Santeiro Alfredo, DDS

Let me toothful truthful, when it comes to dentists, I’d rather run bare-​assed into a burning building or to read A Tale of Two Cities by candlelight in an igloo somewhere in the Alaskan tundra. Dramatic, perhaps but in encountering a few who make the Marquise de Sade seem misunderstood, you must understand that just the phrase «I have to go the dentist,» often reduces me to rabid panic. It all boils down to the fact that there are two types of people: the lucky ones and the unlucky ones. When it comes to teeth, I regretfully fall into the latter category. Case in point, the tooth fairy never deigned to drop off so much as a nickel as a child, yet I digress.
Am I hater of naturally great smiles? That would be a resounding yes. It’s so not fair. Am I fan of dentists? Not in this lifetime or the next. It’s a little hard to get excited when the images of giant needles, obnoxiously loud drills and pointed lectures assail me. With that said, Dr. Alfredo Santeira did a lot to change my outlook. Circumstances dragged me into his office on Collins and 25^th. It’s a quiet, clean office with a friendly efficient staff and a stuffed bobcat taking center stage. Dr. Santeria takes some getting used to. Initially, he appears a bit standoffish at first, but he warms up when engaged. I didn’t read this as arrogance as much as a charming form of shyness.
I went in for extractions. Joy! Joy! Having already dosed myself with Ibuprofen, I prepared myself — deep meditation, frantic prayer, a frenetic hope for a fainting spell — for the needle. I really don’t like needles and the ones dentists use — a device resembling a tire iron — equate to cruel and unusual punishment.
Yet…I don’t know what kind of mojo Doc has but the needle didn’t hurt at all. I swear. Either Ibuprofen is the bomb or the Doc was sensitive enough not to jam the thing into my gums with a rumble of glee. The extractions caused a little pressure — interspersed with the Doc soothingly calming me down — but they were done in a little less than 15 minutes. I was stunned (and overjoyed). Honestly, I experience more pain with a bikini wax. It’s been three days and I’m healing well. Yes, there’s some minor pain and swelling which is to be expected.
The high point was the unique dynamic between Dr Santeira — he’s methodical, efficient and a no-​nonsense kind of guy — and his assistant, Sylvia — she’s super-​maternal, caring and even more efficient. They work well together, and it’s clear there’s a great deal of respect and affection. It works because they make the whole ordeal low-​key, relaying empathy, in a sensitive, pragmatic manner, that effectively eradicates the fears many patients face. Bottom line, I felt comfortable and pleased with the level of care, the lack of judgment and the super-​friendly staff.

I went to this dentist after moving back to Miami and being overdue for my dental checkup and cleaning. I was very underwhelmed by the whole experience. The doctor completed the checkup in about five minutes and barely even talked to me.
Pros: Quick, affordable for those without dental insurance
Cons:No patient-​doctor (human) connection whatsoever. Probvably the most painful teeth cleaning I’ve ever had.