Perfect Smile Dental Spa
2155 W Roscoe St
(between Hamilton Ave & Leavitt St)
Chicago, IL 60618 (773) 528-3384
- Hours:
Mon 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Tue-Wed 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Thu 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. - By Appointment Only: Yes
15 Reviews for Perfect Smile Dental Spa
One of Perfect Smile Dental Spa's Favorite Reviews
I am in the process of getting quite a bit of work done here. I have to say so far so good. One of the dental technicians, Irma, is just amazing. Professional. Nice. Thorough. Patient. She's had to deal with me in freak out mode a few times and handles it very well. In fact, all of the staff here is great.
Dr. Dotson does not spend a lot of time with you on consultation as he is a busy man. He's also trustworthy and his work on my mouth so far has been superior. I feel much better off with 5 minutes of Dr. Dotson explaining my treatment than I have with other dentists who gave me 15. I'll update this review once he finishes everything. I feel very fortunate to have found him here on Yelp.
The prices are only slightly higher than your average dentist and worth every penny. If you compare them to the cosmetic dentists downtown, you'll find this place is actually a deal. I like the high tech gizmos they have around the office including the little walkie talkie ear piece they use to communicate - saves a lot of time. The XRay technology and computerized treatment plans that they use here are simply amazing. It really helps you make decisions and see for yourself what the issues are.
Perfect Smile, I sincerely want to thank you for never wasting my time. I don't know how you run such an efficient ship, but I am very grateful.
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My husband and I have been clients of Dr. DeMars for several years now, and we've been really happy! She's always quick, accurate and makes you as comfortable as possible. They offer headphones for a DVD, tv or stereo and complimentary Nitrous(laughing gas) to help you get comfortable. I've had a deep cleaning, cleanings, fillings and wisdom teeth pulled here and my husband has had a deep cleaning, fillings, tooth pulled, root canal(he neglected his teeth for a while). We've been very happy with the job she's done, and so happy with Jody, our hygienist-she's awesome!
The only down-side is the parking situation around there, as Roscoe Village is getting more congested, and the reception staff/billing staff isn' t always the best at communication. Otherwise, call with your Insurance card handy, as they will confirm it before you come in for your appt.
I was referred to Dr. Dotson more than 12 years ago (when he was at his humble Foster and Western location) because I had suffered a VERY traumatic (read: 5 days in the hospital/almost coulda died) wisdom tooth extraction at the hands of an Andersonville dentist (Raymond Hatland, if you're wondering). He was really kind to me and never made me feel bad about being terrified. He has done numerous crowns, fillings, and a root canal for me and I've always felt I was in extremely capable hands. He calls me at home after a procedure to be sure I'm alright. His staff members are awesome--at least two of them (Michele and Irma) have been with him this whole time. I was a little put off by the "spa" aspect of the new place, but one paraffin treatment and massage later, I was convinced that this was a good move! And when I needed my other wisdom teeth out, he sent me to an oral surgeon. Even without insurance, I will always go to him. Hopefully one of those kids of his (that I pretty much helped put through college) will become a dentist, so when he retires I can still have a Dr. Dotson in my life.
Ok, I totally understand that some people may be very fearful of the dentist, and for those people, I recommend Perfect Smile.
However, having been pretty much a permanent resident at the dentist/orthodontist growing up...I am not that scared, and it doesn't bother me too much. Hence, I do not need massages, DVD's, N64, and the myriad of other distracting services! (However, like I said, they will be beneficial for you if you so desire).
In my opinion, one ends up paying for all the circus magic somewhere down the line. I had a cleaning, and even though I have incredible dental insurance, they still charged me $29 for flouride. Now, ok it's not the $29 that upsets me...it's the fact that they did not discuss the charge with me, because frankly you really do not need a flouride treatment over the age of 16 or so...so that kind of irked me.
Then Ok, I needed some fillings. Well...I have 2 insurances, and they refused to bill the insurance that covers at 100% first (so I would not have to pay) and instead insisted that I would need to pay the copayment from my first insurance ($200!?) and then when they billed the remainder to the 2ndary insurance, i'd get a check. Yeah, in like 6 months. So instead of working with me, they just said that was the way it was...so I had all of my xrays, etc forwarded over to a different, much more reasonably priced dentist...and got it all taken care of, with no cost to me.
Sometimes all the perks/frills in the world will not make up for just straight up customer service. I wasn't asking much...so, I took my biz elsewhere.
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Great staff. Really make you feel comfortable - which isn't an easy thing to do in a dental office. They run a tight operation. Usually never more than a few minutes to wait. Dr. Demars is super great. U can listen to music or watch television (with headphones) during the appointment if you want. Great use of technology with xrays, videos, walkie talkies, etc. Only negative is that parking could be a pain on Roscoe on the weekend or weeknights.
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My wife and I have been looking for a good dentist since we moved to Chicago. I will admit we are picky customers, my wife is scared to death of anything related to the medical field and I always feel like my previous dentists couldn't give me straight answers to my questions. Finally, A couple of friends of ours recommended Dr. DeMars at Perfect Smile and they couldn't have been more right.
The whole staff was very friendly and professional. The atmosphere was very nice and I think it calmed my wife down immediately. Dr. DeMars and staff were excellent at making my wife feel comfortable and relaxed throughout the visit. Dr. DeMars also took the time to answer all of my questions and I finally feel like I am getting straight answers about the care I need. Roscoe Village is a little out of our way but it was well worth the trip.
By the way, ours friends forgot to mention we could also schedule massages right at the office, which is just the icing on the cake for my wife. She is actually looking forward to her next trip to the dentist.
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I've had nothing but great experiences here. I've had four dentists in my life, and Dr. Dotson and his staff are always professional, helpful and considerate. The dental work I got there (a crown) was painless, efficient and affordable. They offered me all sorts of spa treatments (chair massages, wax hand dips, music - for example), but I just wanted in and out of there due to time constraints, and they obliged.
I'd go back again in a heartbeat.
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We take my niece here and she has never ever been afraid of going to the dentist. She actually LOVES it....
She has problem teeth too. She was a bottle baby (as most her age were) and had had lots of trouble with her baby teeth falling out and the new ones coming in. This place made her feel like a million bucks mentally even when she had to have a baby tooth pulled because it refused to fall out. In between the tears of pain (natural) she kept telling me how nice the place was and that they told her it wouldn't hurt that long so it was okay...she believed them and by bedtime she was feeling fine and asked when she was going back for her follow up.
A little bit of caring and individual attention to the patients goes a loooooong way and this place has it down to a science. :-)
Sure, I'm in my 30s and hold an advanced degree, but I still cry like a baby when I have to go to the dentist, so I avoid it like the plague and instead brush religiously hoping to stave off a trip to the doctor.
Alas, my teeth did not cooperate with my plan of evasion and I found myself having to go to the dentist ASAP. Wretched choppers! So, I found a list of "top" dentists in Chicago Magazine or something, called all of them and asked this question: How would your doctor deal with an overgrown, hysterical crybaby?
At every office but Dr. Dotson's, I was met with an "I don't know," or otherwise brushed off. At Perfect Smiles, they said "Oh, we'd be glad to have you, Dr. Dotson is great with patients who are terrified." I made the appointment.
I needed a root canal, a crown, and to have my old mercury fillings replaced. Lotsa hours in the chair for a wimpola like me, but Dr. Dotson makes it easy! His staff didn't laugh when I came in for the first visit already crying as I walked in the door. I was offered valium to help chill me out and given plenty of laughing gas to further calm me and separate me from the trauma I was undergoing. I was SO relaxed in fact that I took photos of myself during the root canal and e-mailed them to friends - Dr. Dotson and his assistants got a huge kick out of that.
He does great work, is fantastic with his patients, has a great staff, a lovely and comfortable office, everyone in the place has a great sense of humor, extra services (massage, etc.) to make the trip even more comfortable. I've had to make a couple of emergency trips, and he will accommodate you by coming in during off hours. Multiple trips and the service is always great - I almost look forward to going to the dentist now . I've sent many friends and they have all had great experiences too. I cannot recommend Dr. Dotson highly enough.
Did I mention he has laughing gas?
********Update********10/2/2007
Just had to have a ton more work done, as did my fella. If anyone is more afraid than me of the dentist, it's him. Dr. Dotson did his usual fabulous work on me and made sure I was comfortable at all times, while Dr. DeMars dealt with Jeff. He needed halcyon (3!!!!!) to get through the appointment and a lot of extra hand holding and attention, and the entire team at Perfect Smile Dental Spa really provided the most incredible attention and assistance. Special props to Jodi and Sabrina, the assistants (not the right term, I know) for going above and beyond, and to Dr. DeMars for her extraordinary patience and great service with an especially difficult patient!!! I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else and cannot recommend it highly enough!
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There is a saying that, "Even D's get diplomas," and in this case I am for certain that the D student in this case would be Dr. Dotson's associate, Dr. Nicole De Mars, or as I like to affectionately refer to her as 'The Dentist Bitch' to all my friends, family, co-workers...really anyone who will listen.
Initially, I was recommended to this place by a co-worker and it sounded quite nice and was ready for a pleasant experience by all other accounts. I have been a fan of dental work my entire life and had made it quite a point to obtain upkeep on a regular basis. As many have said, 'you only get one set, you had better treat them right!' Point taken...floss, brush, rinse, repeat. Being very keen of how my mouth and teeth feel, I noticed that over the years my front lower gums had been every so slightly pulling away from my bottom teeth, causing the teeth to become exposed. Dr. De Mars suggested a Frenectomy, which I have been familiar with as I have had to have this procedure done on my top front teeth a few years back to correct the same issue. What the procedure entails is cutting in half, the frenum from the gum so that the frenum stops pulling the gum away from the tooth. Since I was familiar with this 'simple' procedure, I did not hesitate to have it done as the pain could be compared to a 'pizza burn'.
The morning of the procedure, I was sitting in the chair being prepped and waiting for Dr. De Mars...she rolled up in her car, parked and came straight in to me. Her eyes were quite red as if she had just woken up and decided that today would be the day to play dentist! With a quick swipe of what looked like a Bic-pen, proceeded to take a laser to my lower gums...I could smell nothing but my burning flesh in the air. It permeated my nostrils. After a second or two of the laser light show, she shoved gauze in my mouth and sent me off with a few warnings. Don't drink anything hot, bite into anything, eat anything hot, no smoking, no drinking alcohol...and the like. Okay, easy enough. For the next couple of months, I could not figure out why my bottom part of my tooth was still black and why even more of my bottom tooth was exposed, picture a V and that is what the damage was. I called to schedule an appointment to see what was wrong and what needed to be done now.
When I explained that what I saw in my mouth was a result of the Frenectomy, Dr. De Mars insisted that it was like that BEFORE the procedure. I looked at her in shock...how could she be blaming me for this?!? She continued to squabble with me that it was not HER FAULT that my tooth was all fucked up...HELLO, it was BURNT!!! I explained that it did not heal properly because she BURNED away my GUMS and that I followed all of her directions to a T. She then recanted and agreed that yes, she must have fowled up the surgery and 'not to worry about it, she would pay for the next procedure.' Apparently, because of her screw up, I would now have to have extensive and expensive gum graft done to repair the damage and that 'she could do it, but perhaps she had better refer me out to a specialist.' Hell yes, I'm not going to let this sub-par excuse for a dentist anywhere near my mouth again. With the referral slip in hand, I started to exit the facility only to have her confront me with, 'and you know, you can't SMOKE while you are recovering from your gum graft like you did with MY PROCEDURE.'
Now, you can either believe me or not, but my father had JUST passed away from cancer not three months before this Frenectomy incident...in which case I decided to give up my habit in favor or LIFE. YOU DUMB, INCONSIDERATE BITCH. I answered with a terse, 'Yes, I KNOW," and exited in what I could describe now as dental rage.
The next procedure was scheduled and they kept trying to bill my insurance to which I repeatedly insisted that Dr. De Mars would be paying for it since this was her fault. When they contacted her, she said that she had never said such a thing and that she had no idea what I was talking about. Now, perhaps if I were rich, I wouldn't give a shit and just get things over with and move on, but such is not the case with me...the surgery would cost over a thousand dollars...for her screw up and I didn't have that kind of money AT ALL. I finally contacted a lawyer and discussed the situation with him and when I called Dr. De Mars she then recanted again and said, 'oh yes, I'll pay for the surgery as long as you follow up with me.
Before I had the gum surgery, the nurse who would be assisting asked what happened and etc. When I explained the situation, she said these EXACT WORDS: 'Oh, Dr. De Mars? Well, let me just say that this isn't the first time that this has happened...she tends to be a bit of a hot dog.' OMG...
Please, save yourself the pain, the hassle and the stress...don't go here. I don't care if they have all the bells and whistles, it will never make up for Mal-practice.
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This is the best dentist I've ever had, and I've been to plenty. I got my veneers here, and now must go back every 6 months to "keep up the warranty." But it is never a hassle. They work around your schedule, never keep you waiting, and always send you a reminder postcard of your appointment. They give you a wax hand treatment, a goodie bag, a massage, and the environment is great for a dentist's office. Dr. Dotson has personally called to follow-up, and everyone there is very kind. Quite pleasant all the way around.
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I love this place. It's sad that dentist have the highest percentage of suicide... or so I read... because I love Dr. DeMars. She's cool. ;) -I'm being snarky... about the first part-
Anyways... the entire staff is friendly I get a massage and paraffin treatment with every appointment...the hygenists are young and annoyingly good looking... i say that in anger because I'm used to being the most beautiful person in the room! haha...
anyways, they really are wonderful that i have referred 3 of my friends, and they all feel the same way also.
FYI they only take PPO.
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I have never ever been a fan of dentists, just never been comfortable around them... kinda like clowns or brussel sprouts. I had a client refer me to this place and I actually now don't dread going.... that much. Staff is friendly, very efficient on time, (which is nice), up to date, and they really try and make your visit as easy on you as possible. They have TV and movies, (great if you're going through a long procedure), and a free massage, though I never have time for one. Prices seem reasonable, there is plenty of free parking in the area, the only real drawback is if you don't have a car, it can be a slight pain to get to.
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I couldn't help but laugh when I was offered a paraffin wax hand treatment the first time I had an appointment here. This is truly a Dental Spa. I've only been a couple times and don't have any major tooth/mouth issues, but from what I can tell Dr. Dotson and staff do great work. My hygienist was super nice and was always making sure she wasn't doing anything to cause too much pain.
Going to the dentist is never fun, but everything at Perfect Smiles aims to put you at ease while they make your teeth look pretty.
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Dr. Dotson and the staff of the Dental Spa rock. First and most importantly, he does quality work on your mouth. Second, after filling my very first cavity (at the age of 39, thank you very much) I arrived home to find a voice message from him with his home number, just in case. Lastly, you get a great massage after having your teeth cleaned!!!
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