Bright Now! Dental

Bright Now was a pleasant experience in every aspect. The hygienist was sensitive and helpful in explaining dental hygiene. The dentist was great. He explained his diagnosis and how best to move forward with a managed course of action, something thats hard today.

After Reading a number of the negative reviews on this place, I was terrified to book an appointment, but because of the Horrible pain i was in from a broken tooth, and because very few places accept the insurance I have, I decided to suck it up and give it a try. I must say, I had nothing but a TERRIFIC experience here! (It would appear that most of the negative reviews surrounded one dentist in particular, and I don’t believe she is still working at this location.)
The Front office staff was friendly and welcoming, and I never waited even 5 minutes past my appointment time. The Dental Assistant that took my X-​Rays and assisted the Dentist for my root Canal during my first visit (I believe her name is Lauren) was Very Friendly and thorough.
The Next Time I came in for the Crown Fitting I had Kylie (spelling?) for my dental assistant, and she was also very friendly and made the visit feel like I was hanging out with a friend. She was careful to make sure I felt no pain, and was also very detailed in her work.
The Dentist on Staff, Dr. Shahrokh is AWESOME! He is very friendly, and tries to make you feel at ease about the dental work, even when you are in for something as awful as a root canal. =} He was friendly, and dare I use the word FUN at a dentist appointment? He was very aware of any pain and would remedy the pain immediately. And he must have a «Soft Hand» Because I have had root canals before and my Jaws, and gums would hurt for days after. After this root canal I experienced no sensitivity, or pain. Not even right when the numbing agent wore off.
I have now been 3 times (check up, root Canal, Crown Fitting) and all three times I left feeling very taken care of. I never Felt any pressure to have work done that wasn’t needed.
Thanks Bright Now for taking such good care of me and my chompers! =)

I had to change from my previous dentist of many years due to change of insurance. I came here with some trepidation. The front office, the x-​ray, the dentist, the dental tech, the hygienist were great. All pleasant and friendly, this on a day the the waiting room was crowded with patients. Before they proceeded with the recommended treatment plan, someone from billing came in to explain what my charges would be and what the insurance was covering. I’m not good with names, but all that I had contact, exceeded my expectation.

I just went in today for the first time for a routine cleaning. The dental assistance and admin staff were very nice and welcoming. However, when it came time to see the dentist, she wasn’t very welcoming at all. When she told me to open my mouth wide open, she shouted to her assistant to write down «limited mouth opening.» It could be a science term, but I felt very offended by her saying at my presence. I’ve been to other dentist before and I was never told that I had the problem. Then they had to reschedule my cleaning, because they were back up in appointments. I will go to my next scheduled appointment, but that will be my last visit.

Not many people like going to the dentist but with such a amazing staff and doctors this is one dentist visit I don’t mind. So knowledgable and try to save you money. So careful and help you every step of the way

Avoid at ALL costs!
They will pressure you into services that you do not actually need, and try to convince you that you know nothing about your oral health and that you have to buy certain services you won’t understand. Extremely frightening.
They even refused my DeltaCare insurance after I asked for them to just use it to cover a simple cleaning.
After doing some more research on this place, I’ve realized that they are under the «SmileCare» corporation, which if you look at other «SmileCare» locations, they all have terrible reviews from people who were scammed in one way or another.
It would be in your best interest to avoid Bright Now, College Dental, and anything by SmileCare altogether unless you want to be swindled and haggled at every office visit.

This place is getting better, with a change in the doctors, it seems the level of care has risen.

Should be called «big wait» dental clinic rather than bright now!!!
We had a 4pm appointment and after an hour was up, we decided to leave. What a waste of our time!!! It was the 2^nd out of 3 visits to them the wait time was over 45 minutes past our appointment time. They are no longer our dentist!

Spoke to Sandra great customer service very friendly and helpful will be taking my daughter there in two weeks.

My husband and I 1^st went to this dentist a couple months ago and have been very pleased. We had cleanings, xrays and will have a consultation for recementing an 18 year old crown that needs to be done. We did not wait long; they are right up front with costs that are very reasonable.

The service was great, but the wait was LONG. As in, 1 hour past appointment time long.
There were only 4 – 5 people in the waiting room so I felt obligated to ask why we were abandoned. The front desk said since it was the day after a holiday they didn’t staff enough people therefore things were moving slower than usual. That explanation didn’t make much sense, but I gave a fake smile and went back to waiting… and waiting.
Not sure if we’ll be returning.

I first came to this office about 6 months ago when I had a horrible pain in my cheek. I thought I was in for a root canal for sure. I wasn’t happy with my high priced fancy schmancy office I had been going to before. I didn’t want to go back there but I was tired of being in pain. You see, I’m picky about dentist offices and it was my husband who found this place and told me to just go get the pain in my jaw checked out. I finally gave in and was very happy with my experience from beginning to end. I’m «30 something» and found the staff and Doctor to be both professional as well as relatable with a warm friendly vibe. I was so happy to meet Dr. Melendez that first visit. I was able to get the dental work done that I needed (thank goodness it didn’t ACTUALLY involve a root canal!!!) and I felt happy when the staff helped me with great new patient pricing, insurance, and no interest financing options.
I went back for my second time today and I got a check up and cleaning and even decided to go ahead with the in-​office whitening procedure I have been lusting after. I was again very happy with my experience with this office. The staff is knowledgable and friendly. Dr. Melendez has always been very honest and accurate when helping me with my dental needs. Seriously. He has an easy going style while still REALLY knowing what he is talking about. The other office I used to go to wanted to do a ton of work for a ton of money. That’s not what I found at this office. It feels good to have such great service and treatments AND know you are paying a great PRICE at the same time. Word.

I can’t even begin to tell you how bad of an experience I had here. Actually experiences, because ever single time was ridiculous. In a nutshell, they bill you for procedures they don’t do, and it’s unbelievable to try to get it removed. It took 6 months for them to remove a charge for a procedure they couldn’t perform, and meanwhile I was enrolled in collections for it. The worst is the receptionist Liz — she is soooo rude that I cannot believe they keep her. She tries to talk you into expensive services and makes you feel bad if you don’t do them too. But she always has a b! tchy attitude and everything is a pain in the A for her. The dentist is nice but alllllways refers you to a surgeon that «accepts» your insurance. When you get there after taking the day off work, they definitely don’t accept it. What a waste! They did this twice to me. I think he refers out to his buddies or something. I hate this place and only go when I have an emergency dental issue. They’re really unprofessional and take advantage of their clients.
I wish I could give this place 0 stars.

I’m not sure what the bad reviews are about. I had a diagnosis at a smaller office that was going to cost me thousands. I came in here on a referral from a friend and my work was half the price. The dentist was informative and really gentle. The office staff is friendly. The assistant didn’t spray water all over my face (as has happened at other offices) and the x-​ray tech didn’t hurt my mouth with the plastic thingy they put in your mouth.
All-​in-​all my dental experiences have been really good here.

This place is excellent.
Dr. Melendez is very informative & careful. The office staff is friendly & helpful. I hadn’t gone to the dentist in a while, so I’ve needed a few fillings, a root canal & wisdom teeth to be pulled. Scheduling appointments has been very easy to get all of this work done & pricing is never an issue. The cost of the appointment always matches with the cost sheet the insurer provided me. I trust this place completely & am so happy I went here.
The only (very minor) complaint that I would have is that the wait time can be a little long sometimes. & I stress the word ‘sometimes’. Other times, I have been in & out.
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this office.

Excellent care! My first ever root canal… handed a credit card to Dr. Melendez when he diagnosed and told him money was no object, I’m a freak with dental work… got credit and will pay for whatever for no pain. Dr chuckled and said it would be fine. His manner and gentleness provided an experience that changed the way I feel about dental work.
Both kids had some fillings and hubby had work too… excellent care on all visits! Front office staff, Mayra, Liz & Farrah treat you with respect and kindness scheduling return visits and making good use of our insurance… thank you ladies!
Dental assistants Erlinda and the other two (sorry, forgot name) were also great! Hygienist was ultra professional and took lots of time ensuring my comfort was first.
Highly recommend this office! Give them a try, worth it!

Please do not waste your time and money on this place. Crappy service and expensive pricing. if they tell you need something go to a real dentist office and get a second opinion that matters.

This place is sucks! Don’t ever come here waste your time. Go to a real dentist office better than this one.

Kim A. is right. RUN AWAY!!! While getting a root canal (in the Escondido office) the dentist chipped off and fractured one of my front teeth. He didn’t say anything when it happened. I told the manager and they scheduled me at the Oside office to fix it. The Oside office didn’t want to do it and sent me back to Escondido. When I finally (2 weeks later) got in they came up with all kinds of excuses why it happened and why their fix wouldn’t last. It fell out 2 days later and I drove to Dr. Pfeffer in El Cajon to get it done right. These people are just in it to make money and most of them don’t speak English. JUST RUN AWAY!!!

Run away from here. They have so far misquoted pricing (of course actual price was hundreds of $$ more), forgot to order my crown (have had the temp for 5 weeks now), falsely charged me for services and claim they have Sat appointments. Twice now I’ve shown up for scheduled Sat appts-​1^st they forgot to call to cancel. 2^nd they just closed the office without notice even though I confirmed the appt the day before. Dr Lee is great if you can actually see him and don’t mind paying a lot more than elsewhere.