Avia Dental Care

Had an amazing Experience here. There staff was very helpful and knew what they were doing. Ive been to four other dentist in San Diego and indeed this has been the best one. Ive never had any issues with payments here nor bad customer service. This company knows how to take care of its customers and I would Highly recommend going here. I want to say thank you to Dr. Kimura and all the wonderful staff.

Avia Dental is a VERY unprofessional dental office. They do unnecessary x-​rays and unnecessary dental procedures. Multiple times I asked them explicitly NOT to do the panoramic x-​rays (insurance only covers them every 5 years). They unnecessarily did them anyways (we also had x-​rays from previous dentist). When I complained, they verbally said they wouldn’t charge me for them (since it was Avia’s mistake). Then they started sending me bills. Avia doesn’t return emails or phone calls (VERY unprofessional). Now they have put a collection notice on my credit report (for something they said they would NOT charge for). I am currently filing complaints with the government, ADA, and the State of CA.

I was happy with the actual dental services provided by the dentist and dental hygienist. I was going there for about a year and even had my son start coming to this practice. However, that all changed and the reason for the one star is the billing and management issues. I had a crown replaced in July 2015 and they gave me an estimate based on my insurance which was $ 1100 and I paid my portion that they said was due.
On March 31 2016, the office manager, Lucy, called me and told me the insurance claim was denied and that I owed them $ 314 and I was responsible for this amount. She emailed me a statement with no detail except that the insurance paid $ 0 and a credit adjustment to contract fees credit of $ 346. However, I receive an insurance benefit summary a couple of weeks later that my insurance paid Avia Dental $ 429. They tried to get me to pay my insurance portion by telling me that my claim was denied when they actually paid. Also, they charged me more than what was allowed and they actually owe me $ 123. Be aware of their billing practices! I tried to get my overpayment back, but the office has not responded or ignoring my communications.
Beware of overcharging and possible billing fraud. I am going to file a complaints with my insurance and CA Dept of insurance.

Avoid this dentist. No ethics at all. In 2011 and 2012 I had work done and we agreed on the cost and what the insurance would pay. A year later they came after me for payment. I disputed the amounts and offered a settlement. I never received a response. Now 4 years later they send me to collection. I again offered a settlement. They decided instead to screw me and had the collection agency report this to the credit agencies. I will be filling reports with every agency possible. Very unethical practice. I really wish they would have settled instead of being spiteful. It’s no way to run a company.

Dr. Kimura is one of the only dentists in the San Diego area that does ceramic implants, which was very important to me since I am very sensitive to metals. His entire staff, including assistants and front office, is warm, compassionate and thorough. The day of my surgery was also my birthday and Lucy, the office manager, remembered and brought me flowers! Dr. Kimura is a perfectionist and slightly on the cautious side which I completely respect when having implant surgery — especially my front tooth! The lab he uses to create the tooth is also excellent — my tooth looks totally natural. I recently had a regular cleaning at another dentist and both the hygienist and dentist commented on the amazing work and asked for Dr. Kimura’s name! I highly recommend this office.

Great dental experience. Every time. I moved to San Diego County two years ago from the Bay Area and was searching for a great dentist. When I was in the Bay Area, my dentist was Dr. Yamaguchi (Kristi’s — the ice skater, dad). Dr. «Y» and his team are excellent so when I set out to find another dentist, my expectations were very high. I went to three dentists before finding Avia Dental Care. Dr. Kimura and his assistant Toni are fantastic. I’ve had a couple of treatments and both times, they have been great. Very thorough in explaining the procedures and calming. Toni makes sure you’re comfortable and is very attentive. I’ve seen Emily and Jennifer for cleanings and both are top notch. Thanks Dr. Kimura and staff!

This place has a Malpractice judgement on record (picture of ca dental board included). RUN! If you are considering this place, do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. If you are a current patient and are able to get x-​rays at a different dental office (not one they recommend) to double check their work, I highly recommend it. Ask for different angles as the issues are not always easily noticed.
My review is also long overdue. I was hoping that they would honor their responsibilities but this place is just bad news. After several procedures that were not performed correctly (visible to the naked eye), I finally decided to go to a different dentist. No matter how many tries this place got, they just couldn’t get it right. I recently found out that yet another procedure was an issue. Tricky thing with this one is that it is a crown which my insurance only covers once every 10 years for the same tooth. I went to Avia looking for reimbursement so that I can get it fixed elsewhere and was told that they would stand behind their work if I had not switched dental offices. Well, if I had stayed, I would’ve never found out the extent of how dishonest and incompetent this place is. On top of it, they claimed that the root canal is bad on that same tooth so since I will need a new root canal, the insurance may consider covering the new crown. Since then I have tried to reach Avia (picture of emails attached) multiple times to obtain my records, without success. I ended up calling and spoke with Lucy (I believe that’s the office managers name) who basically said they don’t plan on releasing MY x-​rays to me. She insinuated maybe down the road when they have time, but just not now. Flat out rude. If I could give negative stars, I would. I have filed a complaint with the dental board. Maybe they’ll release my records to them.

After reading Usagi T.‘s review, I am compelled to share my experience which I should have done a year and a half ago to help readers. I can completely vouch for Usagi how AWFUL and NASTY the office manager is. Trina said it best «If she wasn’t there, the place would be perfect, no complaints». I very much liked Dr. Kimura, his dental assistants and receptionist. His office manager was the one responsible for losing his business as I decided to have my family go to different dentist.
I’ll try to summarize but please read until the end for a very important detail.
I was at Dr. Kimura’s office for a procedure one day. One of the administrative staff, whom apparently did not have the ability to understand the insurance/​co-​insurance terminologies and coverage, grossly overcharged me even though I tried to explain to her multiple times. I was feeling uncomfortable after this procedure, but in order to leave after many unsuccessful attempts to get the girl to comprehend, I reluctantly paid thinking I could work out the refund later. WRONG!!!
I talked to the same staff the next day about the insurance pre-​authorization and how she overcharged me. She told me to come to the office so she could process the credit. After I arrived, I was told that the office manager instructed her not to refund me the overcharge until after the insurance was settled, which she could have phoned me to tell me that.
Two months later, even after the insurance company settled all charges, they still wouldn’t credit my account as I kept asking. I then received a phone call one day from this office manager. The second she started talking, she literally was on HIGH volume and VERY VILE. She was comfortably screaming as if she was screaming at a cheating husband of a severely bad marriage. I have never in my life experienced such an incredibly bad business practice and uncontrollable behavior in a business setting. I wrote a letter to Dr. Kimura regarding his office manager’s unprofessional behavior, hand delivered and never heard from him.
Another 2 months went by, still no credit! I requested the help of my insurance company, whom informed me after speaking to her and was informed that she would credit my account afterwards.
Another month went by, still no credit! I proceeded to dispute the charge with my credit card company and provided all relevant documentations. The credit card company sent to me the ledger of my account which they received from this office manager. This is what I discovered:
**** A LINE ITEM OF THE CHARGES WAS DELETED AND REPLACED WITH A HIGHER AMOUNT TO REDUCE THE CREDIT THEY OWED ME.
It is one of my specialties to set up accounting system so I detailed to my credit card company exactly how it was done. The credit card company recognized the fraudulent charge and the overcharge and refunded to me. This office manager then sent me statements of some bogus outstanding balance. I have obtained the contact information of the City/​County/​State Board of Dentistry and have intended to report this fraudulent activity.

**This is a long and thorough write up of my overall experience using a Living Social deal FYI**
As soon as I walked into Avia, I did not feel as welcomed as other dental offices, mostly due to a rude woman sitting in the corner of the front. I came in on a Living Social since there was some mix up when I purchased my CA Health Insurance policy (as in I thought I purchased dental but somehow it was overlooked and now I have to wait for open enrollment). Not a big deal to me since I have never had any dental issues outside of a little gum inflammation now and again. After I completed new patient paperwork I was seen very quickly which is always a bonus for me.
The dental assistant that lead me back was very friendly, bubbly and welcoming. She said she would start my x-​rays. Well, I do not get x-​rays anymore for personal health reasons. I have seen about 7 dentist since I was advised to do that (so many due to the fact that I move frequently due to my previous work and my fiancé’s current work) and it has NEVER been an issue when I decline the x-​ray. The worst I’ve gotten maybe some lecture about «oh you know you need x-​rays cause…» but they always continue with the cleaning and then exam.
When I declined the x-​rays my exact words were, «If you don’t mind I prefer not to have x-​rays since I have a medical condition (this is true btw) and would like the cleaning only». The super friendly assistant said, «Okay no problem I will get the doctor then.»
The dentist came in and did an inflammation test on my gums and both him and the assistant kept going on about how beautiful my teeth are and how great it was I had all my teeth. I did think it was odd that the dentist came in BEFORE a cleaning was done because that has never happened before but I just figured, different office, different order of operations. As the dentist was walking out the door I heard the assistant ask how to precede with the cleaning since there was no x-​ray, he said «I don’t know, ask xxxx (the office manager who’s name I will leave out)». Quick side note — this office manager’s name was mentioned earlier during a conversation over my medical history. Apparently this office manager suffered through some similar medical issues as mine and it was advised that she is very compassionate and perhaps I could talk to her about my own disease.
To my surprise, a few minutes later, my bib was taken off and I was escorted back to the front where shortly I was reseated with this office manager. The office manager turned out to be the rude woman I had seen upon entry!!! Not only was she not compassionate at all, she was downright awful! I asked why I was being escorted out and what about the cleaning as I had paid for with the Living Social package. She kept cutting me off and I had to fight to finish a single sentence then the preceded to tell me that it was their policy to never ever do a cleaning without x-​rays. I asked why I was not told that earlier and why that language was not part of the Living Social coupon. Her exact words were anything else I had to take up with Living Social. So I asked, and mind you still being extremely polite as I did not want to have a fight in the open area of the front lobby (this entire conversation should have been behind closed doors due to HIPPA laws anyway since my medical history could have come out easily), «Well what would the cost have been of what the dentist actually did because I paid for a cleaning.» She got a MAJOR attitude and said, «I don’t know, I don’t know any of this, all I know is you have to ask Living Social.» WHAT!!! Then I asked, «Oh so does Living Social set the prices for your dentist office?» To which she replied, «Yes.»
NO THEY DO NOT. I was not born yesterday, and I am not an idiot and I don’t appreciate being treated like one. First of all, I am okay with whatever policy they want to have about x-​rays cause dentist are a dime a dozen and thankfully I’m in an area with many holistic dentist which is probably what I need anyway. However, they should have stopped EVERYTHING if this was their policy about x-​rays once I declined before I even took a seat in the chair. Then furthermore, to INSULT me so bad as to basically tell me Living Social, a coupon company, sets your prices and creates your dental packages is a bald faced lie. To give major attitude on top of it was bitter icing on this nasty cake. No shame in this woman’s game at all.
I am so confused because being in the room with the dentist and his assistant was such a comfortable pleasant experience, then dealing with that woman was so awful it was night and day. Stupidly, I did not read the previous Unilocal reviews before I went in like I usually do. The low reviews mirrored what I experienced today. That being said though, the billing and management of a medical office is equally as important as the treatment and care by the doctor. So needless to say I will never return and never recommend.

Had been searching for a dentist that would be patient with us and kind. We have that at Avia Dental! The staff is wonderful, Dr Kimora is kind a and gentle. My whole family has enjoyed their experience. I highly recommend Avia Dental!

I have been going to Dr Jeff Kimura for over 10 years. He is a caring and extremely competent Dentist. I always get good service and could not be happier. I have had fillings, crowns and even had a tooth pulled along with my routine cleanings and screenings. I recommend Dr Jeff to all my friends.

After having multiple fillings and extractions as a kid with Novacaine that wasn’t injected into my nerve, I FINALLY found a dentist that knows how to get me numb. I have been going to Dr. Kimura for 5 years now and have been comfortable and relaxed every time. The office is really nice and the staff is great. I actually look forward to teeth cleanings now!!! And the rare filling is 30 minutes of watching House Hunters (instead of gripping the chair and counting the seconds until it’s over.)

Please be very careful about going to this dentist, He prepped the wrong tooth for my crown, I was very skeptical also with the billing system. They take you in and try to sell you on things you do not need. I am suffering to this day from what this dentist has done to my teeth.

I’ve been going to Dr. Kimura for a couple years now. Seems like as I get younger…(older) my fears of going to the dentist have intensified BUT since going to Dr. Kimura those fears have gone away. I have a lot of intense problems with my teeth and Dr. Kimura to me is an excellent dentist, surgeon AND artist! He’s an artist… so careful and exact.
My financial situation has not been the best for being able to pay a dentist for the work needed so I have such a tendency to be too laid back about getting work done. But I thank God for Lucy who kind of took charge and worked out a plan for me to make a substantial down payment then substantial monthly payments and I am SO THANKFUL. I was very desperate in my last situation and she helped… made it happen for me! I love Lucy! :)
Sincerely I would be afraid to trust my dental needs/​work to anyone else at this point! Dr. Kimura is an artist and so careful and professional. Other staff as well as Lucy are wonderful also… very kind and caring! …and I am not just saying all of this! This is from my heart!
Excellent dentist and highly recommended!

The dentist and his staff are excellent. However, the office manager really leaves something to be desired of herself. I will not be returning because of her.

As with any dental office — make sure to ask the right questions to ensure you know what you are in for.
At this office, make sure to verify that the dentist you set up the appointment with is who will be working on your teeth. Make sure to analyze the cost breakdown. In my instance, I got the cost breakdown and thought that is all I would be paying. In fact, I was charged additional fees by the insurance company for the difference in cost for the fillings. This is a fairly expensive dental office (my insurance pays 80%, I pay 20%) so do the research prior to getting any work done. They have really advanced equipment, nice dental hygenists and televisions on the ceiling so you have something to stare at besides the dentist.
I had a problem with some of the charges and they did work with me as I was moving far far away and could not have some of the work re-​done.

Avoid this dentist. First off, I thought I had an appointment with Dr. Jeff Kimura. It turns out, I wasn’t seen by him at all (instead I was seen by a Dr. H) and nobody asked if I was ok with it. The dental assistant taking pictures of my mouth did not know how to use a camera (the flash kept on going off randomly). He also had to take a billion x-​rays (hope the extra radiation doesn’t give me cancer) as he could not figure out proper positioning for the x-​ray machine pads.
The dentist was an absolute crock. He recommended 2 veneers (at $ 1500/​each and not covered by insurance) for tiny chips in my 2 teeth. He didn’t even ask how long I’ve had the chips (7 years) or if it caused sensitivity (it doesn’t). When I told him no dentist had ever recommended veneers, he suggested I buy a mouthguard for night (for $ 200) without even asking if the tooth chips were caused by me grinding my teeth (they are not). The dentist then proceeded to tell me he could see cavities from the photos that were taken. Then, he said they would need to take more photos because the photos that were taken were bad. Interesting. (Side Note: I have never had so much as a single cavity so to all of a sudden need $ 3500 worth of veneers and cavities filled must tell you that something is wrong with this business.)
The cleaning was next. The hygienist started doing the gum receding measurements and was reading off the millimeter measurements quickly to the girl who was recording. She got to the end of saying 4, 4, 4, 3, 4, 4, 4, etc. and the girl taking notes goes «Oh, I was on a different tooth.» So the hygienist looks at her notes and pretends she could assign all of the numbers correctly. I don’t buy it.
The best part of the appointment was when they gave me a proposal (totaling $ 3500) for the work they wanted to do. They misspelled my first name, last name, and street name. Why in the world would I trust a business like this with $ 3500? I told them I would seek a second opinion and left.
Again, maybe Dr. Jeff Kimura is better than Dr. H but Dr. Kimura should know what is happening in his practice if his name is on the office.

I have been burned by dentist do I am always skeptical. These guys are great though. The staff is amazing and they are very honest. They don’t try to sell you everything under the sun unless you need it. I highly recommend this office.

My friend referred me here because he’s had some great experiences. They never overcharge and they don’t make you pay for something you don’t need. The hygienist and staff are extremely patient, nice, and friendly. The office is very clean and isn’t very old. I have been to 4 other dentists, and this one was my favorite because I was never pressured into a «laser cleaning» or something silly like that. I’m going back here in 2 days.

When I moved to Carlsbad a year ago, I tried Avia Dental with a new patient coupon for a discouted dental cleaning. It was a HORRIBLE experience as they hemmed and hawed about the coupon and how it could only be used for «certain people» with no problems. They made up excuses as to how I was one of the «problem» patients, explaining where I was on their chart of complications. Long story short, I was forced to make a decision to leave without the teeth cleaning and pay an «office visit» fee of what the coupon cleaning value was or to have my teeth cleaned at regular price being almost $ 100.I felt pushed into a corner and deceived that this was not explained to me BEFORE seeing the dentist for the exam. Not wanting to lose $ 50 bucks on only an office fee and having to leave without a cleaning that I knew I was due on, I went ahead with the cleaning but I wished later that I’d have just walked out and not paid them one penny more than «they» thought that I owed them over and above the office visit fee. I felt so uncomfortable with the whole situation on top of the how the different doctors and assistants raced around the office. The woman dentist who saw me, had NO bedside manner at all and the whole operation is suprisingly low tech for what dentistry has to offer today. I felt like cattle herded into a corral for the slaughter. Stay away from this place. It is a business that cares nothing for people, and is all about making money. Six months later, I have tried a new first visit coupon teeth cleaning deal a few miles down the road on El Camino Real, Dr. Steve Craft Family Dentistry. What a world of difference. I was made to feel welcome (even with the coupon, which they had NO extenuating stipulations, although I found out as I suspected, my teeth were NOT problem gums or teeth) and both he and the complete staff were wonderful actually taking the time to get to know me. Their equipment was first class and up to date also. I’ve found new dental office with them and tell every one I know to stay away from Avia Dental.