I really love my kids' dentist!

[Wilson]

He's really great with the kids, his staff is the friendliest bunch on the face of the Earth, and the office setup is just FUN. If anyone's looking for a pediatric dentist, check out Dr. Wheeler, he's in Sterling Ridge:

http://www.jonpwheeler.com/

[FamilyGal]

I would like to find a pediatric dentist that also has an orthodontist in their office. I hate having to go two places. I think I am going to try Mardaga. We found out that my two nieces go to that office and my good friend's two daughters go there. Hope they take our insurance!

[Butterfly2005]

Wheeler is great also Ragsdale. Stay away from Scott Anderson DDS.

[Wilson]

I tried Dr. Ragsdale when we first moved here... she had rules about how many moms were allowed back into the room behind the glass. Like no more than 1 at a time :rolleyes. I do hope she's changed that policy, but we never went back. My kids don't have to have me with them, but I was furious that it wasn't an option.

[TXrose]

I think I am going to try Mardaga. I wouldn't take anyone to him. He did one of my kids braces, my kid was in 3 years instead of 18 months. Dr. Mardaga never once looked at my kid when he went in he always let the assistants do it. He didn't do the things he said he needed to, but he sure took the money for doing them and no explanation nor refund for why he didn't do them. He's a rip off. I am not the only one who has had issues with him. I know of a lot of others who have too so beware if you do go there.

For the youngest kid I use Dr. Farley for an orthodontist, he beats Mardaga hand's down and his price was the same as what I paid for the oldest 10 years ago, so that tells me Mardaga is expensive!!! Plus, Mardaga always wanted to give me morning appointments when something broke and it wasn't easy to get there in the mornings. Farley is very flexible with his hours. It's worth visiting a seperate dentist!

[schnauzermom]

I've had friends complain that Mardaga goes overboard with what needs to be done. I also know people who have been quite happy there. We are going to give Dr Hughes a try. He is in Sterling Ridge near Kroger. If I'm not happy with the initial appt, I'm going to Farley. It's not unusual to shop around for ortho treatment so you may want to try more than one.

[FamilyGal]

Thanks for the feedback. Hmmmm, I need to try someone and I HATE shopping around. If Farley takes our insurance, I may go there because I haven't heard any negative about him/her.

[Wilson]

I had no idea that insurance can cover orthodontists! That's very cool! I was all relieved today when Dr. Wheeler said we could hold off on the braces for at least a couple of years. But then he told me he was going to have to pull my 5yo's front tooth :(. At least the kid is happy that the tooth fairy is coming lol.

[FamilyGal]

Our insurance barely pays anything for braces, but anything is better than nothing.

[Wilson]

I agree! I had braces as a teen and even though my dad's company had fantastic benefits, I think it was just unheard of for them to cover orthodontics.

[rusti]

I use Dr. Eshelman in the office that Dr. Mardaga is in. He is wonderful. I wasn't too thrilled with Mardaga and was extremely happy with Eschelman. The kids love going there too.

They took my insurance but it only pays about $1500. The rest I am on a monthly plan for 18 months.

[schnauzermom]

We choose not to have dental insurance as the premiums are super high. We do use a flex-spending acct. I'm getting a plan together now, so I will know how much to put in for next year. We have all ready used up all of this years money, last year we were scrambling around trying to spend what was left.

[Wilson]

We don't get a choice whether or not to have dental, vision, etc. It's all or nothing and costs us more money than you'd believe. If we were to opt me out, the premiums would drop more than half. I'm not quite ready to go without insurance. Yet.

[TXrose]

Our dental is a PPO there are no good dentists/orthos on it out here. So it pays a little less than if we had used a network doctor. It only paid 1500 i think out of 4500. I paid the rest monthly. It's worth it for me pay a little extra and get a good dentist/ortho as opposed to using those quacks that are on the PPO. Plus it was worth it to have a ortho who had later hours.

I used Mardaga the first time because he was on our insurance.

[IndianSpringsGuy]

Our insurance barely pays anything for braces, but anything is better than nothing.

Same with mine but they cover all cleanings and bi-annual exams. The Ortho is another story. We are lucky to have a friend just getting started so we managed a good deal for our son. So far, the braces work has been very good.

[janedtx]

Gotta ask, since I have been using S. Anderson, why stay away?

[TXrose]

Gotta ask, since I have been using S. Anderson, why stay away?


Stay away from who, S. Andersen? I love Dr. Andersen, my youngest 14 still loves to go there although I know I will eventually have to change him. I will stay there as long as the kid doesn't complain.

As for Mardaga, the list is probably longer than I have time for. But he charged me for work he never did and I couldn't get my money back. He also never looked at my kid's mouth the assistant's took care of everything so I don't know how he knew what was going on. And it took over 3 years instead of 18 months and he threatened to charge me more to finish. Which I thought was a joke since he wasn't really on top of kid's care and he didn't do what he said he would.

On the other hand, Dr. Farley promised 18 months, child out in 17 months. He did everything he said he would.

[Wilson]

I had a question for him just now (his office closed 2 hours ago) and was able to call his office, easily go through the recording and page him. He called back in like 2 minutes. Very, very, nice!!!

[FamilyGal]

We ended up at Dr. Rogers. They have a fun place too. I guess they all had to resort to game rooms and raffles to keep the kids and parents happy.

Dd and I were sitting out the lobby watching the Democratic debate on YouTube when the nurse came out and showed us the Orthodontist's waiting room. Much more kid friendly. Dd was happy not to have to watch the debate anymore.

Edited to add that Rogers is the Ortho. I was hoping to switch dentists while we were there too, but none of the dentist in that office takes our insurance. Only the ortho. Sure would be nice to have them in the same building.

[msmichellemiller]

Okay, dug this old thread up 'cause it's time for our yearly dental visits. I'm going to go with Wilson's recommendation (so long as he'll take us and he's not booked until next year, lol!)
Now, who can tell me about a good dentist for my SO and I? In the Woodlands, preferably.
Too bad Wheeler won't see adults, too! :D

[howdyall18]

She's in Tomball, but I see Dr. Melissa Castronovo and could not be happier. They are all soooo nice- and gentle.

[Don't Blink]

Dr. Gina Garner on Pinecroft in The Woodlands recently opened her own practice.

[aggie02a]

I use Dr Bolano for my dentist, and Scott Anderson for the kiddos. We have been very happy with both! Dr Bolano will go out of his way to make you comfortable and happy. And he works well with other offices, such as my oral surgeon and specialists.

I saw someone wrote not to go to Scott Anderson but I never saw a reason why?????

And I currently have braces! I have been seeing Dr Farley for almost a year now, and I shopped around. I went and saw Dr Eshelman and another ortho, and I chose Dr Farley. He was mid-priced and Dr Eshelman is NOT a licensed ortho - only a dentist who does ortho!