Brushin’ on Belmont

My kids and I went to see the dentists at Brushin’. My kids went first and, though they didn’t seem particularly comfortable and asked to go back to the dentist they’d seen once before, I chalked it up to them not «clicking» with the dentist, and would’ve left it at that. But then it was my turn. I had some minor issue with the patronizing tone of the hygenist — but still, I would’ve come back for future visits because maybe I misinterpreted or one of us was having a bad day. Then, however, the dentist came in and examined my mouth, TOLD me the work she was going to do at future visits, told me to schedule with the front desk, and that was that. No discussion of cost, insurance coverage, or urgency (or lack thereof), or whether I wanted to wait or spread out any of the work. She is the third dentist I’d seen in the last few years — trying to find a closer-​to-​my-​home replacement for the Evanston dentist I’d seen for years. The others ALL discussed things with me, and ALL have said (for example), «yes, you grind your teeth, but here are your options for dealing with it,» not «you need to set up appointments to have x, y, and z done.» But STILL, despite these annoyances, I probably would have gone back.
Until today. Today I received a bill in the mail with a hot pink sticker on the OUTSIDE of the envelope that said «PAST DUE.» Note that this is the FIRST bill they have sent me (I know this because they also sent a rather snotty email in which they said they were sending me a bill because they’d JUST called my insurance to check on payment). I’m sorry — I am too busy with cancer treatment (& too careful with my money) to just send you over $ 800 (yes, for 3 cleanings and exams — or at least I think they’re correctly charging me – this «PAST DUE» bill just says «balance forward» instead of any explnation of the charges) without a bill!!! Who on earth would? Today is the first bill they’ve sent, and then to treat me like I’m somehow delinquent was the straw that broke the camel’s back. I will not be back, and until they change their office procedures and tone, I suggest you go elsewhere, too.

My wife and I liked this place for our Son Axel… until he turned four. Then we were told, out of the blue in the middle of a regular check-​up, directly by doctor Govoni that our son must have a yearly set of x-​rays or we can «find another dentist». I was shocked by his ultimatum, but more troubled that I didn’t have a say in my son’s medical care. I asked why that was so important to him and his first response was to to avoid liability issues. Does that mean he’s afraid I’m going to sue him or are insurance companies forcing his hand? He then went on to say it was for the best of my son’s dental health, but at that point it was pretty obvious that Axel’s well being was not the priority. I hope the clinic figures out a way to work with parents who don’t want to use x-​rays as a pre-​diagnostic tool. We would have definitely kept going.

I spent hours, days looking for a pediatric dentist who bills direct to Aetna and is close to my house. This place fit the bill, plus I learned somewhere online that they do not do x-​rays until the kids are four or five, so that was an added bonus for me, what with my carcinophobia. I scheduled the toddler twins for their second dental appointment ever, and with Dr. Bob.
Twin 1 was extremely nervous/​is an anxious type and told me he was scared on the way over. He was immediately calmed by the fish tank and obligatory play area. Twin 2 was not nervous.
They took both kids back at the same time, so that we would only have to wait for the dentist once (their idea). Twin 1 went first and was very cooperative, no crying etc. The hygienist told me I have the best behaved three year old ever. Hm.
Twin 2 watched and apparently worked up a fair amount of anxiety, leading to a lot of crying during the first half of the cleaning. The hygienist did her best to calm the crying child, but alas the kid is not yet three, so asking her to not scream is essentially a cue for the opposite. In any event, midway through the cleaning, twin 2 stopped sobbing and was mostly ok for the remainder.
Dr. Bob showed up shortly thereafter. He examines twin 2 first, as she is still sitting on my lap in the exam chair. He’s great with her, and we are quickly back to twin 1. Twin 1, whom I thought the previous dentist said has at least one cavity, apparently has four or five shaded spots on his molars, but no cavities. Dr. Bob says they are definitely precursors for cavities, but, for a kid this age, he would do nothing now and re-​evaluate in six months. It’s not that they’ll go away, but he’s comfortable forgoing x-​rays and the repair work until a later date… maybe he even more than six months from now, depending on how they look.
I’m all about that. Like really all about that.
They get an additional half star because street parking is available literally outside their door (and not metered).
The icing on the cake is that notwithstanding her dramatics whilst in the chair, twin 2 pronounced on the way home «that lady and her man cleaned my teeth very carefully.»

I have researched and researched pediatric dentists… and I’m so glad I found Brushin’ on Belmont. They were fantastic with my 16 month old, who I feared may have a cavity or soft teeth. They examined his mouth (which is more than I can do) and gave him a fluoride treatment safe for the young kids. I left reassured and very happy with my appointment.
I was very impressed with Dr. Bob and his hygienist who took the time to inform me about the foods my son should and shouldn’t be eating, brushing habits and future visit plans. I will most definitely be back for another visit.
sidenote: Some of the reviews online began to scare me but I was more than reassured when talking to the receptionist (who informed me of the exact cost of my visit BEFORE my visit) and the hygienist. Don’t be scared off by some extreme helicopter parents that can’t handle the dentist. They know what they are doing here!

i really do appreciate and commend the office for reaching out to me with a sincere apology both via email and phone message. a good practice is definitely hard to find (and BOB, as already mentioned, is one of them) but one with pride and integrity as well is an even tougher find. thank you.

Have only had positive experiences here as a business and for a dentist office at that. Seems to be one of the best in city…

I absolutely love this place. I know, it’s a dentist, but seriously, I love that this is where I go to get my head drilled.
My cleaning went great. I knew I would need extra work done and they walked me through what they would be doing, cost, etc really smoothly.
The girls up front are always so sweet. They really helped me understand what was going on with my insurance. If they needed to, they didn’t hesitate to jump on the phone to figure out what was going on with my insurance company.
My dentist is a boss. Seriously. I am beyond scared of needles and she gave me three shots that seem like nothing. She was fast, always made sure I was comfortable, and she remembered everything from my anniversary to how my trip home was for Christmas.
If you’re anywhere in the area I strongly encourage you to try these guys out. Such a great job.

Service was fine, and my cleaning went well. I felt miss-​informed when it came to dealing with insurance.
I asked if my insurance was accepted, the answer was simply: yes. When the bill arrived I found out that I was out of network. Yes this is partially my fault for not checking, but I feel as though it is an average at best business practice not to inform a patent that they are out of network.

5 years ago I found Brushin on Belmont as most others do, through a friend and through Unilocal.5 years later I’m sad to be leaving it!
This dentist is great! When I first started going I was having issues with cavities and bleeding gums. Instead of assuming it was my eating and brushing habits, as most other dentists did, Brushin on Belmont recommended changing toothbrush strength and toothpaste type. Magically, I almost immediately noticed a difference; less cavities and much healthier gums. And, on top of that, at my last visit the hygienist spent some time going over flossing with me. Some may find this off putting, but its hard to remember how best it should be done when you learned it oh so many years ago. The refresher was super helpful!
So, all that being said, you may be wondering why the –1 star. Well, it seems that the word has gotten out about Brushin on Belmont. I unfortunately had to cancel my appointment in the early spring for a basic cleaning, but due to my poor planning and the wait to get in, it took well into August for me to get another appointment. I was loosing faith and patience. Luckily they called me last minute when a someone else canceled, so I was able to get in, finally!

This review is an update for me, as I last gave Brushin’ on Belmont 5 stars. However, that was before they changed their parent & sibling policies. Now, siblings are no longer allowed back in the exam rooms (which means I have to hire a sitter to take my child to the dentist — uh, no thanks.)
But more alarming is that PARENTS are no longer allowed in the exam rooms. Let me say this: I do NOT think I should have to send my four year old back to a dental exam by himself and «save my questions» and chat with a technician about my child after his appointment in the lobby. We’re done with Brushin’ on Belmont and so are many of our friends. I would no longer classify them as family or child-​friendly.

My little one loves going to the dentist; he gets excited about his cleanings and especially likes getting a toy car and toothbrush afterwards. Dr. Robert Govoni is pleasant and I like that he goes over every tooth after the hygienist is done to make sure nothing is left behind. My son feels comfortable talking to him and I feel that having such a positive first experience with with dentist will encourage him to have a healthy relationship with his his teeth.
I have been here, for myself, as well. I have had a pretty good experience thus far and the office staff and Dr. Monika Govoni have all been friendly. My only complaint is that this last time I went, the hygienist cleaned my teeth and then said she needed to take x-​rays. I declined the x-​rays (I go to the orthodontist and will be getting my final x-​rays next month; no need to do it twice). She said it was no big deal, she didn’t see anything that concerned her and then sent me on my way. When I was walking out, I realized I never saw the dentist at all. In my experience (with other practices), the dentist has always come in to take a look after the hygienist is done (wether or not you get x-​rays). It wasn’t that big of a deal to me because I go to the orthodontist and she regularly checks my teeth and gums, but it felt it should have been done.

Brushin’ on Belmont is MUCH more expensive than my previous, suburban dentist. However, if your insurance covers it, it’s a great experience. I’ve had two cleanings thus far and have been impressed.
On my first visit, I explained that I’ve had recurring jaw cysts. My insurance wouldn’t cover a full pan x-​ray, so the hygienist strategically angled the bitewing x-​rays to catch more of my jaw bones– very generous.
I love that the hygienists speak with positivity. Most dental offices make your gums bleed and then hound you for not flossing. At Brushin’ on Belmont, they repeatedly compliment my habits and offer gentle suggestions for better health.
Finally, this past visit, Dr. Monika wanted to see how my nighttime mouth guard was fitting. I had forgotten it. However, I only live a block away, and the office patiently waited while my boyfriend brought the mouth guard over. I was totally taking up another patient’s time, and not once did they make me feel rushed or foolish.
The people behind the counter are always upbeat and kind. I even got some seriously detailed information about the art on the walls when I asked about it! I now recommend Brushin’ on Belmont to any city newcomers (with insurance) looking for a dentist.

Ultimately horrible. For the first year of seeing Dr. Monika she was absolutely great. I was recommended by a friend and she was so gentle and kind. Cleanings went smoothly and a few fillings too. I needed to get an implant replaced on one of my front teeth, and when she started that, she took a picture of my teeth with an iPhone camera that were out of focus. I wondered if that would show the lab enough to make a new implant so I asked if they had a real camera and offered to bring in mine, but she said it would be fine. The new implant was even and sturdy, and it looked ok at first in the chair (I was glad to be done), but I soon noticed it did not match at all. In pictures I looked deformed.
I gently brought it up at the next appointment, but she was non-​committal even though we talked about some options, and said she didn’t know if anything could be done, but left before we came to a resolution, so I figured we would resolve a plan next time. When I checked out, I told the receptionist I would be paying for this visit, but holding off on the rest of the implant charges. Somehow later I found out she translated this as «he refused to pay». The next visit Monika said I would need to go to the lab to match it, but she didn’t want to even try to fix it. I found out later that any competent dentist would send the patient to the lab to match teeth.
I tried several times to ask her to fix my teeth, but she hemmed and hawed, not wanting to. I realized she must have never done this before. Every appointment she made me feel very uncomfortable and was very unsure of herself, with no confidence. I couldn’t continue seeing her and still needed my tooth fixed. It took months and I had to talk to a lawyer, but I finally got my money back.
She had also earlier ground away some enamel on my molar when doing a filling without asking me, so my bite was permanently off. When I asked her later to ask me before grinding any more enamel, she became very defensive, incredulous, and indignant. I guess you can’t ever question her judgement.
One more thing, don’t ever be late for an appointment there. They will charge you, refuse to see you, and treat you like a lowlife. No grace or second chances.
Everything and everyone is nice at first, but they have no ability to resolve even the smallest conflict.

I have been here twice. Everyone, the receptionist, the technician, the dentists, are incredibly nice. A dentist that I saw before coming here told me that I had 5 cavities. I have only ever had one cavity in my entire life, so I wanted a 2^nd opinion. I was told at Brushin’ on Belmont that I had ZERO cavities.
Honesty, cleanliness, professionalism, and customer service. What more do you need from a dentist?

Still love Brushin’ on Belmont.
All of them!
Dr. Monika is sincerely the best. I challenge one to find a sweeter (and more comprehensive and competent) dentist. I sing her praises whenever anyone is looking for a dentist. It’s borderline obsessive on my part. The other day I was sitting in the salon and overheard a girl struggling with finding a good dentist and looked up B on B on my Unilocal app and emailed a stranger with the info. I know, I sound nuts… but I remember struggling to find a dentist in a new city (or even in one you do know well!) and all the stress it has saved me to be a patient at Brushin’ on Belmont.
Ok, so aside from that… I popped in for a cleaning this past week and decided to combat my extreme coffee/​soda addiction with a Zoom! whitening treatment. It’s on sale now for $ 395. It takes about 2 hours. You get after care equipment (mouth trays, touch up whitening solution, etc), and your teeth look super duper white. Not like Ross in Friends, but a nice shade a few brighter than what you walked in with.
Plus! Tvs in every room. Got to catch up on some Maury and feel great about my life.
Still a huge fan. If you need a dentist, give them a call! I send all my favorite people here, and couldn’t recommend them more highly.
:ULTRA WHITE SMILE:

Gotta say this place impressed me. No waiting in the waiting area when you arrive for your appointment. I am not a fan of the dentist and haven’t been there in a long time, but decided to finally bite the bullet and go. Well to my surprise it was not bad at all. No scolding about not going to the dentist or anything like that.
They took great care of me, patched up my fillings that needed to be replaced.
If you are looking for a dentist this is the place. Glad I decided to go.
Very easy to get to.

I have been coming to Brushin’ on Belmont for the past four years. My family started using them as our dentist when they first opened. We have been so happy that we have continued to use Brushin’ on Belmont as our dentist even though we now live in Evanston. They have very modern facilities and easy access via bus or EL.
As a bonus, they are located across the street from a playground; a nice reward for the kids after a cleaning.

I just had a cleaning/​checkup and four fillings at Brushin’ on Belmont and it was the best dental experience I’ve had in ten years. Everyone is professional and friendly and knew how to deal with my extreme dental anxiety without making a big deal about it. I was put at ease and was confident that my teeth were in expert hands.
During the cleaning, instead of scolding me, the hygenist actually pointed out the things I had done well when taking care of my teeth and then showed me a few specific tips and techniques to improve. After the cleaning my teeth looked the best they’ve looked in years.
For the fillings, Dr. Govoni does efficient, careful work. She was very sensitive to how I was feeling and really walked me through getting the novacaine shots. In one instance the shot had to go in a difficult spot and she was very patient. I had two appointments for two fillings each and the appointments were between 45 mins. and an hour. Much better than the six (!) hours I spent in the chair at Perfect Smile for fillings where they also gassed me into oblivion.
The office isn’t trying to be a spa with a ton of amenities, but it is clean and modern and comfortable in there. Even though they have a pediatric practice, the waiting room isn’t overrun with kids and toys. There is a separate calm little alcove with a few toys, so it is welcoming to both kids and adults. They have TVs you can watch while you’re in the chair and the place has a spacious, airy feel to it. Another plus for phobic people like me is that the chairs face the windows so I never felt like I was trapped in the room during appointments.
They aren’t the cheapest, but they are comparably priced (and maybe a little lower) than other high-​end dentists around town, and well worth the money.

A little history about me: Before I moved to the north side of Chicago, I went over 15 years without a dentist visit. I went through a period where I just could not stand doctors, dentists, or any kind of medical type person or office and I stayed away for quite a while.
I have now been under there care for a while now and I am finally getting my teeth into the shape that they need to be. It is still a work in progress, but I am well on my way to a healthy smile once again.
Everyone here is AWESOME. They did everything in their power to relieve my fear and I don;t even think that is what they were trying to do. I think they were just being themselves and being welcoming and that is all it took to help me get over my fear!

This place makes me want to smile. For several reasons:
A. The staff and Dr. Monika are cheerful, personable and pleasant to be around
B. No cleaning in a year just made me want to smile more (and why not after all the retainers, braces, and countless dollars my parents spent on a set of straight teeth)
Originally my appointment was roughly two months out when I made the initial call. I was put on a cancellation list to see if I could expedite my dental needs. SO for the receptionist…
C. Jennifer for being very persistent on calling me for earlier appointments (approximately 3 times) which got me in the office 2 weeks early.
They take appointment up until 6:15 so no special time needs to be taken off work which plays well with the 9 – 5’er. It’s a quick walk from the Paulina Brown line stop if you are not able to drive. And the 50 bus runs up and down Damen.
Establishing primary care, dentists, etc in the City is a daunting task for a new comer. But this recommendation exceeded my expectations (thanks Colleen C.).