Submitted by anontnturntable t3_y6gl8o in rva
Any good RVA dentists that deal well with those who have avoided the dentist due to a phobia? Asking for someone who is anxious to go because they’re concerned about the amount of work since it’s been so long and because they get massive anxiety in the chair.
I agree with this guy. My experience with River Run was not good at all.
this was my experience as well!
I'm glad (but also not glad other people had the same experience) that I'm not the only one who felt this way. I always see River Run recommended and it makes me wonder if it's just me every single time.
I have also been harshly up-sold at river run. Very off-putting for someone like me that is already traumatized by being in a dentist office.
I wanted information- just info! - about Invisalign and they trapped me in a room for 45 minutes work of interior mouth photos and I was almost in tears.
Thanks for the counter perspective, and I’m sorry that happened to you. I’m not the one with this specific anxiety, but as the answers have rolled in, I’ve been thinking about my switching my dentist too for the same reason- I hate being upsold or pressured. That’s very triggering for a lot of people and not something that’s going to reduce dental anxiety for anyone…
That's the problem I have any time I try to go get dental stuff done they try to get you to do all this cosmetic work and they will not listen to you!! just fix my cavity. But no. they want to give you an implant or whiten!! it's just a racket nowadays...I just want to find a down and dirty honest dentist who just does what's needed with minimal pain.
It seems most dentists hard sell cosmetic procedures as my next door neighbor dentist who just bought a Porsche told me "that's where the money is".
Another negative for River Run. I love my hygienist but it’s always a shit show when it comes to billing and insurance.
Really grateful I saw this comment - I almost scheduled here but the huckster car salesman routine that many dentists have decided to adopt is a major turn off to me and is highly unethical and inappropriate.
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Richmond Family Dentistry on Patterson. They are near the intersection of Parham and Patterson.
OP could be describing me. I went a long time without a dental visit due to massive fear. When I gathered all my courage and went in just to talk to the receptionist, she said they were very comfortable with dental fears patients, and they turned out to be great! They knocked me out for several hours of work, and gave me nitrous for the follow -up
They are very clear with insurance and planning and payment as well.
Virginia Family Dentistry, right? That's where I go, it's a good spot.
I can second this! They made it super easy when I was having wisdom tooth problems and never made me feel bad for having bad anxiety
Evolve Dental. They even have a therapy dog if wanted.
This sounds very promising. Do you have to request beforehand and can he sit in my lap during any and all procedures?
River Run Dental is pretty much based around this. I went there for the first time in April after not going to the dentist is probably 5 years for the same reason, and they were great for the whole process.
Awesome- thx for the recommendation
Northside Dental!
Disagree. Tried to take my kids there, discovered a cavity, referred us to a specialist. Then they looked at my (adult) teeth, found a maybe-issue with an old crown, referred me to a specialist.
I decided that I wanted instead a dentist who did their own work and wouldn't just farm me out to specialists all over the region.
Word, that definitely sucks. I recommended them because I put in the notes for my appointment “I am very very anxious” and they treated me with kid gloves lol.
Came here to say the same. Check out their Instagram (northsidedentalco) to see their office and lovely people. TVs on the ceilings, above the chairs, blankets, eye masks, etc. I think there is a therapy dog too. I have an appointment in a few weeks and I'm already thinking about what kind of treats to bake for everyone!
Disagree. Hard disagree.
Seconding River Run - I have serious anxiety around dental work and they’ve been great. They explain everything before they do it and have the option of using nitrous for each visit (at an extra cost).
The ala carte nitrous is seriously a godsend. I'll gladly pay out the cost of it means not having panic attacks before, during, and after every appointment.
There is seriously no shame in stating: "I don't want to be here, if you want me here, I expect to be high-as-balls, so... do your thing". Any dentist that doesn't get that doesn't have a proper level of empathy.
Same here! Money well spent
Do you have a specific location or provider for RR you recommend?
I see Dr. Sinclair also at the Schrader Ln location. The Midlo location is closer to me but they don’t seem to be operating out of it as much.
I see Dr. Adler at the Schrader Ln location and love her. I will say that they can be a little pushy at the practice about getting additional services (esp. Invisaline), but they've never talked down to me or judged me for saying no.
It figures River Run doesn’t have a location near me. Oh well. I guess I can deal. When I was a boy our dentist was Dr. Steiner. Based on his technique, my sister and I said his full name was Frank N. Steiner.
Ugh, I feel you. A horrible dentist from my childhood is the reason I now have such a phobia.
I quite like Ursula Klostermeyer. She is a great dentist and her hygienists are very kind and gentle. Just tell the receptionist that you have some anxiety and they'll place you with the correct hygienist. https://advanceddentistryofrichmond.com/about/dr-klostermyer/ FYI - I no longer have any dental anxiety at all since working with them.
Dr Klostermeyer and her staff were so sweet and gentle and very very good taking care of my mom recently! I'd definitely recommend her care.
Drs. Stegner, Cole, and Gupta on Jahnke Road across from Chippenham hospital are amazing! I explained to them I’d had a cruel dentist as a child and I hadn’t been getting regular dental care as a result - until I broke a filling and tooth…. The entire staff is kind and gentle, and they explain exactly what’s going to happen. The dental hygienists are wonderful too. I see Dr. Gupta or Dr. Cole most often, but Dr. Stenger and their new dentist are also really great. I’ve been going to them for 13 years now, and I actually get excited to go to the dentist now!
Came here to say this. I’m a dental technician and we design and manufacture a lot of the cases from this office. They have the cleanest preps, and all the older technicians in and around Richmond say these docs do some of the best work.
Ended up sending my dad there after he moved to Richmond (he hadn’t seen a dentist in over ten years). He loved them.
Dr. Monacell at Midlothian Family Dentistry helped me through my dental anxiety. I hadn't been to a dentist in 30 years. No judgement from anyone on the staff. I kind of eased my way from oral sedation dentistry to nitrous and now I don't need anything at all for ordinary cleanings and such.
Tell your friend to opt for sedation dentistry if they need work done. Once the meds kick in, they will be so chill and will not give a damn that they are at the dentist.
I also joined a dental anxiety forum that really helped me to feel like I wasn't alone. People there are so supportive and will have similar backgrounds. https://www.dentalfearcentral.org/forum/
Good luck to your friend!
Va family dentistry
my wife and i go to woodlake dental. it’s kind of far out but honestly i love them. my whole family goes there too. Jose is super nice and the hygienists are always so understanding.
before my last cavity filling i had a panic attack. i’ve had them my whole life so i knew it would just take my body a few minutes to calm down. they were great about it! got my filling no problem.
I really enjoy going to Midlothian Family Dental. It’s a bit of a hike but the office is clean, modern, and well-staffed. I’ve never waited a crazy amount of time and everyone is so nice and patient.
Tuckahoe Family Dentistry!
Dr. Avram is very nice and not judgemental. I had avoided going to the dentist for 10 years (bc I couldn't afford it/didn't have great insurance), and he has been nothing but kind and helpful.
Brightwork Dentistry! Hands down! I have severe dental anxiety (they have to give me gas to do a cleaning lol) and they are so good to me! Dr. Crawley is amazing, go check out their Google reviews.
Brown Reynolds LeNoir on Patterson. Best dentist I’ve ever been to.
Highly recommend Dr Guh at Virginia Family Dentistry in Short Pump. I hadn't been to the dentist in 2 years and knew I had a cavity, so decided to go back to that practice because I went there as a kid (saw Dr Ressler back then, who is also very good). I was terrified because I had been taking very bad care of them over these last two years. Straight up cried in the chair because I thought they were going to tell me that I had ruined my teeth... he and the hygienist both made me feel very comfortable and didn't judge or shame me at all. Thankfully I only needed a couple of fillings and a cleaning, which they were able to do the following week. He took time to answer all of my questions plus he's really friendly with a good sense of humor which helped calm me down. And the fillings were virtually painless
So I didn’t go for 8 years (a LOT of dental PTSD as I had a dentist with hand tremors at one point - RIP, my parents passed down some awful dental genes, I have a major sweet tooth, and I had an aggressive ortho as well)…
Dr. Boland 10000%. He’s out by the Libbie Target. Doesn’t have a website. I caved, called, and the receptionist asked how long it had been, I decided not to lie, and she was so understanding. Then I went to my appointment and Dr. Boland tells you everything he’s going to do before he does it (no surprises!) and didn’t shame me or preach at me. I have some fillings to get done that I had to postpone when I got hit with two rounds of this nasty cold, but I’m not dreading it. That reminds me, I need to call about those tomorrow.
Glenside dental. Dr Shan is wonderful. She's taken care of me for 4 years now and the worst experience I've had other than arguing with my insurance is a sinus drainage issue with the back molar while she was working on it. ( which isn't her fault but wasn't comfortable at all)
Riverwind Dental.
I agree with Riverwind Dental! I had a lot of shame and fear about not going to the dentist for about 10 years because of dental anxiety. I was really, really nervous that I would need extensive dental work, and when I called I said I was very nervous and might need medication like Xanax to get through a cleaning. They listened to me and met with me, and I was able to come in for a cleaning with no judgment or shaming, and they told me I had a healthy mouth and no cavities or issues that I needed to return for. They could have totally taken advantage of me-if they said I had 10 cavities, I would have totally believed them.
Sherry is the hygienist I see, and she is the kindest person on earth and patient and gentle. She even sent me a gift card as a wedding present when she was out for shoulder surgery during my regular cleaning! I've been going there for about 8 years now and have had great experiences. Their office/waiting room isn't fancy or anything, but they are kind, honest, and will help you feel comfortable. Their main dentist did just retire, but the younger guy who took over is also very nice and told me I had some wear on my molars from grinding, but didn't use scare tactics and said an over the counter mouthguard could be a good idea.
Good luck in finding the place that works for you.
I see the other hygienist but she’s great too. Normally I hate bite wings but she showed me a trick to keep my mind off of it. You’re right the waiting room is a bit spartan, but the appt chairs are comfy.
Yes, their treatment rooms and chairs are really nice! I would much rather my dentist have a basic waiting room and not push for extra services or overcharge than have a fancy spa-like look. Just put it out there because the first impression can be that it's not up to date, but it's just the waiting room! Glad you had a good experience too.
River Run off Shrader.
I didn’t go to the dentist for 10 years and had a lot of anxiety around how bad I let my teeth get. I never felt judged. I had some complications, but before anything they were kind and sympathetic. I now go every 6 months for a check in and cleaning. I don’t think I’d be on this persistent of a schedule if they weren’t as professional and helpful as they were.
Everyone’s experience is going to be different. But if you are due for an insurance covered cleaning, I think you should give them a chance. They will gladly recommend you somewhere else and transfer your record if you feel it’s best for you.
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Also love River Run!! They did not judge me for having a full on panic attack after going to the dentist for the first time in five years. Their office is super cozy and everyone is just really nice. I go to the one in Henrico.
Searching the subreddit.
TripawdCorgi t1_ispfh9f wrote
Just as a counter, I took everyone's recommendation and tried River Run. My partner and I did not have a good experience. The facility is nice and the staff is friendly but a lot of extra stuff kept getting pushed on us and I had a dental issue I needed to address and was aware that I needed to address it but they used a couple scare tactics to try and get me to agree to something that day. I had already told them beforehand and at the appointment that whatever I needed done I would need a quote for and to run it by insurance since our plan was new, so would need to set up another appt to address anything beyond a cleaning. The dentist tried to make me believe I would lose the tooth if I didn't address it that very day (not true, it wasn't something that serious to begin with and confirmed that with another dentist). My partner had a similar experience with regards to pushing extra treatments the same day.
So yes, the facilities are nice, the staff at the front are kind, and the equipment is all up to date. But I don't like pushy sales tactics in medical care. Your experience may vary. I went to the one off Midlothian Turnpike. I'm still looking for a new dentist because I did not want to go back, they didn't even bother doing the cleaning for either of us so it felt like a waste of time.