After years of trying to find a good dentist in DC, I am so glad that I finally found this practice. The entire office is extremely professional, clean, and feels state of the art. On my first visit, I had a digital scan done of my entire mouth, and Dr. Van Der Linden took the time to go through the entire scan with me to explain what I was seeing and identify potential concerns. I really appreciated the educational and thorough approach. The office staff were all so friendly (Carissa in particular was so nice!) and very attentive. The location is also incredibly convenient- it's right across the street from the 18th and I exit of the Farragut West metro station. read more

I have been a patient for several years and am extremely happy with the care provided by Dr Thornton. He has a fully equipped clinic and his staff do great work. read more

Dr. Thornton provided excellent service for a crown and an issue with an implant, and he has a friendly and professional manner explaining your dental treatment plan. He is thorough with great attention to detail. All of the office staff are pleasant and do a great job. A very good and well respected dentist in Washington. read more

I am sad to leave this practice after Dr Rusk, who was great, left and sold his practice to Dr. Van der Linden. The new dentist has found work to be done every time (like redoing a filling that isn't posing an issue) - and recommends pricey procedures that insurance won't cover, like an ultrasound. Also, once he joined, I did not appreciate that, without notice, they posted a sign that they refuse to take credit cards as a small business and direct patients to pay with an app (which I didn't have and was only notified about AFTER consenting to services). It is apparent that Dr. Van der Linden is out to make money. When he recommended an ultrasound out of her blue, I went to a new dentist and, amazingly, that dentist said it was just regular wear that would be addressed with a cleaning. Beware. read more

Dr. Thornton and Tracy have been taking care of me so well for the past year. Tracy does such a thorough cleaning that my teeth look shiny and even brand new at the end. Dr. Thornton is super personable and his passion (yes, passion) for improving your dental care really comes through in his check-ups and conversation. I was especially impressed because they proactively squeezed me in for a cleaning right before my wedding even though they were booked solid! I feel really taken care of here, and I cannot recommend Dr. Thornton and his staff enough. Also, bonus points for being located less than a block from the metro station! read more

I had the worst pain ever most of other doctors advice was that i should take it out and i could't agree with that cuz that was kinda grows for me until a friend of mine helped me find this clinic and thank god now they helped me like i never had the pain and there was no need to take out my tooth thank you so much. read more

Unbelievably incompetent and rude front desk staff. Avoid this dentist. So many better options in DC.

Dr. Thornton and his staff are Awesome. Everyone at the office has been extremely professional and helpful. Dr. Thornton is very thorough during his assessment and you can tell he is passionate about his craft. Dr. Thornton is friendly, kind, and observant regarding the health of your teeth. Nick, the hygienist is all super professional and kind. This is the best place to have work done on your teeth, this place is not about the money. read more

I had a really poor relationship with my dentists. I never to had a good experience with them which made me not want to go to the dentist. Finally I went and I was recommended this place. They did a root canal and although it hurt a little it was so much better than what everyone said it was going to be!! It's was because of how talented these dentists are. I come here often now to get check ups and I don't mind it at all 10/10 would recommend. Thanks!!! read more

Dr. Thornton is an incredible dentist. He is friendly, efficient, and really did everything he could to make patients feel comfortable. This is a huge contrast to the first dentist I had in DC who used to MAKE ME HOLD THE TOOLS FOR HIM IN MY MOUTH and always seemed an overall mess. I won't mention his name here because he is since deceased. Unfortunately, I had a bad run of needing three root canals over four years and sometimes that meant making emergency appointments to his office. They always got me in, taken care of, and referred to an endodontist. The second emergency root canal endodontist referral was by far the best endo I've had, Dr. Murtaza. Even Dr. Thornton said, "This is who I would send my family too." His assistants and dental hygienists are also friendly and great at their job. In particular, Crystal is the sweetest assistant. I should mention that the office always has a great selection of music playing. The only small feedback I provide is that sometimes the front desk staff can be less than friendly, which is unfortunate since they are the first and last impression. I just moved to California and am going to miss this dentist a great deal! read more

China was such a helpful receptionist! I called the office asking if their office took my boss' insurance, and even though they don't, I had such a pleasant conversation with her. :) read more

My employer switched dental insurance carriers which was a convenient excuse for me not to go to the dentist for two years. A tooth ache starting one month ago became sufficient motivation to schedule a dentist appointment. Cross referencing my insurance carrier's website of covered dentists and Yelp reviews I identified the top five rated dentists near my work. I called them all and only Dr. Thorton was able to see me within the week (keep in mind my tooth ache was getting worse). I had my appointment today and it went about as good as a trip to the dentist can. The woman at the front counter was kind and helpful. The office and examination room I was placed in were both very clean/modern/well lit, etc. The dental hygienist (Nick) was very personable and friendly. Dr. Thorton's office uses technology, e.g, digital x-rays and mini-camera, effectively. Finally, Dr. Thorton was really great - excellent bedside manner, explained his diagnosis fully and laid out all of my options in a very easy to understand and digest way. I had to have a filling replaced and Dr. Thorton explained what he was doing the whole time and finished the procedure quickly and efficiently. In short, I would recommend him and his office to any of my friends or family. read more

I went to Dr. Thorton today for the first time and I was very impressed. I had been seeing a shady dentist in Washington for about 2 years and decided it was time for a change. My friend/colleague recommended Dr. Thornton, and since the Yelp reviews were positive, I decided to take the plunge. The office is in a well kept office building downtown near Farragut Square, in walking distance of the red, orange and blue lines. When you walk in you are immediately greeted with a smile. Everyone in the office is welcoming, kind, patient and personable. I realize that's not the reason you go to the dentist, but it definitely leaves a positive lasting impression. (They were even nice when I called in for the appointment as a new patient. I find this to be so rare in Washington!) Dr. Thornton took his time getting to know my dental history and never made me feel like I was inconveniencing him. I've had quite a bit of dental work done (long battle with severe TMJ, gum surgeries, crowns, etc.) and I feel as though he was really listening and cared about my concerns. The dental hygienist who did my cleaning was very sweet and patient with me even though my receding gums and TMJ were acting up. I left the office in a good mood, despite the fact that Dr. Thronton was referring me to an oral surgeon for my TMJ issues (eek!). I am so glad I switched dentists. Dr. Thorton seems like the kind of dentist you can trust to give you his honest opinion and advice. Its nice to know I now have a dentist who is not trying to nickel and dime me! read more

I've been going to Dr. Thornton for three years now and I always have a pleasant experience, all things considered (I mean, I'm normally either in pain or about to be drilled and/or prodded). Dr. Thornton is very kind and always seems genuinely empathetic to pain, inconvenience and even financial issues. The first time I went to see him, he did a few X-rays for free because my previous dentist had neglected a series and my insurance wouldn't pay for the "redo". Since then, I have had nothing but excellent experiences and all my dental work is great, as far as I can tell. I have also never once been pitched to for any unnecessary or cosmetic procedures. It irritates me to no end when a dentist brings up teeth whitening or invisalign or any of that stuff - I'm there for my health, not beauty! Dr. Thornton has never even brought up any of these procedures. The staff are all very courteous and understanding. And they play pretty decent music to listen to while you're in the hot seat. Really, I cannot say enough good things about this dentist office. read more

I can't say enough good things about Dr. Will. I've been his patient for 7 years now; he was found by my coworker. She's a critic, so when she was happy, I was all in. The staff is professional, friendly and tolerant of my inability to hold still while getting x-rays. My experience; he treats my visits more than just a check up. He cares about my well being as a whole. read more

I have to give them 5/5 stars. I was fairly put off when I called to make an initial new patient appointment---they wanted to just schedule a consultation appointment where they look at your teeth, assess if you need work done then schedule a cleaning. I was nervous because I didn't know if my insurance covered all of that, and also because I really needed a cleaning. I accepted the 'new patient' appointment, and a week later, called to find out if I could go ahead and schedule my cleaning appointment. They were nice enough to just schedule the cleaning right after the assessment, so I didn't even have to get out of the chair! The staff was really nice, and the location is tough to beat (right near Farragut West metro). Also, they play contemporary rock music. I heard Red Hot Chili Peppers, Third Eye Blind and some really awesome 90s rock hits. Also, I was running late for the appointment, so I called ahead to let them know. They said it was no big deal, which I appreciated! Some offices will scowl and tell you that you've thrown their whole schedule off for the day, but this group was friendly and didn't treat me any differently. Dr. Thorton was really professional, and explain what he was looking at and what he was assessing throughout my appointment. He carefully went over my medical and dental history before we started. I'd recommend this dentist to anyone looking! Location is great, dentist is friendly and they were accommodating with my scheduling needs. read more

I've been going to Dr. Thornton for years. He is a great dentist. Patient, caring, knowledgeable, detail-oriented. Never had to wait a long time to see him. His staff is competent, attentive and friendly. Location is great to if you are located close to K ST - Farragut West area. Each visit to Dr. Thornton's office is a pleasure. Two thumbs up! read more

Soooo.....first appt complete. I have to go for my cleaning on Wednesday so it may be too early to review but all I can say is wow!!! It was worth the wait to become a new patient I am hopeful and excited to see what's next. Dr. Thornton was great!!! Very friendly and patient. I did not feel like he was rushing he was personable and very kind. He was honest about treatment and after paying an arm a leg and two pinky toes at my last dentist he was a breath of fresh air and I feel confident that I will get the results I want. So I will keep y'all posted. Update: cleaning happened and Stacy is amazing and it was great and I am happy. I can't believe I found this place on yelp!!! read more

Love Dr. Thornton and his crew. They are very patient-centered. He knows me and always remembers things about my family. We moved to the suburbs and I tried to change dentists due to the distance, but I ended up coming back to his office. I trust his opinion and I don`t feel he will take advantage of me. I had a bad experience in the past with dentists. And you can tell Dr. Thornton won`t try to sell you a whitening treatment while you wait on your chair, or ask for an unnecessary filling. I never had issues with him running behind, neither the hygienists. I love Stacy. She does a great job keeping up with my teeth. I certainly recommend his office! read more

Absolutely wonderful. They take very detailed X-rays, don't lecture you too much for not flossing (which, c'mon, no one does) and the office is clean and bright. The receptionists are also quality people. When my insurance was running out within days, they found an appointment time for me before it happened. read more

Wonderful, wonderful dentist! Dr. Thornton is one of the most thorough dentists that I have ever been to -- I truly feel that I am in great hands when I am there. He is good about explaining everything that he is doing, as well as making sure that I'm comfortable and not in pain. Several of my coworkers and friends now go to him and agree that he's extremely thorough and that the whole experience with his office is very pleasant. The dental hygienists and reception ladies are so fun to talk to and are so wonderfully nice! read more

This clinic has the worst admin staff ever. They randomly cancelled my appointment and when I showed up on time in person all they told me was that the staff who inadvertently canceled my appointment left the clinic and I should reschedule for another day. What??!! To make it worse, the business manager told me I was being difficult. Seriously? To be fair, Dr. Thorton seems to be a great dentist but the staff and business manager are worse than miserable. Unfortunately dental schools do not seem to teach business or management skills. Dear Dr. Thorton, if you cannot manage the staff well yourself, hire the right people please, at least the right business manager. Hope you get things straight. read more

After not having been to the dentist in a decade... yes I'm terrible, I began searching high and low for a good dentist in DC after moving to the District last year. One of the issues I encountered was that none of the highly-rated dentists in my local area took insurance, until I found Dr. Thornton's office and discovered that they do indeed accept my federal employee dental insurance plan and have great reviews here on Yelp. Awesome! I had my first appointment with Dr. Thornton yesterday and had a set of x-rays taken and a thorough exam of my teeth and gums. Dr. Thornton explained everything he was checking for during the exam and then explained the results of his findings. He was extremely cordial and informative and was willing to fully answer any questions I had about the exam, x-rays and future dental treatment that I will need to receive. I've never experienced such wonderful thoroughness and patience from a healthcare practitioner! Considering that my exam pushed into his lunch hour, Dr. Thornton still made sure I was 100% satisfied with our appointment and that I had all my questions answered before I left. When scheduling a follow-up visit for a cleaning, I found out that there had been a recent cancellation for early next week and the staff had been holding it open for me so I wouldn't have to wait a couple of months for the next opening! I was very happy that they went out of their way to make sure my first dental experience in 10 years was absolutely perfect. I'm thrilled to have found such a great dental practice within walking distance of the Metro and look forward to many more visits. I'd give a bonus sixth star, if I could, for the fact that Dr. Thornton is quite easy on the eyes too...it's like free additional anesthesia! :) read more

I have been going to Dr Thornton for a year and he and his staff are fantastic. Dr. Thornton is very knowledgable and skilled and I have been very pleased with the work he has done (a few fillings and a crown). I hate going to the dentist, but Dr. Thornton makes the experience as pleasant as possible with his proffessional and efficient service. His office staff is also very friendly and always helps with scheduling appointments and giving me that critical reminder call a day or two before my appointment. read more

1st visit - see previous review. My second visit was doing double duty. Phuong was meticulous and thorough cleaning my teeth; she referred back to x rays to make sure she got everything (now I understand the need for x rays). Crystal was patient and considerate fitting me for my Invisalign trays. Dr. Thornton came by to check and had to redo one of the trays. Crystal revealed they have staff meetings at the end of each day to prepare for the next day and to ensure patient names are pronounced correctly. On my third visit, I arrived a few minutes early and like that I don't have to fill out paper work each time I come. The office is inefficient in terms of setting up appointments and billing. The staff is friendly and responsive, and I suspect that's why Dr. Thornton and co are good about seeing pts on time or early. Crystal was with me and helpful. Dr. Thornton briefly explained Invisalign to me and procedure for future visits. At the next visit, Dr. Thornton noted I came back and was wearing Invisalign like I should. Attachments were added, and I have to admit, I was a little surprised about them. I didn't like the way they looked and after wearing Invisalign for a few days with attachments, I found them very cumbersome to take off. Eating became less fun, and I joked with Nick that it was a good diet plan bc brushing after every meal is a pain. Dr. Thornton noted my mouth has little space and said it'll be good and I wont have saggy skin. :-) At my 5th visit, the computers or servers weren't working but staff was apologetic and managed to see me on time (I think) for a 7:30 am appt, i was out the door by 7:50. Dr. Thornton consulted me about how soon he should see me, saying any longer than 10 weeks was kind of long. After the fifth visit, I stopped taking notes and will say generally, this office is awesome. Staff is friendly, on top of things, and timely. I've emailed for an electronic copy of invoices and received a response within a few minutes later. They text and email to remind you of your appointment and ask for your confirmation. This is by far how provider offices should be run yet it's become increasingly uncommon that efficiency, professionalism, and courtesy are shown. read more

Dr. Thorton and his office staff are phenomenal. Excellent job in making dental work comfortable and explaining things.

I've been going to Dr. Thornton for about 4 years and I've had a very positive experience. I'd definitely recommend him. Routine care: I go twice a year for cleanings. It's what you'd expect from a good dentist office... Friendly receptionist and hygienist, clean and well-equipped facility, efficient process, painless experience, brief visit with Dr. Thornton, goodie bag of dental care items on the way out. Nothing really stands out compared to other dentist offices I've used, but they do a good job as far as I can tell. The only thing they try to upsell me on is the fluoride rinse my insurance doesn't cover. I can never remember whether I need it. http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Member%20Center/FIles/patient_72.ashx Beyond routine care: Dr. Thornton replaced a couple crowns for me and it went smoothly. Before doing the work, he helped me navigate the options for how to fix the broken crowns both in terms of the procedures and the cost. A side-benefit of those discussions was that he indirectly helped me make smarter decisions about how to adjust my coverage during my annual dental insurance open enrollment periods, which saved me money the following years. I've seen him enough times that I'm confident he remembers who I am and what my long term dental needs are. He's also very personable. I've been completely satisfied with his care and look forward to going back. Non-medical stuff: I've had no issues with the administrative staff or billing staff. Routine appointments are pretty easy to schedule and reschedule. For emergencies, I don't remember getting in same-day, but I do remember getting in same-week. The office is nice and modern. No real frills, just the usual dentist office and amenities. It's near the metro but I usually bike since I don't live on the right metro line. Parking is tough if you drive, with a garage being the easiest option. read more

I started seeing Dr. Thornton in June and, frankly, he's the best dentist I've been to so far since moving to DC. His office is in a nice and clean downtown location close to my work, and his staffis very friendly (something hard to find at previous dentists' offices). Dr. Thornton's assistant took my x-rays and was very gentle, as was Dr. Thornton himself during my exam. He did a very thorough teeth cleaning without the pain I've experienced at other dentists' offices, and was easy to talk to. Not overly talkative, but also not quiet and void of something interesting to say. He made me feel very comfortable, asked questions about my dental history, and offered a very pragmatic assessment of my dental needs. I was very pleased with his level of professionalism and plan on going back for as long as he's practicing dentistry here in the city. read more

Update to my previous review: it has been EIGHT years and the bonding work Dr. Thornton did to fix my front tooth is still in perfect condition. I ended up needing to get a little bit of bonding on my other tooth as well a few years ago (and we have since moved to a different state so sadly I needed to see a different dentist) and it hasn't held up nearly as well as Dr. Thornton's work. He really is the best! read more

I have had many bad experiences with dental offices and many dentist and staff have left a bad taste in my mouth for years, well that is until I found Rusk and Thornton. Let me first say, you are greeted right away when you arrive through those doors. The front end staff is extremely friendly and will answer all your questions. My dental hygienist (Tracey) and dental assistant (Nick) are the ABSOLUTE BEST!! It is just a great prize when you find a dentist that you actually look forward visiting because you know that he (Dr. T) will take awesome care of you. I just had a temp crown put on today and although the numbing shot has worn off, I am not in any pain -- now my mouth is sore but its bearable. I am just in awe of the dentist office. I recommend everyone to try them out, you will not be disappointed. I just LOVE THEM and you will too! read more

I could go ON and ON and ON and ON and ON and ON and ON about the TEAM at this office! OMG is an understatement as to how I feel about the services that I have received from Dr. Thornton and his AMAZING STAFF!!!!! Let me give you a little history. Following a few friends I traveled out of the country to have 8 of my front teeth "DONE". The moment I look at my smile I HATED IT! With a return trip leaving in just a few days I had not choice but to DEAL WITH IT! That was 6 years ago! IMAGINE THAT!!! BIG UGLY TEETH FOR SIX YEARS!!!! UGGGH! THE PAIN!!! I will say "PEOPLE" thought I had a GREAT smile! Myself and professionals like Dr. Will KNEW BETTER! FAST FORWARD to a few months ago! NOOO let me back up! About 2 years ago I was referred to Dr. Thornton about having my crowns reDONE! I went. He quoted me! I never went back. Over the last 2 years I talked to other dentist locally and out of the area about having my dental work done PROPERLY in the US. NOOOOOW fast forward to a few months ago! I went BACK to Dr. Will following my heart. SO GLAD I LISTENED!!! My process took a while because A. I had A LOT of work that needed to be done. B. my work schedule is crazy! and C. DEADLINES! through the ENTIRE PROCESS Dr. Will. NICK! Dr. Rusk! Jasmine! China! EVERYONE THERE HAS TREATED ME LIKE A SUPERSTAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will sing the praises of Dr. William Thornton for the REST of MY LIFE!!!!!!! If you need a new smile OR if you just need to maintain what you have!!! THEY HAVE IT TOGETHER!!! I have been to MAAAAANY doctors. salons. spas. estheticians. nail techs. laser clinics. how i am treated and QUALITY SERVICE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME!! atmosphere means the world. NOW I only have one RULE!!! Yes there are RULES!! When you go BE NICE! RELAX! and let the people WORK!!! DONT ME LATE!! Ive NEVER waited!!! TOLD YA I COULD GO ON AND ON!!! read more

Yelp Needs to add more stars... Dr. Thornton, Nick and the entire staff are AMAZING. I recently have been going through a horrific dental experience where the dentist not only took two deductible payments from me, he also did some kindergarten work. Found Dr. Thornton near my office and got an appt immediately. He developed a plan to get me back on track and also wouldn't let me leave his office without repairing the Jerks work. Finally I have a dental home. This team is great. Thanks Dr. Thornton read more

I started going to Dr Thornton almost 5 years ago after getting a bit off track with my dentist appointments for a few years. As other Yelpers confessed, I felt nervous about going after so long and was afraid of being judged. I initially chose Rusk and Thornton because they accepted my insurance and I liked the location, but I keep going because Dr. Thornton and his staff are just great. First of all, Dr. T is a perfectionist -- that is something I really appreciate in a dentist! He also does not try to sell you whitening services or stuff like that, or lecture you on flossing (though he has gently reminded me to try to keep it up). The hygienist, Phong (I think that's her name - I feel terrible for not remembering!!) is awesome. She does such a good job and she's very friendly. And Nick, who has received a lot of Yelp love (rightfully so!), is really wonderful. Over the years, the front desk staff has improved. I was not impressed when I first started going to Dr. T, but at my last visit a few months ago, I found everyone to be very nice. I also appreciate the reminder emails they send a week before the appointment! read more

Have you ever had a dentist who is also a rock star? I had not until today. For clarity, I do not know if Dr. Will sings or plays any musical instruments (maybe he does?), but the man is a rock star. Let me tell you why: I have a deep-seated fear of going to the dentist. It has consumed me since my childhood dentist (rest in peace, Dr. Yalowich, you were the greatest) stopped seeing patients years ago and I had to go to a new dentist. Since then, I've never really meshed with my dentists and, after a bad experience here in the District, I put off going for quite a while. Then I became embarrassed, and was afraid to go, which obviously did not help the situation. Fast-forward to a party earlier this year where I met the too-good-to-be-true Dr. Will. Another friend who also goes to Dr. Will for dental stuff introduced us, and I shared my passionate fear about going to the dentist. He said I had nothing to worry about and should make an appointment. From my first phone call to the office (where they do ask how long it's been since you've been to a dentist), to the dental assistant (not sure if that's his title, but shouts to Nick!) who did my x-rays and dealt with me acting like a 6-year-old, to the hygienist, Stacy, who got my pearly whites shining again, to Dr. will himself - everyone was nice, friendly, and very much not judgey. So, if you don't have a dentist, you should go to Dr. Will. Probably even if you do have a dentist, you should go to Dr. Will - he's great and the music in the office is top notch. read more

Love these guys. Honest and comprehensive. Will be a patient as long as I live in the DC area.

I've gone to Dr. Thornton for a couple years now. I've had cleanings with him and a tooth re-filled. My appointments are always on time, it's pretty easy for me to schedule an appointment first thing in the morning (i.e. 7:30 or 8:00) so that it doesn't interfere with my work day and his staff area pleasant and polite. I'm a fan. read more

A colleague referred me to Dr. Thornton and I'm really glad she did. He's young, friendly and a great dentist. I really like his dental assistants as well. His office is located right by the Farragut West metro station, so he's super convenient for a midday appointment. His front office staff isn't great, so don't expect service with a smile there, but Dr. Thornton more than makes up for that. read more

I have never felt so taken care of in my entire life! Dr. Thornton and his staff are absolutely wonderful. They make you feel very comfortable and explain everything that they do, before they begin. Today was my first visit ever and I not only had my x-rays done, but got impressions taken of my mouth for a custom mouth guard (I grind my teeth at night.) AND got my teeth cleaned. Just absolutely wonderful. read more

The nicest and most efficient dentist I've ever been to! This guy is a ray of sunshine and has been super helpful over the years in keeping my chompers in top condition. The office sends email reminders and calls with enough time to accommodate cancellations or rescheduling. Located right by metro too (orange, red or blue) so that's convenient for week days. I've recommended this place to my whole book club already. read more

The first visit the Dr. Thornton he was running 40 minutes behind. Promised me it was just a fluke day. 2nd visit my appt was at 11am for teeth cleaning and to fill 2 cavities. Called and asked me to come in at 1150 because the cleaning lady was running behind. Then learned they did not schedule me to see Doc just for cleaning. Came at 1150 as requested and told me I was late! requested my x rays and left. Absolute idiots! That front desk staff has NO business waiting on customers. I will never go back! Some of THE worst customer service I have ever seen. Unacceptable! read more