La Jolla Colony Dental

Love this dentist! She is gentle and is in my opinion the best! Prices are the same as other places but I can tell you that with four kids, I have been around a lot.
I find her to be gentle and her work is amazing.

I started going to Dr. Florescu’s practice during the last half of my undergraduate years at UCSD (graduated ’13). Dr. Florescu identified a plethora of problems I’ve had with my teeth (which was unfortunately the reality of my dental condition). Let me just start this by complimenting her. She’s amazing with her tools and always puts in her best effort for whatever it is you’re paying her to do. By no means do I have any intention on insulting her skill, personality, or genuine interest in taking care of you.
However, I must fast-​forward: long story short, I got a lot of serious work done from Dr. Florescu and referrals. I eventually stop scheduling appointments, because truly I was dead broke and was already in thousands of dollars in debt to dental care as per Dr. Florescu’s recommendations. But before I leave my last appointment, I’m asked if I wanted to schedule a simple teeth cleaning. Now here’s the part that bothers me, and should bother you, too.
I specifically asked if my teeth cleaning would be covered by my insurance *before* I made an appointment. I was told, directly, yes it would be. Before I went in to get the cleaning, I asked once more if it would be covered and once again I was told that yes, it would be. I get my standard teeth cleaning, and then Dr. Florescu, without any form of discussion with me, prepares equipment to take an x-​ray. It took no time at all. Younger version of me was shy and naïve, thinking perhaps it was off the record because she knew how much I’ve already paid out of pocket to her.
Fast forward to a couple months ago: I’ve moved hundreds of miles away and have lost contact with people from the San Diego area. I got several phone calls from Dr. Florescu’s office and ignore them all – afterall, to my knowledge I owe nothing and I had no reason to contact them any further. But then it escalated. I was harassed with 3 different phone numbers: their office number, and two personal numbers, one of which my caller ID couldn’t read. To my surprise I answered the private call thinking it’s my mother, only to be greeted by a receptionist (?) that told me I owe the office over $ 700 for my teeth cleaning (that I was told in confidence would be covered) and an x-​ray (that I NEVER asked for and was NEVER asked for permission to take). As shocked as I was I told them I’d call them back.
Fast forward a few more weeks: I make an offer to pay for cleaning because I was naïve to not call the insurance company and verify myself, but I refused to pay the x-​ray (and I feel, rightfully so.) I talked to two workers about this. The first person understood and said she could drop the late charges but not the x-​ray and was apologetic for it. However, she then puts me on hold and a 2^nd person comes on the line. Person #2 then tells me nothing can be dropped at all and they can only deduct 10%. I ask «then why was I just told you could drop late charges?» My question was ignored, and I was told that «we can only give you 10% off total costs.» I asked «who establishes these rules?» to which I was then told «we have guidelines we must follow.» I asked, «Who establishes these guidelines?» «…I can’t tell you that.»
I’ll leave that dialogue to your interpretation but I think it’s very clear. In the end I didn’t want to deal with collections and so I paid $ 700 for a simple teeth cleaning and for x-​rays I never discussed nor consented to. There goes half my paycheck.
I have gone to 3 dentists since Dr. Florescu. All of them have been much more concerned for how much I invest in my dental care, which I respect profoundly. (In Dr. Florescu’s defense, she does have a student discount – but by no means did she ever go over with me what can be put off until I have better insurance and what needs immediate attention)
If you are blessed with affluence, prefer the «better safer than sorry» approach for dental care (a.k.a. overtreatment approach), then I recommend Dr. Florescu. If you are conscientious of money and only getting necessary drillings into your teeth, I would suggest someone going to someone else.

This dentist is a SCAM ARTIST!!! When I initially went there, the girl on the phone said they are covered by my PPO and services were performed. Of course I get the bill, I wonder why my bill is so high. Turns out, after I called my insurance, they haven’t been contracted with my Aetna PPO since 2002! So why would the girl on the phone tell me I was covered??? So not that my bill is over $ 600 for some fillings because of the incompetent receptionist!!! Also, for some reason I was billed for $ 489 each filling totaling almost $ 1000 and I know for a fact that I only got one filled!!! This dentist is a lying cheating scam artist!!! !!!
UNPROFESSIONAL AND THE WORST DENTIST I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!! DO NOT RECOMMEND!

I went to Dr. Florescu for a second opinion on what seemed to be a complicated and expensive procedure. I was impressed with her knowledge and professionalism, her willingness to help my case by going above and beyond in the services. She set up appointments for me with other specialists and followed up on the procedures. The office has a great, positive, relaxing atmosphere and everybody was friendly and considerate, not to mention they are very conveniently located in UTC. I would wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Florescu to everybody…

I see this place is writing fake reviews. Catalina, nice to see you writing a fake review when you actually are the dentist who works there… Hence, the message you just sent to me apologizing for the miscommunication.

Nice dentist. But insurance wasn’t explained very thoroughly even with me asking before I had my cleaning and X-​rays. I was referred to an orthodontist to only find out that he’s the most expensive one in the area. I ended up shopping around for a week before I landed an ortho I love. Small office and convenient to home but nothing that special.