Let's face it--NOBODY likes going to the dentist. At all. I have yet to hear one single person say,…read more"Golly gee whiz, I cannot WAIT to sit in that dentist's chair and have them tear and poke at my gums with metal instruments, stretching the roots in ways unspeakable to mortal men!"
So, take it with a grain of salt and a slight of comfort when I say this. These people certainly know what they're doing. And they are, like....twenty times more efficient and professional than the bottom-of-the-barrel dentists they seem to employ on Fort Bliss.
Not much of a bar to hurdle over, I know. But it's still worth mentioning for those who may have their fears and doubts as I did.
Like another certain Elite bloke who reviewed this place eons before me, I, too, am a complete chickenshit when it comes to going to the dentist. Thing is, I couldn't put this off any longer because that would only lead to more expensive and painful procedures down the road. No, I was not in any pain. I was just here for a routine exam, since it had been a year and a half since I last saw a dentist.
Now, I caution you to check with their front desk to confirm they will accept whatever insurance company you go through. I mainly found these guys through mine, after metaphorically searching the four corners of El Paso to make sure I wasn't gonna have to sell my left kidney in exchange for filling two molars and a periodontal cleaning.
Let's talk about the office. This place is immaculate and features the latest dental technology. In fact, if you compare Fort Bliss's dental clinics with this one, you'll think you've gone backwards in time with the former. I think VDA (yes, that's what I'm calling them) has about...10 or 20 years edge over Bliss any day.
Okay, okay....I promise that's the last roast I'll cast against military dentists. Maybe. Probably.
Moving on..
The staff are amazingly professional and, more importantly, non-condescending. For once, I didn't feel judged when all the usual issues came up (I.E. floss more/better, get a better toothbrush, blah blah blah). They actually had a lot of good tips to offer that I didn't know about, even with my own independent research. Because of their recommendation, I just purchased an electric toothbrush for $128.
Yeah, yeah...you probably think I'm booji. But...I'm old and my choppers now require special needs. In other words, I'm not taking any more chances!
You'll hear a lot of people talk about Dr. Ramirez. Lemme tell ya...this dentist is a chill dude. Like, surprisingly chill! He seemed impressed that I already took initiative in some areas of concern regarding dental hygiene. For instance, he seemed surprised I arrived there for a genuine exam and not because I was experiencing some mouth pain like I suspect most people do. Very rarely does a dentist actually praise their patients for giving an effort. Usually, they just berate them for not flossing enough or using the wrong toothbrush or lecturing them on how they don't brush properly.
As for the procedures themselves, they're about as gentle as they realistically can be, given the circumstances. I won't say that I didn't still experience some slight discomfort. But bare in mind, I'm a total wuss when it comes to this sort of stuff. So, again....take it with a grain of salt. Your mileage may vary.
So, would I recommend them? Hell yeah I would! And this is coming from a 20 year veteran who previously only ever got dental work from military doctors. That's all I'll say about that.
VDA is easily worthy of 5 sparkling bright white smiles from their nervous as hell patients out of 5.
