My daughter (4.5 YO) had some trauma from a bad past dental experience, so she has been really hesitant to visit a dentist for the past year. At the last check up, she refused to open her mouth, was scared of anything going in or near her mouth (even a toothbrush!), and was especially afraid of the potential of getting an xray done. At the last practice we went to, they were insisting we should try to get an xray done, but they used the xray card that adults use, so my daughter was very uncomfortable, scared, and she kept gagging. They tried several times, but in the end we didn't get the xray, and instead we left with intense dental fear instilled. We were referred to Dr. Keaney by a friend, who raved about how gentle and kid-friendly the practice was. Upon arriving, we were greeted by friendly staff and they made us feel really welcome and comfortable. The white board at the front desk even had a welcome sign that included our daughter's name! All the rooms were pleasantly decorated and themed. Shortly after we went in, we saw Dr. Keaney, and she was exactly as described: patient, kind, excellent with children. She and the other staff (Jessica) actually took time to read our forms and talk with us about our past experience, and took special care to cater to our specific situation. During the checkup, Dr. Keaney carefully explained/demonstrated each step she was going to do, and was really able to put my daughter at ease. In the end, she was awarded with a balloon and goodie bag, so we definitely left on a happy note. They also had My Little Pony on the ceiling tv playing, which was another extra bonus. I really appreciated how we were asked if it was OK to keep the TV on during the checkup, which I thought was so respectful and thoughtful to me, as a parent. We live over 30 minutes away, and there are many closer pediatric dentists in our area, but we are more than happy to make that extra drive to this practice now. We are looking forward to the day my daughter gets excited to see the dentist, and I really believe Dr. Keaney will get us there. Thank you to Dr. Keaney and all the wonderful staff! read more

After nearly 5 years I need to write this review to sing the praises of Dr Keaney and her whole team. It's really rare to experience an office where all staff members are kind, helpful, and friendly, but that is this office. From the admin person to the front desk staff to the hygienists to the dentist herself, this is an office that truly cares for the kids and their families. All the staff are all positive and supportive. The office is very clean and conducive to kids, with tvs in the ceiling, toys in the waiting room, and kids decor throughout. There is a dry erase board where each kids name is written to welcome them, a very nice touch. Each kid gets a goody bag at the end and a token which can be used on the toy vending machines in the lobby. This is a HUGE hit with the kids! They usually get little jewelry trinkets or toys that they get excited about. One time the staff gave them balloons which was sweet. The dentist herself is very kind and gentle and thorough with the kids. She'll take time to answer questions and explain things. The same go for all the hygienists here. I always get a good vibe when coming to my kids dental appointment! read more

Dr. Flanagan and their staff appear to be in a rush over the past several years to drop common dental insurance carriers. On September 2023, she dropped Aetna PPO. Just this month, she has decided to drop Metlife. This appears to be a pattern -- a pattern of dropping some of the more common insurance carriers. I do not know for how long it has been going on, but it causes chaos and unpredictability around a part of a young child's life that is already scary and confusing. This is arrogant and, and it sends a perhaps unintentional signal that her team possibly care only about the wealthiest members of the Arlington community who can afford to bear the burden of this unpredictability. It forces busy families to scramble to find a new dentist for their child -- and I fear it can cause harm to children who develop a bond of trust with one building and staff to be migrated to another. So, pray tell, how do Metlife families at your practice explain this to their 3 and 4 year olds? If you don't belong to an extremely high-earning two family household, Dr. Flanagan's practice is not for you. You cannot predict from one year to the next if you can afford for your child to be seen at this practice. read more

My daughter absolutely loves this dentistry and everybody there! And every time we go there it's just like a fun adventure and she gets very excited to see her doctor and to get a little gift after the dental work. The doctor herself is the nicest person and very professional and everybody else in the office is super sweet and all of them have amazing skills working with kids of any age! The place itself is also very cute, always decorated very fun for different season and with a great taste. And even the toys to entertain children while they're waiting for their appointment. read more

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If you are looking for a dentist for your little one, I would highly recommend that you go see Dr. Keaney in Ballston! My 2 year old had her first appointment this month and it was wonderful. Everything was easy, including setting up the appointment with Adria, the front desk manager. She is so lovely and kind and was happy to answer any questions I had, both over the phone and in person. When we arrived for her appointment, I felt very safe and that they did a great job with social distancing and sanitizing everything. They keep the door locked until the office has no other patients and they take your temperature when you arrive. Their waiting room is very welcoming and beautifully decorated. I bet during normal times the kids love playing in a little nook they have in the back! They even had a welcome sign with my daughter's name on it which was such a nice personal touch. We were in the ocean room which was so fun- the wall was painted and everything was themed, with Octonauts playing on the ceiling. Jessica was super kind and Dr. Keaney was wonderful. It didn't bother her at all that my daughter cried the entire time and she was calm and reassuring. She has very kind eyes! Then at the end, my daughter got a balloon, three stickers, a new toothbrush and toothpaste! Because of that she decided that she loves the dentist and we have been playing pretend dentist at home almost every day. We had to go back for a second appointment for a silver flouride cavity treatment and it was so quick and painless! This time we were in the Animal Room with Daniel Tiger on the ceiling. My daughter actually looked forward to the appointment- I had thought that she might be traumatized but apparently she liked it even though she cried- it is amazing what a balloon can do! Overall, most definitely a 5 star business. I had been worried about taking my daughter to the dentist because she hates the doctor so much, so I put it off for over two years, but Dr. Keaney has changed everything! Now she brushes her teeth both in the morning and night with no complaints too- that alone is worth a visit ;) read more

Michelle Keaney Flanagan, DMD - So happy with her balloon after another lovely visit with Dr. Keaney and Ms. Jessica who are fantastic! - General Dentistry Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

Dr Keaney's office is very well run and she has a water laser for filling cavities, which I appreciate! The two major downsides are: 1. Parents still are discouraged from joining their children in the exam room (this applies to kids 4 and up or something like that). For kids who are afraid to separate, there's a bit of a back-and-forth with the hygienist before they relent and allow a parent back there. I do not enjoy having this battle every time I go to the dentist. 2. Dr Keaney does not come talk to the parents afterwards as a matter of practice, even when the child needs a filling- only the hygienist talks to the parents. This doesn't bother me as much when there are no issues, but when there is an issue I just expect to hear it from the dentist. If parents aren't allowed in the room, I think the dentist needs to come give a post-visit recap to the parents when they visit the dentist. Parents of younger children may not have these issues because they are allowed in the room and Dr Keaney does the cleanings herself, so there is plenty of time to talk to her, and that's a great experience. But for the older kids I would like to have more engagement with the dentist. They reserve after-school appointments for older kids, and won't let you schedule for an older and younger child together during those slots, which requires me to miss school and work for my younger child and make two separate visits. read more

Dr. Keaney and her team are top-notch! Thanks to all the other reviews, we took our daughter here for her first appointment where she felt comfortable, enjoyed the dollhouse in the waiting room and loved the little bit of extra TV time she got! With COVID-19, Dr. Keany and staff took all the precautions and then some! My husband felt extremely comfortable and we are so grateful to the entire practice for continuing to do check-ups. [Unsolicited suggestion: Wear a mask and please don't give the practice a hard time about it!] I will be bringing my youngest here once she gets some teeth. I absolutely recommend this practice. NOTE: They do not validate parking. That is literally the only downside. Worth it though - seriously! read more

I wish I could see Dr. Keaney myself. Her staff is so sweet and on top of appointments and billing. Everything is so modern - from how they communicate to the office itself. Before the pandemic, the waiting room was full of cool stuff to entertain kids. Now it's just really clean and sweet with art on the walls. I have two kids seeing Dr. Keaney - and we've been patients since the first one was a toddler. We've had to go in for a fall and feared we'd have to get a tooth pulled - and they got us in quickly and Dr. Keaney told us everything to watch out for. (tooth survived!) I always feel like I get a little anatomy lesson when I go in. I ask Dr. Keaney all the questions I can think of! I'm glad my kids have such a great start with their dentist. They literally count down the days until they get to go! Having a dentist like Dr. Keaney in childhood will absolutely set them up for a life of good habits and regular visits. I bet they'll wish they could see her when they're adults, too! read more

I have 2 children that have been seeing Dr. Keaney for the past year. She is great if your child never has any issues but if they do actually need help good luck getting an appointment. In one of my children's cases they spotted a cavity that would need filling but the earliest they could schedule them to come in was 2 months later. OK, fine, but I asked if they could put us on the priority list in case there were cancellations. We were notified about a month later that they could take us early so we lept at the chance. At that appointment they discovered that instead of 1 cavity there were THREE (who knows why this wasn't spotted at the cleaning?), and that an orthodontic expander she had prevented treatment. (This was never mentioned to us previously) They then asked us to wait ANOTHER two months to come back, even though she was having the expander out literally the following week. Asking a child to wait 4 months to have cavities filled is completely unacceptable. Steer clear if you need help. read more

The most amazing doctor and staff. We were greeted pleasantly when we called to set up an appointment and even better when we arrived. I truly felt like I was part of the family and like I was being taken care of. I'm so thankful and blessed to have found this place. I will never go anywhere else. I felt like the office had my best interest at heart. The most gentle, clean and professional dentistry i've ever been To. I finally have peace of mind. read more

We love going to see Dr. Keaney and her entire staff. Our first visit was at 2.5 years of age and after seeing her 3x, we aren't going anywhere else. Everyone in the office is very kind. Dr. Keaney explains everything to her little patients and it is really nice to watch the interaction. Billing, scheduling and office / paperwork is a breeze. Tip for parking is to skip the overpriced garage and find a meter and walk a block or so. The checkup today was 20 minutes. read more

Doc Keaney is the best. My kids like her and we like her as well; she's informative, friendly, and helpful.

Dr. Keaney told us our 5-year-old son's teeth looked good for two years and never took an X-ray. When she finally took one after several visits, it revealed some major issues requiring significant dental work (cavities, crowns, tooth extraction, etc.). We were totally blindsided - she said everything looked fine in his 4 previous visits and the last visit was literally just 3-months prior. When I asked why she waited so long to take an X-ray, she said our son was uncomfortable going to the dentist. While this may be true, we still expect our dentist to do their job - not everyone loves going to the doctor but we still expect them to say and do what is in the best interest of their patient's health. At the very least, she could have told us -- his parents -- that our son should start X-rays at 3-years of age to catch issues early (other pediatric dentists we've now seen have confirmed this). Much of this was preventable along with the many thousands of dollars in treatment costs. Worst of all, our boy has to suffer due to Dr. Keaney's poor judgement here. read more

My four-year old has been seeing Dr. Keaney for about a year and a half. Let's just say she loves her dentist visits and looks forward to them each time. The staff are cordial and super organized, which makes receiving services incredibly easy and enjoyable. The attention to detail suggests to me that if there were ever a concern w/ my daughter's dental health that they would be pre-emptive, proactive and professional. read more

Dr. Keaney and her team have a great approach with children. Both my 4 and 6 year olds actually enjoy going to the dentist. They thoroughly look at the kids teeth and give the children reminders to let their parents help brush the teeth and to floss. Also they are easy to schedule and good # of reminders in advance. read more

When called for an urgent problem for my 5 year old, who is an existing patient and whose sibling has been a patient in that practice for several years, was flat out told to look for a dentist closer to home. With administrator reluctantly checking the schedule to tell me that if I really wanted to wait, they would not have anything for another 3 months. Such complete lack of compassion and responsibility towards existing patients would be outrageous even in an adult setting. Certainly does not fit the image this high end pediatric practice is trying to present. read more

You know it's a great dental experience when your kid talks about wanting to go to the dentist and looks forward to it for months. Dr. Keaney, and her staff, really are awesome. They're friendly, competent, and provide excellent care. read more

My daughter (23 months) just had her first dentist appointment and WOW, we LOVE Dr Flanagan!!! The front office is polite, efficient, and helpful. We got many reminders to fill out the forms and for our appointment time (which is helpful for this scatter-brained mom). The office has lots of light and stocked with great toys in the waiting area. The murals on the walls are bright and cheerful. Daughter sat on my lap while Dr Flanagan counted, inspected, lightly cleaned, and brushed her teeth. I was anxious because my daughter always struggles when put anything into her mouth (e.g. brushing her teeth, giving her medicine through a syringe) but she didn't complain at all. Dr Flanagan was so warm and cheerful and put my kid at ease. It was such a great first experience for us all; could not recommend this office more highly. read more

We went for our visit today. From the receptionist to the dental hygienist, everyone was so friendly, patient and kind. They even had a white board welcoming our kids. I had to struggle getting my kids to the dentist, but once out, they said they had a good experience. Both also received a goody bag and a balloon. read more

All of these reviews are accurate. Going to Dr. Keaney is actually something my kids enjoy and look forward to because the experience is FUN! She is a gentle, sweet, smart and thorough dentist and we adore her. read more

100% recommend visiting Dr. Keaney during COVID. The office is following all COVID protocols and allowing only 1 family or 1 adult/1 kid ratio in the office during their apt time. The office was cleaned and all areas that were used by guests were covered with fresh cover between each visitor. I only wish my kids teeth were as spotless. read more

We have our very first appointment with Dr. Keaney today and I was pleasantly amazed that my shy, sometimes skittish kid was perfectly behaved, left there absolutely giddy, and keeps telling everybody she sees that she just went to the dentist. The hygenist, Ann, did a really wonderful job breaking the ice and making all the tools sound fun, and the movies on the ceiling charmed my daughter into this perfectly relaxed, happy, compliant state of mind. Dr. Keaney was really warm and engaging and set us at ease. I really appreciated the time she spent explaining everything so well and giving us tips for a lifetime of healthy teeth. read more

Michelle Keaney Flanagan, DMD - My 3 year old getting her teeth counted. Special sunglasses were a big hit! - General Dentistry Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

We had appointments for both girls - the first one ever for our 3 year old - that had to be rescheduled due to the COVID 19 quarantine. Big sis has been telling little sis how much fun it is at Dr. Keaney's office and she finally got to find out for herself today! This place knows how to put little ones at ease, even when we all have to wear masks. Both girls have been talking about how much fun it was ever since and have been brushing and flossing repeatedly since we got home with our goody bags! read more

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This review is long overdue. We've been seeing Dr. Keaney for about a year now and five stars don't do her practice justice. I chose her based on the stellar reviews and thus far we haven't been disappointed. The practice is well located, clean, and inviting for children. Dr. Keaney is professional, to the point, and her referrals top-notch. That said, what makes her practice stand out is the people she's chosen to work with her. For me, the person who answers my calls, schedules appointments and serves as the first line of contact makes or breaks my experience. A doctor can be amazing, but they're not the person you deal with 95% of the time. If the person answering your calls is rude or indifferent, or the person doing the dental cleaning looks like they should be doing anything but hanging around children, it really doesn't matter how good the doctor is. The staff at Dr Keaney's is amazing and I don't use the word lightly. Rachel at the front desk is sweet, genuinely caring and very professional. When I first called to schedule an appointment the waiting time was months long, she told me she'd call if anything opened up sooner and I hung up the phone not believing a word- a few weeks later I got a text saying an earlier appointment had opened up and I grabbed it- imagine my surprise when I called and Rachel remembered me ... On the day of my daughter's appointment there was a note on the waiting room dry erase board welcoming her to the practice- she felt like a super star. When she came out, Katrina, the hygienist who did her cleaning had a new fan- my daughter told me all about Katrina's home town like she'd made a new friend, it's definitely not how I left the dentist's office when I was a kid and I'm glad my daughter gets to have this, hopefully she won't grow up to be the adult who puts off going to the dentist and has to face the consequences. We've been there for cleanings, sealants and a tooth extraction and every experience has gone smoothly. We've been made to feel comfortable and cared for- which perhaps should be part of every doctor's experience but isn't, doctors offices feel more and more like fast food joints, and the teams doctors choose sometimes makes one wonder what the heck they were thinking. Not here. Rachel, Katrina, and every person who's ever worked with my child looks like they were made to do this. I've been in the waiting room a few times and overheard Rachel answering calls, you would think she was talking to her mom, or sister or niece from the concern and sweetness in her voice, it makes all the difference in the world when you have an issue and a person who cares answers your call. Highly, highly recommend. read more

Had a great experience with dr Keaney this week. Took all 3 of my kids to Dr Keaney for cleanings. Beautiful new office, great toys and iPads in the waiting room, TVs over the exam chairs to distract the kids, and Dr Keaney is so calm and nice, as is her assistant. Validated garage parking as well and conveniently located right near Glebe and 66. Brought back my son this morning for a filling and it went super smoothly. All of my kids said they love the new dentist and are excited to return! Big thumbs up if you are in the market for a great pediatric dentist experience! Margaret read more

My two year old had a wonderful first dental appointment with Dr. Keaney. The office is bright, cheerful, and immaculate. Everyone--from Sarah at the front desk to Dr. Keaney herself--was friendly and super helpful. Dr. Keaney was incredibly patient and talked directly to my son. She worked quickly and thoroughly, and was more than happy to address my concerns. My son loved the stickers and balloon at the end of the visit. read more

Honestly I thought about not leaving a review here out of fear that Dr. Keaney is going to get too busy with demand. Dr. Keaney and her practice are so good, I don't know how they can improve anything they already do. Our toddler and school age kids beg us to take them to the dentist, which is a crazy feeling for a parent. As long as we live within driving distance from Dr. Keaney's office we will never consider another pediatric dentist... read more

My 3 year old daughter had her 1st dentist visit with Dr. Keaney earlier this week and it was GREAT! The whole patient experience from the 1st phone call to the end of the appointment was on point! Sarah was great over the phone and as we checked in. Dr. Keaney was very interactive and explained each step, which made the entire appointment even better for my daughter. Great location! Parking is convenient and is validated. The toys are FANTASTIC! read more

Our daughter (20 months) had a wonderful first appointment with Dr. Keaney! There was virtually no wait, the office was bright and well-stocked with ways to occupy kiddos, and the staff and Dr. Keaney were phenomenal. So glad to have found a great pediatric dentist in our neighborhood! read more

Fantastic dentist, hygienists, and front office- five stars always! My two girls actually get excited to go for their routine visits. They are taking exceptional precautions during COVID. I highly recommend this office. read more

We love this practice. Staff are very friendly and helpful. Dr. Keaney is great with kids of all ages - my teenagers still go here. Office is clean and professional. read more

A visit to Dr. Keaney's office is wonderful. My daughter absolutely loves her and the staff. The office is clean, welcoming and adorable. I've never run into anyone waiting for their appointment as they are very punctual. My husband and I agree that we wish she were our dentist too. Highly recommended. read more

Best pediatric dentist EVER! Dr. Keaney and her colleagues are fabulous. My kids are giddy with anticipation leading up to their appointments. we moved from Arlington to Potomac, but we will not be switching dentists!!! read more

Took our daughter for her first dentist visit today and we couldn't have been happier with Dr. Keaney and her staff! They were amazing and really put her at ease. They had a tv on the ceiling to occupy them and the visit was quick and painless. She loved her balloon, new toothbrush, and stickers! She said she can't wait to go back! Highly highly recommend! read more

She's awesome with kids, all the staff are. My toddler is not a fan of dentist visits, but always comes out smiling after getting a balloon and staff members talking to him. read more

My youngest daughter had a couple of cavities found by her previous pediatric dentist who was eager to fix them right away. I was shocked because she takes very good care of her teeth and very seldom eats sweets. Common sense told me to get a second opinion. A friend of mine recommended Dr. Keaney and I'm so glad we went. Dr. Keaney suggested to wait until the tooth is fully grown, which is what I expected. The day of the treatment, Dr. Keaney explained the entire procedure to my daughter which put her at ease. Dr. Keaney uses waterlase, which is a painless method to treat cavities and other dental issues. My daughter felt no pain during the procedure and was very happy. I also take my teen there and she loves it too. Dr. Keaney is wonderful and all her staff is very cordial and on point. You can make appointments in advance and get email or text reminders. I also get a day ahead email, which is helpful. After their appointment, they get a token to their prize machine and they both love it. I 100% recommend Dr. Keaney, I'm so glad she's only a few minutes away from me. The parking rates inside the building are a bit pricey, but if you get first morning appointments, you'd be able to find a spot on the street, and pay a lot less. Most of our appointments have been no more than one hour, since I always schedule for both my kids. I highly recommend Dr. Keaney for your child's pediatric dentistry needs. read more

We moved to Arlington last year and Dr. Keaney came highly recommended by a neighbor. The office is in a great location in Ballston. The staff worked fast, was meticulous in cleaning, and took many steps to keep separate households from being in the office at one time. My daughters, 8 and 4 years old, saw Dr. Keaney and the hygienist. They had great cleanings, loved the staff, and can't wait for their next appointments. read more

Our almost-three year old just had his first visit with Dr. Keaney, and it was the best medical experience he's had in his life. Dr. Keaney and her staff were fun, friendly, and kind. They left our little one feeling completely at ease, and helped him to understand what was happening and why it mattered. I've never seen anyone leave a dentist's appointment in a better mood. Beyond the exceptional staff, the office itself is amazing. The waiting room has something for kids of all ages--and the offices are clean and spacious. Hard to imagine someone who deserves a stronger recommendation! read more

Took both kids here recently and it was a good experience. Good toys in the waiting room, good flavors of toothpaste, great staff and dentist. My only negative comment is that I read about the validated parking here on yelp and they DON'T validate anymore. It cost me $10 for a little over an hour which I thought was kind of steep. read more

It's silly how much my kids look forward to going to the dentist- but Dr Keany and her staff make it such a great experience. My son even had difficulty with his filing today and they handled it so smoothly. He started to get nervous and they had such a child focused approach that he's looking forward to going back in the spring already. Sarah was great with him too. She's so warm and welcoming. Our 2 year old daughter was a bit shy at first but Dr K has an awesome bedside manner and got a hug before we left. The kids love her office too! They like brushing the alligator's teeth and playing with the other educational toys. read more

Michelle Keaney Flanagan, DMD - At the dentist - General Dentistry Near Me - Arlington, Virginia

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