Kensington Pediatric Dentistry

Extremely disappointed in the dental office and our experience with them.
Our first visit for our daughter went good. We scheduled her again for a 6 month follow up and if I recall correctly that appointment was recheduled by THEM at least once.
The final staw was our daughter’s 3^rd dentist appointment. This appointment was on their book for 6 months and a week before her appointment the office called and said they had to reschedule, so we did. Then again, a few days before that appointment they called again to reschedule. This happened 3 times!!!
When my husband called and told them to just forget it and that we would find a new dentist the girl gave my husband attitude.
Yesterday we get a bill from them for services done in JULY. We are in February now and they are just contacting us? ?? Seems kind of strange.
When my husbad called to find out why we are getting this bill the girl was super bitchy and snotty to my husband and told him its our fault that we got this bill because we didn’t know our plan only covered 1 floride treatment per calendar year. Okay… here’s my thoughts on that; yes, we probably should have known that BUT I am pretty confident in saying they probably knew that only 1 was covered per year and they did it anyway. No wonder dentists are notoriously know to upsell!!!
Beware of this dentist office. They start off nice to get your business and then play games. Be prepared to get rescheduled often and have people talk to you with attitude and horrible tone. WATCH FOR UPSELLING

My two daughters (ages 9 and 7) have been going to KPD for years and I cannot say enough good things about the practice. The dentists are phenomenal, the space is modern and open, and all of the dental hygienists we’ve seen have been very patient, gentle and thorough! Dr. Stephanie Dixon has a remarkable bedside manner and a gift for making children feel comfortable and at ease during exams and procedures. Most recently, she followed up with me via text the evening after my daughter had fillings to see how she was doing and to address any questions or concerns I may have. I was so impressed that she took the time to follow-​up after hours… it speaks volumes about the level of care they provide. My oldest has also seen Dr. Eric Dixon and has had equally wonderful experiences. Our dental insurance changed this year and our out-​of-​pocket expenses for anything outside of cleanings, xrays and exams are a bit higher (as KPD is now out of network), but taking our kids elsewhere is not an option. KPD is hands down the best pediatric dentistry!

My kid enjoys coming here. Phenomenal for a dentist, non?

This is a wonderful dental office for children! I have never seen the open style exam room, but it didn’t seem to bother my young teen. The staff were super friendly and took lots of time to talk and explain things to parents. As a professional in the child development field, I was really impressed with the child friendly atmosphere, from the headphones to movies on the ceiling– it does a lot to distract the children while they may be having anxiety over their appointment. Dr. Bree was super nice to call and follow up on my son who just had a simple filling. I’m glad I found this place and will surely refer to the parents at my school, as well as fellow teachers who have children. Forms are available online to pre-​fill out if you are a busy parent like me. Thanks for providing exceptional customer service to kids!

My boys have been seeing Dr. Stephanie since they were 2 (in another office) and they are now 11. I was so happy when they opened the office in Kensington as we used to travel up to Sorrento Valley to see them. Thanks to Dr. Stephanie, my boys LOVE going to the dentist and in fact, now that they are older and only go every 6 months, they regularly ask me when their next appointment is. I love the office, it is cozy and cute and I like the open plan. All of the hygienists are patient, kind and thorough and Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Eric are the perfect combination of personable and professional. They always seem to give me the information that I will need in the coming months (how do they know?!). I could not be happier with our experiences at KPD. My boys are looking forward to their next visit.

I took my 3 year old daughter to Kensington Pediatric Dentistry for her first dentist visit — they were great! Patty did the cleaning, and did an amazing job interacting with my daughter. She maintained Maggie’s attention the entire time, and got Maggie to sit still for the exam, brushing, cleaning, and flossing — not an easy task! I received a lot of helpful information about pediatric dental care, which I have implemented at home for both my girls. I will definitely be returning to KPD for both my daughters’ dental needs. In fact, they were able to book the follow-​up appointment six months down the line — nice to know that’s scheduled/​on the books, and won’t get lost in the family life shuffle.

I am only giving them 1 star because Unilocal is making me. They are horrific and I left in tears. I scheduled my sons very first dentist appointment with them a week and a half in advance. The lady I spoke to on the phone, Kat, told me they would verify our insurance and if we didn’t hear anything, everything was good to go.
After they called me back to reschedule the original appointment, we walk in for my son’s appointment today and the first thing the receptionist says to me is, «I just pulled up your insurance and saw that Marcel (my son) isn’t on the policy with you and your husband. Have you not added him?» Well, we added him to Tricare and he is okay for doctors appointments, I just assumed it fell under the same umbrella and we were fine for dentist appointments too. Obviously not, my bust but WEREN’T YOU SUPPOSED TO CHECK ON THAT BEFORE WE WALKED IN FOR OUR APPOINTMENT? After I told her I would pay out of pocket for today’s visit, I just would like him to be seen, she gave me new patient paperwork.
I proceeded to fill out the paperwork, turn it in and sit back down after she says they will be right with us. We have now been there for roughly 30 minutes and she calls me to the front desk to tell me THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE US TODAY. The dentist is running 45 minutes behind with the current patient so we will have to reschedule AGAIN. I asked her what if we just wait for the current patient to finish, and she said «Yeah, but I don’t want you to wait and then not be seen anyways due to the appointments that are already scheduled after you.»
She’s got to be kidding, right? They’ve got to be kidding right? I mean, seriously? Who does that? Thanks for wasting our time and making us feel like we don’t matter. If you can’t get your paperwork and appointments scheduled correctly, I hate to think about what else goes wrong there.

So happy I found this dentist for my daughter! We came to Kensington (Dr. Stephanie Dixon) as a second opinion. The place was really nice, clean and very kid friendly (i.e. Ipads, toys and fish tank). The front desk ladies were really nice and so was the dental assistants. Dr. Stephanie Dixon was so great with my 4 year old. She was nice and made her free comfortable. So happy I found this place!

I am super happy and lucky that i found this place. From the front desk Kat to the Dentist, hands down! My son just had his appointment today with Dr Jenna and i couldnt be happier with the results! I am always nervous taking my boys to the dentist. But all the staff here are so welcoming and has all the answers to my questions. At first i thought this place is small and unusual how the layouts are, but after todays visit, i cant wait to take my other two boys for their appointments. We were so used to on their other dentist that has huge office, lots of games and prizes. But you know what, that doesnt even matter anymore because its all about the service. When i was waiting for my son to get his extractions done, i was so nervous and i expected him to come out with his eyes all puffy and red from crying. Lol. But when i saw him, he looked like nothing had happened. Well, i can go on and on about how satisfied i am! Thank you so much for making our first experienced great! I will definitely tell everyone i know about your office!
Christy

Dr. Jenna McDonald was great! Let me start by saying that I am a NICU nurse so I deal with pediatricians every day, and can just tell the doctors who «get it» and those that don’t!
I took my son to see Dr. Jenna McDonald at KPD and could not be more happy with my visit. He does not like it at all when I try to brush his teeth or look in his mouth at home. But Dr. Jenna really has a way with kids and he did everything she asked, I was so surprised! I could tell that Dr. Jenna was very knowledgeable and she really cared for my child’s well being. She talked to us about healthy choices for snacks and drinks and how to best care for my little guy’s teeth as he gets older. She was able to answer all of my questions without making me feel the slightest bit guilty or uninformed. I’m so happy with our experience, we’re looking forward to seeing her again. I highly recommend Dr. Jenna to everyone!

Took my 2 kids here last month — switched from another pediatric dentist — for the first time and fell in love. Dentist was patient with my 15-​yo son who has anxiety about dentists visits and my 9-​yo daughter now proclaims her love of the dentist and can’t wait to go back in July. LOVE KPD!

Love this place!!! Everybody in the office is extremely nice and great with kids, Susie is the best! I have to say from the moment that I called in to schedule an appointment until the actual appointment itself was done they were perfect! They called me a couple days before the appointment as a reminder and kept me up to date with what my daughters insurance was covering and what needed to be paid out of pocket. The office is very clean and KID friendly, they have toys iPads movies big teddy bears so much for the kids to look at and be distracted. Definitely recommend this office and the staff. Keep up the great work ladies!

Great place for pediatric dentistry. Both Dr. Dixon’s are caring and informative. They genuinely take an interest in making sure you are doing all you can to take care of your children’s teeth. My kids are excited to go (because they get to watch a movie during and pick a toy after their cleaning). Very happy I found this place.

Wonderful dental care for my two children. They both had fillings and the care and concern and information we all received was VERY professional and helpful. No tears and no traumas! Simple, kind and caring dentists who know children. I highly recommend this office. It is THE best. Wish I could go, but they are pediatric specialists!

The staff is very friendly and we never have to wait. My girls love Dr. Stephanie because she is super nice and pretty. They keep the kids entertained with a movie while they work on their teeth and educate them how to brush their teeth. The office is nice and clean which I am super picky about and the prices are reasonable.

Love love love this dentist. I have an 8 year old on the autism spectrum and he loathes the dentist. We moved to San Diego almost a year ago and found them. They have been just amazing with both of my kids. I’m actually sitting in the waiting room right now while they have my son back in for dental work. We did choose to IV sedate him and Dr Johnson the anesthesiologist is simply amazing. Dr. Stephanie is doing the work today and we have seen Dr Jenna as well and they are both wonderful!

My 2 year old daughter came here for a check up and it was her first time at this place and when we walked in everyone was very friendly and helpful. Dr. Jenna was the one who checked my daughters teeth and she was so nice and she showed me how to properly brush my daughters teeth and what I should do to keep the cavities away. A very pleasant visit and I will be taking my daughter here for all her teeth needs. They even have little toys to give after your child’s checkup! Super nice staff & a very clean office.

We brought our daughter to do a tooth cleaning we even called ahead to make an appointment. My daughter have braces my wife called to see if they could take the wire off to do a better cleaning witch they agree. When we got there the assistant told us that they wouldn’t removed the wires because the orthodontic must approve it. I call the orthodontic and he told us it was fine the assistant was rude and disrespectful.
I even speak to the Doctor about it but she didn’t care either. .
Its time to look for another dentist.

After a slightly traumatizing experience at my 4 year olds last dentist, we came here via a referral from her pediatrician. She was really nervous about going to the dentist, but as soon as we stepped in, I could see her getting more and more comfortable.
The hygienist and Dr. Jennie were incredibly kind with my daughter and kept her entertained with lots to talk about. On top of an excellent staff, all of whom went above and beyond to make my daughter comfortable, they have fantastic amenities. A movie was playing above so she could watch while her teeth were being cleaned (headphones too!). A beautiful fish tank, complete with «Nemo, Marlin and Dory», entertaining and clean toys in the waiting room… this place rocks and I wish I could come here as a patient!
But what really got me was that they didn’t try to push me on dental services. Her last dentist insisted she immediately needed fillings and come to find out, that’s not the case. Everyone explained in detail what they saw and what needed to happen with her teeth. Everything was face value, no upsell, no drama.
Today my daughter said the the dentist was her favorite place and asked if she could go back. I couldn’t ask for a better dentist!

Kensington Pediatric Dentistry is made up of the husband & wife team of Eric & Stephanie Dixon, both of whom have separate listings and ratings on Unilocal!
I had called several times before making an appointment. Occasionally, the person I spoke to on the phone was pleasant and sometimes, not so much. I value customer service so I almost passed on this office due to the rude response I received. The voice on the phone is speaking for you, the business owner, and this is how you treat customers? Never if it was my office!
While I was in the waiting room, I heard the same voice on the phone with another potential patient and she was sweet as pie, even giving freely the advice I called and had to pry out of her. Must have been because «Dr. Steph» was in the office.
Parking is always an issue for me, so just a note that there is an open parking lot right beside Ponce’s Mexican Restaurant, that’s the recommended spot. Free, open, easy.
We arrived early in case there were any more forms that needed to be completed, I really dislike all the paperwork. Luckily, the forms are available to download and complete before you arrive. I prefer when my doctors mail me the necessary forms, especially when I have to book appointments a month in advance!
As for the office itself, it is very nice. Not as shiny as it appears on the website, time and children have that effect, but it was comfortable. Our dental hygienists were very professional and caring with the children, yet they were still a bit nervous and uncomfortable (rude voice on the phone is a dental hygienist, go figure). «Dr. Steph» was great to speak with, even offered up some tips I had not heard from other dentists and I am very conscientious when it comes to my children’s teeth so I was happy to learn.
Another thing I find off-​putting is the 48-​hour cancellation policy, and the steep $ 50 per patient charge that goes along with it. Everyone has things that come up, 24 hours is standard and acceptable. Not sure if we will be back.