David A Benson, DDS

I seemed to have a different dentist every year while growing up, so I’ve seen what else is out there. In college, I started going to Dr. Benson, and in the ten years since I’ve graduated, I’ve continued to go back to Dr. Benson no matter where in the Bay Area I’ve moved to. He’s knowledgeable and straight to the point. The entire staff is fantastic. Appointments need to be booked months in advance, but so worth it.

I’ve been going to dentist for 35 years and this is by far my best experience. Doctor Benson is careful, thoughtful, conservative about treatment. The dental hygienists and staff always go above and beyond.

So a few years ago in San Francisco I had a problem tooth, but the dentist turned out to be the bigger problem (unless you think following your patient to the Irish Bank post treatment is normal) and the tooth was never fully treated.
Fast forward to the East Bay a few years later to my visit to Dr. Benson last week who confirmed that my problem tooth had now manifested itself to a dreaded root canal. He was professional and didn’t talk down to me and was informative.
While he didn’t actually do the root canal, he laid the groundwork and excavated the old filling.
His staff is especially friendly. Look forward to coming here on a regular basis so that my teeth stay in good shape.

I just had my oral exam. He was very informative on the status of my teeth and all the options i had. My family had seen him for year and have always thought that he was a great dentist and a great listener for any questions you have. The highlight of my exam is that he taught me how to brush and floss by showing me on my teeth. I’m very excited to start working with him

Dr. David Benson is highly professional and greatly skilled dentist. He really cares about your teeth, keeping those teeth and offering some lower priced alternatives, which is so rare in dentistry today. He has the best support staff in Berkeley. It’s true, making appointments may make time, because he is in demand. Wouldn’t you really have the best? If you become his patient, he will be always be there for you.

I have been a patient of Dr. Benson for several years. He fixed some terrible dental work that I had done by a supposedly great dentist. Those old crowns were painful, they never fit right and so the teeth underneath were in big trouble. My previous dentist had also done some pretty painful things, so I was rather dentist phobic. Dr. Benson got my teeth back in good condition, and his kind care really put me at ease.

Been going to Dr. Benson since I was a CAL student (almost 10 years, more or less) and I am very happy with his work and his staff. I pay out of pocket and his prices are reasonable. He is very honest and although I hate being lectured, it IS important to hear the truth about your dental health. He won’t perform unnecessary procedures and will let you know what needs to be done immediately versus what he’ll keep an eye on.
FYI: someone mentioned that Dr. Benson won’t do a cleaning unless you do the x-​rays and visit. Once I had to wait almost a year because I couldn’t afford all the extra work, and that was a serious bummer. I think the rule is to protect the patient, and not out of greed. If a dentist doesn’t do the proper examination, including x-​rays, then he/​she is not doing the job right and could be held liable. That is my understanding, so it’s not fair to blame the dentist.

A little bit of context for this review: I am a severely anxious, nervous, frightened etc. dental patient with years of dental trauma under my belt. That being said, I absolutely loathe going to the dentist. Imagine my horror when I realized I needed to find a new dentist (that story will be saved for my review of Dr. Olson’s office in San Mateo).
1−800-Dentist steered me in Dr. Benson’s direction. I was in a bit of a pinch because I’m losing my dental insurance in a month and am out of state within a week for 6 weeks. Maria, the most wonderful and kind person ever, informed me that she could fit me in two times the next week to take care of all of my fillings! It sounded too good to be true… but it wasn’t!
Dr. Benson was so calm and kind and made me feel completely at ease without being condescending. He’s super informative and tells you how to take care of your teeth and gums in a very clear, non-​emotional way. Most dentists get angry and shame me for my fears and hesitancy to come in for regular check ups but Dr. Benson just was matter of fact and had a great sense of humor. The team totally worked over time to get all of my work done in those two appointments and I am forever grateful! Overall, the best experience I could have ever dreamed of having.

I went to Dr. Benson while I was in grad school a couple years ago. He is THE person who really taught me how to take care of my teeth properly, and is a great dentist. He even spotted some weak points in my old fillings (especially with a problematic double-​surface filling), and remedied them for me. I’ve since moved to SF, and my new dentist keeps telling me what an awesome job I’ve been doing with my teeth — minimal plaque and healthy gums!
Pluses:
— He has great attention to detail and is passionate about oral health!
— Has taught me how to properly take care of my teeth — a life skill! My cleanings don’t hurt anymore — HOORAY!
— His hygenist is so super friendly and gentle. I’ve enjoyed my visits with her.
— Cares not only about your teeth, but also your gums.
— Super friendly staff in the front office.
Minuses:
— He kind of scares you into taking care of your teeth… which I thought was odd, but it kind of worked. My first appt was a long spiel of the effects of having unhealthy teeth and gums.
— The conversation is odd at times… I almost felt like it was a bit TMI. I guess he’s just chatty?

I’ve given Dr. Benson 4 stars because I think he’s a great doctor, but sometimes I can’t stand his attitude and the things he chooses to say to me. I was referred to him by one of his former employees. She quit because she couldn’t stand working with him, but she referred him because he was the best, most honest, most by-​the-​book dentist she had ever worked with as a hygienist.
He is a great dentist! He always does an excellent job and I don’t feel like I’m being taken advantage of. I recommend him highly for his technique. I do wish at times, however, that I could just sit/​lay there and not be lectured to for the entire duration of the procedure.

A friend told me Dr. Benson was the best dentist he’d been to. So when my dentist of 35 years retired, I tried him. Once is enough! First, they wouldn’t schedule a cleaning till I’d come and had every x-​ray in the repertoire. Then, he basically put my dentist down, and told me I’d lose my teeth if I didn’t have immediate perio, which he recommended be performed by someone else in the building. All of which I know is bull.
Still wouldn’t give me a cleaning appt. So I procrastinated, finally called 2 weeks ago and said I’m NOT going to the perio and need a cleaning! They have a 6 month wait! and could only give me a July appointment I asked to be added to the cancellation list – it’s winter, people get colds, and my old dentist always had cancellations if I needed to switch appts.; not a single call.
All I can say is, I’m switching dentists ASAP. Want some actual service, need that teeth cleaning before his prognostication starts to come true.

I am very happy with Dr. Benson and his staff. He is very honest and trustworthy. Maria (the office manager) is one of the warmest, nicest people I’ve ever met and Susan (the main hygienist) is awesome and makes cleanings effective and painless. I will definitely keep coming here for as long as I live in the area!

Dr Benson is great. I feal like a family member when I go to his office. Roy

I’ve been going to Dr. Benson and staff for about 7 or 8 years. I’ve been cursed with bad teeth, so I become intimate with my dentists. Dr. Benson is great. He is into being a dentist; he’s a dental nerd, and that’s what you want. He seems to obsess about doing things right and is able to creatively think when unique dental issues arise. The staff is second to none — from Maria to Susan, the hygenist to the dental assistants. Everyone is professional and friendly. I’ve been to mediocre dental offices and this is not one. Good magazine selection too.

Dr. Benson is a really good man, with a great staff (Maria! So friendly!) and an expert support crew of cleaners, assistants and technicians. I had my last cleaning done by a woman who completely blew my mind. I have never, and I mean never, had my teeth feel so good. She was thorough, and friendly, and I really believe that she wanted my teeth and my mouth to be as healthy as possible.
Unilocaling about my dentist. What?!

Well, I haven’t been to Dr. Benson for 12 years now, and I never gave it a second thought since I changed to a dentist closer to home. But then my crowns that he put in started shifting and so I had them checked. The bad news is what my current periodontist said when he took the crowns off to have a look «ewe, I didn’t expect THAT!». He said something was left in there and desroyed 90% of the bone. 12 years ago when they were put on I do recall complaining about the tenderness and they said it would go away and that was that. Well, now I know to always follow your gut. Just push back is you have work done by him and you’re, well, just not sure about something.

When I was in grad school and my tooth started throbbing I went to many dentists and Dr. Benson was the only honest guy to be found (according to my retired dentist dad). He told me that some things can’t be explained and that the pain will probably go away. Which it did. And he didn’t charge me a thing for that visit. Every other dentist I went to wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to fill cavities that Dr. Benson said were not a big deal. He’s just not in it for the money. And Susan, the hygienist is such a sweetie.

Dr. Benson is a great dentist and a very amiable guy! I’ve been going to him for a few years now, and I certainly trust him to provide me with good dental work. He is more expensive than some, but then again my cheaper previous dentist didn’t do nearly as good of work.

Dr. Benson is the best dentist I have ever been to. He is so thorough and cares so much about educating his patients so that they can have healthy teeth and gums. The staff is really friendly and helpful too. It can take six months to book an appointment with Dr. Benson if you want a particular day but if you are flexible you can ask the staff to call you with last-​minute openings — they have always fit me in.

Dr. Benson is an excellent dentist. I’ve been going to him for years, and he’s very knowledgeable and takes great care of his patients. He’s not only smart, but he’s also crazy funny. He tells his patients, «If you don’t floss, you’ll be paying for my new BMW.» Gotta love the honesty!