Katz Monroe DDS

So, Mary-​Anne finally got dental insurance from work; and she was in dental pain over something last week, and so we went looking for a new dentist for her. She’s never had one in Napa, so it was a whole new adventure.
Being the anally-​retentive, all-​about-​due-​diligence management consultant that I am, I, of course, did it methodically. First I looked at the list of dentists that the insurer recommends (since they’re always more likely to just accept the insurance and not make you pay anything… at least until it’s better known what’s typically covered, and what’s not.
As I found a dentist on the list, I used Unilocal to see what people think; and so right out of the gate, Western Dental got eliminated. Though the relatively new (to Napa) Coast Dental was on the list, and had okay Unilocal reviews…
…the bottom line is that if I can’t even get a place to answer the phone, then all bets are off. So Coast was out.
So that left me with small practices and individuals…
…one of whom is Dr. Katz. I called and chatted with the receptionist and learned that he only worked on Mondays and Tuesdays; so, right there, I knew he was likely older, maybe semi-​retired, and with that always comes experience… which the receptionist confirmed. I made a few other phone calls, but Dr. Katz seemed like a good choice. Yes, he only had one Unilocal review (before this one that I’m now writing), but it was glowing.
So, what the heck, we went there. Filled-​out all the forms… in fact, at one point I got frustrated with all the questions and wrote in one of them «why do we have to answer all these questions.» Dr. Katz later remarked that he loved that answer…
…and with that, we loved him. He is just SUCH a nice man. Yes he’s older… not decrepit, mind you, but beyond retirement age… as I suspected. He’s thin and healthy looking, but I noticed his hand shaking a little…
…however, like most medical professionals who develop a shake, as soon as he laid that hand on the patient, the shake stopped… also as I expected. There are articles about how that all works… kinda’ fascinating, actually. In my consulting to the medical profession, I’ve seen it many times before, so I wasn’t surprised. Plus, let me tell you something that I just know about this guy after talking with him for a while, and watching him work: If he ever couldn’t do his job, he’d stop. No way this honorable and professional man would ever endanger a patient. So the shake, trust me, is no big deal.
When asked why he practiced just two days a week, he said «so I can write and paint,» at which point I noticed the artist’s signature on the watercolor on his wall was his… he’s the artist! And he then told me he wrote a book about art, professionally published and everything! We ended-​up buying an autographed copy from him. I’ve only started it, but it’s really good, so far. All but one of the eight or so Amazon reviews were five stars, so I expected nothing less.
He’s a very interesting fellow, I tell you… and obviously very experienced. Clearly knows what he’s doing. He’s FORGOTTEN, I suspect, more than most dentists will ever know. If experience is your criteria, look no further than Dr. Katz!
I liked that he hated — he never said so, but I could just tell — the computer system on which he looks at x-​rays, now. I could tell he missed his film and lightbox. Believe me, I can really appreciate that. Still, he operated it all like a pro, never missing a beat; as if he was born with a computer mouse in his hand.
And Mary-​Anne really felt comfortable; could really tell that he knew what he was doing. Her confidence in him grew quickly; and by the time the appointment was done (and it was a long one… he took his time with us, which we appreciated VERY much), she trusted his recommendations.
We ended it promising to report back to one another on our best pizza recommendations… his a mom-​and-​pop place in Vallejo on Tennesse Street; mine a place in Antioch which, yes, is part of a national chain, but it’s the ONLY place in the entire SF Bay area where one may get an AUTHENTIC (with emphasis on that word) Chicago deep-​dish pizza…
…no, seriously, Chicago Ike Sewell’s ORIGINAL Pizzeria UNO and DUE recipe; the ONLY place in the entire SF Bay area where it can be had! Anyone who’s never had that pizza only THINKS s/he’s had authentic Chicago pizza. I’m from Chicago, so I know. Trust me on this.
Anyway… listen: Dr. Katz is terrific. Yes, old-​school; but really knows his stuff and well worth only being able to see him on Mondays and/​or Tuesdays. If you’re looking for a dentist, then by all means check him out.
And be sure to ask him about his book! [grin] He’s very proud of it… as well he should be.
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Gregg L. DesElms
Napa, California USA
gregg at greggdeselms dot com

I love Dr. Katz. He is such a nice person. Did a good job fixing up my teeth too.