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Brian Assael, DDS
Category: Health and Medical Dentists General Dentistry General Dentistry [Edit]
2459A Ashby AveBerkeley, CA 94705
(510) 848-9796
- Hours:
Mon, Wed 8 am - 5 pm
Tue 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
About This Business:
You're more than just a mouth. And we think you should be treated that way. That's why we practice whole person dentistry. It's dentistry that considers… read more »
12 reviews for Brian Assael, DDS
12 reviews in English
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Review from Jonathon T.
Oakland, CA
5/11/2010
I've never had a better dentist.
After a long ordeal of looking for a good dentist in Berkeley I found Dr. Assael by looking through the Berkeley Parents Network for reviews. I had been to three different dentists for a filling that was causing me problems - basically I spent about a year not chewing on one side of my mouth because of it. Three fillings, from three different dentists, all of whom thought it would be better to try and sell me teeth whitening rather than fix my tooth (and my teeth are white enough, thank you).
Anyway, Dr. Assael said he would try his best to fix it and he did - he's a miracle worker as far as I'm concerned. And best of all he doesn't try to push expensive procedures or products that you don't need. He along with the rest of his staff are very kind people and have a sense of humor. Oh yes, and anyone who geeks out over dentistry like Dr. Assael does is ok in my book. -
Review from Waleska H.
Richmond, CA
11/11/2009
I used to hate going to the dentist too!. I was so scared, the first time i went to see Brian - that was 13 years ago.... He is the best!.. He is kind, caring, knows what he is doing, let you know everything he plans to do in your mouth. I even relax when i go to the dentist (believe or not)... sometimes i fall sleep..
Plus, everybody there makes you feel like home... When i go there, it feels like i'm visiting my family. I love Theresa, she is a doll!..and Brian - OMG!!! i'm his fan number one!... I will NEVER EVER change dentist... -
Review from K K.
Oakland, CA
12/9/2009
"Let's have fun with this!" Dr. Assael said as he turned on the TV connected to the magic little camera-wand he would put inside my mouth. And off he went to drill out my cavity, taking pictures along the way! Yesterday marked a major milestone for me--my very first filling--and I'm glad my awesome new dentist did it.
After 3+ years of driving back to my old hometown for checkups, I decided it might be a good idea to find a dentist closer to my current residence. I made my first appointment with Dr. Assael about a month ago. He is out of my insurance's network (I have Guardian), but, as the website states, he accepts any insurance that allows patients to choose their own dentist. Of course, I double-checked with Theresa at the front desk. Since that first cleaning and yesterday's filling, everything has gone off without a hitch (yes, including the insurance stuff). Everything about this practice is just pleasant, and everybody is so kind. Ack! Just book your next appointment there already, OK? -
Review from niketa r.
Oakland, CA
2/9/2010
Dr Assael is the unofficial dentist of my workplace. All my co-workers recommended him and they were not wrong: he's great. Good sense of humor, very gentle and thorough, and very aware of the reality of insurance ; i.e, scheduling and procedures so that insurance will actually pay for them. He cleaned my teeth himself and filled a cavity the same day (so I didn't have to spend one of my two annual insurance-allotted office visits on that) He and his excellent staff were really concerned that I be comfortable and informed about my teeth: he used a little micro-camera to show me my cavity and how my wisdom teeth were coming in. He was very liberal with the anesthesia and gave me more when I said I wasn't numb enough. Also, his office manager Theresa is just the sweetest thing on two legs.
Great experience, great dentist, great staff. Highly recommended. Takes any insurance that allows you to choose your own dentist. Also has (limited) off-street parking that you don't have to pay for. -
Review from james b.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2009
I just paid $843 to a dentist because they weren't on my provider list, didn't check my information prior to the appointment, and were unwilling to work something out.
I heard about Dr. Assael's office from a co-worker of my wife and verified on yelp. Prior to going into Dr. Assael's office I provided my insurance information (I'm on my wife's plan) to the front desk. I assumed that they checked the coverage before my visit. However I was unaware that the plan had changed (my bad) and my dental insurance did not cover Dr. Assael.
About a month after the visit I got a call saying that since I had no insurance they were going to bill me. I said, I wish that you told me this before I came in and had work done, but send me the bill. The bill came and it was $843.
I called the office and asked if we could work something out. i explained that the bill seemed very high, that I had offered to bring in my previous dental radiographs and gave them the name of my previous dentist (they told me no need as they are covered by insurance), and that I never would have gotten the two minor cosmetic fillings for some buckling had they told me i was uninsured. They told me sorry.
I said I'd really like to resolve this and I am happy to pay for the work that needed doing (repair of a cracked filling) as I had been in a bit of a rush to get it done but that I was unhappy paying the full amount, and that I would likely post something to yelp.
At that point the front desk person accused me of blackmail and got rather nasty.
My experience at the actual appointment was good. Dr. Assael seemed skilled and was very personable as was his assistant. Also my initial experience with his front desk was positive.
So I would rate the dental care a 4 or 5. But for the cost and my negative experience with billing/pre-checking my insurance, and name-calling, I'm giving them a 1. -
Review from Aurora M.
Newark, CA
5/7/2009
My husband, son and I all have had the great opportunity to have Dr. Assael work on our teeth! I have to say from the moment we walk in the door we are greeted by a warm smile and welcome by Theresa at the front desk. Dr. Assael really takes the time needed, visits with us and is very down to earth, he is very knowledgable, proffesional and thorough when it comes to taking care us. We've had teeth cleanings, root canals and my husband had two gold caps put on his back teeth. I had a chip on my front tooth filled in about 3 years ago and its still in place. His dental assistant is very knowledgable as well. Location is easily accessable just off Ashby. We look forward to our next visit!
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Review from Caroline R.
San Leandro, CA
7/7/2010
Dr. Assael is one of the best dentists I have ever been to. I had a dental emergency a couple weeks ago and he handled the entire situation with gentle care. He explained the entire process very thoroughly. Despite the fact that I had gone in for an emergency, I felt quite relieved after speaking to him. Also, his office manager, Theresa is one of the kindest people I have. She was very welcoming and always greets me with a warm smile. Overall going to the dentist is a lot less painful when it's a visit to Dr. Assael's office. :)
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Review from ishtar p.
San Pablo, CA
10/19/2009
Well all I can say is that for 30 years going now I have HATED going to the dentist. I only went to the destist when I was in pain. Dr. Assael has totally transformed me. Now I book appointments even when I not in pain. Dr. Assael is so freakin smart and knows his stuff. His work is quality and holds up a long time. I have had other destist work done by other dentist's and nothing compares to Dr. Assael. My own cousin is a dentist but I prefer to pay and go to Dr. Assael. He is so gentle and that is key for me. So I just put my earphones on and he goes to work and I never need vicoden after a visit with him... DR. ASSAEL ROCKS!!!!!
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Review from Julie B.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 10/25/2010
My teeth are so clean!
I've had 4-5 appointments now, and I still think Dr. Assael and his office are amazing. He's done a root canal and permanent crown, filled another cavity, and given me a cleaning.
All of his work has been phenomenal. He is gentle with his novocaine needle and a perfectionist about his care. He explains what he's doing without overwhelming you. He made sure that my temporary crown was comfortable, and went out of his way to make sure I was satisfied with the color match of my permanent crown when he put it in. He has personally called me several times in the evening after appointments to make sure that everything feels good. He cleaned my teeth himself, and they feel absurdly clean. In fact, they feel more clean than they did when my last dentist (3-4 years ago) gave me a $600 "deep-clean" (which in hindsight I think was worthless). He takes pride in his work, which has shown in every single appointment. He clearly wants you to be satisfied and to have the healthiest mouth possible -- definitely a dentist with integrity.
Plus, he's just a really nice, likable guy. The night before my last appointment, my bf surprised me with a stay in a nearby sf hotel, so Dr. Assael was telling me about a great hotel at a nearby beach, and before I left, he called his wife to get the name of it for me. Sweet :)
Did I mention that they not only took my delta dental insurance, but also worked with me to make sure it covered as much as possible, and that my out-of-pocket cost was minimized as much as possible? Yes, yes they did.
I've gone from fearing dentists, to telling friends and co-workers about my amazing dentist. I can't sing his praises loudly enough. If you want a great dentist, call Dr. Assael.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/28/2010
I've only had x-rays to date, and I'm having a root canal with Dr. Assael in a couple of days, but… Read more »
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Review from Michael S.
Oakland, CA
5/6/2009
Dr. Assael is really great. Here's what you need to know: I just had a huge cavity filled today and I am on Yelp writing a 5-star review for my dentist. That should tell you something. He's a very nice guy, and truly an artist. He cares passionately about his work and his patients. Remember that teacher in college or high school that would get so excited about organic chemistry or biology that you couldn't help but be interested and engaged? That's Brian. He takes enormous pride in doing what he does well, and doing it painlessly. Personally I like my dental work with adequate anaesthesia, music on headphones and a dentist who can't wait to use his miniature camera to show me his work when he's done. That's my kind of dentist.
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Review from Deidre J.
Oakland, CA
10/6/2009
I started going to Dr. Assael several years ago after I sold him his current building and his location was close to my office. I immediately felt at ease with him and his staff. He corrected an old crown beautifully and is very meticulous. He has fixed several deep cavities that came close to the root, but because he is so careful and thorough, I avoided two root canals! I recommended him to my husband and my husband is now a client of Brian Assael. I would recommend him to my friends, family or clients.
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Review from JB D.
Oakland, CA
10/23/2009
I recently moved to Oakland and of course needed a dentist- Dr. Assael is great: very gentle, explains procedures thoroughly, and gets the work done quickly. Bonus that he has a parking lot on site, and there's street parking, and if you need it the hospital lot across street- I've never needed it.) The office staff is great (Theresa) and so are the hygenists. I think Dr. Assael really loves his work. In any case I highly recommend.
