Columbia Gateway Dentistry

This is a fantastic dentist. I have been going to Dr. Ghozati for a few years now. The office is very clean and professional. There are plenty of administrative and support staff (interestingly all women as far as I can tell) and they are very helpful in answering any question I have. I usually just go for a cleaning, they always do a very thorough job, the hygienist does most of the work, I have had a couple different people do the cleaning for me and they have always been super nice and they take their time and do a good job. At the end Dr. Ghozati always stops by and does an inspection of your teeth. They have computer screens at each chair and she goes through the x-​rays individually and tells you how the teeth look, she points out any trouble spots that she sees.
I recently went in for a more serious procedure (wisdom tooth extraction) and everything went very smoothly. Dr. Ghozati goes out of her way to explain what to expect, and makes sure you are comfortable and responsive to any pain you feel.
Also, I don’t have insurance — I always pay out of pocket, and I think the prices are really reasonable. A cleaning is ~130 for the first visit (if I remember correctly) and exactly 100 for each visit after that (includes tax and xrays etc). The wisdom tooth extraction + filling + 360 degree xray set me back around $ 450, which I thought was reasonable. I highly recommend her practice, of all of the dentists I have been to I think she is my favorite.

My family and I have been dr. Ghozati ‘s patients for many years. The office is relaxing, clean, and brand new with latest dental technology. the dentist has impeccable bed side manner. She put you at ease and is willing to make adjustment to the crown or bridge that I got put on.
We are very happy with their services.

I took my son for his first visit. They needed some fillings. It was his first time. Once they numbed him, he got a little scare bc of the needle. He didn’t move or cry. He was just very nervous. He is only four. I was holding his hand to make him feel comfortable. Doctor start getting upset bc he would not opened his mouth all the way. He started telling my son that I was going to leave the room if he didn’t stop. Honestly, he wasn’t screaming or doing anything. He was just very nervous. Doctor kept asking me to leave. Of course I didn’t leave my four years old son there. They gave him a mask with some type of gas to calm him down. I was very pregnant at that time. I later found out that gas was not safe for pregnant woman. They were just not friendly at all (by that I mean the doctor bc hygienist was the opposite very comforting with my child). On top of that, they gave him a silver cap without asking me. Even though I was there, I didn’t realize what they were doing until she put it. She said it was the only way to treat his tooth. Later I found, parents need to sign a paper to authorize it. He didn’t really need it. I could go on and on… but I will never go back or recommend this place

I found this dentist (Ghozati) from my local bank manager. I can honestly say that while the prices are a little high, I believe you get what you pay for. The whole office is amazing, from the secretary to the billing department to the hygenist (excuse my spelling) to Dr Ghozati herself. She went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable during my crown insertation to my daughters simple cavity filling. My daughter is a twenty year old ninny who hates the dentist, and this is the first dentist she has ever seen that she would willingly see again! As long as you can afford them I would never go anywhere else!

I had a procedure done today at the office. I want to say that the receptionist and office manager are both such nice people. They were very helpful in setting up the appointment, didn’t penalize me when I got sick the day of the appointment and set me up for another day. The office manager went over the price and gave me the exact cost of the procedure and at the end of the visit I was indeed charged this exact amount, despite the fact that they also gave me laughing gas, which there is usually a charge for I believe. The doctor and assistant were both so incredibly nice to me. I was freaking out because the numbing didn’t work and I was in a lot of pain, and they were calm, fixed the problem and gave me the laughing gas to calm me down. The crown I got looks really good compared to the other 2 I have gotten from other dentists in the past. It was an all porcelain crown and they make them right in the office and you get to go home with the crown already done. I had initially been going to get the porcelain fused to metal but ended up with this crown. I may do that in the future, despite the crazy price on it. The doctor even showed me how they make it, which was cool (even though I was out of it from the gas!) You also don’t have to get an impression done for the crown because they use this special kind of camera instead.
The office is in a really nice building next to Lifetime Fitness, is very clean and high tech. In the past, I have recommended the office to my parents, partner and a friend and will continue to recommend it. I just wish I could have an experience at the dentist where they numb me correctly right from the beginning. It never happens and is always a traumatic experience for me :(At least I know the doctor will be kind and understanding which I like.
By the way, some of the reviews are really strange. There are probably 3 or 4 people who didn’t even go to the office with reviews, which is not really helpful.

This money garbing corporate set of a machine has may or may not have taken her oath but she certainly act as if she never has.

My Medicare Advantage plan covers some limited dental and they use Dentemaxx as their vendor. Due to many years of «dry mouth» (which I didn’t fully understand what that meant) I started loosing teeth, a few had roots above the gum line, etc., and needed to see a dentist to see what could be done, if anything. I was/​am thinking full dentures!!! So I checked the Dentemaxx list for a dentist and found these losers, checked them out on Angie’s List and other resources and thought I’d found a winner.
I called to make an appointment and spoke with Suzy. She needed to make sure they worked with my plan, and was advised they did. Mid February I had my first and only appointment. I was passed through a few hands, and did receive bite wing X-​rays. They were not able to clean my teeth because I needed to be on antibiotics right before due to a 14 month old knee replacement. The dentist did look at my teeth and X-​rays. She told me that Suzy would go over the plan with me. The treatment plan was for perio scaling and root planing to the tune of $ 1,032. $ 466 for each side and $ 100. Now mind you there is no teeth on lower right and upper left, and the whole lower left is already above the gum line.
I paid $ 15 for the X-​rays which is ALL I OWED! PERIOD! Then starting in May they start sending me a bill for $ 97.69, the balance after insurance paid. I responded with a letter explaining why I DIDN’T owe this. They continue sending me a bill and I responded a second time and sent copies of the info from the insurance plan and Dentemaxx to clarify. Why do I really need to even do that? And copied Dentemaxx as well. My Advantage Plan went bankrupt the end of March so I didn’t copy them and they paid their portion.
I’ve called and asked for billing and am told they aren’t in and to call back. Yesterday I got yet another bill. I’m just going to ignore it and they can all just go to hell! I don’t know what their problem is. I don’t appreciate their gross waste of the trees they’ve used for the bills and envelopes. But this disorganization, sheer ignorance and so unprofessional. I would allow them to walk my dog.
So now I’m on a mission and will post similiar reviews everywhere I can think of and will look at filing a complaint with the organization that oversees them and the BBB. If, I appears on my credit report, there will be hell to pay. Inept, totally.

OK, I have to say that when it comes to skill and technology, these guys are great. A clean, top-​of-​the-​line dentist office, they know what they’re doing here. My main complaints are the «bedside» (chairside?) manner and billing.
For their overal demeanor, it’s not that they’re rude, mean, or malicious. No, they’re just very «matter-​of-​fact», including when they are drilling into painful areas. I had better apologies and comforting while I was getting a root canal from an endodontist than I did having a simple cavity drilled out and filled. A little more concern and empathy from the dental staff might be better.
Also, their billing procedure leaves a little to be desired. They give you a number at the end to pay, but that is just the «pre-​estimate». You could give them $ 1000.00 because that’s what they ~think~ it will cost, but months later they will tally up what your insurance actually covers and suddenly you’re looking at $ 500.00 more you owe them. It’s not really an ethical business practice to make the customer pay what you guess and later say, «Oops, you owe a bunch more.»
So, I might use them because of their skill and technology, but I’m also more likely to find someplace with a bit more friendly demeanor and better billing practices.

I love Dr. Ghozati & staff. The office beautiful, staff is warm, and Dr. Ghozati has a gentle touch. I’m really happy to see this office grow.

I was 34 weeks pregnant when I decided to visit the dentist since I had a broken tooth and was concerned about infection and if that would affect my child. My plan was to get a opinion and decide on whether I needed to get anything done and if that was advisable at that time due to my advanced pregnancy. however against my better judgement, I agreed to teeth cleaning. Once the hygienist was done and the doc came in she inspected my teeth. She was not able to find the broken tooth and finally she asked me where it was. After I showed it to her, she could not get a good look since it was a molar and was growing towards my mouth inner wall. So she recommended I get Xrays done and assured me it was safe at this stage in my pregnancy. I was not comfortable and we agreed that I would make an appointment after my delivery. She inspected my teeth, took some pics and mentioned that I have cavities and was very surprised when I mentioned that none of the teeth gave me any pain. She was especially surprised when I said I had not experienced any pain since she thought my top molars had big cavities and such teeth ave a tendency to break anytime. That did scare me and I made a mental note of getting the Xrays done as soon as I could. After I went home, I had alternating pain on the top molar at night and this continued for a week. Since I couldnt take any medication, I would swallow ice-​chips till the pain numbed and would be awake at night for 3 – 4 hours every night till about a week. This may be a coincidence, but I will never go back to the doctor /​hygienist for what I went through in the last days of my pregnancy — for teeth cleaning.

I’m literally still numb from my procedure today but I just had to come onto Unilocal and gush about this amazing place. I am not a dentist fan — in fact, it had been way too long since I’d been to one, and that was not a source of pride for me. I decided that I had a dental emergency today, and I gave CGD a call, on the off-​chance that they might be able to take me. They told me to come right away, and I was seen within an hour or so of my initial call. The place itself is very calming and the desk staff super reassuring — did I mention I was terrified of this very business? When I was called back, I was still scared, but the dentist and hygienist were very friendly, very straightforward so I wasn’t nearly as scared. They went over the cost very plainly before the procedure, and to start it was less pricey than I thought it would be – and they even knocked off a good chunk of the price because I was uninsured.
The procedure itself went so smoothly. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’m kind of on top of the world right now — feeling good about getting a tooth taken care of and feeling really good about choosing Columbia Gateway Dentistry. I can’t speak highly enough about this magical dental palace.

This place is only interested in making money. I recently moved to the area and chose them for a routine cleaning. They are a preferred provider in my insurance plan. Everything went great during the appointment, the dental hygienist was very thorough. I paid my copay and was on my way. One month later I received a bill for $ 99. Turns out they took additional x-​rays that are not covered by my insurance and minus my copay this was my balance for basic exam! So really I had to pay $ 119 I think people without insurance pay less. I have never had to pay more than my copay unless I was offered additional services but I have always been asked beforehand. From my initial conversation with the front office staff they are familiar with my insurance because she even showed me a binder of all the insurance plans and what they cover… so why do something extra that you know is not covered without discussing it with me first if I am going to be held responsible to pay??? Because they want to make $$$ NO MATTER WHO PAYS FOR IT, ME OR THE INSURANCE. If you go there, please be aware of what your insurance covers you may want to take a copy of it and tape it to your forehead so they can read it before they start working on you. My family will not be returning to this place and now I am back to square one to find a good, honest, family dentist!

I went to see Dr. Shadi for an extraction after reading the reviews, and came away very impressed. My appointment began on time, her and her whole staff were very accommodating, and she did the actual extraction in about 10 – 15 seconds (after I had wondered how in the world she was even going to get it out; it was in pretty bad shape). She showed me things that I needed to improve on, and set a plan in motion to take care of some other issues that were found. Haven’t been back yet (switched jobs), but as soon as all is taken care of, I will definitely be paying Columbia Gateway Dentistry a visit again. Comfortable atmosphere with people who know what they’re doing? Sure I’ll give it a shot again…

Let me first say that I never went to an appointment at this dentist, so the dentist may very well be to Dentistry what Kobayashi was to competitive hot dog eating. My gripe is with their administrative staff. I called on a Tuesday and set up an appointment for two Thursdays from then using my PPO dental provider. At first, she told me she needed to check to make sure they still supported that provider and would call me back. Fair enough. Then she calls me back, saying she did not collect enough information about the provider, and again says she will call me back. No harm no foul, so far.
Finally, I get a call back saying they supported them and we set up the appointment for two Thursdays from then. The whole week goes by and I get a call on Monday morning saying they did not support that PPO. Thanks, you just wasted an entire week of mine where I could have called a competent Dentist office and probably set up an appointment that week (not in 2 weeks). Also, keep in mind this update came after they sent me a post card and called me to remind me of the appointment. Anyway, I hop on the phone quickly to prevent losing more time and call another dentist. They ask me the provider and I tell them. Unlike the incompetent Admin Staff at Columbia Gateway Dentistry, they instantly knew they supported that provider, without having to do «research» and call me back a few times.
The cherry on top, however, was when the lady (from Gateway) called me back, after I had set up the other appointment, and told me they DID in fact support that provider. She said, «It seemed weird to me that we would not support that PPO, so I looked into it and called them back. We do support them.» Thanks for your incredibly late discovery. And thank you for wasting my time.

Dr. Ghozati and her very professional and experienced STAFF have done miracles to my teeth. My Wife and I are patients of hers for about 2 years now and let me tell you the miracle work she has done to my teeth which has greatly improved my overall health…
Two years ago, I was in great need of some serious Periodontal Disease at a point where it looked like I would need to eventually get dentures. I mean my teeth were bad. I had gingivitis, tarter and plague took over my gums and mouth! It was horrible. When I would attend meeting or talk to folks, I just didn’t want to show my teeth. So one day I decided that I needed to improve my health and the first thing I started to focus on was my teeth.
Dr. Ghozati took me in as a patient and immediately began work and told me she would work at helping me get my teeth and gums healthy.
She explained to me what it would take and what she needed from me to get to that point of having a healthy mouth. Well she and her Team did it! With regular visits and following her and her Team’s advice on what I need to do daily I have to say I am finally cured and that was within 6 months of being at patient at Columbia Gateway Dentistry. This morning they took a set of new x-​rays of my mouth and when Dr. Ghozati compared them with my first set of x-​rays you could see that today I have a totally different very healthy mouth! =)
Dr. Ghozati and her Team are honorary members of our family now! I will be taking my Baby Boy there for his Dental care!
Thank you Dr. Ghozati and the Columbia Gateway Dentistry TEAM!
Of course, you all know I recommend Columbia Gateway Dentistry for all your dental care needs!
They will become your Family too!

Most people dread a trip to the dentist. I’m not one of them. I don’t love it. Nevertheless, I would much rather go to the dentist once every six months than get a bunch of tooth aches. I moved into the area a little over a year ago and I’ve been having major trouble finding a good dentist. The previous one I tried rescheduled me last minute twice in a row.
After the second time I decided to look for reviews on Unilocal.I came across Joel’s review and decided to give Dr. Shadi Ghozati and her staff a try. I was highly impressed. My appointment was for the beginning of yesterday and today’s blizzard. The staff called and asked if I could come in early. I suspect they had cancelations due to the weather. I made it in and was immediately greeted by a smile and my name even though this was my first visit.
The entire staff was friendly. The receptionist, the dental hygienist, and the dentist herself were all friendly, respectful, and professional. I already made my next cleaning appointment for 6 months from now. I have finally found my dentist in Maryland.
To top it off, as Joel mentioned the office is incredibly nice and they’ve got a nice setup. Not only do they have digital X-​rays that you can review with the dentist immediately, they also have a regular digital photographic system. They can show you the inside of your mouth and teeth with ease. And in my case, take a picture of a small cavity that’s not worth drilling now. 6 months from now Dr. Ghozati will review the picture and what my tooth currently looks like to make the decision from there. It is nice to know they have these baseline pictures of my mouth to see what changes over time.

Dr. Shadi Ghozati and her staff are the most friendly and professional dental group I’ve visited. Conveniently located adjacent to Lifetime Fitness in Columbia, Maryland, Columbia Gateway Dentistry has a brand new facility with the latest dental technology. Availability of appointments is great and rescheduling is no problem.
I’ve only been there for cleanings and one cavity filling, but the rest of my family goes there for more complicated procedures (e.g. crowns, dentures, etc).
the waiting room is kind of small… but you’re not really waiting at any time. as soon as you register, you’re almost immediately seated in your examination chair. i guess this would only be bad if you had kids waiting … but they could take a walk outside? or the office complex has a lounge area on the second floor.
you won’t be disappointed!