Robert L Levine, DMD

I have benn fortunate enough to be a pt of Dr Britton for some time. He has incredible bedside manor and takes away all the fear and anxiety I used to have regarding dentists. I strongly recommend him! Vernon C. 04/​03/​2013

PATIENT BEWARE
I’ve been a patient of this practice for years. This summer it was sold. I was not given notice of the sale until I was sitting in the chair for a cleaning that had been set up 4 months earlier. I was informed by the hygienist that a couple of Northern California dentists bought this practice and one in North County and had hired dentists to man the individual offices.
I was told I needed new x-​rays. When I said that it seemed too soon they checked my record and told me that the last time was a year ago and they didn’t need a full set. I though the number of x-​rays they did were a full set. Then I did the cleaning.
After the cleaning, which was only 4 months since my last one, they told me that I suddenly needed a large number of fillings replaced, tooth damage (notches from brushing too hard?! Right after giving kudos for brushing so well there was virtually no plaque) and more cavities. When I left the office I set up my new appointment and was told that they would check with my insurance company about the cost of the necessary fillings and send me the information in about 5 minutes via email.
((By the way, I have absolutely no tooth paid or jaw pain of any kind.))
I never got that email. So a week later I called and they finally sent me the quote.
That was when I discovered what I was never told — that they had dropped my insurance and were now an out-​of-​network practice!!! I only found out because they told me that I needed thousands of dollars in care including a $ 300 night guard. They would not offer a cash discount or other recompense for their «oversight». IN fact, the woman I spoke to about all this via telephone has been trained to blame the insurance company. She said «they don’t have the demographics to be on contract with my insurer.» Funny, the practice just 4 months ago was a network provider. Were they not now part of a chain of practices in both Southern and Northern California?
They submitted the claim for my cleaning and x-​rays to my insurer under the old practice name (Dr. Levine) and I expect an excessive bill any day now for services that I was not informed were no longer covered and I probably didn’t need.

I was a long time patient, but since Dr. Levine took some time off, his office staff has changed and there is absolutely no customer service and no concern about patients or even keeping patients. The support in asking questions about insurance coverage to setting or changing appointments is horrible. It is sad, because I really liked Dr. Levin but I have requested my medical records and I am on a quest for a new dentist.

Let me start by saying I have been a patient of Dr Levine, 7+ years, and Dr Britton (less than one year.) Some time ago their offices merged. (In fact Dr Levine is on sabbatical, is what I have been told and has yet to return back to work.)
During the merger, they LOST my Invisalign trays for over 6 months!!!
My original treatment was for 2 years, however when my revision trays finally turned up, my treatment was extended to 3 years with no compensation but perhaps a zoom cleaning at the end. Horrible experience. (No one was accountable for this HUGE mistake.)
You ask why I remain a patient there. I have had a tremendous amount of work done there. If I was not so invested in this place and they didnt have a huge chart or me, or the fact that they are central to my home and work place, I would probably go somewhere else but I want to see my treatment come to a close here.
Is Dr Levine’s partner, Dr Britton, a great dentist. Absolutely! Could they have better customer service — YES absolutely.
If you only need a cleaning this place is a good place to go. IF you need additional work just make sure there isnt a merger happening. That really screwed me.

Sure i’ve never met the man. Who’s office is this? Who knows. Who cares. My hygienist is fairly decent and super friendly. The service has been good for me. I’ve had the suggested deep cleaning. I wouldn’t say it was an upsell. I actually needed it so we talked about it and then I came back for it. My general cleanings have been somewhat painless. I’m a big dentist wuss so any flossing already frightens me. I’d recommend the cleanings here. Fancy massage chairs and big screen tvs and even tv projected on the ceiling. Hah! See you again Dr Levines employees!

Other reviews have already noted what I feel is the major negative of Dr. Levine’s practice, namely the propensity for the employees to promote add-​ons. Asking me if I’d like a whitening is like a hair stylist asking me if I’d like a wash and shampoo… only more expensive. In some cases, when they suggest I should get a more involved, «important» procedure, like a «deep cleaning,» I’m never entirely sure how necessary the work actually is. This place definitely shows you the complete «Big Book of British Smiles”* route to scare you into getting work done.
That said, having gotten the negatives out of the way, his team provides excellent service. I’ve always been satisfied with the results and the personal attention from the staff. And the office is pretty fancy-​schmancy: massage examination chairs and TVs on the ceiling to catch Animal Planet while getting some holes in your head filled. And while some of the prices do occasionally seem high, they’re roughly the market rate as far as I can tell. If anything, this should indicate the need for socialized medical care.
Besides, where else can you get work done by a dentist who calls himself «Flossman»? Or be entertained by a video of a flossing chimp in the waiting room?
Summary: Great dentist. Follow-​up any bad news with a walk of shame to get cupcakes at Sprinkles, and you’ll be good to go.
*Simpsons reference

Worst dentist. ever. He left me in pain both leaving his office and for months afterward. Correct me if I’m wrong but that is not right when all I went in for was a small filling. Everyone that worked in the office left me in pain. By the time I left I was bleeding and not in pain from the cavity filling but the damage he had done to my gums. The filling is still very uncomfortable. One other person in my family went in for work at the same time and had just as terrible of an experience. I never, ever want to go back. HORRIBLE

I am pleased to tell you that all of my visits to Dr. Levine have been exceptional experiences. From the receptionists ability to work with my hectic work schedule to the thorough cleaning I received from my hygienist I would recommend this office to anyone. I have been coming here for about two years and have never had a problem. Furthermore, the office is absolutely spotless. All the equipment seemed state of the art including the massaging chair the patient sits in. There is a t.v. in the ceiling to distract you from those sensitive areas in your mouth and my hygienist Kate answered every question I had about any issues in my mouth. (I tend to ask a lot of questions because I might be a hypochondriac lol) Not only did she give me a thorough cleaning but it took only 30 to 45 minutes. After the cleaning was complete I felt very informed on how to take better care of my teeth in the future. I also received a goody bag filled with a big bottle of mouth wash 2 toothbrushes and 2 boxes of toothpaste, splendid! It is clear Dr. Levine is a winning choice for you and your family.

This was a dentist experience like no other. I am not sure what the other folks here are talking about with regards to the front desk staff. They were pretty nice to me. Kate, the hygienist eventually called me in and was very nice and helpful. I asked her a few questions about cavities and other things and she answered them in a very nice, non-​condescending manner.
I was taken aback by the rooms here. Each room had a huge HDTV situated in the front of the room. When you leaned back to get worked on, there was even a TV in the ceiling for your comfort. Also, when i first sat down in their seat, I thought I was having a random pulse in my lower back. Turns out, these seats massage you while you rest.
As Nicolas stated, not once was I pressured into buying services outside of my coverage. I was simply asked to sign a paper stating that the doctor/​hygienist had assisted and given me advice about taking care of my teeth.
Again, this was totally not my average dentist experience.

I am sorry to read everyone’s negative experiences. Thankfully Dr. Levine has been fantastic with me so far. His hygienist and dental assistants are great as well. Hence the 2 stars, but 3 stars means A-​ok which it is not.
The front desk staff is awful. They have a horrible superiority complex that can be very trying on what is already not a happy occasion — a trip to the dentist. Very unhelpful and if you call to have to reschedule your appointment (even days in advance) be prepared to get attitude. They need a lesson in customer service and need to understand that things come up and their patients may have to reschedule on occasion. Be prepared for the same nasty attitude if you have any questions.
Too bad because Dr. Levine can be great. If you can ignore/​get past the ill-​mannered front desk, you’ll be fine. I try to keep a good humor about it — I mean, how embarrassing to be sitting on a high horse behind a front desk.

Please learn from my experience and don’t go to see Dr. Levine. I can’t say enough bad things.
First, he gave me a night guard that did nothing but chip my front tooth. Then he convinced me to get Invisalign to correct a tooth which I later found would have been better off left alone. The Invisalign was supposed to be done within one year and it is now 3 and a half years later and I am having to go to another dentist to have it corrected and finished. When trying to switch it took weeks because he would not return my phone calls. I am now trying to get some of my money back and he is flat out refusing.
Sally, his last office manager/​receptionist told us we over paid by $ 80 for another visit. We called to get this reimbursed and his new office manager and receptionist says there is no record and won’t reimburse us our money!
Dr. Levine was rarely in the office and never seemed to know what was going on with my teeth. The majority of the time I saw one of his assistants, and every time Dr. Levine came in, he had to be updated on the entire case as if I was a new patient.
I truly feel he is out for the money and does not care for his patients.

I’ve used this dentist now for a few years but have recently decided to switch. I am shocked because he was listed as a Top Doc in San Diego Magazine. I’m later learning that sometimes he who pays gets listed. This explains a lot. I felt like I was buying a used car every time I went for my cleaning. Each time I was there I was offered a minimum of 5 services all of which extended way above my excellent dental insurance by thousands. Yet, my teeth look fine. By fine I mean I get compliments on how white and nicely aligned they are. Is this guy just trying to bilk money out of me? Invisilign, Ceric fillings to replace my silver ones, zoom whitening, etc. etc… UGH. Then the last two times I’ve had a different hygienist and the last one had me bleeding from each segment between my teeth! I wasn’t offered the chance to rinse my mouth a second time to expel blood. I left very unhappy and actually wrote him an email saying I wouldn’t be back. Help me find a great new Dentist!!!