Both Angela and Dr. Bavafa have always been very kind and personable, and always seem to remember little personal details about me during my visits. I had always enjoyed my visits to Elmwood Dental until my most recent visit, so it is definitely not easy for me to write this review. Prior to my most recent visit to Elmwood, I had noticed a black speck on my back molar and suspected a cavity. I pointed it out during my last teeth cleaning session, and was quickly scheduled for a follow-up appointment to address the small cavity. This is (unfortunately) not the first cavity I've ever had in my life, so I didn't expect this visit to go any differently from any other cavity filling I've done at prior dentists. However during the appointment, while they were operating inside my mouth, I noticed the outside corner of my mouth feeling kind of warm. By the time I got to my car, the sensation had escalated to a burning sensation. One that only got worst and more painful as I proceeded home. By the time I got home and managed to property examine myself in the mirror, I noticed some pretty bad burns near the corner of my mouth on one side. I don't know if one of their equipment rested on that area by accident, or some caustic agent accidentally dripped there. Either way, this was horrific and absolutely unacceptable. Thankfully the burn wounds healed after a little over a week. However the wounds were quite unsightly until it healed. I've since changed dentists and really can't recommend Elmwood dental in good conscience to anyone if this type of accident happens on such a routine and small procedure as a cavity filling. read more

Elmwood Dental Care - General Dentistry Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I had a check up here for the first time in the staff were just the nicest people you ever met in your life greeting. You're right when you come in the door. The doctor is well trained, and is a specialist in his field and well respected. I have no problem recommending this place. I felt very comfortable and welcomed. read more

I needed to move practices due to a change of insurance, and while I was hesitant to do so, I'm glad I stumbled into Elmwood Dental Care. Both Angela and Dr. Bavafa were kind, professional, and practical. They run a small outfit (both the dentist and hygienist ran double duty as office management) but everything was smooth and efficient. And most importantly, they were very gentle with the exam and cleaning. read more

I've been going to Elmwood dental for my check-ups and cleanings for about 10 years. Angela has consistently been rude and condescending, but I've come back because I liked Dr. Bavafa. I recently needed my tooth fixed after it broke however, and it was a terrible experience. Angela was snappy, condescending and lecturing me (about plane radiation and aging in women) for no reason, forgetting to suction or spraying the water on my face. In the end, my tooth looks terrible and I have to find a new dentist to fix their work. Treating your patients with respect should be a minimum, and I put up with this practice for too long. Will not be coming back. read more

Outstanding dental care provider. Top flight in every aspect. I have been seeing Dr. Bavafa and his able assistant Angela for about 5 years now. Everyone in my family has received excellent care and despite moving to Sonoma County, We continue to drive to Elmwood Dental Care for consistently excellent healthcare. Bonus- beautiful and sparkling clean office ! read more

I have some fear or being in a dental chair and Elmwood Dental has been so supportive and accommodating. Highly recommend!

Easy to schedule. Honest, transparent and gentle care. Thank you so much Dr Bavafa and Angela for your great work

If I could give 10 stars I would! Over the span of my life I have needed copious amounts of dental work. Dr. Buvafa stands at the top of the list of all the dentists I've worked with. He was very honest, transparent and gentle. I am very very picky when it comes to dentists, really anyone who needs to look in my mouth- Dr. Buvafa and his assistant are of the highest skill and care. I wish I could continue to see him forever, but I am moving out of state. Thank you so much to Elmwood Dental Care! read more

I have taken my mouth full of teeth over to Dr. Bavafa and his lovely assistant because it's a small, dedicated practice offering more personalized service and responsiveness in an emergency. I like that you will always see the dentist when you come here, not just a dental hygienist. I found this listing on Yelp and asked my friend to call and see what he might be able to do for me since I had a bike accident and me and my teeth were a mess. He worked with my friend so nicely to ensure that if I was in really bad pain, he could see me that very weekend and give me some immediate care, and then get down to work on Monday morning. I really appreciate the time and attentiveness, to the point of perfectionism, he gave to ensure a good fitting for the crown I had to get. Since it's my front tooth, and I've taken such good care of my teeth over the years, they are a source of vanity for me! I'm really happy with the Lab he works with and how great my porcelain crown looks. You would never guess it's not my own tooth. My only hesitation in writing this review is that he will get too popular! Stay small and dedicated to your clients, Dr Bavafa! Thank You! read more

I called to make a first appointment. The person on the phone was incredibly rude and condescending. I did not feel comfortable making an appointment with them after this exchange. read more

Went to Elmwood Dental Care as a new patient a week ago and the visit was incredibly pleasant. First, Angela was the one who took my x-rays and she was hilarious and so sweet! Seemed like an incredibly kind individual. Then, Dr. Bavafa saw me. He told me I have receding gums and he recommended I go get that checked out at a periodontist. Then he helped explain what that would mean if I got gum grafts. He also told me some options I could do so that my insurance would cover all of it. When I asked him for recommendations, he provided some but told me to make sure to do my own research. I found this super genuine, as some dentists I've gone to would want to plug their friends by recommending them to me. When Dr. Bavafa did my cleaning, he made sure to be incredibly careful and skillful around the gums that had receded and become sensitive. All in all, I feel like Dr. Bavafa is an incredibly competent doctor, and one whose main priority is keeping them healthy and not pressuring them into doing anything that's unnecessary. I would 10/10 recommend this place to a friend and plan to make this my long-term dentist office! read more

After my first visit, these are my impressions: I arrived on time and did not have to wait. This air conditioned office has windows letting in a pleasant amount of light, the interior has simple yet pleasant decor. Dr. Bavafa was competent, calm and clear. He explained my situation well, and I did not feel pressured into unnecessary services. His dental assistant did my X-rays, she was pleasant and talkative. Their equipment is up to date: they take digital X-rays which allows them to use the lesser child radiation emission amount on adults, and the X-rays can be emailed to specialists if you need specialists treatment. An LCD panel mounted on the wall in front of your dental chair allows you to see the X-ray results, and Dr Bavafa can point with his computer mouse to explain the images. read more

Elmwood Dental Care - Parking in the back. Elmwood Dental Care (Dr. Bavafa ) is upstairs (stairway on the left side). Dr Chertok (Periodontist) is downstairs. - General Dentistry Near Me - Berkeley, California

About 3 years ago I had Elmwood dental do a crown for me. When they went to test fit the crown, they couldn't get it out. They tried for about 20 minutes and then gave up. So the crown was never glued in, just friction holding it in there. Fast Forward 3 years, and the tooth has died underneath the crown, I just had a root canal on it, and I'm having some of the worst medical symptoms of my life read more

Thank you Dr. Bavafa, Angela, and all the folks who wrote such glowing reviews directing me to Elmwood Dental Care. On all levels, this was by far the best experience I've ever had in a dental office, including memorable visits to dental offices in both Spain and Costa Rica. Dr. Bavafa had this incredible combination of precision, care, and confidence. And Angela's off-the-wall, self deprecating humor was unexpectedly delightful. They were also cognizant that I was paying out of pocket and did just what was needed to take care of my (I hate to admit) neglected teeth without bringing in more expensive procedures, even taking one extra x-ray at the end of my visit to ensure that they'd fully taken care of a calculus build up below my gum line. As an architectural designer, the space itself is both inviting and intriguing and the location excellent. Do beware of the no parking signs from 4-6pm on Ashby avenue. I was under the two hour time limit but neglected to read the signage closely, leaving me with a $68 ticket. They may have off street parking but I'm not totally sure. Thank you again! I will now sleep better at night and, by God!, start flossing regularly! read more

I don't want to be mean BUT this is one of the worst dentist experience that I've ever been to. After my first appointment with the dentist, I walked out of the place crying because he made me feel awful about how I didn't floss everyday and I had to sit through a video of how my teeth will fall out. I really felt like I had just killed somebody when I walked out. I have good dental hygiene, I don't floss 3 times a day but I do floss. Anyways, I go to a different doctor in Walnut Creek who is actually nice and friendly. He said my teeth were fine. The receptionist is quite friendly though. 2 stars for her read more

Dr. Bavafa and Angela are cool. Dr. Bavafa is especially honest, and I feel like he's been careful in explaining which dental procedures have and haven't been important for us to consider. I've always felt comfortable scheduling an appointment with him, knowing that he won't try to force me into any unnecessary dental procedures. Some *other* dentists are horrible at informed consent, good god, and I'm happy that he's so above that. I'm a high-scrupulosity type, so I sometimes freak out when people ask me about where I am in my career and the like, but probably I could get around this by becoming good enough at small talk to change the subject when I come in to get my teeth looked at, or just say that that kind of small talk scares me more than most. read more

Dr. Bavafa and Angela are terrific. I came here for about a year before I had to move and this is still the best dentist experience I've ever had. Angela is funny, professional, and makes you feel instantly at ease. Dr. Bavafa makes you feel comfortable even as he's approaching you with scary dental tools that make drilling sounds. If you're in the Elmwood/Berkeley area, this should be your dentist! read more

Okay, so I love Dr. Bavafa. First, I had to reschedule two separate times due to my own inability to request the proper days off work- oops. They were great about rescheduling, telling me exactly when they had openings, and their hours on given days on the phone. I was a little nervous going in- I generally hate the dentist. But Angela and Dr. Bavafa were great. Very laid back and easy going, they made me really comfortable. Not condescending at all, and very thorough and professional. Up until this point, I had gone to the same dentist for my entire life, but now that I permanently live in Berkeley, I needed a new one. It took me a while to find a dentst with great yelp reviews who is also covered by my insurance, but I'm very happy with this choice. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Bavafa for over 2 years and I only have good things to say about him and his staff. He is very friendly and caring, always attentive to my mouth's comfort zone. He combines a great technical competency with the touch of a sure handed artist. One thing I find important is that he does many of the dental procedures right in-house. I have had some root canals and crowns, plus some even more difficult work carried out with true professionalism. His office is nice and located right in the Elmwood area, with parking in the back. Plus, I love that I never have to wait in his office to begin my dental work, I arrive and it's time to get started. read more

Dr. Bavafa is the best dentist I've had in the last 17 years in the U.S. He's very knowledgeable, friendly, and honest. He clearly explains your teeth status and gives you options on what you want to do next, never pushing you for expensive and unnecessary treatments. He also offer s a very flexible schedule on weekends. Highly recommended. I wish I were living closer to Berkeley these days! read more

This was the best dentist I have ever been to (and I've been to many). I called to let them know that I would be a couple of minutes late because I couldn't find parking and his assistant made sure to have one of the cars moved so that I could park in the parking lot. I did not have to wait at all to be seen. Dr. Bavafa's assistant was very friendly and made me feel very comfortable. She was great with the x-rays and very easy to talk to. After the x-rays, Dr. Bavafa came in and was just as friendly as his assistant. He did the teeth cleaning, asked me many times if I was comfortable. He did the teeth cleaning the old school way which was a lot more comfortable and thorough. He was very honest. I've been a lot of dentists and this is by far the best dentist I have been to (because of Dr. Bavafa AND his wonderful assistant). I would definitely recommend him to anyone looking for a nice, honest dentist. read more

Best dentist experience of my life, and it involved two fillings! I really appreciate both Dr. Bavafa's and his hygienist's care and attentiveness. These were the second and third fillings of my life, and the first filled using Novocain... I am not a shot fan, and especially in my mouth... Dr. Bavafa was very honest and step by step with the process so there were no surprises and the experience was much better than I expected. He and his hygienist Angela made sure my experience was as comfortable and easy as possible. I am so grateful and totally trust my dental care with these experts. read more

It's hard to believe that I would say this about a dentist's office, but this place is awesome! Dr. Bavafa is very kind and comforting. I've had three fillings done here, and during each session, he would check in with me every couple of minutes to make sure I was still doing okay. He was very engaged and answered all of my questions without being remotely patronizing. His dental assistant/receptionist is also great. She's really nice and super funny. They always ask me what I've been up to, and somehow seem to remember what I said from last time I was in. It's all very sweet and personal. This feels like a small-town business (in the best of ways!). read more

Talk about an amazing dental team...Dr. Bavafa and his assistant are extremely helpful , patient, and friendly. Dr. Bavafa took time to explain in detail all of my options and address each of my questions and concerns. Here you'll never feel like your on a dental conveyor belt, being rushed from one station to another. If you want a great dental experience, Dr. Bavafa is your man! read more

I've always dreaded going to the dentist until I found Elmwood Dental!! Dr. Bavafa and his hygienist are so pleasant and wonderful. They do a great job of explaining all of the procedures and always give helpful tips on how to take better care of my teeth. I can't recommend them enough! Plus their office is really nice and in a great neighborhood. read more

Great place for students at UCB! Dr. Bavafa has been my dentist for as long as I've been at Cal (long time....). I have yet to leave his office without being completely satisfied. Very friendly, professional and helpful. He always answers my annoying questions with good humor. And they've always taken care of me. I'm a big fan. Highly recommended! read more

I have never enjoyed going to the dentist until I found this place! Friendly and professional team that makes my visits fly by quickly. See you in 6 months =) Highly recommended. read more

I had a great experience at Dr. Bavafa's practice. I was impressed with the level of professionalism and careful procedures they had during this time. I recommend this dentist to anyone. read more

Dr. Bavafa was really nice and so was his assistant. They made sure I was comfortable and gently suggested how to take better care of my teeth (but not in the overbearing way suggested by the other reviewer). Good consult on my wisdom teeth (2 of which are totally janky) and tips to make the most of my insurance coverage when I see the oral surgeon. I would give a 5, but I feel like I had to sit there with my mouth open longer than at other dentist's offices. read more

Love Dr. Bavafa! I miss him a lot. He is honest, doesn't push any treatments, has a very flexible schedule on Saturdays and treats you like a friend, with a lot of respect. I don't go to him anymore, since I moved to Palo Alto. But I miss him personally. I found a great dentist in the Peninsula, but Dr. Bavafa will have a piece of my heart forever :) Will definitely see him again if I move to that side of the Bay. Highly recommended. read more

We have been going to Dr. Bavafa and Angela at Elmwood Dental Care for at least 7 years now. They have always been friendly and welcoming. Angela is very talkative and friendly while she works, while Dr. Bavafa can be very matter of fact and to the point while working. I can see how some might find his bedside manner abrupt, but as we've gotten to know him over the years, he is in fact very kind, thorough, professional and honest with his patients. The office is clean, orderly, and well run. They no longer do weekend appointments in exchange for reclaiming their weekends, and I can't say that I blame them. We've had a great experience, and plan to continue coming here. read more

I don't understand why everyone is giving this place 5 star reviews. My husband and I both went (on separate occasions) and didn't have good experiences. Well, his was average at best, but mine left me disappointed. The dentist himself kept jabbing me in the gums and put my chair all the way back (my feet were higher than my head) and kept telling me I was bleeding a lot. It seemed a little obvious why... But, that didn't bother me as much as the hygienist... As soon as the hygienist saw my place of employment on my file, she went on a rant about how awful of a place it is to work because she knew someone working there. I had just moved to CA for this job and really didn't appreciate listening to this, but more importantly, the things she said weren't even accurate. Overall, I found it really unprofessional of her to do such a thing. Needless to say, I won't be returning. read more

I had a terrible experience the last time I had dental work here. Long story short, I had some botched dental work here that actually created more dental problems afterwards. Do not go here if you value your health. I went in because I had to get a few fillings, and it was the worst experience at a dentist I've ever had. The hygienist is rude and condescending, asking me what my career plans were only to disparage the answers. The dentist also seemed to have the same attitude, and this is probably why they work together. The worst part though, was how poorly the hygienists attempt to suction the water out of the back of my throat was during the procedure. This caused me to feel like I was drowning the entire time, and made it so I'd have to swallow every few seconds. A lot of foul tasting dental materials went down my throat in the process. The worst part is the dentist himself would get mad at me for not being still enough when I'd gulp. Sorry it's a reflex to swallow to prevent inhaling the lake of water collecting in the back of my throat! To make matters worse, the dentist and the hygienist seemed to be fighting during the procedure! They could not hide their vehemence for one another while working on me, constantly arguing back and forth as though I was a cadaver with no sensory perception. He also failed to administer enough of the numbing agent, causing me to feel pain as he went along. This made it so I had to be regularly injected with the numbing agent, poked over and over in my gums with a large needle. It doesn't end here. I guess there was more decay than the dr anticipated, because he kept sighing and complaining that there was more and more decay as he went. I am the patient, in a dental chair, with my mouth violently jammed open (I have tmj and despite acting like he would accommodate this he seemed annoyed when my jaw couldn't open as wide as he wanted) and his priority should be to ensure that I'm as comfortable as possible while he's drilling into the bones in my mouth. It wasn't. He seemed inconvenienced by my dental problems, something that I can't fathom a professional dentist ever letting a patient on to. The worst part was when I felt like I was about to drown in this really acidic substance that was streaming down my tongue and into my throat. I'm sure he spilled something not meant for human consumption, because it had a terrible toxic and bitter taste that I'd never encountered before. I told him I needed water once this happened, and he refused, saying I had to wait for him to finish what he was doing. I physically couldn't help myself from choking on it, I wasn't trying to make his job harder. I had to try my best not to drown while he finished his work, and he begrudgingly gave me water after. Now, the area he worked on hurts so much that I haven't been able to chew on that side of my mouth since this work was done. It has been a little over a year, and since I lost my health insurance since this was done I haven't been able to get it fixed. When I floss the area, it is so painful that it makes me yelp in pain every time. I informed him of the pain and he just brushed it off, and unfortunately I lost my ability to see a dentist soon after. It is not normal to still have this kind of pain in the area that was worked on. I wish I had never gone here, and I wanted to write this because I truly don't want anyone else to experience the trauma I have here. I still have nightmares to this day about what occurred in this dental office, and I will update this when I go to a new dentist to see exactly what the damage he did entailed. read more

Dr. Bavafa was fantastic. I came in on short notice(recently cancelled appt) for Dr. to examine a small problem area I was worried about. He took the time to examine it, did an x-ray on the single area, and suggested a deep clean to help it out. They could have easily rescheduled me to another day, but leaped into action then and there, and really cleaned it up. He's got a great presence and doesnt put the pressure on for additional treatments. This doc deserves all the 5 starts!!! Fantastic too if you live in the area and can walk to your dentist! read more

I used to dread going to the dentist, as my last seemed to be somewhat of a gum sadist constantly hurty-poking around with the sharp tools. Dr. Bavafa is friendly and checks with me frequently for any discomfort and his assistant Angela is always so nice and engaging. I actually switched insurance so I could make an this establishment my permanent dentist, and thankful I did! read more

I was turned off by the receptionist I literally just got off the phone with. She sounded annoyed and wasn't thrilled to have me inquiring to book an appointment. I wouldn't want to spend my money here. I told her that I have a certian type of Federal Employee insurance and with an irritated voice she said they don't accept that insurance. Little does she know, I am willing and more than happy to pay out of pocket for my care. But I was already forecasting having to deal with her attitude, on top of getting work done! The person at the desk really represents the business as a whole, I hope she finds it in her to welcome new patients rather than make it seem like a hard process. They certianly lost some money here :P read more

Love this dentist office! Dr. Buvafa (the only dentist here) is a personable and knowledgeable dentist that takes his time with his patients and makes sure all of your questions are answered. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him for cleanings, fillings, crowns, or anything else you may need. read more

Dr. Bavafa has been my dentist for over 2 years now and I really love coming back. Even though I live in San Francisco now, I still have no qualms about driving to Berkeley and getting really good customer service and dental care. I find it very refreshing that Dr. Bavafa himself will answer calls and make appointments directly with his clients! He always remembers me by name and asks about my work, which makes me feel like a valued patient. read more

Dr.Bavafa is great. He is very professional and he makes you feel comfortable . He is very honest. His assistant, Angela is very friendly Highly recommended read more

Dr. Bavafa is the best dentist I have used in California. He's smart, funny, and real. I never felt lectured or talked down to. He has helped me decide what procedures to do now and what can wait until I have more cash. Also, his assistant actually graduated as a dentist in Brazil. They are a great team and I would not go anywhere else. read more