Dang Darrell A, DDS MS

Root canals get zero stars, but Dr. Dang gets 5 stars. Here’s why:
1. I had never had a root canal before, so I had no idea what was about to go down. Without me even asking, Dr. Dang told me, step-​by-​step, exactly what was going to happen. Then, as each step took place, he basically told me what it was going to feel like. He kept checking in to make sure I was doing OK. And when it was all done, he ran down what the «post-​op» experience was going to be like (so that if it deviated, I knew to call). So — A+ for great communication.
2. His office staff is friendly, and they were super helpful in figuring out which insurance company I was with and how much was covered (I had JUST gotten a new job, so this was actually an issue.)
3. I was in A LOT of pain. 5 days later, I was in no pain. Woohoo!
I was referred to Dr. Dang by my dentist, Nola Nakamitsu — also a 5 star rating. If you’re in the Palo Alto area, this is the team to beat!

Zero star
I can’t recommend Dr. Darrell Dang at all. I had a series of horrible experiences with him last 2 years and I’m still paying for his mistake even today.
Mistake #1 (misdiagnosed) :
Last year, I had an infection on my gum that could be fixed by a root canal. Dr. Dang picked a WRONG TOOTH, right next to the actual one. My infection didn’t go away after the root canal.
$$$$ (out of my pocket)
* NO REFUND *
Mistake #2 (dishonesty) :
Dr. Dang did a root canal on the right one right after the previous one, realizing that he worked on a wrong tooth. The tooth cracked right after the root canal. The cracks were very visible even for me. When I went to see him and told him about that, he didn’t want to accept that the tooth is cracked. He gave me some antibiotic and the «Let’s see how it goes» treatment for a week. When I went to see him again after finishing an antibiotics, those cracks are already in dark color and even more visible. Then he told me that I need to have the tooth extracted.
$$$$ (out of my pocket)
* NO REFUND *
I had to go to see an oral sergeant to get the tooth extracted right away.
$$$$ (out of my pocket)
The sad thing was that — I had to keep paying for the root canal job on this tooth even after it was already extracted and gone…
Mistake #3 (skills):
I had another root canal on other tooth a year and half ago done by Dr. Dang. This year, my new dentist told me that the tooth has un-​finished root canal job and that’s why my gum infection is still happening. I had to go to see other endodontist. This endodontist confirmed that the root canal was not finished and it was not cleaned well, either. He cleaned the roots completely and filled the hole on the crown.
This tooth’s filling after root canal was not covered by my insurance this time because they only allowed one crown build up every 5 years!!! Dr. Dang’s un-​finished root canal job used my allowance for the crown build up on the tooth…
$$$$ (out of my pocket)
** I had to pay all out of my pocket since Dr. Dang’s first root canal exhausted my insurance money already.
I was REALLY disappointed by his skills and dishonesty. I lost thousands of dollars and a tooth on him. His bad job is still haunting me. I will have to have implant on that empty space soon. That will cost another $$$$.

My dentist referred me to Dr. Dang for a root canal on a tooth that had a filling and crown that both fell off. I’ve had 3 previous root canals on different teeth at another dentist and can say that Dr. Dang did a much better job. I didn’t leave there with half my face numb like before. In fact, I didn’t even think the anesthetic was working because he only put it on the tooth that needed the root canal. It’s a totally different experience having someone who cares enough to do a great job. Root canals don’t really hurt. Everything is numbed up and the root is taken out so there’s no more pain. But the next day I didn’t feel anything other than my jaw being a little sore due to holding it open for so long since the affected tooth was in the back of my mouth. Despite the cost which was higher than I had paid for previous root canals, I highly recommend Dr. Dang for endodontics, since I know the root canal was done right the first time. And as another reviewer said, Dr. Dang himself called me to see how I was doing.

I was referred to Dr Dangs office by peninsula dental centre. Not only is he fantastic at what he does, he has a calm reassuring demeanor that makes a daunting process seem more manageable. He even called me later to check in on me — who does that these days! I love this place and will go there again if I need specialist dental services.

Like other posters, I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Dang when he did my root canal today. His manner was very gentle and caring. I also appreciated how he explained to me what he was doing, step by step. He called my house tonight to check on how my tooth was doing. This was exceptional dentistry. I have never written a Unilocal review before, but felt like I should here, since my experience was SO positive. (I also agree with the poster who said great dentists know each other, and refer their patients to each other. My dentist, Doug Arakawa, referred me, and he’s another excellent dentist.)

A year later… and my tooth still hurts.

Root canals are a bummer AND if you have to have one this is your guy. He has a calm demeanor and is genuinely concerned about how you’re feeling. He gets you in and out as fast as he can without rushing, while ensuring you’re as comfortable as you can be.
The parking lot is not adjacent to the building. It’s not hard to get to and there is plenty of parking. Just wanted to make note.
I highly recommend Dr. Dang and hope I never have to see him again!

I was absolutely terrified for my root canal, but Dr. Dang kept me calm and it didn’t hurt one bit. After the fact I was feeling a little pain and he sent in a prescription for antibiotics within an hour of me calling his office. The place is nice and clean and the staff is very sweet. I hope to never have to go there again, but if I do at least I’ll know I’m in good hands!

Great visit today. Never thought I’d say that about a root canal. He is caring and gentle and explains everything. I’m so glad my dentist (Dr. Stephens) referred me to him. Thanks again.

Dr. Dang makes a horrid procedure (root canal) as pleasant as possible. He explains everything as he goes, he seems extremely competent and he is very conscientious about your comfort. He calls to follow-​up after each procedure and you really feel that he is genuinely concerned with how you are doing. I have had three root canals with Dr. Dang and I would not go anywhere else at this point.

Dr. Dang is a superb endodontist! My excellent dentist, Dr. Gregory Tseng, recommends him to his clients — with good reason. HIs manner is very reassuring, and his skills are amazing. He is the best. If you need a root canal, contact him.

I just had a visit to Dr Dang through a referral from my dentist (Gregory Tseng). Right away, I knew that was a good thing — great dentists know each other. Right from stepping into the door, the receptionist knew my name and was extremely warm and friendly. Dr Dang was super-​professional and very kind, sitting down and explaining to me what he would be doing. He was also wonderful during the procedure, regularly asking me if I was ok and suctioning frequently so I wouldn’t have to deal w/​a pool of saliva under the dental guard thing (I was getting a root canal done and had that device fashioned onto my tooth which has a rubber sheet. Just search for ‘root canal’ pictures on Google to get a visual).
What was even more surprising — Dr Dang called me later that evening to ask how I was doing, if the pain was ok, and was great about answering my questions. I’ve never had any dentist/​doctor/​medical professional do that!

i know you aren’t supposed to have personal feelings for your doctors/​dentist/​teachers. But i love dr. dang. LOVE.
i am one of those people whose teeth hates them and wants nothing more than to cause their owner pain and money. unluckily for me, i’ve had two terrible root canals already done in my mere 23 years of life. lucky for me, my third [and final?!] root canal was done by dr. dang and words cannot express how wonderful he was.
what happened? so its a tuesday afternoon and my teeth have been hurting for 24 hours now. i’d had a cavity filled on monday that went «almost to the nerve», that my old [now fired] dentist put a pulp cap (?) on and sent me away with a $ 800 bill and me still in pain. by this point i’ve taken 15 vicodin’s in 24 hours [which technically counts as an overdose but the pain was un.bear.able — but i had stomach problems for weeks, so please do not repeat my mistake].
so i am sitting in my office, door closed, crying my eyes out in pain. my [soon to be ex-​] dentist had left on vacation and assured me he’d do the root canal the next monday and to «take some advil as needed». right. so through my tears, i Unilocaled endodontists near my work [thank you Unilocal!]. i happened across dr. dang and called immediately. how the secretary even understood what i was saying was amazing; i was crying so hard and i think the vicodin’s had made me a little loopy… But she told me to come at 7:30 the next morning and Dr. Dang would see me. She was warm and friendly, and I started to feel better already.
Cut to the next morning [and me running on about 15 minutes of sleep — its pretty hard to fall asleep when you feel like someone is sawing through your jaw — anyone’s who has had a root canal can appreciate — and if you haven’t, keep up the good work and keep brushing your teeth!] Dr. Dang comes in the room within the first 5 minutes of me getting there, numbs me up, and gets right to business. The whole root canal couldn’t have taken more than 30 minutes. And it was completely pain-​free. And there were no terrible drilling sounds or harsh scraping. I’ve gotten teeth cleanings that were more unpleasant. I was sore for about a day, but that is expected. 5 months later I still haven’t had any problems with that tooth.
Dental work is pricey. It sucks. But sometimes necessary. And being a lowly student, I didn’t have the $ 1300 laying around for the root canal. However, the office was incredibly generous and let me pay a chunk up front, and then pay monthly until I completely paid it off. Sure there is a small fee for every month that you still have a balance on your account, but for Dr. Dang and his nice staff, it is absolutely worth it.

My first experience with an Endodontist was horrible so I was really nervous going to get another root canal. My Dentist — Dr. Gregory Tseng, recommended him. He said that he recommends his in-​laws go to him… I asked if he liked his in-​laws. He started laughing and said that he really liked them.
Dr. Dang is REALLY gentle and constantly asked if I was feeling any discomfort. I actually thought this was less painful than getting a cavity filled!
Dr. Dang is AWESOME! I would give him more stars if it was available!

Dr. Dang is awesome! I had a root canal done by him recently and it was just about the most pleasant dentist experience imaginable. He was so gentle that I nearly fell asleep in the chair.