Like many other customers, I was in so much pain, when he explained that the two visits were $1500 for two different splints, I agreed because of the amount of pain. While he did provide the paperwork for the insurance, it's a lot of work to make sure they have everything. I noticed that after about a month of wearing the splint, nothing was improving, the pain was getting worse. When I reached out to him, he unprofessionally pointed out the two times I cancelled (my 8 month old got the flu with a high fever) and I was late once as I had to cross the San Mateo bridge and there was an accident. I live over an hour away. He then said if I disrespected him one more time, he would not see me anymore. It feels as though one he gets the money from you, his quality of care decreases significantly. And yes, I understand companies have policies about late cancels but there was nothing stated about that ahead of the appointments and seeing that I already paid the $3000 for two visits and he "guaranteed" no pain within two weeks, I would think he would be more understanding. read more

Real waste of time. Very upsetting experience. I received a call back from him on a Friday to make an appointment. I explained that I had a referral from my dentist and told him about my TMJ pain. He assured me he could help and scheduled me for Tuesday, January 20. He said he would send me information via text. Before we hung up, I asked if I needed to bring anything--he said no. I then asked about my referral, and he casually said, "Oh yeah, that would be nice." The phone call felt rushed, like he just wanted to book the appointment. He never asked who my dentist was, whether I had insurance, or mentioned any fees. That already made me uneasy. On the day of my appointment, I decided to call two hours before, since his office is 53 minutes away, to confirm a couple of things: 1. He never sent the "info" he said he would 2. Whether he even accepts my insurance That's when he told me, "Oh honey, I don't accept insurance," and then added that the first appointment costs $500. None of this was mentioned during our original call. This was extremely unprofessional and disappointing. I'm dealing with real TMJ pain, and this whole situation made me feel like my time didn't matter and that I was only seen as a money opportunity. Transparency upfront is basic and expected--especially when patients are already in pain. read more

I was diagnosed with TMJ and he was such a pro for that. He explained about what I was diagnosed with and about the plan he had for my treatment. One downside was I had to claim the insurance by myself but he helped me with the paperwork which was nice..... read more

This guy's chairside manner is poor, he spoke to the male in the room, the 2 times I was there. 1st time: only interested in money, despite my severe pain and not interested in payment plan. Sold me a $500. Consultation with a 24hrs temporary plastic that looked like a piece of chewed him. 2nd time, 1yr later: went to him after trying a different doctor (who moved teeth) and he rudely throws his hands in the air, cutting me off saying, "your passed any help" = Could you be anymore unprofessional? Rude and pedantic. Still seeking treatment & I'mnot giving up, this man is just lazy & money hungry. read more

Thank you for mailing my CT. A consistent follow-up post care is very important for patients. Dr. Sheehy has delivered to me everything that a doctor that cares would and beyond. Thank you from my heart! read more

Joseph Sheehy, DDS - Dr. Sheehy just mailed my CT. Thank you for a consistent delivery of post care - General Dentistry Near Me - San Mateo, California

Like some other reviewers, I came here in pain and so desperate for a solution that I believed the doctor when he confidently said he could help. I paid $400 for a temporary dental splint and $2000 for a permanent device. Ultimately, they did not help. I mentioned to the doctor that I had jaw hypermobility as one kind exceptional detail and secondly that I was exploring getting braces and other interventions to improve my bite. He told me that braces would not help, that his solution was essentially the only thing that would work for me. In retrospect, this was part of a sales pitch that I fell for in the moment due to my aforementioned desperation. I also experienced gaslighting. While making impressions for the final device, my mouth started to burn. I told the doctor this and his response? The materials have been used for decades to make dentures and if it caused the reaction in people, it wouldn't be used. Yet I still left the office with redness and irritation in my mouth. I now know I have some form of overactive mast cells, which makes me more sensitive, but the reason I mention all this is that this was probably the biggest red flag--to have one's medical concerns simply dismissed. My decisions are definitely on me. I'm just leaving this review to help inform other people who are experiencing pain and need help. I want to add that the doctor's emphasis on the jaw being properly seated is important and accurate. So two stars for that knowledge. But this device is not the only way to do it, nor was it appropriate for my situation. What I did and what helped: After not finding benefit with this particular oral appliance, I ended up doing Invisalign (rendering any other appliance useless) to improve my bite. It helped a little. I did Botox in the masseters. That helped a little but it's a bandaid. I did body work with an Alexander technique instructor--that helped substantially to teach me to use my body mechanically more soundly. And finally I did myofunctional therapy, which has helped the most and I would recommend as a great and free starting point. read more

Dr. Sheehy did an amazing job with my TMJ needs. If you need help with this he's your man.

After x-ray, Dr. Sheehy said I have tmj problem. I followed Dr. Sheehy's instructions on wearing the sprint. After a few months of wearing it, it didn't fix my jaw pain. read more

He told me my TMJ couldn't be fixed and sold me a really pricey splint. My dentist friend was shocked anyone would still sell such an outdated and uncomfortable splint in 2023. He never mentioned any further treatment, although it was necessary. However, after seeing a physical therapist and a chiropractor, my TMJ completely healed. I feel silly for trusting him; he just prolonged my suffering. read more

My dentist referred me to Dr. Sheehy in early 2023 for jaw pain. I explained to Dr. Sheehy that I had braces years ago, and have worn a night guard for many years. Nonetheless, jaw pain on my right side was occurring increasingly more often. I wanted neither braces or surgery. He listened, diagnosed my TMJ, thoroughly explained the treatment plan, expected results, and responded to many questions. We proceeded with a custom new, materially different night guard. Within the expected time frame, I am pain free. Further, he was very helpful in completing the insurance documentation for my claim. On occasion should pain reoccur with changes in my bite, such as after replacing a crown, I see Dr. Sheehy for an adjustment. He is very accommodating. His office is a bit of drive for me, and entirely worth it. I highly recommend him. read more

I have been battling severe TMJ issues for about 4 years. After seeing Dr. Sheehy I am on the mend. Thank you Dr. Sheehy!!

TMJ is now resolved due to this very well educated dentist! I live in Concord and drove the distance to be evaluated and was totally confident of what he explained I needed. read more

This DDS has the best TMJ movie exercises!!! I exercise using his movies (off and on for years) because they keep my TMJ manageable. As an instructor, and public speaker being able to speek freely is essential. Now the site is gone :( I left a message to see if Dr. Sheehy will repost the TMJ movies to another website location. I hope so :) read more

I just left this guys office. I was there to see if he could assist me with my tmj. No receptionist office a little small and dingy but who cares it's a dental office. He came out no mask very nice asked me to fill out some paperwork I asked if he wears a mask in the office he said I do when we are close but we are far enough away then he asked me to come close so he could take my temperature I asked him if he wouldn't mind putting in a mask since I have very compromised family he said you can leave, get out, just leave. I was very shocked this is a medical office I guess he did me a favor with the way he acted I assume his care would not of been good. It is not unreasonable to ask a dentist in a time of a pandemic to wear a mask especially if he has a sign requiring them. This guy is a health risk I would stay away. Also incredibly rude. read more

Dr. Sheehy is the person to see if you have TMJ pain in the Bay Area. He truly cares about his patients, is far more available than most other TMJ specialist, and has the subject matter expertise to create a custom splint that can help most patients. I have had 3 other TMJ specialist helping me over the last year as I have a very severe case, and they all asked me where I got my splint and said it was made very well. I am thankful to have found Dr. Sheehy, he has helped me through some very difficult times. He really understand how awful TMJ pain is both physically and emotionally, and he is an amazing life line that focuses on helping people get out pain. read more

I went to a regular dentist for a night guard which was the worst mistake ever. I started to get popping in my jaw joints and had horrible ear pain that made me cry. Dr. Sheehy fitted me with a proper one and the symptoms started to resolve. It's been over a year now and I feel that my longstanding TMJ issue is calming down and most importantly my teeth and joints are protected. I do self massage a lot on the chewing muscles to complement the night guard and I watch the tension in my shoulders. This all works together. Dr. Sheehy is an honest Dentist who doesn't push unnecessary treatments which is a rarity these days in the Bay Area. Glad I found him. If you need a second or third opinion, go to this guy. read more

I was attacked my a homeless person last year. My jaw ached and popped ever since. It hurt to eat. Three quick visits with Dr. Sheehy and the pain when eating is gone. Stiffness is reduced. Jaw function is getting better and better. My dentist could not do anything, only Dr. Sheehy had the training, pleasant attitude and skills to fix my jaw so I could live without pain read more

Actually, the best review I could give any dental provider is my referral. I first went to Dr. Sheehy because the popping and clicking and facial pain from my jaw joint was unbearable after years of sounding like a popcorn machine when I ate. Within three days, I felt an 80% change, within about 10 days 100%! My TMJ problem completely disappeared and has so for several years. Recently, the owner of my salon mentioned her severe pain and limitation. She was seen immediately by Dr. Sheehy, and last time I went in, she was delighted! Her experience was similar to mine. Living with TMD is painful and embarrassing. I could not believe if I just "tapped my heels three times Dorothy" I could have been saved. In this regard, "Thank you Caroline and Dr. Sheehy, for saving me!" M.Kimball, RN, BSN read more

I've been seeing Dr. Sheehy since I was a kid. He saw me on short notice because I was in horrible pain due to a tooth abscess. He makes every procedure as painless as possible. I absolutely recommend him if you are looking for a friendly and reliable dentist who is very dedicated to his patients. read more

I have TMJ/TMD. (Long pause) If you have TMJ and deal with the unmistakable pain that accompanies this disease than my long pause is undeniably something that you can understand. TMJ-temporomandibular joint disease or TMD is like having arthritis in YOUR JAW. And just so we're clear, joint disease-meaning the exact replica of arthritis....IN YOUR JAW. Imagine going to take a bite of your lunch and inexplicable pain, life altering pain. Imagine talking on the phone or to a loved one in person and inexplicable pain, speech altering, life altering pain. And pain that is debilatating to the point that opening your mouth, IS INCONCEIVABLE. Well not only have I been there, I am OVER it! Thanks to Dr. Shelby and his team. This is no fluff. When I called Dr. Sheehy's office, after my Mom found them online I could barely open my mouth. Not only did Caroline at the front desk expedite my appointment as I booked through tears, Dr. Sheehy understood, and RESOLVED my TMJ pain. As a TMJ sufferer himself, and having successfully treated Caroline 's TMJ, Dr. Sheehy made a temporary night guard to counteract the bruxism that caused my TMJ. While this would correct the TMJ 50%, the mold taken for the orthotic splint that would follow was the game changer for me. Due to Dr. Sheehy's passionate persistence within 4 weeks I was at least 75% better. After further examining of my teeth he was able to locate the exact cause of my bruxism. After he corrected some dental work on my only existing cavity I am 90% pain free. The 10 % remaining due my inability to give up raw carrots, and the occasional chewy oatmeal cookie is a price I am willing to pay for some of life's little treasures. Other than that, it's a phenomenal difference. Not only did Dr. Sheehy solve my issue, but Caroline at the front desk played a critical role in understanding what was available to me through my insurance coverage. Overall, I am happy and fortunate to have stumbled upon Dr. Sheehy and his team and have now made the transition to having them provide all of my dental needs. I have NEVER had such a thorough, yet gentle hygienist and the fact that Dr. Sheehy himself is a TMJ sufferer who keeps abreast of the latest solutions and therapy has only boosted my confidence in their capabilities and made me a customer for life. You can check my profile and you'll see that only the most unspeakable horrors has prompted me to speak out. In this case, the miracle of pioneerism that is within Dr. Sheehy and his team have completely grabbed my attention, and hopefully yours. If this is their approach to one of the most misdiagnosed diseases in dentistry than can you imagine what they can offer for "regular" patients? Don't imagine, find out for yourself! I can guarantee you won't be disappointed unless you are a patient who is unwilling to pay for services rendered! An rendered superbly well. read more

In October of 2014 I woke up with considerable pain in my jaw. I made an appointment with my dentist and he recommended a root canal with a specialist. After the procedure I called that specialist and asked if he missed something as I was still experiencing pain. He took xrays and said it was fine. The pain worsened to excruciating to the point I could not move my mouth, eat or talk. I could not even swallow my own saliva. I was very worried and looked on the internet for answers. There were nothing but horror stories talking about life dealing with TMJ and no cures. I was in so much pain, I thought I was doomed. I went back to my dentist and he told me that there was nothing that would work. Tjhe pain was so sharp, I found if I forced my jaw to move the pain would lessen a little but I was in serious trouble. I knew I could not live like this. I had a real problem talking and eating. I needed help. I decided that I needed an expert who specialized in TMJ and went on the internet. Dr. Sheehy was the only one who seemed to have yelp reviews by people with my problem. I called and his assistant answered. I could only mumble but she figured out what was happening. She immediately got me an appointment for the next day. She seemed very concerned and so helpfull I think she is the heart and soul of this business. When I met with him he knew exactly what to do. He had a special mouth guard made for me. It cost $1,500 but I would of paid $50,000 to get out of the extreme pain I was in. Over a year later I am now fully functional and only occasionally have any tings of pain. I am so sorry for taking so long to make a review but I wanted to make sure this mouth guard really worked and it does. Thanks Dr. Sheehey. He truly is an expert at TMJ read more

This is a very difficult review for me to write. I'm not sure how to appropriately publicly praise a doctor that has singlehandedly improved the quality of my life so extensively. After a car wreck I had a jaw problem. After seeing 4 specialists, over the period of a year, I thought it was hopeless. Dr. Sheehy solved it on the first visit. Also a result of the car wreck, I had to have a crown fixed. With seriously awful nerve problems other dentists said the only solution was a root canal. I disagreed. Dr. Sheehy worked with me to calm the nerve, change the crown, and unlike the other two dentists that I saw he listened to me and worked with me rather than telling me how it must be done. Then I found out he could be my normal dentist. Without a doubt I will not see another dentist again. Dr. Sheehy is it. The other thing that Dr. Sheehy does differently is that he helps me to understand what is going on and educates me on the ways that things happen. It's a fascinating thing to see how a crown is created and why it works how it does. His office staff is friendly and personable and make each visit a pleasant and fun time. I enjoy them immensely! I'm SO happy I found him. If you need a great dentist I highly recommend him. read more

Dr Joe Sheehy is the best dentist around. I use to be afraid to go to the dentist, not since I started seeing Dr. Joe. He is very gentle , works great with cowards, in fact his webpage says he deals with cowards. He is Wonderful, outstanding.. His dental hygentist is great too and his office manager Carolyn is very helpful and sweet as well. If you are afraid of the dentist, you dont need to be with Dr. Joe. read more

Dr Sheehy is a wonderful dentist, he identified the problem with my jaw and suggested a fix for it in no time. If you have a TMJ issue, he is the dentist to go to. I'll be going to him for all dental work from now on. He has really great staff as well, they work hard with insurance companies and make you feel comfortable even if you are one of those (like me) who have a fear of dental work. read more

Yay for good dentists! Seriously, not only was the receptionist super helpful with navigating my insurance, but she even greeted me by name and asked about my co-worker as soon as I walked in. The hygienist was gentle and let me watch TV while she worked (good distraction), and Dr. Sheehy spent some extra time explaining my tooth grinding problem to me (while showing me a gnarly video to make sure I took it seriously). This place has a real family feel, not like most of the other places I've gone, but they still have the in office whitening and molding for night guards. read more

If you are a person researching Yelp because you need a dentist I hope this helps. I was lucky enough to have a referral from a trusted friend. I've always had good teeth. No cavities, straight and in my narcissistic mind a smile worthy of a toothpaste commercial. So, it's needless to say I was shocked when I discovered I was going to lose a front tooth. Like most people, losing a tooth is a nightmare come true, both financially and physically. Best summed up...unless you play hockey or plan on securing a movie role as Alfred E. Neuman, losing a front tooth will put you through the seven stages of grief - It did for me! I'll cut to the seventh stage - acceptance and most importantly HOPE. Dr. Sheehy (helped) me through the process of an implant. I bracket (help) because he not only did the amazing dentistry work, he also took the extra time to walk me through the process emotionally. His upbeat and positively outrageous sense of humor is projected through his staff, who obviously enjoy where they work. It's a great atmosphere and as hokey as it sounds I enjoyed my appointments. I never thought I would smile again without being self-conscious. Dr. Sheehy told me when it was all said and done I would not be able to tell the difference between the implant and my other teeth. He was absolutely 100% right and the results exceeded my hopes. As a side note...the physical process of getting an implant (for me) was relatively painless. read more

GUILTY!!!! GUILTY!!! GUILTY!!! UPDATE: After a lengthy investigation (these matters take time), and all the evidence/facts received from me and Dr. Sheehy, my insurance company has found that Dr. Sheehy deliberately submitted erroneous billing to them, and that he has to reimburse them over $1,000.00. Knowing Dr. Sheehy, he will again try to discredit what I am stating, so if I am able to post the letter my husband received from our insurance company verifying the above to be the truth, I will try and post the letter. Current patients, potential patients...be vigilant about Dr.Sheehy's billing practices. You may be surprised at what you discover, as my husband and I were. Question everything before you pay Dr. Sheehy, before you end up in court along with my husband and me, suing Dr. Sheehy. Think about it ... . As I stated in my 9-7-2014 posting, Dr. Sheehy has not denied anything I have said. When I have the time, I do plan on posting the pictures I took of the shoddy dental work Dr. Sheehy gave my husband and charged us and our insurance company thousands for. The evidence/facts that my insurance company (MetLife) based their position on, along with their taking the actual position of contacting Dr.Sheehy for reimbursement, will help as I pursue this matter with the state and in court. It takes time, but thankfully, I do have the statue of limitations on my side. To those reading reviews: you need to always remember that Yelp has publicly stated that they are aware that family members/friends deliberately write bogus positive reviews in favor of the person/company they are writing the review about. So as a viewer, you need to be extremely specious of positive reviews. read more

This joker has cost me a lot of money and heartache. All I wanted was to replace amalgam. He drilled the metal out of several teeth then he and his assistant left me alone in the dentist chair with all the metal left on my tongue! That was the beginning of a disasterous nightmare with this dentist. I just dont want to go into all the details but I will say a crown was not seated properly leaving a "food trap." He would not correct that issue so guess what? After seeing another dentist I was referred to an endodontist then a surgeon the tooth was extracted. I spent housands of dollars towards correcting his work and there is more pending. read more

Dr. Sheehy is one of the best dentists I have ever had. He and his staff is ultra-friendly. I learned about Dr. Sheehy through a friend who couldn't say enough nice things about him. My first visit was to get a second opinion on a crown that my previous dentist recommended. When Dr. Sheehy took a look, he immediately determined that all I needed was a new filling and he took care of it during the appointment. The total appointment lasted only 30 minutes. Each subsequent appointment was equally as good. The dental check-ups were extremely thorough and the teeth cleanings were efficient and always resulted in much brighter and whiter teeth. It also didn't hurt that I could watch ESPN during the cleaning. I was a patient of Dr/ Sheehy's for several years and the only reason I changed dentists was because I live about 40 miles away from him and I no longer come to San Mateo very often. On my last visit, Carolyn prepared a full history of my check-ups for me and all the details of my dental coverage. As stated in previous reviews, Carolyn is very sweet. If I ever start coming back to San Mateo often, I will definitely start using Dr. Sheehy again for my dental care. read more

After struggling with TMJ for 4 years, Dr. Sheehy fixed my problem by making me a fosa and educating me on the importance of wearing it every single night. Now i can open my jaw with no issues. No more migraines, ear ringing and struggling to eat. I can't praise this man enough. He is the only person i will allow to work on my teeth ever again. Thank you Dr. Sheehy! read more

We love Dr. Sheehy! He is super friendly and caring. Totally gentle and puts me at easy every time I'm in the chair. His hygienist is wonderful - very gentle. The staff is always friendly and welcomes you with a smile. I recommend all of our family and friend to Dr. Sheehy! read more

I have been coming to this dentist for several years now! Dr. Sheehy and his whole office staff is absolutely friendly and great at what they do, they will not sell you work you don't need, and in fact they really take their time to get to know you. I've recommended Dr. Sheehy to everyone. I like that it is a small office, very welcoming --Caroline, the receptionist is the best!!! It's a very clean office too. read more

I have known Dr. Joe since 1998 and have been a patient of his since 2000. All I can say is that I have really great teeth because of Dr. Joe. Every time I go for my cleanings, Dr. Joe always makes a point to stop by and check my teeth and catch up on life. One person I miss is Caroline his office manager! Although Dr. Joe's current staff are awesome, Caroline was the one that made it all happen! Until Dr. Joe calls it a day, I will always be his patient! read more

Dr. Sheehy's dental office feels, oddly, like home. The team is so incredibly personable and caring that dental checkups feel like visiting old friends. The entire team has taken the time to get to know my family and, most importantly, improve our smiles. I consider Dr. Sheehy an artist. He takes his craft seriously and performs it well. He's been managing my family's oral health for over 15 years now is the only person I would trust with the job. Dr. Sheehy is the best! I recommend him proudly. read more

That was the best dentist experience I've ever had. Stuff is very friendly and they have a good deal for cleaning- only 35$

I agree with these positive reviewers. I have been to dentists in US and abroad and Dr. Sheehy is an excellent dentist, one of the best and his works are perfect. I always have an awesome experience with his well trained team. They are extremely nice, professional, honest, friendly and organized. You can see they love working in this office. Everything is clean and safe. The go above and beyond to make you comfortable. I go mostly for routine cleaning and the dental hygienist's cleaning is outstanding. Dr. Sheehy drops in and checks my teeth. I was impressed by the attention to every detail. They always give me excellent advice on keeping my teeth and gums healthy and about flossing too. Treatments are not expensive and they do not over charge. I would recommend Dr. Sheehy to anyone else looking for a dentist. I look forward to my next visit. Thank you! read more

Dr. Joe Sheehy has been my dentist for about 10 years now. Prior to my initial referral to him I had seen several dentists over the years and in my experience Dr. Sheehy is the best. In addition, Caroline at the front desk is expert at navigating insurance paperwork and helping patients with the financing and scheduling angles. After I dumped my insurance carrier, Caroline recommended CARE credit to me which has been very helpful in spreading out my payments. Its good to have no more premium payments. Dr. Sheehy and his staff have always been easy to reach in any dental emergency and are always very caring about my dental problems. I've had a lot of dental work over the years and am completely satisfied with my level of care and would highly recommend Dr. Sheehy to you. read more

Dr. Sheehy is a highly skilled dentist and has a fine office with a Dental Higeneist. He also has all the state of the art equipment. He is the best! read more

Dr. Joseph sheehy is one of the best dentist i have ever had. I was his patient for more then 20 years. He is a professional and the best at what he does. I would let my kids go there any time. He is the dentist of most of my family members. Great dentist. Urrahh.. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Sheehy since before I even had teeth. He started as my father's dentist many many years ago and has kept my teeth in great shape, even when I don't keep up on my regular check ups. He's fun, easy to be honest with and I've never felt like he's passed judgement. He's done so much for my whole family and even a few friends- I cannot recommend him enough. It all started with sealants when I was very young, an excellent preventative measure to take for your kids, I never had a cavity until recent years- I'm 27 now. After sustaining an injury to my face and jaw I developed tmj, which is just a fancy acronym for so much pain in your jaw/face you actually consider less sound alternatives, i.e. alcohol, prescription drugs, or suicide etc. He actually deals with the problem at hand. Before I lost my retainer, he had me feeling so much better, no more pops, clicks or pain. He really knows what he is doing when it comes to jaw disorders. Admittedly, I have not been to him in three years, life got hectic, but I look forward to feeling that great relief once I get my new mouth guard in two months. He's even worked with me on the financial side of things, i.e. trying to fix the mouth guard that I had but didn't fit anymore. He even accepts care credit. He has a fantastic hygienist, Sweetu who is absolutely amazing as well. She explains everything she is doing so you know exactly what's happening- perfect for those scared of the chair. His dental assistant is a delight as well, making small talk with you when he's left the room. It doesn't even feel like a dentist's office, it feels like old friends hanging out in a living room except your mouth is open most of the time. Just go to him, your gums and teeth will thank you for it and you'll have something to smile about. read more