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 189 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestTito Diaz
2 years ago
Emanuela did a great deep cleaning on me. Thank you
Will Ortiz
2 years ago
I went in to get my teeth fixed, I I payed out over $2000 , I went in and told them that I want to pay in full. They told me that all I have to pay is $1300! I payed it and when I went back for my caps? They said I have to pay more money. Your own people play with you. I'm calling the bbb (better business bureau).
Zandra Monge
2 years ago
STAY AWAY!! I had an appointment back in September 2021, I went in... The dentist I saw was not all that friendly, rushed me through my exam and was barely in the office with me for 5 min. She definitely made me feel less than as I spoke to her. I explained how any work that might need to be done will need to be done ASAP, as I have previously had an infection in my heart. This incompetent woman, told me it wasn't a big deal... But I knew better than that because my cardiologist had already said different. Anyways, they charged my insurance for the appointment, did x-rays and everything else... I was told I was going to need work done on my teeth (which I knew going into the appointment)... I was given a time frame of 4-6 weeks for the approval time. I call 4 weeks later and nothing was approved as of yet. I call 7 weeks later, still nothing. I call 12 weeks later and they said one part of a few was approved but I couldn't come in for the work till it was all approved. (Them being cheap I'm sure). I have called monthly and get a run around. I get transferred to different offices than the one I call. The office I need is rarely open when I do get through to the Waterbury office. It's overall very frustrating. I call today (May 9th 2022) and basically (as nicely as possible!!) tell them that this is ridiculous. I have been waiting patiently for MONTHS, in the end... I am DONE being patient. I need results this isn't fair that I have insurance and still can't get anything done. This idiot... and boy I say that instead of saying so many other words I want to say... Tells me that she is pulling up my information... In the background someone else is telling her that THEY need help... This idiot says "I will be right with you" and proceeds to put ME (the one she was already helping!!!) on hold. Only to come back and tell me that they NO LONGER TAKE MY INSURANCE AT THIS SPECIFIC FACILITY!!! So what I have been waiting 8 freaking months... and for what?! For freaking NOTHING. I am so ashamed and self conscious with my dental situation and this terrible place makes you feel even worse by not following through. I am disgusted by them and if I can keep even ONE person from wasting their time at this terrible facility... Then that's enough for me. STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY! STAY AWAY!
Jiayuh Chyan (Akashic Records)
2 years ago
Went for teeth cleaning. The hygienist Emanuela ( Ela) is excellent. She has great work ethic and was very thorough cleaning my teeth! I would definitely go back to her! Recommend her to anyone who wants a quality teeth cleaning!
Carrie Blaise
2 years ago
I had a wisdom tooth that needed to come out! The Dr. And the hygienist were stunning! I was in and out in 45 minutes! I highly respect them to anyone. I am deathly afraid of the Dentist and hate anything to do with my mouth. I gave them both a hug when I left and told them how wonderful they were.
Tyrone Graham
2 years ago
Emanuel was awesome great cleaning made me comfortable
Jalissa Rivera
2 years ago
Best dental cleaning experience EVER by Emanuella. I literally almost fell asleep in the chair and usually I'm scared while getting my teeth cleaned because people always hurt me. And she's always so sweet! Will definitely be asking for her next time I go!
Nazim Frangu
2 years ago
Very poor service
Tanya Corrin
2 years ago
My exam was extremely rushed and I received an incorrect diagnosis. The dentist told me I needed to have my wisdom teeth removed to resolve my pain but later it turned out that to resolve the pain I had come in for I needed to have a root ...
RTR RTR
2 years ago
I found Dr. Quinn to be a fabulous dentist with great knowledge and very caring. Had a great experience. Dr. Reza and Dr. Lipton were also very good. I had good results there at Waterbury office of Columbia Dental.
Nicole Simpson
2 years ago
Very Job job everyone today at Columbia Dental. Had an EMERGENCY [SOS] appointment today which is a Sunday, I came in with an infection in my front tooth and was in need of immediate help. The dentist was the best I've talked to in many years looking for the right dentist and good caring staff was awesome and comforting while I felt assured they would take care of me my next visit. I really need one of my front tooth saved so I'm really looking forward to getting the best work done because I may need an extraction but hoping I only will need a root canal. When I found out I cried and cried but they reassured me I would be in the best hands going through. I am very happy to find a great Dentist and Assistant and great service at the front desk. I look forward to have all my work done that would take months. I'm only 30. I need my teeth. Please help me Columbia Dental .
Jeanine Flammia
2 years ago
Terrible receptionist
Juan Mitchell
2 years ago
The best ever!!! the manager Name was "summer" was Very Polite and was able to help me out through everything i needed thank you so much!!!! i truly appreciate you !!!!
joseph palmisani
2 years ago
This is the worst Columbia Dental location. Do yourself a favor and go to Cheshire, Torrington or New Milford. Had a cleaning done and they spent 10 minutes cleaning my teeth and it feels like they didn't even clean them. They were supposed to grind a bone sticking out from a recent extraction and they were to busy to do it. Wait times are 30 minutes or more.
Kat Charles
2 years ago
I love this office i really enjoy coming in the front desk is very nice and polite and friendly my orthodontist and his staff are awesome and Dr.Weiss really explains and takes care of all me dental needs with full knowledge. I would recommend Columbia dental to anyone i know !!
Dan Cr
2 years ago
I wish I could give this place a zero. This place is a disaster
Makayla's Makeup channel
2 years ago
I did not like this place I felt like I could have got better care I was so scared of any dentist after this it took forever to be seen and then I felt rushed in the chair lucky I found a new place to go to and now I am not scared and I had a fear of needles when I went to Columbia dental and they did not care and when I went to my new place they knew that and they cared for me and I got over that fear
Tiffany Falcon
2 years ago
My first experience there was great with a dentist by the name of Dr. Weiss he was so Phenomenal, awesome and kind!!!!!!!! And the staff by the name of Kathyana and Abraham were exceptional and outstanding with me as a patient of theirs in every visit!!!!! Kathyana was a great help in helping me with an issues I had with my insurance and she went above and beyond to assure a resolution for me with the out come that I needed!!!!... Abraham was such a outstanding dental assistant that always made me feel so comfortable during each visit and was very helpful with what ever I needed!!!... But now there is a whole new staff and my great dentist is no longer there!!! I went for a follow up on 7/2/2021 with a dentist by the name of Richardo Cuevas which turned out to a nightmare and a horrible experience during my visit!!!! which left me very highly upset and emotional the way I was being treated and spoken too!!! I was in complete disgusts and appalled by the fact he was a professional and the way he was deciding to over all handle my situation and the customer service that I was getting from him!!!!!!!!....The way I left feeling from that office I believe it is time to find another office an definitely a different dentist to work with!!!!!!!***** Sadly I would No longer recommend this office as I have done in the past!!...
Jessica Ruggles
2 years ago
Dr. O was flawless!! When I walked in I thought I was getting 2 teeth extracted and I wanted nitrous gas. She told me we could do all TEN extractions at one time and I wouldn't need the gas. She was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and right. She is the best dentist I have ever been to. All 10 out and I feel great. No gas, no painkillers except for Tylenol or ibuprofen. Minimal swelling. I could go in forever. I have severe dental anxiety and Dr. O helped me relax. She took deep breaths with me, comforted me, and most of all took care of my teeth issues.
Kat Charles
3 years ago
I love this office i really enjoy coming in the front desk is very nice and polite and friendly my orthodontist and his staff are awesome and Dr.Weiss really explains and takes care of all me dental needs with full knowledge. I would recommend Columbia dental to anyone i know !!
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