David M Donnelly, DDS

I hate the dentist! BUT I love these guys. I usually cringe at the thought of going to the dentist for two reasons 1) the pain 2) the cost. I was unhappy with my previous dentist after getting some work on my perfectly healthy teeth that left me in pain for months. Desperate to find a new dentist, I was referred by multiple friends who had pleasant experiences at Dr. Donnelly’s. Hygienist, Jamie was very thorough and explained every thing she was doing to ease my worries. Unlike my previous dentist, they never suggest unnecessary work or made me feel as though they were just out for my money.
I would absolutely recommend this dentist and my entire family now sees Dr. Donnelly.

I had to have 2 crowns and 3 cavities redone within 6 months of having work done by Dr. Donnelly. My new dentist looked at the previous X-​Rays (before I had the work done) and said that I didn’t even NEED crowns or fillings. They bought a new machine that makes crowns in the office and had to find a way to pay for it — by ripping off their customers. I bit into my food and one of the crowns literally cracked. The support staff here sucks too. They are part of the scheme to rip you off so be careful with what they tell you. They had a receptionist when I first started going there, but didn’t have one for months afterwards. So essentially the technicians were doing everything — and not doing it well.
My new dentist fixed everything perfectly and I have had ZERO issues since then. Also, I turned in an official complaint to the Dental Board through this link:
and I recommend you do the same if you have any issues. They will start out doing little things to gain your trust and then tell you need a root canal when you really don’t.
I reached out to my Insurance Company and contacted Dr. Donnelly and told them I refused to have the insurance repay. I pretty much had to force his hand to cut a check to my new dentist. Had he not done that, I definitely would have sued.
Unfortunately the Dental Board thinks it is okay for a dentist to lie cheat and steal as they didn’t do anything. I do feel that more complaints would not go ignored. Please use that form on the link.

Rip off. These guys suck. The technician was so unaware of what she was doing even though I told her multiple times that she was pinching me. It’s been a year since I payed over $ 3,000 for a few crowns and root canals and now here I am with the same tooth hurting. They were pushy and rude. I would not recommend them to anyone. The ladies were jerks.

Worsest service ever. My father’s dentures were lost at the ER and it took 7 weeks to have them replaced. He is 94 years old and it compromised his health and his ability to communicate while waiting to enjoy a decent meal. The only pleasure he has left in life. Don’t go there.L.H.

Dishonest and out for your money. I was a patient here for years, starting in my early 20s. While my hygienist was always very nice, porcelain veneers and invisalign (I had braces and have straight teeth) were pushed on me from my very first visit. After years of pestering me about this, I was finally told that these were now needed, not suggested. Not sure why someone would need veneers AND invisalign anyway. In addition, I was told I had two cavities and that I should schedule an appointment right away to have them filled. Not believing any of this, I went to a different dentist who confirmed I had no cavities and didn’t need the other nonsense Dr. Donnelly and his team insisted I did. While in the waiting area the last time I was there I also overheard Dr. Donnelly telling a hygienist and the receptionist that they needed to bring in more money. Definitely get a 2^nd opinion on any work he suggests or better yet… get a new dentist.

Have been seeing Dr. Donnelly for 20 years and always have received excellent service. He backs his work and works around my difficult travel schedule and I can schedule appointments by text!
Kim and Jamie are caring and fun.

I get my teeth cleaned here three times a year. The service is good and flexible. They charge me about $ 104 each time unless I need X rays then thats more. The office is comfortable and not crowded.

I’ve been going to Dr. D for years now and have had all sorts of different things taken care of that were most definitely needed. Dr. D. and his staff — Jamie and Kim — are all very professional, personable, and great at what they do! They are very accommodating when you need to work appointments into your schedule, and will do the homework on the insurance coverages before you have the work done if you ask them to do so. I have had all 3 of them work on me at some point or other and I have nothing but good things to say about the results. My dental health is important to me… and though Jamie admonishes me to floss more… I feel confident that my health is being looked after by Dr. D. and crew. They make you feel like part of the family there — I’ve never experienced that at any other dentist over the years.

I had a cracked molar and an hour to fix it in. David and his ‘crack’ team (pardon the pun) got me in and got it done with about two minutes to spare. Their facility is state of the art, and their precision is artistic. And the crown… fits perfectly. I wouldn’t expect that kind of speed every time, but its nice to know its there when you need it. Thanks to you and your entire team!

I came to San Diego for vacation and within the first 2 hours of being here I chipped my tooth! Dr Donnelly quickly responded to my needs and had me in his first apt time. Then towards the end of the week, it chipped off again (due to my tooth grinding issues) and I texted his emergency number again and he met me outside of business hours that day and fixed it! Super friendly man and he gave us lots of good advice about San Diego as well! It was a pleasure working with this group. I am very thankful for their quick a d good work!

My husband and I have been going to Dr. Donnelly for perhaps 20 years, and have referred countless others. Without exception everyone is very pleased with Dr. Donnelly, his work, and his staff. I have a very small mouth and teeth, as well as multiple tooth injuries, and Dr. Donnelly has worked tirelessly to fit me with proper implants and bridges. He has always been able to provide me with the right work — never pushing any product or service but always happy to fill me in and do whatever it takes to get me fixed. His pricing has always been very fair. His staff is very friendly, professional and helpful. Appointments are easy to get and the location is convenient with parking.
I highly recommend Dr. Donnelly and his staff.

My teeth are NOT something I’m willing to risk having «just anyone» see. I have been seeing Dr. Donnelly and his staff for over ten years! Everyone is SO friendly and professional and Dr. Donnelly knows his stuff! I had some cosmetic and oral health issues to resolve
I talked to his assistant, Kim, and she was great – immediately set me at ease. Dr. Donnelly and his dental assistant, Kim, saw me ASAP. They were kind and considerate, and definitely funny. Plus, they both took my paranoia about my teeth in stride: «Your teeth are *not* dissolving – they’re fine! And trust us, we’ve seen things a million times worse. Don’t freak out; we’re going to take care of you.»
I went with veneers. They are a bit of a process and it can be expensive, but I was absolutely able to afford them. The cosmetic work came out terrifically – they look unbelievably natural, but I tell everyone they’re fake (they go, «no way!») and then I say that they should make Dr. Donnelly their dentist.
Since my first visit for largely cosmetic purposes, I’ve seen Dr. Donnelly many times – fillings, cleanings, exams, etc.
And besides all of that, he’s a terrific person – all of his staff are.
I could go on and on. There are just so many reasons to be glad he’s my dentist.

Beware, there is something very wrong about this dentist. Although everything seemed rosy at first, this turned into the worst experience I’ve ever had with a dentist, and I’ve been to a lot of dentists in my life.
His office is very high tech, as others have commented. That costs money. Donnelly is very interested in replacing all of your crowns so that he can pay for his expensive Cerac (crown making) machine.
During the 3 years that I was a patient, he replaced TEN crowns in my mouth, because he said they were all «leaking,» even ones that were less than 4 years old. REALLY? I was so naïve to believe him. How did I discover the chicanery? He finally replaced a crown that had just been done 3 years before, and weakened the tooth to the point that it just broke off one night while I was eating Chinese food. I had to have the roots of that tooth pulled and get an implant, costing me over $ 6000. I complained to him about it and he agreed to repay me what I’d paid him for that crown, but he wanted me to sign a waiver. What honest person asks for a waiver? Stupidly I signed it, thinking that this was the only bad work of his that I’d suffered from.
Turns out that those crowns that he makes in his office don’t fit very well, he leaves open margins (google that), meaning that the crown does not fit flush against the tooth and bacteria gets in, decaying the tooth. Then guess what? Your crown has to be replaced, with more of the tooth ground away in the process.
Now I’m going to a real dentist, who has crowns made in an independent lab, and I had to have THREE crowns replaced that Donnelly put in within the last 4 years because they had open margins AND one had a HOLE in it after three years. The new dentist showed me the open margins on xrays, and I have a picture of the crown that had a hole in the top. That’s not normal, people. It’s shoddy work. I’ve contacted Donnelly about these defective crowns, even sent xrays and pictures. He sent back a certified letter stating that I’d signed a release, so too bad for me. Really? That’s how an ethical professional deals with his own mistakes?
I say again, beware. If he starts suggesting that you need crowns replaced, or crowns installed where a filling might do, think twice. Seek a second opinion. Better yet, just run, fast and far.

I have been a patient of Dr. Donnelly for 30 years and continue to praise he and his staff for their care of all my dental needs. Recently, I cracked an older crown which had apparently been leaking and they worked with my schedule to get me in asap.
Once there they not only replaced the crown, but due to a cancellation I received my 6 month cleaning + x-​rays. This saved me time off work and another appointment.
I am very pleased with the staff — Hurray for Kim and Jaime — and Dr. D is a true professional, extremely knowledgeable and continues to provide excellent care.
This is a long-​term and established relationship that I value greatly. Thanks to all.
Suda

The most seamless and easy crown experience I have ever had. Everything was done in one visit. Love the staff, they take the scare out of a dentist visit.)

My experience at Dr. Donnelly’s office with him and his staff have been exeplar. The complete staff works hard to ensure you are completely aware of what is going on and expected. I also know they are realist. I appreciate the non judgement about how one sometimes feel about drinking coffee, not flossing so much, etc. They do encourage you but also color match your crowns so they don’t stand out as new and don’t draw attention where you don’t necessarily want.
I have been coming here since approximately 1997 and have told many to come.
Darryl

Dr. Donnelly is a quack in my opinion. He convinced me that I needed to replace all of my childhood filings. What an expensive, painful mistake that was. He replaced all of my silver fillings with composite materials (it cost thousands of dollars), and then several of those teeth ended up «cracking» and needing to be replaced with crowns (also very expensive proceedures).
I am now left with several very uncomfortable crowns in my mouth that food gets stuck in every time I eat something. Dr. Donnelly replaced the crowns a couple of times, but each time they seemed to get worse. If you go here and they recommend any filings, replacement of fillings, crowns, etc, I STRONGLY URGE you to GET A SECOND OPINION. Personally, I believe that I was persuaded to do unnecessary dental proceedures to help pay for Dr. D’s expensive Cerac (crown making) machine. You’ve been warned!

My family and friends have been taken care of by Dr. Donnelly and his staff for many years. They have treated us promptly, carefully, and, in some cases, innovatively. We know we can rely on them to take personal care of us, and to do so in a friendly manner. Dr. Donnelly has always treated us fairly with his prices and services. We also enjoy the office staff, especially Jamie, who can always be counted upon to make you laugh during cleanings.
I have referred many people to this office. I have never heard a complaint from anyone about Dr. Donnelly and his staff.

Dr. Donnelly is an amazing and talented Dentist with a great personality. In addition, Kim and Jamie are equally as talented with a great personality. I highly recommend Dr. Donnelly. I originally found Dr. Donnelly from a Unilocal search when I moved to San Diego and everyone was right. I put complete confidence in the work from this practice. I had a lot of work done so I can say I know what this office can do. From deep cleaning, laser treatments, same day crown and replacement of older crowns. I’d give them 10 stars if I could.

I have to say I love going here because it doesn’t feel like your typical doctors/​dentist office. To start the office is actually an older Victorian style house, that is converted into an office, that means no stuffy office with the sign-​in sheet and a secretary with the personality of a card board cutout… The staff is super friendly and make you feel like you are at home, within a couple of visits you will be on a name to name basis with them.
As for the work, both me and my wife have had plenty of work done here and were always satisfied. My son is completing his invisalign, and thanks to Dr. Donnelly he was able to avoid 2yrs of metal mouth at almost the same cost!
The only real downside to this place is one of the techs is a yankees fan, but I guess we all can’t be perfect!