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Rockridge Smiles Dentists We welcome you to our unique and thriving dental practice, where residents of Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont and the greater East Bay Area come to smile. Your smiles are our business and our pleasure: smile makeovers, smile design, and smiles spurred by assisting you to maintain healthy teeth in our comfortable, convivial office.
Reviews (18)
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Morgan F.
Feb 16, 2022
A pleasant experience overall from the dentist to the general office staff. Dr Chan is thorough and patient in her approach and evaluation. Only suggests what is needed and doesn't try to oversell unnecessary procedure. Everyone in the office seem polite and pleasant. After experiencing horrible treatment from one of the corporate dental offices (Total Health Dental Care), it's comforting to go into Rockridge Smiles and be treated with care and respect.
C. K.
Nov 12, 2021
I asked if they were taking new patients and they immediately hung up on me. Wow. Called back and same person picked up and claimed nobody was on another line. Yeah, right. You let somebody know if you're going to transfer them, they just immediately hung up. She then said they weren't taking new patients for the rest of the year. Incredibly rude.
Zsofi T.
Sep 18, 2020
I've been a patient of Dr Chan's for over two years and I can't recommend her highly enough. She's the best dentist I've ever had, and I trust her completely. She's very professional, always on time and meticulous about her work. The admin staff is great too, very organized and my billing was always done correctly. The only downside is that the wait for appointments can be long (although they do squeeze you in the same day if you have an emergency), but it's so worth it!
Hazel F.
May 18, 2020
Five years in Oakland now and lived in so many pockets of it but one thing has not changed, my dentist and hygienists. I didn't really like the first dentist I found in the area, but Dr. Chan and Geralyn (who is my usual hygenist but I don't get upset when I get someone else too) was a clear winner when I found their clinic. Having someone look inside your mouth, tell you some things about it, is such an intimate act for me, I can't imagine going to a dentist, clinic, or hygienist that I do not like.

Office feels clean and bright. The people that work here are friendly. I always look forward to my next visit. Who can say that about their dentist?! I had to come a couple times with my 6 year old niece in tow, and they were always understanding and even always included her in the process while she waits for my annual check up or cleaning. Street parking only.
Mr. L.
Dec 06, 2019
Amazing from start to finish. Their entire staff is amazingly nice and efficient. The cleaning and filling I had done were 99% pain free. Best dentistry experience of my life. I hadn't been to a dentist in about 3 years. There was no judgement, only a game plan. I had about 4 1/2 hours works ahead. They consolidated that into 2 sessions that were smooth and without pain or stress. Do yourself a favor, you won't worry about your next dentist visit again.
N. R.
Jul 24, 2019
I've been seeing Dr Chan for years and just took my 3yo to see her. All the staff are professional and efficient. The exam rooms have a lot of natural light and it's a calm, pleasant place to be while you get your teeth worked on. I never thought they saw kids, but my daughter did great!
Roz M.
Jan 31, 2019
Dr. Chan has been my Dentist for a few years. The office is in a great location with free parking which is extremely rare in Oakland. Her support staff are personable and friendly. The appointments are scheduled to accommodate my dental needs. I feel really comfortable in the vulnerable setting of a dentists chair. I accidentally bit her the other day and she barely flinched. I suppose that is an occupational hazard. Dr. Chan is in the process of fitting me for a plate and she is very meticulous with the process. I am very pleased.
Elisa D.
Dec 28, 2018
Dr. Chan has been my dentist for 10 years. From Heather at the front desk to the rest of the wonderful staff, I have always had a positive experience. I'm always seen so promptly, I don't really know why they even have a waiting room. Over the years, Dr. Chan has found conservative and more affordable ways to help solve any dental problems that have arisen.

She cares about short and long term goals and I adore her warm, skilled staff. Professional, caring, friendly and I always find a parking spot. I've referred many here over the years and all are still happily patients. Thank you, Dr. Chan! I look forward to transferring my kids' pediatric dental care your way soon, as well!
Victor M.
Sep 24, 2018
I have been a patient of Dr. Melinda Chan's going on 10 years and have only had good experiences fin all that time from when I first sit the in the chair till leaving the office at the end of the visit. From the quarterly cleaning, several crowns and an implant, all are handled with great care, skill and attention to detail. Though I have a very high tolerance to pain, there isn't anything more than a very mild discomfort from the Novocaine needle after the effects have worn off and have no problem eating lunch after the morning visit.

I would not change dentists for anything and proof of that is that I live in Sunnyvale and have to make the trip up 880 at 6:30 in the morning to make sure I get there on time for my 8:00 AM appointment. A very small price to pay for which I don't mind all all considering the care and quality of treatment. That's commitment for you.
David L.
Jun 12, 2018
I've been a patient here since moving to Oakland almost 10 years ago. I have complicated teeth - lots of unusual crowns and islands to correct a malocclusion. Plus a couple of implants and veneers. When I lived in Santa Monica, my general dentist decided I was too complicated a case and referred me to specialists from USC. They did a great job.

I tried several dentists before Dr. Chan when I moved north and was disappointed. So I was very pleased to find her practice. The whole staff is first rate, and their responsiveness to emergency situations, even on weekends and off hours is extraordinary. There's a reason for all the 5 star reviews.
Adam F.
Apr 27, 2018
Dr. Chan is a fantastic dentist and her and Dr. Peterson's entire practice are very warm and engaging. The front office knows me by name (or voice when I call) and the process of making appointments, asking questions, or voicing concerns is always treated with the utmost respect and due care. I've been seeing Dr. Chan since I moved out to CA in late 2016 and have had not only a great preventative care experience, but also had to get my crowns replaced that I had had since 2003.

Most of the work was done in house, though I was referred off-site for a re-treatment of my root canals by a specialist. The lovely front teeth crowns she made me look fantastic. Regular visits are a painless experience. Everyone in the office wants to stay up to date regarding how things are going for me. Eg: this week everyone wanted to know about my recent vacation and check in about work, etc. I'm recommending to my fiancee that she relocate her dental care here for her next cleaning. It's also conveniently close, a nice ten minute walk across Rockridge, and appointments start promptly on time. Can't recommend them enough.
Alta B.
Apr 20, 2018
Her first question was "What are you?" - huh? I guess she wanted to know where my accent was coming from. Then she claimed that one of my teeth was about to crack, and I needed to have crown right away. I refused to go through with it. Shortly after I got second opinion from different dentist who said there was nothing wrong with my teeth. It has been 2 years since then, and I still don't need crown.

I guess she thought she could take advantage of me because she thought I was a foreigner with accent that did not know any better? Later they sent $50 invoice for a missed appointment, well after I stopped being their patient. Strange to see all those 5 star reviews here though.
B. W.
Sep 22, 2017
I don't write reviews like this often, but Melinda Chan is, for me, the Dentist of the Century! Literally -- I've been seeing her since the year 2000 and her practice is the best I've ever been to, in this or any other century. My childhood dentist in North Carolina was a stern, mean (bordering on sadistic) man, and I was conditioned from an early age to dread anything having to do with a dentist. Dr. Chan changed all that.

Her easy-going, polite demeanor and confident nature put me at ease right away. Like her practice partner Dr. Peterson, she is exceptionally well trained, knowlegable, and caring. I also highly recommend my hygienist Geralyn, a cinephile and world traveler, who has a fascinating collection of international toothpastes and will gently clean your teeth like nobody's business.
Josh H.
Jul 30, 2017
Fast friendly and professional. I drive all the way from Vallejo just to go here, totally worth it.
Traci L.
Jun 23, 2017
Dr. Chan and the staff in the office are wonderful. She has been my dentist for several years and she is always able to get the work done in the promised time and always on time. Dr. Chan and her staff are very caring and proficient and I have never had to wait long for an appointment. I have always refer everyone that needs a dentist to her because I know they will be pleased.
Lee R.
Mar 27, 2017
Dr. Chan is genius and a lifesaver! This morning, I needed her to help me and she came through with flying colors. I am so happy she is my dentist. She cares so much and she really is a perfectionist when it comes to creating a beautiful smile. Over the years, I have recommended Dr. Chan to many people and they always say they are very happy to have Dr. Chan as their dentist too. She and her entire team are the best!
Marco M.
Jan 08, 2017
I've been going here for about three years. The office is efficient and reminds you in multiple ways about your appointment. I've been in for cleanings and a few fillings and a crown. They only ran late once. They have great technology so they can often make your crown while you wait so no need for a temporary or a second visit. Wow, right? And they offer nitrous. Woo hoo.
Anthony S.
Aug 25, 2013
Show of hands.who really likes going to the dentist? The typical dentist visit usually goes something like this; they come rolling into your cubicle after getting your spit bib and safety glasses and they pick up a small prison shank and begin poking your gums until they bleed profusely. They then say something along the lines of, "You know your gums wouldn't bleed this much if you flossed more?" Um, yeah.

I started going to Dr. Chan in 2009 and I had some serious issues going on with my teeth. I had a crossbite, which means when I closed my mouth or chewed, my top teeth landed directly on my bottom teeth. As a result, my top teeth were worn down, chipped and just plain ugly. A former dentist of mine wanted to break my jaw and do other unnecessary surgery to make them look normal again.

I couldn't fathom spending $15-20K just for my teeth, so I let it go.and I hated my smile. She spent hours of her own time designing and figuring out the best possible way to go about repairing my teeth. After a lot of thought Dr. Chan suggested a different and much less expensive route.veneers. My smile is amazing now. I'm no longer self-conscious about smiling in photos, I feel like a completely new person! Dr. Chan is an incredible dentist and I can't imagine seeing anyone else.

In fact, my wife and I recently moved to Santa Cruz, and I still make the trek up to Oakland for all of my dentist-ing. You won't regret choosing Dr. Chan as your dentist!