Georgetown Smile

I started coming here in 2013 and I tried so hard to like it but the negatives simply outweigh the positives for me. The most important positive is that Dr. Peretz is very nice and I believe he is a good dentist.
The biggest negative is that the practice is out to sell, sell, sell. My first visit I had a concern about how much I was grinding my teeth at night. Dr. Peretz sold me on a $ 700 night guard. He also instructed the dental hygienist to apply fluoride to my teeth, without informing me that it was not covered under my insurance and I would owe $ 35 at check out (I chalked this up to the fact that I should have been more proactive and asked). Another point about the fluoride — I went the same dentist for 20 years before moving here, he stopped applying fluoride to my teeth in my teens as he said it wasn’t needed into adulthood. I’m not a dentist so I don’t truly understand when one needs fluoride or not, but I trusted my previous doctor and was confused when suddenly it was determined I needed fluoride.
On the very next appointment after paying $ 700 for the night guard, Dr. Peretz insisted that I was a prime candidate for invisalign (I had braces when I was younger and my teeth had shifted a bit as I didn’t wear my retainer). I had had an interest in invisalign, but assumed it was for teeth more crooked than my own, but was disappointed that Dr. Peretz hadn’t brought this up BEFORE I paid for the night guard. I mentioned this to him and felt a bit brushed off as he only said that I would no longer need the night guard if I had invisalign. He said I was certain to have issues with especially with my lower teeth (cavities, tooth decay, etc) due to the shifting. This really concerned me, so I signed up for invisalign. I really wish I would have pushed back on the night guard or asked for a discount on the invisalign. At the same time, I feel robbed. I trust my doctors know more than I do, and when they provide a solution to an existing problem (the night guard) or warn of potential dangers (cavities, tooth decay) I trust that they are doing so with more thought towards the patient’s well-​being and not with a thought towards lining their pockets with more money.
The worst moment I had with this practice was when the assistant did an impression for the invisalign. She left it on entirely too long and IT WOULD NOT COME OFF. She started tugging so hard and causing me so much pain that my eyes started to water and I started to panic a little (I know, dramatic, but just imagine having a huge metal plate stuck to your top teeth for an extended amount of time and let me know how you feel). I still think it caused some sort of trauma to at least my one tooth, as I have some off and on pain in it ever since.
I am not a fan of the front office staff. After each appointment, upon check-​out, I schedule my next appointment. I do this because I prefer Saturday appointments and scheduling 6 months in advance guarantees I get the date and time I want. After my last appointment in August 2014, I scheduled my February 2015 cleaning. I put it on my phone calendar as I stood at the check out desk and I got an appointment card as well. The day before my scheduled appointment, I called to confirm as I thought it strange I hadn’t heard anything from them. It was clear the receptionist wanted nothing more than to get me off the phone. I explained that I had scheduled an appointment for the next day but hadn’t received the usual call to confirm. She told me that I simply did not have an appointment but I could make one now (there was no apology). I asked if there was anything for the next day and she told me that they had no appointments but I could get one in April. I told her that I had the appointment on 2 different calendars so I know I wasn’t imagining things when I scheduled. She again told me firmly (and a bit rudely) that I didn’t have an appointment and she would call me back to schedule. I never received a return call.
There were a few other issues, but the above are the most prevalent. Like I said, there are definitely positives to this practice, but you have to be your own advocate. They will definitely try to sell you on everything and anything. I wouldn’t choose this practice if I had a lot of issues with my teeth. If you just need your bi-​annual cleaning, you would probably be fine here. I’m leaving because I feel like they drained an excessive amount of money out of me and then pushed me aside for the next sucker. I’ll say it again, be your own best advocate here, because they will take advantage of you.

Great place to go for a teeth cleaning. Dr. Peretz is very polite and does a great job.
Unfortunately I am now switching dentists bc after going in and saying I thought I needed a root canal I was advised to go to an oral surgeon to have me wisdom teeth investigated, with all 4 eventually removed.
Because of pain from an abcess I went to a dentist today and was told I had an infection and needed a root canal once the abcess drains.
So instead of an easy root canal, my insurance company paid $ 2,000 to have my wisdom teeth removed and I have to pay for the root canal out of pocket.
I don’t blame Dr. Peretz for this but when someone complains of sever pain and describes a root canal, more than a quick xray and referral would be expected.
I have quickly learned that Dentists/​surgeons in DC are focused strictly on volume of patients and not quality of care.

I have been to many dentists in DC cause I have a lot of problems in my teeth, this is the WORST !!!
If you don’t believe me go try by yourself. I didn’t believe the reviews in google+ and some of the reviews here before I go and now I m writing my review for you .
# the asian receptionist is very very horrible and I think they are keeping her there for this reason !!!
###There is one point I forget to write about hygiene and being a clean
When the dentist started to examine my mouth he was wearing gloves then he started to write his notes while wearing the same gloves and then he started to SCRATCH his FACE while wearing the gloves after that he wanted to examine my MOUTH seriously !!!

I moved to DC from way out in VA three years ago. I miss my dentist there. Anyway, it took some time but I found Georgetown Smile. I love the office — very clean — and very much enjoy the staff. Dr. Perez is also a friendly and courteous man. He did some veneers for me that turned out great! He also helped me with them when I accidentally chipped a corner. I was so thankful and he did not charge me. The thing about this practice though… is that I felt like I needed to ask, «how much will that be or this be? Does my insurance cover it?» These are among a few. I started continuously asking about everything otherwise I would be surprised by a bill and had no idea it was going to cost me. Sometimes it wasn’t a big deal and after speaking with Dr. Perez he would work with me on a solution. Like I said, he’s friendly and courteous.
I get my regular cleanings in January and July of every year — always done this. On my last visit to this office (July 2014), I made the appointment for a regular cleaning. I specifically told the woman over the phone, «I’m coming in for a cleaning only.» I came in and it was the usual smiles and hellos. I had a great report from the hygienist; I made it a point to floss more :). For this visit, I even sprung for the fluoride ($ 35). Dr. Perez came and checked my teeth out and he said they looked great — asked about our summers, etc. Perfect. (Side note: he also tried to sell me invisalign, again… as usual)…
Unfortunately when I got to the front desk to check out, I was smacked (or at least felt this way) with a $ 100+ bill. I was told the bill was for today’s «follow up» to a previous procedure I had (periodontal maintenance). I remember the procedure and paid for it… but I only asked and scheduled for a CLEANING on this specific appointment. My usual response would have been to speak and work it out with Dr. Perez. But after three years I just couldn’t anymore. I felt exhausted and discouraged that I just handed my credit card to the girl, asked for copies of everything including x-​rays and said goodbye.
There were nice things and bad things. You will need to decide what you can accept. Try them out.

When I moved to DC three years ago, I needed a new dentist who would both take my insurance and provide quality treatment. Dr. Peretz has been excellent in the 2+ years I’ve been seeing him. On my first visit, for example, he took some bitewing x-​rays and a panoramic one for free since my insurance wouldn’t pay for them. Every cleaning has been expertly done, and my recent filling has so far been fine. The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because it is a bit obvious that Dr. Peretz is an Invisalign provider. He’s told me a few times I should get them, but I politely refuse and he hasn’t been overly pushy about it.

I’ll never visit this dental office again. I scheduled an appt as a new patient and was never informed of the code that’s needed to gain entry to the building from the parking garage. So after determining that I couldn’t get in, I leave the underground garage to call the office (no reception because Im underground). Im then abruptly placed on hold for an extended period of time. At this point I am beyond annoyed and have wasted at least 10 mins with this issue. I’m considering leaving at this point but do not want to pay the missed apt fee.
So I obtain the code and think the hard part is over. Wrong! It becomes another challenge just to find the office. When you exit the elevator there are several offices and what appears to be a balcony. You must go through the patio to get to the office. No signs are posted or anything that says the dentist office is outside. This place does not do a good job at communcating any of the aforementioned issues with new patients. I should not have to embark on a confusing and frustrating journey prior to a dreaded dentist appt.
Regarding the appt, I came in for a cleaning. The dental hygentist knocked off some of my filling on a back molar and never told me. She updated the dentist on the reason for my visit and I just happened to hear. So all in all, this was a terrible experience. I’ll NEVER visit this office again. NEVER!
If zero stars were an option, this place would get it!

I had braces for so long that I can fall asleep while someone scrapes at my teeth but I can still tell that the dental hygienist here was gentler than most. She didn’t poke at my gums or make it feel punitive because I hadn’t flossed enough. Can one ever floss enough for a dentist? Unlikely.
They took the inevitable x rays which new dentists always do, but I anticipated that and my insurance covers it. I worry about my head getting that much radiation and have never had a cavity.
I have a constantly dry mouth due to a prescription medication and have become concerned as a result of recently learning that meth mouth is caused by lack of salivation. I mentioned this and was provided with a sample of a product designed to make me… drool? Ok that works
The ladies at the front desk were super nice and didn’t roll their eyes at all when if thought I had a different insurance than I in fact do (I would have).

I am a bit of a dental phobic, but the staff put me at ease and were so thorough! I’m so glad I found Georgetown Smile. the reception area is inviting, and the music put me at ease. my cleaning went well despite my dicey home oral care (but I use a Sonicare at least!) and I had no cavities. they suggested a treatment for infected gums, which was pain-​free. Dr. Peretz cane in and was SUCH a ray of sunshine… in all, I’m very impressed with the staff and how easygoing I felt throughout my appointment!
I am actually looking forward to my next visit. :)

The office staff was very nice, and the tooth cleaning was pretty much like any other dentist. I would have had no complaints if it were just that, however Dr Peretz told me I had FOUR cavities. I had never had a cavity before and when I started asking questions about cavities, they got slightly evasive and only showed me the cavity with a little camera thing (not on my x-​ray). At the end of the appointment they also told me I needed to buy a $ 20 special mouthwash to avoid future cavities and because I was so freaked out about actually having a cavity I made the dumb mistake and bought it.
I wanted to have a second opinion since I had never been here before and was having an uneasy feeling about how the appointment ended. The second dentist I went to told me I had ZERO cavities. If I did have one cavity, let alone 4 supposed cavities, another dentist should have been able to identify them. I will NEVER go back!

I’m not sure why people had such bad experiences here. I actually had a fine experience.
Getting there was ok. The location is a little hidden but look for the darker red brick building complex with the underground parking garage and parking is not bad. I didn’t have a problem parking in an unlabeled space in the back. I walked in the pavilion area and the office was straight ahead past the picnic tables.
The office staff were fine. They bumped up my appointment earlier then I got in even earlier than planned and they took me back within minutes. They seemed a little confused with the insurance information and didn’t want to honor my discount plan through United as many other offices would.
The dentist came out promptly after a technician put me in the seat and set me up. He informed me about the whitening process then suggested a few options. After evaluating me he just suggested touchups and not trying to oversell unnecessary services. I told him I had services before but he seemed to go through the dialogue anyway. He was very nice though.
So the service was good and the staff were fine. I felt that I wasn’t fully listened to in the dentist chair and just pitched a speech and they don’t seem to take any of my insurances or didn’t research about my discount plan. So I’m not sure I’d come back but if they were local and I had a different insurance I might return.

Came into the office for an Invisalign consultation and thanks to the pictures from Unilocal I was able to find it easier than most it seems! The receptionist was friendly and had me fill out some paperwork to get started. I met with Dr. Peretz after getting some X-​rays and we went over Invisalign and watched a short video on how they work.
I would definitely come back for cleanings in the future!

I came in for an invisalign consultation, and was impressed upon entering. Parking and the office were a bit difficult to find, but that’s typical for the area.
The waiting area was clean and tidy… soothing music was a bonus. Receptionist had a pleasant demeanor and asked me to fill out some quick paperwork before heading back. Dr. Peretz came by to briefly introduce himself, and I found him friendly and courteous. After the hygienist came in and took several x-​rays, the dentist returned and went over them with me, in addition to giving a quick but thorough review of Invisalign which included a short film. My only issue is that he mentioned 6 cavities on my xrays, 2 of which are deep ones that should be taken care of ASAP. The one and only time I had a deep cavity I experienced an immense amount of pain; I also had my routine cleaning and one filling done with my normal dentist a mere 5 months ago; so this left me a bit wary.
I was provided with several brochures and options for a payment plan upon checking out, and again the receptionist was very friendly. Overall, I was satisfied with the visit and professionalism of the staff.

As soon as I walked in, they offered me a glass of water, which on a hot day came in very handy! After I filled out all the paperwork I was taken to a neat and cozy dental examination room.
Dr. Peretz came to the room right after and greeted me with a friendly smile.
Although this was a free consultation (which not a lot of dental offices have), he spent plenty of time with me, giving me every detail of the pros and cons of the different treatments that i needed.
At the end, they provided me with a printout of the various procedures so I could think about which course to take. Not only was the doctor friendly, but also very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this practice to my friends.

I came here for the first time this morning for an Invisalign consult. The office is clean, well-​kept, and located in the Foxhall area of Georgetown (go left after crossing the Key Bridge from VA). The receptionists were super friendly, and the waiting area is quite calming w/​a peaceful fish tank and spa music playing in the background. The initial forms weren’t too crazy or time consuming to complete, and I was quickly brought into the back to see Dr. Peretz, a very kind dentist with a gentle aura. These characteristics are imperative for someone that’s about to work around your teeth and gums (scary).
First, I was shown a short but informative video on Invisalign. It explained how the whole process works, including info about all the trays, what material they are made of, and other expectations of the entire process. Then, Dr. Peretz took photos of my upper and lower bites to show me the exact areas that would be targeted. Lastly, he answered all the questions I had that weren’t covered by the video or his demonstration. He even showed me a sample of what a tray looks and feels like. Pretty neat stuff!
All in all, the staff is super friendly, personable, and professional. Dr. Peretz was patient with all of my questions and explained everything thoroughly to me. You can tell that customer service is a top priority for them, and it clearly shows. When I mentioned to him that I planned to take a cab from the dentist office to work, he immediately requested one of the receptionists up front call one for me. It’s little thoughtful touches like that that make a customer feel welcome and attended to. Overall, this was a very positive experience and I would recommend their services to anyone in need of a new dental office.

The only problem I have with this place is its location… which I guess you can’t really complain too much about if its your first time. Took me about 10 – 15 minutes just to find the place. Its at the end of the small plaza you enter into at 4400 Macarthur.
Other than that, this has probably been the best dental experience I have had. The staff is super friendly. The dental assistant looking after me was very thorough and most impressively, actually told me what she would be doing. She said I will do this, then this, and finally this will happen.
Doctor Perez was super friendly and nice. He was actually curious about me and wanted to know what I wanted to do for a career. He spent a significant amount of time on my teeth.
The check-​out process was quick, prompt, and I was met with a smile as I left.
Would definitely go back again!

Just had an invisilign consultation with Dr. Peretz. The office is a bit difficult to find but once I arrived it was smooth sailing from there.
The consult was quick and informative and I got pricing information with payment plan information as well. Not sure if they charge more than other offices considering the neighborhood their office is in, but I imagine their quality if work matches their rates.

Very friendly and personable staff. I came in for a free consultation with some questions about my teeth — I’ve been advised by another dentist to get 2 veneers because I had a traumatic tooth injury a few years ago. Gerogetown Smile gave me pricing for this ($ 1200 per tooth) and also offered $ 525 for whitening. This is similar to what my previous dentist had said (although I’ll have to check on exact prices). The difference is that the dentist here was pushing me to try Invisalign. A bit odd because dentists usually tell me that my teeth are naturally straight (I never had braces growing up). But interesting nonetheless because I can now see that one tooth is slightly out of line. I’d like to get a second opinion on this. I will consider them for the veneers but I doubt I have the cash or desire to do Invisalign. (Price for Invisalign was $ 5300 — $ 500 off their normal price).
Overall not a bad experience! I was expecting much worse after reading other people’s reviews. They seem like a normal dentist office to me, although they might be upselling services a little since I hadn’t heard before that I needed to straighten my teeth.

So its been awhile since I’ve seen a dentist. My previous dentist didn’t listen, did not use enough anesthetic, and also hit me with a number of charges that I didn’t make sense, and I couldn’t afford.
I came here on a personal recommendation. Getting an appt was easy enough.
The office was initially hard to find from the street, but there is a directory I didn’t see on my way in that I DID see on my way out (so my fault). The office itself was nice, warm and inviting. I like this: there’s a lot to fear from a dentist’s office — I know of far too many horror stories, so to have a nice soothing atmosphere was great.
The chairs I sat in were comfortable and were quite articulate. Bending in just the right places. The nurse (who’s name I’m sure is Shirley, but I could have misheard) offered me a neck pillow! A neck pillow!
Getting x-​rays were quick and easy. I’m used to getting into a room, standing in one spot as a machine goes around and around. Nope! I’m still in the chair, biting down on a plate as the machine comes to me. (let’s not forget that Shirley placed an x-​ray apron[?])
Dr. Peretz was quite kind and courteous. He wanted to know exactly what to do and had some mouth x rays taken. He understood my situation, and he wanted to work out a plan. I got a genuine impression that Dr. Peretz cared.
I plan on making a next appointment very soon, and I know what the cost will be ahead of time.
If my last dentist was more like this, I’d have had a regular dentist far sooner.

I went to Georgetown Smile yesterday for a complimentary invisalign consultation, and I had a phenomenal experience. I’m not sure if the office is metro accessible or not, but if you drive, it’s perfect. Finding parking isn’t a hassle. There are two spots reserved especially for Georgetown Smile patients in the underground garage, and there are also several parking spaces available behind the building.
The office is very clean and bright. Nice music was playing in the background and they somehow managed to play music and leave the television volume up without it being overwhelming… grand. The coffee table in the waiting area had several current magazines on the table. It seems like a very minor detail, but it meant a lot to me because there is nothing worse than having to sit in a waiting area that has old tattered magazines.
I didn’t get a chance to admire the waiting area for long, because the office staff was so efficient. As soon as I entered the office, I was greeted by one of the young ladies at the front desk. She asked me for ID/​insurance information etc. and gave me forms to fill out.
As soon as I finished filling out the forms, the dental assistant came to get me. I promise… there was no wait. She asked me if I had any trouble finding the office and asked me how my day was going before offering me water and A PILLOW! Lol
Next, the very friendly dentist came to do the consultation. He started by asking me how my day was and if I had any trouble finding the office… I’m not really big on small talk so that was kind of annoying because having to answer those same questions the dental assistant just asked me was painful. They should coordinate that part a little better.
Anyway, the consultation was very brief yet informative. Once it was over, the dentist kept smiling and suggested I come back when it’s time for my annual cleaning. He then escorted me to the front desk where the receptionist reviewed invisalign payment options with me.
I haven’t had any actual dental work here, but based on the exceptional customer service alone, I highly recommend their services.

I think all of the staff for this office were hired from a used car dealership.
I called and made an appointment for something specific. I got there, registered, and asked for something specific. I saw the dentist, and asked for something specific. They gave me something else I didn’t want (and couldn’t afford) saying I had little other option (if I wanted the procedure for which I had made the appointment). Then, they sent me somewhere else to do what I needed. I should have just gone there first.
Their model is all about up-​selling. It’s disgusting.
They seemed like knowledgable, friendly people. But their business practices are disgusting and unethical.
I left feeling used, abused and very angry. This was several months ago, and I still feel angry thinking about it.
If you can’t {expletive deleted} provide the service someone has called and requested, don’t make a {expletive deleted} appointment for that procedure.