Well, I clearly need to grab a pic next time. Maybe Dr. Wada will let me snag one of her! The things I love about Dr. Wada: 1) On time. Granted I'm usually one of the first patients in the morning, but this team is efficient. You're in and out in 30 minutes, on the dot, and she goes to town on your teeth. I've never had to wait and it's all so professional. 2) She is thorough. My teeth are clean after a visit with Dr. Wada. 3) Her staff is equally professional and efficient. 4) Dr. Wada is kind and direct. Adults only - she doesn't see the kiddos. There is a very small parking lot in the front with about 3 spots, but there is plenty of metered street parking nearby. Petit Cafe across the street is so cute and delicious for pre or post coffee and snack boost. read more

This review is a long time coming. I'm sitting in her office now just thinking about how I moved over 40 min away but I don't want to find another dentist because I love Dr Wada and all her staff. First of all, every single staff member she has had over the years (I've been a patient over 10+ years) has been wonderful. Hands down she has the best employees. Dr Wada herself is an honest and kind, no nonsense doctor and I trust her as a dentist which I can't say for other dentists in the past. I recommend her to anyone who is looking for a dentist. She really is the best. Thank you Dr Wada!! read more

Finding a great dentist is difficult especially since my insurance plan requires me to use someone in their network who I don't know. Our family has gone to an amazing dentist for 20 years but they do not accept this insurance. I diligently researched on Yelp and local sites the many in-network dentists provided who were also accepting new patients. I found Carol Wada and excitedly called her office to make the first appointment. I was quickly told that she is not accepting new patients and was abruptly rushed off the phone and wished "good luck" with my search. The only way in is to have a patient referral. Not even a second to ask for a recommendation. This is not a reflection on Carol's work - but customer service is a zero. I wish them good luck. read more

Dr. Wada couldn't have been better. Her demeanor and actions speak of pure professionalism. We were in the area and headed to drive to North Carolina in a couple of days. An event arose and I needed care. She took me the same day, treated me, spoke to me as an adult, and was very fair with the expense. Run, don't walk to go see her. read more

I had tooth pain for a week and finally called to make an appointment yesterday and she was able to see me by the end of the day. She fixed my problem and I have no more pain. Thank you read more

Dr. Carol A. Wadda's office provides exceptional professionalism, kindness, patience and support! Throughout the years, the services from both her and her staff have consistently provided outstanding patient care! read more

I have resided in the bay area for over 30 years. My kids, now adults, went to the same dentist in Saratoga Ca for 20 years. Dr. Goldberg was considered "The Best." I say, "Move over, Dr. Goldberg because there's a new "best" in town! Dr. Carol Wada is as good and reputable as what you read in these reviews. Due to health complications I have had problems with my molars. I had to have the bottom one's removed. I put it off for years because I was afraid of all it would entail. Dr. Wada was the dentist provided to me through my health plan. I can only tell you I'm fortunate to have her as my dentist. Dr. Wada DOES have "The Touch." If you have any dental needs, Dr. Wada is the dentist you want to choose! read more

Dr. Wada is great - she is very thorough, performing my bi-annual teeth cleaning with care. I started with her 1.5 years ago (as of March 2019), when (sadly) my prior dentist was no longer "in-network" for my insurance. In addition to the general exam and review of x-rays, Dr. Wada always does teeth cleanings herself, with the assistance of one of her Dental Techs, using modern, well-maintained equipment, and a digital x-ray machine. Personality-wise, I would describe her as generally friendly and very professional, and direct. Though not "soft-and-fuzzy" nor "chit-chatty", she always makes me feel welcome and cared for, in a professional way. I'm very happy with her services. Bonus - Her office staff and Dental Techs are friendly, efficient, and very helpful! The office atmosphere is light, pleasant, modern, professional. I highly recommend Dr. Wada. read more

Dr. Wada is the best thing that's happened to my teeth in years. No drama, great care, easy to book and no sugar-coating of the realities of my aging health and terrible habits. This is a dentist I can grow old with ; ) read more

I had been out of the dental appointment game for a while and found Dr Wada through my new insurance. Though nervous to start up cleanings again, I was immediately put at ease by how professional and efficient Dr Wada is, and I appreciate her no-frills approach. Bonus points for her skilled hands making 4 shots in the gums almost entirely pain-free! Her staff is also friendly and helpful. I couldn't be happier with my experiences with Dr Wada and highly recommend her if you are in the market for your next forever dentist. read more

I can't believe I haven't reviewed Dr. Wada. She's by far the most gentle dentist I've encountered in a long time. She explained the issue with my deteriorated root canal and gave me several options and a good referral. She is conscientious and worked for a while to get my filling right, no extra charge. She's one of the few that accepts my crappy dental insurance and is incredibly affordable, professional and her office staff are the same. I highly recommend Dr. Wada and her team. I left my dentist of 10 years for Dr. Wada! read more

Earlier this summer I was here a lot getting a ton of things done.... fillings, root canal, probably got more mouth numbing shots in a few months than I had in a few years. I'm glad I chose this Dr. Wada's office.. The ladies at the front desk and on the phone are some of the nicest people ever.. They were easy and great to work with, and explained things clearly to me as it related to my insurance (I'm kind of clueless when it comes to my insurance sometimes).. They also coordinated with the oral surgeon who took out my wisdom teeth, also making the situation of figuring out how much insurance I had left simpler. I was also a little late a few times which I felt bad about but they were always really cool about it. Dr. Wada is straight forward, patient and calm... She doesn't have one of those bubbly super chipper personalities but I think she's a great dentist... She told me exactly what needed to be done, why, explaining her recommendations for what should come next (I had multiple issues with my teeth that needed addressing), and what my options were. When I was numbed up and getting drilled, she would ask me how I was doing, which was reassuring and comforting. I'll be back here next time I can.. read more

Dr. Wada is a great dentist. She is extremely conscientious, patient and tranquil. Unlike many other Dentists, Dr. Wada does not try to sell optional/unnecessary services and the ladies at her desk are friendly and accommodating. The only downside is that her office could use some serious updating. The first time I went to Dr. Wada I was a little worried that her skills would match the condition of her waiting room/offices. The couch cushions are more worn than any couch I would ever consider keeping in my apartment and it is just old and drab. Luckily her service lived up to a higher standard than her offices. I am a returning patient. read more

Now that I've been going to Dr. Wada for more than a year and a half, I wanted to update my review to say that she's still simply the best. Scheduling appointments is easy, she's efficient but answers all my questions with patience, and I trust her to only recommend dental work I truly need. I had her refer me to the orthodontist I used for Invisalign and it was a good recommendation. By now I've sent several friends to her and everyone agrees she's what you want in a dentist - an easy and stress free experience and unremarkable in the way a trip to the dentist only is when everything goes perfectly. read more

I've been looking for a good general dentist since I moved here a year ago and based on the other reviews I felt really good heading into my first cleaning with Dr. Wada. Unfortunately, my experience was not as pleasant and I'll be looking for another dentist for future cleanings. I will say that her front office staff member was out sick so they were doing their best to cover that gap. I assume that's why I wasn't able to be seen by Dr. Wada until 30 mins past my appointment time. I wish I had been given a heads up because I would have spent that time working at my desk instead of trying to respond to emails on my phone (I had little to no cell service in the office). Dr. Wada is not what I would describe as a warm person. It was very much getting down to business catching up on relevant dental history and asking if I was happy with my smile (maybe she does cosmetic work, too?), but not any "get to know you" chitchat. That's fine and definitely not a deal breaker, but felt like a contrast from my impression through other yelp reviews. The part of my experience that leads me to not return was the cleaning. It was one of the most painful cleanings I've had and my gums were bleeding profusely - without looking I could tell because I was trying to avoid having to swallow all the blood pooling in my mouth and throat and my gums bleed for another hour after I left. I floss 1-2 times per day so my gums do not usually bleed during cleanings. I winced a few times but it went unrecognized because she seemed to be in such a hurry and I just waited for the cleaning to be over. She rushed through the polishing and flossing (definitely did not use proper technique and just jammed the floss in and out of my teeth as fast as possible and definitely not trying to clean anything). The other thing going on that seemed to be bothering/distracting Dr. Wada, was that her assistant seemed pretty new and lacked the skills needed to help her. The assistant did not know how to suction so spit and blood were constantly filling up my mouth and throat making it uncomfortable and just gross to have that much blood taste in my mouth. A few times Dr. Wada talked curtly to the assistant and the assistant was unable to anticipate Dr. Wada's needs or mine. Overall, I was glad when the cleaning was over and will not be returning. I am stunned my experience had been so different from other yelpers and I hope this was a one-off experience resulting from understaffing, new staff and a stressed Dr. Wada. read more

I also had to leave my great dentist when my insurer no longer covered her services. I am so glad I found Dr. Wada. In addition to her calm demeanor and no-stress office, she is quick, efficient, and painless. I moved my teenager sons to her practice when they started complaining about their pediatric dentist and they love her too. They report that her office is "relaxing" and she "doesn't treat me like a little kid." Scheduling is easy and the staff is very nice. read more

forewarning: I use the word Japanese to actually mean Japanese-American. Immigrants later than the 1980's mean much less to my family. From a young age, I was taught by my family to help support the other Japanese in the world -- buy Japanese appliances, eat Japanese food, use the services of Japanese professionals. They didn't have to cost less, be nicer or more skilled, it just mattered that they were Japanese. In fact, all those things didn't even matter, it was just the last name. If I did that, I was guaranteed that I would be part of this "in group" that looked out for its own. I'm not the only one that subscribes to this belief though, go to any Japanese health care professional's office and I will BET YOU that they have at least one other Japanese working there. Kids don't understand these lessons well though, and painful/traumatic dentistry turns you off from dentists no matter if they're Japanese or not. I hadn't gone to the dentist in 5 years after college, and one day, what started out as a little sensitivity in my tooth blossomed into a wonderful symphony of pain in a few weeks. Remember that scene in "Cast Away" where Tom Hanks busts out his own tooth with the ice skate? I was about there. Anyway, so it came time to find a dentist, and my ethnocentric upbringing came to play again, and I waded through the many dentists available on my insurance (Delta Dental DPO if you care) looking for a Japanese sounding name. Bingo, Dr. Wada right in Oakland. I asked for an emergency appointment and got it for three days later during their lunch break. Long story short, she was able to save the tooth w/o root canal (though she said it was close), plus I got NO condescending lecture about oral hygiene. I think that's what I hated most about my old dentist, he would make me show him how I brushed and flossed (oh surprise, I didn't floss!) then critique my style. I'm sure he thought he was helping, but it was so annoying -- of course I know I'm supposed to floss every day, blah blah. Dr. Wada merely said, "if you hate coming to the dentist, you just have to floss every day." No lecture, no condescension, just straight up statement of fact. I kept waiting for the lecture, but it never came. I loved that about her. When I went in for my first consult, I got a pretty lengthy teeth cleaning (again, my fault for not going in 5 years) -- I'm not sure what other people are talking about when they say they want a gentle dentist, because it seems like dentistry is inherently non-gentle. Anyway, Dr. Wada was no more or less "gentle" than any of the other two dentists I've had, but she did the job right so props there. She seems pretty busy, regular appointments are booked anywhere from 5 to 8 weeks out. Her office is straight out of the 70's: standard chairs, standard x-ray gun thing, standard whiny pneumatic drills, so if you're into high tech laser drills, this is not the place for you. If you want a standard meat n' potatoes dentist who is handy with a drill and won't talk down to you, I'm sticking with Dr. Wada. PS: I got standard amalgam fillings (oh noes, mercury leeching into my body!) but I think she also offers those fancy ceramic ones too. read more

Dr. Wada is far and away the best dentist I have ever been to and the only one I trust. Previous dentists I have gone to did procedures that were most likely unnecessary in order to make more money (including drilling out half of a tooth and giving me a crown that Dr. Wada later had to replace). Dr. Wada is conservative and makes decisions based on the health of your teeth and not the amount of money she could make. Her work is excellent and she even does the cleaning herself! Bottom line is that she is a fantastic no-frills dentist, which is a rarity these days. read more

Absolutely the best!!! My first visit was an emergency sistuation. Two of my back teeth crack while on vacation and as soon a i returned, she squeezed me in her schedule even though i have never been to her office prior. She is very knowledgeable and very very gentle. I never had a teeth cleaning this good!!! She really takes pride in her work and her new location is beautifully remodeled. I'm so glad I found her! read more

Carol is a great dentist. My family has been going to her for 20 years. What we like: 1. An expert: We've never experienced any problems with work she has done. 2. Respectful: She always patiently explains to me what is happening. 3. Pleasant: Both Carol and everyone else in the office are a pleasure to deal with. 4. There in an emergency. I've always been able to get in quickly if it was a real emergency. read more

I've been to a bunch of hack rip off dentists that try to make more money and ever since then I've been looking for a no frills dentist and Dr. Wada is it- she reminds me of the dentists I had when I was a kid, actually caring about her work as opposed to making as much money as possible. read more

Dr. Wada and her whole staff are amazing! I grew up with a very simple and excellent dentist. When I moved I didn't think I would be able to find another practitioner like this here in California and low and behold I found Dr. Wada's office. She re cemented my crown and it feels better than when I first got it! I made the mistake of going to Bright Now Dental in Alamed when I moved out there and they were not good at the crown process at all. I am so happy to be back with Dr. Wada again :). read more

I highly, highly recommend Dr. Carol Wada!! Top-notch general dentist, absolutely fantastic. Dr. Wada is a jewel. Everything in the office is sparkling & immaculate. Dr. Wada is punctual and friendly, and concerned that you feel at ease and experience no discomfort. It is a clean & healthy environment, just sparkling with joy. She is accessible & friendly. So, if you need a general dentist, please make an appointment with Dr. Wada! I guarantee you'll actually feel happy & enjoy the experience and *no pain* whatsoever. I have been going to Dr. Wada since 2005/6, and I am not going to change dentists, ever. The front desk is generous about financial arrangements and working with your insurance company. Cindy at the front desk is always sweet, kind, gentle, polite -- always meets your scheduling needs & will file your insurances efficiently -- she does excellent work! Bianca is the chairside dental assistant -- she always greets you with a big smile and makes you feel at ease. You never feel hassled or pressured, and they are willing to go the extra mile to make things work out for you, payment-wise. The dentist assistant is also friendly and helps to make you feel comfortable and at ease. Love this office! read more

Dr. Wada is the sort of dentist that makes you want to take better care of your teeth. She's gentle, professional, and very low pressure. I NEVER floss and usually get chewed out by my dentist. She was very understanding and didn't make me feel bad at all. She was very encouraging and relaxed. Her staff is kind and has been with her for a long time, a great sign. Lastly, she does the cleaning HERSELF!! This is not the dentist for people who want frills and gimmicks but this is the dentist if you're nervous, want honestly, and or desire an excellent cleaning. Also, she takes Delta PPO, a rarity among the well reviewed dentist on Yelp. read more

I have been going to Dr. Wada for 8 years now. She is a wonderful dentist. I want a dentist who is honest, knowledgeable, and low key, who does not push unnecessary procedures. She is all of these, plus friendly and not too busy so I can always get an appointment at a time that works for me. Her office is small and she does the cleanings herself with the help of a very kind staff of three (I think). As the others have said, don't be put off by the kind of shabby waiting room. She is a reasonably priced, honest dentist, so I don't think she has much money left over for a flashy office. I am so happy with her that I am continuing to see her even now that my insurance no longer covers my visits. read more

So through job change, I never reacquired dental insurance and I'm in need of a cleaning. I didn't hesitate to call Dr. Wada's office and ask how much out-of-pocket is, because no matter what, I'm going to her. A very professional office. Her staff is great. She's very straight-forward as to what your options are, doesn't try to sell, and has done fantastic work for the short time I started going to her. Dr. Wada and her office is your family dentist. I won't go anywhere else. -David read more

Dr Wada is very skilled and knowledgeable. I went there with a tooth ache because of a poor filling job done by a previous dentist. Turned out that the filling needed to be filed down because my bite was problematic. Dr Wada assessed the situation and took care of it very professionally and warmly. Her staff is also super friendly. Will definitely remain a patient!! read more

I love Dr. Wada. I have gone to dentist for many decades. She is the best. Honest, caring. The only regret that I have is that I didn't find her sooner. She is definitely a jewel. I had to kiss a lot of frogs in order to find her. read more

Dr. Wada is fantastic. Calm, friendly, thorough, and candid. Super great staff, too. Dr. Wada has done a bunch of work on my teeth, all of which has held up very well. She's also pretty darn quick, which makes scheduling appointments during the workday possible. I definitely recommend her! read more

Dr. Wada is caring, experienced and affordable. I couldn't ask for anything else from my dentist.

Our family has been going to Dr. Wada's for over 10 years. Definitely, it's a no frills joint which saddened my kids when they were little. But hey, dentistry isn't entertainment and her prices are far more reasonable than the whistles and bells folks. She and her office staff are kind, thorough and get the job done. Dr. Wada has tons of integrity. She doesn't push treatment but prefers to wait and see; your welfare is of higher regard to her than making as much money as possible. read more

A completely pleasant experience from the second I walked in until I left! Today, I went in to have a filling put BACK in. I explained to Dr Wada the troubles and experiences I had with the previous one (serious sensitivity, couldn't eat on one side of my mouth for 18 months and on top of all that the filling fell out). Dr Wada explained to me the reasoning behind these problems and explained why she was going to put the same type filling back in. I told her I trusted her to do what she thought was best. She took her time and re-bonded a new filling and I knew it took her extra time to do it right so I wouldn't have problems. She also does a great job numbing. I hate going to the dentist and hearing drills and feeling the pain all the way to my toes. That doesn't happen here! This was all after I was told I didn't have insurance to cover it. I didn't care. I paid out of pocket knowing that I was receiving quality treatment. The whole team is really just top notch. I love the tight knit vibe they have. I will try to continue to come here regardless of insurance or where I live! They are the best! Oh yeah and the new office was super clean and fresh! Love the look. read more

Dr. Wada is the best! My family and I have been seeing her for the last 11 years even after moving through the tunnel to the Lamorinda area. She is kind, earnest and genuine. Everyone should have a Dr. Wada in their lives. read more

I've been through multiple dental procedures in various parts of the USA, making me a veteran of dental offices. Ended up with Dr Wada when I moved to the Bay Area a decade ago, upon recommendation of a doctor- friend. I was not disappointed. In fact, I was so impressed with Dr Wada's skills, approach, and gentle hands, I ended up bringing my entire family (husband, son, and in-laws) who are all equally satisfied patients. I also appreciate that when i needed a special dental procedure, she referred me appropriately to an excellent specialist (note that I have a complex dental history). There was only one time when I hesitated -- when it was time for my son (8 yrs old then) to have a very early cavity filled. Dr Wada has a way of injecting the lidocaine which distracts your mind from noticing the process. My son's procedure went smoothly; no tears! Her clinic is also special as Dr Wada does the routine dental cleaning herself -- which from my experience is of better quality than my previous dental hygienist's job. So, we are happy to say that Dr Wada is our family's dentist and we all highly recommend her. By the way, her assistants-- Cindy and Diana - both very nice and competent. read more

Most wonderful skillful dentist I've experienced.