Connie Manuel, DDS

My husband and I just moved to the area and were looking for a new dentist. We both decided to try out espresso dental. We both had the same general check-​up completed. My husband did not get charged anything. I had my check-​up and was assured I didn’t owe anything. When I came in a few weeks later to get a filling they informed me that I owed them for my checkup. When I inquired they said it was because of our insurance. Sure… we have the same insure and had the same procedures done. Whatever, I paid my bill. When I asked if I could pay for the filling they said no, they had to figure it out. I have never been to a dentist that had to «figure out» how much I owed especially when they already have my insurance information ahead of time. Two months later I finally get a bill which they give me 5 days to pay!
I will say the hygienists are super nice and everything about my cleaning and filling went well but I do not trust their bookkeeping and will be looking elsewhere for a dentist in the area.

I’m writing this as I am sitting on my couch at home, less than an hour after Dr. Manuel pulled out my top two wisdom teeth. The local anesthetic is wearing off and actually, I don’t feel much pain (more of a soreness). But I’ll give a full review, not just one about my extraction :)
This cute little office is in an old, cozy house in my favorite neighborhood of Greenwood. They bake fresh, Otis Spunkmeyer cookies and have an espresso machine for patients. SERIOUSLY. In each of the exam rooms the chairs are super comfortable and they have these gorgeous, plush blankets that make you feel right at home. Each room has a pull-​down television as well, and they have tons of different channels for you to choose from (personally, I like to catch up on my soaps while getting my cleanings). There is nothing more comforting than laying back in a chair with a cozy blanket, and smelling fresh cookies being baked… at the dentist– who would’ve thought?!
I’ve been a patient at Espresso Dental for a few years ago, maybe three? I can’t say enough great things about the team here. I always look forward to chatting with Masidroh at the reception desk before my cleanings, and all of the hygenists are a joy as well. They’ve taught me a thing or two about how to properly floss, and they never laugh at me when I have spinach in my teeth after my morning smoothie before my cleanings.
When Dr. Manuel highly recommend she take out my two, top wisdom teeth I was terrified. All you ever hear about these procedures is how horribly painful it is, crap about dry sockets, and other nightmares. Now, maybe I’m lucky because my wisdom teeth were erupted and very small. But I kid you not, this is how my extraction went today: Walked in at 9:01AM, sat down around 9:05. Annika (sp?) got me nice and numb, and Dr. Manuel came in at 9:15 or so. She told me I could put in my headphones if I wanted to but still educated me about what I would be feeling (which was nothing, honestly). They talk about feeling all this pressure when the teeth are pulled, but I really didn’t notice– and I am a HUGE wimp and was incredibly anxious/​nervous for the procedure. Fast-​forward to 9:27, BOOM. Teeth OUT! I fist pumped and they cleaned me up, gave me detailed instructions on how to care for my open holes and I was out the door by 9:37AM.
Another WONDERFUL experience at Espresso Dental and an incredibly happy patient.

I don’t understand the ratings here so far. I have had 2 experiences with Espresso dental and each were fairly complicated procedures that went completely smooth and painless. I had a crown applied last year. I also had a large filling replaced this morning. Both experiences were met with professional associates and quick efficient service. Dr. Manuel is very informative and has an extremely deft hand in dentistry.
I can only attribute any negative comments here with two common factors about going to the dentist:
Going to the dentist is not necessarily a joy, especially for people who have neglected their teeth for the majority of their lives, which is all too common.
Most dental insurance is generally woefully insufficient and the services and materials are expensive. You are your own best advocate in this country for any sort of medical care.
I will continue to go to Dr. Manuel and suggest that others do, too, regularly to avoid unnecessary pain and keep my teeth in the best shape I can.

After being assured to our face that our bill was paid in full we received a call later that it was not and they would add it to the credit card. That paid, several months later we started receiving bills for another $ 400.
Would never recommend this place.

Dr. Manuel has been my dentist for 8 years. She was recommended by a close friend who spoke so highly of her. I was hooked after the first visit. Awesome care, cutting edge technology (digital x-​rays, sonic plaque removal, tv’s and digital music to enjoy) plus a delish latte on your way out (seriously, they have an espresso machine and make fresh cookies every day).
On the dentistry side of things, I recently got my first cavity (I’m 38). I was scared out of my mind to get it filled. Dr. Manual offered an anxiety script. Didn’t need it. The team was amazing from the moment I stepped through the door. The took care of my filling with me only feeling one small poke. They were cautious and attentive through the entire process.
I’m sticking with the great care, friendly and competent staff and great dental technology. The coffee and cookies are definitely a bonus!

I’ve been going to Espresso Dental since 1998. At first I was looking for something different — something besides the sterile-​type of dental office environment. The moment I walked into the inviting lobby, I was greeting with a warm atmosphere, a fire in the fireplace, and an offer of… An Espresso drink while I waited! What a treat.
Dr. Manuel and her staff are fun, experienced, give excellent referrals when I need additional work. My appointments fly by with flat screen TV’s, comfortable chairs, state of the art equiment and a fun staff. The care I receive at Espresso Dental is constantly superior, and I trust them to give me the care I need. I wouldn’t go anywhere else, and look forward to my appointments!

21^st Century Dentistry: Gimmicks Over Care
I need to replace my excellent dentist who retired in early 07. I consciously neglected scheduling an initiation with his replacement, because I had heard bad reviews. Following advice on some other website somewhere, I found myself a patient of Espresso Dental on Phinney Ridge.
The people are nice there, but the overall air communicates incompetence. My two visits were glittered with accouterments. They have a computer screen running a tooth-​whitening ad ²⁴⁄₇ in their front window, and they uphold their name with a shmancy coffee maker in the waiting room. My first minute in the office witnessed the delivery of a fresh batch of Otis Spunkenmeyer cookies! Yay, who doesn’t like cookies!?!
To cut to the chase, my experience was far less than ideal. They have all the Buck Rogers equipment and a TV screen to watch when they’re picking at your face, but it’s all held together with the kind of last-​minute attention you get when you move into a rental. The hygienist/​assistants are condescending, the front desk is powerless to impact their greedy billing, and the fancy equipment they do have breaks and ruins your life.
Now, the dental care. I have a face full of fillings. Sure I’m not proud, but whatever. Given the fact that I’ve probably spent a collective week upside down in a dentist’s chair, no one has ever mis-​picked my mouth and caused as much pain as the collective staff of this office. Very specifically, they caused me more pain than any of the dozen practitioners I’ve patronized since my youth. At the end of the appointment, where they chastise you and tell you how you should floss every 4 hours, theirs was the first time I left feeling really very insulted.
Honestly, that’s all water under the bridge compared to the plan for follow-​ups that they handed me. The dentist identifed over $ 2000 in work to perform, all of which was presented as immediately urgent. I had them do a couple fillings because the year was ending and my insurance was reset, but their continuing billing flubs forced me to a competitor. Guess what said competitor found? No need to follow up on a single cent of the $ 2000. The crowns I needed weren’t needed and the cavities she diagnosed were nonexistent. Surprise! Boy oh boy, who would think that the dentist with the coffee machine and the flat panel TV over the chair would be signing you up for unnecessary procedures?
If you’re reading this, and you’re like «I know, right?», do us all a favor and don’t go to another 21^st century dentist. They’re everywhere, and many a fool is thinking that they really need tooth bleaching and all that nonsense. My wife is a dental assistant for kids, and they know via their referral network which dentists are in it for their own BMW collection and which are in it for a nice, lucrative, long-​term career. Dr. Manuel? Hmmmm. I don’t know what kind of car she drives, but I don’t really like being diagnosed with illnesses that don’t exist and cost thousands to cure.
Bottom Line: Not if you were the last gimmick dentist on earth, honey.
2009 Update: They continued to bill me for services for another year, after I received written confirmation that I had a zero balance. Did I receive those services? Did they remember what the services were? No.
2010 Update: I’ve been to a 2^nd dentist since Connie Manuel, and a 2^nd head’s worth of x-​rays fails to find the expensive procedure necessary. Fraud? You be the judge. I’m glad I didn’t follow up with them, and hope you’re deterred from doing so if you’re reading this.