EXPERIENCE: Owner of Dentistry by Design, Dr. Gilsdorf is known by his colleagues for his integrity, discipline, leadership, and dedication to life-long learning. He graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in biology before starting dental college at the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he graduated with Distinction in 2005.
Dr. Gilsdorf tirelessly pursued excellence by traveling all over the world to learn from the most respected experts in every aspect of dentistry, and is also a member of numerous study clubs. In addition to being a contributing member of several dental organizations, Dr. Gilsdorf has been recognized for his accomplishments by being awarded fellowship status in the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics and in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the worlds largest dental implant organization.
Most notably, Dr. Gilsdorf is a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), the highest honor available in the AGD and one of the most respected designations in the profession. Less than 1% of all dentists worldwide are named Masters by the AGD and at the time Dr. Gilsdorf received this prestigious award, less than 6500 dentists have received this honor in the preceding decades.
In regard to these recognitions, Dr. Gilsdorf says, Its wonderful to be acknowledged for all of the extra effort and sacrifices but none of us get here on our own. Im standing on the shoulders of giants. I have been fortunate to establish mentoring relationships with many of the most talented, passionate, sophisticated, competent dentists and dental specialists in the world. They have instilled in me a thirst for intentional growth in every aspect of my life.
PATIENT EXPERIENCE: From the first phone call and with every interaction thereafter, our goal is to develop a personal relationship of mutual respect and understanding in order to foster a lifetime of dental wellness. We make every effort to educate our patients so they can understand their oral health and what options are available to them so that they can make a decision that fits into their lifestyle. We understand teeth do not walk through our doors, people do. We recognize that our patients have many things going on in their life that affect their oral health decisions. We want to understand our patients and make every effort to build a personal connection.
Dr Gilsdorf says, My role in dentistry is three-fold; to be an advocate for my patients, a leader for my team, and an innovator for my profession. The greatest mentor in the history of dentistry, Dr. L.D. Pankey, defined professionalism as that quality of conduct which accompanies the use of superior knowledge, skill, and judgment toward the benefit of another person or society prior to any consideration of self-interests. His inspiration sets the standard in our practice.
PERSONAL: Dr. Gilsdorf was born and raised on a small farm in rural South Dakota with his older brother Sean who serves in the Air Force. His father Clifford is from a large farming family in Nebraska and his mother Holly is also from a farming family nearby in South Dakota. In addition to working in the fields during his youth, Dr. Bret earned a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, he started on the state championship football team as a defensive end, and also was a wrestler.
Dr. Gilsdorf joined the Army National Guard when he was 17, attended basic training after his junior year of high school, and went on to serve 6 years in an artillery unit. He was on the cytogenetic research team for the Bridge Lab in Omaha, NE following graduation from college before attending dental school in Lincoln, NE. His first years of practice were spent near Milwaukee, WI before moving to Chicago, IL where he met his beautiful wife Justyna.
Similar to Bret, Justyna grew up in a small rural community, but in Poland! She had lived in Chicago for over a decade before they met and it was love from the beginning. They were looking for a better life when they discovered Manhattan, KS and decided to make it home. They gave away most of their possessions, rented out their home in Illinois, shed a few tears leaving family, and moved to the Little Apple. Many of their city friends didnt understand their decision but Justyna and Bret couldnt be more pleased with their new life.
Dr. Bret and Justyna have a daughter, Ms. Adali Lena and a son, Mr. Graysen Kristofer-Sean. They are the sunrise and sunset of their day. Dr. Gilsdorf doesnt have many hobbies anymore as he is dedicated to his practice and spending time with his family, but hopes his wife will allow him to ride his 2003 Harley Fatboy again one day!
At Dentistry By Design, our highly skilled, dedicated, and compassionate team of dental professionals works alongside Manhattan, KS, dentist Dr. Bret Gilsdorf and is committed to making sure you experience excellence in dental care every time you visit. The team will make sure your needs are met and your expectations are surpassed, from the moment you step through our doors until you are done checking out, and they will always give you a reason to smile.
As the business manager, Justyna takes care of bookkeeping, payments and helping patients. She was educated in Poland and enjoysworkingat Dentistry By Design. Patients say Justyna is a sweet person and has a great accent.
Courtney has been a hygienist for over five years and has been caring for Dentistry by Design patients for more than four years. A graduate of Wichita State University, she brings to the team her passion for the dental profession and her desire to help people achieve their best oral health. She enjoys the positive energy that the Dentistry by Design team cultivates and shares with its patients, and she is proud to be a part it.
Spending time with her two kids, Brooklyn and Wyatt, and family are her top priorities when shes outside of the office. Together, she and her family enjoy attending baseball games, going to the park, and traveling.
Taryn Dowers graduated from Manhattan Area Technical College Dental Hygiene School in 2019. Prior to completing her degree in dental hygiene, Taryn was a dental assistant for seven years in her hometown of Hutchinson, Kansas. She is very passionate about oral health and enjoys spending her free time with her daughter and family, cooking, and adding to her makeup collection.
Mario attended Flint Hills Job Corps for dental assistant training. His favorite thing about assisting is creating same day crowns with our CEREC machine. He grew up in North Western Kansas. During his free time we enjoys working out, running, going on hikes and spending time with his dog Lucky and cat Kitty.
Lauren graduated Kansas State University in December of 2015 with a fine arts bachelors degree in social sciences. Lauren is passionate about helping patients get the treatment they need and customer service. Lauren lives in Manhattan with her Cat, Osiris, but travels home to Lawrence to visit family frequently.
Reviews
Rating 4.3 out of 5 based on 147 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestLeslye Cartwright
a year ago
The entire staff is amazing and the work they do is even better! I truly couldn't ask for a better experience. I have been seeing Dentistry by Design for many years now and I'm so grateful for their professionalism and dedication. I came to them with needs of fillings, crowns, and an implant on top of my regular cleanings and each time they had a plan and showed so much compassion during a challenging time for me. I get constant compliments on my smile at work and if I worked locally, I would be sending everyone to dentistry by design! Now my husband and children go here and they are equally as happy with their services and care. Dr. Gilsdorf is a true professional and his work is spectacular. Courtney and Mario are both so fantastic. Lauren and the front desk staff are on top of it. They have handled all my questions and insurance needs beautifully! If you're looking for a dentist in the Manhattan area, dentistry by design would be a wonderful choice.
tylor jones
a year ago
Never told me I was out of network so I spent close to $1500 with them to have a problem fixed. My problem is not fixed and I had to call my insurance to find out I was out of network so not only do I still have 2 crowns needing done I'm more than it would of been had it been in network
Melissa Santos
2 years ago
Best dentistry in Manhattan
Megan Roberts
2 years ago
I have lived in 4 different states. Been to countless dentist offices and I have never had such an amazing experience as I do EVERY TIME I walk into this office. The entire staff is extremely nice, professional and explain everything. Plus they work around your schedule! They're also wonderful with my kids. They believe in a no fear atmosphere and I love that. The dentist Dr. Gilsdorf is funny, gentle and very patient with me during my fillings. I didn't even feel the local anesthetic! I seriously can't thank you guys enough!
Josh Brazzle
2 years ago
The dentist just got up and left halfway into the fillings I was to have done that sitting. It was extremely awkward because the assistant didn't even know where he went and thought he was maybe checking on another patient. 10 or so minutes later they decided I wasn't able to get numbed enough and I still never saw the dentist again. They claim the lack of numbing and he apparently had an emergency was the reasoning. But told me when he got back the next morning they would decide what to do next....I feel like he left the building, maybe to play golf. I have Never had a dentist just get up and leave without atleast some explanation. This is a very dangerous practice and I will be filing with the dental board as well.
Aubrey Johnson
2 years ago
I have been there a couple of times the staff is very friendly and professional. I would recommend to a friend if they needed any dental work.
danny borders
2 years ago
my cleaning with dentistry by design was the best dental experience i've ever had ; starting with Venessa at the front desk... very welcoming and thorough..then I was taken to the back for xrays(I don't remember the young ladys name) very quickly took a lot of images to set up for the cleaning and exam. Amanda gave me an excellent cleaning then the doctor came in and gave me a run down of what i need to get done and Lauren insured that i was all set at the end. Top notch service!!!!!
Saige Biedenbender
2 years ago
Honestly can say that the staff at Dentistry By Design are amazing at what they do. From calling to make an appointment, checking in, having my teeth cleaned and examined to scheduling my next appointment was a great experience. Dr.Bret knows what he is doing and is very honest about everything. My husband also goes here and he was grinding his teeth a lot at night. Dr.Bret recommend he get an NTI and after using it for a couple weeks his headaches stopped, and his jaw pain was minimal to almost gone. Best dentistry place in town by far!! Thank you to all the staff for making our dentistry experience amazing.
RinaPaige
2 years ago
I would not recommend this office for care. I had some extensive work done and was in excruciating pain for over 3 weeks. Dr. Gilsdorf refused to help me with any pain meds when every over the counter pain med was not helping. He finally prescribed me something 2 1/2 weeks later after I saw a specialist in the area who told him things were not right with the adjustments they made. The permanent work was done and I am still in pain. I am having to see a different dentist to fix whatever is going on because the trust I had in Dr. Gilsdorf has been broken because of his attitude towards me when I was in so much pain for so long. The reputation that he has with the specialist in the area is also not a good one. I'm not usually one to leave reviews like this, I just don't feel happy with the care I received and, I did let the office know as well. Will definitely not be returning.
Bethany Jean
2 years ago
Going to the dentist is never something I have looked forward to. Yesterday was my second visit to Dentistry by Design and just like the first time everyone was so nice. From the moment I walked in the door Lauren greeted me with a smile and checked me in checked in quickly. My wait after checking in was only a moment or two. My hygienist Courtney was beyond nice. I got a little scared because like I said going to the dentist is not my favorite. She was very patient with me and kept reminding me to breathe. She was very encouraging and made sure that I was comfortable. It was very important to her that I was not having a bad experience and went out of her way to ensure that. I would 100% recommended Dentistry by Design. Especially if like me you get a little nervous about the going I can guarantee everyone there will make sure to take special care of you.
D K
2 years ago
Dr. Gilsdorf is professional, honest, friendly. and extremely hard-working. He cares about his patients and provides high quality dental care. You are in good hands, here!
Michelle Cook
2 years ago
I've never been to a dentist office where the staff did as thorough of a job as this place! I felt like I was in great hands and everyone was so friendly! Glad I came here.
Empress Adventures
2 years ago
I don't like writing a bad review but I was told by my new dentist that the fillings were badly done that it needed to redo again it was unshaped and not smooth. I was really disappointed. I felt pain on both fillings gradually and that was the reason for my visit. I've already moved so I didn't get the chance to visit and let them know the problem. It was more for the profit than really taking care of his patients. I truly regret going here. I also heard Dr. G badmouthing about my mouth that he worked to another patient and little did he know I was sitting there on the chair waiting for him to finish for another root canal procedure. I knew it was me because he mentioned the same procedure he did and was complaining how bad my mouth was ( ouch) I'm sorry I'm not perfect. That was unprofessional! I wanted to leave but I didn't wanna go through all the trouble going to another dental office and I was about to move anyway. This was all a year ago and I'm writing down a bad review because I felt like I was scammed not only was it expensive but also the pain I had to go through. Going to a new dentist telling me the fillings were badly done completely made me upset. *The office is newly renovated now so it wasn't like before where you can see and hear patients*
Crystal Torres
2 years ago
Amazing service! Once you walk in the building you automatically feel welcomed by all of the staff up front. My first experience in this office and Taryn was my hygienist and is absolutely the best! Very professional, positive, upbeat and very down to earth. I actually look forward to my next cleaning. Dr.Gilsdorf and Justyna are very kind and professional!
A Brunk
2 years ago
From the ladies up front to the dental chair, all out great experience w all of the employees here. Lauren and the other girls are so sweet and great at explaining all financial options. The techs are amazing and the doc explained what I needed done most importantly so that i can begin to get my teeth back in good shape. So happy to be a patient here.
Cassandra Beattie
2 years ago
I needed to be seen pretty urgently for tooth pain. They were able to fit me in THE DAY OF. Jackie was my dental hygienist and was very helpful and informative of the entire process. I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone in the MHK/Junction city area!
Sarah Wellhausen
2 years ago
I went in last week in need of some work. I told them I would be moving soon so I would need the work done as soon as possible. They were able to fit me in and I am so happy with the outcome. The staff and Doctor are so friendly and professional, I definitely recommend!
Crys Owen
2 years ago
Everyone there is Super friendly and 100% understanding how to help someone with high anxiety about the dentist. Best place I have had the pleasure going to. Theu are great with my teenagers to.
Sydney
2 years ago
I came here for a routine cleaning and exam. I loved this place! Taryn was so kind, knowledgeable, and personable. I know some people really don't like going to the dentist, but these guys make the experience so easy and not scary at all! Dr. Gilsdorf is straightforward, honest, and to the point. Love that so much! You really made my experience a good one and I can't wait to come back for my next cleaning!
Katelyn Smith
2 years ago
I've been taking my 4 kids here for 2 years and up until COVID they were wonderful. On this particular day my 1st grader needed a crown repair which would require nitrous (which hes had with me in the room). I prepaid for the procedure when I scheduled it. When we arrived and they checked him in (outside) I asked if I could go with as usual and was advised to wait outside. Long story short, he was uncomfortable with the nitrous and instead of calling me back they abandoned the procedure and referred us elsewhere. Then they refused to reimburse any of my money (that will need to be paid where they referred me to) until they bill our insurance for the nitrous. Take your kids straight to Little Apple Pediatric Dentistry and don't waste your time with these people. None of us will be back.
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