My experience is the exact opposite of Laura G's experience...
If you are looking for a new dental office, Dental Care Basking Ridge should be near the top of your list. Don't be put off by the fact it is in a small mall. The quality of care is excellent and the friendly enthusiasm refreshing. I have been in the office 5 times since my first visit in July, which was a visit seeking a second opinion after my prior dentist misdiagnosed my problem. It will now be my permanent provider as long as the conditions I describe below continue to be "routine". There are five areas that have really impressed me:
1. I don't have dental insurance so I find it refreshing to have a price list of routine services. I care what I am going to be charged and always resent the vagueness of most offices to discuss prices clearly upfront. Here you have a price list and can take a copy with you.
2. As a new patient, without insurance, you will be given a full through examination, complete panoramic and bitewings X-Rays, and if it is an emergency the necessary immediate temporary treatment/advice to deal with the problem (in my case a prescription for antibiotics for a badly infected tooth). Cost $1. My prior dentist charged me $150 to misdiagnose my problem and $35 for a single tooth X-Ray.
3. The office hours are 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM Monday to Saturday. The office is staffed by two teams which work alternating shifts each day. So you can always see someone. If it is not your "regular" team you can see the other one, depending on your schedule, and all your records are there. I called at 7:30 AM and was able to see the dentist at 9:30 AM. The teams work together, not as separate offices.
4. Having your own insurance is great, but many of us do not. The Dental Care you can buy an in in house plan which is attractive. The annual cost is less than the cost of two cleanings annually (from other providers) which are free under the Dental Care plan. In addition there are other free services which one often pays for in a traditional dentist office. So you can't lose really if you have your teeth cleaned twice a year. Also if you have the insurance plan you get a discounted price off the regular fee for services (both of which are written out on the pricing plan). And by the way the regular fees have not been inflated to give you a discount. They are right in line with, or perhaps somewhat lower, that fees I have paid for similar work at my prior dentist/periodontist/oral surgeon.
5. This office is part of a 5 office group in Somerset County NJ. This office focuses on general dentistry, but has access within the group to specialists you might need, e.g. an oral surgeon, or a periodontist. Therefore you do not always need to find a specialist to do work other than general dentistry. In my case I did use an outside specialist (recommended by Dental Care) for some of my care, and found that office to be as friendly and reasonable as the Basking Ridge office.
If this review sounds too good to be true, it is not. Try them. You will be impressed. The only potential negative is both teams are staffed by younger dentists, dental assistants, hygienists and administrative staff. This may mean turnover occurs at a higher rate than your traditional dentist office. But even that may be a benefit. You are dealing with people who are using the latest techniques and enthusiastically pursuing their careers. They care and it shows...
Bill M read more
