San Marcos Dental Group and Orthodontics

This is definitely one of the nicest dentists offices I have ever been to and everyone I encountered was amazing.
I was in need of a root canal and I was referred to another endodontist by my dentist. They couldn’t see me for almost a month, so I did some research on my own and found an appointment at San Marcos Dental Group for the following week. At the point I made the appointment I had been in pain for a few weeks… So, I’ve never been so excited about a dental procedure in my life! First I met with Dr. Tran and he told me that I did indeed need a root canal, I was expecting to have to come back on a different day but they did it for me after my consult.
This was my first root canal (and hopefully the last) but Dr. Tran made it as pleasant of an experience as it could be. I told him about my concerns and how I’ve had teeth extracted or fillings done in the past that weren’t numbed all the way. He did a great job numbing and I didn’t feel a thing during the whole hour long procedure!
I’m thinking of switching over my primary dentist to this office, everyone was so great and they left a great first impression.

This is where my insurance assigned me and it was a miserable experience. I felt like I was on a production line going through different rooms, have different people work on me and then when I was almost done they send their 20 year old financial consultant in to talk about financing and force a decision before they release me. I haven’t been back nor will I. I would rather pay out of pocket than go back to them.

Do NOT go here! If I could give 0 stars I would. They try to up sell everything, the dentist that I had suggested I buy a $ 100 toothpaste that had extra fluoride in it (uh no thanks, I think I’ll stick to my $ 4 dollar toothpaste). I had a couple crowns done and every temporary that I had done by the assistants (that seemed like they were right out of school) were horrible, I think my three year old could of made a better one with his play dough. The last straw was when I scheduled to have my wisdom teeth taken out, I had to schedule and wait like a month. When I arrived into waiting room it was full of people (all scheduled for the same thing I’m assuming). I was sweating bullets because 3 out of 4 of them were grown into the bone and they had to cut into my gum and sew them back up, I waited about and hour and a half. Finally, when they called me in I laid down in the chair they threw a mask on me and put me out. When I woke up I was in my moms car with her freaking out, what a rude awakening, is this even legal? If you want to get your teeth yanked out in an assembly line come here! The only positive thing I can say about this place is that I found a really great dentist, when I went in they said «he was no longer at that facility» I asked «what facility?» thinking maybe he was moved to another chain, they told me, «they didn’t know» I then got the point. So I found him on Facebook and he told me where he was at and now I go to his private practice. I’m guessing he left for the same reasons I did. So I guess you can have your one star back :)

I’ve been receiving treatment for over a year now and still think this group of Dentist and their whole office staff are great. I had to have quite a bit of dental work done due to some childhood baseball accidents and I have felt like the entire team was pulling for me to make the process successful.
Everyone at this office is friendly and I’ve always appreciated how concerned they are for my personal comfort and taking care of my needs.
I just had the deep cleaning with Gina — super job.

I came here for a cleaning and to get xrays done. It was a very pleasant experience, from calling to set up an appointment, to actually getting the work done. Everyone I interacted with was genuinely concerned with my wellbeing and getting the best service possible. I can’t say that about really any dental officer I’ve ever been to haha. I had some concerns about the bills but they were able to help talk me through the weird process insurance companies decide to do. My only negative is I use my phone for just about everything and they sometimes send me reminders for my appointments. I’m the most forgetful/​busy person and without the emails added to my calendar I forget everything haha. Other than that I recommend stopping by and getting whatever you need done by them. You only have one set of teeth so don’t be afraid to make sure they’re healthy: D

Horrible Billing! The first time around we were overcharged by almost $ 500 because they coded the services incorrectly. I happen to stumble upon the discrepancy after reviewing our insurance provider statements. It took a few follow up calls before the issue was finally resolved. The SECOND billing issue we are STILL battling. Once again we were incorrectly billed. This time they undercharged. Rather than calling us to inform about the mistake the charge was sent to collections. We contacted the office the day after receiving the collection notice and paid the outstanding balance within two days. Since then we have received an additional TWO collections notices… from different agencies. This after calling the office and providing the receipt as proof. I am beyond frustrated with the amount of effort I have had to put in to correct their mistakes.

Dr. Nosti, Liz and the entire San Marcos Dental team are simply incredible. Thank you for taking care of my husband’s dental emergency! Thanks to you, we had a ‘painless’ weekend.

Ok, let me start by saying, that the front office staff is polite and friendly… maybe its because they know you’re about to fleeced!!! Well, my visit to this office happened in July of 2012 (I know a little late) but I had to give other patients a warning. I was assigned to Dr. John Nosti. I went in for tooth pain and that’s when my ordeal began.
After my exam, I was told that I needed a root canal and crown-​tooth 30, (by his asst. Nadyne) but that I needed to be treated for a blocked canal (not covered $ 550) before the work could begin… I thought that strange, but excepted it. I was also, told that I needed to have a tooth extracted! I was horrified and saddend, but again I excepted the diagnosis.
So, I excepted their earliest appointment, a few weeks later. The day of my appt. I was called by the office and told, «my appointment needed to be rescheduled.» I told them, I was still in pain and needed to been seen immediately. I ended up calling my insurance company and they called the office, which prompted them to refer me to a specialist. I was seen that day, by a specialist and I’m so glad I did.
I was informed by the specialist that I didn’t have a, «blocked canal» (he had never heard of it) nor did I need an extraction! I was shocked and appalled, that a doctor would and his asst. would try to «upsale» their patient. All they wanted to do was make more money, by telling me to have a canal repaired and having me get a bridge or implant for the extracted tooth. This dentist and his assistant are very shady, BE WARNED!!! I WOULD NEVER TRUST THEM AGAIN! I now have a wonderful dentist that is trustworthy!!!

Overall great office but the waiting area is FREEZING!!! So cold I asked for a blanket after my nose was running and goosebumps covered my arms and legs. Receptionist just laughed– as she was wearing her winter coat with fur lining. I’m not kidding either.

Dr. Nosti was our family dentist for over 5 years in Hemet. When he moved to the San Marcos office, there was no question that we would make the drive. Dr. Nosti is simply brilliant. Gina, the dental hygienist, is gentle, kind, and extremely knowledgeable. The rest of the staff are equally fantastic. I highly recommend this office!!!

They try to rip off people. When I was getting ready to sign paperwork for braces, I noticed that they would try to «add on» extra stuff without discussing anything. So READ everything including the fine print before you sign anything. Also, I switched to a new dentist this year and found out that the staff SMDG would «make up» stuff in order to make money because my new dentist told me that I didn’t need a crown and I did not have any cavities like they had said three months prior. I am so glad I am no longer stuck with them! I also found it odd that Gina would recommend laser therapy (that was not covered by the insurance) to remove infection every time I had teeth-​cleaning and I had been with them for three years. If I had an infection, they would have been obligated to write a prescription for antibiotics if I declined the laser therapy.

OK, I never thought I would give a dentist 5 stars. Seriously. A dentist. Who likes to go to the dentist? Not me. I’m a big baby when it comes to these things. I have cried many a-​times in a dentist’s chair in my 30 years of life.
That being said, I have finally found a dentist office that I like! I have been going to SMDG for the last 3+ years, and I even drive up there from my new place in OB because they’re that great! The office staff is second to none — they are the friendliest, most competent medical office staff I have ever encountered!
I have had a few different dentists over the years, and have liked them all, but I really, really like my current dentist, Dr. Tran. He’s friendly, professional, and very capable. He makes me feel at ease (well, at least as «at ease» as is possible for me in a dentist’s chair). The best dentist I have ever had! :)
Gina, the hygienist, is awesome! She’s so kind and gentle and she thoroughly explains every recommendation she makes and always lets me weigh multiple options when choosing treatment. I never feel any pressure to choose the more expensive treatment — in fact, Gina and Dr. Tran have both recommended the less expensive treatment option multiple times.
For the people complaining that they’re expensive, NEWS FLASH: dental work is not cheap. I have never felt like anyone at SMDG has nickel and dimed me. In fact, when I had to have a procedure done that was not covered by my insurance, the billing coordinator informed me of a discount offer she was able to apply — without me even asking!
The office is very clean and their technology is up-​to-​date. The staff is fantastic. As strange as it is for me to give any dentist 5 stars, San Marcos Dental Group is truly as good as it gets.

Unfortunately looks can be deceiving when going to the dentist. Yes it is a nice, clean, up to date facility and friendly staff kind of place. But boy do they try to take advantage of you. If you go to the San Marcos Dental Group and Orthodontics be prepared to fork out money for un necessary work. Luckily I went to another dentist for a second opinion. Wow, am I happy I did because I just saved myself over 2 thousand dollars.

I was a little worried about coming here after reading some bad reviews, but so far my experience has been good. Office was clean and clearly up to date with all technology, all the staff and Dr. Bagheri were very friendly and informative, and the appointment was timely and efficient.
There was a hiccup with my out of pocket expenses being too high compared to what my insurance stated, but it was cleared up and adjusted with no hassle at all. They take CareCredit too, which makes working out how to pay for services easy.
Best dentist I’ve been to that caters to an HMO dental plan.

Dr. Tran is awesome! He’s nice, gentle and very friendly. I hate going to the dentist but Dr. Tran puts me at ease. The place is clean and the staff is friendly.

Ehh

I have been going here since 2005. The staff is second to none when it comes to friendliness and professionalism. Doctor Harris does a great job.

This place is AWFUL. They did a crown for me and not 6 months later the crown had a hole in it. The hole wasn’t due to decay or anything that I did, it was a manufacturing defect. I didn’t have insurance at the time so I paid nearly $ 1000 out of pocket for this. When I went back to have the crown fixed, San Marcos Dental Group said that it wasn’t their fault that the crown had a hole and that it would cost me $ 450 to fix. I requested photos of the crown (I remember them taking them) but told me the photos don’t exist.
My current dentist office will be replacing the crown instead, for less than what San Marcos Dental Group wanted for their own mistake. They also wanted to sign me up for tons of extra stuff I didn’t need. This place only cares about money. I hate this place and warn anyone I know of in the San Marcos area away from there.
Stay away, stay away, stay away. AWFUL.

If you simply want your teeth cleaned, stay far away from this place! I went there for a semi annual teeth cleaning. I was told that they cannot clean my teeth because I need a «Irrigation teeth cleaning» which would cost $ 81 on top of my co-​pay, and on top of my co-​pay for the original visit. I said no thank you, I just want a normal teeth cleaning. The «Doctor» gave me a very weird look and sent in a sales woman (called billing specialist). She insured me that I needed the special cleaning and that I was getting a great deal.
I refused to get that cleaning and the doctor came back to talk me into it again. I refused so the doctor gave me a big sigh and cleaned my teeth. The cleaning lasted 2 – 3 minutes and was very painful. I was told that maybe next time i will trust the doctor and do what he recommends. My friend received the «irrogation cleaning» and said they just gave him a cup of mouth wash to gargle before the cleaning and billed him almost $ 100.00. THIS PLACE IS HORRIBLE!!!