Dentists, General |
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The comments below are unedited opinions of the colleagues who submitted them. A date (month and year) indicates that the comments following that date are from the given month and year. The most recent comments appear at the bottom.
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10/99 ***No specifics but a general comment on Met Life I don't think you have to pay much more to go to the dentist of your choice. In my experience, the rates for outofpanel dentists have been quite acceptable.
| ***I really like my dentist. He's not in MetLife. His name is Ken Thomases. His office is at 1203 Beacon Street in Brookline, on the C line of the green line. The number is 2328113. ***In dentistry, as in so many other things, you get what you pay for. If you want a really good dentist, there are lots of them around but none take metlife as full payment. Nonpreferred dentists in the area? John Lapidus and Jim Nager are fantastic about 5 blocks from Abt on Concord Ave in Belmont. I go to Lapidus (he's a costly perfectionist) as do many others from Abt. Some others haven't liked him because he tends to lay it on the line and not try to paper over problems. That means he's pretty interventionist, which I appreciate since I've always found that it's a mistake to ignore dental problems. Nager is a great guy and a good dentist also. Both teach at Tufts dental school. (a warning their office manager/payment queen is a tough lady; don't be dismayed by her). ***My husband and I have been seeing a Metlife dentist named Erin Carpe, but we're not thrilled with her and might like to try someone new. There haven't been any problems, but we don't love her style (or her hours), and I'm just not sure she's super thorough. In short, I wouldn't recommend her. 8/98 ***Harvard Community Health Plan (now Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates) has dental offices in their Davis Square, Kenmore Square and Medford offices. The Davis Square one is right off the Davis Square T. It is open to everyone, not just HCHP members. I have been pretty happy with them (I go to the Medford Square one). ***I go to Dr. Erin Carpe near Central Square (Harvard St). She participates in the MetLife plan, knows a lot about insurance and will explain how much everything will cost you, does high quality work and has evening appointments as late as 7pm. A couple other folks in ENVR go to her as well. She definitely focuses on preventative and maintenance work and doesn't recommend unnecessary and costly procedures. ***Our dentist Sarah Stock is great, she's in Brookline on Beacon St opposite a T stop. She will accept Abt's MetLife dental program and its fees without leaving you with a bill for routine services her # is 7313364 ***Silvia Ponce 1051 Beacon St. Brookline (about a mile out of Kenmore Sq.) 7311118 She's terrific. Knowledgeable about new techniques. I trust her, and price is in line. My sister originally told me about her, and I've been going for 10 years. Someone I recommended her to, moved away, and still drives an hour to go to her. ***Brian, I go to a dentist on Boylston St. her name is Dr. Petrelli she does excellent work and always welcoming new patients. Her phone #is 4265549. In case anyone else is interested, here is a list of responses I received: ***There is a very good search facility on the web for Metlife. I think it is www.metlife.com/dental. You give it the zip code and it will show you the closest dentist and the number of miles to the dentist. It even gives you a map you can zoom in and out. I live west of Acton and did not find any in Acton or Concord. I ended up going to one in Littleton. ***We use Victor Pinanski in Acton (less than 10 minutes from Concord Center). He's not in the Met Life network, but I don't think that matters, since his rates are about the same as theirs. As of last year when we started the Met Life plan, there were ZERO dentists in the area who participated. ***great dentist and staff. lenny broverman in concord. forgot the number. I'm almost sure your covered there. but call and check to make sure. ***I have used Dr. Ogrodnick at Acton Dental for the past 15 years and have had a significant amount of dental work done there that I have been very pleased with. (I'm a medical professional and am pretty demanding about what I consider to be good quality care). His office is very professional, comfortable, everyone there is nice. Sensitive to issues of pain management and anesthesia I have never been uncomfortable in the dentist chair there. They have also been reasonable about issues of billing even knocked $20 off my bill once 'cause they dropped some dental glop on my silk blouse. He is located on Great Road (Route 2A), about a mile west of the Concord Rotary. I don't know if that's too far for you. They take MetLife, but the amount of coverage vs outofpocket expense may vary depending on the plan. A look in the Met life directory should help to clarify (I am not covered by met life). His office number is 9782633526.Good luck. If you ever need a children's dentist, I have a good recommendation for that as well Concord Dentistry (3697771). They actually have these little dogs that sit the kids laps and give doggie kisses while the kids get their teeth cleaned. My kids have loved going there since they were babies and they're 12 and 15 now! 8/00 ***Dr. Gary Login in Brookline is excellent. Not only is he a superbly trained and talented dentist, he also is a really nice person who makes you feel very comfortable. He is conservative in his approach to fillings, and will be more inclined to put a watch on teeth, rather than immediately fill them. ***Try Dr. Tom Leonard across Fresh Pond Parkway by the 99. I've been seen by his staff, not him, and I've only had routine work, but everything is fine. He came recommended by zillions of Abt staffers. Certainly can't get any more convenient! 1/01 ***Dr. Gary Login in Brookline is exceptional. I've been going to him for years, and he is an excellent dentist, who is personable, trustworthy etc. He is a DMD and a DMSC, so he has a research-oreinted perspective on dental hygiene, etc. His number is 277-0807 and he is on beacon street, near coolidge corner, brookline. ***I have gone for years to and am happy with John Casesi, DMD. He's at 21 Merchant's Row in Boston (That's right next to Fanuel Hall), and his office number's (617) 523-0688. ***I love Dr. Sylvia Ponce in Brookline. She is located right at 1051 Beacon Street near Chef Chang's. Several people at Abt go to her. Her number is 617-731-1118. ***I was recommended Dr Sylvia Ponce in Brookline about 2 years ago. She has been my dentist since then. She is very good and a very nice person. 2/01 *** I like David Fish of the Restorative Dental Group (181 Concord Ave., Cambridge, right up the street from Abt, 617-492-6070). He is the best dentist I've ever had and this is the best dental practice I've ever been to. They are not in the MetLife PPO. However, MetLife does offer generous coverage for out-of-network providers. I've had two routine exams that were nearly entirely covered (I think I paid under $20) and one filling for which I paid only the deductible ($100). Considering how good I find this dental practice to be, I consider this money well spent. Moreover, even if they were in the network, I don't think charges would be much lower. The deductible and copay would still have to be paid out-of-pocket. Two more bits of advice: (1) There are some very specific treatments that MetLife won't cover. However, these are easy to check into and avoid. For example, during a routine cleaning, my hygienist always asks if I want a "fluoride sealant" (or something like that). It is an additional treatment beyond the normal cleaning. I learned by calling MetLife that they do not cover it. I always decline this. Also, when scheduling my filling I asked Dr. Fish what he was going to do. Then I called MetLife to find out if it was covered. As it turned out, the specific technique he was going to use was not covered. I told him this at my appointment and he said he could bill it differently (to him it was a matter of semantics) and in a way that would be covered. This saved me a lot of money and was a good lesson. It is a shame that we have to play these games but they are worth playing, unfortunately. (2) Parking may not always be easy at this practice. They do not have a lot. There are meters outside the office which take quarters. I always schedule an appointment near the end of the day and have had no trouble finding a meter. I'm sure there are times when it is hard to park. I always give myself extra time, just in case. This inconvenience is compensated by the fact that they are very close (if it weren't for the death-trap rotary I'd walk) and, as I said, a very good dental group. *** I go to David Fish, right down on Concord Ave. @ Huron Ave. (Cambridge Restorative Dentistry, I think it's called). I like them very much. *** Dr. Leonard Tom is right across Fresh Pond Parkway, in the building next to the 99. I got lots of Abt recommendations to him three years ago and have been going since. I've just had preventive work, so can't attest to complex procedures, but I'd recommend the office. He takes Met Life. 4/01 *** Many people go to Dr. Leonard Tom across the street (617-547-2990) and have no problems with him. I went there for the first time in January and had a bad experience with the two fillings he did. I ended up leaving Dr. Tom's office and having the fillings replaced by Dr. Gary Login, whom I now *adore*. His office is just over the BU bridge in Brookline - takes about 15 minutes from here. Dr. Login caters to cowards, in my opinion. He is super nice, super gentle, and values preventative dentistry over restorative dentistry. He has a DMD and a DMSc degree so he's very current on the latest dental research. His motto is "it's your mouth" -- he never tells you what he's going to do. Rather, he tells you what he observes, and lays out your options (which always include doing nothing, though of course he'll tell you the possible negative consequences of that!). If you just want someone to clean your teeth and you don't need any babying, Dr. Tom's probably fine (and very convenient). His manner is very professional but he doesn't make that human connection, in my opinion. If you want tender loving care, Dr. Login is your man. (his office number is 617-277-0807). 10/01 *** (quoted as kind and gentle) Michael Bane, DDS 2179 Mass Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140 Tel. 617-864-8629 *** I have the kindest, gentlest dentist in the world. (Well, maybe I'm a little prejudice.) His name is Dr. Salusti, he is in Watertown (worth the trip), and he takes Delta Dental. Good luck! *** I go to Hirschberg Dental Group. They are really good - real gentle and very professional. They are in Downtown Boston -- 12 Post Office Square. I dont have the # i left my card at home. They are covered by Delta. *** I go to Dr. Erin Carpe in Cambridge -- she's on Harvard Street, behind the Cambridge City Hall. Her address is 287 Harvard Street. She is very good (she and her father practice together, and he's very good too). They never do any unnecessary procedures just to make an extra buck, which some dentists do. The other great thing is that they are very familiar with insurance policies -- Delta Dental included. The number is 617 492-3535 *** Just up the street is Restorative Dental Group. I see Dr. David Fish there and like him very much. For cleaning I usually see Lisa there. (Full address and phone number at bottom of email.) Both are very good. They do take Delta Dental. Two pieces of advice: 1. Not all services are covered by Delta Dental. For example, something called a "fluoride treatment" is not covered. The hygienist will probably ask you if you want it. If you accept, you will pay for it (I think about $20, but I'm not sure). In general, it is worth checking with Delta Dental before going in for a specific procedure to see if they cover it. In one instance, they did not cover the procedure Dr. Fish recommended. When I told him this, he billed it as something else that they do cover. To him it was a matter of semantics. 2. There is only on street, metered parking at this dental group. I've never had a problem finding a spot. I always go near the end of the day, between 4 and 5 pm. It is only about a mile up Concord Ave. so walking is possible. However, you'll have to negotiate the death trap rotaries. If you drive, bring quarters and leave yourself a few extra minutes to park. *** He's in Brookline, so about a 15 min ride from Cambridge-- but well worth the trip. His name is Dr. Gary Login and he is a phenomenal dentist – he is very, gentle, totally caters to making his patients feel comfortable, is incredibly smart, experienced, and conservative (meaning that he won't fill every little blemish on your tooth, but has a more, wait and see approach). In addition, he does research on dentistry, so he has a research-minded point of view. I have been going to him for the past five years and highly recommend him. His number is 617-277-0807 | |||||||||||||||