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 4.1 out of 5 based on 78 reviews
Sort by
newest oldest highest lowestJonathan L
2 years ago
The warmth and professionalism displayed in this office is heartening even before you get into a chair. The dentist that I saw, Dr Swain, was incredibly skilled and precise in her work, knowledgeable and kind. Having had to have a longer procedure, I had ample opportunity to gain the measure of her character and skills and I am very impressed. I would highly recommend anyone come to this dentist, even if simply because of my experience with Dr. Swain.
Christine H
2 years ago
I'm currently writing this waiting awkwardly in an crowded hallway because I showed up to my mid afternoon appointment and none of the staff was there. The door was locked and a long line of patients was outside the door waiting for the staff to return from their apparently extended "lunch break". Update still waiting 15 minutes later - it's now past my appointment time. No one is here and no is even picking up the phone. Update: It's now 30 minutes after my appointment time, and my standard appointment has not started. Over 10 minutes past my appointment start time an extremely rude receptionist greeted us- without a mask (directly against CT regulations). Since then we have been waiting in a non air conditioned stuffy space for the staff to go back to work. Not a pleasant experience
Sameer Atique
2 years ago
New management is extremely reliable and informative, newly renovated as well. The dentist are absolutely phenomenal and well skilled. The price is worth the service.
King Jaq
2 years ago
Quick to schedule. Receptionist great. Doctor on the other hand do not recommend. Was not able to do what was needed and was very reluctant to work with me. I was also told that my "infected tooth" could not be removed until I took antibiotics to deal with the infection. Bad practice in a nutshell. Don't waste your time find a different practice to handle your needs.
adam sirois
2 years ago
This was the best dentist experience I have ever had. The dentists here are outstanding, they went above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable and happy with my teeth. I have had a lot of bad experiences with other dentists and was hesitant to go back to any dentist, but it got to a point where I had to go and so I came here and I am so glad I did. I am very happy and can finally smile again proudly.
Bp Perfido
2 years ago
Huuummmm waited for an hour to get in BUT..glad I waited DR KONG was great. Excellent dentist, very professional, listened to patient concerns..and followed through based on patient...I had NO pain during procedure or afterwards ..highly reccomend
Morris Sumpter
2 years ago
Professional,courteous and clean.They even made accommodations to see her for a no appointment Emergency visit. Exellent dentistry practice! Come here instead of SoNO dentist on Washington ave in Norwalk Columbia is way better.Thank you guys
Bp Perfido
3 years ago
Huuummmm waited for an hour to get in BUT..glad I waited DR KONG was great. Excellent dentist, very professional, listened to patient concerns..and followed through based on patient...I had NO pain during procedure or afterwards ..highly reccomend
Morris Sumpter
3 years ago
Professional,courteous and clean.They even made accommodations to see her for a no appointment Emergency visit. Exellent dentistry practice! Come here instead of SoNO dentist on Washington ave in Norwalk Columbia is way better.Thank you guys
ben jalet
3 years ago
Great first visit. Pleasant staff. I felt very comfortable (and listened to) by the dentist
barbara mercer
4 years ago
My visit was awesome.Dr. Lam put me at ease right away, he made me overcome the bad experiences I had in the past with dental visits.Lyly and Tiya are the best, they made my visit very comfortable. They were very polite and very good at their jobs.
ben jalet
4 years ago
Great first visit. Pleasant staff. I felt very comfortable (and listened to) by the dentist
Mike Cochrane (MikeyC16)
4 years ago
Excellent dentist!! I was impressed wth the professionalism, patient care, and cleanliness. I'm definitely going back, and would recommend them.
Michael Sikora
4 years ago
my life experience with dentists has been less than satisfactory but the group at Columbia has restored my confidence and provided a very positive experience! Thanks guys!
Erika Foster-Senteio
4 years ago
Best dental practice in Norwalk! All of the staff members are courteous and empathetic. The dentist is kind and he explains everything to you before he does it. He is also extremely aware of and attentive to pain management.
Bry bolton
4 years ago
They don't care if you in pain thru just keep going and the rush my cleaning like my teeth don't even feel clean worse service ever
Mel Solis
4 years ago
Very good experience here. Professional., timely. Highly recommend!
Steve Johnson
4 years ago
Wonderful!! Very neat,very clean, very friendly. Doctor and staff are excellent. Doctor recognized the issue immediately! Wonderful!!
barbara mercer
4 years ago
My visit was awesome.Dr. Lam put me at ease right away, he made me overcome the bad experiences I had in the past with dental visits.Lyly and Tiya are the best, they made my visit very comfortable. They were very polite and very good at their jobs.
Wanpen Limpraphanonta
5 years ago
I am one of Dr.Lam's patients and I had the greatest experienced with him as my dentist. The outcome is always great.He has a wonderful manners and is very professional with his work.
Load more