James R Hinkle, DDS

I called months in advance to Dr. Hinkle’s office and my previous dental office to make sure my records were forwarded. I called weeks in advance. I called days in advance, assured by both parties that they had communicated with the other office and the records would be there. At my appointment, there were no records. I was ushered in to get xrays taken, which were then developed on film instead of uploaded onto a computer. After my teeth were cleaned, I was asked to wait a few minutes. Half an hour later I walk out, and am met with surprised staff who had forgotten I was there. My xrays were glanced at by Dr. Hinkle (less than 2 minutes total interaction) and I was told it just wasn’t possible for him to see me that day, as he was working on another patient. I was given a referral for surgery and promised that there would only be a charge for the xray and cleaning.
The staff was lacking in organization, but they had lots of charm. I can’t believe I was put through that rigmarole! And then as I opened my bills today, there are additional charges for «complete new patient evaluation». I am very upset and would not recommend this dental office to anyone if this is their standard for handling new patients.

Wonderful dentist!
I’m a tough critic, my dad is a dentist and I never thought that I would find another dentist who I liked going to see as much as my father… Then I met Dr. Hinkle.
Wow! He explained everything about why he was making specific recommendations. For example, I have always been told to «floss more» (don’t tell my dad?!) but Dr. Hinkle explained the science behind flossing daily and now I am really motivated to do it. He’ll explain it to you, just ask him :)
I literally can’t wait to refer my boyfriend and our mutual friends to Dr. Hinkle. His hygienist Penny also deserves to be mentioned as today I experienced the most fun cleaning I have ever had. This doctor really is passionate about dentistry, stays current in the study of dentistry and has a commitment to excellence that you will see the moment you meet him and his staff. Definitely recommend!

My kids and I have been going to Dr. Hinkle for more than 20 years. Dr. Hinkle and his staff are well-​informed professionals. who I completely trust with my kids and my dental care & decisions. I am an anxious dental patient, and really appreciate how friendly and calm Dr. Hinkle and his staff are. He always explains what he is doing and why, and answers all my questions, I never feel rushed. Dr. Hinkle is a truly compassionate person, I remember when he made home dental visits for a dear friend of mine with AIDS, in the early days of the disease when it was still a death sentence and most people were too frightened to get close.

After moving to Alameda I was referred by a co-​worker to see Dr. Hinkle because he is the best. When I first met him I thought that he was much more personable than my previous dentist and appears to enjoy his job! I had my wisdom teeth removed yesterday and the experience was far better than I could have imagined. Lisa assisted and I appreciated her feminine touch, she explained what was happening and rubbed my hand when the wisdom teeth were extracted. I like Dr. Hinkle and his staff so much that I no longer dread going to the dentist and I referred a co-​worker and got a $ 25 gift card to La Penca Azul in the mail!

Nothin’ but great things to say! I’ve been going to Dr. Hinkle for a few years now and actually look forward to my appointments. As some of the other reviews have said it really does feel like I’m visiting family or friends when I’m there – my cleanings and exams last longer than they used to because we spend more time BS-​ing than taking care of my Chiclets. My insurance changed about a year ago and even though I was no longer fully covered, I’ll pay a little extra out-​of-​pocket to come here. The highest of recommendations, office is only open Tues – Thurs.
Dr. Hinkle, Lara, Steve, Johnny, Lisa – and anybody I forgot, you all rock.

I remember how impressed I was during my first visit to Dr. Hinkle’s office. He was very patient and explained everything I need to know about my teeth. His staff were very helpful and friendly as well. Unfortunately, he does not have office hours on Friday, which is typically my day off from work. Although I have to switch to another dentist, he continued to amaze me. I had an issue earlier in the year with one of my tooth Dr. Hinkle performed a procedure on a few years ago. He was willing to resolve the issue fully, even though I am no longer his patient. I would really recommend him as a dentist.

Dr. Hinkle and his amazing staff have been providing excellent service for me and my family for over ten years. He is a terrific dentist, and my very first experience was a referral from a friend in a time of emergency (had just broken a crown) — needed a good dentist right away, and I cannot ever recommend a better one in all of the bay area.

Dr. Hinkle and his wonderful staff (Lisa, Johnny) have been treating my boyfriend’s teeth for several years now. He’s very competent and reliable, and we’ve had no issues. My bf had a wisdom tooth emergency not long ago, and Dr. Hinkle helped us over the weekend and was wonderful about following up to make sure he was okay! It was really caring and professional service. I’m delighted to recommend this office to someone in Alameda who needs a new dentist, although be aware that he’s only in that office 3 days/​week.

That’s what a dentist should be! A trip to the dentist should be pleasant, and visiting Dr. Hinkle’s office it is! His staff is courteous and knowledgeable. The doctor himself is very pleasant and welcoming. Aside from all the pleasantries, Dr. Hinkle is a very good doctor. He makes patients feel at ease, thoroughly explaining each procedure and post-​treatment care. His work is excellent!

When I was a kid, I bit a dentist because he hurt me so badly while filling a tooth. After years of avoiding the breed, I broke a tooth. It abcessed. Dr. Hinkle and his staff have taken such good care of me during that emergency and in the visits since to get the state of my mouth out of the dark ages.

I can honestly say I like going to the Dentist!
I know so many people who can’t say that and all I can say to them is you are not going to the right place. The staff at Dr. Hinkle’s office is truly wonderful. They are all very knowledgeable, friendly and get you in and out of there which in today’s busy world is a bonus.
My company just recently changed dental plans and unfortunately Dr. Hinkle’s is not covered in this new plan– But, because of their services and price’s, I will continue to see them for all my basic needs (You heard me they are worth paying out of pocket for.)
Please say hi to Lisa, Lara and Dr. Hinkle for me the next time you stop by or on your first visit!

I had an appointment to see Dr Hinkle. Upon arrival the door was locked. I knocked… no answer. Then I called from my cell phone… no answer. I left a message…
Thirty minutes later I received a call back, the lady was pleasant and offered to reschedule. The dentist was not even in the office, my appointment to see a Dentist was changed into a Hygensit appointment without my knowledge or notification, and the hygenist had stepped out. Even if the Hygensit was at the office when I had an appointment, the Dentist had not shown up, so I would have gotten nothing more than a teeth cleaning! Too bad I drove 30mn to this appointment from work, then 30mn back to work.

What happened to Wendy? The new hygienist is terrific too.
My husband also received a Nightguard from Dr. Hinkle. My husband wasn’t pleased either. He should have done more homework on this issue.

I have been going to Dr. Hinkle my entire life. 20+ of great work. Lisa is awesome, wendy is great, it’s like visiting family. Though he is only in alameda 3 days a week because of his other office, it is worth it to schedule around them for the comfort and dependability this office has given myself, family, and more friends every year.

I don’t see Dr. Hinkle for my teeth, however I do see his hygienist Wendy Reichmuth. She does great cleanings and is very personable and warm, but doesn’t try to make you talk when you clearly can’t. Five Stars for Wendy!

Ill-​informed but sweet.
INCIDENT: Dr. Hinkle said I’d need a nightguard because I grind my teeth in my sleep. I paid $ 200+ after insurance for a nightguard with a wire going across my teeth that looked like the retainer you get after wearing braces. I’ve never had braces.
After wearing the «nightguard,» sometimes I’d wake up with pain in my mouth or a headache. After switching to Dr. Polly Rivas & showing her my nightguard, she said she’d never heard of a nightguard with a wire & what I had was actually a retainer for straightening teeth. She said it wasn’t doing much for my grinding because there was nothing to protect the surfaces of my teeth where grinding occurs.
She recommended I get The Doctor’s Nightguard for $ 25 at a drugstore. Since then, another dentist has also laughed out loud at my «nightguard» and said that that’s not really an appropriate fix for my problem.
I’m not sure if Dr. Hinkle is unknowledgable or ill-​informed & was really trying to help me, but the fact is he failed to do so & the retainer he gave me is completely useless.