Richard Pruett DDS

I have been going to Dr. Pruett for 10+ years. Albeit, he has an unconventional approach to dentistry in the way he treats his clients. He approaches dentistry in a way that encompasses the entire skeletal system. Nutrition, posture, skeletal alignment and muscular factors are all encompassing factors in his treatment. He takes all these factors in consideration in his treatment modalities. In my experience with Dr. Pruett, he has encompassed massage, cranial alignment and nutritional counseling that was both appropriate and beneficial to me and my family. I fully trust his professional integrity and clinical staff to appropriately care for my family’s dentistry needs.

I’ve been seeing Dr Pruett since 2012. The entire office staff has been warm, professional and extremely proficient. The cleanings have been extremely gentle but thorough. Exams, fillings and tooth restorations have been done with utmost precision and care. Dr. Pruett really takes pride in his work!

I am a woman in my 30’s. I have had TMJ pain for 2 years and I was glad to learn that there was a dentist in Chico who specializes in TMJ. I went to Dr. Pruitt for treatment of TMJ disorder on Oct. 6. He started the massage portion of the treatment really abruptly and worked his way down from my jaw to my back and chest and after I was already in a relaxed and vulnerable state, he began groping my breasts! I was in such a state of disbelief that I froze. I was praying that he would move on or stop. His hands were moving so fast I couldn’t even tell where they were. Then he nonchalantly started asking me personal questions about where I work and what I do? I was in a state of paralysis/​shock and I answered that I was a massage therapist between jobs right now. Then he started chatting to me about massage! He asked me if I wanted to meet him outside the office to trade massage and he told me that if I can get a room, he has a massage table! Then he poked me in the stomach and asked me how my psoaz muscle was. Then he grabbed my thigh and asked me how my legs were and if I would like a full body lymph massage sometime! I am still so shocked and disturbed by this event. I still can’t believe I got sexually assaulted by a so-​called licensed professional dentist! I might expect getting treated like this at a bar… but at least at a bar they have bouncers standing around, ready to throw dirt bags like this out on the street! Anyone who goes to this dentist should bring along a bodyguard or at least some pepper spray just to be safe. Later, I managed to call up the office and tell the office manager what happened, although I was so angry I was shaking and I thought I might scream. She sent me an email defending the sleaze ball dentist, saying that she was shocked and didn’t believe it, calling him «loving, kind, generous and caring» and saying she was «sorry» that I felt like the doctor had overstepped his boundaries!!! I’m traumatized for life… and she’s «sorry»…NOT that the doctor sexually exploited me… but that I’m upset about it!!! And she tried to discredit my story by saying that I was wrong in saying everyone else left the office and I was there alone with the doctor… She said she checked the day of the treatment, Oct. 13, and confirmed that there were other people still in the office… but she quoted the wrong date!!! This is unbelievable… I will be pressing criminal charges against this dentist and filing a complaint with the California Dental Board. I was expecting a better experience from a holistic dentist… but now I will never ever ever go to a male doctor or dentist again… ever.

I’m surprised Dr. Pruett doesn’t have more Unilocal reviews because he’s been in the Chico area for over 20 years and he’s a brilliant dentist! He is not just your average dentist. He takes his time with you, explains what he’s doing and why and he uses some of the latest technology to make sure you don’t get exposed to any dangerous heavy metals (mercury). He’s the first dentist I’ve been to the understands how to get your teeth and gums healthy without a bunch of nasty chemicals. I can easily recommend anyone to Dr. Pruett.