Kenneth L Childers, DDS

2.5 stars
I’ve been a patient from age 3 to 22, about several months before I moved to DC. Dinora, the hygentist, is nice but her cleanings are too rough as I got sharp pains in my tongue. Also, have never been completely comfortable with the dentist. I can’t quite put it in words here, but there’s something about him that rubs me a little wrong.
My teeth are in excellent health so I haven’t had to go through too many procedures with the dentist. However, I had a few cavities (sporadically at ages 8, 16, and 19) and teeth pulled at ages 8 and 10. I remember being able to feel the shots despite his numbing my gum with topical gel. IOn my second time getting my teeth pulled, I could feel him pulling my tooth. I actually remember being extremely anxious and he told me that «now is not the time to be anxious.» Hello, I was 10 and you’re pulling my tooth! I don’t know why he didn’t give me nitrous oxide to calm me down. Even though these events happened 15+ years ago, I still remember them enough that I get anxious about going to the dentist.
Fortunately, my dental anxiety has lessened somewhat as I have found a wonderful (female) dentist in DC who understands my past history and genuinely cares about making sure I’m comfortable. Also, my current hygienist is gentle and I have not experienced the above sensations in the two years I’ve been going to my current practice. I even take an anti-​anxiety med that my psychiatrist prescribes, which doesn’t fully knock me out but makes time in the chair go by faster, reduces my gag reflex and helps me sit still while my wonderful hygienist is invading my mouth with various tools.
I have family members and their friends who like Dr. Childers, which is great for them. For me, I prefer female dentists. If I move back to the bay, I will definitely look for a female dentist even though I saw Dr. Childers for almost 19 years.

This is an outstanding dentist and team as well as reasonably priced. Why?
The DENTIST
I have come here for about 6 – 7 years. Dr. Childers is very warm and has given me the most considerate care I have ever had with any dentist.
The STAFF
is a family-​like atmosphere which calms my nerves right down. Everyone is professional and everything is explained clearly and kindly. I never felt like a «number» or felt rushed and I could tell that everyone genuinely cared about me while using their expertise behind the scenes both efficiently and as a good team.
THE PRICING
is MOST FARE. I have heard of what my friends have payed for the same procedures and I realized that I have a very realistic and understanding dentist and staff.
CONCLUSION
I am very grateful to the doctor for thorough preventive care and good preparation/​communication with staff as well as his solid demeanor during any procedures. I have never been disappointed.

Okeydokey! I found this practice because a good friend of my husband works for the lab which makes crowns. He said this office had the fewest returns/​redos; clearly the best work.
I have a mouth which would challenge any dentist both due to bite and childhood poor work. Over the 4 decades I have gone to him, he has consistently met the mark, both with accurate diagnosis and superior work. I have referred my family, our friends, my former employers, and actually set up a dental plan for MY employees with Dr. Childers. You need to have confidence in a dentist if you are willing to pay for it! If you have any lingering thoughts, check the 10 filtered reviews: 9 five-​stars and 1 four-​star.
Regarding the 1-​start grumblers below, Mark you are obviously so important that you don’t recognize that dentists, like doctors, do have emergency work or situations come up which they can’t anticipate. Clearly your time is worth more than anyones! And Art, you usually give 1-​stars… and never DID find a dentist you gave more than one star to. Hummmm, judging by the pic, I’d say you’re lucky to HAVE teeth left!
Okay folks, this dental practice will meet all your needs, and is even worth traveling the Caldecott tunnel for!

I’m a nervous nelly when it comes to dentists… But the people at this place are awesome! Especially dental hygenist Denora… She is super gentle and kind. Easiest cleaning I’ve had in a very long time! Thanks!

Just went to Dr. Childers office for the first time and LOVED it! Norma (hygienist) in particular was wonderful– gentle but thorough, and very knowledgeable. Knowing that I’m kind of a wuss with pain, she talked very soothingly the entire time which was very calming. Also, I feel like I got a complete lesson in proper dental care at the same time!

Just good people that do a great job. Definitively not a get em’ in and get em’ out mentality. The personal touch is everywhere.

What a jerk! I have been a longtime patient of Dr. Childers, until this week. I arrived for my 4 pm appointment exactly on time. With 1 staff on the front desk, and 3 working, and only one other patient, I was annoyed to be waiting 22 minutes later for cleaning to begin. (They spent 60 seconds taking xrays). As a long standing patient I expected the office to be considerate of my time, as I have treated them. I walked out in a huff. They did not have time to provide me service on Friday, or to demonstrate that they were at all sorry for the inconvenience, BUT they DID have time to send me a bill on Friday, which I received today. Thanks for nothing Dr. Childers. Actions speak louder than words. Sayonara! My recommendation: LOOK ELSEWHERE!

NO way, NOT recommended:
I actually had a root canal done by Dr. Childers because he said it was not that bad and he could do the work and save me the inconvenience and expense of going to an endodontist. The crown he put on was next to another crown and it left a «food pocket» because he did not approximate the crown well. I mentioned this to him a few times because I was concerned about long term effects and tired of having to floss after anything I ate and each time he said there was nothing he could do.
Frustrated, I went to another dentist, who without my saying anything, remarked on the shoddy work done with this crown. He recommended I have it redone for the same concerns I had and after resisting for almost a year I finally agreed. Again, without my saying anything, when he looked at the Xray he could tell that the root canal was not done by an endodontist because the quality of the fill was inferior. When he removed the crown and got to the tooth he found more decay which he tried to remove but unfortunately it is too close to the bone. So now I have been referred to an endodontist! I asked my dentist if the decay was caused by the improper placement of the crown and he confirmed «yes» in the nicest possible way he could.
This will cost many hours of time and inconvenience and many extra dollars which I could have avoided if Dr. Childers had been more astute in his capabilities and more empathetic. To put it kindly, I am very upset!!!
While his hygienist was very thorough and had a good touch, I would not recommend Dr. Childer’s to anyone due to his poor judgement, inability to hear his patient’s concerns and to his negligible workmanship.

I went to Kenneth to get a second opinion for a crown. I had a dentist in SF say that I needed one when a small filling in the side of my back tooth fell out. I am very happy that I did because Mr. Childers saved me $ 800 by just re-​filling the tooth and its been two years and I haven’t had any problems. Also, Mr. Childers is very friendly!!!
*the only CON to my visit is the exam rooms. You are sitting so close to the person next to you, it made me feel very uncomfortable when I did go in for a simple cleaning to be listening to the constant drilling sounds and the moaning of the old lady getting work done next to me. The seats are literally 8 feet apart from each other, without any kind of divider or anything. I think they should really try to separate it somehow, even with room screens… ANYTHING would help!
His friendliness, honesty and professionalism is why I am a fan!

Dr. Childers and everyone in the office rocks! I’ve seen a ton of dentists with my not-​great teeth. He is, by far and away, the best.

;en and his staff are wonderful. They have been providing services for us for over 40 years. Gee, that’s a long time.
Ken is an honest, caring and genuinely nice person. He does excellent work and backs his work completely.
I have referred many friends, colleagues, and aliens (just kidding).

My family has been going to Dr. Childers for over 25 years. I have a slight edge over most reviewers in that I was a Dental Tech in the Navy for 4 years during Vietnam. There is more to proper dentistry than just a nice dentist and pain free shots. Dr. Childers has amazing technical and artistic skills at recreating the natural tooth structure. Many dentists don’t. There is a difference.
He gives an honest analysis of your dental situation. Many times he could have done new crowns but said «Lets wait and see how things hold up, maybe in a year or two if needed». Honesty is paramount with him.
My wife and I have a dentist for life.

Dr. Childers and his team of hygienists are by far the best dental group I’ve ever visited. I’ve had dentists in the past who simply sit you in the chair, do a cleaning and send you on your way. While you’re in the chair at his office, Dr. Childers educates you on how to take care of your own teeth and it totally changed how I look at oral hygiene. The office is comfortable, equipped with the latest technology and they’ve got TVs so you can watch ESPN or whatever you want which helps the time fly by. I’ve moved from Oakland to San Carlos, but I still make the drive to Montclair for my dentist appointments because I’m such a fan of Childers.

Dr. Childers has been our family dentist for over 20 yrs. He’s kind, gentle and friendly. He’s very professional and so is his staff. He understands my dental issues and meets my needs and that of our family. Dr. Childers handles our dentistry needs with
skill and is more than willing to discuss dental issues and the options available to the patient. Wonderful dental office!

Fantastic dentist. Dr. Childers has been taking care of our family for years. My five and seven year olds have always felt safe and and well cared for.
It is so nice to not have to worry about my kids being afraid to visit their dentist.
Dr. Childers has met me on weekends for emergencies.
We are very happy with our choice in dentists.
And the support staff is awesome!

Dr. Childers is the best, bar none. I’ve been going to him (more sporadically than he would prefer) for many years; hope to continue to do so for many more.

I have been a patient of Dr. Childers for over twenty years since he had his business in Piedmont. He is the perfect dentist. He was friendly to my wife, my chid and to me when I lived in Oakland. When I moved back to the Bay Area, I traveled to see him. He is kind, friendly, excellent in service, and reasonable in charges. This guy is a keeper.

I have to say this review is very belated, but today I had such an amazing experience with Dr. Childers that I had to write immediately the moment I walked in the door.
Dr. Childers has been our family dentist since 2002. We have always had the best service from him, professionally and personally. Not only is he top class in his training but on a personal level he makes you feel so comfortable and at ease.
Today was exceptional however. I am 36 weeks pregnant and at an early lunch I broke a tooth with a filing. I was freaking out because today is Saturday. I left Dr. Childers a message and figured he wouldn’t get back to me until Monday morning. His voicemail actually gives you his home number for emergencies. I called 1 – 800 dentist for an emergency dentist. I am located in Oakland and all they could find was one (1) dentist in San Francisco. I called the dentist and even though they were an «emergency dentist», they couldn’t fit me in. 1 hour later Dr. Childers called me back, I told him my situation and he said to give him 45 minutes and he would meet me at his office. I was shocked! I expected him to give me a few other dentist names to call since it was Saturday.
Dr. Childers met me as promised, not a minute late and he actually left a fundraiser to help me out. I felt so helpless before that thinking I would have to suffer with this pain for 2 days until Monday. He fixed my tooth quickly and painlessly following all guidelines for pregnancy. He performed all work with a dental dam and the proper medications. He didn’t make me feel like he was bothered at all. He was happy to do this for me like I was a good friend or family.
Also, when I took my 2 year old for a check up awhile back, he didn’t even charge us.
If you have ever questioned your dentist or office staff, make the switch, Dr. Childers is world class and a total gem! Unless we move out of the area, we will never leave this practice.

We have been going here for 14 years and consistently find it first class. Dr. Childers is professional, gentle, thorough and understanding. There is a friendly and efficient staff. I have my teeth cleaned there every four months by a great hygienist. Highly recommended.

Dr. Childers redefines dentistry! For those of us who are dental-​phobic, he is the best. I recently had a crown done — totally painless! When the temporary fell of on a Sunday (as they commonly seem to do), Dr Childers drove in re-​cement it. His customer service and concern with patients is amazing. The dental hygienists are excellent as well.