I recently moved back to the area and I've been looking for a new dentist. I came across Dr. Sophia Espinoza who years prior was to be my son's dentist. My son had an open heart surgery at three years old so he had some heart precautions .He was about 10 years old and he was having anxiety in the chair. She literally told him that if he didn't be still, and let her clean his teeth that he could die. I was like are you kidding me lady? She continue to tell me how my son should be still in the chair that he was old enough to know better. I told her no thank you how could you say that to a child and I left very upset. This woman is very unprofessional. She should not be treating children if she cannot tolerate children. Children are going to be scared and nervous and she just makes them more scared. Seeing these reviews on here are pretty unsettling. Maybe she only likes people of her own kind where she gets her positive reviews. I would not recommend this dentist for children as they could be traumatized. read more

I went in for a cleaning Dr Espinosa was gentle and did an awesome job. Before making an appointment I was looking at the reviews and some were negative saying that she was rude and that was a lie she's so sweet and really attentive in your needs or concerns. I will totally come back. read more

horrible service disrespectful with unclear instructions will not be coming back. one of the worst dental experience ever

I don't think typically go out of their way to say GOOD things about a dentist. Only their bad experiences. So while on Yelp, I wanted to leave my positive experiences. I've been coming to Sofia for well over 25 years. Yikes, that ages me. LOL I have always enjoyed coming here even as a teen. I don't have experiences while being a young kid or her seeing my young kids. But as an adult, I do recommend. read more

They never answer the phone, no matter what business hours you follow. I have tried to call before lunch, after lunch, at opening, before close, and everything in-between. read more

I have always had bad experiences with dentists, but Sofia blew my expectations out of the water. First off the receptionist was extremely helpful and kind. The entire space was incredibly clean. I loved the fact that Sofia was welcoming non intimidating and transparent throughout my entire cleaning. If you want to have a great dentist who cares about your teeth and is friendly look no further. I'm actually excited to go to my next cleaning, which says a lot about how great my experience was. read more

My wife and I brought our daughter in for an exam and cleaning today, We knew she had 2 cavities that need to be filled at a later date and we were told by Dr Espinoza that amalgam fillings were the only thing that Medical would cover you know the silver fillings ! We thought this to be very odd with that being the only explanation given. So we got home and I called Medical Dental and we were told that white fillings are covered. The only thing we can think of was that she get's paid more by Medical for using amalgam than the white fillings or she just doesn't want to do the white fillings. Anyway a 40 minute drive to get to her office and very disappointed in the the transparency of her motives. Save yourself some time and see someone else ! read more

Sofia is the absolute only option in the area if you're looking for detailed, holistic, and quality care. Many of the reviews on here seem to be prompted by a mistake made by the patient (ex. being late, missing too many appointments, having a nervous child)- not anything actually done by Sofia. I have worked in the dental industry and can attest to how difficult it is to juggle appointments when one is late or doesn't go as planned. She has been in the business for over 30 years, runs her own office and really cares about the people in our town. My teenage son loves her, and his friends are her patients too, and they always say how she really cares- giving them advice on school and connecting them to people who can give them job opportunities. I think a lot of people forget that there is a cultural difference, as she is an immigrant like many of the people in our beautiful town, and misinterpret what she says. Aside from her character, she is a thorough, gentle and an excellent dentist. Support small businesses!!!! read more

I just had the worst experience of my life here! I took my four-year-old daughter who has never been to the dentist before. She was apprehensive about the appointment and the hygienist had no patience for her. She said that she couldn't come back here if she wouldn't let her examine her. Who threatens a four year old like that? Then she wouldn't even do my exam because my daughter wanted to stand next to me and not sit down in the corner like she was told to. This was a complete waste of time. And now my daughter has to go all the way to Salinas to a pediatric dentist. Don't accept kids at this place if you don't know how to work with them. I will not be coming back. read more

Such bad service. I came in 10 minutes late they never called to say if I was still going to show up so I called and they didn't answer. I live about 40 minutes away and I came in just 10 minutes late and still asked if I can get my appointment they said no. They no longer wanted to attend me for just coming in 10 minutes late. She was also very rude when I booked my appointment. Don't recommend her. read more

I have anxiety when it comes to dentist, but after talking with Dr. Espinoza I decided to get my teeth cleaned my her. She took her time to clean my teeth and explain to me throughout the process why the cleaning are important, and how to maintain good teeth and gum health. Later on in the rear I had some trouble with a filling that a different dentist did so I went to Dr. Espinoza to fix it. she was ale to fit me in her schedule the very same day so the filling did not get worse. She solved my problem and worked with me. Her office has been updated recently but most importantly, Her office is CLEAN. read more

I was nervous to see a dentist after not going for a long time but Sofia helped me get my dental health in order and gave me a lot of helpful info. She is very knowledgeable and skilled, and makes sure you are comfortable. read more

Sofia Espinoza is the best dentist in Santa Cruz county. I drive all the way from west side Santa Cruz to get my teeth cleaned with her because she is hilarious, kind, and comforting. When my little one was scared, she gave him cool sunglasses and he loved them! She showed him all the tools she was using and was extra gentle. Sofia is amazing! read more

Sofia is a very wonderful dentist. The process of getting my teeth cleaned was great, she made sure to take her time and also throughly getting the job done. I would absolutely recommend anyone to come here. She is so nice and sweet and made me feel relaxed while getting my teeth cleaned. Thank you Sofia!!! read more

Didn't clean my sons braces and told me she couldn't. When I told her she billed insurance for it and it needs to be done, she told me I couldn't come to her office anymore. She did a poor job on cleaning my other children's teeth. Will not be going back! read more

I wish i could give her 0 stars , horrible horrible service. I had an appointment a early Saturday morning I arrived early to my appointment so hard to get up on a morning where i should be sleeping in so once i got there the receptionist checked me in and Sofia comes out and tells her i told you to reschedule her And receptionist said i did call her but no answer and I asked when did you call she said like 20 minutes ago WOW !!!! Sofia was upset and did not want to take me in i told her is okay i could reschedule i did it cause i felt so bad for the receptionist sofia kept looking at her so mean ok so i rescheduled the day comes i left work early drove 30 minutes and once i got there sofia was leaving saying she had a hair appointment and could not miss it I was like OMG are you kidding me and told her i was really upset and i needed to be seen since i was having pain and this is the second time she has done this to me she apologized but said her hair appointment was really important i kept telling her i was in pain and this old lady came out of her office and said well she can't see you because you owe a fee of $40 i said no problem ill pay it she still didn't see me . The moral of the story she does not care about her patients she is unorganized I told one of my friends what happened she told me she was taking her to court because she charged her insurance for something she didn't do and her case was looking pretty good. Please save your time and $ and see somebody else.!! read more

Worst dentist ever Sofia is so rude and unprofessional, I most definitely do not recommend no one going to her worst DDS I have ever gone to in my life. read more

I have had to research for dentist all over Santa Cruz County, I've been told "not accepting new patients" so many times I didn't think I would see a dentist this year again. Today I went to see Dr. Espinoza and she BLEW ME AWAY!! The check in routine was safe and clean, her front desk manager is very kind and explains everything to you while you fill out paperwork or wait! I was temperature checked and then able to come inside their super clean and super professional and even fun decorated office! Dr. Espinoza greeted me so warmly, I instantly felt safe and able to talk about my worries on some of my teeth that are needing extensive work. She never once allow me to feel shame about my teeth! She encouraged an explained to me all the ways I could get all of my dental work taken care of. She was exemplary, I cannot say it enough and I read all the reviews, none of them were from where I was today. I am so happy so impressed, it means so much for a dentist to help you feel safe about your teeth especially when you feel guilty about them already. I am so grateful I came to Dr. Espinoza and her dental office today! Come see her and her team! You will be blown away by the care and concern:) read more

My Experience here was great. Sofia was very careful with the work she did on me. She explained to me everything she was doing step by step, making me feel extra comfortable. I was a little worried with the reviews I read on here but honestly, some people exaggerate things to worry people. That is why people should go see her work with their own eyes. Don't judge a book by its cover right? read more

if I can give this place a zero I would! my now 4 and 6 year old have been coming here since my youngest was old enough to see a dentist.. Most of the time sofia wouldn't even want to call her a doctor is very passively rude and sarcastic but I just let them be seen.. she says I've missed appointments which I've only missed 2 due to having Covid we rescheduled.. this last time my kids were seen we made an appointment to come back for the next check up .. yesterday they called I missed the call called them back no answer now my kids have appointments scheduled which is why they called.. and they said they had to reschedule because I didn't answer but I called them back and they didn't answer but never reschedule and today I'm here for the appointment on time. they wouldn't take them because they said I missed to many appointments LIES!! the doctor was very rude kept cutting me off when I was trying to talk to see why they can't be seen when I'm here on time on the day they scheduled . their excuse was you missed to many appointments lies! why make the appointment the last time right after my kids got done being seen to be seen today and then say we can't come because I missed to many appointments but I have not.. . truth be told she didn't want hear about herself and thought she had a right to be rude I don't think she likes people of color. don't think she like her job either she's tries to rush and through the process but like to make you wait for an hour. just a very rude entitled half a** dentist I would think for her age she would be mature and kind and respectful! my kids will never come back here and if you have kids I wouldn't bring them here either as I see I'm not the only one who's had this problem. read more

Dr. Espinoza is an amazing dentist! She is really professional and makes you feel welcomed. I've never had a bad experience in the 16 years of being a patient and as a kid I was never nervous or scared because she is really good with children. I would really recommend you to visit her office if you are in the look for a new dentist! You won't regret it! read more

Every time I go myself or bring my children is a bad experience. I've had it this last visit. My child had a clean up app. He's three. He was fine but like any child they get scared well he started crying and Sofia came and said her own words I not going to see him if he's crying. And she DIDN'T she referred me to another doctor and what she said was just so disrespectful and incredible. She mentioned how she wished to see how they tie him down in the chair and see if he would let himself then. Unbelievable it's supposed to be a family dentist and she refused to see my baby boy because he was crying and afraid. She does not have the patience or dedication. She want to get people in and out as soon as possible doesn't take time doing the job right. She want easy money. That is not how a professional dentist works! read more

One of the worse all around. I took my child there to get fillings. He got fillings done, which didn't last more than a month. I scheduled to get those fixed and finish other fillings. He is very anxious about dentist, as most kids are, so he was tearing, not even crying loud, just tearing! She gave him a numbing injection. After he was slobbering numb, she said "I cant work on him, hes going to move too much". She was being so rude to him (an 8yr old) scaring him by saying that if he moved, she was going to cut his cheek on accident. As you can imagine, my son got terrified and began crying. He held(squeezed) my hand, as he layed on the chair. She left him numb and didn't work on him! !! She simply said, "I'm going to referr him to childrens dentist, im not a childrens dentist". This is after the fact that she agreed to treat him and injected him to numb (which is the worse step) him. Aside from all this, she made my son wait longer because she held a non dental conversation/gossip with another person in her office which didn't appear to be a client. Worse, all around, I wont be going back. This would be zero stars if it could. read more

I wish I could give zero stars. Save yourself the headache and go to a professional dentist. She's rude, her office looks run down and disgusting and everyone in her staff is downright dumb. None can give you any answers. Their bookkeeping is terrible. They sent me a bill for services I had received 8 months before when I had rendered payment for the services at the time of visit. I wish I could emphasize how terrible this place is. STAY AWAY!!! read more

I must said I have never meet a Dentist this nice and patient, my parents brought me here when I was 15 years old now I am going on 33. I will never see another dentist but her. I love it!!! I will give her more then 5 stars!!!!! the best in town read more

best place in watsonville. dr. sofia is the kindest and most gentle dentist out there. would give 100 stars if i could.