I usually leave the reviewing up to my husband, but another Yelper inspired me to review my dentist.
5 stars because I lived in Gaithersburg and now live in Germantown and STILL think he is worth the drive to Silver Spring.
I have been seeing Dr. Handelman off and on for over 10 years (12? 15? I can't remember when I started seeing him!) and have always been pleased with everyone in the office. Originally, my mother, older brother, and I would see him for our regular cleanings at least since I was in middle school (that's as far back as I remember). He has done my sealants and filled a cavity and was really good working around my braces for the 4 years that I had them, too. I have never been worried about going to the dentist!
He (and his assistants) have always been great as long as I can remember. When I was 15 or so, he recommended that I get all of my wisdom teeth removed and told us about a program through NIH that would save my mom a lot of money. I ended up not getting my teeth out then, since they never bothered me and he didn't push the matter at all. When I was in my late teens I stopped going to see him, but my mom kept up her visits and brought my step-dad along to join in on the dental fun. He had to have a lot of work done and had good things to say about Dr. Handelman and the recommended surgeon.
Fast forward several years to when I got insurance again and Dr. Handelman was the first (and, truthfully, the only) doctor I called for a check-up. We picked up right where I left off all those years ago. He asked what I have been doing with myself and how my mom and brother were doing. He looked at my fillings and my wisdom teeth and told me he did have some concerns, but nothing that was a pressing issue.
He was out-of-network with that insurance (MetLife), but the desk staff took care of all of my paperwork. I did have to pay some up-front, but after the claim forms went through I ended up with an $80 credit towards my next visit. (The woman I spoke with offered to send me a check for the $80 if I wanted. I declined.)
I changed jobs and lost insurance and stopped going to see him (again). When I got insurance back through my new job (United Healthcare, this time), again, Dr. Handelman was the first doctor I called. By now, another couple of years had passed and my mom and step-dad had moved away, but he still asked after them. He checked everything out and we talked about the concerns that he had had the last time I was in and decided that, since nothing was bothering me, he wasn't going to do anything. He told me that there was no sense in spending the money to have a procedure done when it wasn't necessary yet. (A big thanks for thinking of my savings account! :) )
(Dr. Handelman also takes care of my husband's teeth and the last time he was there he came home and said, "The doctor told me to tell you and your mom hello.") read more