I am trying to find a dentist for my son who will be three in June. I am looking for someone between Richmond and Berkeley. He has Delta Dental USA (HMO of Delta). His assigned dentist is Rodney Kim in El Cerrito and I only saw one negative review online. Has anyone had any personal experience with Dr. Kim? Has anyone had any of the dentists in this network for their kids? They all seem to be general practitioners and I was hoping to use some who has experience with kids and in a place that is ''cold'' like most adult dentists. Any recommendations good or bad would be great. H.

My daughter and I were patients of Dr. Rodney Kim in El Cerrito for three years until my insurance changed to one that he did not take. My daughter was age 2-5 when she went there. Dr. Kim is a no-nonsense, no small-talk dentist. He will try for the most practical and non-obtrusive treatments, if treatments are needed. He was a refreshing change from my past dentists who seemed more like used car salesmen. A co-worker's elderly mother is also a patient of Dr. Kim, and she really likes his work but also commented that he doesn't talk much. His office staff and hygenists have all been nice. -- pretty good teeth

My family and I have been patients of Dr. Rodney Kim for about three years. I like it that we go in, have our teeth cleaned, and go out. No measuring ''pockets,'' no offers of whitening or ''deep-cleaning,'' no claims that I need a root canal (which a dentist told me 15 years ago that I desperately needed and never got and I have been fine). Dr. Kim is quick and quiet. I am so happy to finally have a denist who doesn't try to sell me services I don't need. -- happy mouth