For this, I return to a day in my childhood: I was a 9-year-old with a horrendous tooth pain on a weekend; that meant there was no available dentist, so no cure. I held my moms hand and we went throughout the neighborhood, in my home country of Iran, and knocked on every dental office door. At every single door, we waited and waited, but there was no answer. I tried to stop my tears because, even as a 9-year-old boy, I felt something heavy in my moms heart that transcended my own tooth ache. Today, as a father, I understand that distressing pain was love, seeing your child in desperation because what should be an essential service, dentistry, was clearly not. As a mother she did not give up, and toward the end of the day, she found a dentist who relieved our pain mine physical, hers emotional.
After the 1979 revolution that disparaged my country, I moved to Greece.However, I did not have the means to achieve my childhood dream there, even as licensed dentist. To achieve it, I moved to the United States, this land of opportunity, in 1990 following the guidance of my renowned professor in Basic Sciences, Anthony Trakatelis. After five arduous years, I graduated from dental school a second time, from Columbia University. While becoming a dentist twice in my life, learning two languages (Greek and English), and being a stranger almost everywhere I go, I have never forgotten my moms distress the very reason I have come this far. I followed my dream to Greece and the United States, adopting my ethos from Paulo Coelhos quote: When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. This is how I went on to become a dentist with the fundamental belief anyone can achieve anything, as long as they try hard enough.
In 1998, I moved from New York to Connecticut and started working at a dental practice. While there, I gave the owner an impossible idea of staying open on weekends, but he thought that it would be impractical, stating it would be too hard to find staff willing to work on weekends. After a while, I opened my own practice that proved him all too wrong. It was 700 square feet and open seven days a week, with late hours. It is the same model I follow today, twenty years later.
Today, Columbia Dental has sixteen offices throughout Connecticut, from New Milford to New London, and since 2000 we have treated more than 200,000 patients. I even followed this model throughout the pandemic when ER rooms were full of dental emergencies, always trying to give back to the community. The story of Columbia Dental began when I was a 9-year-old child with intolerable tooth pain, holding my mothers loving hand. I directed my passion with reason, and am now privileged of owning and operating Connecticuts only private dental practice that offers all specialties seven days a week, to all ages.
I am incredibly proud to see what I do as providing to my community, specifically to all parents who must not suffer finding their child an open dental practice every day with late hours and on weekends. This is my story Columbia Dentals story.
Reviews
Rating 3.9 out of 5 based on 212 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestRaven Coobearlove
a year ago
Literally just had a coronectomy and I can tell you it has been the best experience I have ever had!! I was so scared! I have pretty bad anxiety, and the surgeon and his assistant were so supportive and kind. She held my hand when the needles went in. They talked to me the whole time and even made me laugh. And when I felt the drill, the surgeon listened and gave me more medicine and continued to check on me the entire time. I couldn't ask for a better experience. Thank you so much
Jason DeLeone
2 years ago
Had to get both upper wisdom teeth removed. Dr. Huang and his assistant was absolutely amazing through the entire process. I can't thank them enough with how painless the procedure went and how he kept asking if I was ok during it.
PAPA Giarnella
2 years ago
Never again and they're close now anyways
Kenneth Russell
2 years ago
I had a great experience at Columbia Dental in Manchester Ct. They pulled a tooth that was giving me pain and they got to me earlier then my scheduled appointment time. The staff is kind, but that location does not do all types of dental work, you might have to go to one of their other locations depending on your dental needs. I've been a patient for over 5 years and have no real complaints.
Chris Sobo
2 years ago
Helpful and friendly dental professionals.
Drew Mungo
2 years ago
If you're looking for a dentist you get to wait for an hour+ after your scheduled appointment and then still have messed up teeth after they're done for a high price than Columbia dental is for you. Will never be back even if they paid me.
aknoo ali
2 years ago
I had wisdom tooth extraction today Awesom place Pain less procedures MS POLEEN Dental assistant held my hand during all procedure she help me to over come my (extreme) anxiety she is awesome and doctors was the best had a best experience 100% recommended
Megan Pare (Megatron555)
2 years ago
The oral surgeon and his assistant here were absolutely fantastic with my anxiety ridden butt they didn't flinch and knew just what to say to help me chill out, very understanding and weird to say but one of the best tooth extractions i have ever had (and yes I've had a few) good work guys thank you
Larry Rivera
2 years ago
I had two minor fillings done. They did not hurt before, now that they got filled I am in horrible pain for weeks. I went back to the woman dentist in the parkade to tell her about the pain. She refused to admit she made a mistake was very rude and now is trying to refer me somewhere else for route canals. She is a awful dentist and seems to be trying to make bill insurance for more then they actually do. She deserves to lose her license. I wish I can give her a zero rating.
Sxiana Cummings
2 years ago
Deborah is the manager she needs to be fired asap is soooooo disrespectful unprofessional. So disgusted with this manager
Deborah CK
2 years ago
I saw an ad on Facebook that Columbia Dental was supplying free night guards for 100 people so I signed up. The entire process from signing in to getting the mold made was quick and easy. Everyone was pleasant and professional. There was a little glitch when my husband was going to pick up my mouth guard. (which I was told he could) but once that was straightened out I got the night guard and it is perfect.
Qiu Juan Chen
2 years ago
Horrible service. After Waiting over an hour, the only dentist (Indian woman forgot her name) in the office injected the anesthetic into my gums very very very rude, feels like all the way to my noses, very very painful , I had to tell her stopped, and the pain made me cry, she is not professional and rush, After this she left me in the room and took care the other patient, after my complaint she came back to take care of my filling which is very rushed. My gum pained for 3 days, so I will Never go back, it was a really bad experience !!!
Gary keene
2 years ago
Really great experience. Saw me right away and yanked my tooth and I was back to work in 1 hour. Great price too. Highly recommend!!!!!
Penny Leonard
2 years ago
Dr Okasha was a excellent surgeon along with Tara his assistant. Very expensive dental process. I would highly recommend dr Okasha
Casey Caplinger
2 years ago
This place has turned plain awful. The Owner Dr Mohammadi has the the manor of a boar. He should not be anywhere near patients. Other doctors do not consult with each other. Wasted a whole day with them expecting a root canal and crown. In the end they did a really bad filling and took $300 of my money that they now refuse to refund. Don't go here and definitely don't give them your money!
Colin Gregonis
2 years ago
This place is bad news. I am grateful that they were able to see me on but they were not helpful in getting me any sort of help around my wisdom teeth, they tried a few times to gaslight me into saying both sides of my mouth hurt from wisdom teeth, then the DR comes in and looks at my mouth for 2 seconds and says, "all 4 need to come out" come back next week and we can do it. They then prescribed me ibuprofen, amoxycillin, and Codeine, which is just bad practice all around, also the waiting area and the chairs in the office as well as the equipment are in terrible shape. They also engage in incredibly unethical marketing practices. 7 days a week care is good, but when it comes from a business like a dentist, it becomes incredibly clear there is one thing and one thing only that they care about: money.
Felisha Moody
2 years ago
Absolutely the worst! They take forever! The rooms are dirty! Poor staff overall!!!
zac mirecki
2 years ago
After receiving a referral from my primary dentist for an extraction, I realized my options for providers were exceptionally limited (due to the very misinformative list of providers on the Connecticut Dental Health Partnership website). I made an initial visit with a dentist by phone and got in next day, on a Sunday. That was pleasant enough and the staff were efficient and following good COVID protocol. This is critical for me being immunocompromised following cancer treatment in late 2019 so I am absolutely aware of what hospital time means and delays due to emergencies. After my second visit today for the extraction itself, I was expecting the worst and mentally prepared to walk out if things didn't seem right - based on these other reviews - but the nurse and Dr. Huang did everything safely, timely, and compassionately. It was a difficult extraction on a 2nd molar with two exposed roots. Would I want to have another tooth out? No. Would I go back to this facility and work with Dr. Huang? Absolutely yes.
Jeffrey Hightower (High VI)
3 years ago
Trash wouldnt recommand Litearly Told Me im going to Expedite My partial and when I went back they wasn't even there Then got mad at me for having an attitude and told me they're not going to see me no more After me waiting 9 months to even get seen to make those because of their poor quality x-rays and I've called my insurance company and they told me that they keep denying it because they're doing it wrong
alex harton
3 years ago
They lie about treatment and your dental problems to make them WORSE SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY$$$$ FROM THE STATE. ITS NOT REAL. THEY ARENT REAL DENTISTS THEY ARE GRIFTERS.
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