My first experience with Star Dental left me fairly pleased -- especially considering this is a small practice that accepts Medi-Cal patients. In comparison to my last dentist, Sacramento Native American Clinic, the comparison is like night and day.
I first called the office seeking an afternoon check-up/cleaning and also had a chipped and aching tooth, for which I needed care. I was told cleaning appointments weren't available until November (2 months out), but I could have an afternoon appointment for my bad tooth in 9 days. Not bad. I had no problems getting a hold of anyone on the phone nor any problems in communication.
The day before my scheduled appointment, I needed to reschedule as I was ill. Because I was calling during the office's long lunch, I wasn't able to get anyone on the phone, and the phone also went to voicemail a couple of times when they should have been back in the office, but on my third try after lunch, I was able to reschedule for a week later without any hassle. Again, that's perfectly acceptable and a welcome change from my experience with Native American Clinic where I waited months for appointments and where they would not schedule emergency/follow-up appointments after I foolishly agreed to let a dental student work on me at the SNAC, and his work caused me pain that lasted years.
The reason I am giving 4 stars and not 5 has nothing to do with the dental care I received, but is due to the fragrant, floral smell of the office. I am sensitive to odors and that strong of an allergy-triggering odor does not belong in a medical office. I toughed it out in the waiting room because I did not want to wait outside in the heat (although I was just about to get some fresh air when they called me back), but another patient chose to wait outside because she was also having a reaction to the scent. Because of the scent, I went into my appointment with an irritated throat.
My actual appointment went well. The dentist removed my slightly chipped filling, discovered I had a cavity underneath, refilled it and also better sanded a tooth next to it, which he said the last dentist had chipped when filling my problem-some tooth. He worked quickly and the filling came out great -- perfectly sanded down so my bite is correct.
At my appointment (Sept 15), I scheduled my full check-up and cleaning for the end of October, which is not a long wait at all. I will update this review after that appointment, but for now, I feel good recommending this practice. read more