I feel blessed to be a part of such an amazing team that sees our young patients the way we see our own nephews and nieces. Being a father of two young children, I have been in the shoes of a parent anxiously waiting to see a doctor, and cautiously hoping that the provider is sympathetic tomy fearful children. Safari Smiles delivers that compassionate and personal care through our daily efforts and focus on our vision as a practice; to ensure that every child walks away with a fun experience in a setting that can otherwise be frightening. Influenced by my own personal and professional experiences, I feel empowered when I find opportunities to help assuage the fears of emotionally vulnerable children. Ive seen first-hand the qualities of providers that can break or nurture the child sitting in the dental chair, and find the greatest sense of purpose when I see parents trust me with those they love and cherish the most. Informed by my specialty training, years practicing as a pediatric dentist, and my own childhood experiences, I am excited to bring my expertise as well as my most compassionate, engaged, and attentive self to your childs care.
Hello, my name is Catrina, and I am the Office Manager at Safari Smiles. I grew up all over the map. I have been in this community for 17+ years. I have two amazing boys. We enjoy anything that requires laughter.
I LOVE what I do! I personally love to help others become the best version of themselves. It is a great feeling to work in a place that I can call family. We really are the best team in town. Safari Smiles strives for excellence and aspires to make each patient the TOP priority, and it is evident when you first walk into the office throughout the whole visit and even while exiting the building. I love working with and for Safari Smiles because we all live up to the values that are portrayed.
Hello, my name is Stacy. I am the Assistant Office Manager/Treatment Coordinator here at Safari Smiles. I have 4 children that were raised here. I have worked with children for as long as I can remember. I previously taught at a private school, I also previously worked with the mentally and physically challenged youth in the surrounding areas.
Hello, my name is Becca L. and I am a Dental Hygienist. I grew up in Hornby, New York. I graduated from Broome Community College in 2010. I started working as a Dental Hygienist right out of school in Painted Post. I love working with children as a dental hygienist because I love kids and want to make their experience at the dentist fun and memorable and want them to enjoy coming to the dentist.
My name is Cindy Wheeler and I am the Hygiene Coordinator at Safari Smiles. You will primarily see me assisting the Hygienists with documenting the patients teeth numbers, taking the x-ray pictures, helping with the sealants (super shields), and making sure the Hygienists rooms are completely cleaned and disinfected for the next arriving patient.
Growing up in Troy, PA during my elementary school years, I eventually moved to NY and finished my schooling in Horseheads. After graduating high school, I went to the SCT Boces Tech center for the Dental Assisting Program.
For over 20 years now, I have been in the dental field as an Assistant in General Dentistry, and also an Orthodontic Assistant, and now I am in the most perfect position for me!! I love what I do here at Safari Smiles, and my work family is completely amazing!! They are so genuine and compassionate for one another, and with each of our patients. I look forward to coming to work knowing that I get to help my work family and am able to help put a smile on your childs face! I reside in the Horseheads area with my 3 beautiful boys, and wonderful husband
I grew up in Horseheads, NY where I graduated High School with a Dental Assisting Degree from the GST BOCES Tech center, Instantly I fell in love with working with teeth and meeting new patients. I currently reside in the Horseheads area with my significant other, and our wonderful yellow lab Boozer.
For 8 years now, I have been in the dental field as an Assistant in General Dentistry, and also as an Orthodontic Assistant, and now I am in the most perfect position for me working with your children!!
I am very passionate about what I do here at Safari Smiles, and my coworkers instantly became my family!! You can always count on me to bring positive vibes and a smile on my face at our office. I look forward to coming into work knowing that I get to help transform a patients smile. I am so grateful that I am part of a team that impacts every childs experience in a positive way.
My name is Katie Jones and I grew up in Corning. After high school, I moved to Alfred, NY where I attended Alfred University and taught elementary and pre-school for 3 years. When my husband and I decided to start our family, we wanted to move back to Corning to be closer to family. I wanted to take some time off from teaching but still work with kids, thats when I found Safari Smiles!
I grew up in northern New York but have lived in the Southern Tier for 38 years. A mother of four sons (Number 3 likes to tell his brothers he is the favorite), I am also a Grandmother of ten! I taught at a private Christian school for over 20 years and also had my own catering business for 15 years. I love God! I love my family! I love my country (member of the DAR)! I love my job!
Hi there, my name is Amanda, and Im one of the front desk faces here at Safari Smiles! Im from Elmira and just recently moved back to the area. After spending about 8 years in Hampton Roads Virginia, I decided to move back home to raise my daughter around family. In VA, I worked at a dermatology office and really enjoyed the healthcare environment. When I moved back home, I was so excited to find Safari Smiles! Being able to help patients in such a fun and bright atmosphere greatly appealed to me! When I first stepped into safari smiles, my first thought was that my daughter would LOVE it here. I love seeing that same reaction from all of our patients every day!!
Dr. Choi studied at Reed College and Columbia University as an undergraduate student, where he earned a BA in physics and a BS in biomedical engineering, respectively. After graduating from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Choi completed a fellowship program at Helen Hayes Hospital and a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry at St. Barnabas Hospital. His educational background has helped him learn how to manage patients with special health care needs and complex medical conditions.
Reviews
Rating 4.7 out of 5 based on 194 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJanine Mosher
a year ago
Absolutely recommend Safari Smiles! Wonderful, kind and very caring staff! They show compassion and go above and beyond to meet needs of children and parents!
Jing Zhu
a year ago
We have been visiting Safari Smiles since before this new doctor took over this place but had frustrating experience with the staff there then. My son's adult tooth is fully grown but his baby tooth is not wigging at all. I called the front desk to make an appointment with the doctor to extract the tooth. We went and did not even see the doctor at all since "he is in a procedure now and will take the time off afterwards. " The hygienist took at a look at the tooth, wiggled it and said this needs to be extracted. It took her less than 2 minutes if I counted the time she circled on the card which tooth needs to be extracted. Then the office billed me $109 and asked me to make another appointment to come back for the extraction. If you could stand them billing your insurance company $193 for 10-minute hygiene appointments, and then $108 for a 2-minute limited evaluation, please expect them to bill you more than for services they tell you you have. And you will have to make several trips there to get one procedure done. Do not waste your time and money at this place.
Kellea Bauda
2 years ago
Dr. Choi and his staff are the standard to which all dentists should be held. They made our children feel comfortable and have always had very enjoyable visits! We recommend them to everyone we can.
Susan House
2 years ago
This place is a joke!! Took my daughter for dental work and because she was nervous they refused to work on her. She wasn't crying or anything just a little antsy. Tech said oh I can't do X-rays I said she's fine with them so she tried and my daughter was fine. She kept running back to the dentist saying she was nervous ,he never came to see her or talk to me just said nope not touching her refered us to Rochester. What kind isn't nervous at the dentist? Isn't that why u take your child to a pediatric dentist? They supposedly cleaned their teeth never used a pick all they did was brush their teeth my 2 yr old still has plaque on his teeth because they didn't clean them properly.DONT WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY THIS PLACE IS A JOKE.NOW I HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS FOR MY KIDS TO GET A PROPER CLEANING BECAUSE THEY CHARGED MY INSURANCE FOR A CLEANING AND GOT A BRUSH AND FLORIDE.I COULD HAVE CLEANED THEM BETTER MYSELF
Kaitlin Asbury
2 years ago
I love this dentists office! They have always been so kind and caring! I've been going for years and now that I'm becoming an adult I'm a bit sad I'll have to find another dentist. I highly recommend them!
Deana Fillmore
2 years ago
Absolutely adore this place! I am 22 years old and terrified of the dentist! I come here in full confidence that everything will be just fine! They care so much about their patients! Thank you guys for being so awesome!
Stephanie Parker
2 years ago
Finally a dentist office that can actually do the work on my daughter!!! They were wonderful!
Alexandria Jackson
2 years ago
Our hygienist is incredible working with my son who has ASD. She definitely helps to put him at ease and has tricks up her sleeve to help him cope with anything unexpected. My only concern is that they don't accept insurance, which makes it painful financially. But you get what you pay for and the experience is a good one for him.
Brenda Frutos
2 years ago
I love Safari Smile's! I have been taking my kids here for many many years! Wonderful staff! Marcia is awesome! My adult children return to have Marcia clean there teeth!
Kyle Jann
2 years ago
Consumer beware. Took my oldest son there for some dental work. Started out like any other first appointment. They had to take x-rays and after that we waited about 45 minutes to be seen ,ridiculous wait time, by the dentist. My son has asthma and on occasion he has been known to have a bit of a flare up but is obviously not contagious and they would be putting him under anyways. Well the dentist came and looked in his mouth for 5 seconds ,literally 5 seconds, and told us to come back in two weeks for his appointment becauseof his asthma. I pleaded with him and assured him it was asthma ,even brought his inhaler, and he would have none of that. On top of that i took a vacation day to take him to his appointment. They just plain refused and charged us close to $400 to do nothing, literally absolutely nothing. On top of that i had taken my youngest son there before that and because he is autistic they referred him to eastmens dental in Rochester. I final got an appointment after months of waiting and safari smiles couldn't be bothered to send his dental records even though they made the referral. Now a second trip has to be made to Rochester for my youngest. With current gas prices a tripe from Bath to Rochester is far from cheap. Please save yourself any headaches and avoid this dentist office at all costs.
Brittany Oliver
2 years ago
All staff are super friendly and we love our hygienist!! Highly recommend!
Kyle Palombo
2 years ago
Our son loves Dr.Choi and his dental hygienist Marcia! They are always so easy to work with and explain everything at every appointment. The office is always clean, everyone has a positive attitude, and they always make balloon animals after for the kids! Always a positive experience and we truly appreciate it! It makes going to the dentist so much easier when our son enjoys his visits, even when he has cavities filled or teeth extracted. Thank you all for doing such a great job!
Kyle Hartford
2 years ago
Always prompt with appointments, and answer any and all questions we have during appointments. Could not be happier with any visit our kids have had.
Angela Allis
2 years ago
My kids love coming to the dentist here ! Everyone is kind, professional and gentle with my children.
Kelly Maze
2 years ago
Incredible atmosphere and staff! I couldn't be happier with my daughter's visit!
Linda Evans
2 years ago
Glad to see am not the only one who was misled by this place. Same experience as others, referred there for a treatment, shown a cost, then was hit for substantially higher bill when my daughter was finished with her treatment.
Sabrina
2 years ago
Always good with my kids.
Nathan Preston
2 years ago
We have gone to Safari Smiles for years!! I love Becca and all she does to take care of us!!!! She's the best!!
Sarah Cody
2 years ago
The staff are very nice and welcoming. The jungle theme is amazing and it helps my 3 year old daughter to stay calm and be excited for the dentist.
Richard Correll
2 years ago
Great atmosphere and treatment of children!!!
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