Veronica M Alvarado, DDS

I found Dr Alvarado and her staff excellent. I have received a number of procedures — a filling and crown — and have absolutely no complaints about the work or experience. I also appreciate that they accept UC SHIP and are not nearly as expensive as others in Davis. As with all Unilocal reviews, I am skeptical of the objectivity of the few low rating below.

First the good: I chipped a small piece of tooth and needed it fixed. Despite having never been to a dentist in Davis before, I was able to book an appointment quickly, and even though the cap she put on fell off in a week, she put a new and better one on quickly and for free due to her error which I thought was really nice.
Now the bad: When I went to get my chip fixed, despite being very clear on my issue, had no record of me needing anything but a new client check-​up where they took x-​rays and started looking at my teeth and told me I had THREE CAVITIES in between my teeth. I was surprised and disappointed in myself considering how seriously I take my dental hygiene and having never had cavities in between my teeth before. I decided to hold off on getting all those teeth drilled, which included a $ 380 deductible on my part (not in a vet student’s budget) given the many extra «indispensable» add-​ons not covered by my insurance. I ended up seeing my usual dentist in LA during spring break in which he looked at my teeth and the same x-​rays she took and reported that he saw NO CAVITIES at all. Dr. Alvarado tried to destroy my perfectly healthy teeth.
As a fellow member of the medical field, I do not want to believe that she does not have the patients’ best interests at heart, but based on some other similar reviews it seems pretty clear that I’m not the only one who’s been pressured to have drastic dental work performed, possibly under false pretenses.

I have 1000 dental insurance allowance every year, so I searched some dental places on Google and finally I picked this place because it is near my apartment. After The first time visit, they gave me a feeling that they want to maximize their profit. They won’t tell you the cost before doing anything or give you the receipt of what they have been done at the end. Moreover, the doctor there only examined my teeth for 2mins!!! 2 mins!!! Yes, 2 mins!!! 2 days after, I canceled my next dental cleaning appointment. NOT RECOMMEND!!!

This place is the first Dental Center that I first went. Since I made an appointment, this place knew me have UC insurance. I was just asking for a teeth cleaning, they required a full-​teeth check up before cleaning, which costed $ 250 without telling me the price before doing it. Worse, after the full check up, I was told I need to do a deep cleaning that was $ 1250!!! FOR JUST A TEETH CLEANING! I AM JUST A UC STUDENT! Additional to the X-​Ray for my wisdom teeth, I was charged more than $ 400 without doing anything!
Now I can’t afford my copayment for removing my wisdom teeth that have to be removed by not having enough coverage because you!
I am just a student with insurance!!! Shame on you!!! I will definitely suggest all my friends keep away from your center!

I’ve been coming here for about 7 years! Started when I was in college because they offered a free whitening tray and I’ve been coming here ever since!
The girls are so nice and help you feel at ease, yet very professional.
Dr Alvarado, is fast, informative and very gentle.
I come here and I can sit back, close my eyes and relax (I have a 1 year old, so anytime I have to lay and close my eyes is great, even at the dentist!)
I’ve received a root canal, cavity fillings, and a retainer here. I once also lost my retainer and they offered to make a replacement at a discounted cost!
They are awesome! Just referred my husband

WOW. Where do I even start with my HORRIFIC experience here?
I got a cavity filled in Oct. 2015 and chose this place because it had good reviews and within my insurance coverage. The experience itself was fine, nothing spectacular, and I definitely did not find Dr. Alvarado particularly friendly.
2 ½ months later, my filling cracked out of the blue. I called them up and after some negotiating, Dr. Alvarado’s office [I had moved out of the area by then and could not go in directly] agreed to compensate me if I visited a different dentist in my area.
So the following week, I visited a reputable dentist in my area and got the fractured filling fixed. I sent them the bill, and that’s where the sketchiness begins:
The dentist I went to («Dentist B») got a call from Dr. Alvarado’s office, and they were asking a bunch of questions about me. Then they hung up and called again pretending to be an interested potential client asking about fillings and prices, etc. I know this because Dentist B recognized the girl’s voice (her name was Jessica, I believe), immediately felt sketched out, and called me up to let me know that Dr. A’s people were acting very strange over the phone and that they were concerned.
On top of that, Jessica never called me back in spite of saying she would, so finally I had to call them back. Her response? «Oh. You need to send us a detailed report of why they had to fill it.»
WHAT?
I am honestly so shocked because this place had such great ratings and turns out, they’re just a real sketch-​fest underneath that fake «professional and friendly» attitude.
On top of that, Dentist B told me that for a filling to crack like that (and he said it was real, real bad) is HIGHLY UNUSUAL. His words were «not impossible, but very rare,» whereas Dr. Alvarado’s office made it seem like it’s a common occurrence.
PLEASE AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. If you have a problem after they take your money, THEY WILL TRY TO SCREW YOU OVER.
I am in the process of reporting them to the Dental Board of California/​ADA and will not stop until everybody knows how horrible this place is – especially considering how it seems like a large majority of their client base seems to be Davis students. It’s just so, so wrong. Ugh.

I have my tooth filling done here. The process is smooth and comfortable. The people here are very kind and nice!

I did my regular cleaning and exam in this office. They are both friendly and professional. And they also gave us tips and brushes as a gift! They are so nice! I highly recommend this Dental Care!

I have been to this office three times now, and I have always found them professional, helpful, and kind. I had an exam, a teeth cleaning, and a filling for a cavity. All three were handled efficiently and with minimal discomfort.
There is tea and coffee as well as protein bars and waters in the waiting room (which made me feel very welcomed), and they do what they can to make you comfortable and happy.
Dr. Alvarado is very nice, and answered all of my questions. AND she went to the best school in the nation, UCLA, for both undergrad and dental school. Go Bruins.
I would recommend going to this office.

I have been coming to Dr. Alvarado for over a year now and I can not complain. She is an excellent dentist who does a fantastic work. She explains any dental treatment or procedure to the patient very well –she is direct, thorough, and concise! Is always open to questions and is extremely personable. The dental hygienist are also knowledgeable and do great work. All of the staff in this office are super friendly! The waiting area has lots of chairs, magazines, free gum, snacks, and coffee! Highly recommend this dental office!

Today was my second visit, and I was just as impressed as I was the first time I came in. The amenities make you feel welcome and comfortable with complimentary coffee and snacks. When I came in, I got a goodie bag filled with dental hygene items that saved me a trip to CVS! Additionally, the staff is very friendly, professional, and helpful. I felt I got a very detailed thorough cleaning, and to top it off, the doctor came in to check in on me and answer any questions I had. I’ve been to many dental offices and Dr. Alvarado’s has definitely been my top choice.

I’ve been to this dentist five times! They’re nice and courteous and I get in and out quick. Good Place in Davis, would recommend. They have a nice office and they a variety of amenities to make your visit comfortable. :)

I was really impressed by the service at Doctor Alvarado’s office. The front desk assistant was very kind and offered coffee to me as soon as I walked in. The dental assistant who X-​rayed my teeth was very friendly and knew exactly what she was doing. Dr Alvarado was very friendly, sincere, & helped me learn a lot about oral hygiene. I look forward to coming back to this office.

I was in more pain then I even thought possible from my tooth. I called Dr. Alvarado at 11:30 at night and she was able to get me in the next morning at 8 am. Although I had to go to a specialist for the root canal that I needed Dr. Alvarado was able to clean out the cavity and relieve all of the pain I was feeling. She worked so well with me and my insurance (I was running out) and I am so grateful for that. When I came back a week later for my crown she remembered everything that I told her the previous week and was genuinely concerned. I am going back for the rest of the work that I need. I highly recommend her and her staff.

One of the best dental care services I ever experienced.
My first impression of this place was everyone is friendly and nice. They’re very professional and they provide great service to their patients.
I always enjoy talking to the staff at the front desk. Very helpful and insightful.
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who needs dental care.

We have been going to dr Alvarado for a
few years and can’t say enough great things! Such a wonderful practice! Great dentist and staff :)

The atmosohere there is so friendly and the dentists have very good technics to refresh and repair your teeth! :)

I have been a patient of Dr. Alvarado for almost 3 years. Her and her staff are the most friendly I have ever had at a dentist office… and I have been to a LOT of dentist is Davis AND Woodland. Most dentists have made me worry and feel that there are issues with my teeth and I may need this or that (when really I totally don’t!). But Dr. Alvarado has always just focused on keeping my teeth as healthy as possible. She is also so very caring when helping my little girls get comfortable with the dentist.
The staff is so helpful they always help us schedule back to back appointments for my whole family! There have also been times that I bring my two little girls even when they don’t have appointments and the staff has always made them feel welcome and entertained (I’ve NEVER experienced that ANYWHERE btw).
And although I’ve been meaning to write this review for quite a while it was tonight that really showed the kind of dentist Dr. Alvarado is. My step daughter had suddenly experienced extreme tooth pain. so much pain that she wanted to go the ER. I called Dr. Alvarado (WAY) after hours and she responded IMMEDIATELY. She talked with my stepdaughter and calmed her down and scheduling her as soon as she could get in the office in the morning. My step daughter called me and was so happy and relieved that this was even possible! I would say this is the most caring dentist I have EVER know– and recall, I have been to A LOT in Davis and Woodland.
Dr. Alvarado is a great family doctor. In the past she split her time between two sites which for anybody I’m sure is tough to manage (and maybe contributed to these past poor reviews??). I am so excited I found her when I did and that she is now full time at the Davis office!

I have been to Dr. Alvarado for routine dental exam/​xrays/​cleaning twice and my impression is that she just wants to make money. She hardly spent any time at all with me and I do not believe she did a thorough dental exam. She filled a cavity once and it did not have a smooth surface and I could feel rough points constantly for at least a week after the procedure. The hygienists who did my cleanings did not do a thorough job either (for example: they never flossed my teeth after cleanings). I do not trust her or this office with my oral health. I will never return here.

All the worst experience that you can imagine happened on me. Treating patient very rudely. Even tried to finish the surgery when she noticed that I’m feeling the pain and clearly not numb, she asked me to stand it. Does not communicate with the patients. I need to go to other dentists within one month after the surgery because this Dr. Alvarado is not doing her job. Waste of money.