Allen D Johansen, DDS

THIS IS A GEM FOR GOOD DENTAL CARE!
I’ve been receiving dental care here for the past 3 – 4 years and I have absolutely no complaints. I came here due to a recommendation by a neighbor, after I felt my prior San Carlos dentist was consistently recommending one treatment or another even though I was asymptomatic.
–Dr. Johansen is a kind, caring, careful dentist with an «old school» manner (this is a compliment!). He explains things well, provides options, discusses pro’s and con’s.
–His dental hygienists are very good. Gail has a most gentle touch.
–Dental assistant Sheila always has a warm welcome and makes you feel cared for.
–Receptionist: Kristi was great but has left. Laura has been there the past 2 visits.
–As the other Unilocal reviewers mention and as the photos attest, the view out their back windows of the creek and someone’s magnifcent home is spectacular, reminiscent of a forest setting.
–Parking: never a problem. There’s always a disabled parking spot available literally right in front of their front door.
–Office décor/​atmosphere: typical dental office, 3 exam rooms. It’s not the most bright & shiny office, but what’s more important is they provide solid, good dental care with a caring touch. And they’re open late on Thursday.
I also take my elderly mother there. Many kudos to the entire office for being SO PATIENT with her. I especially appreciate Dr. Johansen taking the time to explain things to me, always making a wise clinical decision with the patient’s input.
THANK YOU!!!

Dr. Johansen is a knowledgeable dentist with a very calm demeanor. I’ve never had any needed any crazy dental work, but I do look forward to my check-​ups here. He is just an overall great guy. The staff in this practice are also awesome and professional. Easy to make appointments, costs are reasonable, view from the chair is peaceful. What is there not to like?

Dr. Johansen is an excellent dentist. I have seen him for more than 30 years. Always a pleasure to talk to and know he is skilled and very experienced. I have seen other dentists in the past as I have moved some but none compare to Allen. There is nothing worse than getting poor work done on your teeth so I will only see him from now on for all my dental needs. Pleasant staff and office.

I am a very experienced dental patient. I’ve moved around the country several times and I’ve had lots of dental work needed. Dr. Johansen’s practice is such a nice change from the overpriced places I’ve been to before. They don’t try to get you to do stuff just to make them money. The office is really nice and calming, and the staff is sweet and caring.

Good news and bad news. This is a good dentist and a good practice. The view is nice. It is old fashioned. No electronic x-​rays. They don’t do teeth whitening, and here is my gripe. I went to a new dentist, who does whitening, but Dr. Johansen said that the reason they didn’t recommend it for me is that I have veneers on my uppers. But, they don’t offer the whitening service at all. I know that veneers cannot be whitened. My bottoms have no veneers. So they were. .. disingenuous. What they had told me is that they have no whitening service, not that it wasn’t right for me. These folks are nice, are good, but a little behind the times.

Update for 2016: I’m sorry to say that Dr, Johansen has indeed retired now. But there are new people in his San Carlos office who are probably very good. I haven’t tried them because I had to move out of the area.
Here is my original review:
Allen Johansen is a breath of fresh air. I actually enjoy going to the dentist because I have so much confidence in him.
Dr. Johansen is very gentle and kind, and super competent. I was going to another dentist for years, and that dentist never addressed an issue I had with receding gums and sensitive, exposed roots. Then I tried Dr. Johansen. (He was recommended by a friend.) It was amazing. Without any prompting, he immediately asked about the roots and said he could fix it. I walked out of there with beautiful, white protective material on my roots and they have never given me any problems in the last four years.
I’ve had to deal with a lot of medical doctors lately, and most of them have been arrogant and uncommunicative. Dr. J is just the opposite.
Dr. J went to UCSF. He’s a tall white male in his 60s. But don’t worry about his age! He’s not retiring soon.
His prices are super reasonable. Low, actually.
The cherry on top is that the view from the dental chair is nice. You get to look out on a grove of redwood trees where birds and squirrels come to visit. Once I saw several deer.
5÷26÷14 update: Dr. J. always has teeth whitening material available for you to take home. I pay about $ 25 for the stuff and then use it for a couple weeks at home. The final result is the same as any whitening service you might get in the dentist’s office, but costs much less.