Best dentist office I've ever been to. Office staff, hygienists, dentists, [Dr. Loren] all are fabulous.

I am writing this review to provide a balanced but firm critique of this practice. While I have high praise for the dental work itself, the administrative shift toward aggressive profit collection has made it impossible for me to remain a patient. The Clinical Side: Compassionate and Professional I want to be very clear: the dentist and the clinical staff are excellent. As someone who deals with significant anxiety regarding dental visits, I felt truly heard. They were kind, attentive to my fears, and took the time to answer every question I had. The quality of the work performed was top-tier, and I never felt like just another number while I was in the chair. The Business Side: Profit Over Patient Care Unfortunately, the administrative policies have taken a sharp turn toward prioritizing immediate revenue over customer service and patient flexibility. The office recently stopped accepting my dental insurance, which is their right--however, their "solution" for loyal patients is incredibly rigid. They now require the total cost of all services to be paid upfront and in full. Most frustratingly, they demanded this payment prior to even allowing me to schedule an appointment. There was zero willingness to discuss payment plans or provide any level of flexibility that you would expect from a healthcare provider you've trusted with your care. Conclusion It is deeply disappointing to see a practice where the medical side is so compassionate, but the business side is so cold and transactional. By requiring payment before a chair is even prepped, they have sent a clear message: they value guaranteed profit over the accessibility and loyalty of their patients. If you are looking for a partner in your long-term dental health who understands that "customer service" involves more than just a smile in the lobby, you may want to look elsewhere. The clinical care is great, but the financial gatekeeping is a dealbreaker. read more

If I could give zero stars, that's exactly what I'd select. I was not informed prior to treatment that my benefits were exhausted, nor was I made aware that I would be financially responsible for the full cost of care. After raising my concerns, the dental office stated in an email that it is the patient's responsibility to verify insurance benefits--not theirs. I find this concerning and unreasonable, especially as a patient typically relies on healthcare providers to confirm coverage and communicate any out-of-pocket costs before treatment is provided. I acted in good faith, expecting the provider to confirm benefit eligibility (which they'd done since I've been a patient) particularly given that they participate in my insurance network and have ready access to my plan information. I was denied the opportunity to make an informed decision about my care and financial obligations because the office failed to verify benefits prior to treatment. Given the circumstances and their written admission about not verifying my benefits, I requested that this matter be reviewed and that I not be held financially responsible for charges that resulted from the provider's failure to confirm my benefit status beforehand. Sadly, they don't see my issue with what occurred and states it's the RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PATIENT TO CONFIRM BENEFITS. I've filed a formal grievance with my insurance provider, who advised that they're in violation of the Agreement. What's even more disturbing is that the provider has previously verified my benefits with the insurance company prior to other visits, but didn't on this occasion. AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COST. THIS IS THE WORST CUSTOMER SERVICE EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER ENCOUNTERED. AND THEY REFUSE TO OWN UP TO THEIR ERROR. read more

I had some serious issues with dentists when I was little so I decided to try The Gentle Dentist, admittedly based on alone, but I am not disappointed! The front desk people are always so nice on the phone and they're more than willing to help work around insurance issues. Yes, you do have to pay up front for your services rendered but the quality of work and bedside manner is well worth it. Dr. Andy is my Dentist and I've never had a nicer, more compassionate Dentist before. It's clear he loves what he does and has a good heart. I've read that they charge you for things you don't need but that has not been my experience. They've scheduled my treatments around my dental benefits so as to keep costs down for me. They also provide nitrous and even anti-anxiety medication for your visit. When I tell you I'm scared of the Dentist, I'm SCARED! However, Dr. Andy and staff are really helping me to establish a better relationship with them. read more

Go here for my annual check up each year. The doctors are not in a rush to get through the appointment. He was very thorough and great with explaining things. Also gives a goodie bag of toothpaste, mouth wash, and a toothbrush after every appointment! Great local dentist!! read more

There is nothing "gentle" about this practice or their office staff. I just received a bill for $150 for a missed appointment as my husband was sick and unable to cancel with three days notice. If you have any other responsibilities that may cause you to miss an appointment without being able to give a 3 day notice (like a job that sometimes requires overtime, children who sometimes get sick, ailing parents, or if you yourself get sick sometimes), I would urge you to go elsewhere. They are absolutely not "gentle", or the least bit understanding, if something happens that interferes with your ability to go to your appointment. I wish they had said something to him when he scheduled in the first place- like if you miss this, we are going to charge you $150- as he may have just shown up sick or wouldn't haven't scheduled with them at all. Also, because of this policy, I'm certain people do show up sick, which would be concerning as a patient sitting in a full waiting room and having dental work from staff who have been working in the mouths of ill patients. I've had a cleaning there and they don't do anything any differently or "more gentle" than any other dentist in Columbus. I'll take kindness and understanding from any dentist over a "gentle" gimmick and catchy name, any day. read more

Very competent and efficient cleaning by the technician. And it was a pleasure to see Dr Dexter again. read more

I've been going here for a long time - about 15 years or more - and I think they are as good as it gets. I'm never going to LIKE going to the dentist, but these folks are gentle, caring and efficient. I went to Dr. Cronin for a while for both dental work and do-over adult orthdontics (my teeth backslid and I needed Invisalign to get them back into shape). She was great. Now, I see Dr. Andy (Nash) and he is AMAZING - def my fave dentist ever. I've had some big work done lately (crowns, etc) and he literally texts me after my appointments to make sure I'm doing okay. He's like the dentist best friend you didn't know you needed. The technicians are all great too, and the office staff. I have zero complaints. read more

This is the dental office we have used for a few years now and we are always satisfied! Excellent care by all, from admin staff, hygienists and last but not least the doctors! If you are looking for a dentist that checks all the boxes this is the one! read more

Every office staff, hygienist and dentist is truly wonderful. My family and I have been coming to the Gentle Dentist group for almost 20 years now! They don't push work that you don't really need. They take excellent care of us while in their care. read more

I've been a patient at The Gentle Dentist for 20 years. Everyone - front desk staff, dental assistants and dentists - is nice and pleasant to deal with. They always remind me when I'm due for my next cleaning and confirm (either via text message or phone call) my appointment. They tell you up front no insurance covers the oral cancer ultraviolet light screen test and it's $50. My insurance usually pays most of the bill but sometimes I still have to pay $6 - $19 which is a bargain for a dental cleaning in my book. (The Gentle Dentist bills me for it afterwards.) My cavity fillings from 20 years ago are still holding up. I had braces as an adult (done by another practice) and I have a permanent retainer. When one of my wires came loose they easily fixed it for me. For the past few years they send a notice to their patients about their free cleaning day in December. With a scheduled appointment on that day, people who can't afford dental insurance can have their teeth cleaned at no charge. It's one small way The Gentle Dentist gives back to the community. read more

Long time customer of The Gentle Dentist... But due to the recent change to the billing system, I will no longer be a patient. Not sure why I received a hand written change on my payment receipt saying all monies due as you schedule the appointment??? I did inquire but no one had a good answer... A patient that has paid on time , every visit I would think a letter informing all patients of an upcoming policy change would have been mailed or presented in advance with an effective date. read more

We had a tooth emergency and we were able to get in almost immediately. They are very busy but we're able to accommodate us. The work was done well and efficiently. The staff are friendly. They inform you of the approximate cost on the outset. read more

I have been a patient for almost 18 years and my son has been as well. This past spring he needed to have some expensive work done for which I was given a quote after insurance. I was required to pay that prior to getting an appointment. The day of the procedure, they notified me of an additional cavity that required another payment that I paid that day. On each occasion, I was assured that the quote would be very close to the final balance. I explained that as a single mother, it was critically important to me for budgeting purposes. Additionally, one half of the cost was his father's responsibility. I could not keep going back requesting additional funds. A small additional balance I was willing to cover. Imagine my surprise when I was billed again, an amount that totaled a whopping 60% over the original quote. This bill went to the wrong address -- my home rather than a PO Box, which they knew about. I found out because of a collection phone call. I understand some difference, but this was more than excessive especially because of the assurances that I received. Had she given me any indication that the quote could be off by $100s of dollars, I would have waited for a "down to the penny" quote. I was assured that the quote would be "close." They must have know it wasn't right. They did not really want to have to explain the misquote because both times that I talked with them, they tried to blame the issue on billing and insurance issue related to me (different insurance). In fact, the first caller would have had me pay the balance believing that it was 100% for work done on me. Ironically, they offered a payment plan and to keep my credit card information on file. No way would I feel comfortable with this arrangement. I paid the bill in full. I would rather incur credit card interest than to have to continue to deal with them or worry that they would charge for something else. Trust is a necessary element to have in any transaction and even moreso on medical issues. While I believe that the dental work that I have had done has been quality, I cannot recommend, refer friends, or continue to do business with a group that could allow this to happen. It's a fundamental ethics issue. Beware. Be VERY aware. read more

Be aware, require the desk to run benefits before any service rendered. The office will tell you it's not their problem if, by surprise, services not covered. Ensuring you are covered is your responsibility. They will ask if anything has changed, but nuanced changes that you may not be fully aware of can vastly impact coverage. Both my insurer and this office failed to operate in best interests for the patient family. Whole family in for routine cleaning. Insurance was not checked. Almost $900 for routine cleanings. The most offered was a 5% discount. Seek out a dentist that owns and work among the folks of the practice. Wonderful family dentists in the past actually offered free services when my family was between insurance plans. I never took them up on the offer, but it's those small business folks that actually engage in healthcare over profits. read more

This is an excellent dental office! Everyone from the receptionist to the dental assistants to the dentists are friendly and wonderful. Making appointments have always been easy for me and they are able to get patients in quickly for cleanings and treatments. Today I had Dr. Taylor clean my teeth and he was awesome. He made the experience painless and it went by quickly! I wold definitely recommend him! The office is right off High street and near 270. My first time here I passed the building as it can seem tucked away. Just look for the sign of a tooth close by! read more

I dislike the dentist - a lot - but I continue to feel comfortable and in good hands at The Gentle Dentist. The staff is extremely friendly and excel in making the experience as comfortable and convenient as possible. The service is clean, timely, and "gentle." I never leave feeling ashamed or embarrassed - thanks to Dr. Andy. I would definitely recommend, especially for anyone who dislikes dentist visits as much as I do! read more

We have been going here for several years. I hadn't written a review before, but I wanted to today due to the excellent experience we had last week. My son was very nervous about having his first cavity fixed last week. Dr Nash was awesome - he took the time to chat with my son and explained all parts of the procedure, showed him how the putty hardens under the light, and put him at ease. He did an amazing job throughout the procedure of getting things done quickly while keeping my son comfortable and talking him through it. I've never experienced anything like this - he really has a gift for working with kids and I was really impressed! Also, their entire staff including front desk staff were all wearing masks which is important to us with kids too young to be vaccinated yet. read more

I have had a lot of problems coming here. I have updated my information; such as my PHONE NUMBER and insurance, many times with them, and they never seem to retain that information. I recently was told a biteplate would be helpful for my jaw clicking, and they gave me a quote for my out of pocket, which I paid, then I later found out, when it was too late, that my insurance won't cover what they thought/guessed it would. No one emailed/called me to warn me that I would have to owe DOUBLE what they told me, and they didn't even contact me to let me know my bite plate was made and ready. I was budgeted for a certain amount, which was A LOT, and to pay so much more out of the blue was a complete shock. I would suggest looking other places if you don't want the same treatment. read more

This might be one of my first non-food Yelp reviews, and it was well-deserved! My coworker recommended this dental office to me, and they have been wonderful! I've been a patient for 1 year and have visited for 3 dental visits (every 6 months). They have been very friendly, professional, efficient, and have been great about COVID-19 safety. I actually went in May or June when everything in Columbus re-opened and my dental hygienist was wearing so much protective wear that I could barely see her face, haha. This past time, they were able to squeeze me in during a busy season on short notice, and my dentist did almost all of the cleaning, and we even had a whole conversation during my cleaning which has never happened to me before. I was honestly so impressed by her bedside manner (Dr. Dexter, I think) and how she talked while cleaning and then let me talk a little bit in between scraping my teeth. I also really am appreciative of their reminder system because I need to be reminded. A lot. TLDR; highly recommend this dental office. All of my visits have been lovely! read more

I have always been petrified of the dentist. I researched the Gentle Dentist and was blessed to get to see Dr. Dexter. She is so kind and gentle. I had 4 cracked teeth on one side and 3 on the other. I never felt an ounce of pain during or after the procedure. She even checked on me the next day both times. I actually look forward to going to seeing the dentist now. I am a patient for life read more

A great team of professionals! They stay on schedule, no long waits when you arrive for your appointment and they're always happy and professional from the moment you arrive. I always leave there smiling. read more

I was traumatized by a major dental experience when I was 19, and had not seen a dentist for ten years. I found myself pregnant with an infected tooth, and no choice but to get it taken care of. I called the gentle dentist and they got me in right away. I had the tooth pulled, and it was the most painless extraction I'd ever had. Dr Shah and Dr Cronin are amazing, and the support staff is equally excellent (especially my man Leland!). We have aetna insurance and have not had any billing problems caused by the gentle dentist. Aetna does have a habit of changing what they cover, so I have gotten a surprise bill, but when I look over the services, we have never been charged for anything we didn't get. My whole family goes here and I'm constantly recommending them to anyone who asks. I am no longer terrified of the dentist, and I actually look forward to going because I feel better when I leave. read more

The Gentle Dentist - Nice, clean, open waiting area. - General Dentistry Near Me - Worthington, Ohio

From the speedy response to my request for an appointment; the friendly smiling staff the moment you walk through the doors; to the thorough explanations of procedures, billing, and follow up-- I can't imagine finding another dental office that could surpass the level of care and concern I've found at The Gentle Dentist. After a long absence (10+ years) due to multiple, negative experiences, my daughter (who had her own fear) recommended this office after her first visit...so I made an appointment with Dr. Andrew and I'm glad I did! Between us, we've had a regular cleaning, a filling, deep scale cleaning, and today a root canal (Dr. Jensen). I just can't stress the level of care and concern consistently shown throughout every step! I'm excited that my 2-1/2 year old granddaughter will have her first dental experience with this office! Thank you Gentle Dentist! read more

Pushed out because I missed 2 appointments in 8 years. Feeling like the unwanted trash after being a patient for 10 years. Is this big, uncompassionate corporation, churning through dentists, hygienists, technicians, and assistants incredibly fast, also holding themselves accountable for their mistakes or ever simply apologizing for something? Do they mean the "how can we make you smile" question when you've been a patient for 10 years, recommended them to other people, brought your spouse there, put up with a few mistakes? And what do they owe you after 10 years other than keeping negative notes on you? They might have more than for somebody who has been there for only 5, right? Are they more lenient towards their own mistakes than they are towards yours? Do they care if you are crying on the phone? No, because you missed 2 appointments in the last 8 years. Let's see what they've done and what I've done. While the basic service is good, they were less than perfect, which I put up with, because no one is ever perfect: they never informed me that I was no longer in network and thus paying more than I would have somewhere else, they kept a balance of a few hundred dollars for years without telling me about it or asking me if I wanted it refunded, they passed me to the newest doctor they hired maybe 4 times (once prompted by the time I asked for an appointment, so that was on me, but they have an incredibly high personnel turnover), a crown that is too yellow even per their assistants (I may have agreed to the color that was suggested, but how good do I see in that mirror), been told many years ago that my smile was not reversing to pre-braces but finally admitted in 2018 it was (I could have done something about it in that time to prevent it from getting worse!), recommended to see a dentist that could work with a muscle because those were also pulling to the side (in addition to the teeth reversing) but no one called me back with a name as promised. These are not fatal flaws and we are all human, so I continued to visit their practice. But never heard the word apology or sorry over any of them. How difficult can that be?? It is always the feeling they are always right and the client is always wrong. Let's see what I've done. I've been a patient since 2011 and recommended them to multiple people because they have long hours, and even brought my husband here. I missed appointments (but always promptly paid the contractual fees) in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2019. Part of this is because I've been there for 10 years. In 2021 I had an 8am appointment in April, and because I typically have most of my appointments with them at 7pm, I forgot it was in the am not pm, so I missed it. It was my 2nd in 8 years and 5th in 10 years. I called immediately when I realized my mistake, but they refused to reschedule it. They want you to call every single morning to see if they have a cancellation that day (when their cancellation policy is 3 days, so making you wait till that morning is not necessary, just on purpose nearly impossible to do). They taunt you with text reminders that you are due for a visit, but they will not give you an appointment. Do you redeem yourself after you take the same number of their cancellations as you caused? No, because you are the only one accountable for your mistakes. And if you are in the middle of a personal medical crisis like I happened to be that April and cry because you are in distress on the phone, do they give you another appointment? No, because they do not really want to make you smile. It is not a written policy that you will not be allowed an appointment, but they do it because they don't feel they owe you anything for the inconveniences they caused. They taunt you with appointment reminders just to humiliate you when you call. There was always the feeling that there was this big, impersonal, corporate hand running the show. They have an incredibly high turn over in dentists, hygienists and assistants too, which must say something about all their practices. Every year I look at the wall of portraits and I'm having a hard time finding any technician, hygienist or assistant I've had in the past. Yes, they do run on time, but there is always this feeling of big mechanical arms running the place behind the creepy "how can we make you smile" answering line. (I didn't mean to pick on it when I started this review, but this has been on my mind for sooo many years now: how has it never occurred to anyone that a dentist's office phone line, no matter how proficient, doesn't typically make people smile? And it contributes to the phony facade feeling.) Yes, I can take my business somewhere else, but my first preference would be that they do not treat me harsher than they treat themselves. Shouldn't you expect that after 10 years? I am tempted to try to call mornings and document how long it will take to get a cleaning appointment to update the review with something concrete. read more

The Gentle Dentist is amazing! My first visit was in July to have my teeth cleaned and to establish a relationship with a new practice. Lisa was my hygienist and she was great...she very gentle and set me at ease from the start. Dr Andy performed the exam and talked to me about my goals. I told him I wanted to get those old (ugly) silver fillings out and to get a brighter smile. I made an appointment to get one filling done the following week and WOW! Dr Andy gave me the injection, which to me is the scary part, and it was painless! They put in a numbing gel first, let it sit a bit, then add something else, let it sit a minute...and then give the injections, which I honestly couldn't even tell that there was a needle/syringe in my mouth. The injection was slow and painless. I'm so happy with the new white composite filling that I made the appointment to have the filling changed on the upper right side. That filling was replaced this morning by Dr Andy and Brittany and again, I'm thrilled with the results. Thanks guys! Definitely, I would recommend the staff at The Gentle Dentist. read more

Dr. Dexter is so kind and caring, she answers all my questions and takes her time addressing any issues. The office staff and dental assistants are friendly and helpful. The hours they are open is convenient as well. read more

Headache treatment? Not really something I think about when I visit the dentist, but when I let Dr. Baker know I've been having stress headaches and migraines she suggested a round of Botox. I was surprised to learn about this non-invasive, easy treatment available in a dental setting, but Dr. Baker took the time to explain the procedure, process and long-term plan of addressing this issue. I am so, so, so happy to say that after a round of injections, I no longer have the same clenched, muscular headaches. I was waking up every morning with the same pain throughout my jaw and forehead, but it has completely disappeared! I can honestly say I never would have asked my primary physician about something like this, so it's awesome to know I can combine this type of treatment with my regular dental work. I'm even afraid of needles, but as always, the Gentle Dentist lived up to its gentle name. A painless procedure made everything better. Thanks, Dr. Baker! read more

They have sent me to collections for $80. I will not be paying this balance. I am debt free and do not care about my credit score. But what about most people who will cave when this happens? How do you stand up to dishonest business practices? Thank goodness for websites like Yelp. Spread the word. read more

Gentle dentist? Far from it. Read all these reviews and decided to try it out since I relocated to Cbus and have to find a new dentist. I will say this is the most painful cleaning I have ever had. Not only did I found out they are not covered in my dental insurance plan network and had to pay a huge amount out of pocket but I also ended up with excruciating pain in my mouth. At one point I choked during cleaning. The hygienist I had was nice, but my cleaning was like she had a grudge against my gums and my mouth. I almost want to just drive 2 hours back to my previous dentist and suck it up on dealing with the driving. I wouldn't recommend this dentist to anyone. Update: I received an email from the office manager after she read my review. She apologized for what happened. She indicated that she is making some changes in the office since this happened and will make sure it doesn't happen again. She seems like a very nice lady. It's great to know that management really do care about the business and is willing to make changes to make the customer happy. It says a lot about how much they care about their customers. read more

LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. This office is so great. I literally have never waited more than 3 minutes for my appointment to start. The staff is Amazing. I hadn't been to the dentist in a few years and I needed a filling. The dentist said I could have something to calm me but he convinced me that I wouldn't need it and that he'd be very gentle. He was indeed. I hardly felt a thing. The nurse rubbed my arm throughout the procedure and talked to me quietly to calm my fears. I have recommended them to everyone I know. I will never go anywhere else. I have been back several times and they are a step above the rest. read more

I had been going to The Gentle Dentist for about 10 years, and then this past year started going to a dentist next to my home in my efforts to support business in my community. What a huge mistake! Dr. Fox and Dr. Baker are the BEST in the business and the amenities of The Gentle Dentist are not found in other offices. They offer flexible hours for those of us that work during the day, and ensuring you are comfortable is always their main concern. Needless to say, I will be returning to The Gentle Dentist and continue to be a long time patient. They are simply THE BEST. The only reason I gave a 4 star is because the front desk staff, especially the woman with the red hair and glasses who has been there forever, is a bit rude. They are quite pretentious and lack any type of understanding when they give you a bill for hundreds of dollars - not caring that you may not have that type of money on hand. She just doesn't give a very warm, friendly or inviting feeling. But no worries - the doctors and hygienists are fantastic! My only recommendation is that the cost of your visit should be discussed in private prior to them doing the work. read more

I went for my first visit with Dr. Brian Taylor and I had to leave a review. I was caught off guard because every time I've had my teeth cleaned anywhere else, it was never by the actual Dentist, but by the Hygienist. I was very surprised that he was actually the one to do everything. He was very professional and answered all of my questions making me feel very comfortable. So if you need a gentle dentist, then I would certainly recommend him. read more

I didn't used to hate the dentist but as I got older I definitely do now... I was going to a different dentist and left feeling like I had been assaulted in my mouth. Tears stream down my cheeks because my teeth and gums are so sensitive read more

The Gentle Dentist is amazing. They are efficient, welcoming, and completely transparent. It's easy to get an appointment, I never have to wait once I arrive, and all the office staff are all masked. Everyone is professional and polite. The actual dental services rendered are also excellent, and they are as painless as possible. I had the same dentist for many, many years before moving to Columbus, and I was not excited to switch! But now I will be sad to leave the GD if I move away! Love Drs. Fox and Nash especially as they have taken great care of my teeth. Thank you for being so kind and doing such a good job, even through the pandemic. read more

I have been doing business with this dental practice for years, at times even when they were out of network with my insurance, driving 55 minutes to appointments and spending several thousands of dollars. Do not cancel an appointment with these people less than 3 days ahead! I have had to reschedule "5 times" in the past 5 years, oh my! They do not take into consideration unforeseen circumstances, will bill you $100 and only allow you to make a same day appointment (only if they have room for you) in the future. Apparently they are so busy that they can take your business or leave it! They have definitely lost mine! I will no longer recommend this practice to anyone I care about. The patient does not come first, only the $$$ read more

I fear the dentist and the dentists and dental hygienist are always aware of my fear and act accordingly. While all of the dentists are capable I stick with Dr. Nash as he's been working with me for years. The place is clean and the staff is very nice too. read more

I can't even think of one negative thing about this practice. They are wonderful, the staff is so caring, nonjudgmental, timely and Dr. Andy is hands down is amazing. I've never been so happy with my smile. read more

The doctors, hygienists, and staff are professional, kind, and caring. I've been a client for 15-ish years, and highly recommend them!

Great dentist and dental hygienists! Would highly recommended!