Dentists on Bloor

I can’t recommend Dr. Walden and her team highly enough.
It had been close to two decades between dentist visits for me (I had a bad experience with a previous dentist that made me reluctant to go back). However I had a couple of obvious issues that I couldn’t delay anymore (including a really painful wisdom tooth problem) and so I looked for recommendations on Unilocal and found Dr. Walden.
Thank goodness I did. She was very understanding and took the time to help me through my apprehensions. My initial consult with her was quite reassuring she took time to listen to my past experiences, and to patiently walk me through how she was going to proceed.
She determined that I needed a couple of fillings and my wisdom teeth out. After determining that the wisdom teeth were too tricky to do in her office, she found me a dental surgeon nearby and helped expedite the appointment. Once the surgery took place, Dr. Walden (who didn’t even do the procedure) took the time to call me at home afterwards to make sure things went well and offered to answer any questions or to do any checks if I was concerned with the healing process.
As for the fillings she arranged them very quickly and they were totally painless when she did them. All in all she made the whole thing as pleasant an experience as possible.
I would recommend Dr. Walden strongly to anyone seeking a new dentist.

Today I went to the dentist for the first time in… none of your damn business.
I was truly expecting to be floss shamed, cavity ridden and ridiculed for being a mediocre grown up. This was not the case.
The hygienist was excellent and explained everything as she did things, let me watch Netflix on my iPhone, and asked if I needed breaks when I winced during the cleaning. Please don’t let this last line deter you, the wincing is because I’m a wuss and again, deserved to be floss shamed.
My new dentist, Dr. Walden was lovely, understanding, quick yet thorough and I definitely trust her with my smile.
They’re taking new patients, and if you have insurance they take the payment directly from your insurer which is mighty handy.
Say cheese!

Met Dr. Bourgeois recently for the first time; he’s my toddler’s dentist.
Very patient, and seems to have a keen understanding of children. Likes kids.
There weren’t any toys in the waiting room, but there is a t.v. if you really want (Treehouse/​TFO/​TVO?) Large glass windows in the front let little ones watch trucks and dogs pass by.
The wait time wasn’t bad. Our appointment started on time, I’d say.
Dr. Bourgeois noticed what our toddler took to, and what bothered her. He didn’t push anything. Novel for her to receive a toothbrush, floss samples, and also a sticker at the end of the visit.
A very positive first experience!

One of the best dentists I’ve ever been to. Staff and overall atmosphere is very friendly. The prices are reasonable, which mattered since I have to pay out of my own pocket and Dr. Walden takes the time to listen and educate.
Unilocal tells me five stars equals «As good as it gets!». Certainly applies for this place.

Awesome experience! I had a horrible dentist when I was younger and just stopped going to him once I moved out of my parents’ house. I had some pain and discomfort when eating and suspected a cavity. I made an appointment for a cleaning and checkup. Lida, the hygienist, was very friendly. She was gentle and put me at ease. It turns out that I did have a cavity and they were able to schedule me in for an appointment in just a few days. Dr. Walden knew I was nervous and talked me through each step as she was doing it and even took her time to ensure that I was comfortable and that her work was meticulous. I can tell that she really enjoys what she does. I highly recommend Dr. Walden. Going to the dentist will no longer be dreaded.

I went to Dentists on Bloor after reading these Unilocal reviews, and every star is hard earned. I was seen by Dr. Bourgeois, who works tuesdays and thursdays. He was very professional and kind, I felt he really cared about my teeth.
The dental hygenists were efficient and professional, never making me feel bad that I hadn’t been to a dentist in a few years. The cleaning was completed in one appointment, instead of them breaking up the cleaning to two appts to make extra money from me.
There were two snags during my appt., and the staff dealt with them in an amazing way, reassuring me and making me feel well taken care of. This dentist is the best dentist I’ve ever been to!

I never thought I’d be leaving a good review for a dental office, but here goes!
Dr. Bourgeois is the best. Super friendly, fast, efficient and totally works to help you fit things in to your budget. As good as going to the dentist can get!

I first discovered Dr. Walden and her team when I had a dental emergency. They were able to fit me in the same day, within hours, and I had it resolved as quickly as I could hope. Since then, I’ve been going here for my dental cleanings since and I’ve found the staff kind, professional and cheerful.
I moved here a few years ago and was really nervous about getting a new dentist. I feel really lucky that I found this one!

I really like Dr Walden — she’s very friendly, not condescending, doesn’t push unnecessary procedures and I have yet to be kept waiting for my appointments.
I’ve been to this dentist three times now and every time was a positive experience. Another bonus? They bill my insurance directly so I don’t even have to deal with it.

The dentist is lovely. The dental assistants too. But the front desk woman not only sent my claim form to the wrong insurance (how can you do this??), but also entered my address the wrong way, so that it’s two reimbursement checks I did not get and spent hours calling about. It’s not that I pay attention to the small print all numbed.

Often, in the past, when I go to a new dentist, I get the reaction of «Ooh, it’s been six months plus one day since you last saw a dentist? [shaking head sympathetically] Tsk, tsk. [gesturing vaguely to invisible problems on an Xray] Well, I’m sorry, but here’s the list of 14 things that NEED to be done. You do have insurance, right?»
This was so not my experience here.
I explained that my insurance runs out in two weeks and I have a sore tooth, so they squeezed me in to a short-​notice cancellation. Two points for them there.
I arrived late (my bad — had the address wrong) but they still whisked me in fairly quickly, and everything was done quite efficiently. I’ve been going to older-​fashioned dentists in Oakland, CA where the Xrays were still being done with that horrid cardboard stuff and put up on lightboxes, so the digital ones that went on the overhead TV were kinda cool. Nice to be at a 21^st century office.
Dr. Walden and the hygienist were both really, REALLY nice. They were friendly and helpful, explained what they were doing and what the jargon meant, and despite the fact that it’s been about 18 – 20 months since I’d seen a dentist, were not patronizing or casting about for things to stick my insurance company on. Actually, Dr. Walden was quite complimentary on my oral hygiene — so many dentists are rude or patronizing about it.
The only problem they did find made complete sense (the corner of a 30-​year-​old filling was broken off on the tooth that was sore — now I understand why the floss kept snapping!), and the receptionist offered to fit me in this afternoon to get it fixed.
Like other reviewers have said, no one LIKES to go to the dentist, but when they make it an almost pleasant experience, you can dislike it so much less.
Addendum:
I’m back from having that filling fixed. I will admit that dental work and needles in my mouth terrify me — a previous experience with an awful dentist in California that left me unable to chew on the left side of my mouth for *three years* — and Dr. Walden was very, very considerate and careful dealing with an obviously extremely uncomfortable patient.
She kept up a reassuring patter throughout, interrupting herself frequently to keep me in the loop about what she was doing, explaining, checking on me, at one point informing me that I might want to clench my hands just a wee bit less since one of my fingers was clearly losing circulation…
I sent my neighbour to her recently, too. His assessment? «She rocks!» And how often, I ask you, does someone hear THAT about a dentist?
Second addendum:
Have –you– ever heard of a dentist who emails you at 9pm on a Saturday evening to check how your new filling is holding up? I hadn’t, either. Until Dr. Walden.

I am sure nobody likes to go to the dentist.
Not really.
For me it goes a step further though.
I have a lot more anxiety before a dentist visit than I had before giving birth to our son.
I know it’s stupid, but I have had my share of butchers in the past (Hello Germany!), so I can’t help it.
Now 2 weeks ago, I lost a filling.
I used to go the Humbervalley Dental Centre near Kipling/​Finch, but without a car it’s a mission and a half to get there.
So I was looking for a new dentist closer by.
Of course, I checked here first.
Read the positive reviews about Dr. Bourgeois.
And then I asked my friend Google.
And read a dozen more encouraging statements from other patients.
So I made an appointment and I am happy to report that I can toot the «Dr. B» horn now as well.
(That’s how they call him in his office.)
He is a nice guy and very understanding.
I told him that I was nervous and he did his best to make the procedure as painless and efficient as possible.
I felt well cared for as he was explaining every step without belittling me.
He mentioned further options, but didn’t try to pressure me into getting additional or more expensive treatments.
(Who has the money for a crown anyways?)
I really appreciate that.
I also have only good things to say about the rest of his staff.
The receptionist as well as the dental hygienist were both friendly.
All in all, it was pretty quick too.
My appointment was on a Tuesday afternoon at 3pm and I was in and out of this dental office in less than 1 hour.
The verdict:
I still don’t like going to the dentist.
But if I have to see one, I will make an appointment with Dr. B.

I saw Dr. Walden after reading another review here on Unilocal.I moved to this neighbourhood last year and was looking to see a dentist in the area. This clinic made a great first impression. They were all very friendly and knowledgeable. They took the time to ask questions and the receptionists did a great job of getting my health plan information to make sure that I understood what was covered and what wasn’t. As a bonus, they’re open Saturdays too!