I am someone with above-average anxiety when it comes to going to the dentist. It's been a long, long time, and at this point I was as much worried about judgement as I was any pain. I was recommended Cambridge Smiles for their excellent bedside (chairside?) manner and quality of service. And after 3 visits now (2 of which were deep cleanings), I have to say they totally deliver. There's a cute doggy hanging out, there's good calming music. Good little bonus. I didn't get a lot of time with Dr. Sones, but she was able to answer my questions with detailed answers and charts. The majority of my time was spent with the hygienist, Trang. I can't stress enough how much I appreciated the level of professionalism. She checked in with me every step of the way, letting me know exactly what to expect and what each tool was for. She made sure the entire process rather pain-free and judgement-free. The work was careful and detailed. And, wow, what a world of difference all that makes. The results are (dare I say?) life changing. Already I feel a renewed sense of confidence, I feel like I can smile again without embarrassment. So... can't recommend it highly enough! read more

Dr Sones is like no other doctor you will meet. I sometimes forget she's my dentist not my friend because you really feel like you could sit down and have a beer with her. I also had some pretty invasive/traumatic surgeries on my mouth somewhere else, and dr sones and the staff were both knowledgeable and kind. They gave me a consultation before jumping to a service and made sure I knew what was happening at all times. She hooked me up with a VERY well done and discreet front tooth crown that I was proud to smile big with at my wedding day recently. Have I mentioned that it's an all female kickass team who are so nice and remember what you talk about. I have moved 4 times since starting at this practice and now love an hour away but I refuse to go anywhere else. My husband even left his childhood dentist after accompanying me to a visit or two. Oh, have I mentioned Diana??? Ask for Diana, and I promise your day will be made read more

Thank you Cambridge Smiles, Dr. Tenorio, and the awesome reception staff and hygienist I worked with! I had a pain-free wisdom tooth extraction here! The attentiveness, the follow-through, the genuine care! I cannot say enough good things about these folks. I was blown away by how quickly I was seen here. I walked into this office with wisdom tooth area pain. While my partner is a patient with Cambridge Smiles, I had never been seen at this office prior to my dental emergency. I didn't know what to expect, but despite their full schedule they checked me out immediately (within the hour), and squeezed me in for an appointment that day. Dr. Tenorio made sure I got the medicine I needed to quiet the infection and deal with the immediate pain. Dr. Tenorio is the best dentist I have ever had, listening intently and carefully to my experience, and taking the time to really understand what I needed - not only to get me to a happy health outcome, but also to understand how I could be most comfortable in getting there. He explained to me that the infection makes for a "hot tooth" which not only means more pain due to the hyperactive nerves, but also makes my tooth environment acidic rendering the anesthetic (a weak base) largely inactive. So the plan was to take antibiotics for a few days, get the infection is below some threshold, and hopefully ensure my extraction was relatively painless. (It was entirely painless! Thanks Dr. Tenorio!) Dr. Tenorio's knowledge of dentistry is incredible and he took the time to explain everything that was going on, which was what I needed to be at ease. As a patient, I was given access to their office's 24 hour emergency dental line that would ring to the dentist even during off hours if I needed it. Dr. Tenorio also called to check in on my pain levels and progress as I was taking the antibiotic. Never in my life have I had a dentist this committed and attentive. My typical experience of medical care overall is that nobody cares about your health outcomes more than you, but my experience here in this situation is that maybe Dr. Tenorio does. He completely alleviated my near-term dental pain by changing up the schedule on which I was taking acetaminophin / ibuprofen and it was way more effective the way he suggested. When I had expressed a desire to get all the wisdom teeth I'd need out simultaneously (I had been hearing such scary stories of really tough painful extractions from friends and family and I really didn't want to do it twice) he referred me to a great oral surgeon he works closely with. I was scared of extraction though, so I didn't follow up with the oral surgeon. Dr. Tenorio and the office must have followed up with that other office, realized that I hadn't been scheduled, and called me to check in and see if I needed help with next steps. When the other dental surgeon didn't have any availability within the month to get both of my teeth removed simultaneously, Dr. Tenorio talked with me on the phone to help make a plan to get my immediate situation resolved. I ended up scheduling an extraction of just the affected tooth that week with Dr. Tenorio in the Cambridge Smiles office. By calling to check in again, he was also able to know that I had upcoming air travel which I didn't realize could be a risk for me immediately after extraction and he moved the schedule around to make sure I'd be good to go. Dr. Tenorio extracted my wisdom tooth, in the Cambridge Smiles office, under local anesthetic. He explained the technique he was going to use to lift the tooth using only hand implements (no drills!) and said that if there were any sign of complication risk he would stop rather than risk shattering the roots and making a mess of shards that would require complicated emergency dental work. I experienced no pain whatsoever during the extraction, and that's entirely because he was so sensitive to my experience. I was really nervous to have my wisdom tooth removed, I remember seeing people with swollen, bruised faces having later infections in the area of the tooth removal... but my experience was completely different. No pain, no visible swelling, no bruising, no complications whatsoever. My tooth came out intact in one piece within a few minutes, and all I felt was pressure - no pain at all! Dr. Tenorio explained how infection can cause gums to be inflamed and kind of loosen their hold on teeth for a time, which helped to make my extraction immediately post-infection particularly easy. I had my extraction on a Friday and Dr. Tenorio even called to check in on me over the weekend to see how I was feeling afterwords. At that point I was already feeling so much better! He had me scheduled for a follow up the next week just to make sure I was healing well and everything looked great and it really was. Thank you to Dr. Tenorio and the Cambridge Smiles team! read more

I called to make an appointment as a new patient and the patient care coordinator was very pushy and without any medical records told me what was my diagnosis. She isn't the doctor and neither her or doctor had seen me. When I had second thoughts on visiting this place, she emailed me to tell me that I shouldn't wait to long and needed to call them. I wasn't even a patient and she was already pushing me to pay for all these treatments. I wasn't impressed. I don't recommended this place. They claimed to be trauma informed but clearly don't understand the difference between taking care of people and telling people what to do. To your response Paula: ** You clearly are worried about your reputation: You should spend less time on yelp and more on your patient / bedside manner and telling her staff how to treat people. read more

Dr. Sones and her staff are terrific. Even if you don't have dental insurance they have a plan that you can prepay for that makes everything affordable - even emergency visits! They take the time to get to know the patients and never forget your history. They have excellent quality of care and never forget a face! Although I don't love the dentist in general, but I love going there. It is a caring, friendly and professional environment. read more

I had an outstanding experience at Cambridge Smiles. The front desk representative I made an appointment with was very sweet and you could hear in her voice that she enjoys her work which reflects on the entire practice. My dental hygienist was very thorough and professional. She took the time to explain all the steps of the dental exam procedures. My teeth had never looked whiter than after her cleaning. Then I met Dr. Sones who radiates care and kindness. This dental office has excellent culture and I am very happy to be their client. read more

We experienced some terrible service for fillings here. The front desk person was rude in person and very unhelpful over the phone. For us, this was a big procedure and our first time so while seeking follow up information, I felt tossed aside, as if I was wasting their time and never felt like my questions were completely answered. This business charged us for services they did not perform and we felt rushed the entire time. I would strongly not recommend coming here for any reason. They lack professionalism and a have absolutely no sense of individual customer service. Look elsewhere. read more

Excellent first consultation. Though they were very busy, Dr. Sones still made time to explain in detail (and with scans) what was going on with my teeth and what our treatment plan of action would be. It's nice to be treated like a competent human and Dr. Sones does just that (without sounding pretentious or asking you to just rely on her expertise). read more

I am crazy busy, but they always find a way to fit me in if they can. Dr. Sones is fantastic - she makes sure you are part of the decision making process, she always makes sure to let the anesthetic take effect, and she does an amazing job. I had never had a dentist I liked before, but everyone at this office makes sure to make me feel welcome and they take great care of me. I cannot recommend them highly enough. read more

After moving away from Cambridge, I emailed Dr. Sones about a minor concern I had and she was very responsive! Thanks for everything, Dr. Sones! read more

Very happy to have found a solid Dental office since moving to Somerville! I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for an appointment, I've always been able to schedule an appointment at a date and time I prefer, and I've never been left waiting around in a chair during an appointment :) this last one happened quite a bit at my former dentist, so it's a big plus. So far I've had a cavity filled and biannual cleanings, which have all gone well. This is also the first dentist I've had who tells me everything about my bite alignment, gum health, etc as she's doing an examination. I feel well informed and equipped to continue coming here! read more

My mouth and I have been through the wringer with dental issues. Until yesterday, I have never been to a dentist that I felt was on my same wavelength. I immediately felt comfortable with Dr. Sones and trust her to work with me on deciding what exactly I need done and what I don't. read more

As someone who had not been to a dentist for more than 15 years, due to fear and then shame avoidance, I found Cambridge Smiles. Everyone from the receptionist to the hygienists to Dr. Sones was kind, welcoming, and put me right at ease. I can't say enough about how comfortable this place is in every way. They looked into my insurance for me and identified different pricing depending on what the insurance may or may not cover before I even asked. They are kind, thorough, and I really just can't say enough. If you've been slacking on your dental care, this is the place to go. You got this! Side note - There is a big, free parking lot right behind the building and the practice is also walking distance from the Porter Sq T. read more

I hadn't been to the dentist in 5 years, and I was anxious about being shamed for my neglect to my teeth. Instead, I had the BEST dental experience of my life with Dr. Sones and her team. She's a real person™ and we had an open, honest, and positive conversation about my oral health. Dr. Sones walked me through every detail of what she was planning on doing in my mouth, and then would communicate clearly what she was ab read more

Great service! Highly recommended. My mother and I have both gone to Dr. Sones and had a great experience.

This review has 2 parts. Part A is my original review. Part B is Dr. Sones' response, which she emailed to me after I wrote my review. Part A. Scary and disappointing. I emailed the xrays Dr Sones took to two previous, trusted dentist, along with Dr. Sones diagnoses. Both second opinions advised me to disregard nearly everything she said. Here's what Dr. Sones told me: 1. My bite is not "right" and I should get braces otherwise my teeth with chip 2. My gums are receding and I should plaster them to my teeth in the near future 3. I have a "huge" cavity, and since it is on a baby tooth, I should remove the tooth and get an implant 4. I should remove my wisdom teeth ASAP, even though 3 of them are not showing 5. While I show zero signs of grinding or clenched jaw, I should "keep an eye on it" and consider having her make me a mouth card to protect from the grinding that I do not nor have never done. The truth: I do in fact have a cavity, but all I need is a basic filling. Part B Hi Jessica, I saw your Yelp review and I thought I'd follow up personally with you as it is clear there was a miscommunication between us. I was very hurt to think you would walk away from my office thinking I was trying to over-diagnose. I am actually a rather conservative dentist and I work very hard to do what is best for my patients, not to mention most of what I suggested would be done by specialists so money on my end is not a factor. I'm not trying to be defensive and I hope I don't sound angry, I am honestly just disappointed. I saw a lot of language in your review that doesn't match what I was trying to portray to you so I clearly did not do a good job on my end. I support your decision to go to another dentist 100%, but I also would like to try to clarify my findings so you can perhaps get a better understanding of the approach I was taking. I will just follow the bullet points from your review: 1. Your bite in your mouth is actually quite good, your back teeth line up perfectly. The front teeth do have a little crowding on the bottom which can cause some wear and chipping, particularly if that worsens. Unfortunately teeth can continue to shift your whole life. I just wanted you to be aware of this. 2. There are a few areas of gum recession. There are times we recommend seeing a gum specialist, a periodontist, to perform gingival grafting to improve the foundation of the tooth. Again, I wanted to bring it up so you were aware and to avoid things that make it worse (like brushing too hard, using a hard toothbrush). I normally let the specialist make the final call. I am not sure where the term "plastering" came from, but it's more like re-enforcing the tissue to strengthen it. You are supposed to have a nice thick band of tissue that is attached to the bone, yours is on the thin side in one or two areas. See photo: I marked where the bone and gum tissue should be on the tooth with a dotted line, arrow if pointing to the thinner area of attached gum tissue. 3. There actually is a rather large cavity in the baby tooth, and a small one on the adjacent tooth. The reason I recommended extracting it is because of the close proximity to the space where the nerve is in the tooth. In an adult tooth we can do root canal therapy if this occurs, but not on a baby tooth. My thinking was that if we were able to get away with a filling one time without reaching the nerve, it was just delaying the inevitable. A big filling close to the nerve can also increase your chance of future pain or infection. It is very common for baby teeth to end up being extracted as they aren't meant to be in your mouth past childhood. I attached a few photos and circled the decay from different angles. I also outlined the space where the nerve is on the x-ray. 4. People often approach wisdom teeth differently. Again, I apologize if I didn't explain this properly, but three of your wisdom teeth ARE poking out through the tissue. This allows bacteria to go down under the gumline and set up shop. I personally don't like to wait until patients have a problem because those problems can be be big. You can end up with a painful infection in the area. I have also seen many people end up needing to extract the tooth in front of the wisdom tooth because decay develops on the surface below the gum tissue. I wasn't trying to convey the urgency of having them removed as ASAP, but I do think it's beneficial to remove them before they cause problems. It is also easier to remove third molars when you are younger because your bone gets more dense with age. I attached a photo of one of your wisdom teeth showing through the gum tissue, the other two were blurry as they were hard to reach. I also included the x-ray of your whole mouth and circled the teeth that are poking through. 5. I did mention keeping an eye out for signs of grinding or clenching because that is sometimes a cause of gum recession. Most people do not know read more

Call this clinic to ask a simple question. The person who picked up the call was SO RUDE! Speaks as though I didn't know what I was doing. I asked her my questions in a calmly manner - and even before I could finish, "..what insurance do you have..?". I answered. Before I could even finish my initial questions, she goes "..just to let you know we don't do cleanings on the first visit, and I'm going to need all insurance information before I could talk to you". She hung up on me. I am so PISSED OFF at this witch. I was so excited to find a clinic that was close to home with great yelp reviews. My one star is for that atrocious human being of a receptionist. I never got a chance to experience the expertise of the dental professionals. I hate this woman - she belongs at the back end clearance section of a Job Lot. Love, xoxo read more

Dr. Sones and her team are awesome. Dr. Sones is so caring. She listened to everything I discussed. I felt great after leaving the office and I look forward to going back. They have better technology than my old dentist and are a joy to work with. I love that there is parking behind the building! read more

I've been going to Dr. Sones for a few years now and I'm always walking out of there with a smile. I had not been to the dentist for about six years and I was super nervous going in. Everyone was super friendly and calmed my nerves through the process. Dr. Sones walked me through my x-ray to show me what work I needed. Needless to say, avoiding the dentist for several years is a bad idea, and my teeth/gums had issues. I needed a bunch of fillings and quarterly cleanings. I was concerned about doing things too quickly, but Michelle V and Dr. Sones helped schedule a treatment plan that spanned over two years so I could get the most out of my insurance and not miss much work. When I do have the occasional question about insurance or an appointment, I call or email and Michelle V helps me out with it. She's very knowledgeable, friendly and super quick whenever I email in. I also enjoy our chats whenever I'm in the waiting room. The hygienist, Michelle, and all the dental assistants have also been great. I highly recommend this place to anyone in the area. Especially if they are uneasy about going to the dentist. The team there can help. On a side note, every time I go in there, the office looks nicer and more relaxing. read more

It's not a day at the spa but you will come away feeling better and looking better! The entire staff were friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable. The atmosphere is laid back but professional. Dental care is discussed and reiterated in a way anyone can understand. Michelle and Dr. Sonnes are excellent. You can make an appointment online. There is parking behind the building. It's also a short walk from Davis sq and seconds from the 77 bus. read more

Great practice, wonderful staff. Dr. Sones is knowledgable, professional, caring and friendly. Highly recommended! read more

I've been seeing Dr. Sones and team since she bought the practice. I'm probably one of the few that ENJOY going to the dentist because I get to see everyone there. I'm always greeted enthusiastically every time I walk in the door and they all take an interest in my personal life, not just my teeth. I've always received excellent care and never once questioned procedures that were done. Everything is explained in detail so you are comfortable with whatever has to be done. Dental insurance can be tricky - but any questions I have (no matter how silly my questions seems) are always explained in detail. Highest recommendations for all! read more

Awesome office, super nice staff. Dr. Sones is super informative, personable and helpful.

I was so relieved to finally find a dentist I love after moving here. Dr. Sones has been amazing. I've been seeing her for well over a year. I even finally pulled the trigger on Invisalign and it couldn't have gone any better. Above and beyond that, Dr. Sones staff is always very kind and helpful. Michelle at the front desk is always friendly when I arrive and will always follow up quickly when I need something. I also really love the hygienist; she's incredibly thorough! read more

Great staff. Never have to wait for my appt. Cleanings and fillings were so quick but I didn't feel rushed!

How about this for top notch dental care? One cold, damp afternoon during the height of the quarantine I was munching on a chewy protein bar while parked in my Honda. I felt a sudden change in my bite only to look in the rear view mirror: Who was the fairest in the land? Sure was not this newly minted Jack-O-Lantern! My left lateral incisor had been excised ( i.e. broke off)! Having a primadonna level of vanity ( I humbly admit) this was the dental equivalent of a zombie apocalypse! But fair not - Dr. Sones to the rescue!! Under ordinary circumstances her heroics would have been admirable but she single-handedly opened her office the following snowy Saturday morning during the height of the covid quarantine to treat my little trauma! To give you the crib notes version my "Cambridge Smile" has been restored courtesy of her implant! ( I still may not be the fairest in the land but I'm sure a happy man as I feel one's smile radiates from the heart!) However, the heroics of this "Wonder Dentist", like the Avengers , is also a team effort! The warmth, care, support and professionalism of her team is by far the best not only on Planet Earth but this side of the galaxy! In a nutshell I have been a patient for 8 years and have never looked back! read more

Dr. Sones and her entire team are nothing short of amazing. I've had bad experiences with dentists in the past, leading me to fear going to the dentist and delay getting the treatment I needed for far too long. Thankfully, I decided to give Cambridge Smiles a try and couldn't be happier. They're all extremely personable, accommodating, and professional. They've also managed to fit me in at the last minute on numerous occasions, either due to travel abroad and other situations. Even though I now live in New York, I still make sure to see them when I'm back in town - they are that good! read more

I highly recommend this dental office! From beginning to end it was fantastic! When I called to make an appointment I was worried because it was short notice, but the office manager was so helpful and was able to fit me into the schedule...the dentist and her staff are all great and I left there not terrified as I normally am! Thank you Cambridge Smiles read more

This place is deceptive. At first, I thought I had a great experience - everyone was friendly and personable. However, I received bills from this practice that were inaccurate and after lots of back and forth with my insurance company, I was informed that things were processed incorrectly, and it ended up costing me (literally). I was also told that I would eventually need braces, and told to consider a product that costs tons of $$, and I have had nearly prefect teeth my entire life, so it seemed a bit shady to me--this is literally the first dentist (out of the 5 or so different ones I have seen over the course of my life and various places I've lived) that has even mentioned anything like that. read more

I love my dentist! Everyone here does an amazing job of making my wife and I feel taken care of, without judgement or a sales pitch. We always leave happy. read more

Cambridge Smiles is a comfortable space on the second floor at 2400 Mass. Ave. in North Cambridge. There's an elevator. Dr Paula Sones and her staff have excellent dental skills. They are patient, kind and low-key. I'm undergoing chemotherapy for cancer but I'm also missing three teeth! Dr. Sones has ensured that my dental treatment is OK to do during chemo. Everyone in the office has been happy to set up appointments on days when side effects and energy aren't so bad. Dr. Sones is great with pain management. She wants you to let her know if you start feeling any pain at all. She'll stop and use more novocaine before continuing. Michelle has been cleaning my teeth for years. I know her best and I like her a lot. She explains what she is doing and is open to questions and preferences. Michelle stays up to date with research in her field and keeps her equipment current. When she uses a new technique or piece of equipment she wants your opinion! Once she got a new tool that she was pretty excited about, but her patients didn't like it. She got rid of it. The office is nicely decorated and spotless! They have excellent sterile technique and use it scrupulously. The staff is great with insurance and scheduling needs. There's free parking in the back, a bus stop for the 77 bus on the corner and less than 10 minute walk on the bike path from the Davis or Alewife T stop. And the bike path crosses Mass Ave just up the street from the office. read more

What is the world's best antidote for chronic dental phobia? The highly skilled and amazing Dr. Paula Sones and her very dedicated team! At Cambridge Smiles you get the full package and then some including a warmth, professionalism, and a doctor who truly cares for her patients and places their well being as the first priority! Case in point: She completely changed my smile by skillfully placing a perfect crown over a very troubled front tooth. As a result, rather than hiding my embarrassing smile I now love to flaunt it! This has also boosted my confidence not only as a public speaker but in day to day life. More recently she opted for a filling vs, a crown ( a marginal case) as this would have been more cost effective for her patient. Although it was a trial it has thus farworked out perfectly. I have been a patient for 5 years and never looked back!! read more

I have a terrifying fear of any doctor however this office has 100% changed my view on dentistry. From when I walked in and got Greeted by the front desks warm smile my nerves calmed down a lot and we chatted while I was waiting for the Dr and she was so sweet, then I met the assistant and she was great, Dr Sones was so informative, she calmed my nerves almost instantly. When I met the hygienist my nerves kicked in again but even though it was the most thorough cleaning of my life i felt like I was safe in her chair! OVER ALL I LOVE THEM. Real teamwork, amazing office and I think my fear of dental has been changed forever. Thank you!!! read more

The person on phone does not give you a good feel of this place. The voicemail does not work and keeps repeating the same welcome message. The person on chat does not convey your message. Getting through is a bigger challenge than getting your teeth cleaned. Timings of this place are for people who do not work - not convenient and the person on phone does not make you feel welcomed and accommodated. read more

I have had really great experiences with Dr. Sones and her team. Dr. Sones is really personable and she makes you feel comfortable by not being "detached" or "distant" like some doctors can be. I also liked how they explain everything and show you what's going on so you can "co-diagnose" as the hygienist said. I also didn't get any lectures about not being to the dentist in a long time because I didn't have insurance. Overall, I will keep going back to Cambridge Smiles because they are no hassle, they do a good job, and they care about their patients. Oh, there is also convenient parking, which was nice with the piles of snow along mass ave. when I had my first appointment. read more

Dr. Sones filled two cavities of mine last week. She did a fantastic job. I've had many bad experiences with cavities and this was the most painless, straight forward experience I've had so far. Highly recommended. read more

This was my first visit to Dr Sones and her staff (I had 2 appointments in as many days) and on both occasions I found them to be very friendly and professional. The receptionist was extremely polite and helpful - which is a real bonus in my opinion. With a fair amount of work identified in my first appointment, in spite of a busy end of year schedule the Dr rejigged her schedule to squeeze me in for my follow up appointment the next day and during that appointment she had her assistant really did their best to put me at ease (I like the slogan on the sign outside the practice "We cater for cowards" :-) They were also great with my two tweens (3 and 5) who were also seen during my first visit. The hygienist really gave them both a boost in their motivation to brush correctly too! Our family will definitely be returning. read more

I love my dentist...which is a statement I never thought I would say. Dr. Sones and her team are great! They explain everything they are doing and why, and if you have sensitivity or bleeding, they try to find gentle alternatives so they can continue cleaning. I really love that they have some 7am and 8am appointments available so I don't always have to miss work. I find their prices very reasonable, as well. My husband and I both recommend Cambridge Smiles to everyone we know who asks us for a dental recommendation. read more

Cambridge Smiles is great. staff gives you personalize service. Thorough exam. friendly. don't talk too much. good customer service. Listens to me. Answers all questions no matter how dumb. able to shift appointments easily when needed. get good tips on my teeth. Available in an emergency. Have a 'no insurance' plan. One of the best I've been. read more

The receptionist is shockingly curt. I had a last minute emergency due to my 2 month old daughter and wanted to move the appointment 30 minutes and she wouldn't even discuss it with me. The answer I received was - if you're more than 15 minutes late, it will be a no show and I will have t pay for the appointment. Show some empathy for God's sake. We are all just human beings! While Dr. Sones is OK, the rest of her staff is terrible and you interact almost entirely with her staff. read more