Similar to others, I really enjoyed my first few visits. The staff were very friendly and enjoyed talking about their love of dentistry. The cost of a regular clean was, back in 2010 or so, well over $200, which is unusual for a basic clean. They spent some time charting the exact gap distances for 6 different sides of each tooth and using that data from check up to check up. That was particularly useful and not something I've been able to witness from other dentists. Maybe it's what all dentists do. But their process was explicit and they answered a lot of questions about it. Okay, that was the enjoyable, caring, and useful stuff. All 5 stars so far. Around check up 3, the new and unexpected symptoms started showing up. Tiny cavities were being found in my teeth that could be repaired for just a few thousand dollars; a request that I start coming in every 4 months instead of 6, because 6 months was okay but my teeth really seemed to be responding better at 4 month intervals. I was checking in about my insurance often and talking with the doctor and staff to make sure I was in the black and everything was covered; figuring out how much my insurance would cover the tiny cavities that needed some attention, etc. My insurance was covering 100% of check ups, but only 2/year. I wasn't aware of this at the time, and Dr. Pokrass' office never mentioned it despite the conversations I was having in the front office with someone looking over my dental insurance. One day I ended up with a bill for several hundred dollars, both for an uncovered 3rd visit (because I was going in 4 month intervals, not 6 like every other dentist recommends as I now know, based on standard insurance coverage), and for extra procedures during my check in that were supposed to be covered, cost extra, and were denied by my dental insurance. Dr. Pokrass turned cold after this and it became hard to negotiate or understand the bill. The receptionist I had chatted with for so long had suddenly quit and I found myself talking to the past receptionist's colleague at the office who was expressing anger at Dr. Pokrass for trying to get money out of people and being disrespectful to the previous receptionist. I wasn't able to get the bills straightened out, paid them out of pocket, and switched dentists. That was 6 years ago or so now. I've never had a cavity and my next dentist pointed out the same thing that Dr. Pokrass mentioned, but said not to worry about the "cavities". It was the result of my molar caps finally wearing off from 20 years ago and there was no need to do anything about it. tl;dr Wonderful staff, fun and informative dental cleaning experience. Dr. Pokrass has a reputation (among his own staff at the time) for manipulating patients into spending money on over-priced, uninsured, and unnecessary procedures. :-( STAFF = Dr. P = read more

Preface: I was going to give 3 starts, until I saw the two star review was offered 200$ per filling, when I was offered 400$ per filling. ABSOLUTELY FRAUDULENT ETHICS. They took advantage of my wallet and dental coverage, and me, a unemployed female in my 20s. Really disgusting to mix spiritual culture of the east with deep capital ransacking. I did receive a foot message, and the dental hygienist was great. Everything else gives me grief. read more

If you are searching for a new way to experience dental care you have to give Transcendentist a try. The minute you step into their sanctuary you have to remind yourself you are at the dentist. Every time I get my teeth cleaned I receive an amazing foot massage and relaxing music. Dr. Fred and his wife Ina run the business together, and are a creative, dynamic duo. They are active in many local earth causes, and live deeply their commitment to the planet and their clients. After one visit you will look forward to going back and experiencing the bliss! read more

I have been a client of Transcendentist for five years now. Prior to that, I didn't have a dentist because I just wouldn't go. I hated the dentist. I hated dental offices. Teeth cleanings were painful. The Transcendentist experience is totally different. The staff puts a lot of time and effort into explaining what's going on and how it affects my health. Dr. Fred gives me a full run down on what's up (the video tour of my mouth was very enlightening!) and I get to decide what I want to take care of now, and what will wait. I've never felt pressured or like they were trying to do stuff that I didn't need. I do know Dr. Fred tries to catch things as early as possible - before I feel it or something expensive and disastrous takes place - which I appreciate. Some people may consider that overkill. The staff let me know this the first day I went in. Through the years they've worked with me to prioritize things so I can keep my teeth and my budget healthy. The hygienists are awesome. Instead of the scraping most dental offices wanted to do, they offer a laser therapy program that's painless and has gotten my gums back in really good shape. I find it hard to believe some of the stuff being posted here given my experience with Dr. Fred and his staff. They're people of high integrity, and have always bent over backwards to make sure I was satisfied with the services and the staff and have been great to answer any questions about fees. Dr. Fred even calls me up the evening after he does the work just to check in and see that I'm doing okay. Never had another dentist do that. Transcendentist is a local, family owned business. While my health insurance would rather pay for me to get my teeth cared for at the Walmart of dentistry, I'm willing to chip in for the quality service. I know Dr. Fred cares a lot about his patients and, as any small business owner would, wants to build long-term relationships with his people. He's not somebody who just slaps crap together. He takes pride in his work and I've appreciated having him and his team as partners in getting my mouth as healthy as it can be. Especially when it comes to your health care, not every practitioner is right for every person, but I'd take anything posted here that's vicious or outrageous with a huge grain of salt. read more

I chose to go to Dr. Fred because my old dentist wouldn't take out my mercury amalgams and his practice wasn't green. I wanted a dentist whose values aligned with my own. I have had extensive work done (yes it was expensive, but I'm worth it) and now my mouth feels much better because Dr. Fred used bio-compatible materials that don't irritate my tissues. For years other good dentists suggested everything from sensodyne to root canals when it appears that the materials they were using were the source of my problems. During my procedures every effort was taken to ensure that I remained comfortable and pain free. I am very happy with his work functionally and cosmetically. The doctor and his staff are skilled, efficient, friendly and professional. The office is great because it is so relaxing; no overwhelming fluorescent light and chemical smells. They also keep up on the latest in what dentistry has to offer in order to provide the current best solutions. What I like too is the fact that everyone who works there really wants to be there. It shows in their attitudes and most importantly to a patient it shows in their work. As a bonus you can get parking validation for the lot across the street which pretty much means free parking for your visit. Anyone who does their personal business in Berkeley knows that the parking gods there are unforgiving and demand frequent offerings. Parking validation is the icing on the cake. read more

I have been a patient here for about 4 years. I moved to Redwood City two years ago but still drive to Berkeley to see this dentist! Until I found Transcendentist, Dr. Fred, and his crew, I was scared of the dentist and rarely went. On the advice of a friend, I came here and have not looked back. My teeth feel better than ever and I am not fearful at all. Its a combination of the technology (cameras that they use to show me what they are seeing and why its actually not scary) along with the genuine care they show for me when I'm in the chair. Another thing I like is that Dr. Fred is always telling me the straight facts, his recommendation, and then we talk about how urgent it is and how we can fit in with my schedule and finances. Highly recommended! read more

I don't even know where to start with this place. First of all the prices are ridiculous. I was new to paying 100% up front and creating a claim with my insurance company and Tawny (the lady at the front desk) knew that. I was apprehensive and wanted to look into it more but she ensured me that she would confirm everything with my insurance company and explain it to me in full detail. She quoted me $2,026 worth of work (not counting the cleaning) and confirmed that I would get 80% of that back. WRONG. Not even close. I blame myself for not looking into it but I figured this was her job, I trusted Transcendentist (based on my boyfriend's experience) and I took her word for it. In the middle of the procedure I asked for nitrous. They put it on for less than 10 min, I told them it was just oxygen and they pulled it off and began to finish up only half way through. They said the procedure took longer than expected and I had to return the following day. I paid $119.00 for that nitrous so I wanted to be credited back. Tawny said that I could use it the following day and not be charged. I came back the next morning and she told me the nitrous wasn't available and they would NOT credit me the money because the work the previous day was more expensive than they thought. Keep in mind this office has all of the latest and greatest technology and they not only should have been able to foresee the exact work it would have taken but I signed a piece of paper agreeing to the initial price. After all of this was said and done, they never submitted the claim to my insurance company. I had to call them 3 times to get it done. This was a complete nightmare. The work they did was great however, I will never go back. My boyfriend has spent about $20,000 and was going to do the same for me. Additionally, we were both going to use Transcedentist for Invisalign. We will definitely be taking our business elsewhere. At the very least, I hope someone from this office reads this and credits me my $119 (Aug. 16, 2017) that was basically ripped off!!! read more

So good! Today was my second visit to Dr. Fred Pockrass at Transcendentist. I will for sure continue to keep coming whenever I am in the Bay Area and need dental work. Prior to Dr. Pockrass I had always had all my dental work done in NY by my dentist of 10 years. I was hesitant to visit anyone else for dentistry but I followed a friends recommendation and crossed the Bay Bridge to check out Dr. Pockrass Upon entering the office you can expect to be greeted by one or two beautiful and very helpful and hospitable receptionists. This time I showed up a few minutes late, which did not seem to be a problem. After waiting only about 3 minutes, which I spent examining the intriguing titles on the book shelf I was seen by the hygienist, also easy on the eyes, who started me off by offering me a pair of color therapy glasses. I am not sure about the efficacy of the glasses but having purple vision during my visit. The hygienist did her routine and explained to me how my oral health had improved since my last visit. She then proceeded to explain to me a better brushing and flossing technique. Meanwhile the resident massage therapist treated me to a foot massage which was extremely relaxing. After the hygienist I went in to see Dr. Pockrass to fix an old filling. He very thoroughly explained what he would be doing and filled me in with other details as he did his work. He and his assistant finished the job reasonably quickly. The procedure was less than comfortable, however during this time I received ANOTHER foot massage which was EXTREMELY helpful at helping me divert my attention from the implements in my mouth. In addition to the work I was scheduled for, he filled another part of the same tooth that seemed to be a little less than perfect. After the work was done Dr. Pockrass talked to me about my upcoming trip out of the country, which he had caught wind of via the hygienist who chatted with me for a minute in between sessions. He offered me two contacts where I was headed which I thought was an extremely generous and thoughtful gesture. The cost for this visit was 445, which I find to be somewhat expensive for a dentist visit, but as I have described above the experience was far above and beyond that of a typical visit to the dentist. Not to mention the extra drilling and filling came free even though I could have been charged. I had to pay out of pocket but the lovely receptionist took care of submitting the claim to my insurance for me. I will definitely continue to see Dr. Pockrass for any dental needs as long as I am in the Bay. read more

This place is beautiful, luxurious and zen. The OM of dental work. Dr Fred is a nice guy, with a calm presence. He is detail oriented and helpful. Sure, this is the Fendi of dentists. Costs a pretty penny. But worth it if you got it. read more

I cannot speak highly enough of my experience here. I would comment both to the quality of experience- going to a dentist who is eco conscious, who provides a beautiful and highly soothing environment (including foot rubs!), the highest quality technology and supplies. I was in the loop throughout my procedures to know exactly what was being done. Dr Fred took pictures of my teeth, and showed them to me so I could see what was wrong, what he needed to do, and how he was going to do it. I have in the past endured alot of anxiety and overwhelm at the dentist. I hated it. Coming to the transcendentist is a whole new world. Worth the money. I feel taken care of, and I am definitely going back. read more

I can't even begin to express how happy I am to have found the office of Transcendentist. I was referred to Dr. Fred by my Chiropractor who had nothing but good things to say. The office is nicely decorated, clean, relaxing and VERY updated / high tech. My last dentist hadn't updated any of his equipment since the 80's and Dr Fred's office is the exact opposite. He has all the latest equipment to get the detailed information he needs to make informed decisions about your dental health. Also, everyone there is super nice and they even have a stuffed toy they give to my dog every time we visit, that they reclaim and wash prior to our next visit. You even get a nice foot massage while your getting your work done. My dog Timmy and I strongly recommend the whole gang at Transcendentist! read more

Thank you Dr. Fred and staff!! I've previously seen going to the dentist as a necessary obligation. After (finally) taking a friend's advise I made an appointment at Transcendentist. I'm so happy I did. What a positive dental experience. I feel like I'm in the presence of a true healer. Two years ago I had 7 cavities filled by another dentist. I left the appointment telling my sweetheart, "I feel like my mouth just fell apart." I assumed that was normal but unfortunate. I had nothing but pain and difficulty until meeting Dr. Fred and his team. With extraordinary professionalism he explained why I was so troubled. Now, with obvious talent, Dr. Fred is removing and replacing all of that previous work. We're only 1/2 way through the process but I'm amazed at how different I already feel. I'm totally impressed. The results speak for themselves. THANK YOU read more

It has been over 2 years since my last review and I am happy to report that Dr. Fred has not tried to upsell me on anything. Instead he has just been the good person and excellent dentist that he is. For that I am grateful and wanted to update my previous review to be fair to him. read more

I went to Dr. Pockrass because he seems to be the only dentist in the area who removes amalgam fillings safely and carefully. Before I went to him for work, I always saw dentists as... Hackers, I guess. Like they just rig up something that will suffice. Dr. Pockrass is an artisan whose work brought my mouth to a level of health that no dentist I have gone to ever concerned him or herself with. Before I saw Dr. Pockrass, I had chronic pain in gums around a molar in back, and I had to constantly rinse with saltwater to keep the pain at bay. I had seen three dentists about it and all of them said there was nothing I could do - that the crown was setting wrong but if they took it out and reset it there was no guarantee that the situation would improve. When I went to see Dr. Pockrass, I didn't even mention this problem because I had given up all hope. But when he examined my mouth, he said, "Do you have pain in back there around the molar?" YES, I said, "but I was told there was nothing I could do about it." Well you can, he said . After he reset my crown...I have no troubles. Not having this chronic annoyance, what can I say? If you've ever had chronic pain that finally went away, well that's how it changed my life for the better. It's also actually a pleasure to go there and get work done - you GET FOOT MASSAGES. And nitrous, if you want it. And there's TV screens with orcas leaping out of water, the drops hanging in the air, or smooth stones in a babbling brook, and organic mouthwash proffered to you in a ceramic sake cup, hot towels. If you can deal with this kind of new-agey pampering, then you will actually look forward to going to the dentist. Dr. Pockrass lets you know how much everything will cost, and yes, he is going to recommend maximum care. In your intake, you will see, in great detail, x-rays and pictures of everything that needs addressing, and you can grill him about what is and what is not necessary. I actually did wind up paying more than he initially estimated - though this is something that he told me might happen, because once you take off old crowns, you find out just how much of the tooth has deteriorated or how much infection has eaten away at more of it. If you are a cheapskate who does not want to invest in your own health for the long-term, go to a hacker and wind up needing much more work later on down the line. Really good dental work is expensive, let's face it. I don't want to forget to say that I heart Lindsay, my awesome hygienist. ~Mary read more

i want to be completely frank about this business. its all smoke and mirrors. you will notice that every positive review for this dental office is done by a relatively new patient. as a patient who saw them for years this is what you get: 1.) a dental office with extremely high employee turnover. every person that i ever liked at this office had been dismissed. when they get wind of the smoke and mirrors, they get fired. 2.) an office that will ALWAYS try to sell you something you don't need. after several attempts to get me to do a lifetime laser treatment, two second opinions has told me that i was being lied to. 3.) the smug guise of a spiritual office that is only intent on taking your money. 4.) a dentist that pretends to care about you, but truthfully just cares about your money. this place is all hype. if u have unlimited money, and are a person that likes to have your apples polished, you might feel right at home here. for everyone else, beware. EDIT: i never sent anything rude to "Katy C" who obviously falls into the group of people that pay professionals to raise their self esteem. i merely told her not to claim i lied about seeing this dentist. how else would i know about the employee turnover? email with any questions about this racket. i will be happy to nicely explain to you how horrible they are... I just discovered messages on yelp! I know it's years later but they messaged me and asked me to take my review down because it "reflects poorly on the office.." Yeah no shit!! read more

Please avoid this dental office and you will be doing yourself a huge favor. They did work on my mouth that was not neccessary and then later claimed to have lost the x-rays when I asked for them. (they are digital, so they don't get lost.) I am talking about fillings that weren't needed. This is outright malpractice. They also charge way more than the going rate for all procedures. The holistic stuff is B.S. as well. They have a few herbal elixers in the lobby and give foot massages. There is much more to holistic than that. The Green Business doesn't mean much either. Take heed of the other negative reviews here. Also, the doctor told me a procedure he wanted to do would be covered by my insurance (you pay up front and then get reimbursed by your insurer) but when I insisted that they do a preauthorization check (which they usually don't) it turned out the procedure would have taken $400.00 out of my own pocket. Update: I have brought the photographs of the mouth (not x-rays) to two other dentists who are highly experienced. Both said that there were absolutely no cavities in the pictures, just minor staining! read more

I don't normally write reviews, but some of the reviews for Dr. Fred on Yelp were so far from my experience I felt compelled to comment. I have had only the best experiences with the transcendental office. It's fun, the people are genuinely nice and caring, and they do amazing work. The fillings Dr. Fred did are so much better looking than the ones I had previously, there is really no comparison. I am also very comfortable there -- I actually fell asleep having a filling there once. I like the eco-friendly office, the holistic approach, the fun colored glasses, and most of all the nice people. It's also in Berkeley in an excellent location, and there is an outstanding standard of care that I would challenge you to improve on anywhere. I am a student and I was initially was concerned when Dr. Fred wanted to replace some of my existing fillings and it looked like my treatment plan would be more money than I had available. Dr. Fred met with me and talked about what was a priority versus what could be done later or left alone and encouraged me to get a second opinion if I had doubts. I didn't feel anything was pushed on me, I did feel I was offered what would take the best care of me with a willingness to adjust according to my financial circumstances. Contrary to what one reviewer said, I think the billing is very transparent -- I had a dental plan going in and I get a receipt with detailed charges every time I visit. He is more expensive than my last dentist, but the quality of his work is superior to the point of not being comparable -- and the office is the same. As someone who had some fillings replaced by Dr. Fred I can tell you that the difference between my original fillings and the ones he did was absolutely visible to the naked eye, and he showed me pictures of the leftover mercury and cavities underneath the fillings that led him to replace them. What might have activated the previous reviewers? My guess is the expense combined with the exceptionally caring people, and the fun and spiritual approach. I can see how someone might put those things together and create a story about how it is all about money, but if you hang out for a while you will see the people really care. If you're put off by some of the reviews, I suggest you check out the reviews on google -- they are all positive, and there are about 35 of them. read more

Dr Fred has one of the first eco-dentist practices in the country. Aside from his gentle touch, he filters all his waste water to keep metals out, uses digital imagery instead of x-rays for less radiation exposure, and trys to use as many renewable resources as possible in the office. Not to mention the foot massages included in each treatment by a licensed CMT, and Eva the best hygienist! He and Ina are clearly trying to make all their clients feel like family and it's working, we won't go anywhere else now. read more

I have been seeing Dr. Pockgrass and team at Transcendentist for over 2 years now and everytime I'm there, I think to myself how this is the best dental experience I have ever had. Besides the magnificent foot massage, calming environment and friendly staff, it is the wonderful bedside manner of Dr. Pockgrass that offers the comfort and caring that other physicians should aspire to. read more

Headphones on, listening to beautiful music, someone rubbing my feet, my mind wanders to a far off place. I think about how grateful I am to be treated so well, how lucky I am in this world. Then I remember - there are two people working in my mouth right now, my jaw is held open with spacers, there is a light shining in my face and there is a constant whir of mini power tools working magic on my teeth....I'm at the dentist. And then I wander off again, back to the music, to the hands on my feet. Ahhh, this is no ordinary dentist. This is an experience. An experience I highly recommend! read more

I am thankful for the kindness, respect and friendliness of the staff, and I have had great work done to my mouth. It is costly, but I do think that it is worth it, to get more personalized work, and the sincerity to make you happy with what you receive. Do recommend it :) read more

So much for this place being tranquil...called to inquire about possible dental services for my office staff as a treat and my coworker and I got yelled at non stop by the lousy phone girl who (in my opinion) needs to work on her attitude considering her place of work. I definitely would NOT recommend booking an appointment here solely due to the attitude of the bitter receptionist. read more

If these are the same dentists who remove mercury amalgams then I would say they are shady. They told me they would remove my braces for free but when I got there, they refused. They cleaned my teeth and I paid them what seemed like a lot of money. I drove from Fairfield CA to Berkeley and paid the toll and parking for nothing. It wasn't worth it at all. They were also talking about me by mouthing things to each other. The dentist, Fred I believe was fake and sarcastic. The lady who cleaned my teeth was a lesbian. What an awful place. I should have turned back and ran. read more

For the first time in my life I actually want to go back to the dentist. The entire staff is kind, comforting, joyous and professional. Dr Fred's skill is excellent. I feel extremely confident that he does excellent work and I can tell that he loves the work he does. Venessa, my hygienist, was so gentle I could have fallen asleep yet my teeth came out really really clean and beautiful. I always feel very very good about giving my money to people who provide me with such excellent care and kindness and to a business dedicated not only to my care but the eco-consciousness of the communitee. The money they make is well disserved. Thank you Transcendentist people! read more

This is one of the best dentists I have ever been to (and I've been to a lot)! I've had nothing but good experiences at every appointment; service is friendly and caring; lovely environment; very little wait time, if any, and all the work has been excellent. I have been thoroughly advised at every step of the process of what work is needed, and why, and how much it will cost. We worked 'together' to create a plan - looking at the priorities and what could wait. They are prompt with billing my insurance so reimbursements are quickly received. I no longer dread going to the dentist, in fact, I look forward to it. I highly recommend you give them a try. read more

I continue to be a patient of Dr. P. Transcendentist is definitely not for everyone -- some find his green practices and included masseuse frivolous. Some reviewers think he's pricey. For me, I get what I pay for here. I have shopped around for dentists and his prices have been on par with other services in the bay area with dentists of his experience and education. Reviewers like me (who normally hate going to the dentist), find the place and staff clean, soothing and competent. He is very skilled, detail-oriented, and precise with his work. From what I've observed with me and others, he gives each patient full focus, and takes the time to answer questions during the appointment and over the phone. I appreciate that I can talk to him about my alternative and holistic health views (unlike other docs). When he has recommended an expensive treatment, I got a second opinion (like I would with any of my doctors). He was ok with that like any good doctor should be. If you want a fast and cheap dentist with a no-frills approach, then this practice is not for you. Thank you Dr. Pockrass, Ina, and staff! read more

I am a patient of Dr. Fred, and his kind and caring staff. His approach to oral care offers a unique healing experience. Past experiences created anxiety and a friend recommended I try Transcendentist. The environmentally friendly approach, color therapy, and optional foot massage during treatment put me at ease. Dr. Fred and his hygienist staff treat each tooth like a work of art. The laser therapy deep cleaning on my gums had my numbers back to normal by my next cleaning. His imaging of my teeth revealed mercury that was missed by a previous dentist. The cost of care and the results are worth the investment. I tried a "coupon" dentist in between my treatments with Transcendentist and was disappointed. If you have dental anxiety, or are looking for a deeper level of care, I highly recommend Dr. Fred and his team. I honestly look forward to my visits and the therapeutic environment he and the staff have created! read more

I really wanted to like the dentist office and was willing to pay top dollar for good dental care and to be 'green'. I had a horrible experience here..very bad experience with a filling that didn't fit right and my bite wouldn't close..on top of that, I left with damage to some of my teeth. I was treated very poorly here..and like some of the other people on yelp, I felt like I was being pressured for too many extra services I didn't want. read more

I really enjoy my visits to Dr. Pockrass and the whole Trascendentist team! The office is comfortable and clean. The foot rubs are the best! I love the toothbrushes and other goodies I walk out with every time! I feel super informed about what is going on in my mouth. So far everything I have had done has been pain free and I feel like the office staff has made it a point to make me feel comfortable, and to keep me informed about what is going on. I would totally recommend Transcendentalist to everyone! read more

Did I ever think you'd look forward to visiting the dentist? Not until I switched to Dr Pokrass's office. From the moment you walk into the entrance, which resembles a living room more than a dentist office, you can begin to relax and enjoy the friendly staff. The cleaning I received yesterday was thorough and careful. There was no sense of rushing--just a dedication to doing a thorough job and making me feel comfortable. Neck pillow, check. Foot massage timed exactly during the plaque removal portion of the cleaning, check. All natural mouth rinse waiting for me after I was done, check. The cost for first class treatment was no more than my previous dentist. Bravo! read more

I saw Dr. Pockrass for about a year and debated for quite a while about where or not to write a review. The thing is, I kept going to this office because I really liked the fact that they try to have green practices. I really wanted to like them. The first time you go, everyone is falling all over themselves to treat you well, this is true. And the office is very well decorated, and there are dolphins swimming on a TV in the exam room, as well as spa music being piped through the place. It's superficially awesome. But the longer you keep going, the more you start to see the other side of things. So here's my experience: Dr. Pockrass decided he wanted to basically redo all the fillings I'd had done by another dentist, which I consented to at first. He redid a couple on one side of my mouth and couldn't resist bragging about how the surface of his fillings were much better than the old ones because they contoured to the natural tooth shape. So I get home and when I go to try and floss, guess what I discover? He accidentally glued two of my teeth together. OOPS! I had to go back in to get them sawed apart. Say what you want about other dentists, but I've never had that happen anywhere else. But honestly, I could forgive a mistake like that, but I could not forgive the condescending, pushy attitude he and some others on the staff had. He wanted me to keep going in every three months. And every time I went in, I felt like we were having the same argument. He wanted me to use an electric toothbrush. I'd have to explain (first to the hygienist, then to him) for the millionth time, that I didn't want to use an electric toothbrush because the regular ones I was using were more eco-friendly. And really, if anyone could understand that, it should be him. But he would not take no for an answer. Every time I went in, he and the hygienist would gang up on me to try to push me into agreeing with whatever it was, whether it was using an electric toothbrush, or getting the laser treatment on my gums. One time was particularly bad, when he just kept repeating things like, "And you can't just brush for harder or longer!" (I never said you could!). I finally had to say "I'll think about it," just to end the conversation. Then the hygienist walked with me up to the front and handed my chart to the receptionist, and said in a condescending tone, "She's going to THINK about getting an electric toothbrush." The receptionist just blinked and said, "Ok." Honestly, it had nothing to do with the receptionist, and it was a completely inappropriate thing to say, but she just couldn't resist trying to enlist someone else in their crusade to control their patients. No amount of spa music and foot massages is going to make up for that. And when I didn't agree to all their demands, they kept implying it was about the money, as if I was just being cheap, saying things like "You know, it would save you money in the long run if you got an electric toothbrush." I NEVER said it was about the money. Yes, they charge about 2 to 3 times what other dentists charge, but I would gladly pay more if I felt like this was a business worth supporting. Or they would act like you should just go along with what they say because they really care about your teeth (more than you do!), saying things like "I want to take a stand for your teeth!" This to me sounds very adversarial, rather than cooperative. And here's why that's not ok. When you go to see a dentist or a doctor, you're putting a lot of trust in them. You're letting them root around in your mouth and in effect you're making yourself very vulnerable. That's why it's VERY important that they be respectful and not violate your boundaries. Dr. Pockrass seems to have boundary issues. He asked really personal questions. Like, my last name happens to be German-sounding and he asked if I was Jewish. I'm sorry, is that really relevant to a dental exam? Another time, when he was doing the fillings, he asked if I knew what a dental dam was, and the way he asked it, looking sideways at me, made me feel really uncomfortable. What exactly am I supposed to say to that? There is no way to answer that that is not awkward. And it's not like he didn't know about the double meaning, he's a dentist. If you do decide to go to this dentist, be prepared to either agree to everything they say or fortify yourself for a lot of arguments and protecting your boundaries. Maybe this is easy for some people, but I don't really like to be put in that position, so if you're like me, I'd recommend staying away. read more

I'm not sure which dentist Greg S. actually visited but I doubt it was Fred Pockrass of The Transcendentist. Having had just about every tooth in my mouth worked on over the many years of my life, I KNOW dentists. Until I went to the Transcendentist I wasn't really fond of dental visits. After my first visit, I was hooked. Everyone in the office is professional, courteous and attentive. My experiences have always been good. I find Dr. Fred to be knowledgeable and caring. I had my old amalgam fillings replaced over a 2 year period. I had to take a year hiatus on getting the work done due to some competing needs for my dollars, but when I went back just recently, Dr. Fred honored my original estimate even though the prices had gone up. I have never heard an unkind word spoken, I've been very happy with the quality of the work done, and I would highly recommend Dr. Fred and the Transcendentist to anyone looking for an enjoyable dental experience! read more

Absolutely the best dental experience ever! They treat you like family and make sure that you are happy every step of the way. Every single staff member is fantastic, from the Amazing Dr. Pockrass to David his assistant to both ladies running the show in the front. You won't be disappointed and you'll actually want to get cavities just to come back! I had a whole lot of mercury removed and nearly all other teeth were redone - no small job - and this was right when I had about a month before I moved out of state. Not only did they squeeze me in, they didn't just rush through the process, they genuinely took their time and did an outstanding job. I've had many quack experiences, many painful experiences, and with 'car salesmen' dentist and I can say without a doubt, he is the REAL DEAL - in fact, I will continue to fly from Texas to Berkeley just to see him. Thank you so much guys for all your hard work - I love my new mouth! read more