Philip Lane Ottinger, DDS

I went to this guy 7 years ago with a crack in my tooth. he put a crown on that failed within less than a year. he is the worst doctor I’ve ever been to. run don’t walk away from this clown.

I warn you now do not go to Ottinger! He is the worst. I had a bad gut feeling the first time I went and I should have listened to it. Everytime ive gone I’m waiting atleast 30 minutes before every appointment before I get to sit down in the chair. He talks way too much about random stuff, I’m just there to get my teeth cleaned/​fixed. He’s a nice guy but horrible dentist. Two times he didn’t wear gloves while working on my teeth and then the second time I asked him to put on gloves and he just mumbled «I was just looking at your teeth really quick I’m going to put gloves on». Ew talk about not sanitary! You should always wear gloves! And the last time an final time I went I got two or three fillings done. Most uncomfortable Filling I have ever gotten done. Didn’t ask once if I was uncomfortable or if I was okay. Left the dentist with my mouth throbbing and felt like I was a teething baby. The next week it still hurt then finally went away. One of my gums looked bruised the next day and didn’t pay any attention to it just thought it was because of the metal gadget he put in my mouth. Well now 2 Month later I have an infection in my gum! Awesome! Never will go back. And I advise u to never go in the first place. You will b disappointed.

After being with a dentist I loved for 30 years, I moved to Santa Cruz and needed a new dentist. Dr. Ottinger knows his stuff and I was warned he was «crusty» prior to seeing him. After 3 visits with him I was done. He talks non-​stop in his «teaching manner» and he would be going strong an hour later, and I was only having my teeth cleaned. He brushed off my own thoughts and questions with exasperation in his voice. By the 3^rd visit, i just kept quiet then went home and found another dentist. I have had a mouthful of dental work done throughout my middle aged life and dental work does not bother me but Dr. Ottinger did. Personally, I would not recommend him to anyone I know or love.

I used Ottinger before the invention of the internet and I still remember the horrible experience I had there. First, while numbing my mouth he damaged the nerve bundle cause partial numbness (paralysis) in my lip for the next 2 years. Two, one time when he could not perform a root canal, he threw his instruments onto a table and stomped of. Three, would talk to other patients in a condescending way. Dentist like this are the type that makes you not want to go to Dentist for a very long time. This guy doesn’t have the skill set to change a tire much less be around people! When I think of Ottiger, I think about «Marathon Man».

I drive 40+ miles to see Dr. O (I’m coming from San Jose /​Cupertino) plus pay extra out-​of-​network fees even though I have many more convenient options. And I know for a fact I’m not the only one.
Going to Dr. O is like going to a teaching hospital. Everything is explained and narrated play-​by-​play in precise technical detail with the assisting staff — and with you. Don’t be surprised if the occasional textbook (and soon iPad video) gets whipped off the (extensive) bookshelf to show you something. He’ll talk to you like a you’re a medical student, if that’s what you want.
I happen to like this, but if you don’t, I’ve also heard Dr. O explain things in very understandable terms. He talks tech to some, not to others, depending on their preferences. The point is that this is not a place where you get talked down to, ever.
It’s all about the practice and science of dentistry at Dr. O’s. He is a perfectionist who ponders over his patients’ more complex cases on his off time, and consults with a lot of his dentist friends, most of whom are high-​end specialists far and wide.
Yes, he is forthright sometimes. Some people apparently interpret this as gruff. But this comments are never aloof, nor curt, nor snarky, but more of a «I don’t care about the BS, just the dentistry» style. Think of a cross between Dr. House and Ansel Adams.
And yes, Dr. O always wears gloves when necessary and washes his hands (and it’s special disinfectant soap) about 20 – 40 times a day (several times usually while working on the same patient). And no, the dog was never let inside the office proper.