Virginia Center For Cosmetic and General Dentistry

Virginia Dental Center provides excellent dental care. They are very thorough, recommending treatment plans and offering their expert opinion on best course of action. I have had to get a number of crowns and feel very comfortable with this dental practice. I trust them completely with my whole family!

I’ve really enjoyed the almost 6 years I’ve been seeing the dentists at VDC. I’ve pretty much seen every single dentist at the practice. Now, I’ve never had any major dental work done so this review is based on the interactions I’ve had with the dentists and hygienists for routine work.
My only critique was when I had to get a replacement retainer made for one that broke. I only needed the bottom teeth done, but I was fitted for top and bottom. I asked them not to bother with the top since I didn’t need one for the top row, «don’t worry about it», I was told by the tall, eastern European tech. Well, I come back to get my retainer and I’m charged $ 175.00 for a top and bottom. Remember, I only needed the bottom retainer.
Yes, there can be a wait sometimes and I’ve had my appointments bumped to different dates for staff meetings multiple times. The retainer was one star, and the more than occasional long waits and abrupt reschedules was the second star.
I’d still go to them because I know what to expect and honestly, the staff are professional and the dentists are too. The only reason I’m leaving is because I’m moving to the Midwest soon.

They take forever! First a ton of X-​rays, then gum check, the cleaning, then polish, then a dentist and fluoride. 1 ½ hours. They are super nice and do a great job. I will return but will make sure to block off enough one in my schedule so I am not stressed and thinking, «when are they going to be done.» If you’re in a hurry, this is not the place for you. Also, they do ask if you want any cosmetics work done. So, if that bothers you, I would find another dentist or just say, «no.» I did. I am in the system, so I’ll keep going. Today, I had a great experience with the billing department that was worthy of another star! Great customer service! So overall, pretty impressed with the place! And, next time, it should be faster because I just have a cleaning scheduled.

I have been a patient of Dr. Gialanella’s for many years now. After getting back from my most recent appointment, I was compelled to write a review. When I first saw Dr. G four years ago, I was a poor dental patient, to put it lightly. On my first visit I had too many cavities to mention, I wasn’t flossing and my sugar/​coffee intake was destroying my teeth. After working with him and his staff on ways to improve my dental hygiene and health, the results have been awesome! Last week, I was cavity free, my teeth look better and I was given high marks for my consistent flossing.
Because of Dr. Gialanella’s professional approach and easy bedside manner, he convinced me that a change was necessary. He provided me with the tools necessary to improve my dental health, but more importantly, he gave me the professional nudge to go in the right direction. I (and my teeth) can’t thank him enough for his help and guidance!

This is my first Unilocal review and its largely because I feel cheated by this dentist. I called and told them my insurance plan and policy number and while they were not in network yet they said they would be very shortly and would honor the in network prices. I needed a root canal and a few cavities filled so I knew it would not be cheap, but the in network price would be about the same everywhere so I decided to take them at their word and have the work done here. Four appointments and $ 1000 out of pocket later (which would have covered the in network prices) and they tell me I have $ 1300 of outstanding balance because my specific plan would not be in network. This was also after I walked out of the office on the third visit and was ensured my root canal had been paid in full. I find it very hard to believe that while they were researching my plan they did not come across this HUGE bit of info. I had regular cleanings scheduled and cancelled all of them. Do not come to this dentist, they are far from honest and forthcoming with their info and will blatantly lie to you to get your money.

Dr. G has been my dentist for over 3 years now and I continue to refer all my friends to this wonderful practice! The staff is always welcoming and personable and the level of service is hard to beat. Ashley Gutta is such a great dental hygienist and fun to «talk» to (when you can, of course :)). Going to the dentist isn’t always something to look forward to, but this practice will put anyone at ease. I’ve had my fair share of dental work done, and trust Dr. G and his staff to take the utmost care in my treatment and future health.

I absolutely love Virginia Center for Cosmetic and General Dentistry. I have recommended them to all of my friends who have also had great experiences. A few years ago (when I was new to DC) I was «up sold» by another dentist in the area for multiple expensive procedures only to be told by Dr. Dudley you couldn’t pay him to perform that level of work on my smile. He was spot on and I have been a very pleased patient since then. Anne Weih is amazing and helped me work out an appointment even when they were booked solid. Chelsea Fiorese is an amazing hygienist who is very patient and careful. I HIGHLY recommend them to anyone looking for superior patient care and a comfortable/​enjoyable experience.

I’d not been to the dentist in a couple years, and honestly insurance has always confused me, so when I showed up for a cleaning and someone to «take a look at a tooth» (that was missing quite a good chunk of it) I’d no clue what to expect nor how much it was going to cost.
I’d been dreading the cleaning, as I figured it’d really hurt since it’d been so long; but they must have some special tools and Michelle (the Hygienist) must have a great touch because it really wasn’t as bad as some of my regular 6 month cleanings in the past. As for the bad tooth, it turned out that was just the start of my problems. Many of my old fillings had become loose and tooth was decaying underneath them. The dentist (Dr. Van Slooten) explained everything I’d need to get done, and really made me feel comfortable and confident. In all the work they ended up having to do (something like 5 fillings and a crown) he and Michelle were absolute perfectionists (seriously, hearing them figure out the right color for the crown made picking out a paint swatches at Home Depot seem like they’re missing a few colors).
Outside of the medical aspects, of course the costs. Like I said, I really don’t understand dental insurance too well (I’d always had free dental /​medical as an army brat) so after hearing about all the work I’d need to get done, I was sure it was going to be really expensive. Enter the Office Manager — Anne Weih. She was able to explain the in’s and out’s of insurance and was able to coordinate with Dr. V to create a plan to get all the work done (including having a custom crown made and sent in) in just 3 weeks. This made it so I got all the insurance benefits I could before the year was up. This may sound silly to most of you, but for me — not knowing anything about dental insurance — this provided the additional assurance I needed to get my teeth back in great shape.
TLDR: Great office, great equipment, and seriously some of the most thorough and proactive staff.

I’ve been going to the VA Center for Cosmetic and General Dentistry for several years now after having horrible dentists at a different practice in Arlington. Everyone in this office is incredibly personable so it makes going to the dentist a less awful experience.
Everyone from the staff administrator (Anne Weih), to the hygienist (Savannah) and my actual dentist (Dr. Brian Shobel) are awesome — I haven’t met anyone in the office who isn’t anything but enjoyable. I’m not shuffled around to a different hygienist and dentist with each visit like I have been in other practices and that really adds to the familiar and friendly environment.
It’s also a very nice office overall — drinks are offered, TV is available, and you’re never waiting past your appointment time. I definitely recommend Dr. Shobel and his staff!

Might be hard to believe, but I can say that going to the dentist is a pleasant experience at Virginia Center. Mine is a story familiar to many — I hadn’t been to the dentist for a long time, was super nervous about going, even more so because I had to go to someone new. I read reviews here on Unilocal and decided to try Virginia Center. My experience was exactly like how others described theirs — everyone was incredibly nice, courteous and professional, from the moment I walked in the door. The hygienist was incredibly caring and patient and gentle — she set me at ease and talked me through it. And Dr. Schobel took the time to talk to me and be friendly during my visit. I was truly impressed and feel I’ve found a true gem of a dental practice. The experience is the same every time I visit.
My grandmother worked at a dentists’ office for years and years. I grew up going to a family practice that had that welcoming, «we’re so glad to see you feel» to it. I get that same feeling when I walk through the doors of Virginia Center. I feel like they really care about me, from the greeting I get when I arrive through the appointment, and even as I’m settling the bill at the end. I cannot say enough about how wonderful their service has been.

Virginia Dental Center continues to impress with each visit! I’ve gone to a few dentists in the DC metro area and have been disappointed with the care, treatments, and service provided. Virginia Dental Center has been such a great experience.
Every member of their staff is courteous, congenial, and professional. I highly recommend Dr. Schobel as well as Heather as a hygienist. Dr. Schobel makes the experience very comfortable, speaks to you like you like a friend, and does solid work. Heather is also a pro; she’s so efficient and personable that you forgot you dreaded going to the dentist. Wish I could give more stars… if you aren’t enjoying going to your current dentist, switch to Virginia Dental Center.

Woot woot! This place is the best! I have had several incredible experiences at this dental office. The dental assistants/​hygienists, receptionists, and Dr. Goldstein have been amazing. They are all super friendly, professional, and talented. I have 2 chipped front teeth which were poorly repaired in the past by other dentists. Dr. Goldstein fixed these teeth and honestly, made them look better than before! I’m so incredibly happy with my experience here, I will not see another dentist again. I trust and highly recommend him 100%. I seriously can’t stop smiling! I really love my new teeth and can’t say thank you enough. Thank you Dr. Goldstein!!!

Going to the dentist is rarely an enjoyable experience– but the team here minimizes the pain and makes it as pleasant as possible. I’ve had three cleanings and a cavity filling– my experience here has been consistently positive.
I requested to wear headphones and listen to my own music/​podcast during a cavity filling and they said that’s perfectly fine and becoming more common– it gave me something else to concentrate on during the procedure.
They’re a quick 2 block walk from the Clarendon metro– right by Green Pig Bistro. Once you make it into the office (a tiny bit confusing at first, just follow the signs), it’s quiet and pleasant in their space. I’ve rarely had to wait more than a 5 minutes, and they have free keurig coffee and water for you in a super clean and nice waiting area. All the treatment rooms have their chairs pointed towards big windows, so you get some natural light, and the chairs have TVs you can watch while being treated. They’re playing music, it’s relatively quiet, and a gorgeous new and clean facility.
For the most part, the staff I’ve met have been lovely– I’ve worked with the hygienists Heather and Ashley, and Dr. Van Slooten. They’re all friendly and nice, and they try not to inflict unnecessary pain (really, something that should be common across all dentist offices, but you never know!) I’d happily recommend this team to anyone looking for a dentist in the area.

I faced a similar situation that other patients have described, one that I think is perhaps more common in our society than it should be. I hadn’t been to the dentist in 10 years or so mostly due to fear/​anxiety but also because I couldn’t afford — or at least presumed I couldn’t afford — the work I knew I needed.
After my initial exam and consultation with Dr Goldstein he confirmed that in fact I was right — I was looking at some extensive work from both a dental and cosmetic perspective. BUT that’s where my worrying and stress stopped! Dr Goldstein and his team guided me through EVERY single aspect of what turned out to be a 9 month treatment plan that resulted in a renewed smile and complete satisfaction.
Whats more is now that I’ve visited the dentist office 8 – 10 times over the last 9 months, going twice a year seems like a walk in the park! I can’t thank the team here enough — everything from the customer service, office environment through to the dentists’ expertise and technology used with the patient lend me to recommend them to anyone.

I have been a patient of Dr. Gialanella at the Virginia Center for Cosmetic and General Dentistry for over a year and it’s been a wonderful experience. I was a terrible dental patient for about 8 years, and part of the reason I avoided the dentist is because I was embarrassed by my delinquency and intimidated by the potential work that needed to be done.
However, Dr. G never made me feel uncomfortable — he gave me a thorough exam and calmed my nerves about my required dental work (particularly, a broken crown and a visit to an oral surgeon). The dental assistants are extremely kind and welcoming, and know how to properly give Novocaine (another one of my fears).
What’s more, is Dr. G gave me veneers as a replacement to very old bonding. He did an excellent job — my teeth look and feel natural, and I’m much more confident and proud of my smile. During the 10+ hours of work (done in two sessions), Dr. G was incredibly patient and detail-​oriented. I could tell he wanted the end result to be perfect as I did, and I’ll admit that my teeth are perfect. The quality of the veneer is amazing. I’ve taken good care of them, but I had a nasty fall where my teeth hit concrete, and nothing happened to the veneer!
The office staff and billing department is very nice to work with and somehow, they always remember your life events or other information you shared during the last visit. I’ve never had an issue and feel like they’ve always been up front about costs. They’ve even accommodated last-​minute appointments.
If you’re looking for a dentist in the DC/​Arlington area, I highly recommend the Virginia Center for Cosmetic and General Dentistry (and Dr. G, but I’m sure the others are great, too)! It’s a great office with staff and doctors who genuinely care about you and your teeth.

I had a pretty bad experience with this dentist. I was a patient for over a year and had regular dental cleanings as well as Invisalign. I let my laziness dictate where I should go (I lived in the building) instead of driving to my original dentist.
I had a horrible experience with the billing department. I paid for half of my Invisalign treatment out of pocket with insurance to cover the other half. There is certain paperwork and processes the office needs to follow in order to get the payments from the insurance company. First they had the payments mistakingly sent to me instead of the office & we’re sending them quarterly instead of monthly. Then they told the insurance company my Invisalign treatment had concluded before getting the full amount from them & tried to get the extra money from me. I only found out when they started sending me the bills months after I had finished & moved away. Every time I called the amount due was different — from $ 50 to $ 350. It was an issue they needed to sort out with their own billing staff and they got me involved instead. For some reason the last time I called they said that my balance was $ 0.
The workmanship I’d also subpar here. I had to go back repeatedly to get the «buttons» put back on for my Invisalign. The first time they tried to get someone other than the actual Doctor to put them in and had to call him in anyways because he was incompetent. They also told me I needed 4 fillings re-​done (not true) & never really cleaned my teeth.
When I went back to my original dentist my teeth were so bad and my gums were inflamed because they didn’t really clean them. It took a year and a half to get better. I also had to have them correct my bite several times because the shoddy filling re-​dos they did weren’t filed down (they just glomped the composite in there and sent me on my way with a bill & numb face).
On top of that, the staff is RUDE and belittling. I would not recommend this location to anyone unless you live in the building. You only get one set of teeth — don’t mess with them!

Be careful. They said I needed work done, had a second opinion and tooth was perfectly fine. saved me over $ 1000

WATCH OUT. I was told when I walked into the office for my scheduled appointment that it was «the law» that x-​rays are mandatory before a general cleaning is performed. I was never told this when I scheduled my appointment as a new patient. The office also knew I was paying out of pocket up front and was told my insurance would reimburse me 100% (Was told this by the receptionist at the time of appointment). The total cost that day for me to have my teeth cleaned, would have been over $ 700+. I also called my insurance company after to confirm what the receptionist said and she stated they would NOT reimburse me 100%.
With that being said, I thought «Wow, maybe a regulation/​law was put in place» so I called around to other dentist office’s in the area, and found out, x-​rays are NOT mandatory to have a general cleaning performed as a new patient. I had them confirm that this was not, «the law».
Talk about an office trying to get $$$ out of people. I would stay far away.

I was extremely nervous being new to the area and needing to locate a good dentist. Well… I found one. Dr. Gialanella is the man and all of the staff are awesome and accommodating.
My first visit for a cleaning went exceptionally well and I left feeling better than I had at any of the other dentists I had been to (East & West coast of Florida). The hygienist really took her time and did a fantastic job.
My second visit was for a small cosmetic procedure to replace a small cap that had been moulded to my front tooth from chipping it as a kid. I’ve had this same procedure 3 times in the past due to depreciation of the cap over time and/​or re-​chipping it, etc. Dr. Gialanella did by far the best job. For the first time in 17 years, my tooth looks flawless. You can tell the guy is a perfectionist and it shows 100%.
Would not choose any other dentist. Absolutely awesome work!

I hadn’t been to a dentist in years. I knew it was time but honestly, i was afraid. i was afraid of the hurt and i was afraid of the judgement from the dentist/​staff and I was just generally a big chicken about it.
my little sister, who was in a similar position, bit the bullet and went to these guys. she absolutely loved it and had no complaints and convinced me to go.
I called them, they told me they had time that evening if i could make it, and within a few hours, I was there. Everyone was super friendly and clearly tried hard to make me feel comfortable and they never acted judgmental at all. everything was super earnest and friendly.
My only negatives about the place: I felt like it was more expensive than it had to be. but at the same time, this is clearly a higher-​end place, so if you’re that price sensitive you should be looking elsewhere anyway. But also, I felt like I did a lot of waiting. Like, it was something like a 6:30 appointment and they took me pretty quickly and sat me in the chair, but the dentist didn’t show up until 7. He apologized for being late, but still. My time is valuable too! Why wouldn’t you make it a 7pm appointment, or even a 6:45 if you’re double booked?
Overall a great place and I plan on coming back many times (skipping the dentist for that long, there’s plenty of work to be done on me).