Bernardo Heights Dental Group

This place is hands down the worst from skill set to billing ethics. I wouldn’t come back to this place if they paid me. 0 stars if I could

Bad experience. Terrible skill.

One of the best dental experiences I’ve ever had! They have a new dentist, Dr. Mowrey… He’s so wonderful! But before I even met him, my dental assistant Courtney took my x-​rays. She was so fast & I had no discomfort what so ever! She was great with my polishing as well… very care-​taking. And Dr. Mowrey was so nice & sincere… it may help that I have healthy teeth, but if I didn’t I would be very confident to have him take care of my treatment. My mother needs 3 crowns, I’m having her fly out from Florida to have Dr. Mowrey handle her dental care… It means so much to have treatment done by someone you can trust. This office must have had some major improvements recently, because I can not imagine a bad review after meeting this staff. Great team, who cares about their patients! I’m so glad to have found them!

DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT GO TO THIS DENTAL OFFICE!
This place is a complete disaster! I’ve been going to this office for about 3 – 4 years now and I am worse off then when I first started. Over this time I have had 4 inlays and 2 regular fillings, of these 6 procedures I am having to get 4 of them replaced due to bad craftsmanship.
Every time I come here the people are relatively nice but it still feels like I’m being pushing through a used car dealership. They have without notice switched my dentist on me 3 times and I don’t find out until I come in that day! They insist on doing x-​rays every 6 months despite the fact that that much x-​ray exposure is not actually good for you at all (I’m a biologist trust me).
On top of this, even with this loads of x-​rays they still somehow managed to miss the fact that two of the teeth they filled are fractured and has been for about 2 years now. I think that has something to do with that fact that they are obligated to replace the bad work on their dime.
I had to go see an entirely different dental office to get second opinion before they would admit to replacing the work they had done poorly. Even with the other dentists recommendations to them they only offered to replace 3 of the 4 things that need redone.
Honestly it’s not worth getting anything replaced by them since they would be switching me to a 4^th dentist in their office since no joke the previous 3 no longer work there (Which must be a bad sign).
When I got my inlays done the first time what should have been a 2 – 3 hour procedure two days in a row ended up being roughly 10 – 12 hours total over the 2 day period. They were disorganized and had been having computer issues which of course they did not tell me until it was to late. It seemed like the dental assistants did most of the work. At one point while my teether were raw a open they gave me cold water to wash down some IB pro fin, which was excruciatingly painful to drink due to the exposed tooth root! When it was all said and done they took even more X-​rays and one tooth inlay fell out right before the cementing and had to be quickly put back by an assistant. Finally hours after this torture began before I left their made me sign saying I was happy with the result while I was still numb and exhausted. The next few days were awful since the adjustment to my new teeth did no go well. One set had a large gap between teeth and constantly got food caught in it. My invasiline retainer doesn’t fit anymore so they simply shaved off the back part of it instead of fixing my tooth shape and it was all worthless since now about a year later I have to get 2 of them replaced since «the design was just bad». Great, just great!
This office constantly keeps their patients in the dark, they are always trying to up-​sell you to a deep clean, florid gel (which never helps since I still seem to constantly need more work done), one time they even tried to talk my bf in full veneers while he was getting a root canal done. When I confronted them with the other dental offices notes they seemed really uncomfortable and pushy about the whole replacement issue. I came in to simply get my free cleaning and they kept pushing for and exam and for my to schedule my next appoint to get my replacements, yet they did not let me choose who would replace my botched work for me, they did not apologize, and they have yet to offer me any type of refund which is really what I want! I don’t want to work with them anymore, I want my money back so I can go somewhere else!
I am seriously considering a lawsuit against this place. I want my money back so I can eat without plan and finally move on with my life!

Wow ended up being over charged, told wrong info on when my money would be returned and awkwardly was told to point out the person who told the wrong info. Be careful is all I have to say now.

Well, let me start by copy pasting their own description of their business (you can see it on the right, in your browser) :
As a dentist in San Diego, we offer modern dentistry at an affordable price
Then mention that my insurance changed so I needed a new dentist. Went there to get my free yearly cleaning, and walked away with a quote for $ 2000 worth of cleaning.
Let me say it again, free cleaning, $ 2000 quote.
I dont think I need to say anything else, do I? Maybe I should mention that after arguing for 10min, I was able to lower the 2000 to a mere 1000?
People were nice, and place was clean, but… bunch of crooks, ’nuff said

I was going to give 4 stars because of the cost of dental work but it’s pretty much the same and pretty expensive anywhere you go. Here’s what I like about this office: the ladies at the front desk are super nice and super helpful! The traveling oral surgeon who comes to do wisdom teeth removal was excellent! I wasn’t in very much pain at all l, I could even eat the same day! Dr. Tran is amazing!!! He knows what he’s doing, he makes sure you’re comfortable and understand everything before he starts. He’s also excellent at reducing pain for any oral procudure! Thanks Bernardo Heights dental group and Dr. Tran!

Oh geez I should have read these reviews before my visit, because it’s like a broken record. I came in for my first appointment with Dr. Lopp and was just expecting a routine cleaning. I switched to a different insurance provider and this was the office they assigned to me based on my location. The office is super nice on the inside. Dr. Lopp tried to be social and «get to know» me, which was nice and all, but let’s just stick to the script ok? MY TEETH! I’ve been blessed with pretty healthy and straight teeth. I’ve never had any major procedures done. I don’t each much candy and I try to take care of my teeth the best I can, so coming in to this I was not expecting them to find any decay or cavities (and they didn’t). However they did «highly» recommend an irrigation (expensive mouth rinse) and laser decontamination (super thin probe needle to clean out debris in gum) which totaled $ 208. I said sure why not since the dentist recommended it and I want to keep my babies clean. Then after reading these reviews I felt robbed =T
There are two perspectives here: 1) it’s the dentist’s office job to provide you with these myriad of services so you know they’re available and if you really want to overly invest in your teeth then you have the option to do so — hey if you have the money then why not? the dentist is like any other business, they need money so they’re going to try to sell you their services 2) you’re not going to die if you decide not to go with these extra ‘deep cleaning’ services routinely, so don’t get upset that they’re recommending them, but dentist office please quit pushing them on us, I said no the first time
I also had an interesting experience with the lady at the front desk as I was finishing up. She was a bit clueless when it came to schedules, had to call the office manager to straighten things out, but yeah maybe more training or sync up needed there? Any who I think I’m stuck with this place because of my insurance, oh wells.

I went in for some regular cleaning. They took xrays and told me i must get 4 crowns and cleaning for $ 6000. I have good dental insurance.

I removed my previous review. Instead, I will be filling a compliant with the DCA like one of the other reviewers suggested and my insurance company. I have never taken those type of actions before, but after my experience I feel it is necessary.
Either way I had a HORRIBLE experience at this Dental Group. Very similar to the other 1 star reviews.

I was torn between 3 and 4 just like the review from Nikie A.
I’m giving them a 4 because The lady’s in the front were very sweet and listened to me. They always made a financial plan that I could afford.
I did have the deep cleaning speech on my first visit here, but I think that was because they knew my history (I had just had my braces of 4 years removed a week before) they were very surprised that I didn’t have any cavaties. Thankfully the next day I had an appointment with my orthodontist and I asked for her opinion which was the opposite of Bernardo Heights.
The second reason I give them 4 stars is due to the surgery I had for the removal of my wisdom teeth. I was terrified of going under anesthesia, never had surgery before, even as minor as wisdom teeth removal. I had Dr. Karimi who was great! He made me feel very relaxed and confident in trusting him. Not to mention, I didn’t even feel the IV go in which was a plus.
About a week and a half after my surgery, I had some pain in one of the removal sites. Called them and they booked me that same day. Dr. Lopp examined and simply drained where my wisdom tooth use to be and told me everything was ok. No infection, just some irritation from food staying in there too long. They didn’t charge me either.
I can’t complain too much about my experiences.

I scheduled a cleaning for my son. We arrived early for his appointment but had to wait two hours before being seen. When he was finally called to the exam room the dentist said he had to have x-​rays before the cleaning. At that point he said my son had a cavity that needed to be fixed. We declined further service because I was so upset that we had to wait all afternoon for the cleaning my son never received. This place is all about milking as much money out of the insurance companies and from you!, Their name should be Bernardo Heights Dental Rip-​Off Group. I went to a different dentist and he said my son did not need to have a filling. They cleaned his teeth beautifully.
Don’t waste your time and money at this dental group!

It was Holly Hell, had dental work done, sent home with antibiopics that were not working. I called Friday and left a MSG for Dr Lopp. I called saturday to report my check was swelling rapidly and was told by the answering service the Dr. Would be paged. He never called. By Sunday one side of my face had swelled up the size of a golf ball I called the office to let them know I would be going to ER.
When I got to ER they had to pump me with stronger antibiotics via IV!
And I have insurance and they kept $ 369.00 of my hard earned cash.
I went in the office the following Monday and Dr Lopp had no clue what I ad gone through all weekend and was surprised when I told him that I was terminating treatment from there or should I say MIS TREATMENT!

As said by many others they just want your money. I got very expensive treatment (it was well done though). However since checkout I have only had problems. I pay my bill on due date and now I receive numerous mails form them claiming I’m behind??? Even more, the due amount they want me to pay has not even close to what I have due…
I strongly discourage anyone from using this dentist.

A little background:
i had a voucher for «X-​rays, exam, cleaning and take home whitening kit.» On my initial visit I was x-​rayed and examined and impressions were taken for the whitening kit. After the exam Dr. Lopp explained I really needed their $ 1000.00 root planing and laser gum treatment and instead of honoring the voucher he could offer me 25% off the enhanced services. At first i bought into this somewhat high pressure sales pitch and did not get my basic cleaning, instead I made appointments for the big money procedure. i gave it some thought and realized I had been had. I have a regular dentist and a periodontist and neither have ever told me i needed more than a standard cleaning. I then read the write ups on Unilocal (encouraged by the mention of Unilocal on the offices business card). i found reviews stating eloquently exactly the experience i had.
OK, so I cancel the appointments, write a compliant to the BBB and copy the office. This prompts them to get in touch and they offer to fulfill their commitment and do a regular cleaning. I went in yesterday and what I got was a 5 minute polish and floss and another sales pitch about the root planing and gum treatment. These people are either completely incompetent or they think their patients are stupid. i have had many cleanings with my excellent dentist and never have I been just polished and flossed. Polish and floss is always the finish to a thorough cleaning that always involves ultrasonic scaling and manual scrapping. Avoid these folks at all costs!!! i am filing a small claims action to get my money back and reporting them to the American Dental Association (ADA).

My first time and I will never go back… they’re not interested in you as a person nor your dental health all they see is money when you walk in.
High pressure sell… I went to my all dentist for a second opinion and I did not need what they so strongly recommended. I could not even get a decent copy of my dental x-​rays, and those are mine I paid fro them!!!
They need to be more in tune with their patients and listen more…

Decided to sign up here because it was close to my house. Unfortunately I didn’t take a look at Unilocal until the morning of my first appointment. All of the other reviews about this place are dead on about getting the «used car salesman» treatment. Horrible customer service and lazy staff who don’t respond to customer requests.
The place is modern and seems clean, so I’ll give it that. But the service that you get is a joke. I also received the «deep cleaning» speech similar to Gary P’s review. Luckily I came in expecting it (thank Unilocal!) and didn’t fall for it.
The Dentist and dental assistant were nice enough, but the clerical staff and management are a joke. After a checkup from the dentist, the clerical staff/​management come in and try to muscle you into getting the latest and greatest for whatever procedure you’re getting that’s not covered by insurance. You have to ask them what is the cheapest treatment available, and only then will they let you know the price.
Also, if you cancel your appointment and you’ve paid ahead of time, be ready to wait a few months to get your refund. They say it will take 2 – 3 weeks to receive, however its now been over 2 months and I’ve yet to receive anything.
The manager has been especially dreadful throughout the entire process. She doesn’t know whats going on, forgets things, and has some of the worst customer service skills I’ve ever encountered.
I also can’t comment on the work that was done, since one appointment was enough for me to hit the road.
Don’t go here. It’s a complete scam.

I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. So I defaulted to a 3.
My daughter went to see Dr Fossett, and he was great. The place is very modern, and just about everything is computerized.
They were very thorough, and we didnt get the «used car» salesman treatment that other reviews talked about.
Our options were presented to us, and there was no pressure to pick one over the other.
All and all a very pleasant experience. We were checked in quickly, and the staff was all very nice.

I’m not the least bit surprised that others have had similar experiences at this office. The staff are friendly I’ll give them that, but you’ll find its for a reason. I too experienced the long list of procedures that I should have done. They do not want to take NO for an answer either. If its not covered by insurance they will try and sell you there own «credit plan» to pay for unwanted and unnecessary procedures.
I’ve since found a great dentist, Dr. Bartoluzzi. Everyone can’t believe the things I was told to do to my mouth from Dr. Lopp. I don’t even have bad teeth. a few fillings, no caps, bridges, root canals, and I’m not a snaggletooth! I brush, flosh, and bleach occasionally and I still cannot believe what this office told me I «needed» to do! They said I needed a crown, had a cavity that needed to be filled, needed all of my fillings replaced, and should have Invisalign!
Oh, also be aware if you use them they will call you constantly. I always missed there calls and had tons of messages from them. I had to make it a point to call THEM one day and say I will never come to your office again, I have found a new and better practice. I can’t agree more with the experiences I’ve read on the other reviews so seriously folks, think again before giving them a chance.

I had the exact same experience as Gary and Becky. It was the most infuriating experience ever! I had switched insurances with a new job and decided to try a new dentist. When I first walked in I was impressed with the organization and how high tech the office was. Everyone was friendly however I too felt like I could have been at a used-​car dealership. The entire time I was being conned into more and more services. I too was told that I needed to have a «deep» cleaning which was much more expensive and not covered completely by my excellent insurance or else the dentist would not clean my teeth at all. I was also given a laundry list of things that the dentist wanted to do to my teeth, which I have NEVER had problems with before. The woman who came in to explain what my insurance would cover and the costs repeatedly badgered me to go ahead with all the treatments and when I told her that I could only do what was absolutely needed at the time she says, «And may I ask why?» with a hint of attitude. First of all NO YOU MAY NOT! and secondly I was so sick of being badgered that I broke down crying. My husband had lost his job, everyone knows the economy is horrible, and I told her I could not afford it at this time and she had the nerve to continue to badger me and make me feel stupid. I was disgusted. And still to this day no matter how many times I tell them I don’t need this or that and I will not be getting those procedures because I can not afford it they blow up my phone with messages calling 3 times in a row within 10 minutes TELLING me that I need to schedule my appointment for my procedures! I will NEVER go back and I would NEVER recommend anyone to them! My new dentist is amazing and blows Bernardo Heights Dental out of the water!
Dr. Pham (858) 385‑9295
15 708 Pomerado Rd Ste 103
Poway, CA 92 064