Dr. Harmetz is gentlest dentist I have ever had. He filled two of my teeth. Only charged for one. I left CA 30 yrs ago. Most dentists back East have been so rough that my mouth hurts for days. One practiced even though he had Alzheimer's. I lost 2 teeth under his care. Another told me I needed root canal and crown when I only needed a filling. I almost flew back to CA to see Dr. Harmetz. He injects novacaine so slowly that it didn't hurt at all. Haven't seen or spoke w. Dr. Harmetz in 30 yrs but sill say prayers for him to return his gentleness. Katharyne Ryan read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Harmetz's practice for over 40-years, beginning from the early days at his office in Mission Blvd. He's proven himself to be a caring professional working to offer the best dental services to his patients. His work is impeccable, as proven by dental work done over 40-years ago, still in place and as good as it was when it was first done. In addition to Dr. Harmetz's professionalism, he has been successful in recruiting and maintaining a highly competent and well trained staff of administrators and professional assistants to meet his patients needs. He has also partnered with another friendly and professionally committed partner in the dental practice, Dr. Kim. While my interaction as a patient has not been as long with Dr. Kim, he has demonstrated himself to be personally committed to his patients and willing to go out of his way to meet their dental needs. During COVID, we had made a trip to attend a memorial for a family member near Portland, Oregon. A dental emergency arose which required professional attention. We contacted Dr. Kim and he was able to put us in touch with a couple of dentists contacts who he knew personally who had practices in the immediate area. I have been especially impressed by the level of training displayed by the dental hygienists and technicians in the office. In addition to providing professional service, they go out of their way to explain the details of the treatment you receive, willing to share information about dental anatomy in a manner which enhances the patients understanding of how proper dental care contributes to dental health. I would highly recommend this dental practice to anyone who is looking for finding an excellent service providing trustworthy, highly skilled, timely and friendly, pain-free treatment for both routine and specialized dental care. read more

This is not only the best dentist office I've ever been to, it's the best medical office I've ever been to. I've been a patient for prob 15 years and my combined waiting time in the lobby is less than three minutes. Everyone there is kind and thoughtful and thorough and they make going to the dentist... well, like you're not going to the dentist. I'd give them six stars if I could. Or seven, if that was an option. You get it. They rock. read more

I went to Dr. Harmetz for about 20 years from when he first started out in Pacific Beach until he moved to La Jolla. He was a really good dentist. He cared, paid attention to detail, was very professional and did a fantastic job. Unfortunately, that all went away after a few years in LJ. Some examples... (there are many more, but this should suffice) First, he put a filling in a molar that had a sharp edge that caused a lesion on my tongue. It was so bad, they suspected cancer and I went to an specialist and was about to get a biopsy. Meanwhile, I was super stressed about having cancer on my tongue. Then I realized that the filling was constantly rubbing, with a cutting motion, against my tongue. I asked Richard Harmetz about it and he said it was "impossible since that filling didn't touch my tongue." I had to beg him to humor me and file it down. He finally did so, grudgingly, and guess what, the very painful lesion went away in about a week. He never admitted it was his fault. Second, he takes his personal aggression out on patients. Here is one example: I was getting a filling and he was drilling when he got a personal call. It turned out the alarm went off on his home, a false alarm, luckily. He came back to finish my filling and he was pissed! He took it out on me by suddenly drilling with a vengeance! He put all his weight into it and caused me great pain. He didn't say another word to me and just left when the filling was completed. Last, the office staff. He had a GREAT, professional and reliable staff for many, many years. Then, they all left for various reasons. I have no problem with millennials but he hired a couple of cute, harebrained losers to manage the office. They were constantly VERY rude to me and my wife to the extent that I finally, after several nasty events, told them, "Never mind, we'll find another dentist!" This after 20 years with this guy. Then he has the audacity to call me back, accuse me of harassing his staff and fires me as a patient! Even though I had already quit! This man has issues. Unfortunately, he makes the patients pay for his problems. I should have written this review a long time ago but didn't get around to it. I was just thinking about the whole disgusting situation lately since we have been with another dentist, a kind, professional, gentle dentist, for over 6 years. Take a tip from me. The nastiness, extreme prices, lack of parking, and overall weirdness of this dentist is just not worth it! read more

We have been going to Dr. Harmetz for the past 8 years since we moved to San Diego. We originally went to him on the recommendation of an older relative who has been going to him for a long time. Of all dentists I have had over many years, he is my favorite. When I first went to him, I had a front tooth with a repair veneer on the edge which had been done and redone by a dentist in Los Angeles, and the veneer had chipped off numerous times. The repair Dr. Harmetz did 8 years ago has lasted many times longer than that of two prior dentists, and the repair is attractive, the color matches perfectly, and it is not sharp (this was a problem with my previous dentist). We like the fact that Dr. Harmetz has a consistent staff. We have had the same women cleaning our teeth since we started with him. I dreaded tooth cleanings at our former dentist, because they were always rough, and every time I went there, there was a new person cleaning my teeth. Dr. Harmetz's office is very clean, he and his staff are pleasant, the customer parking is right in front of the office with no parking lot charges, and they always schedule clients with accuracy, taking us in on time with every appointment. I recommend Dr. Harmetz to my friends. read more

World's I mean WORLD'S BEST Dentist!!!!! Gentle, caring, the work is tip-top. They run the office with complete professionalism and on TIME!!!! I have been going to Dr. Harmetz and his office staff (Rose-Marie) for 15 years and I wouldn't go anywhere else. 1 being the lowest score and 10 being the highest score I rate Dr. Harmetz and his staff 100! Laura-Marie A. read more

I have been a patient of Dr. Harmetz since 1982! He is caring, gentle, meticulous, punctual and conservative in his treatment. His entire office is top-notch -- an outstanding operation with superior care. On separate occasions, Dr. Harmetz came to his office on a weekend to treat my visiting parents with their dental emergencies. They weren't even his patients! True dedication and generosity. The best! Another thing he does is calls during the evening following a procedure to make sure the patient is comfortable. read more

Perfectionist with a big heart. Went out of his way to ensure my crowns would fit smoothly. There is no truth to the negative yelper! I read reviews & went to see him from word of mouth. Asked other patients there & they adore him!! He is obviously for real an expert. His nature is to please & give more & go out of his way to ensure your greatest smile. He had his lab tech Karen team up to get the best crown fitting. I had a huge challenge for him. Other dentists could not do!! He is a blessing. Please disregard negative yelper. (Noticed she bad reviews all). After 2 years of searching. I thank my word of mouth often! read more

Richard A. Harmetz DDS - That gap will be gone & I will have beautiful teeth to match. Thats the lab tech teaming up to get the fittings & color perfect - General Dentistry Near Me - San Diego, California

Dr. Harmetz must have paid these people to yelp! He's quite a salesman with no personality. He wanted to redo all my silver filings which were not causing me any problems. Then at my cleanings every six months he appeared annoyed that I wouldn't agree to get unnecessary work done!!! He and his staff were pressuring me to get deep cleaning because they said some of my gums had deep pockets!!! He then told my 20 year old daughter that she needed a deep cleaning which costs $2,000!!!! When I called the office and asked to speak with him, he was unavailable and then never returned my call. When I asked the hygienist why he would make such a ridiculous diagnosis she said we tell all patients they need a deep cleaning if they haven't had their teeth clean in one year!!!!! OMG! Not only is that absurd, but my daughter had her teeth cleaned by another dentist 6 mos. earlier!!!! He must be paying his staff commission or giving them quotas to sucker the patients!!!! We immediately found another dentist and have been pleased with his work. He has a busy practice, unlike Harmetz whose office is always empty!!!! Beware of this snake oil salesman/dentist!!! read more

Great office, great staff. Dr. Harmetz has been my dentist for more than 20 years. State of the art equipment.

Dr. Harmetz and team are exceptional in every way. State of the art dentistry delivered in a truly welcoming environment. They go above and beyond to give every patient a first class experience and their dental work is the absolute best! read more

Great staff and wonderful customer service. Very accommodating, just wish they were open on Fridays.

A fabulous dentist! I just signed up with Yelp and had to write a review. Dr. Harmetz has been my dentist for ten plus years and it's only been a great experience! I don't know who that negative yelper is talking about because that sounds nothing like Dr Harmetz office. Ok it's a dentist, who really wants to see the dentist. But Dr Harmetz and his team are great. The person that said he is a perfectionist is so right! He is and he is an artist, who has his sculptures in the waiting room. In all the years I've been with his office I've only had to do one cavity and I can't even tell you where it is, that's how good it went. I had my six month checkup today and still in the clear. read more

Top-notch office! No wonder all the patients there are so grateful toward Dr. Harmetz. He's very meticulous with his works so they came out perfect. I think being an artist/sculptor helps make him the best at what he does. From my experience, Dr. Harmetz is a perfectionist and an ethical dentist. He's second to NO ONE. read more

Just had my 4 front teeth crowned and they are beautiful. I was nervous because they were the front teeth, however Dr. H is great at making you comfortable and really explains the process. He even had me go to his crown maker (Karen, excellent!!!) to color match my teeth. I am so happy with my beautiful smile. read more

I have had two appointments. I found the staff and doctor to be less invasive, gentler, and better diagnosticians than my previous office. He quickly diagnosed a bite issue that was causing pain and affecting my chewing and fixed the problem within minutes without causing further damage (and this was a problem that began after my last dental appointment months ago at another location). I also found the suggestions of the doctors and hygienist to be conservative and beneficial. I returned to get a tooth "bonded" from a chip that occurred almost a decade ago. It looks like the tooth was never damaged! He matched the shape and color perfectly and very efficiently. I am looking forward to continuing to work with this doctor and will try to convince the rest of family to switch over. Additionally while I was in the office a couple people called in with "dental emergencies" or severe pain and I overhead him saying to bring the patients in and that he would find time to see them (despite a booked schedule) and make sure they find the help they need even if he couldn't do it. My first visit I brought my 5 month old baby along planning on holding him in my lap during my exam and cleaning or putting him in his bouncy chair. Well, I never needed to do that because the staff took turns holding him and rocking him. He was asleep by the time I left! read more

Without a question the best dentist I have ever had. The whole team is caring and professional. He and his dental hygienists are SUPER careful and gentle. Dr. Harmetz will routinely phone his patients in the evening to see how they are doing after a procedure. I have had two cases in which his staff fitted me into his schedule up the same day (within 30 minutes in one case) for something that had flared up. Because in both cases it turned out to be something minor, in neither case did his office charge for this. His work (crowns) is beautiful. Another thing about Dr. Harmetz that I really appreciate is that he takes time to explain a patient's options and the advantages and disadvantages of various treatments. He is never pushy; instead, he always takes the time to inform and provide choices. The whole office is made up of consummate professionals who seem to love working together. My wife and I just feel lucky to have found him through the advice of a friend over a decade ago. read more