friendly, professional, and efficient. Sanitizers and gloves were available and PPE was used. Everything was sanitized and clean. I felt very safe and well cared for. I strongly recommend this dental practice. Jim B. read more

This practice has recently changed hands. They couldn't be more unprofessional. If you are looking for a place that is poorly run, bothers you with scheduling all the time, is totally unwilling to share records with other dentists, you have founds your place. WOW read more

I had seen a few Dentists to get opinions on my veneer that's had popped off. The first place wanted to charge me $6,000 to fix it! Thus the second opinion. I went to Avoid Urban Decay on a recommendation and I'm so glad I did. They gave me 2 new veneers and it only cost me $1,500. A piece of equipment broke and the owner of the company drove down to San Diego with a replacement just for me and fixed my tooth. I'll use them as my dentist from now on. Kind, jovial and professional. read more

Okay... so, I too had an issue with the billing... the work is great, dont get me wrong. and the staff is very sweet.. but I think it is fair to let people know about the billing process. I hadnt been to the dentist in a while, so I kind of just went with the flow when Dr. Ismaj was explaining to me how dental insurance barely pays for anything and I was probably going to have to pay out of pocket for most of my work. He told me I would have to pre-pay $700 and that we'll see what the insurance covers (and I have great insurance, but I didnt know that at the time) but most likely they'll barely cover anything... So, I prepayed the $700 and then I got my statement for insurance that said I only needed to pay the deductable. To make a very long story short, I had to fight to get my money back, when I called my insurance carrier they knew exactly who he was because he called and chewed out one of the people that worked there... so all in all, work is great but be VERY VERY CAREFUL about the billing and payment.... read more

I had a cleaning then later got a deep cleaning that I figured I'd need. I thought they did a fine job and were very professional and courteous. I'll be going back for my next cleaning. I did have to talk to them about my bill afterwards, but they quickly refunded me what I was owed after my insurance paid them and all was good. read more

Very welcoming office and knowledgeable staff. I've always left feeling like I have nice clean teeth with no painful scraping or procedures. I recommend this dental office to everyone I know. read more

I had a amazing experience with Dr. Ismaj. He is very professional and has a good sense of humor. Makes you feel welcome and at home. His staff is also amazing and very friendly. Very good overall. I would highly recommend this be your dentist! read more

This dental office is very friendly and accommodating. I just received my first exam and cleaning today and could not be happier. The staff is very knowledgeable and professional. I would highly revoked Dr. Ismaj to anyone who lives or works near the East Village. read more

In the best of hands today. Implant Dentistry at its BEST. Thank you Dr. Ismaj for taking care of me and my family. You adopted us when we needed you most. Thank you for being my friend. read more

I went to Dr. Ismaj last week and my visit was great. Stacia cleaned my teeth and I had 2 fillings done. My insurance covered most, but I paid the difference. I don't know why people expect everything to be covered, that is unrealistic. You obviously have to pay what your insurance doesn't cover unless you have a magical one that pays it all!! My visit was awesome and I highly recommend this office to everyone. read more

I have been a patient of Dr Ismaj for many years. During those years I have found him to be completely professional, attentive, as pain free as possible and extremely honest and caring. On more than one occassion he has called me to check on my progress or remind me of the imoportance of going to a specialist. As I did not have insurance for many years and needed a great amount of dental work, he was very helpful in maintaining fair rates for all of the work performed and even did not charge for some items. I do not know all of the circumstances involved in the encounters of those that wrote such negative reviews, but find it hard to believe that Dr. Ismaj would handle any dispute in anything but a fair and equitable way. I now have some insurance and have used it primarily to get great cleanings at AUD. There have not been any issues with payments. I simply pay the difference between the covered amount and the actual charge. I have found Dr Ismaj to be a great dentist and a great person and have recommended him to many of my friends.His staff is also exceptional. Thanks Norma for helping while Dr. Ismaj was out of town. read more

Great dentist! Very personable, love the hygienists. Been going here for ~5 years, and couldn't be happier with the excellent level of care.

Avoid this place at all costs. I have never had this many problems and misunderstanding about billing / insurance / payments, ever. I have great insurance, which has worked perfectly in the past, but for some reason, this dental office seems to only care about money and treats its patients accordingly. The dental work was good as far as I can tell, but the months and months of being trapped in the vicious triangle (me - insurance company - avoid urban decay) completely overshadowed any positive aspects of the actual dentistry here. My advice is to go elsewhere for dental work. Find an office that seems like they are on your side and will work with you (not against you) to figure out billing / insurance issues. read more

Well, I just want to thank you for the people whom writhe the review before. I was intending to see this office, but I don't have a money to trove out on the window nor the patience to fight with them for trying, to scam me. Red flag effect :)))) Whomever they tried to rip of, because of your negative comment, they lost a patient. Not only one. I hate when professionals taking advantage of people in need. Especially if this involving health, well being of the suffering people. What happened wit the " HIPPOCRATIC OATH" ????? read more

I had been avoiding badly needed cosmetic dentistry for more than a year because I am terrified of previous experiences with the dentist. I finally made a consultation with a Dr. Ismaj to learn more about fixing my discolored front teeth. After Dr. Ismaj explained my options (veneers vs. bonding, the quality and the price differences) I decided to get the bonding procedure. He was able to do the procedure that day. Although I was scared to death, he made it so quick and painless I may be cured of my fear of dentists. The end product is two beautiful new front teeth that look and feel like my own. I couldn't be happier with the results. As a note, I don't have dental insurance and paid out of pocket. I had zero problems and thought the price was 100% worth the quality of the work. read more

This place is a huge scam. You'll see that word in a few of these reviews because that is the best way to describe it. Put it this way i went to the in for a cleaning one day and paid $149 dollars. Just a regular run of the mill cleaning. I have really good PPO insurance and none of my coworkers have ever paid for cleanings. Basically they tricked me into coming more times than I needed to and so my insurance would not cover my visit (they never told me that was the case). I called them out on this and they told me to consult my payment plan so i did that. After telling them that my payment plan was not accurate they just ignored my emails. i liked this place at first until i found the underbelly. This is a horrible business with no morals. read more

Absolutely horrible office! DO NOT GO! They are a fraud! I called to make a dentist appointment and I have VERY good dental insurance. I get 2 FREE cleanings a year. When I spoke to the receptionist she was very nice at first and told me she would confirm with my insurance company that they do accept my dental insurance. She later called me back to say that after coming in for a cleaning the service would be for free because they accept my insurance. After the dentist cleans my teeth and takes x-rays (which do cost extra), the cleaning was complete and the receptionist said I did not owe anything and they would see me in 6 months. Well 3 days later I get a phone call saying 'oops, they were wrong", they accept my insurance but I am not in their network so I have to pay my deductible! I tried to explain that this was not the case and I didn't think I should pay after they allowed me to leave the office without paying and they continued to call me over and over to 'collect' their money! It sounds like they have done this way too many times to know they were going to collect from me. I tried to fight it and even spoke to Dr. Ismaj directly and he blamed it on me and it was my fault. When in fact, his office specifically called my insurance to find out if they do accept it and the cost of the cleaning, they lied to me to get me in so that I can pay! Clearly, they knew they never did accept my insurance. They didn't even offer to pay for the deductible, not even half of it! Instead I was treated with horrible customer service when the fault was on them. BE CAREFUL, they will lie to you about the insurance they accept, DO NOT GO THERE!!!!! read more

I just moved to SD and found this office around the corner from my apartment. When I called, I was in pain and they saw me the same day!! I had a tooth pulled and came back a few days later to have my teeth cleaned. The doc was really funny and the hygienist was great. I made an appointment for 6 months and look forward to going back. You even get to take home a bunch of stuff when you leave. Can't complain! read more

The doctor is so unprofessional OMG!!! cant put words in to it, on the middle of a procedure he got up and actually answered his phone more than once, leaving me with everything inside my mouth until he decided to hang up and came to the chair and resume work. COME ON DR. WHO DOES THIS!!... I also heard him talking about another patient who I think had an appoitment that day calling her a big fat cow, and I am not lying he probably thought I wouldnt hear him cause I was 2 rooms over, oh and about the Insurance yeah they definetly do not explain to you on what they take and dont take and if they are or not are in there network, my BF called to make an appoitment and asked if they took Metlife (not sure) and they said they did and that they were in the network, which we later found out they actually are not in network, last but not least they will not tell you ahead of time that you are not eligible for another cleaning until you come out and have to pay the bill, as a courtesy they should let patients know ahead of time to be preapred.The office itself is very cool and modern, Nice office horrrible service.. read more