Re: new dentist who is conservative and very experienced
My son had the exact same thing--multiple cavities at first visit, age 3. He needed general anesthesia, many caps & fillings by a specialist in Alameda. His two older sisters don't have the same issues. The good news: He's 8 now, and has had no cavities since! We use this dental group--they're great. http://www.alohakidsdds.com/ sk8ma512

Re: Sedation dentist for ASD 4 year old
My son developed severe dental anxiety after a bad experience with another dentist. After several years of working intensively (lots of appointments taking ''baby steps'') with Dr. Bob Khalil at Aloha Dental (who is amazing, btw), we ended up having to do full sedation to get some work done. Dr. Khalil recommended Alameda Pediatric Dentistry. They were great with my son and the whole experience went as smoothly as possible. It definitely was not inexpensive though. The anesthesia alone cost around $1,000 and was not covered by our Delta Dental insurance. Anon

Re: Pediatric dentist who takes Delta Dental?
We go to Aloha Pediatric Dentistry in Berkeley. They take Delta Dental and may have some special deal with them as Delta Dental is the only insurance where they will submit claims for you, since I do not have Delta Dental I have to pay Aloha in full and then request reimbursement from my insurance carrier. I have only been to Aloha once, but the staff are very caring and attentive and they came highly recommended from two different friends of ours.

Re: 3 year old with many cavities, may need sedation

We see Bob Khalil at Aloha Pediatrics. (510) 848-6494 (Telegraph in Berkeley), or (510) 528-1546 (Ensenada in Berkeley), or (925) 253-8190 (in Orinda). Any one of the dentists are fantastic, and we have been able to avoid full sedation for all cavity fillings (oldest has had cavities since 18 months). Have only needed use of nitrous once. kids at dentist x6 years

Re: Peds dentist in El Cerrito?Albany No. Berkeley
Aloha Dentistry has been great for my 5-year-old. He was terrified to go to the dentist, even without any negative experiences with dentist or doctor, and now he's had 2 full cleanings, flouride treatment, even x-rays, all very gently done. They get him involved and interested in what they're doing and break it down for him so he's not so scared. I'm impressed! Our dentist there is Dr Katsura. www.alohakidsdds.com Rebecca

Re: Pediatric Dentist Recommendation
I have been very happy wtih Aloha Pediatric Dentistry. All of the staff that we have worked with have been professional and kid-friendly. Here is a link: http://www.alohakidsdds.com Andrea

Re: Recommendations for Dentists
Dr. Neil Katsura at Aloha Pediatric Dentistry, which has a few locations, including a new one on Telegraph at Colby. My kids LOVE going to the dentist.

Re: Recommendations for Dentists
Aloha Kids DDS They have a lot of dentists who will fit many different kids' personalities. Our 4 year old son has been seeing Dr. Khosrovani who has the most gentle bedside manner. My son has had to have two cavities filled and she has helped him remain calm while she fills the cavities quickly. They have several offices. www.alohakidsdds.com

Re: Family denstist
We love both our dental offices. We use separate ones for kids and adults. The one for our kids is on Ensenada (off Solano) and specializes in youth and children. Aloha Pediatric Dentistry (Various dentists, all of them great to work with. We usually use Arnold Nakazato and Megan Golinveaux.) 510-848-6494

Re: Delta Dental Pediatric Dentists?
Dr. Neil Katsura, of Aloha Pediatric Dentistry, accepts Delta Dental insurance and he's great. My daughter, who was formerly very scared of dentists, never had a problem when she went to Dr. Katsura. His offices are decorated in a kid-friendly manner and he wears Hawaiian shirts to put his patients at ease. He has 3 offices, 2 in Berkeley and 1 in Orinda:
906 Ensenada Ave., North Berkeley 510-528-1546
3010 Colby St., Berkeley 510-848-6464 and
3 Altarinda Road, Orinda 925-253-8190
DC

My kids see Dr. Bob Khalil at the pediatric dentistry offices of Wampler and Katsura. They've been seeing Dr. Bob for about 11 or 12 years now! Great dentist, wonderful practice. I have friends who see the other dentists in the practice and are very happy with them. The practice has 3 offices: Orinda (where we go), Colby Ave by Alta Bates (where we used to go), and Ensenada in N. Berkeley (never been to that office). Here is a link to the practice's website, which has info on the dentists, contact info, etc.: http://www.alohakidsdds.com

Dr. Bob and the staff are so amazing with the kids. When mine were very little, they let me lay on the chair with my kid on top of me, to reassure them and make them more comfortable. They do a good job of explaining to the patients what they are doing and how to take care of their teeth. I have zero complaints about the care and advice we've received for the past decade-plus.

If you check the BPN archives, you'll find lots of recommendations for the Wampler practice and other pediatric dentists.

Re: Dentist for Autistic Child
Dr. Bob Khalil at Aloha Kids (in Orinda and Berkeley) is excellent with my 4 year old with ASD. They have a ''quiet hour'' once a day for special needs kiddos (though sometimes the wait is long for one of those appointments). We've been really happy with the Dr. Bob and the whole office. Best, Heather

Re: Looking for a dentist in Albany for a 3 year old
Go to the Aloha Pediatric Dentistry office off Solano, on Peralta. http://www.alohakidsdds.com/ The dentists there are terrific; my kids have all seen them since they turned 3 (now 5, 8 & 10). They LOVE going to the dentist. Ours is Dr. Khalil, but we've seen several others and they're all great. Super kid- friendly office. They have 3 offices, I think, but the Peralta one is closest to you. 848-6494 is the main number. Tell them you want to be seen on Peralta. Have fun! heidi

Since then we have switched to the most amazing, patient and understanding dentist... Dr. Ameneh Khosrovani. Oh, and ''T'', the dental hygienist, is equally amazing.

She is a part of Aloha Kids Dental Practice: http://www.alohakidsdds.com/ They have 2 offices in Berkeley, including one in N. Berkeley right off Solano Ave., and one in Orinda.

Additionally, I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Wampler and Dr. Katsura. Mother of a SEVERE dental anxious son

Re: Pediatric Dentist in Berkeley
Our kids like to go to their dentist Arnold Nakazato, DDS who is part of a larger practice. http://www.alohakidsdds.com/ We have seen 3 other dentists in the practice when we had urgent issues and we have liked all of them. The staff are friendly and very in tune with the kids. anon

Re: Dentist for fearful 11-year-old
I would like to highly recommend Ameneh Khosrovani. She was incredible with our son who had to have a filling at the age of 3, and she was really great with us too. I have heard wonderful things about everyone in the practice she is at. Their website is: http://www.alohakidsdds.com They have offices in Berkeley and Orinda. One of their Berkeley phone numbers is: (510) 528-1546 and they accept Delta Dental. Very Happy With our Pediatric Dentist

Re: Dentist for Autistic Child
I recommend Dr. Katsura in Orinda. My son is on the autistic spectrum, and we received the recommendation from Dr. Katsura on the BPN. He actually has an appointment time reserved for patients that need more time, etc, and I believe there is only one patient in the office at that time, which is nice. On our first visit, we didn't go during this special time, and it was not fun, but on the second visit, we did, and it worked out great. They also gave us a little dentist kit that we used to practice with, so by the time the second appointment came along, my son felt more comfortable with someone checking his teeth, etc. Good luck! dreaded the dentist too, but not anymore

Re: Dental for children ages 5-7
we take our kids to the offices of Joseph Wampler, Neil Katsura etc. we've never had to wait longer than 10 min for our appt, and the kids actually look forward to going to the dentist. we see dr. ameneh khosrovani. there are lots of reviews in the archives for this office. love our dentist

Re: Family Dentist with Delta Dental
I and many friends have taken our kids to Neil Katsura in Berkeley on Ensenada. It is kind of like a dentist factory, but there are several dentists and they have all seemed good with dental cleanings and recommendations about orthondontic issues. I don't have the number, but he's listed in the phone book. Cavity free kids

Re: Dentist for Autistic Child
My son has autism and we see Dr. Khalil (''Dr. Bob'') at the Pediatric Dentistry office in North Berkeley off Solano (510 528-1546). They have an hour every week or so that they set aside for the special needs kids. Usually they have one room full of kids, but in this hour the kid gets the room to him/herself. They also have a hygienist there who has an adult son on the spectrum and she totally ''gets'' it, if you know what I'm sayin'. I'm not entirely sure about Dr. Bob's ASD experience, other than with my son, but I've liked him very much and my son has always had a great experience there. Jill

Re: Looking for Dentist for 3year old
I would try Dr. Wampler and Katsura. They have an office on Ensenada Street in Berkeley off Solano and Marin. They are great with children. I've been taking my kids there for years. They are wonderful. (510) 528-1546 anonymous

Re: Pediatric Dentist Near Walnut Creek

I take my kids to Dr. Neil Katsura. He is a pediatric dentist and he is great with my kids. My son, now 10 years old had a real fear for dentists - Dr. Katsura was very gentle with him and now we do not have a problem. Dr. Katsura has an office in Orinda (925) 253-8190.

Re: Pediatric Dentist
They've been recommended here before, but I'll put in another plug: We love Dr. Nakazato and the staff at Wampler, Katsura, et al. Their office is just across the street from Alta Bates in Berkeley (think they also have an Orinda office or somewhere in CoCo). My 4yo actually looks forward to going to the dentist. They don't take insurance, though - you have to pay up front and then bill your insurance yourself. Not too big a deal, just a small hassle. Love Those Aloha Shirts

My kids are 8 and 12 and have been seeing Dr. Bob since they were about 18 mos-2 years old. They have no fear of dentist offices at all and have never had a bad experience, and my son has needed a couple of fillings. I know several other parents who see other dentists in the practice and speak highly of them.

Their website: http://www.alohakidsdds.com

Re: Dentist for kids that takes Delta Dental
I highly recommend Dr.s Wampler, Katsura, et al. They have offices at Ensenada and Solano in Berkeley. They are pediatric dentists and take Delta Dental. Their number is 848-6494. Christine

Re: MetLife Dental in-network dentists???
My kids see Dr. Khosrovani at the Katsura/Wampler practice -- not part of the MetLife network, but MetLife so far has reimbursed all but $10 or $15 for each visit (exam and cleaning, nothing complicated or expensive so far, knock on wood). I like that practice so much that I haven't considered moving them. Good luck. Catherine

Re: Need a warm and competent pediatric dentist
We are very happy with Dr. Bob Khalil of the pediatric dentistry offices of Wampler and Katsura. My kids really love him and are never afraid to go to the dentist. The staff always takes great care of the kids. They have three locations. (we have been to the Colby St. and Orinda offices, but not to the Ensenada one.) 3010 Colby St., Suite 217, Berkeley tel (510) 848-6494 906 Ensenada Ave., Berkeley tel (510) 528-1546 3 Altarinda Rd., Orinda tel (925) 253-8190

Re: Conservative dentist
Try Dr. Neil Katura and his partners in Berkeley. They have three offices - Berkeley on Colby St (near Alta Bates), Ensenada off Marin/Solano, and one in Orinda. They are very patient with the kids and families. Dr. Katsura will only request xrays, etc. when needed. He will also monitor for cavities and put sealants on until he absolutely has to fill the teeth. Check them out. Dr. Katsura sees both my kids and my oldest one was a tough kid to deal with. I am very happy with him. good luck Anonymous

Re: Pediatric Dentist vs Family Dentist
I recommend our Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Neil Katsura. There are other dentists in his practice and they are all great...but my kids see Dr. Katsura. They have an office in North Berkeley off Solano, South Berkeley near Alta Bates Hospital and in Orinda. You can call their main office in S. Berkeley at 848-6494. Their practice has been around for years and they are great with kids and families and have a good rapport. good luck Anonymous

Re: Pediatric dentist for first timer?
I doubt you can do better than Dr. Bob Khalil--he has one office near you, and my daughter loves him. Look him up here-- you'll find lots of glowing reviews. 528-1546. Dr. Bob Fan

I'm sure the archives have recommendations for the offices of Joseph Wampler and Neil Katsura. Their offices are fantastic. We see Dr. Bob Khalil. My kids are 11 and 7 and have been going to Dr. Bob since they were 3. The entire staff is great and my kids have no dentist fears at all. When your kids are little, they suggest that you lay on the chair with your child laying on top of you, which lessens the fear for the child, esp. the first time. They are patient and just great all the way around. They have three offices, one on Ensenada in Berkeley 510/528-4362, Colby (across from Alta Bates) in Berkeley 510/848-6478, and Davis in Orinda (by Theatre Square) 925/ 253-4907. We have been to the Colby and Orinda offices.

I'm sure a lot of other BPNers will post this: The offices of Joseph Wampler and Neil Katsura are great. We see Dr. Bob Khalil and my kids love him. They have 2 offices in Berkeley (Colby St, right across from Alta Bates; and Esenada in No. Berkeley) and one in Orinda, right near Theater Square. We go to the Colby St. and Orinda offices. I have heard great things about the other dentists in the practice but we love Dr. Bob. And, yes, they take Delta. anon

Re: Dentist for child in Concord or Walnut Creek
We live in Walnut Creek but take our daughter (now 7) to pediatric dentist Neil Katsura, DDS, in Orinda. I think the address is 96 Davis Rd. He's WONDERFUL! My daughter has no qualms about going to the dentist since we started taking her there several years ago after a bad experience with another pediatric dentist in Walnut Creek. I'm afraid I don't have a recommendation for an adult dentist in the area. Lori

Re: Worried first dentist visit will be traumatic

Hi, You don't mention where you are located but I would like to recommend that you take your twins to Dr. Neil Katsura. He has two offices one is in Berkeley near Alta Bates hospital. I think the other is located in Albany. I was delighted by the number of distractions provided for even the smallest of children. It was like taking my sons to the arcade. The staff is knowledgable but more importantly, they LOVE children. Kimberli

Our dentist (Dr. Bob Khalil, in Orinda) has a large, open room with several areas for the kid-size dental chairs, with no walls in between, so everyone can see and hear everyone else (no scary rooms behind closed doors).

First our daughter was given a new toothbrush of her color choice, and asked to brush her own teeth at a child sized sink, with toothpaste flavor of her choice...it went on happily and gently from there, with the kid ASKED to do things (sit in the chair, lean back, etc...) not TOLD.

She felt she was in control, and did everything they asked. They explained every little thing they did, and proceeded at her speed. She's been every 6 months since, and LOVES going to the dentist. Good luck! Heidi

I have scheduled my three-year-old's first dentist appointment with Dr. Nakazto in the office of Neil Katsura and Joseph Wampler. Can anyone offer a first-hand recommendation on Dr. Nakazto? I have heard Dr. Katsura has a gentle manner, where Dr. Wampler is a bit more bubbly. But I don't know anything about Dr. Nakazto. Thank you! Kim

Re: pediatric dentist in Lafayette
Try Katsura and Wampler. They have anoffice in Orinda on Davis Road. We have only seen Dr. Katsura, but my son loves him so much that he constantly asks me when do we get to go see Dr. Katdsura again! I have friends that see other dentists in the practice and they think they're great. Good luck! kristi

We live in San Leandro now, but still drive to Berkeley to see Dr. Katsura. He's fantastic. We would drive twice that far. Loralee

I wanted to post an unsolicited glowing recommendation of the office of Neil Katsura, DDS, pediatric dentist extraordinaire. Our 4.5-year-old daughter has gone to another dentist for a few years, very unsuccessfully in that the dentist was not sensitive to fearful children. We just went to Dr. Katsura's Orinda office this week for the first time. My daughter had the most wonderful experience there! Both the hygienist and Dr. Katsura were extremely sensitive to my daughter's feelings and gave her a lot of respect. They always addressed her by name, and always explained everything they were doing, having first showed her all the instruments and let her see and feel them. Every step of the way they asked my daughter if it was OK if they did something. My daughter, for the first time ever, sat in the chair (which was a smaller size than the previous dentist's office and I think that definitely helped as my daughter is petite) and allowed the dentist to do everything he needed to do for a proper examination. They had cool sunglasses for her to wear so the bright light wouldn't hurt her eyes while she was in the chair. I think the other thing that was really nice about the office is that it is small and quiet, and for the temperament of my daughter that worked out really nicely. My daughter is already talking about ''the next time I go to the dentist...''! It's really a miracle. And I sure was relieved to hear she has no cavities and has healthy gums to boot! While Dr. Katsura is only in the Orinda office on Thursdays (we live in Walnut Creek), it is so worth it to us to rearrange our schedule to accommodate that. Lori

We are considering Dr. Carole Miyahara to be our 3-year-old squirmy daughter's first dentist. I just stumbled across the Ensenada Street practice today and it looks great. Any and all recommendations and experiences you may have had with Dr. Miyahara would be welcome! Thanks in advance, Karen

I'm interested in getting feedback on Dr. Robert Khalil of pediatric dentistry. He is in practice with Drs. Wampler, Katsura, and Miyahara in Berkeley and Orinda. I'm also interested in other recommendations. My 3.5 y/o has his first dentist appt. with Dr. Khalil on March 16, 2002. Thanks. Erica

Pediatric dentist recommendation in Berkeley and Orinda is Dr. Joseph Wampler and Dr. Neil Katsura who share a large, but very friendly and competent practice. My Delta insurance covers all routine visits. S.S.

I just took my 3-year old son in for his first dental check up - to Dr. Miyahara (at Dr. Wampler's office - 848-6494), whose office is near Telegraph and Ashby. I was really please with the way that she and her assistant introduced my son to "going to the dentist" and came away convinced that he won't be afraid of his next visit to her.

WE LOVE DR. Wampler on Colby St. and his partner is Dr. Katsura. Their styles are completely different; they are both really good. Wampler is more jolly and funny, Katsura more gentle and quieter. This practice does exceptional work on kids with really bad teeth, e.g. kids who need a lot of fillings. We came to them after being dissatisfied with another dentist who I think used drugs way too much when doing fillings. (Some fillings on baby teeth do not hurt because the roots are shallow and the nerves are less exposed. My daughter had three fillings with no local anaesthesia and did not mind a bit. Another took more work. Never has she needed any tranquilizing, and our first dentist used tranqs. more liberally. No thank you.)

We use Dr. Neil Katsura in Berkeley. He's very gentle, the kids love him, and he's very, very good. Our daughter asks frequently when her next check-up is going to be! (Of course, her teeth have been worry free -- knock on wood -- come the first cavity, all that dental-joy might change.). It's not just us, though. A friend of ours whose daughter is also a patient of Dr. Katsura has nothing but wonderful things to say about how he's dealt with her daughter's problems (rows of teeth, stubborn baby teeth, etc.) The only problem I've seen is that 1. he's very popular so it's sometimes hard to get an appointment and 2. I think he's expensive ($96 for cleaning, check-up, all that). Then again, maybe that's just what dentists cost, or perhaps you have dental coverage.

We have used and like Dr Neil Katsura, a pediatric dentist on Colby St. next to Alta Bates, phone 848-6494. He is very patient (my daughter took 3 hours to even agree to open her mouth the first visit), and has a very cheerful large group examination room where the kids are not isolated into little cubicles. The down side is that he is more expensive than a non-specialist and books several months in advance.

Our pediatrician highly recommends the practice of Joseph Wampler & Neil Katsura (3010 Colby 848-6494 and 910 Ensenada 528-1546, both offices in Berkeley); her kids have been seeing them for years. Our nearly 4yo son so far has only had one appointment with Dr. Wampler (he's scheduled for his second in a couple of weeks) which he actually enjoyed. For weeks afterwards, he kept saying, "I'm going to be a dentist-hockey player-super hero when I grow up." My husband was very impressed with the examination, Wampler's attentiveness and the overall comfort level of the office and staff.

My pedi. reccomends Wampler etc, but I found them very difficult to get an appointment with and the office strangely run... They bill no insurance but Delta (not a problem for me now, but at the time). They won't make appointments for new patients in the afternoon, either.

Both of my children liked Dr. Neal Katsura. He has two offices in Berkeley; one on Colby and the other on Ensenada. Phone # is 848-6494.

Re: good dentist for children?

Both my boys (ages almost-16 and 7) having been seeing Dr. Katsura (on Colby across from Alta Bates--but he also sees patients on Ensenada off Solano) since they were old enough to see a dentist at all. He's great technically and also has a "chairside" manner that the kids really like--including the ability to get serious with them about brushing and flossing without turning them off. (Not to mention a video game you can play while you endure your flouride treatment.) However, he and Dr. Wampler have a very busy practice and you have to be prepared to schedule checkups way in advance. Another great dentist who does see children, although he's not specifically a "pediatric" dentist, is Dr. James Olson, whose office is at Durant and Ellsworth.

i have used dr. katsura in berkeley for my 2.5 year old (he knocked out his brand new front teeth about 6 months ago) and i found that dr. katsura and his staff were quite wonderful! the only complaint i would have is this... the actual exam chairs are in a room that is LOADED with all kinds of toys and goodies, which for an older child is quite fabulous but for a younger child, it poses the same kinds of problems as the grocery store check out loaded with candy, i.e., you may have SOME difficulty getting your child to leave, especially if he/she is not of an age to be reckoned with easily (like 2 year olds). everything else about them really is wonderful and, incidentally, they take only Delta insurance. dorothy

We use Dr. Joseph Wampler, and I've also heard that his partner, Katsura, is very good. They have an office in a building on Colby, across from Alta Bates. Phone number is 848-6494. My son always looks forward to a trip to the dentist. I think it isn't just that they use fun flavors in the fluoride, etc. treatments, or that he gets a small toy, it's also that the people, Dr. Wampler and his aides are genuinely friendly and gentle. I highly recommend him.

Re the query about dentists in Berkeley: My sons, who are now 13 and 16, have been going to Dr. Joseph Wampler since they were toddlers. Both they and I like him a lot. He's also convenient: one office on Colby near Alta Bates and another on Ensenada just off of Solano. You can switch back and forth between offices, which I have found very convenient as our schools and schedules have varied over the years.

My daughter's dentist is Joseph Wampler. He has two offices in Berkeley. We go to the one at 3000 Colby Street directly across from Alta Bates Hospital. His is strictly a children's practice. Office is cheerfully decorated with lots of toys and games for kids to play with while they are waiting their turn or taking a flouride treatment, including an arcade style video game. The kids get stickers when they are through and there is a treasure chest of inexpensive little toys they can pick from when their appointment is over. Each visit they get a new toothbrush. My daughter likes Dr. Wampler and I do too. I believe he has a second office on Ensenada in Berkeley, but I have never been there. The phone number at the Colby Street office is 848-6494.