11 June 2020

Who's your favourite dentist?

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The last post on this topic is a couple of years old and maybe it’s time to revise those recommendations as people may have moved or new people may now be the cool talent. Personally I’m on my third panadol and the ache of a wisdom tooth emerging is starting to seem more like the throbbing of an infected wisdom tooth jack-hammering into my jaw, so I’m keen to get some good advice!

In a town this size there must be a stack of good dentists in varying locations, each with their own special skills and price points. For an emergency situation like mine a higher price point will probably mean greater availability but for ordinary checkups and longer-term cosmetic procedures the concerns may be different. Would some of you locals be kind enough to share your positive experiences with Canberra dentists?

And if anyone is kind enough to name someone at a favourable price point and able to make time on short notice or if any dentists are reading this, I live inner north, work inner south and will probably be on the phone from 9am trying to see someone TODAY who is extremely methodical and has good upper body strength.

If you’re also searching for a dentist, check out our article on the best cosmetic dentists in Canberra.

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I second the recommendation for Dr Raghad Awni, who’s actually now at Pacific Smiles Woden not Ginnenderra/Belco Medical Dental Centre. Her work is excellent and she is very friendly and approachable. I found her prices to be competitive too.

Favourite Dentist in Canberra ought to be Dr Shilpa Kalburgi at Northside Family Dental, she is a gem of a person, knows her gig. I had to make an emergency dental visit and she was very accomodating to fit me in even during her lunch break, check her out on their website http://www.northsidefamilydental.com.au

#18
Crabb

A couple of weeks ago, I suddenly broken tooth. I then had to find a dentist ASAP. ( I have a huge fear of dentist’s)

I called Lyneham Dental Care and was booked in with the Principal dentist Dr Patrick Huang.
He was so gentle and understanding.

I told him of my three fears upfront , he listened and took every measure to ensure that didn’t happen.
His nurse was also very reassuring and gentle.

He doesn’t talk and talk and the room is very quiet and peaceful. The communication between Dr Huang and his nurse is professional and respectful, which I appreciate.

He gave me three options for future care for that tooth as well as prices ( at the emergency appointment, he put in a temporary filling).

I’m heading back on Monday to have a crown. It’s all done in a 2 hour timeframe as they have computerised system which makes and cures the tooth.

I’ll let you know how that goes.

As I want the best care, I’m prepared to acknowledge, that comes with a cost.

misspris said :

Stephen Huang is good.

Totally agree. Stephen did my wisdom teeth as well, so I would recommend having a chat to him about it. When I talked to him about it, he gave me the whole wisdom teeth operation spiel that all surgeons need to do (ie, what the procedure is, risks, consent forms you need to sign, etc) within the same consultation as my usual checkup/clean/fluoride treatment at no extra charge. The next time I saw him was at the hospital about two months later… I also had a follow up consultation a week later at no extra charge.

I think he’s quite a bit busier now, so it’s probably best to indicate that you want to discuss possible wisdom teeth removal at the time of booking the appointment.

BTW, you’ll need to be on some form of health insurance to make any of the above non-expensive. I was on Medibank Private at the time of wisdom teeth op in 2008. Out of pocket expenses for four teeth out under general at John James was about $700 (total cost about $3000 or a bit less).

crabb said :

Thought I’d resurrect this thread, in the hope of getting a recommendation for a dentist who will not upbraid me for the years of dental neglect I’ve subjected my teeth to – now sadly, but inevitably, a broken front tooth means the much-procrastinated day has come! Who’s NICE to adults with a pathetic child-like fear of dentistry??

I found this old thread through a search, so I am hoping it may help other people looking for a dentist that fits the description above.

After seeing a couple of dentist who just sighed when they looked at my teeth and gave ridiculous advice, I went to see Dr Raghad Awni at the Ginninderra Medical and Dental centre. This is actually the second time I see her and I didn’t follow up any of her excellent advice last time. Still, she didn’t sigh or lecture me and – most importantl – she did not give up on me. She gave me advice that was almost the opposite of the other dentists I saw (and much less daunting and more manageable) and got her receptionist to make an appointment for me with the specialist.

Very expensive, but no idea how she compares to other dentists. $200 for a filling?

I could not recommend her any more highly though if you are looking for a dentist who is professional and seems genuinely committed to helping even if you have neglected your teeth.

not Modern Dentistry, I had a bad experience there and had to change. I’m now interstate and don’t know who is best in Canberra.

I agree with above posting! I ve seen Dr. Scott Park at Preventive Dentistry in Tuner. Very nice and gentle. He has very high tech. gadgets and knows what he is talking about. He was only dentist who could make me laughing so hard at dentist’s chair. ^^

I was referred by my GP and Periodontist there and I am very happy they did. Strongly recommend!

I recently had a good experience with Dr. Scott J-S Park at Preventative Dentistry in Turner (also with a broken tooth) — young guy, very friendly and non-threatening.

Thought I’d resurrect this thread, in the hope of getting a recommendation for a dentist who will not upbraid me for the years of dental neglect I’ve subjected my teeth to – now sadly, but inevitably, a broken front tooth means the much-procrastinated day has come! Who’s NICE to adults with a pathetic child-like fear of dentistry??

Thanks for this thread. I’m in MAJOR need of some dental work. By the by, does anybody know if dental work (specifically, the drugs they administer) are safe while breastfeeding? Might be best off asking the dentist concerned, I suppose, but since we’re here… hehe

canberra bureaucrat9:42 pm 30 Jun 09

Brad Horwood in civic. Excellent, very gentle, does a great job, though not the cheapest…but well worth it.

mp2615 said :

Highly recommend Fred and Elspeth at Kippax. They have looked after several emergencies for my family.

No way in hell would I ever go back there! Fred OD me on drugs once.. gave me way too many needles to numb me up. I was at the point I had no idea what had even happened to me or where I was. Plus he left half my tooth in that he was removing.

They call the debt collector’s on you the second you miss a payment. Plus do the dodge and charge you twice. NOT HAPPY! I even proved said bill was already paid, and still couldn’t get a refund.

Elspeth damaged a tooth so badly during a filling I needed it removed. Plus during a clean, she was so rough my gums bled for a week afterwards.

I recently went to Woden Dental Care, they are upstairs in the courtyard at Westfield. Went there on the recommendation of my boss. Was really impressed, got in straight away too.

Tony Bubear or Rob Waites at Modern Dentistry in Civic.

I second the vote for Carmello Bonanno. Did a great job of my Wisdom tooth under a local (I’m tough, none of that general anesthetic for me – but that is an option he offers).

And a funny guy to boot.

Chris (I think his surname is Kwoy) at Ainslie Shops. Best dentist ever. Great sense of humour, top-rate equipment. Not cheap, but best treatment (both professionally and interpersonally) I’ve ever had from a dentist.

Stephen Huang is good.

My vote goes to anyone who does nasty jobs under IV sedation(Carmello Bonanno in Woden is very good (well, for a dentist anyway))!

mp2615 said :

Highly recommend Fred and Elspeth at Kippax. They have looked after several emergencies for my family.

Wouldn’t go near either of them in a fit. The things Elspeth did to me when I was younger where unforgivable. Root canal therapies that didn’t work, fillings that I am now needing to replace and a botched extraction which resulted in me going into shock in the chair.

It’s taken me a few years to be able to go to the dentist without breaking into a sweat after that. I can highly recommend Dental Vitality in Deakin, really look after you, and take a long term view of what they are doing.

Highly recommend Fred and Elspeth at Kippax. They have looked after several emergencies for my family.

neanderthalsis1:58 pm 29 Jun 09

And as for the upper body strength, he’s built like a loosehead prop and had a particularly nasty molar of mine out in a jiffy a couple of years back.

neanderthalsis1:56 pm 29 Jun 09

Dr Bill / William Thompson above McDonalds in Manuka. Reasonably priced, quick and does a good job. Currently undergoing root canal treatment with him and very happy with the treatment and price.

RandomPoster1:25 pm 29 Jun 09

Try Dr. Tucker in Kingston, very good, and very happy with what he charges.

Stephen Lising at Preventitive Dentistry in Turner

http://www.preventivedentistry.com.au/spip.php?article6

I had a filling that came loose on Friday night and my dentist (whom I hadn’t seen in three years) was able to fit me in for a quick replacement temporary filling at 11:30am Saturday when I had only phoned at 9:30am on Saturday morning. I am very impressed with the friendly and efficient service.
Woden Dental Care – Dr. Stephen Huang (if you can get an appt to see him). 6282 8558.

Favourite and dentist in the one sentence!

Is that a first?

I recommend Peter Boyle at Belconnen, but he might be booked up.

TLC dickson, Tender love and care or Total Lack of Compassion. Either way they get the job done well and without fuss. For a small lady, she has phenomenal stengh.

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