Berkeley Hills Dental Care

They do a good job and are very informative! I had a rough couple of visits, but things have really turned around and things are great! I got my first root canal with a follow up crown, and it was not a bad experience.

One review say they take Costco DeltaCare but they do not anymore.
I just wasted my money signing up and now I have to find another dentist.

Although I find Dr. Ansari a personally amicable wonderful human being (she is kind, professional, and truly caring), I have unfortunately received poor quality care at this office. I was a client for approximately 2 years and in that time, most if not all of the fillings Dr. Ansari performed either «shrunk» and chipped, or the margins became rough and food began getting caught in them. I am unsure if this is due to utilizing a poor quality bonding composite (white fillings). Additionally, I had a large cavity/​post/​crown preparation done on a rear molar, and for about 8 months I kept complaining that I had a tingling/​sharp pain in my jawbone under that tooth. Dr. Ansari assured me this was simply due to a bad bite or irritated nerves– and even took an x-​ray which she looked at with me and said it did not show any decay in the root nor bone. Later that year, I ended up having an emergency root canal on that tooth, after the expensive crown was installed– thereby destroying the new crown. The endodontist specialist took one look at the X-​ray and exclaimed: My god– you have such deep infection it has spread to your entire jaw bone!”. He said he believed that level of bone infection must have been there for at least a year (which is about how long I had been telling Dr. Ansari about the pain and jolts of nerve tingle. I was absolutely horrified– jaw bone infection could have led to a systemic/​blood infection. Not to mention that it cost me an arm and a leg, and I now need a NEW expensive porcelain crown as a result. I do not recommend Dr. Ansari for anything other than simple cavities and cleaning– and if you DO get fillings, BE SURE she smoothes the edges and have her fix any shrinkage of materials otherwise the filling will «leak».

Simply put: I have DeltaCare USA which is great because it covers everything, and Berkeley Hills Dental was the best rated dentist that took my insurance.
Their office is clean and comfortable, the employees were friendly, and they didn’t try to sell me anything!
I did arrive 20 minutes early because it was my first time and I knew I had paperwork to fill. Sadly, I waited until about 20 minutes after my appointment (so plan accordingly). Once seated, everything went smoothly. I received x rays, a teeth cleaning, and a goody bag.
The doctor seemed knowledgeable and approachable. I left feeling clean and confident in my oral health.
Tip: book early! I called them late March and they happened to have had a cancelation that day, but their next appointment was June! (so obviously I left work early and took them up on their offer).

Good luck getting their scatterbrained receptionist to call you back. Absolutely useless.

Dr. Ansari is absolutely awesome. I am deftly afraid of the dentist, a childhood issue. Dr. Ansari has helped to make my girls and myself feel comfortable with dentist visits. She has my full confidence.

I went to BHDC because the dentist I preferred and who was close never seemed able to work with my dental insurance. I even added anther dental insurance policy, to no avail. Now I’m very glad this happened. The entire staff at Berkeley Hills is friendly and capable. Jose,
worked out all my insurance issues and explained everything clearly to me. He is often very busy, but takes the time to help me. I found Dr. Taheri to be very friendly, gentle and extreamly capable. Beatrix and Dawn are also frendly and are exellent at what they do. So far the work I have had done (a bridge) has been great. Hey I can chew again! I have to go back for more, but do not dread it as I once did. Excellent people, excellent place.

Ethical, thorough, friendly… so many dentists try to squeeze as many procedures as possible out of you, not here. I have always dreaded to go to the dentist not just because of the pain but also the pain on my wallet… until I found this dentist. I’m a huge fan and I’m bummed I have to find another because I’m moving to the South Bay. But I’m tempted to stay with her bc it is so hard to find a good dentist. Thanks BHDG!

I have gum recession, so teeth cleanings are normally very painful. Dr. Ansari applies a topical anesthetic and is very gentle, yet effective, so there is virtually no pain. She is also very nice, which helps take the anxiety out of the experience.

It was my first time here today for a cleaning. The receptionist was helpful and patient. Hygienists were very friendly and skilled. Dr. Ansari was very sensitive and did a great job, checking in with me consistently and using a gentle touch. I am thrilled to have found a dental group that has such great people.

I cannot reccomended Jose and Dr. Taheri highly enough. I was used to dentist roughly cleaning my teeth and getting it over with.
Dr.Taheri and his staff actually are kind, explain what they are doing and compassionate in the way they care for you.
Jose, is the office manager, and he’ll take the time to explain the ins and outs of insurance to you. Truly, they are awesome.

I changed to Berkeley Hills Dental Group because they take our insurance, which my long-​term dentist wouldn’t — this made me sad but still. I am now SO happy however since Dr. Pour-​Ansari is an absolutely great dentist, whose manner is completely lovely. She also does her own cleaning, so she knows what you need intimately.
I like everyone in the office but Jose was particularly helpful in getting me in on an emergency basis last month when a veneer came loose. He called with the first available appoint the next day but also said I could come in and wait and they’d work me in.
I am really pleased with everything in this office, and they do print out an estimate of all work before it’s done — an estimate you sign — so where that guy complaining the charges were sprung on him comes from I have NO idea.

My search is over for a new dentist. When I called this office I spoke to Jose. I told him about my two insurances and he told me that they would take both of them. When I told him what I might need he took the time to check both coverage’s to be sure I was covered. He was so helpful. I was impressed, so I made an appointment for a consultation and then called Delta Dental Costco and changed my Dentist.
The office might not dazzle you with all the latest high-​tech equipment. But I think you will be please with the care you receive here. I am so pleased with Dr Teheri. He is gentle and he made me feel very relaxed in the chair. His assistants are friendly. All in all a very professorial office.
I was given a printout of 3 options for the workI needed. They did not try to sell me more services than I needed or wanted. That has not happened in years of regular dental appointments.

I cannot praise the office manager, Jose, highly enough. He consistently does an outstanding job in providing accurate information regarding payment, insurance coverage, and appointment status.
On every occasion that we have requested a post-​appointment summary, he has followed up in a timely manner and provided accurate and thorough information.
He is an effective faciliator, outstanding communicator, and a consummate professional, who listens carefully so that he can acccurately assess and ultimately (and effectively) meet the client’s needs.
My family and I are most grateful that someone of his caliber, intelligence, compassion, and competence is on staff at BHDG.

I continue to stand by this place! Yes, it could use a makeover (someone call HGTV!), but after all these years, it is still $ 98 for full x-​rays and a cleaning and polish. They don’t do flouride polishes, but I don’t care if it’s saving me moola. Old paint, old-​looking machinery, well, it doesn’t scare me off as long as my dentist (the woman, I can never remember her name even though I’m here every year. I know, totally embarrassing) knows what the heck she’s doing.
For my last appt. I came in suffering from major TMJ issues. The dentist answered all my questions patiently and thoughtfully, took an EXTRA x-​ray of the teeth that were bothering me, and, believe it or not, DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR IT. Honestly, this has got to be the most caring place in the world. What the heck can you get free these days? Why, a tooth x-​ray at Berkeley Hills Dental! Also, they are not about nickel-​and-​diming you (take note, former dentist in SF with the penthouse office and telemarketing receptionist) and do not take unnecessary x-​rays if you’ve already had them done in the past year, unless it’s an emergency.
They are raising their prices a bit for a cleaning and x-​rays (still a deal), but appts. with no x-​rays will remain at $ 98. No, it’s not a «dental spa» and I would prob. not go here for cosmetic dentistry (veneers, etc), but it works for me.

So far so good. I’ve been to this office twice and have had good experiences both times. The staff is pleasant and professional (including the receptionist).
I’ve had Dr. Ansari work on me both times. She, and her assistants, seem conscientious, competent, and gentle.
I’ll update my review if I have any future experiences worth mentioning.

This is a hard review to write because I really did like Dr. Taheri & his assistant (the older woman) was really nice but… Yes here it comes!
I saw Dr. Taheri twice in the last two weeks, once for a eval the second time to get two fillings. If I was writing this review on my first visit I would have given them one star for several reasons.
FIRST: Dr. Taheri finished his exam, told me I need one root canal & possibly another then he said he would take another X-​Ray & let me know about the second one, then he just walked away. I didn’t think anything of it until his assistant (the younger one) all but kicked me out of the exam room. I attempted to explain to her that the Dr. was going to look at my X ray & come back but she just kept saying «yes & you need two root canals» after the third time I got frustrated & went out to the desk to speak to someone who understood english.
Honestly I really hate when a person just keeps responding by telling you «yes» but then repeating the wrong info. I was so annoyed as she shoe’d me out. Once at the desk she reported to the receptionist that I needed 2 root canals & gave me a referral. & at this point I was getting pissed because at $ 425 a pop, I want to make sure that the actual Dr. is telling me this. I explained what was going on the the office manager & he was essentially unresponsive, he said «yea, the Dr. Is looking at the Xray now». So I’m like OK, & I take a seat, about 15 minutes later they call me up to tell me that the Dr. said I need only 1 root canal. I was like THAT WAS WHAT I WAS TRYING TO TELL YOU! UGH… so annoying.
To add to all this the front desk women is incredibly rude. As I sat there for the 15 minutes before my appointment & 15 after I heard her take many phone calls I was really disappointed that I listed them as my insurance primary.
Fast forward one week & I went back in to get my two fillings done, again Dr. Taheri was very nice and again the front desk rude (but not as much) I had a different assistant & she was really nice. My fillings were completed & off went the Dr. No goodbye, no you’re done come back for this or that… nothing.
I do have to give them props for fitting me in on the 1^st of the month (which was the day my insurance began) & giving me a referral to a great endodontist for the root canal & it’s these two things along with Dr. Taheri’s niceness is what gave them the two extra stars.
All, in all… I doubt they replaced the rude reception people, I think it’s more likely that the last reviewer caught miss nasty of one of her good days because there was nothing that indicated anything «nice» about this woman’s demeanor.
Not sure if I’ll go back now that my «emergency» work has been taken care of, might just change to another dentist.

Many of the negative reviews seem pretty old, so maybe that old evil dentist and old evil staff are A-​DI-​OS? I don’t remember seeing another evil dentist there ever and I’ve been a patient for three years. :-) So Ding dong the witch is dead! J/​K, lol
I originally made my way here because of the Delta Dental plan, but stayed anyway after I got rid of that crappy plan since I’m happy with my experiences here. Dr. Taheri is a really nice guy and does a great job. His office is relaxing and peaceful. I’ve never experienced any rudeness from the front desk myself. The dental assistants working there are especially nice. In the world of dentistry, I would say that is good. The only other dentist I have felt this comfortable with was back in Miami, FL.
I’ve had 4 cleanings so far and 3 old fillings re-​done here and all the work is still perfect 2 years later – no problems. Dr. T also looks at your mouth and xrays very carefully before suggesting anything cosmetic be done, only after YOU ask about it. In my experience, he only recommends necessary work. If you want cosmetic things done to have a prettier or straighter smile, be sure to ask him since he’s not a car salesman and not trying to make you buy crap you don’t need.
Dr. T gives you clear pricing information and the front desk is very clear about your out-​of-​pocket costs after insurance. You then have a little time to privately decide whether to get the work done or not. I went to another dentist here in the East Bay Area who scared me to death and left my blood cold. I was relieved to find a gentle dentist and normal person who didn’t grab my cheek to inject me like I was a hated slab of meat! Phew! Apparently, gentle dentists don’t grow on trees!
I would say this dentist has a sweet disposition and bonus: he does professional work. If you do happen to have a question about something, he patiently explains it too. The whole place is very clean and you will have a view out the Berkeley Telegraph Street window while you get the work done. The one downer is parking is not great, but not terrible either.

When you’re limited in what dental care you can afford (i.e. you only have Delta Dental HMO), this is the place to check out. It definitely doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of more expensive practices like Penelope Yip’s office (which is a great practice but requires delta dental PPO). Ignore the rudeness of the front desk and you’ll be just fine.
Dr. Taheri and Dr. Ansari are both just fine.

If there were more dentists like Dr. Taheri the world would be a better place. We wouldn’t dread going to the dentist. We would embrace a life of clean, healthy teeth and gums. There would be less stanky breath and more beautiful smiles.
I have never felt so comfortable in the dentist’s chair as I have at Berkeley Hills Dental Care. The staff is professional and friendly. Dr. Taheri is gentle, asks you «are you ok» periodically and makes you feel at ease. It is never pleasant to have your teeth and gums pricked and prodded, but Dr. Taheri makes it a painless breeze and your outta there before you know it. He also chit-​chats which makes you feel a little more connected to your dentist, rather than a mouth-​invasive stranger that makes you feel awkward. This keep me coming back.
Additionally, this office is one of the few that accepts DeltaCare USA, which is the ghetto dental insurance I have, compared to the Delta PPO plan which covers less but has a larger network. Thanks to Unilocal I discovered this dental office and have been a patient for over a year now. Finding a good dentist like Dr. Taheri is like finding a good mechanic or hairdresser. You hit the jackpot and you never let go.