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 4.5 out of 5 based on 327 reviews
Sort by
newest oldest highest lowestS Jt
a year ago
I had gone to them twice for wisdom tooth extraction & both time i was called upon within 2 min of arrival & was taken care of without any problems at all. I'd most likely use them for now on
Sharnika Shealy
2 years ago
Unwelcoming and very unprofessional... If I could give zero stars I would.
Rob Ostop
2 years ago
I would not recommend this business to anyone for anything. Stay away.
Allex. L Townsend
2 years ago
On July 30th, 2022 I called the New Haven, CT business number because I found out 1 tooth was split in half I was told by the man that answered the phone I cannot be seen until 08/22/2022 now I've been a patient of this location for more than 5 years and now I'll seek another dentist because when I asked So you all don't do walk-in emergencies I was told No, this tells me there's no respect nor loyalty for the long term patients
angel Camejo
2 years ago
The other day I came and I was waiting for over 2 hours when I had an appointment scheduled at a certain time, I had to leave because nobody was calling on me and every time I asked it was " 5 more minutes" it turned into 2 hours. Today I brought my son he had an appointment for 12:30 and they just got him at 2:30 after two hours. One of the receptionist anytime you asked her a question she had an attitude and a disgusted face on with anyone . Also it's over 95 degrees and the AC is also broken.
Trap God Journey Home
2 years ago
By far worst dental establishment in Connecticut. I tried Manchester offices Waterbury and lastly new haven. They don't take consideration for anyone especially children. I'm in the middle of hiring an attorney to seek into this fraud medical group. Worst dentist in the state please don't bring your children there. I will update on anything that happens going forth
Tjunda Vereen
2 years ago
I had an appointment this morning and they were closed. No one left me voice message or contacted me. I waste three dollars to park and no appointment. How unprofessional and took time out my work to go to the dentist for nothing.
Casie Pagano
2 years ago
They did half root canals on my teeth and never gave me crowns. They were so short staffed 1 day that the dr had me holding instruments like an assistant. He also purposely (told me this is how he likes his day) bounced from room to room seeing different patients the whole time I was there. This made the appts take forever. The place also isn't very sanitary.
CeeJay Vee
2 years ago
I used to love this place and recommend this place to everyone I knew but not anymore! I made an appointment three months ago and they've rescheduled my appointment because "the doctor got sick" or "the doctor had an emergency and had to leave" at least once a week every week until my last appointment, the last straw for me was a few days ago I decided to go early to my appointment (which was scheduled like two weeks ahead) and paid to park in their parking and as I'm entering the elevator they called me to reschedule my appointment 15min before my appointment! Sooooo it's sad to say but I will never go back there and will never recommend anyone to go there.
Rollin Xtc
2 years ago
Very professional and did a great job with my teeth, would highly recommend.
Margaret Moorer
2 years ago
If I could give a negative star I would. The staff is beyond RUDE!!!!!!!!!!! They talk about patience's like you cannot hear them. The office is so old and outdated. Equipment was actually broken. The wait time was just insane.
Change Cons, Leases, Commodities, Vendor
2 years ago
Today I had appointment in Columbia Dental for teeth cleaning I waited for almost 2 hours and unfortunately the doctor didn't clean my teeth very well I still have black spots on my teeth
kgeitzel
2 years ago
I normally don't write reviews, but this one is necessary. I went here as a new patient for a routine dental cleaning which included X-rays for first visit, after all was done everything was reported normal and healthy with a recommendation for wisdom tooth removal. I made an appointment with an oral surgeon with a referral to remove wisdom teeth and had another set of X-rays done there. Doc explained and I clearly saw that I have a large cyst around one of my wisdom teeth with bone loss in the jaw.. How pointless were Columbia dental's X-rays if they couldn't even spot such an obvious problem?
moya tapper
2 years ago
Went to clean my teeth and dissatisfied. The lady did not spend anytime on my teeth. After she was finished I actually used my finger and scratched yesterday food plague from the back of my teeth. Felt like I was rushed out for my money. They need to do better, because dental care is not cheap
Huda Shray
3 years ago
Worst dental place and WORST STAFF.
moya tapper
3 years ago
Went to clean my teeth and dissatisfied. The lady did not spend anytime on my teeth. After she was finished I actually used my finger and scratched yesterday food plague from the back of my teeth. Felt like I was rushed out for my money. They need to do better, because dental care is not cheap
kgeitzel
3 years ago
I normally don't write reviews, but this one is necessary. I went here as a new patient for a routine dental cleaning which included X-rays for first visit, after all was done everything was reported normal and healthy with a recommendation for wisdom tooth removal. I made an appointment with an oral surgeon with a referral to remove wisdom teeth and had another set of X-rays done there. Doc explained and I clearly saw that I have a large cyst around one of my wisdom teeth with bone loss in the jaw.. How pointless were Columbia dental's X-rays if they couldn't even spot such an obvious problem?
LAURA SICIGNANO
4 years ago
Very good experience all helpful Dr. Is great
Jill Bowen
4 years ago
No wait time. Dentist was quick (he said that's because I take care of my teeth), shared knowledge, polite. Staff was also friendly.
A Milli Bands
4 years ago
I was seen on short notice. I called at 9am seen by 10am. John and receptions staff was very kind when scheduling and helping with anything I needed. Dr Pooja was very patient with me because I was scared. Calmed me down and pulled a tooth out fast and did a great cleaning. Would refer anyone to this dentist.
Load more