Phil F Shay, DDS MS

Dr. Shay is a really nice guy, honest and straightforward. Just went for cleanings and checkup — all was fine and his office staff was really great too. We searched high and low for someone that took our HMO insurance with good reviews — he’s it!

I am a City Employee with Healthplex who needed to find a new dentist after some real horror stories including really painful unnecessary work that was done poorly to the tune of thousands. After reviewing over 100 dentists on Healthplex against their Unilocal reviews I chose Dr. Shay. Thank you Unilocalers for your reviews!
The office is modern with new digital equipment. After having some pretty painful cleanings, Zeena the dental hygienist gave me the best cleaning of my life. She was careful, gentle, attentive and took her time. Dr. Shay is as attentive and honest as all the other reviews say. Despite the dentist from much horror stories saying I needed thousands in dental work, Dr. Shay gave me a clean bill of health.
I am happy to say that I’ve finally found a good dentist and I can’t wait to come back for my next cleaning!

Dr Shay is professional, straightforward, thorough, and nice. The office manager is also super nice and cool. The dental hygenists (I had Zeena) are also super friendly and thorough. Big plus — he takes insurance, including mine, Guardian Dental through Aetna.
I had some bonding replaced with veneers and Dr Shay did the procedure very comfortably and took his time to get a good match in color and shape. He has amazing software and equipment in his office.
While Dr Shay looks and acts in a very straitlaced manner, he played reggae music while the procedure was taking place, which puts one in a mellow and cheeful mood. I had been apprehensive about the steps of the 2 hour process of making and affixing the veneers. Instead, I closed my eyes and thought about those three little birds on my doorstep.

After experiencing some pretty bad dentists in the city I was starting to lose hope that I’d find a good one. Then I found Dr. Shay! On my first appointment I arrived with two pretty complicated issues and I was super nervous about a possible root canal or two. I was immediately impressed with Dr. Shay’s knowledge and confidence In knowing how to treat each issue. It immediately put me at ease and made me feel that I was in great hands. Since my first visit I’ve had a number of procedures (including two root canals) and each time I felt as comfortable as I think someone possibly could during such procedures. I requested the «laughing gas» during each root canal which definitely helped! It was an extra change but to me it was completely worth it since I get anxiety at the dentist. So if you’re nervous about the dentist at all, look no further and go to Dr. Shay. I must also add that his receptionist Carrie is such a joy! Going to the dentist with issues is always a bit nerve wracking so having such a warm and friendly person to greet you and answer your calls makes the whole experience easier. My only regret is that I did not find this office sooner!
Also, their address is not updated on Unilocal.They have moved to:
30 E 60^th St. (Between Madison & Park)
Suite 1104.

I have Cigna HMO and have dealt with a couple of really low-​down dentists. But when I found Dr. Shay, the sun came out again. He’s a talented dentist, a kind, caring and sweet guy who answers every little question you have, who explains exactly what your procedure entails, whose office is spotless and fresh, whose staff is friendly and accommodating, and for that matter who is as gentle as possible if you’re having real work done. My procedure, after two site injections, was painless. If you think they don’t make dentists like this anymore, it’s not true. The location is very convenient, too. I can’t say enough good things.

I recently had to change dental insurance so I had to find a new dentist. Dr. Shay is great! I really like this dental practice. Jennifer, the dental hygienist, gave me such a great cleaning. It was honestly the best cleaning i have ever had. She was so gentle, thorough, and pain-​free! She was so nice and attentive to everything I had to say. She’s very personable and she makes a great team with Dr. Shay. I have found my new dental office! I am looking forward to my next cleaning.

I’ve meant to write a review for a while & today Dr. Shay really needs a big thank you.
I saw the same dentist for 20 years — don’t really like going to the dentist so when you find one you trust… However, he didn’t take insurance & as his practice got fancier he charged a fortune. And then I lost my job — but luckily had COBRA dental insurance.
My best friend insisted I go to Dr. Shay — she’d been seeing him for years & loved him. I had a horrible toothache & so bit the bullet (or not) and went. He was so patient as he went through the x-​rays with me, showed the gray area of my infection & pulled my wisdom tooth. That sounds easy — but not when you have a very panicky patient who keeps asking if we can just put it off a few days… Pulled the tooth — no pain — and gave me explicit instructions and medication. Of course, being a panicky patient I showed up a few days later worried it wasn’t healing enough — but he again patiently reassured me it was doing well. It healed up completely :-)
Went back a month later for a regular check up & still liked him. And oh yes — the insurance only required a copay both times!
Now fast forward to today. In London & not going to return to the States for a few months. Bad toothache — actually quite a few of them hurt. Go to a dentist in London who tells me I need to wait for it to evolve so we can identify which tooth needs a root canal. Really? Called Dr. Shay today & explained the situation & that I didn’t know this dentist & was this right? He immediately got on the phone & talked me off the ledge. Went through it with me & reassured me. So patient!
So — thank you Dr. Shay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I hate going to the dentist-​but Dr. Shay is great. He remembers me even though I only see him twice a year for cleanings. The receptionist also remembers me and is super sweet – after the cleaning I fill out a quick postcard reminder for myself and I’m out the door. Scheduling appts is relatively painless and usually convenient since the office is close to grand central.

After extensively searching for a dentist on Unilocal that someone had given a GOOD review of AND took my insurance (1199), I yielded exactly 1 dentist — Phil Shay (yeah, 1199 is just a LITTLE restrictive!) So I went today to the office, which was way out of my way, however I’m glad I made the trip because I had read 2 horrible reviews of the place I was going to go (West Side Dental on the Upper West Side) on citysearch…
Everyone in the office was very friendly. The receptionist greeted me warmly and didn’t make me fill out 500 million forms; I just gave her a copy of my insurance card and filled out my medical history. The hygienist was thorough without being overly painful. The x-​rays were quick and they used an instrument that was much easier to tolerate than those plastic bite guards. The dentist seemed nice — my only criticism is that he looked at the x-​rays for 1 minute, exclaimed that I had no cavities and everything looked fine, and left the room. He spent very little time with me and did not do any «clinical» exam outside of looking at the x-​rays — I’m not a dentist and maybe this is okay — who knows. Anyway, compared to past traumatic and horrible experiences I’ve had with other dentist offices — this was easy, painless, quick (in and out under 40 minutes on my first appointment — and was able to squeeze in on the same day I called for an appointment!) and they didn’t try to sell me a bunch of stuff that I didn’t need! I’ll definitely be returning and suggesting him to others!

When you arrive at 317 Madison, you have to sign in at the front desk and obtain a visitor sticker. Take the elevators on the left side and go to the 9^th floor. Take a right as you exit the elevator, and take 2 consecutive rights, leading to a group of dentists. Room 906. Dr Phil Shay is one of them.
He is a friendly guy and a family man. He’s been my dentist for several years now, giving me a root canal and a few crowns (because I really needed it). He has also been my general dentist, administering cleanings twice a year and has whitened my teeth (Brite Smile) right before my wedding.
I recommend him to all, especially if you are too lazy to call 1−800-dentist.
IFHTP 3+