Joel Boriskin, DDS

The hygienist I liked and saw for years, Ann no longer works here and this office did not disclose this to me instead, making an appointment for me with another hygienist, without telling me. The other hygienist I did not like nearly as much.
What they should have done is phoned me prior to my scheduled appointment with Ann, letting me know she was no longer working there and giving me a choice what to do, instead of trying to be sneaky about it.
I am now considering dropping this dental office.

I could give 5 stars for days! From the receptionist to the dental hygienist to the dentist himself, service is excellent and wonderful.
I highly recommend Dr. Joel Boriskin!
They will even re-​feed your parking meter so you can avoid parking tickets.

Thieves! Thieves! Thieves!
First appointment, first (and last) diagnosis: 8 cavities including one that requires a crown and a broken filling that is so bad that the two teeth around have to be treated too. Quote: over $ 5000.
Like a carpet dealer, they offered me a great deal. They suggested to take care of the filling and the two teeth right away for only $ 2500.
I refused, went to see another dentist. The reality: ZERO cavity, one broken filling with no extra tooth to damage for the sake of profit. I ended up paying less than $ 200 and kept 8 teeth in a good condition.
True, the staff is charming but guess what? I don’t recommend the place. Plus, their equipment is outdated. Nothing to clean your mouth and they still use old school material for x-​rays.

Awesomeness in dentistry. It seems hard to get excited about going to the dentist but everyone in this office is so knowledgeable and professional it makes it a pleasure. I found the entire office to be very well run and the location is safe and clean. I have been entirely satisfied in all my visits. I only wish my other medical care providers were this good.

I love this dental office and I have never loved anything dental-​related before. Dr. Boriskin and Dr. Lin are a dream. So super friendly and nice. And their staff is top notch.
I recommend this place to everyone who even mentions teeth.
I used to get sweaty palms just considering the idea of teeth cleaning, much less actual dental work [of which I need tons because I have bad teeth genes], but this place is amazing. I cannot say enough good things about the office.

I’ve never said this about a dentist’s office, but this place has such a relaxed feeling to it. The whole staff is so warm, polite and welcoming. It’s great to see the respect that they seem to have for each other, and that they all seem to enjoy working there. The whole space is totally calming.

I second the commend about Dr. Boriskin and his staff in all of these great reviews. His office runs on time, is super flexible, and is pro-​active in getting you in as soon as possible. He has done an implant for me (in cooperation with an oral surgeon – I don’t think any dentist does implants without oral surgeons), a couple of crowns, a couple of fillings, and his great staff has done many cleanings.
He asks you at every step if you can feel something when you’re supposed to be numb, which is assuring. He also tries new things, and it is obvious he is really interested in continued learning in his profession, even though clearly he’s very experienced. Additionally, he is always courteous and cheerful to his assistants, which make everyone relaxed.
Can’t say enough good things.
P. S. By the way, Dr. Boriskin’s office is above the original Peets store, in a building that is part of many Berkeley Historical tours. His office was the office of the first female dentist to practice in Berkeley, ca. 1920s. I dig sitting in that office knowing the history of it.

Yay! I’m so glad Dr. Boriskin is getting lots of Unilocal love!
I’ve been seeing Dr. Boriskin for about 9 years. I heard about him from a friend who has panic attacks when she goes to the dentist, so I knew he had to be good! I’ve been living out of the country for the last 5 years, and since I was scared of going to the dentist here, I decided to visit Dr. Boriskin once a year when I visit. I no longer have dental insurance in the US so even a check-​up and cleaning can get pretty pricey, but this group is worth it!
My two and only fillings were done by Dr. Boriskin. I was a little nervous as I’d never had any work done on my teeth, but he explained everything, stopped periodically to make sure I didn’t feel anything, etc. Now I have no reservations about getting a filling.
The hygienists also are great. I’ve always had the same woman– the one with long dark hair –who gives the most awesome 45-​minute teeth cleanings! She ends the cleaning by flossing your teeth and instructing you how to brush/​floss correctly. No discomfort whatsoever during the cleaning.
If you are afraid of going to the dentist this is the place for you. They are very professional, knowledgable, gentle and listen to your concerns. Go get a check-​up and cleaning today!

Dr. Boriskin is so knowledgeable and he has such a kind and gentle personality which is important in dentistry.
Highly recommend him and his staff

Great practice, great staff, wonderful location and space. The building is a converted victorian, over the original Peets — so it has high ceilings and lovely windows in some of the examination rooms. And, when your teeth are all clean, you can go get them stained again downstairs!

Wonderful. Explains everything. Very gentle. Very very very patient (or at least fakes it well). I can’t recommend him enough.

Nitrous, anyone?
ME!!!
Me, that is, until I met this man.
I have a major fear of the dentist.
No, no, make that a major psychological affliction surrounding teeth in general.
I have a recurring nightmare in which, one by one, my teeth begin to wiggle, then crumble like shortbread and fall from my mouth. If I even see a small child wiggle a loose tooth, I go into convulsions. And damn that Steve Martin in «Little Shop of Horrors” – I’m still trying to cleanse my memory of that scene.
But Dr. Boriskin and his staff have made going to the dentist a breeze for me. I attribute this partly to his clean, comfortable office which smells like freshly roasted coffee, because there is a Peet’s downstairs. The receptionist is always gracious, and I never have to wait, although I do enjoy catching up on my «People» magazine reading when I am there. Before you know it I am quickly whisked away by one of his hygienists who proceeds to perform one of their thorough but graceful cleanings.
Dr. Boriskin is down-​to-​earth and friendly. I have been fortunate only to have had one cavity in the eight or so years that I have been going to him, and he filled it quickly and I was not traumatized in the least (alright, I’ll admit it, I took the pleasure of a little nitrous just that *one* time…).
And he always tells me I have nice teeth, which makes me giggle and blush stupidly.
Best of all, when I’m done and my teeth are nice and sparkly fresh, I can head downstairs to restain them in the most delicious way possible – with a steaming cup of Peet’s!

Coming from a family in dentistry (dad was adentist, mom was and sister is a hygienist) I tend to be very particular about who sets his/​her hands in my mouth.
Dr. Boriskin not only lives up to my high standards (expectations) of dentistry skills, but his kind, gentle approach make your visit stress-​free. He takes great care and pride in his work, and in respecting that you are trusting your mouth (and their nerves) in his care.
Out of respect for the patient he takes the time to explain his procedure and anticipated outcome. He uses a cutting-​edge local anesthesia procedure which numbs only the immediate area of the site so that you don’t walk out of the office with half of your face numbed up for hours.
Anne is a fantastic hygienist. Totally impressed with her as well. She’s kind and gentle and fun to spend 40 minutes with. Love her no-​nonsense approach; she cleans so thoroughly and swiftly with sparkling results.
The front office is warm and wonderful, so from your first greeting to walking out with clean and healthy teeth your visit is top notch. Definitely check this office out. You (and your teeth) will be so glad you did.

I haven’t had to see the dentist beyond my initial visit but I love the hygienists. They are thorough without being rough and I’m a big wimp when it comes to my teeth so that gives them all 5 stars for me.

Dr. Boriskin has been my dentist (and my sister’s, and my parent’s) for years and years and years. He’s taken care of me through x-​rays, cavities, stains, fillings, everything. Both my parents have had major tooth issues in the past couple years, and Dr. Boriskin has done great work on their fucked up teeth (bless those genetics, eh?). His staff is warm and completely professional — and the hygenists don’t do that irritating thing where they ask you chatty questions while cleaning your teeth (hate that!). Even when I come early, I never have to wait very long, and when I’m done I can go get a cupcake from the nearby bakery! Or coffee from the Peet’s downstairs! Or anything from anywhere, because it’s JUST THAT centrally located!

He’s great! Actually explains what he’s doing, has arranged several times for some emergency work my mom needed, and they even had a walkman in the office to listen to if they’re doing fillings.