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University Dental
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Tue-Thu. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- By Appointment Only:
- Yes
Sponsored Result
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Michael Fetterman, DDS
- 17 reviews
- Neighborhood:
- Financial District
"A refuge for those of us who don't thrive on semi-annual trips to the dentist. If your hand slips off the doorhandle of your dentist…" read more »
18 reviews for University Dental
I hate writing bad reviews on businesses, but this place has horrible customer service, just as others have written. I've been going here for two years. So a month ago, they contacted me through email that I was due for my 6 month cleaning. There's a link on the email if you want to make an appointment online, so I try to make one. Then a receptionist calls that same day to set up a new appointment because the time a chose was unavailable, she then asked if if i was available that week and gave me a few different times, I said 'sure, that works', then she says, oh actually there unavailable, which is ridiculous since she was the one who offered the time slots. They really have no idea what they're doing. Then she tells me the soonest time is a month out. So I schedule it for a month later. It gets a lot worse.
The day of my appointment I'm running slightly behind schedule (less than 10 minutes), My appointment was for 12noon, I call the dentist at 12:03 and say I'm on my way and would be there very shortly. She said 'no problem, see you soon'. I get there, sign in at 12:08, sit down for a couple minutes, then the incompetent receptionist tells me 'can you come back at 2pm, the dentist has left for lunch, he thought you weren't coming in'. WTF? The receptionist stare at me clueless as why I'd be annoyed or upset with having to return.
I rearranged my schedule to be there, I called to say I was running behind at 12:03, I was only 8 minutes late and the dentist leaves???
What kind of place doesn't at least wait 10 minutes or 15 at the most?
I could maybe understand if I hadn't called or I was more than 10 minutes late, but really? Ridiculous!
So begrudgingly I agree to come back at 2pm. The appointment itself went fine. Dr. Needham strolls in nonchalantly and never even acknowledges nor apologizes for leaving so early and making me come back, as if my schedule is wide open all day to return. Dr. Needham spends literally about 3 minutes with me, going over the x-rays, then the dental hygienist does the rest.
Needless to say I am not coming back and will be looking for a better dentist.
Save yourself some grief and stay away.
I am a grad student at Cal and went to this place for the first couple of years of graduate school. They were terrible: customer service was awful, really seemed inexperienced and the dentists spend very little time with you. I remember getting two cavities filled, and they had made a mistake and had allowed air to get into the filling and my teeth throbbed for several weeks before I finally figured out I should go back and have them fix them for me, which they did, but it was a hassle and of course they didn't really admit that they had made a mistake.
I also remember that they insisted I get clear fillings which my insurance really didnt cover. They led me to believe that the gray colored fillings were not only unattractive but also would be less reliable through the years. So I spent like 500 dollars doing this even though I would have rather just done the gray filling. I later wised up and switched dentists and have been told by several subsequent fillings as well as my husband's dentist (who is a top notch prof in SF) that the gray fillings are actually much more reliable.
Also, I am deeply deeply offended that University Dental is threatening to sue a reviewer on yelp for defamation. I am confident that that is illegal, its called Freedom of Speech and they are totally out of line in making those types of threats that are clearly just leveraged for intimidation.
I would recommend Cal students go elsewhere, there are many other good dentists in the area--University Dental is not one of them.
I agree with Angela S., I have been seeing Dr. Needham for years and I have quite literally never had a problem with him. A lot of the negative reviews have suggested that Dr. Needham intentionally gives people services they don't need just to get their money. Here is my experience:
It all started with my #14 molar having a sad twist of fate and cracking to the point that it had to be extracted. Dr. Needham tried to avoid doing an extraction but it was unfortunately necessary. Since you can't have a tooth missing (because all your other teeth will topple into the space like dominos), Dr. Needham initially suggested that I get a bridge. He had me watch a very well-made, informative video about what a bridge is (because I had no Idea what it was!) and even though I was a little sad about having to lose the two adjacent teeth to fit the bridge, I proceeded to do the bridge because I trust Dr. Needham's expertise. The entire procedure was going to cost about $1300.
A week after the extraction I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Needham to make sure that everything healed properly, which it did. During the appointment, Dr. Needham looked at my teeth and told me, "You know, you have two beautiful and healthy teeth next to the hole and I don't want to shave them down to put a bridge over them" (not verbatim but this was close to what he told me ; ) ) and I told him "I don't want to do the bridge either!" So instead, he fashioned a stay-plate for me (its like a retainer to keep the gap open) and said that when I am ready I can come in to get an implant for ONLY that one tooth!
Now he could have done "fast food dentistry" like someone suggested and just taken my money and given me a bridge, but he knows that I'm a starving student that is trying to get into pharmacy school and that after pharmacy school I'll be in a better position to afford an implant. Out of CARING for ME AS A PERSON, he chose the option that was best for me, even though it meant he wasn't going to get money RIGHT NOW. I can't express how thankful I am that he is considerate of my situation (because I need to have money for application fees and flying around the country for potential interviews with schools); I don't think many dentists will think outside-of-the-box like that, but Dr. Needham IS a UCSF grad, can't beat that!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/10/2007
I have been going to Dr. Needham for a few years now and he's my favorite (and only) dentist!… Read more »
The office is clean and modern, but the quality of care is questionable, in my experience. I had one very good and one very poor dental hygienist. More disappointing was the dentist who told me that he no longer wanted me as a patient. I have two dental plans, and I was using University Dental as a "second opinion" and for extra cleaning. He wanted only to be my primary dentist. I got the impression (perhaps wrong) that he was looking for patients who will pay more. Obviously, I won't be going back.
What?! I can't believe this place has 2 stars! More people that really like this place need to review this place so it can get the stars it deserves!
When I was a student at Cal -- this was my choice of place to go to get my teeth cleaned -- Dr. Needham is so chill and friendly. Everyone I've met here is friendly, and there are pretty timely. The place is clean, and they do a great job.
I also came here to get all 4 of my wisdom teeth pulled out upon recommendation from a friend. I forget the name of the wisdom-teeth extractor guy, but he was great! The entire experience was effortless, and when he said "Done!" I was like..."really?!". It was so fast and I barely felt anything! I didn't even have to take vicadin afterwards. Granted, there was swelling and a bloody mess in my mouth, but that's inevitable. I was healed and ready to eat solid foods by the end of the week.
Update: Yesterday morning, I received a packet of papers from University Dental's lawyers, saying that they'll sue me for defamation if I don't take down my review. I'm going to consult my lawyers tomorrow and then decide what to do.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2009
I've never been afraid or anxious about going to the dentist, but when I even think about going back… Read more »
I thought the problems I had with University Dental and Dr. Needham were just mine alone until I read some of the negative comments on Yelp and accidentally met one of his past patients. His office and staff are consistent. I went in to have my teeth cleaned and have my teeth x-rayed. Dt. Needham's assistant did the x-rays and Dr. Needham came in and spent (I kid you not) not more than one minute examining my teeth. He did not discuss any problems or any need of procedures so I waited for a cleaning. I waited and waited in the dental chair and then his office manager came in and told me that he had scheduled me for a "deep cleaning". I stated that all I wanted was a regular cleaning and could I discuss with him any additional procedures. He refused to talk with me. The office manager said the doctor had decided that I needed a deep cleaning and that he was the professional and I needed to do what he prescribed. I waited for over an hour asking to see the dentist (who was in the office) and he refused to talk to me. His office manager was also curt and unpleasant. Met another previous patient of his who had the same problem. She went in for a regular cleaning and x-ray and Dr, Needham would not do either- not even the x-rays. His office manager told her that she needed to schedule a deep cleaning. Dr. Needham refused to talk to her. I went to another dentist and he gave me a regular cleaning and that is all I needed per my second dentist...another professional... Does Dr. Needham and his staff feel they can treat senior citizens with dental insurance rudely and refused to at least give us a reason why deep cleaning might be necessary? In fact, why should he and his staff seem to treat so many patients rudely, refuse to clean your teeth when you have dental insurance or schedule you for an expensive procedure without even discussing it with you? It appears that this seems to be a pretty common practice. Wish I could have given his office no stars but Yelp did not give me that option.
AVOID this dental office at all cost.
I went to this place on the recommendation of a friend who has been a customer there for a few years. Since I am new to yelping, I thought i would share my experience. I was there to get my teeth cleaned. I only had to wait about 5 minutes which I hear is about normal for them. Everyone treated me politely and Dr Needham was very nice and professional. The whole appointment took less than an hour and was what I would consider a very typical teeth cleaning.
DON'T GO THERE!
They will say you need a "deep" cleaning when you really don't. They made me pay for this service at the time. Later, I called my dental insurance and they told me it was covered. So basically they got double paid for a service I didn't even need! Scam artists! When I alerted the problem to the receptionist, she was very rude! She actually called the dentist's clients "her clients" and told me she was very busy and would look into my problem when she had time whenever that may be! I wasn't able to get reimbursed for the charge for several months! She was crazy! Bottom line: Do not go there!
Wow -- this was without a doubt the worst several medical experiences I've yet had. Three appointments, over three hours of waiting to be seen! They're rude, dishonest and they overbook so that appointment times mean nothing.
Even after waiting an hour for my first visit, I scheduled the first of the two deep cleanings I needed and waited another hour for my second appointment. The procedure was rough and uncomfortable and the dentist likewise unsympathetic. Stupidly, I scheduled a third appointment for the other half of my mouth.
They called me the day before my third appointment to ask me to come in early as they'd had a cancellation. I was hesitant but the receptionist assured me they would honor the appt time.
I arrived on time . . to wait over an hour and 15 minutes in their lobby. When I finally realized I'd have to leave without even having my appointment, I told the receptionist that they obviously overbooked as a rule -- at this point I was just upset -- not livid. Not only was she not apologetic, but she completely lied and said they didn't overbook. She was rude. How can you say you're not overbooking after a person has been made to wait over an hour on three consecutive visits?
When you're in business, your customers shouldn't have to "earn" your respect and when they make appointments that should mean something -- I'd have more luck walking in off the street at other offices.
Furthermore, at my next dentist I found I needed not three, but one filling and that the price I was paying for my deep cleaning was totally out of line, as well as the price they quoted me for a white filling.
It disappoints me to read some of the reviews written about this dentist office and about Dr. Needham. These people are writing things that are simply not true. I have been a patient for a long time. I know for a fact that Dr. Needham is very attentive and caring towards his patients. He would not give someone a treatment unless it was absolutely necessary. I know that his office staff are very professional and the dental assistants are very caring and very nice people. Take it from someone who really knows about this place of business as opposed to someone who is just running off steam for some reason or another. I just don't get it! I will defend this business to the hilt. Go there and see for yourself. These people are friendly and helpful. Take it from me...one who really knows what it's like to have lots of dental needs...You should see my smile now...The most compliments I receive are always about my nice smile...thanks to University Dental...I appreciate their outstanding service!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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9/14/2009
I want to update my review for University Dental. I have been going to the dentist office lately for… Read more »
Perhaps I'm a Dentist snob, but it was weird having someone other than the Dentist polish my teeth. Also, there wasn't someone actively sucking saliva from my mouth, so there would be annoying build-up.
The dentist was informative and the staff was nice, but he left some tartar on one of my teeth, which I didn't discover until I got home.
It was my first time there and I will probably find another dentist.
When I stepped in the office for the first time, I saw a lady in a what looked like a dentist's white coat walking around on a cell phone. I thought, "Well that must be someone else, a dentist wouldn't be sashaying around on personal calls while the waiting room is full of people." Unfortunately, that was the dentist.
I was disappointed from the start...the reception staff was curt, and the hygenist was also rather brisk. The dentist lady had to be a year out of dental school. She looked very young (which isn't a problem into itself) but she acted young, too. I want my dentist to act like a doctor, not a young MySpace chick.
Too more complaints: I had really sensitive teeth, from grinding my teeth at night. The hygenist and the dentist girl (I wish I could remember her name) were not sympathetic or gentle, and told me it was from something else. I have TMJ pretty bad and they said they would refer me to a specialist but then they didn't do it.
This experience put me off going to the dentist for a few years, I'm sorry to say. (That's mainly my fault, but still.)
I would not recommend University Dental at all, and I see from other Yelp reviewers that they wouldn't either.
I've been going to this place since I was a freshman at Cal basically because I was pretty clueless as to what local dentists there are and they advertised that they accept SHIP and offer shuttle service.
Over the years, I have had service of varying degrees. The shuttle service is nice but it is often late by 20 minutes, doesn't come because they apparently have no record of it, or not available at all. The service is very curt, and they always seem angry some way. I have basically no interaction with Dr. Needham. He is very blaise about my dental work and leaves the majority of it to the dental hygenists.
The one thing I've noticed is that since my very first visit and every visit since they are always harping on me to remove all 4 of my wisdom teeth. If I ask if removing all four is necessary, he responds that I shouldn't take any chances. He did not take much care to walk me through the process. Since I was a little anxious about the anesthesia, I scheduled an appointment to speak to the oral surgeon. He was way worst. He flat out said me I should just get the surgery and what was I so afraid of. He answered my questions in terse, one word responses. I mentioned that I was anemic at the time and worried about the blood loss and he was basically like no big deal. Not even any concern about my health like wait a few months for my hemoglobin count to go up, just schedule a surgery so they can make money.
On the advice of the Tang center, I am going to another surgeon to have my wisdom teeth extracted and I will find another general dentist.
I went here upon recommendation from Cal will never go back. The dental hygienist was the epitome of a rude, cruel dentist. After enduring a particularly cruel and unforgiving cleaning the hygienist began to floss my teeth. At one point the hygienist stopped and smeared some of the blood from my gums onto my cheek. Then held up a mirror and said "see, this is what happens when you don't floss".
DO NOT GO HERE!!
I found the front office to be rude on the phone and in person. Once I finally had my appt. I was left to feeling upset. Dr. Needham was not willing to explain anything and when questioned was very mean in response. He also told me they do no root canals that they all need to be sent out, I was left with an impression if it wasn't fast and easy for him he was not interested to do the work. Would not recommend.
I have had the absolute worst experiences with Dr. Needham. He doesn't seem to have any empathy whatsoever for anyone who has anxiety around going to the dentist. So if you have anxiety around going to the dentist this is definately NOT the place to go. Its more like a fast food assembly line than an actual dental office.
The first time I went into the office they found four cavities that needed to be filled.
When I came back to have the top two cavities filled they bombarded me with information about how I should get the composite fillings over the amalgm fillings even though I repeatedly told them that the composite isn't covered by my insurance and would cost me $121 a tooth, which I do not have.
Then Dr. Needham told me that he wasn't sure he remembered how to do the amalgm fillings and said that they barely cover it in dental school anymore. This did not help my anxiety at all. (BTW, I was very particular about noting that I have an anxiety disorder, that I am on meds for it and dental visits are a trigger for me on my intake chart. He apparently either ignored this or didn't give a damn.) When I started to say that if that was the case I would need to find another dentist he said he was kidding. He then proceeded to only fill one of the cavities when I had scheduled to have two filled. I didn't find this out until I was done and the lady at the front desk asked me if I wanted to schedule for the other THREE. When I asked why they didn't do both top teeth she said that there was a computer error and that the printout the dentist received said to only do one. He never once questioned why he was only doing the one tooth when the cavities are right next to each other. He just did what the printout said... seems like fast food dentistry.
When I went back to get the last three fillings done I made sure to ask Dr. Needham if he was going to be doing all three cavities. At that point he sounded exasperated and stated, "I just love it when patients try to dictate treatment." After that he didn't speak to me at all except to tell me to open my mouth. He didn't numb my mouth enough and I was in terrible pain when he started drilling. I started to freak out a little and he told me to hold still... I finally got it through to him that I was in pain and THEN he stopped and had to re-numb me before he could continue.
I also want to mention that he was extremeley nasty to the dental assistant, Lilly. Lilly was an absolute love. When I was in pain and terrified she stood next to me and talked to me until I stopped crying. I was so grateful to her. Throughout the entire appointment Dr. Needham continued to have a snide, obnoxious and rude attitude toward poor Lilly and toward me.
I had to tell the nice lady at the front desk to never ever book me with this man again.
This is one of the worst dental experiences I've ever had. I will never see Dr. Needham again.
DO NOT GO THERE. A horrible experience. I made an appointment for cleaning . The wait was over 2 hours. Then, the (arrogant) dentist refused to deep clean my teeth because they did not have enough plaque, (unbelievable!!). Then, he decided to make a phone call in the middle of the visit and asked that I return for the check up. I think he is out to get the insurance money for seeing patients, rather than treating them. The dentist's name is Anthony Needham.
