Dental Health and Wellness Boston

WOW, what a rip off. This place told me that I had many cavities that I in fact didn’t have. They also wanted to charge me and ABSURD amount of money for the fillings and told me that it would be the same cost everywhere based on my dental insurance. WRONG WRONG AND WRONG. While getting a second opinion the dentist told me if I did have the cavities that Jill Smith was saying I had he gave me the cost breakdown and it didnt even come near the estimate that Jill Smith gave me. All in all– DONT WASTE YOUR TIME, they seem like really nice people but they are all about getting your money.

I would give this practice zero stars if that were possible.
I had the most miserable experience with Dental Health & Wellness. During my cleaning, the dental hygienist, completely unsolicited, relentlessly tried to sell me unnecessary products and procedures. Rather than focusing on the health of my teeth or responding to my questions/​concerns, she kept encouraging me to buy a whole host of things that I absolutely did not need and had never inquired about. It was remarkable to me that I was in an alleged dental practice, and yet felt like I had walked into a clothing store where everyone was working on commission.
Then, I met with Dr. Bailey. She was pleasant, but I’m truly astonished that she could, in good faith, give me the exam that she did. Dental Health & Wellness uses a device to measure the density of each patient’s teeth. If any tooth reads below a certain number, they tell you, unequivocally, that this tooth has a cavity and needs immediate filling. After measuring the density of each of my teeth, Dr. Bailey looked me in the eyes and told me that I had 6 cavities that needed immediate filling. I was shocked given that I’ve never had a cavity in my entire life and had been given the «all clear» at my appointment with a different dentist six months prior. I expressed my astonishment and bewilderment to Dr. Bailey, and she did not provide me with any further information or explanation. She certainly did not mention what I later found out: this tooth density measuring device is not universally accepted in the field of dentistry and many accomplished, veteran dentists object to it being used in the exact way that Dental Health & Wellness uses it. In sum, Dr. Bailey’s diagnosis of my dental health was medically inaccurate and her lack of explanation reflects irresponsible dentistry.
Rather than blindly letting Dr. Bailey drill into six of my teeth (which would cost a fortune and require a lifetime of up-​keep), I sought a second opinion. Another dentist who I truly trust and who did not try to sell me anything throughout the course of my visit (because he is an actual dentist and not in the business of sales), told me that I actually had ZERO cavities. Essentially, the device used by Dr. Bailey and the people at Dental Health & Wellness is incredibly aggressive and only useful for identifying which teeth *might* be problematic at some *potential* future date. The NYTimes has written an article about the dangerous practices of groups like Dental Health and Wellness (
) and many dentists agree that the better approach to potentially problematic teeth is «watchful waiting» rather than aggressively treating tooth abnormalities that may or may not ever develop into cavities. I’m horrified that Dr. Bailey, without batting an eye, would have gleefully and unnecessarily drilled into six of my teeth, when another licensed and well-​reputed dentist unequivocally said I had NO cavities and did not need ANY treatment. Moreover, when I specifically asked Dr. Bailey about the device’s acceptance and reliability, she offered absolutely zero information or elaboration about its controversial status in the world of dentistry. A responsible, ethical dentist surely would have at least mentioned that a sizable number of dentists would not agree with her reading of the device’s results. A year later, I have had two subsequent dental exams and still have zero cavities to report.
I spoke to two co-​workers about this insanely unprofessional dental group, and was horrified to hear that each of them had the exact same experience. One of them was told he had 5 cavities and another was told she had 7 at Dental Health & Wellness; a second opinion revealed that neither person had ANY.
In conclusion, the people at Dental Health & Wellness are just out to make as much money as they can off their customers. This dental group is not only unprofessional, but they show a complete and remarkable disregard for integrity. Whereas health is the number one concern of any doctor or dentist worth his or her degree, the dentists and hygienists of Dental Health & Wellness are focused exclusively on up selling and taking advantage of the wide information gap between themselves and their customers.
And the best part? After being told I had 6 cavities by Dental Health & Wellness, they gave me a mug of Halloween candy to enjoy as a «new patient» perk upon check out. Cool. Makes sense.

Dr. Smith is simply wonderful. She and her staff really understand how to work with patients, keeping us calm and also helping us understand the processes. Brenda, Dr. Smith’s assistant, is warm, funny, caring, and super knowledgeable.
They are also helpful in scheduling! My work situation changed, and they were able to get me in and all work done before I caught a flight out of Boston.
Now, I’m living on the west coast, but will be traveling to Boston to have Dr Smith be my dentist! My teeth are healthier and I now LOVE to smile.
You won’t be disappointed with the kindness, professionalism, care, and skill of Dr. Smith and her staff!

Dr. Smith is as kind, humble, warm, honest, genuine and sincere as they get. I feel like I’m the only patient in her busy office. I don’t feel as though my millionth question is ever a both and she makes sure that she explains things in ways that I understand.
She seems to really care for my physical AND emotional state. She is radiant in so many ways. And her greatest magic? I swear on my life I didn’t FEEL one needle as she numbed even the roof of my mouth today. WHAT??? Who does that!!! Ohhhh… Dr. Smith does.
Then there’s Brenda and Izzy. I swear I might cry and hug those guys before leaving one day. They make me feel like family. I remember going to the dentist as a kid just to get a toy. Hanging out with Brenda and Izzy is better than getting any toy or sticker.
Get your mouth fixed up here. I love these people.

I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Budd at Smith Dentistry! He is such a nice guy and he seems genuinely concerned with me and what’s going on with my teeth. I’ve been going there for a couple of years now, they’re right in government center so it’s an easy commute from work… I’ve recommended them to several people and want to assure anyone looking for a new dentist that this is the place to go. The hygienists are awesome too, and there are ipods and dvd players to keep you entertained during the dental work…

When choosing professional services, especially in the Healthcare field (in this case dentistry), I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t desire to be seen by a practitioner who is at the top of their game, and continues to keep at the top of that game by never resting on their laurels.
Jill Smith’s practice is that kind of full service dentistry practice. Every visit, it seems that Jill and her team have added new, cutting edge services, and are jetting on their way to yet another educational seminar to evaluate new methods, and learn from others in the field.
Jill is an extremely affable person, and talented and innovative with her methods. Also, Jill looks to hire professionals to her team who meet her practice’s standards, so even if you’re scheduled for a general hygiene app’t., or fillings, you don’t feel as though you’re being seen by second best.
Never once have I needed to raise the hand signaling, «ouch.» Techniques employed to distract and soothe even the queasiest of patients range from proper numbing and pinching of the area before receiving novacaine, to positioning soothing aquarium screen savers strategically in the patient’s line of sight. Other amenities include CD or iPod selections to close the eyes and tune out, and even video games. «What’s that? The filling’s done?»
So whether you require a general practice checkup, fillings, root canal, Invisalign braces, cosmetic dentistry — you name it – give Jill Smith and her team a try if you work in the State Street area, and you’re looking for a new primary dentist practitioner to make the most of your hard-​earned dental insurance. You won’t be sorry. (If you go, tell ‘em Steve Zimmerman referred you…)
Update: because this was posted in 2006, I am asked frequently if I still go to this practice, and if I still recommend it:
The answer is «yes» — it is better than ever, and I still, in 2009 – 2010 HIGHLY recommend Jill Smith’s practice for all of your dentistry needs!