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San Diego, CA

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First Wave Dental

4.8 (42 reviews)
Closed • Closed

Services - First Wave Dental

Cavity treatment

Crown cleaning

Dental exams

First Wave Dental Photos

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Ask the Community - First Wave Dental

Review Highlights - First Wave Dental

“I'm not sure Jason is the guy to see for that diamond crusted platinum tooth upgrade you have been dreaming about...”

Mentioned in 4 reviews

Read more highlights

Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest - Reception counter and waiting area

Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest

4.6(504 reviews)
0.5 mi•Hillcrest

I write this review with a profound amount of gratitude. Your health is one of the most important…read morethings in your life that you must trust others with; and I'm thankful to say I could not be more happy with Dr. Aldo and the team at Bella Vita Dental. I see a lot of reviews talking about upselling and unnecessary treatment and I feel like I must say that whilst in my specific case this would not at all be relevant, it would take truly corrupt individual to do this to what is essentially a patient in a healthcare setting. I cannot in my wildest dreams see Dr. Aldo ever doing something like this - nor do I believe her to work in an environment in which this would ever take place. I stand firm in my belief that Bella Vita Dental is not capable of fostering this sort of behavior. The front desk staff were friendly and inviting and thorough with the answers to my questions, and Dr. Aldo and her team of dental assistants were kind, compassionate, and needless to say, all my issues were addressed and I am back to pain free. Whilst I do not look forward to the next time I have dental issues; I find comfort knowing I'm in great, compassionate hands with Dr. Aldo and all those at Bella Vita Dental.

TL;DR: The billing service that Bella Vita employs filed 2 insurance claims with incorrect billing…read moreinformation, which were denied by my insurance, and are refusing to update that info and resubmit the claim (as recommended by my insurance) and are leaving me with an outstanding $1167 bill. I was a patient with Bella Vita for about 5 years until I moved away last October. I decided to start Invisalign with them in May 2025 and paid my quoted amount ($2411) in full the day treatment started. To my surprise, in April 2026 I received a call that my claim had been denied by my insurance but they would help me out and file another claim that would hopefully be approved by Delta Dental but if that claim was denied, they would file an appeal for me. I got a text on May 11, 2026 that I had an outstanding balance that amounted to ~50% ($1167) of what I originally paid at the start of my treatment so I called to ask what happened and Emily at the front desk told that they filed an appeal for my denied claim but couldn't answer any insurance or billing questions due to the fact that their billing department is not done "in house" so they would have to relay all my questions to a separate service. The office also refused to give me any contact information for their billing department so I'm forced to play telephone with the office and their billing department but also said they could not tell me why my claims had been denied. I was, however, told that my benefits for ortho had been maxed out. I called my insurance immediately after that initial call and they told me that, no, my claim was not denied due to my coverage being maxxed out (it has not been at that point) but because there were errors with the billing information on the claims that were submitted. The insurance rep also notified me that they had no appeal on file, so either there is some technical issue on the insurance side or the office lied about filing an appeal for that 2nd denied claim. The insurance rep told me it was an easy fix and that the office's billing department just need to update that billing info, resubmit, and it should be approved. From May until August of this year, I've called 6 times asking for updates and relaying the message that all they have to do is update their incorrect billing info and resubmit the claim and it should be approved. Everytime I call, I'm met with "The claim was already filed and denied twice so there's not much we can do, but we'll ask the billing department again." I've tried asking for the practice manager and have been told "she's not at her desk but she will call you later" and I never receive that call. All in all, be wary of this place. Since their billing is not done in house, no one at the office can answer specific billing questions and refuse to give contact info for that billing office so you're forced to play telephone with them and their billing department if you ever have an insurance issue.

Photos
Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest - Make some complimentary coffee while you wait...love it.

Make some complimentary coffee while you wait...love it.

Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest - You're here

You're here

Bella Vita Dental Hillcrest - Empty around 3 pm on a Monday

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Empty around 3 pm on a Monday

Mission Hills Dental Group - Looking for a family dentist in San Diego, CA? You have come to the right spot!

Mission Hills Dental Group

3.3(205 reviews)
0.7 mi

Dr. Aria is the absolute best. If you can get in with him, he will be your dentist for life. He's…read moreso kind and easy to talk to. He listens to any concerns I have and takes his time. He's fantastic at what he does. I have beautiful teeth in no small part because of him. The hygienist there are always kind and courteous. It's a very well run business.

I strongly advise against visiting this office or any other "Smile Generation" affiliate. My…read moreexperience felt entirely profit-driven rather than patient-focused. I came in for a routine new patient exam, and the entire process felt like a rushed sales pitch: The Exam: The dentist spent less than a minute reviewing my X-rays and less than a minute on the oral exam itself. Aggressive Tactics: During the periodontal probing (measuring gum pockets), the dentist scraped my back molars so aggressively that my gums bled--seemingly to justify their immediate claim that I needed an expensive "deep cleaning." Lack of Care: After making my mouth bleed, the dentist handed me off to an assistant after a mere 30 seconds of dialogue and abruptly left. I wasn't even offered water or mouthwash to rinse out the blood. The Cost: The assistant immediately pulled up a billing screen quoting me over $2,000 for the deep cleaning. The entire environment felt predatory, right down to the aggressive, propaganda-like informational posters and brochures plastered everywhere. Not an isolated incident: To make matters worse, a coworker of mine had an identical experience at their Mission Valley location. They were told they needed an emergency root canal despite never having a cavity in their life. They got a second opinion from an independent dentist, who confirmed their teeth were perfectly healthy--no cavity, and absolutely no root canal needed. Save your time, money, and oral health. Get a second opinion if you've already been to one of these offices, and avoid Smile Generation affiliates altogether.

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Mission Hills Dental Group - Mission Hills Dental Group opened its doors to the San Diego community in July 2015.

Mission Hills Dental Group opened its doors to the San Diego community in July 2015.

Mission Hills Dental Group
Mission Hills Dental Group

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Dean Van Nguyen, DDS - Christmas party at Bucca Di Beppos. The famous "pope room!"

Dean Van Nguyen, DDS

4.9(801 reviews)
2.0 mi•North Park

Met with one of their other dentists! She was amazing, thorough, and very informative. Highly…read morerecommend! They have onsite parking, which I wasn't aware of so took a few extra min driving around north park looking for parking!

I have been a patient for over 10 years now and I can't see myself moving away from San Diego…read morebecause I don't know how I am going to find a better dentist! I came in for my bi-annual teeth cleaning and as always, I looked forward to catching up with my favorite dental hygienist, Bertie!! She is always thorough with her cleaning where I walk out feeling like a million bucks! She has really thoughtful touches like gum massages after the cleaning since your mouth could be sore, warm towelette to wipe my face after the cleaning, and personal fans to keep you cool esp during the summer heatwave! She personalizes the experience so it never feels like I'm rushed out the door. I also cannot rave enough about Dr. Scalercio where I feel like I am always in good hands. I had a lot of dental work done this year and while it was stressful, Dr. Scalercio made me feel like I wasn't alone in the journey. She always lets me know that if I feel any discomfort at any point that she is willing to open up her schedule to accommodate. LOOK NO FURTHER IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN HONEST DENTAL PRACTICE! I selfishly want to gatekeep this place because scheduling could be challenging but it's worthwhile if you can grab a spot!

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Dean Van Nguyen, DDS - It's my first time here I did a cleaning and everything worked out just peachy 7/11/25

It's my first time here I did a cleaning and everything worked out just peachy 7/11/25

Dean Van Nguyen, DDS
Dean Van Nguyen, DDS - Meeting my grand-nephew for the first time.

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Meeting my grand-nephew for the first time.

Complete Dental Health - Before and after, fixed chipped tooth with dental bonding by Dr. Collin's

Complete Dental Health

4.9(59 reviews)
0.4 mi•Hillcrest

I have reallyyy bad TMJ that disabled me from dental cleanings for a few years. After years of…read moreseeing specialists and finding the right care to improve my joint health I finally felt well enough to get back in for dental care, but was so nervous. Let me tell you how much I love Dr. Collin's and team!! They took all of my concerns a seriously, I mean really listened to me. I like that they have laughing gas as a backup option to help with my anxiety during these visits, but I found myself perfectly fine going without. This place is generational family-owned and you can just really feel the warmth and care that comes from that. After a cleaning I came back in for bonding to fix the chip I've had in my front tooth for literal DECADES and found that process to be nice and painless as well (literally and figuratively). Last little note is I've been impressed with their willingness to work with my insurance to make sure I'm keeping as much money in my pocket as possible.

I have been a patient of Dr. Collins for about six years…read more Due to a life time of grinding teeth, my teeth had deteriorated to the point I could not smile and was very embarrassed by them. Last year I decided to do the major work needed to bring my smile back. This decision was done in large part to the confidence I had in Dr. Collins. The process took about nine months and involved removing all existing teeth and crowns and putting in 28 new crowns. The process was easier and quicker than I expected (I did opt for sedation dentistry which certainly helped relieve almost all of the of the discomfort of the procedures). Today I can smile again and have beautiful teeth. Also, everybody in the office is very friendly and supportive of all patients. Special shout out to Ashley, Dee, Winford and Diedre, all are great to work with. I very much recommend Dr Collins for any dental work you need.

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Complete Dental Health - Dr. Timothy Collins, San Diego Dentist, Invisalign Dentist and Cosmetic Dentist.

Dr. Timothy Collins, San Diego Dentist, Invisalign Dentist and Cosmetic Dentist.

Complete Dental Health - Our professional, highly trained team is ready to welcome you into our practice. We look forward to being your San Diego Dentist

Our professional, highly trained team is ready to welcome you into our practice. We look forward to being your San Diego Dentist

Complete Dental Health - We know you're busy, that's why we offer refreshments before your appointment or to-go! We love to see patients use their teeth!

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We know you're busy, that's why we offer refreshments before your appointment or to-go! We love to see patients use their teeth!

SmileStyle Dental Studio

SmileStyle Dental Studio

4.8(62 reviews)
0.1 mi•Banker's Hill

I honestly wish I could give SmileStyle more than five stars…read more From the moment we walked through the door, the entire experience was exceptional. The office itself is absolutely beautiful, modern, welcoming, incredibly clean, and equipped with technology unlike anything I have experienced at a dental or orthodontic office before. Eric welcomed us so warmly and took the time to explain everything before Dr. Kerry came into the room. Every part of the consultation felt organized and thoughtfully prepared. From the imaging process to seeing all of my daughter's photos displayed on the large screens in the consultation room, even being welcomed with her name on the screen, it was such a professional and personal touch. But what impressed me most was Dr. Kerry. My daughter had already worn braces for two years, and unfortunately, we were not completely happy with the final result. She also knows quite a bit about teeth and orthodontics herself, so watching her face light up as Dr. Kerry explained what could be achieved with Invisalign honestly meant so much to me. For the first time, she became genuinely excited about the possibility of getting the smile she had hoped for. Dr. Kerry's knowledge, attention to detail, and understanding of the newest techniques and technology were immediately apparent. SmileStyle feels like a practice that truly keeps up with advances in dentistry and orthodontics rather than simply continuing to do things the way they have always been done. Everything from the equipment and imaging to the way the treatment plan was explained, gave us so much confidence. I am 48 years old and have been to many dentists and dental offices throughout my life, and I can genuinely say this was the best dental experience I have ever had. Thank you to Dr. Kerry, Eric, and the entire SmileStyle team for making our consultation such an incredible experience. We walked in looking for answers and walked out feeling informed, excited, and hopeful. I cannot recommend SmileStyle highly enough.

Alright brace yourself because I wrote a justified novel…read more I came to SmileStyle in an extreme urgency. I had already started services with another dental company and was waiting on my final crown placement and a deep cleaning. However, I recently got unexpectedly laid off from my job and unfortunately the company I had already started the process with could not see me before the end of the month..which is when I would lose my dental insurance I've paid into all year long and have yet to use. I was freaking out. I started looking into other companies and by the grace of the dentist gods I found SmileStyle. I called and explained my super unique situation considering I still had a temp crown and that I had days before my insurance was expiring and they said they could take me in. I was shocked, as the company I already had established care with was unable to accommodate me even though I had paid thousands into services already. I digress. Despite how unique and dire my situation they took me the same week and it has been the best experience I've had at the dentist. Victoria (name I think!), at the front was so awesome and made me feel comfortable. Plus she was the one that listened and understood my difficult urgent situation without judgement! Then sir Eric came and gave me a tour of the studio - it's freaking gorgeous. It feels more like a wellness center than a dental office. They even have a massage chair and can make crowns the same day (I've been waiting weeks for my crown from the other place). Really great technology all throughout the facility. Eric is a HOOT. He assisted Dr. Ortega in treating me and they are a super great tag team. Dr. Ortega is so smart, kind but also will help make you laugh in a somewhat unfortunate situation (I needed a really deep DEEP cleaning which sucked, take care of your teeth young people!). Then Callie/Kayla/Karla??? I'm so sorry I'm bad with names when I'm in panic mode, but a wonderful lady came in to help walk me through paperwork and to review options of the timing of the procedure. OMG SHE IS THE BEST. Made me crack up when I had tears in my eyes about losing my job. I'm 36 ya'll, takes a lot for me to crack. Thank you so much for helping me and making sure I understood the monetary side of things. Plus, I'm still up for adoption if you will take me in ;-) What really stood out to me was that Dr. Ortega and Eric spent several unplanned hours working on my mouth, when really I was there for a routine cleaning. That means they will go above and beyond to ensure they help you and do the RIGHT thing, not the EASY thing. Thank you for that. Then finally the queen herself Dr. Kerry came in. Talk about one of the most genuinely friendly dentists I've ever met. She greeted me and before talking next steps she just wanted to make sure I'm ok because of my insurance expiring I was spiraling. She then went over the future of my mouth, options to ensure we are proactive and not reactive. She is so knowledgeable but explains in layman's terms that my brain understood. I've been presented similar options in the past, but never in a way that was visual and with meaning, typically I just receive a piece of paper with a recommendation haha. This was meaningful and purposeful, and actually made realistic sense. Ya'll rock, the fact that I could get a long, custom procedure in such a short crunch time in order to hit my insurance is literally a blessing. The very next day I got a call from the Dr. checking up on me and seeing if I have questions, I've never really been followed up from my actual dentist before it's always the front desk..that also was genuinely appreciated. Thanks everyone, anyone considering SmileStyle should absolutely go! 11/10 would recommend. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

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SmileStyle Dental Studio
SmileStyle Dental Studio
SmileStyle Dental Studio

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Mission Valley Dentists - Welcome to Mission Valley Dentists in San Diego, CA!

Mission Valley Dentists

3.4(295 reviews)
2.3 mi•Mission Valley

Dr. Aria is the absolute best. If you can get in with him, he will be your dentist for life. He's…read moreso kind and easy to talk to. He listens to any concerns I have and takes his time. He's fantastic at what he does. I have beautiful teeth in no small part because of him. The hygienist there are always kind and courteous. It's a very well run business.

Definition of DISHONEST dentistry!!! Went for an initial exam and cleaning as I just moved to SD…read more No prior dental issues. They made me do a Cone beam CT as part of my "routine xrays"; didn't even realize it was a CT until afterwards and that I'd been exposed to unnecessary radiation. Then they tell my I have deep gum pockets and need deep cleaning in all 4 quadrants; they bring in their sales person to try to convince me to buy their own insurance plan and tell me how much I'd save. Mind you, I had been having routine dental exams and never was told I had any gum pocket issues. Super suspicious, I told them I'd think about it since it was thousands of dollars and just wanted a general cleaning today. They made a big fuss and made me sign papers saying I was "going against clinical advice". Proceeded to give me the quickest and most superficial cleaning of my life. After the fact, I got a second opinion from my friend who is a Navy dentist. He checked my pockets and said they were ABSOLUTELY NO ISSUES! And he told me good thing I didn't fall for their scam. And he scoffed when he heard they made me do a CB CT for absolutely no good reason. To add insult to injury, I find out later that Mission Valley Dentists tried to bill my medical insurance for a radiology read of the CT scan. Again totally unnecessary and suspicious! Was some random radiologist in SD - not even at their location. When I reached out to ask what that was they simply stated "oh we just bill the insurance and if it's not covered, don't worry, you won't have to pay for it". SUSPICIOUS. If you're looking for a corporate dentistry place that doesn't actually care about your health and looks at you like a cash cow, congrats you found it!! They should be ashamed, because they're contributing to medical mistrust.

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Mission Valley Dentists
Mission Valley Dentists
Mission Valley Dentists

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San Diego Smile Dentistry - Dr. Fred with a patient.

San Diego Smile Dentistry

4.8(395 reviews)
5.6 mi•Kearny Mesa
Certified professionals
Locally owned & operated

I saw Dr. Fred Harandi's commitment to professional excellence after recommended by a patient for…read moreover a decade.  Arriving with a tooth fractured while chewing, I feared Invisalign was needed again. Despite being an Invisalign provider, after assessing my bite digitally and manually Dr. Fred found my repeating that expense was unnecessary which showed integrity. Dr. Fred is reachable when necessary and communication with his team is simple, effective and responsive. Each member of Smile Dentistry's team is caring, friendly and supportive of your dental health. Both the hygienist and Dr. Fred recommended personalized dental care tips. Dr. Fred's exam techniques and technology choices attest to his advanced education at UCSD and USC. He explains your film findings and treatment options in simple terms for sound and lasting results.  Having TMJ, Dr. Fred examined my bite with articulating paper using the same methods as my Oral, Head and Neck Pathologist several counties away. I could not find a local practitioner skilled in these techniques. Dr. Fred took time fixing my bite to prevent further fractures without my feeling like a nuisance or rushed. Dr. Fred's digitizer results in crowns with a superior fit compared to standard impressions. When outside referral was necessary to other specialities, Dr. Fred personally ensured I received treatment soon and his entrusted network is equally advanced in training, technology and conscientiousness. All were in-network with my insurance which is uncommon. His welcoming other specialties' opinions further increased my trust. Each provider called me after major treatment checking on my recovery and answering questions.  Dr. Fred and his team are kind, patient and considerate and the office is inviting. Pricing is reasonable without pushing unnecessary aesthetic treatments. Thank you Dr. Fred and San Diego Smile Dentistry for patiently and gracefully returning my dental health.

Very kind staff. I came here to get retainers and Dr. Fred made sure to point out any concerns he…read moresaw in my scans. Fair pricing as well! No upselling or feeling rushed out to get to another patient. I highly recommend.

Photos
San Diego Smile Dentistry - Porcelain crowns completed within 2 weeks!

Porcelain crowns completed within 2 weeks!

San Diego Smile Dentistry - 2 Implants with 2 porcelain crowns!

2 Implants with 2 porcelain crowns!

San Diego Smile Dentistry

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Linda Vista Dentistry - Linda Vista Dentistry celebrates Lunar new year 2026

Linda Vista Dentistry

4.9(205 reviews)
4.6 mi•Clairemont

Love going here for my dental work, always met with friendly staff and excellent care. Everything…read moreis organized and the level of detail is great. Shout out to Selena for last working on me! She's very thorough and attentive yet gentle which I appreciate :) Dr. Lisa is amazing and definitely has a wonderful team with her!

New to this area and needed a dental spot. My friend recommended this spot so here was my…read moreexperience. AMBIANCE: Parking: Plaza and street parking. The times I've been here, I haven't had any issues. Vibes: It's in the suburbs of Linda Vista and a little bit of Clairemont, but it's in a plaza with some local commercial businesses. The spot itself is clean and nice. I was welcomed with a warm greeting and lite rock music. The dental rooms are pretty spacious and I like the natural lighting. CUSTOMER SERVICE: I worked with Saky, Dr. Linda, and I believe Salina. Great people! Friendly and knowledgeable people. TL; DR OVERALL: 5 Stars. I may be biased as this is my first dental experience in SD but thank goodness I don't need to look for another. Great service, I dig the tech, and the delivery. Count me in for regular cleanings and such. If you're in the area and looking for good dental service, come by here! TIPS: * Call ahead of time and don't be shy to ask questions.

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Linda Vista Dentistry - Dental cleaning with our hygienist, Selena

Dental cleaning with our hygienist, Selena

Linda Vista Dentistry - Cozy complimentary drink stand.

Cozy complimentary drink stand.

Linda Vista Dentistry - Sweet complimentary coffee and water stand.

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Sweet complimentary coffee and water stand.

First Wave Dental - generaldentistry - Updated October 2026

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