Dentists
 

Can anyone recommend a good dentist? Have heard many stories about where not to go. Thanks.

I spent days researching a DDS in the Villages. I can tell you Aspen Dentists are crooks. But I found a DDS in Fruitland Park, Hallmark DDS (352-323-0088), Dr Syska and staff are very professional, young and so far have done good work. I have had a root canal and crown done there (so far) and I like them. In fact I'm headed there in an hour for a cleaning. Good luck.

We love our dentist and staff at Southern Trace Dental.

I go to Forrest Jerkins in Fruitland Park. Accommodating, friendly staff and an excellent dentist. Doesn't try to upsell on services. I first went there on an emergency basis, was seen promptly and treated like an old friend. This is the first dentist I have ever been to where I want to go back regularly,

Adam Still in Laural Manor...young, professional and good!

Buena Vista Dental, Drs Barnett and Dr McKnight are excellent, trustworthy
professionals. Very friendly office staff as well. Highly recommend this office.

Another vote for Buena Vista Dental located at Laurel Manor. My husband and I go to Dr. Kelly McKnight.

Dentists
 

I like Serenity Dentistry Spa, Dr. Maria Luong. Her staff is great and she does everthing she can to make you comfortable and pain free. She is one of the best dentists I have ever been to. She is located between Cal's Barbershop and the Villages box office in Spanish Springs.

MinnieM

Great staff, greater dentist. Dr Luong, navy vet, is gentle, caring and does outstanding work. Drop by and see for yourself.

Another vote for Dr. Kelly McKnight at Buena Vista Dental. We like her a lot.

Hello guys,..
If you have any teeth problem.You don't worried because i know about
the famous dentist for teeth problem.Once a time i feel pain in the teeth than i concern the doctor Lilli.Now i am better.

Great Dentist
 

Dr Kathleen Williams
Palm Ridge Dental
352-391-9930

Another vote for Dr. Kathleen Williams. Dr. Williams is a great dentist, very friendly and so is her staff.

Another vote for Dr. Maria Luong - great dentist - terrific staff - I enjoy going to the dentist!

Another vote for Palm Ridge Dental, but I see Dr.Jaber. She is kind and gentle, and spends enough time with you to answer any questions.

Dentists
 

Another vote for Dr Kathleen Williams Palm Ridge Dental @ 352-391-9930. In my opinion she is the finest dentist I have ever seen, and I've been to several over the years. She is located on 101 just past CVS in the small strip mall. All the staff are exceptional!

I was recommended to her by a neighbor who is a retired dentist!

I go to Kathleen Williams at Palm Ridge Dental and I have sent friends to her and they love her as well. She is wonderful! A cleaning is only $78.

Dentist
 

I needed a root canal AND crown in first month at The Villages. Asked new friends who had lived here for several years and they unequivocally recommended Palm Ridge Dental in Palm Ridge Plaza near CVS on 466. My experience was unbelievable! I had Dr Jaber & Suzanne but have heard Dr Williams is also excellent. You will notice that they NEVER advertise, which speaks volumes to me. Practice is always busy, offices are immaculate and Dr Jaber is so knowledgeable. From reception to hygienists, everyone is so kind. And No, I do not work for the practice! :laugh: Think you will be very satisfied!

Up sell
 

We have gone to a dentist up north every 6 months for checkup & cleaning. We each went to a different dentist down here and they both just wanted to get us in to try and "up sell" dental procedures. Are there any dentist that do not up sell?:cus:

Any experience with Dr. Robert L. Penrod and Colony Modern Dentistry on 466A next to Publix? thanks

I was surprised that Palm Ridge Dental had not been mentioned earlier in this thread. My wife and I have been using Dr. Jaber for the last three years. She and her partner, Dr. Williams are excellent dentists. As mentioned they don't advertise and no they don't give you a rose when you leave like some other dental practices in TV but their pricing is fair and reasonable. We have two dental insurance programs that must be billed in sequence and the Palm Ridge Dental office staff is excellent about billing both carriers for us. When you hear some of the dental horror stories on TOTV, we're thankful that we found Dr. Jaber, based on a recommendation here on TOTV back in 2009. It's not easy to find a dentist whom you trust and have confidence in.

____________________________________________
Just wondering, did you see Dr. Penrod? I am having a toothache and it looks like he will take United Concordia Insurance.

Poor Dental Practice
 

Southern Trace Dental (DON"T GO THERE!) Many issues with billing. Be sure you get your pre approval on any treatment in writing or plan on paying for the whole amount out of your own pocket. I should have listened to other people who have used them, but went there anyway and learned that there billing practices are very questionable as well as very poor dentistry. Go to the BBB and you will see that others have filed complaints about billing and collection issues. Bottom line they lie.

I see that Palm Ridge Dental comes highly recommended. I'm wondering if someone could provide the name of a gentle hygenist in that office for teeth cleaning.

Ask for ....
 

Ursula is quite gentle. But the entire staff come highly recommended.

Ursula is great! So is Allison!

What's the name of the practice so I can look it up in the phone book?

Palm Ridge Dental is sooooo good, they are all booked up. You might have to wait 'til March for your cleaning. I can't wait that long.

Dentist
 

Actually, They had a cancellation this morning and I have already had my teeth cleaned.:pepper2:

Do they accept PCP insurance?

Since I'm a seasonal resident, I have a regular dentist in Canada. I "ran out of time" before we left Canada, due to medical problems of a friend. So I thought I'd schedule a teeth cleaning in Florida, even tho I don't have coverage here.

I started calling dental offices yesterday. It is around $80 for a teeth cleaning, which is very reasonable. However, in order to have my teeth cleaned in Florida, the dental offices tell me that I'm required to also have an exam by a Florida dentist, which is a Florida law, $50 and X-rays $100. That makes a bill of $230 for a cleaning. Yikes. Lesson learned.

You got lucky! But were you satisfied with the experience? We're not used to having to paying for dental work up front, a practice that seems very common in FL.

Barefoot, I understand your frustration but I just wanted to throw my 2cents in. Any time a person calls in that is not a patient we always schedule an appointment with the Dr. first. Trust me...this is NOT to make money, this is good dentistry. The hygienists are trained professionals and most of them do a terrific job but they are not dentists. If an individual came in, got a cleaning and then 3 months later developed a toothache...maybe from an undiagnosed cavity under a crown or a breakdown in a filling, that patient would be very upset because the problem was not identified. I also read a lot on this forum about dentists 'upselling'...I'm not naive..I know there are unscrupulous dentists in the industry, but sometimes patients will misinterpret what is being said. When you go to a dentist, his job is to give you the best oral care. He may prepare a treatment plan that would give you options...anything from simple fillings to a mouthful of implants and crowns. As an adult patient, you have the freedom to decide and the dentist should help you with that decision and work, if possible, within your budget. There are patients that need a crown...but insist that a filling would be just fine because it's 'cheaper'. What you may not realize is that filling material is not meant to last forever..amalgam (the silver stuff) expands and contracts with heat and cold...this enables bacteria to enter under the filling and may lead to cavities. Composite fillings are plastic (the one's that match your teeth) and are better but if you have a large filling this means that the structure of the tooth itself is compromised and it could easily lead to a broken tooth or a fractured 'root'. Eventually, the end result is you either lose the tooth or spend a lot more money in the long run in trying to save it. A GOOD dentist will tell you the best way to fix it so it will last, hopefully for a lifetime. Yes, it is more costly than the cheap fix initially but will save you money overall. If it is fixed properly the first time you may be able to avoid a root canal and/or a post and core buildup..both of which are costly..and you can avoid pain. I enjoy reading everyone's comments because we are going to have to find a dentist when we move there...that's going to be a strange experience :)
Oh Barefoot...one other suggestion..you may ask your Canadian dentist for a copy of your current xrays...let the dentist in Florida know that you have them. If your regular dentist has digital xrays he should be able to e-mail them to the the dentist there.

No, Star Dental accepts PCP insurance.

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations: I have an appointment to see Dr. Kelly McKnight at the end of this month. Yahoo! (xrays, exam and cleaning)

You will be very pleased with Dr. McKnight. My wife and I both go to her and she is great!

Vilage Dental
 

I don't see any comments on here about Village DentaL. Has anyone used them ?

Village Dental , in general, does good work. You will be treated wonderfully. They do espouse the belief in full mouth reconstruction, however. That means you can walk out with a whopper of a treatment plan--many times in the tens of thousands of dollars. Refusing the treatment plan means dismissal from the practice. This is their practice philosophy. You either get on board or find someone else to treat you. There is nothing wrong with this but it is nice to be forwarned.