Dr. Ellie’s Gentle Dentistry

I used to never like going to the dentist because I never felt comfortable … That was until I was recommended here. I walked through the door and immediately felt welcomed. Everyone is so nice and actually concerned with each patient/​appointment. I definitely recommend this dentist to anyone who isnt 100% in love with their teeth (like I was), they’ll help you all the way & be courteous through the process!

Very nice, clean, and great atmosphere for a dental office. You feel nice and calm, especially when you have crazy nerves going into the dentist. All the employees are sweet, especially Audrey!

Dr. Ellie and her staff are the best! My smile is very important to me, and I trust them completely. I felt welcomed right away, and I will be recommending this dentist to all my friends.

Great staff, amazing dentist. They all make you feel very relaxed when your teeth are being worked on!

Okay first off this place is amazing and has incredible staff. One person named Audreana made everything worth the visit. The dentist is incredible as well. Going without saying I found my new favorite place!

Great dentist! Don’t know what the 1 stars are talking about. Dr. Ellie displayed professionalism at its finest. She has coffee in the waiting are, HUGE PLUS. coffee and me go together like pb&j. Anywho, back to Dr. Ellie, she provided A1 service to my chiclets and I would gladly recommend her to anybody, even my grandma (bless her soul). I have this soft spot around my gums and she put this numbing cream on that felt fantastic. Words cannot describe the sensations flowing through my mouth, but if I had to describe it, I would say it’s similar to the feeling when you’re hanging your laundry and you pull out the perfect amount of hangers without even counting. It’s the little things.
I’ll be back in 6 months to polish these bad boys again. Peace and love.

Great place, loved the deep cleaning that they suggested. Naz is very sweat and gentle. Dr. Ellie is very smart and does not push unnecessary services at all on her patients. My kids and I all go there and we love them all. Great job everyone.

They lured me in with a 99 $ deal to get xrays and a cleaning and when it came time to get the cleaning they wanted $ 500 and another $ 500 to take care of a couple very minimal cavities. So I had to pay the 99 $ even though they didn’t do the cleaning. They wasted an extreme amount of time taking pictures, part of the time with a mirror in my mouth which didn’t seem safe at all, when all they had to do was show me my teeth with a mirror which they ended up doing anyways.

Awful! Not gentle, just big on numbing you like crazy — then leaving you sitting for an hour while it wears off before actually getting to the procedure. I would strongly recommend finding another dentist!
She also says ‘well I’m going to have to pull this tooth’ when drilling a cavity. Then laughs and says ‘I’m joking’ when you freak out. I told her that wasn’t funny and was actually pretty awful, and she argued with me about her joke. And insinuated I should lighten up.

I literally NEVER write reviews and actually had forgotten my password for Unilocal,but really felt that I needed to share my story so that no one ever makes the same mistake I did.
I loved my old dentist but had to find a new one since I moved. I briefly skimmed Unilocal and saw a couple good reviews for this place… but I wished that I had kept reading. I had a very similar experience to all of the horrible reviews on here.
First off, I had been to my old dentist 6 months before with NO problems. Everything was great. I kept up the same brushing and flossing routine, but according to Dr. Ellie, I had 7 cavities!!! I thought «hmm that’s a little odd…» but continued with the appointment. I was then told that my gums were so bad, that I would need this infamous «deep cleaning» everyone else has been mentioning. I have NEVER heard of this before from anywhere else. I got pressured into doing it that day which was $ 200 out of pocket.
They scheduled another appointment for me to fill my cavities. (Again, had to pay more out of pocket). Two of the cavities were filled that day on the right side and they informed me that I’d have to set up another appointment for the rest.
I came back a couple weeks later and am told they will be filling 4 more on the left side. After that, I would still have 1 more that needed to be done on the right. I asked why it was not done at my previous appointment and Dr. Ellie LITERALLY said «I don’t know.» She made a joke asking why I don’t want to come visit them again and I said that I wish I could’ve just gotten it over with last time while that side of my face was already numb!!! Her whole demeanor changed and she instantly became more aggressive and not as friendly.
After my fillings were done, they began trying to adjust my bite. Throughout this, Dr. Ellie was talking about how big the next appointment she had was and was OBVIOUSLY rushing through my current one. She would ask how my bite felt, giving me like 2 seconds to feel it out. After several attempts, I said it still felt off. She was getting noticeably angry and kept saying «it looks fine.» I was so upset at this point that I just said it was okay so that I could get out of there.
I will not be returning for my last «cavity» nor will I be returning «every 3 months» to get a «deep cleaning.» I honestly have no idea how this business has gotten away for so long completely SCAMMING people. I beg of you, please DO NOT GO HERE. No one deserves to be taken advantage of and this establishment does not deserve to still be running.

I’m usually not one to write reviews but I wish I had read them prior to my appointment. Sad to say, but everything that was described in the bad reviews are so true! After a consultation with Dr. Ellie, I was pressured to do a 3d CT scan and deep cleaning in the same day. One of the insurance coordinators came and sat with me to inform me my out of pocket cost after insurance benefits. After I refused repeatedly she kept pressuring me saying well you need to get it done like now, I kept refusing saying not at this time, I’m not prepared financially. She walked away and I could hear all the girls whispering to each other and just got a bad vibe from there on out.
I scheduled my appointment for a routine cleaning as I wasnt prepared to spend over $ 500 during that visit. They refused to do a simple cleaning stating that «it wouldn’t makes sense to do it». Which I see where they’re coming from BUT if I cant afford a deep cleaning at that visit yet my insurance covers for a routine, why not do something to make my time worth it. So I called another in network dentist and informed them I am scheduling an appt for a second opinion (mainly because I just did not want to go back there). I stated how nothing was done for me because I refused the deep cleaning. Dr. Ellie charges a $ 25 fee to have them email the xrays. Why? Labor took like 5 minutes or less to do?
I just felt like everything was about money. I’ve never felt like that at any dental clinics i’ve been to. Bottom line they pressure you to get more money out of you. Don’t give in.

DO NOT GO TO THIS DENTIST! This was the most unethical, incompetent Dental experience I ever had.
When I went to my appointment I was greeted by a bored, cold receptionist. She did point out an area that had had Pastries, two types of Chocolate Candy jars (one with nuts), Cookies, some Breakfast bars… get the picture, Really.
Then I was taken in to a room where I had more pictures taken of my mouth and smile than a professional photo shoot. Immediately they said I had serious gum disease and needed a «Deep Cleaning» because of how severe it was .Then they had me sign a piece of paper saying I would pay $ 100.00 and my Dental Insurance would pay $ 1500. Mind you I had not even seen the Dentist and I sat there for an Hour and a half and finally walked out.
They called me several times to come right in for the Cleaning and I said no. I told them I didn’t even know the results from my x rays. I told them I did not want the «Deep Cleaning» and they said I HAD to because I signed the paper.
That was it. I called my Dental Insurance (Dental Health Services) and told them what happened and that I never saw the Dentist and what happened in the office and they helped me get a new Dentist. They told me just to go back to Dr Ellie and have them give me my X Rays When I called Dr Ellie to let them know I needed my x rays they told me I had to pay $ 25 dollars for them. I told them that was ridiculous and that I wanted to speak to the office manager. They put me on the phone with her and she refused to give me the x rays. So I had to call the Dental Insurance (Dental Health Services) and they told me that they have a CONTRACT with this Dentist that the X Rays are the Clients property and they are not allowed to charge. The Dental Insurance then called Dr Ellies office and told them to give me my X Rays and they could not charge. I went straight down to Dr Ellies and asked nicely for my X-​rays and the receptionist shoved a piece of paper for me to sign and said they would e mailed my new Dentist. I am certain they have charged other clients money for their X rays. If they did this to you should contact your Dental Insurance and see about getting your money back.
So hear is the great news. I went to my new Dentist at Smile San Diego. I was seen immediately and the Dr was amazing. She examined me and told me I had the «Healthiest Gums» she had seen in ages. She said I had no gum disease. No cavities. I had my Cleaning and it went great. I have since had a Crown replaced and it was very comfortable and gentle.
Please read all of these Unilocal reviews and you will see a pattern of Patients being told they needed «Deep Cleaning». Trust me; Do Not go to Dr. Ellies Gentle Dentistry.

I made an appointment for an insurance covered teeth cleaning. After the x-​rays, photos and exam I was told that I needed a deep cleaning. I know my dental history well and I’ve been going to the #1 rated dentist’s office in another city for well over 10 years. That dentist never recommended deep cleaning. Dr. Ellie’s office refused to perform the cleaning, constantly referring to as «polishing». Polishing? That’s all they do during regular cleaning? It felt very uncomfortable to be pressured into a procedure that would’ve cost me around $ 400 out of pocket after insurance and copay. I asked them repeatedly to do the cleaning and they kept refusing while saying negative things about the professionalism of my previous dentist, who, btw teaches at one of the best dental schools in the country. I got lots of eye rolling and bad attitude when I asked for my records. They charged me $ 25 to email them. After reading some of the reviews on Unilocal,I realized that my experience is not that uncommon. I will never visit this dentist’s office again. I also want to point out that this is my first Unilocal review, I just sign up today to share my really bad experience. The whole incident felt more like dealing with a scam artist than with a health care provider.

«Oh my gosh! Wow! You weren’t satisfied with your visit. She was too rough? Wow, I’ve been here for 7 years and I have never heard that from a patient. No, not one… She’s always very gentle. You may want to consider seeing another dentist, I wouldn’t want her to feel uncomfortable treating you.»
That’s what the receptionist told me after I expressed how rough Ellie was with me. Based on the reviews here, there’s been more than enough unhappy patients, some that complained about the above-​quoted receptionist specifically. This leads me to believe one of two things: a) Ellie’s cares so little about their patients that they don’t bother to read their own reviews, or b) They’ve had the same complaint so many times they had to provide the receptionist with a script and «utter shock» skit to nail down.
Appointment #1: 5:30pm. I was checked in and promptly ignored for a full hour. Finally asking to reschedule, I was assured «just one more minute» and please have a seat. for another 30 minutes. The visit was interesting. My previous dental work was criticized, we went over options for a retainer to correct a slight gap, and otherwise told I was doing a great job, my teeth were clean and well cared for. Ellie rolled in around 7:00, and the story changed — they don’t offer any retainers, and oh! you have a massive cavity that will need a crown, and another partial crown on the bottom. My previous dentist had pointed out the «massive cavity» to me two months earlier on an x-​ray, noting that it was so slight i could wait on the filling if i wanted to, and to note that it would grow and eventually have to be done. WOW! In just 8 weeks it had become so HUGE that it would knock the entire tooth out to repair, better slap a crown in there! …
Notice in the reviews that EVERYONE has needed a crown? At least one? Peculiar, I’d say… considering they’re very expensive and out of pocket… Think they might be… no, no that would be unethical and bad practice. I should’ve ran then.
I was sent a quote for $ 1700 for both teeth. With no-​dental-​training-​ever precision, I realized I didn’t need half the items on the quote and requested changes. 2 weeks passed, I went into the office to inquire and THEN that sweetheart receptionist rolled her eyes and said she’d get it to me. It came back at $ 970, done in 3 appointments.
I went in to schedule Appointment #2 and said that I was a bit nervous about Dr. Ellie, that after making me wait an hour and a half for my consult she was very rude and aggressive and seemed rushed and anxious. Sweetie Pie told me they’re never running late, the last visit was an exception, the doc is always very gentle and relaxed and I had nothing to worry about. Ok, fine.
When I came in for #2, Sunshine insisted I sign the 1700 plan «for their records, just to show that i was given the option». When I refused and said i would only sign what i agreed too, i got that eye-​roll and she stomped off to print it. 45 mins past my appointment time, I entered the torture chamber and they got to work. Ellie and I had great conversations, like: «Stop bitey your cheek» /“sorry, its numb, didn’t feel it”/ It is not numb, i numbed the right side./ Well its numb over here on the left too /​NO it is NOT I numbed only the right. Bite again and stop bitey your cheek”. Then we played a game where you raise your left hand if it hurts & they stop what they’re doing, only I raised my hand, then waved it around, tapped the docs knee a few times, groaned loudly, and finally grabbed her wrist and forced her hand and the drill out of my mouth. There was the part when she told me to «open wider», and i said i couldn’t. «yes you can, wider.» «no really, that’s as far as it goes.» Boy was I wrong! All she had to do was rip my lip open and sure enough, it opened a little wider. That little cut in the crack of your lip is a real bleeder, and stings for a good week, but she got back there alright. Long story short, she didnt listen to any of my needs, was forceful almost to the point of just being mean, I had to physically stop her when in pain, and the entire time she spoke to me as if i were a HUGE inconvenience. She wanted to be done and on to the next. Good thing, too, with 6 or 8 chairs and one dentist.
I went to my last appointment where they told me I would need 2 more to finish, turning 3 visits into 5. Whatever, just get it over with. I was taken back right away but sat there long enough to FINISH a crossword puzzle. I went to the restroom and watched a dental assistant exit without washing her hands. I called her right out to the other nurses, who scrambled for excuses. Really, whats excusable? Those hands are going in someone’s mouth. Ellie rolled in, promptly cut off the questions I had, shoved the crown in and pushed me out the door with such a bad attitude I felt like saying «If you hate EVERYONE, why are you a dentist!!»
I informed Suzy Q on my way out that I would NEVER be returning. No way in hell.

Great dentist! Beautiful office! Would recommend to anyone looking for pristine care from a wonderful staff.

I am warning you. Never ever go to Dr. Ellie. These people are SCAM ARTISTS! They are all very sweet people who work in the office, but do not let them fool you. They only want your money. I went in for my appointment where they conducted x-​rays and then looked at my teeth. Without performing any tests or looking at them for more than a minute they told me that I would need to pay $ 300 for a deep cleaning. I then went to get a second and third opinion and they told me that I was no where close to needing anything other than a regular cleaning. I had to have my new x-​rays sent to the new dentist and they fired me to pay $ 25 for them to SEND AN EMAIL to the dentist across the hall. I suggest you GO TO OASIS DENTISTRY instead. They are wonderful and in the same building. DO NOT GO SEE DR. ELLIE!!!

Dr Ellie is the best, I’m EXTREMELY dental phobic but unfortunately have bad teeth so I have to go alot. She’s not only gentle and kind, but she always asks about my personal life and remembers me as a person, not just as a patient. She arranges for me to have laughing gas for procedures that make me freak out, and that helps alot.
Her office staff is the best. At most other offices you walk in and have to sign in and sit down while the person behind the desk refuses to make eye contact with you. Not so here. If you go more than once Natalie remembers who you are and greets you with a smile, no sign in sheet, and no odious office manager that treats you like your a criminal.
Nori, Dr Ellie’s dental hygenist, is also friendly and gentle, doesn’t try to get you to buy a bunch of products you don’t need, and doesn’t treat you like you haven’t been taking care of your teeth.
The office is very nice as well. Dr. Ellie has coffee and snacks for those stuck in the waiting room waiting for a loved one, usually a concert movie playing as well as the usual assortment of magazines. Only she has magazines that are somewhat current and people actually want to read. Also, if your having a long procedure they can play a movie on the screen in your room to make the time go by faster. The office is also in a convenient location right next to Mission Valley mall so there’s always shopping if its going to be a long wait.
I should have done this review a long time ago, I’m so happy with Dr. Ellie, but better late than never.

Dr. Ellie needs to check her attitude! Rude, and unprofessional. And I think «Gentle Dentistry» is false advertising. Please avoid this dentist like the plague!
I initially came to Dr. Ellie because I needed a crown and some fillings. I told her about my severe dental anxiety, and she suggested prescribing Xanax to take before appointments. That never happened, despite me bringing it up at 3 different visits. She and her receptionist also gave me bad information multiple times about what was and was not covered by my insurance. They said it wouldn’t cover things that it definitely ended up covering. I forgave her apparent forgetfulness, and the fact that she tried to set me up with one of her clients, and continued to go to her for my cleanings.
My boyfriend needed some dental work, and I recommended Dr. Ellie. They gave him attitude from the start. He needed a root canal and crown, and asked that they please schedule him so that it could all take place at once. He was already trying to be done with them as quickly as possible, as he’d been in to see her for some fillings and she was very rough, didn’t anesthetize him properly, and didn’t believe him when he raised his hand and jumped and told her it hurt. (She hurt him when she was anesthetizing him, as many others on here have complained, but the doctor who did his root canal anesthetized him with no pain at all). They told him that one appointment wouldn’t be a problem, and one of their selling points is that they make their crowns in-​house so you don’t have to wait. He even called the day before the appointment, pointing out that it was the last appointment of the day, to make sure that they could get it all done. I was in the room, he asked SEVERAL times if they wanted to reschedule and if they were sure they could finish in one shot. They assured him they could.
When he got there, Dr. Ellie was obviously flustered, tired from a long day, and kept making mistakes while making his crown. After that, she tried to get the crown fitted/​placed multiple times, complete with gum shredding, before she gave up and told him he’d need to wear a temporary until they could see him again. Oh, and they were ALL going to be out of town for a week. When he got home, he told me it was obvious that she kept messing up and getting frustrated, and she was even complaining about how long of a day she’d had. THAT’S WHY HE CALLED! If you’re going to be a rude brat at the end of the day, at least let your patients reschedule for a time when you’ll be fresh and ready for the procedure.
Two days later, his temporary crown popped off, and they were still all out of town. Luckily, they are going to be able to see him Monday, but that will be the LAST time he or I set foot in this godawful office. When he called to see if his Monday appointment could be moved to the morning (they’d scheduled him for the last appointment of the day again), they mentioned that the doctor would have to come in early to fabricate the crown. Meaning they’re planning to do the EXACT SAME THING: wait until the last minute, have him in there at the end of the day, and probably mess up his crown again.

Dr. Ellie is excellent. and so is her staff.
she is efficient and confident.
the office is relaxing and clean. the equipment is updated. she doesn’t over charge, she is right on target with the insurance rates.

Well, as one of the multitudes who hate going to the dentist, I can’t say I was «stoked» to go here when I decided it was time for a checkup, but Dr. Ellie and staff made it a professional and relatively painless experience.
On the initial checkup, she found that I had some pre-​gingivitis and would need a deep cleaning. So I went ahead and had the deep cleaning done. Aside from the anesthesia which was *painful as a mofo* (but it IS a series of shots into your gums), the deep cleaning wasn’t too bad at all, and my mouth was a-​ok by the next day.
I also had a whitening done here. Again, they anesthetized me for it (which again HURT) but there was also some leakage of the bleach during the procedure which pretty much felt like someone taking a cattle prod to my gums. Afterwards, my teeth hurt like a mofo and continued to do so for a couple days. But on the bright side, I was happy with the results. as my teeth had gone from *yellow* to «not so bad.»
Aside from that, everyone who works there is pretty friendly and professional. And I felt the prices were very fair. but I have nice Bluecross PPO insurance.
The fact my mouth is traumatized to go back isn’t really an indictment on them though. I think dental work hurts. shots hurt. and bleaching hurts. If you *really* want to experience «gentle dentistry» then take very good care of your teeth and you won’t have to go to extremes like deep cleanings and bleaching. So I would say this place should probably be called «Dr. Ellie’s As-​Gentle-​As-​Possible-​Given-​The-​State-​Of-​Your-​Grill Dentistry.»