I went to this place 3 years ago and after the horrible experience I had especially dealing with the rude,complacent and Incompetent front desk manager Rebecca. I didn't want to see any other dentists again. I'm thankful today I found a place that changed my whole outlook. Not only did Rebecca not bother checking my insurance putting me in a whole heap of pain dealing with bills etc. She had zero empathy in the matter. As for the doctor. I was told I needed to do a filling and I am very confident I didn't. And since that I've been dealing with pain. Do avoid, there are better places. Especially if Rebecca is still doing the insurance work. Do your due diligence. read more

Best Dentist office ever! From the front office to the all around service, superb. Dr. Montgomery is incredibly skilled in dental operations, assessments, and communication. I was referred by my friend and cannot be more grateful. Rebecca does a wonderful job at making the office a welcoming atmosphere from the get go of setting up the appointment to the physical decor. The communication system of phone and text is a welcome service for those that might be schedully challenged. Dr. Montgomery works magic. I had two operations (a chipped tooth and a crown) and cannot imagine anyone else doing a better job. My first tooth was chipped from a night of too much fun. He was able to sculpt a new one! A work of art! The crown could have very easily become a root canal, but he was able to save me from that. There is no getting around pain when someone is drilling into your mouth, but he somehow keeps it to a minimum. Through every step and process, he makes sure to keep you well informed of the assessment, all your options, and the best course of action. I love the transparency and friendliness he (and his staff) consistently carry. He clearly is not trying to take you for all you've got and works with integrity. REFRESHING! I was referred here from a friend and am so grateful I was. There is no doubt that you should come here for all your dental needs. Thanks Dr. Montgomery & team! Never retire please. read more

Heath Montgomery DMD - Lucky that it was a clean chip. Dr. Montgomery was able to get me in the next day and fix me up! - General Dentistry Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

What an amazing and competent dentist! I had horrible issues from another dentist making terrible mistakes on my teeth and I was afraid to go to another dentist. He was highly recommended by a dear friend so I gave it a shot. The office staff was incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. I would absolutely recommend him. There's no sales pitch. He tells you what he can and can't do, and doesn't overpromise like other dentists in town. I've been very pleased with my experience. Also the office staff seem to be insurance experts and gave me a whole rundown on my insurance. They all went above and beyond. read more

Dr. Montgomery and his team are wonderful. Before this year, eight years had gone by since my last visit to a dental office. Everyone that I interacted with was so patient and kind to me. Dr. Montgomery is very thorough with his explanations and teaching. If you are fearful or stuck in a shame spiral about dental care like I was, go ahead and give them a call. You will be received with warmth and kindness read more

Dr. Montgomery is the most thorough dentist I've ever been to, and I'm in my fifties. He really cares, and takes the time to give advice on how to improve your daily oral care. He came highly recommended, and now I'm passing that recommendation on to others. Thank you, Dr. Montgomery. read more

When I saw Dr. Montgomery in April 2013 at the UCSB Dental Center he was angry that the night guard he made for me wasn't fitting correctly and said the mold wasn't done correctly. He said "I am not going to eat the $500 on this myself" and got a product that he said would make the night guard more pliable so he could adjust it so it would not have to be remade at his expense. He used a product that is intended for making temporary crowns, molds for dentures and other devices. It was NOT the correct item to be used in adjusting the poorly made night guard, nor was it safe to do so. When he placed the liquid filled night guard in my mouth with my head tilted backwards the liquid splashed to the back of my throat and instantly caused a painful burning sensation. It felt like he had poured acid down my throat. That pain continued intensely until the next day when I went to the urgent care wing at the UCSB student health center where I was seen by a doctor who said he could see the burning that had occurred in my throat. He was very upset that this happened and directed me to Nancy Gustafson the Clinic Manger at the time. She was deeply apologetic about the situation and had a different dentist, Dr. Dart, look into how this acrylic product is used and he confirmed that this was not the correct product to use in this situation and that of course this never should have happened. I continued to have pain in my throat for ten days, and thankfully it lessened each day. I was told by the Clinic Manager Nancy Gustafson that Dr. Montgomery was going to be let go from the UCSB Dental Clinic as a result. Never have I had anyone in a medical setting display anger for something not my fault (that it was made incorrectly by his office), and then try to jerryrig a faulty device with an unsafe substance (the acrylic liquid that burned by throat) in order to save themselves money. At the time he said his four year old son had been up all night and that he had hardly slept, perhaps that is one reason he displayed such poor judgement. Prior to this horrible treatment I had been his patient for sometime and had really liked and trusted him, which made all of this so much more upsetting. I had found him friendly, and thought he was a skilled dentist. My trust was totally broken when this happened and it really felt like medical abuse. Would he have treated his mom or his wife the way he treated me? No way. It was like I had no human value to him as his patient in that moment. It has taken me a decade to feel comfortable speaking up about this because it was so traumatic. I just wouldn't want another person to end up in such a horrible situation. I have all of the documentation in the forms of emails between me and the UCSB administration regarding this situation if anyone cares to call its veracity into question. Based on this experience I would not recommend Dr. Montgomery under any circumstance. read more

BEST DENTIST I'VE EVER HAD. This is coming from a girl that has literally run out of the dentist's office. I hate going to the dentist even though I have never had too many issues with my teeth. Some people need to frequent the dentist more frequently than others due to genetics+habits. I have had cleanings with several of his hygienists. Unfortunately, I can't recall the one that was my favorite (I haven't seen him in years; I moved to Boston). I remember that she had her wedding in Mexico. The hygienist was always teaching me new things about oral care and how I can improve my routine based on what she saw with me. Dr. Montgomery was always great about teaching too. Coming from a nursing student, this is huge; patient teaching is the key to patient success- they explain WHY certain habits are important. I have never been to another office that provided me with personalized feedback on what I should change about my routine. Even if your teeth are just fine like mine, there is always room for improvement. I have had my first and only filling with Dr. Montgomery. He was incredibly patient with, me even though I am the biggest pansy. He showed me the decay and explained the whole process prior to the filling and throughout. I wish I could continue to see him again!!! Thank you for the great care Dr. Montgomery, hygienists, and office! I'll be back one day! read more

Dr. Heath Montgomery was highly recommended to me through a friend. I hadn't seen a dentist in years. Dental work gives me the heebee geebees- yes, I wrote that. I called the office and left a message explaining I was in pain. The receptionist called back and scheduled me for an appointment right away. Stated that if I was in pain, they didn't want me suffering. When I arrived at the office (there's parking in back) I was greeted with a warm smile and seen on time. Dr. Montgomery was quite pleasant. He was very thorough on all ends regarding my tooth extraction. He flagged an infection (I was feeling horrible and the worst was yet to come)and put me on antibiotics to make sure I was well before the procedure. I am so grateful. My appointment went well. They took their time and were patient with me. My pain was well managed. Heath and his assistant reminded me to breathe and rooted me on. Took about 20 mins. Sooner than expected. Dr. Montgomery is truly passionate about his field of work and the oral health of his patients.. this is saying a lot people! If dental work makes you nervous, you don't deal with pain well, if you can't find a good dentist, or all of the above, this is the dentist to go to. He is so LEGIT. read more

Heath Montgomery DMD - Waiting room. - General Dentistry Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Dr. Montgomery was very congenial,helpful and patient. He completely addressed my needs, even though I was a last minute appointment at the end of the day. My Dad has been seeing and recommending Dr. Montgomery for Dental care for years. Now I know why! read more

If you're looking for an excellent dentist in Santa Barbara, look no further! Dr. Montgomery and his staff are truly exceptional. I began going to Dr. Montgomery in 2012 - I was a student at UCSB and suddenly had heaps of painful sensitivity in my mouth. As the UCSB dental center couldn't see me for at least 2 months, I was referred to Dr. Montgomery.. and am so glad for it! I was under his care within 2 days, and continued under his care even after I moved 2 hours away to Los Angeles. Over the past 7 years, Dr. Montgomery and his staff have been extremely professional, informative, and compassionate with all of my dental needs. Before I was under Dr. Montgomery's care, I hated going to the dentist as I've had bad luck and experiences with terrible dental care providers. Going to the dentist used to be my most hated chore - and now is like a walk in the park! After some initial filling replacements and with Dr. Montgomery's precise and thorough care early on addressing my teeth grinding issue (which ultimately avoided a root canal when other dentists may have insisted for the $$$), my teeth and gums have been in an excellent state of health for years! I am so grateful to Dr. Montgomery and his staff for the gold standard care they've given me through the years. Dr. Montgomery is a thorough, informative, and affable doctor; his hygienists are always friendly and careful with my sensitive teeth; and his office staff are awesome in returning phone calls and messages quickly, scheduling, and billing. 12/10 would definitely recommend to anyone! read more

Not only is Dr. Montgomery an extremely competent and thorough dentist, he is a really nice person. He takes the time to thoroughly explain what's going on with your oral health, what your options are and what the next steps are. He patiently answers questions, and is responsive in emergencies. I've never appreciated a dentist more than Dr. Montgomery. His office staff, assistants and hygienists are always very professional and kind as well. read more

After 2 implant crowns, one cracked crown replacement, and one overlay completed over the last month, and an exam for my teen daughter, I can say that Dr. Montgomery is highly skilled in the artistry, engineering, technology, and application of modern cutting edge dentistry. Perfectionism is a worthy trait in dentistry and Dr. Montgomery is an avid beliver. Given the current conditions, his office is strictly following CDC health guidelines so I felt very safe and taken care of. read more

Ignore the hip "wired atmosphere, and the good guy persona." This guy is simply incompetent, inept, and downright dangerous. After weeks of complaining about pain, which he did nothing about other than have is receptionist tell me to take 4 Advil, I ended up in the hospital with the tooth being removed at 10:30pm on a Thursday night. As a result of his treatment, I have incurred in excess of $15,000, and I am still not done. The State Board regulating dentists urged me to sue Dr. Montgomery over the treatment I received. Run, don't walk away! read more

I appreciated the dental services I received while Dr. Montgomery was a preferred provider on my Delta Dental PPO insurance, but was very frustrated about being inadequately notified that he was dropping my insurance before receiving additional services, and being billed $137.50. His dental hygienist was very good. Both the hygienist and Dr. Montgomery were thorough in examining my teeth and providing me explanations and information. I understand and respect the dentist's choice to no longer be "in-network" or "preferred provider" my insurance plan, many dentists in the area have made this change. I do not respect the way they "provided notification" to me of their change. When a previous dentist I was seeing made this change, I was notified before I scheduled my next appointment that they were no longer going to be an "in-network" or "preferred provider" for my insurance. I was also notified by mail of this change. The first I learned of Dr. Montgomery's office dropping my insurance (effective 10/1/18) was when I finished having a cleaning on 12/19/18. There was a notice in front of the checkout desk informing me of the change on the way OUT, not on the way IN, nor in any of the correspondence to confirm my appointment. I told them I was unaware of the change, and would have appreciated being notified before I had my appointment. I was frustrated, and decided to set it aside until the insurance had gone through, and I had enjoyed my Holiday, and I would discuss the bill with the office manager later. When I spoke to the office manager I was informed that an email was sent in July and they show it was "read". I know that I receive multiple emails, texts and phone calls about each visit. So many that I cease to read the emails. I never acknowledged the receipt of information regarding the change in insurance providers. I had a visit on Aug 22 (after the supposed email). I was not notified at this time of the change, nor was I notified in any other future calls, texts, or emails of the change. When I called to discuss, and ask that they write off the charge for inadequate notification, they said they could not dismiss the charge. I paid the $137.50 because it is not worth risking collections. Merry Christmas. read more

I've never had a better dental experience. The consultation was the most informative I've experienced, as I was presented data custom to my teeth and gums. I relearned the proper way to floss and brush which as an adult I found alarming that precious dentists promoted business as usual recommendations. I highly recommend you book an appointment right away! read more

Always professional and friendly. I have been seeing Dr. Montgomery and his staff for several years now. My gum and teeth health has improved dramatically within that time thanks to their care and direction. read more

We have been going to Dr. Montgomery for about 5 years and always have the greatest experience with Dr. Montgomery and his staff. They are really good with my son who had issues and had to be sedated for certain treatments, he now feels comfortable and doesn't complain when we say we're going to the dentist. read more

One step up from used car salesmen, dentists. Don't let his "nice guy" routine fool you. By the second appointment he will be shortening the time between cleaning, down to every 4 months, and by the third appointment he will be attacking where he sees a vulnerability in your mouth. Proceed at your own risk. read more

I have never in my life met such a wonderful dentist. I had an emergency and he took my phone call at night. He was so nice and truly interested in seeing me asap. He got me in first thing in the morning. His knowledge and expertise is superb! I would recommend him to all my friends. My family already goes to him! Thank you Dr. Montgomery!!! read more

Best trip to the dentist I've had in my day. Walking through the front door and being greeted by the so very awesome and friendly dental assistant Cynthia was a great start to my first experience. I went in for a chipped front tooth and Dr. Montgomery was thorough in explaining what needed to be done. He was very kind, very accomadating, and very critical of his work. I was confident he would do a good job and he exceeded my expectations by far. Thank you for restoring my smile Dr. Montgomery! read more

I'm writing this review to inform individuals who are interested in seeing Dr. Montgomery to possible continue your search. At the time of meeting Dr. Montgomery, I had just moved from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara to attend UCSB. My University has an excellent Dental Care Center for students but the soonest time they could see me was in 2 months... I couldn't wait that long! So not knowing anyone to recommend a dentist in SB, I had no other choice but to rely on other Yelp reviews. When meeting Dr. Montgomery, I would agree with this one Yelp review, "He explains in detail about procedures and makes sure that you understand". He really seemed passionate about his profession of dentistry, which as a patient at the time made me feel more comfortable and trusting towards him. However, his recommendations for me were unnecessary. During my teeth cleaning, the dental hygienist complemented me on having nice teeth/gums. Then, when Dr. Montgomery took a look, I was suddenly diagnosed with early stages of gum disease? I've always had nice teeth and good gums so I did not listen to his attempt to instill fear in me by saying it was urgent. So, I did what any normal person would do and got another dentist's perspective. Just like I thought I did not have any stages of gum disease. read more

Dr. Montgomery is the best dentist I have ever been to! His dental assistants are so sweet and gentle while cleaning and he is gentle as well. Very personable. read more

This being my third dentist in ten years (my company insurance plans keep changing!), I have seen the some of the better dentists in town. Doctor Montgomery and his staff are very personable and professional. I feel that the methods of care are appropriate and feel comfortable with the course of action(s) the doctor recommends. I hope my insurance doesn't change again.. VERY happy with my dentist!. read more

Dr. Montgomery is one of the best dentists. He explains in detail about procedures and makes sure that you understand. I visit his clinic a lot, and every time I look forward to it. The atmosphere is just so comfortable, and his work is great. read more

Over the thanksgiving holiday our 3 year old daughter fell on cement and knocked her front tooth back. It was very traumatic for all of us and we were unable to find a pediatric dentist open over the holiday. Dr. Montgomery returned our call and opened his office for us the following morning. He brought his lovely family to the office and his boys immediately made the visit fun for my daughter. He was able to set her tooth and was incredibly patient and sweet with our scared little girl. I have since brought her back for a check up and had an appointment myself. I can't recommend this dentist office enough! We are so very touched by the kindness Dr. Montgomery showed us. He is an extremely knowledgeable, professional, considerate, gentle, and compassionate dentist. I highly highly recommend this office to any adult or child. read more

I've been seeing Dr. Montgomery for a little over a year now. I had my 4th cleaning recently (had an extra one because I had a gap in between dentists). The thing I really like about Dr. Montgomery is that he really tries to teach you how to make habits that will make your mouth healthy. At your first appointment, he does a consultation where he teaches you how to brush and floss; mosts dentists tell you to "brush more," but not how to brush in a way that will not damage your gums and produce effective results. The same is true for flossing. He explains that what he does every six months is going to have nearly as much impact on oral health as our daily habits, and thus he tries to give the knowledge to make those habits. For the first time in my life I floss daily. He also encourages the use of the gum massager. I've only had cleanings so far (I have a pretty healthy mouth other than my irritated gums), but I've been really happy with my experience. Wish I had a dentist like this years ago. read more

Dr. Montgomery and his staff are wonderful. They have taken excellent care of our familes (Kids are:3/5/7) dental health. I'd give him my strongest reccomendation due to his state of the art equipment, punctual appointments, fair prices, and courteous professional service. read more

First, let me say that I'm not the type to rush home and post online reviews, so this is as genuine an appraisal as you'll ever read. I had a filling fall out and went to Dr. Montgomery a couple of days before we went to Europe for a vacation. Dr. Montgomery put a temporary filling in and explained there would be too much risk of needing more extensive work done to completely repair the tooth and that I could end up needing a root canal while was in Europe. I really appreciate the way he thought through the potential risks and provided me with the best course of treatment given my upcoming travels. We're back now and I just got the temporary filling replaced by Dr. Montgomery an hour ago. It was the most comfortable filling I've ever had! It was literally painless and I never had any discomfort with the tools or techniqus that he and his assistant used. With other dentists, I usually feel as if my mouth is over filled with implements and that I'm struggling to not drown while the dentist works away. read more

After a week, I am editing my review because I was wrong to question Dr. Montgomery's intentions when I don't know what he was thinking. First, let me say the positives. The office staff was very nice, and Dr. Montgomery seems to be very generous in taking his time and energy to help his patients. If you want a dentist who will tell you exactly what to do, you will probably really like Dr. Montgomery (and I see that a lot of people here on Yelp do, and the positive reviews here was the reason I went to his office after moving to Santa Barbara). I really wish, however, that I had known before I went in that I would probably be asked to come back for a second consultation (to give time for a full explanation of my dental health, etc.). This seems like pretty standard practice for this office (that patients will come back for a further consultation after the first visit). I did not see a need for this, but if you want extra time with the dentist, it is very nice that he will take it. Just be aware that there's a fairly good chance that you will be coming back in. My actual concern is that Dr. Montgomery seemed unwilling to adjust his treatment to what I wanted. When I implied that I did not want my wisdom teeth extracted, he became defensive and did not consider treating the cavity that I have in one of them. I think now that he thought that what he was doing was for my best, but I would rather be in control of my own health. In six months, I will go to a different dentist and get a second opinion (and I have already had four or five dentists who gave me different guidance on my wisdom teeth). But for other people and other personalities, I am sure from the reviews here that Dr. Montgomery is a good fit. You need a doctor that you can work with though, and that's why I hope this review will be helpful. I also wish the best to Dr. Montgomery and am glad that he seems to be helping so many people with their dental needs. read more

We love Dr Montgomery! He and his staff are the best. I use him as my person dentist but also bring my kids to him and they adore him. He has TVs to play while they get their cleanings, makes sure they feel safe and can trust him, and make each visit the best! We love this group! read more

We took our 6yo to see Dr. Montgomery to get a second opinion after some overwhelming recommendations from our pediatric dentist. Dr. Montgomery put our son at ease, checked everything out, and gave his honest opinion. He agreed with the original suggested treatment plan and said we'd be in great hands with Dr. Rochon. It's so nice to see such professional courtesy and respect. I feel so reassured that we're doing the right thing. Thank you! read more

I've always been afraid of the dentist and after putting it off for some time, I decided to try Dr. Montgomery's dental office because it was time to suck it up and go. My first visit to get a cleaning and x-rays was an experience that I needed. Secilia is THE BEST dental hygienist that I've ever had, period. She's very funny, making it easy to relax as she's doing her thing. She is kind but informative, focusing on how to change up my dental routine and habits to make my teeth and gums healthier. I've seen Dr. Montgomery for two fillings so far. I was able to listen to a podcast while he worked on my teeth and he was very accommodating, stopping when I felt like I was about to swallow while he was drilling or when I needed a moment to relax. He also took pictures of the teeth that he was working on, showing me the areas of decay. It was a bit traumatic, but highly effective in getting me to step up my flossing game! read more

I had not been to see a dentist in almost 20 years, due to bad experiences in the past. I explained my fears to Dr. Montgomery, and he assured me he would be as accommodating as possible. When all was said and done, he was a man of his word. He made certain I was comfortable, and did not feel any pain during the procedures. In the past other dentists were more concerned with getting me in, and getting me out, then the pain the drill was causing. Bottom line, he is a wonderful Dentist that I would fully recommend and I will be sure to never miss my 6 month cleanings ever again. Thank you Dr. Montgomery! read more

I saw good reviews on Yelp for this place and decided to give it a try. I went to get 3 fillings done over 2 appointments. Dr Montgomery did a very nice job, and i hardly felt anything while i got them done. The cost of it wasn't bad too, as i was under the Delta Dental PPO plan. read more