Alan R Wolcott, DDS

First of all my dental phobia is an understatement. About two years ago I went to Dental Health Associates for a cleaning. Dr. Wilcot was very respectful and personable. I’m extremely thankful I found this wonderful practice, unfortunately I made a complaint:/(which was TOTALLY unnecessary) Dr. Wilcot did an excellent job on my crown that needed to be replaced, he provided me all the information I needed as far as crowns go (never knew someone could have a porcelain crown) you can tell he enjoys his work and is able to ensure you’re in good hands. I moved to Montgomery village and have been to two dentists that I don’t seem to enjoy. I’m willing to commute for better service but now I’m a little worried the staff will find me difficult, since I think I left a bad taste in their mouth (fingers crossed).

I’ve been going to Dr. Wolcott’s office for years. Get past the soft sales for cosmetic stuff (just politely tell them that you’re not interested — that’s all I did) and you’ve then got a fantastic dentist and staff. I have few large problems (they did give me an onlay due to a cracked tooth) so I go there basically for bi-​annual check-​ups. I love their attitudes. They are very knowledgeable and always friendly. And they are always on time, or get me in before my appointment time; where else do you see that? I plan to keep going there for a very long time.

I’m updating my 1 star review since the owner took the time to write me a thoughtful response to my original review. I don’t live in the area so haven’t been back since but dr Wolcott wrote to assure me their policies have changed since my last visit and I’d like to take him at his word. I did end up slowly spending thousands here over less than a year while getting an implant /​screw done after a tooth was pulled. My husband and I still feel really taken advantage of by the place from our experience in 2008.
My main frustration was being told I definitely would not need a bone graft upon examination of my mouth and then mid– procedure a couple months after being told matter of dactyl that I would need it while I was unable to speak clearly or discuss the options. Trusting that their new policies would prevent such occurrences from happening, I’m updating my review to 3 stars instead of the original one star. It’s hard for me to increase it beating that because we lost so much money into the procedure (I think more than $ 2000 or even $ 3000) and I haven’t personally been able to try out the practice again due to changing dental plans.
Original review: Maybe they do decent work, but it seems to be more geared toward the cosmetic than practical denistry. My colleague who recommended the place warned that they try to milk you for more procedures (and more money) each time, and I definitely had that experience.
These guys had me open mouth mid-​procedure with a dental dam so I could barely speak, and then recommend that I opt for X or Y additional step (bone graft) during this procedure, (without mentioning that this 5 or 10 minute step they want to do will cost me $ 500 out of pocket). I don’t necessarily think they do bad work, but just be careful because these folks will find a way to suck your wallet dry. After coming back several times, I ended up spending thousands of dollars in treatments/​procedures for an implant tooth, and now that main tooth they worked on looks really weird and the gums around it are concave despite me going along with their expensive bone graft. I was warned about it from the person who referred me, so I guess I should have been more careful.
Also, they make you watch really awful/​cheesey commercial videos about the benefits of cosmetic dentistry, with chimps brushing their teeth and flossing.

Went to see Dr, Wolcott to get a routine cleaning and he was wonderful! Not only was he friendly, but he continuously checked to make sure that I was comfortable which is very important to me. He was very knowledgeable and answered all of my questions about the right products to use for my sensitive teeth. I never once felt uncomfortable or unsure of his capabilities as a dentist. it was very easy to get an appointment and I will definitely be going back in a few months when I am due again!

What a knowledgable and caring dentist! I saw Dr. Wolcott a few weeks ago to get a tooth fixed. When I scheduled, the receptionist gave me an estimate of my treatment, so I knew what to expect. The day of the appointment, I was brought to the treatment room on time, I was a bit nervous, but Dr. Wolcott came in and explained to me the procedure, he talked about his kids and made me feel comfortable. He showed me a video about onlays (the treatment that my tooth needed) and answered all my questions. I was very impressed to hear that he goes continuously to dental courses to keep up to date. Everything was very clean, and the technology very modern, for example they had digital x-​rays. They also had computers in every room and he even took a picture of my tooth and immediately put it on the computer screen so I could see the condition of it. The appointment went really well and when my onlay was inserted he took another picture of the final product, so I saw before and after. I love my new tooth… My children are patients as well and they always look forward to their dental appointments. Also, I appreciate that the office is right off the beltway and that they always have ample parking.

What a great Find. A gentle dentist! My whole family gets great treatment. My husband got beautiful veneers. My daughter– lots of cavities filled. My special needs son lots of time and gentle reassurance as they work as a team to clean his teeth. The office staff actually helps with our dental insurance questions. I feel that they explain everything upfront-​so I know what to expect. No surprises here –JUST GOOD DENTAL CARE.

Like others in here, I went in for some work and it was $ 50 more than they had told me just a few days before, though I’m not actually sure HOW that happened since I was careful to get the exact price.
My bigger complaint is that, despite handing them my insurance card and correcting them each time, they continued to charge the wrong insurance. This led to a year-​long battle; we ended up «splitting the bill» despite them being in the wrong for trying to charge the wrong insurance and not correcting it, ever. Basically, the staff is friendly but apparently incapable of entering incorrect insurance information, as it happened again. I will not be returning to this dentist.
Oh, almost forgot to mention, Dr. Wolcott made a creepy comment to me about how my eyes matched my shirt, then joked about how I probably wasn’t expecting that kind of attention from my dentist… no, not so much, and would prefer NOT to get those comments while sitting in the dentist chair.

I am in between graduation and a job so you could imagine the state of my bank account… i knew i needed a filling and was worried that it could be a root canal. I am only in town for a week so i knew i had to find a place quick.
even though it was my first time visiting i had two xrays taken and they spotted the cavity on the spot. they gave me a few options in terms of treatment and price.
They filled my cavity and i was lucky that i didn’t need a root canal :)
the full service. with the xrays and the cavity filling (mind you with a temp filling on it. not a permanent one yet… which will cost more.) cost ~200. without insurance. I thought that was very reasonable. especially on the spot!
Dr. Ponpard kept it calm and professional. i’m not a fan of the whole «i’m going to inject your mouth with a big ‘ol needle then drill in it» situations. but it was fast and painless. and i am pleased

I’ve been going to this office for over a year. I find it interesting to read the reviews after my appointment today. I went in to have 2 cavities filled and while my teeth were in the dental dam Dr. Wolcott said that he saw another filling that should be replaced, and since I’d already been shot up with Novocaine and was, well, at the dentist, I should go ahead and get it replaced.
Being in a great state of discomfort and dreading the thought of having to come back at some point and get it fixed, I agreed. It only ended up costing me an extra $ 21 on what they had already quoted me. He said the filling was not bad but that another cavity had crept its way in.
The DH who cleaned my teeth was quite pleasant the week before, but every time I go in they recommend I get my teeth cleaned every 3 months, something my insurance won’t cover, so I don’t do that.
It’s easy to get appointments when I need, and I haven’t had any really negative experiences. I’d say they get the job done.
Dr. Wolcott was very easy to talk to and he was good at explaining everything to me.
One thing I did not like about this visit was the way in which he spoke to the dental assistant, whom I assume he was training, or had just graduated from dental school. I guess she forgot to do a couple things and he would say, «what should you be doing right now that you’re not doing?» All the while I am sitting there uncomfortable as hell with my mouth wide open thinking, «now is not the time for fucking lessons, finish up so i can close my mouth.» At one point I even motioned with my hands to hurry up.