My daughter and I have been going to Columbia Dental for over ten years. He's very professional, personable and thorough. My daughter is no longer on my dental insurance but she had a root canal done from him, because she was a former patient, he made the payment very affordable. He used to be about a 20 minute walk from my job, but now about a 20-30 minute drive or longer on public transportation, but he's so worth it. read more

Oddly unprofessional office staff -- confused about what to do when I arrived. Then the dentist was 30 minutes late to work, so I fired them. Go somewhere else. read more

I've had a great overall experience with Columbia Dental. They did a routine cleaning and full x-ray for me, a dental exam for my Peace Corps application, and then three fillings and four wisdom teeth removals this spring. The assistant at the front desk was helpful and worked out my insurance reimbursements no problem. They seemed to manage and keep track of the paperwork quite well. Dr. Salha was efficient, friendly, and skilled, and the dental hygienist was great. My procedures all went off without any incidents or much pain at all, and seeing as how I had three fillings and *four* wisdom teeth removed, that is saying a lot. I got my wisdom teeth removed on a Friday with almost no pain and I was back at church on Sunday and at work on Monday. Admittedly, they were pretty simple removals since all four teeth had already grown in (despite being cramped), but Dr. Salha and his assistants also gave me thorough instructions for how to take care of them at home and did a good job at removing them without any complications. I thought the length of time it took was pretty standard for a dental office. I guess I give them 4 stars instead of 5 primarily because perhaps since it's such a small office, they're not always open or in, so it made it hard for me to get a hold of them sometimes when I had to pick up paperwork. Also, the prices for my fillings went up a small amount (not by more than about $30 total for the three of them) from what I remembered the assistant quoting me in the first place. I think they told me it was because one or two of the cavities ended up being bigger than they originally thought from the x-rays. Understandable I guess, but still slightly frustrating since I didn't find out it would be more until after they had already done the work. Not a big deal, though. Overall an affordable and good experience. read more

I can verify that these folks have no idea how to administer anesthetic. Dr. Anwar shot up my mouth several times to the point that I could barely open it, the drilling was STILL somewhat painful at times, and he complained when I couldn't open my almost-paralyzed jaw. To top it off, they used fillings that weren't covered by my insurance so I got a bill in the mail for extra. Definitely avoid this place. read more

Dr. Salha is very good and meticulous! He has been a wonderful doctor to myself and my friend.

Dr. Anwar is the most humane Dr. I ever dealt with. You can disagree with him on politics and sports but he will not pull your tooth for it. He was very patient with my whiny low tolerance to pain and made sure I am not crying my eye balls for my root canal. Love you Dr Anwar and love your pain management technique. read more

My boyfriend and I have been patienst at Columbia Dental for a year and I have nothing but good things to say about this place. I have had major dental work done there (root canal and crown) and my 6 month cleanings and numerous fillings. Dr. Salha and his staff are fabulous! They are very professional and incredibly friendly. I am happy I found Columbia Dental and plan to continue being a patient of Dr. Salha. read more

I visited 5 "professionals"--dentists and periodontists--in the DC area to try to get help with dental problems that worsened after a biking accident. I got "run-arounds," and "double-talking," a lack of clarity about the nature of the treatments proposed. There was hemming and hawing about the payments--insurance contributions and patient responsibility. I didn't feel I was getting "straight-talk" and real guidance until talking to Deniece (Dr. Salha's assistant, appointment secretary, etc.) and Dr. Salha himself. Dr. Salha took the time to work with me, took time to listen and carefully explain my options for treatment. His office is clean, comfortable and efficiently operated. I have begun to work with him and I am glad that I persisted in my quest to find the best. read more

I've been to Columbia Dental a few times in the last two years for cleaning and general check-up. During this time, I had two wisdom teeth pulled out, both of which were growing into the roots of the neighboring teeth. I had an overall pleasant experience with Dr. Anwar Salha; he is friendly, straightforward, and skilled. The operation took about 1.5 hours, completely painless. I didn't get any infection after the operations and the wound healed within a week. My biggest issues were that the front desk staff was not quite professional as one would expect and that they didn't explain to me what I got charged for--I had to ask them for clarifications. To be fair, they did check with my insurance company for approval before performing operations. I didn't get an impression that they were trying to fool me into getting expensive procedures more than necessary--though admittedly I have few reference points--but the lack of transparency and professionalism turned me off a bit. Since I moved out of this area, I no longer visit this dentist anymore. I don't have enough experience to recommend this business, but I also don't think they are as bad as the other reviewer described. read more

The worst dental experience ever- after moving here from Chicago, my boyfriend and I needed a new dentist. We decided on Columbia Dental because of the great location from our apt. After the terrible 6 month cleaning appointment, we both would've rather had a root canal without the meds. The staff was miserable! The dental hygenist would not stop talking about the election and her love for Obama (unprofessional!) It took 2 hours for the cleaning/x rays, and they were always running late. Not to mention the worst part, they performed cosmetic surgery without approval on my boyfriend, costing him $600 after insurance to replace his prior filling! ('it is a custom made filling' they said). I had 2 cavities filled and cried the entire time... the doctor couldn't get the numbing shots to work after 3 tries IN THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH, it finally worked. Don't get me wrong, I have had cavities before and was fine. We should have known it was shady when they had me fill out a crdit card consent form before my exam. They charged my credit card for the full amount before my insurance was able to pay it! This was awful. We feel bad writing this because the dentist was a very nice man. In conclusion, if pain, high prices and long waits with unfriendly service is your cup of tea, then go to Columbia Dental! read more

They made me wait for the doctor for almost 2 hrs sitting in the chair. The x-ray process was very painful and they numbed my mouth 3 different times but kept failing to get it. Eventually the front desk person did it correctly for the hygienist! Dr. Anwar immediately sat down and told me that he would take out my wisdom teeth as soon as possible and that I had 6 cavities. I told them I needed to think about it/get a second opinion before making the appointment. They then texted and called me once a week to tell me to make the appointment to get my $1000+ treatment. Today I went to a different dentist, this one recommended by a friend, and she said that I had no cavities and she would certainly not take out my wisdom teeth as they are not affecting my mouth at all. Columbia dental is dishonest and just wants to make money from unnecessary procedures. They are not gentle and my appointment took forever! read more

Columbia Dental is SUPERB!! I have been going to Columbia Dental for almost 9 years. I love Dr.Salha, the dentist because he is always so personable, professional and he never trys to sell me thinngs that I do not need and I appreciate that. It is a very quaint office with a very friendly staff.. The dental assistant, Rhonda is very friendly and you would love her personality ( Oh how I love people from the Islands). Latitia, the receptionist is very professional and efficient. Columbia Dental is !00% Official in my book. It's hard to get great and exceptional service but trust me when I tell you, will get it at Columbia Dental. SUPERSTARS!!!!!! read more

I've been a patient at Columbia Dental for 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say about this practice. I have had major dental work done - dental implant - and many 6 month cleaning. Dr. Salha is great! He's very professional and knows what he's doing. The staff are extremely friendly and after my first visit knew my name. I had tried out other dentists in the DC area (about 5 different practices) but all of them were more interested in selling me braces than actually treating my abscessed tooth. I am happy I found Columbia Dental and plan to continue being a patient of Dr. Salha. read more

I don't write many reviews, but having read a couple of negative reviews, I felt compelled to write one. I thought Dr Salha was a great dentist. It's true he's slow but he takes his time, is thorough and does an excellent job. I often have fillings that need to be done around the gum line due to receding gums - a problem I have had for years. When I moved to DC, I went to Dr Salha. He is kind and explains everything and the dental work is excellent. I would rate him 5 stars for the dentistry, but gave 4 stars as the staff could be better. However, although the staff is not great, they are OK. I never felt overcharged or had work done that was not necessary and it was discussed with me beforehand. I have since left DC, but just had a crown come off while visiting DC (crown not done by Dr Salha) and going back to Dr Salha to have a temp fitted. read more

After years of searching for a good dentist, I finally found one--Dr. Salwa. The hygienist was extremely thorough. She gave the best cleaning I have ever had and even showed me how to clean my teeth properly. Dr. Salwa had recommendations for preventative care, but was not high-pressure--in fact, just the opposite. read more

My visit was fast, the facilities were clean, and the staff were professional.

The quot is never correct and the cavities are always bigger than they thought. All fillings they performed caused some serious pains afterwards. I'd rather have the root canal in the first place. Looking for another dr now. Too painful to even think about the place. read more

Columbia Dental Clinic delivers on their motto of providing quality care to informed patients in a comfortable and convenient setting. A computer monitor streams live tv to relax you during teeth cleanings. Dr. Salha shows your x-rays on the screen to let you makes informed decisions; and, he provides a first-rate teeth cleaning. Dr. Salha is usually early and the appointments are quick (around 30 minutes for the entire teeth cleaning). The dental hygienist is friendly, remembers our names and always asks about our new baby. The location is convenient location near Foggy Bottom metro or you can park on the street for two hour parking. Prior to your appointment, the staff reminds you via postcard, text, email or voicemail. My family highly recommends Dr. Salha. We have never experienced any administrative problems with dental insurance though the past ten years. We have used this office through numerous jobs, cavities, and even Invisalign. read more

Suffering a toothache, I went to Dr. Anwar Salha at Columbia Dental. Dr. Salha didn't physically examine my tooth. He took an x-ray. Based solely on that x-ray, Dr. Salha told me my tooth was so badly decayed he couldn't save it, even with a root canal. When I resisted having my tooth pulled, Dr. Salha told me if anyone could save it, it would be the endodontists at Excelsis Root Canal. So he recommended I go to Excelsis, in the suburbs. But Excelsis Root Canal is not accessible by mass transit, & I have no car. So I borrowed a car & drove to the suburbs. I don't drive much. It was a scary & expensive trip. But I did see Dr. Valerie Okehie, an endodontist at Excelsis, the dental office Dr. Salha recommended. Dr. Okehie told me she could save my tooth as long as it was given a "crown lengthening." I told Columbia Dental. Columbia Dental checked with my insurance. My insurance authorized the procedure. But after my suburban trip to the endodontist he recommended, & even after my insurance guaranteed coverage, Dr. Salha decided he didn't want to do the crown lengthening anyway, supposedly because he disagreed with Dr. Okehie. Did Dr. Salha send me to the suburbs to see an endodontist whose recommendation to save my tooth he was determined, in advance, to reject? If he was determined to reject that recommendation, why did his office bother to ask my insurance if it covered the recommended procedure? Or did his office learn something from my insurance company that--even though the insurance company guaranteed coverage--convinced Dr. Salha he didn't want to follow the endodontist's advice to save my tooth? Could it be that an extraction is easier, quicker, & gets the dentist better insurance reimbursement, than does a crown lengthening? I don't know, because no explanation I got for this made any sense. read more