Neni Shriver, DDS

I’ve been to about 5 dentists in my lifetime, and I would rate all at 4 – 5 stars. Dr. Shriver’s practice is unbelievably terrible. It’s clear the only concern is how much money they can scam out of you. My visit was back in March 2015, so I’ve had plenty of time to let calmer heads prevail.
I was told by the receptionist that my Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO insurance was covered by Dr. Shriver during 2 different phone calls. The receptionist had to call me back to double check that they took my insurance, and he stated that they did. When looking at Dr. Shriver’s profile on zocdoc, it stated that she took that insurance. Then I get a bill for $ 300 for a routine cleaning and x-​rays, at which point Dr. Shriver claimed they do not take my insurance. After almost 2 months of daily/​weekly phone calls to Dr. Shriver’s office (many of which went unanswered) and requesting to speak to Dr. Shriver after the newly hired receptionist (the old one had been fired) was completely rude and disinterested in the issue I was experiencing, the new receptionist told me Dr. Shriver would waive the fee for my visit. I asked for this in writing multiple times, but of course, it never came. So I assume that because I have not seen a new bill over the last 8 months, I’m good to go.
The experience in the chair was ok, and the cleaning/​x-​rays by the dental hygienist were fine. The only caveat is the first thing Dr. Shriver did when examining my mouth was to push me to get veneers on my front upper teeth because I have a small gap between my top two front teeth. This would cost over $ 10k for the procedure, as the brochure she pushed on me detailed. I should’ve known at this point that Dr. Shriver’s practice was less than ethical. It took until the billing fiasco to leave me with no doubt. Go anywhere else. No other place can be this bad.

Something is very fishy about this practice, I have a feeling they say they have a hygienist to bill the insurance companies under that but I’m not sure there really is one. The first time I scheduled an appointment for a cleaning (I specifically said I wanted a cleaning allowed once a year via insurance) I got there and was told she wasn’t Ithere on that day.
Second time I was told she had an emergency. I had asked intentionally the receptionist to reschedule me if the hygienist isn’t going to be in I wanted my entitled proper cleaning, the dentist said she left at 1:00, my appointment was not until 3:00 s I should have been rescheduled.
The dentist did my cleaning so fast to took me longer to park my car! She had the power on the polishing tool so high it hurt, she was obviously in a rush. I believe because of my type of insurance Denti-​cal she didn’t want to waste a hygienists time!
I see she received several one star reviews… something is definitely shady wth this office. The fact the dentist has no regard for another persons time I wonder how she would like it if people made appointments with her and never showed up like this invisible hygienist!

DO NOT GO HERE! I read the reviews and was hesitant but what they say is true! Read Sarah’s review… I agree. I called to make an appointment for a cleaning and was told I had to have an exam first (so two appointments). I have my own xrays from a year ago so I said I would send them so I would not need any new ones. My old dentist is not on Denti-​cal so they said they would send over the xrays. He is very reputable and said I would only need bite wings if they wanted new ones. I had a full series done last July so it was just over a year and bite wings would all that would be necessary. I made my appointment and then called the morning of only to be told by the receptionist «you don’t tell the dentist what you need, she decides». I asked to check before I came to make sure i was only getting bite wings and she said she would put me on hold and check with the dentist. Unless she was sitting right there an nodded, she came back on in 5 seconds and said I needed a full series. I cancelled my appointment. The receptionist Hazel was rude and I think this place is out to take advantage of the Denti-​Cal system and patients. My old dentist’s office is very reputable and I trust their advice. I’m looking for a new dentist!

STAY AWAY!!! I went here on the Groupon. The website looks nice and they are in downtown La Jolla. That sold me. The office is newer. When I went in and asked about the Dr., they told me she served on the board of american dentistry or something to that extent and now she wanted to practice…
The entire staff is new and unprofessional. The girl was jamming my Xrays in. I have had full mouth Xrays before. The back of my mouth was bleeding. She ended up bruising a bone. This hurt for months after my appt. I called to say something and they never called me back.
On top of that, she told me I had 2 cavities. She gave me a quote for my cavities and some «cosmetic recommendations» she wanted to talk to me about. I did not trust her or her staff to do anything further to my mouth. I sought out other dental care with an amazing, reputable dentist. I have NO cavities. Imagine my surprise.
There is something seriously weird about this place. Don’t go here!

The GF and I both got groupons for a cleaning.
She had hers about a month before mine and called me after she was done. They said she had 5 «microcavities.» She was incredulous because she never had any cavities in her life and gets her teeth cleaned like clockwork every six months. They said that they could tell because the had really good x-​rays and «the best technology.» They showed her pictures of teeth with small cavities in them and told her it was her teeth. They also recommended 5 fillings at about $ 2000.
I went about three weeks later, and lo and behold, they told me the same thing! 5 microcavities, and when I told her I had never had a cavity in my life, she showed me a picture of a tooth with a cavity and said she was able to detect it because of her «new technology.» She also recommended 5 fillings at about $ 2k. When I left I couldn’t figure out if I should laugh or get pissed. So I ate a burrrito. I went on Unilocal to Unilocal about it but there was no La Jolla Smile Center on there (which is weird, because Unilocal has plenty of businesses that aren’t even businesses), so I couldn’t Unilocal.And then I got distracted by something shiny and forgot about it. It wasn’t until just now (about a year later) that I just got a reminder from them /​Dr. Shriver. Yahtzee!
A month later or so after GF went, she went back to where she grew up and saw her family dentist, who said they could not see anything. Six months after that she went to Mission Boulevard Dental Group (on another Groupon) and they said her teeth were perfect. I also went to Mission Boulevard Dental Group and they found no cavities or microcavities (or nanocavities for that matter).
I feel like this place is a total scam. There are WAY too many good dentists in LJ and PB to go here. To answer John L., I am indeed talking about the same dentist. She and her staff were very nice, but a scam is a scam is a scam. I will never ever go back there and recommend others to stay away.

I have had many visits with Dr. Shriver and with very good results. Painless and very kind. Experience in more complicated procedures and never have to wait. These things are very important to me.
I also noticed some that gave one star and I am always skeptical of these people. Why not two. They seem so angry and mostly about money. I cannot believe they are talking about the same dentist. No way.

She was great! It’s been 7 years since I’ve even been to the dentist and she didn’t make me feel guilty but was encouraging! She was even understanding of my student status reflecting on available funds. She overall exuded a great energy and it was a good experience overall. Would refer to my friends and family.

A cozy and clean dental office with super nice and friendly dentist and staff. I felt super comfy and relaxed while they worked on my problematic teeth. I will definitely be going back again :)

I bought a Groupon for Dental Cleaning, X-​rays, and Teeth Whitening kit here at Dr. Neni Shrivers office. It was so worth it. The front desk ladies were very friendly and got me in pretty quickly after I filled out the necessary paperwork. The dental assistants were also very friendly making sure I was comfortable throughout each process. Dr. Shriver was very kind, professional, and knowledgeable. Overall I had a pleasant experience and would recommend her.

Bought a Groupon-​type deal for a dental cleaning and whitening kit for my son, as he has no insurance, and it had been awhile for teeth cleaning. Made the appointment for April 11^th and all was well. After his exam & cleaning, they advised he needed both wisdom teeth pulled, and gum grafting, as said his roots were exposed! They wanted a sum in the 3 – 4 thousands to do both procedures, but I advised we would hold off on both til we called around. Made another appointment with another dentist to review his dental status. He only recommended that the two wisdom teeth should come out, and my son agreed they were bothering him-​advised no gum grafting was necessary, and did the wisdom teeth for $ 450! The La Jolla Smile Center, is smiling, but not so much for their unsuspecting customers, but for their bottom line. Tried to get the x-​rays, but was quoted $ 35 processing fee, then when told them forget it, I asked when his whitening trays/​kit would be ready, got the old «we’ll call you in a week»! Surprise, no call, said they were on back order and would be done by May 7^th. Not! I finally went in person on ⁵⁄₂₈ and had to wait 20 minutes while they «cooled», this when they were supposed to be ready ⁵⁄₇. Run away from this outfit like your hair is on fire!