Padre Dental Group

San Diego, United States

3.9

Closed now

20 reviews

By Appointment Only

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Telephone:
+1 619-688-1001
Website:
www.padredental.com
Address:
501 Washington St Ste 704, San Diego, CA, 92103
b/t 6th Ave & Brant St
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.9 miFashion Valley Transit Center
1.2 miWashington Street
1.3 miHazard Center
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Bussiness info

By Appointment Only
Yes

Today

Today 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Closed now
Local time (San Diego) 7:34 PM Thursday, November 28, 2024

Business hours

Monday 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Tuesday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Wednesday 7:30 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
Friday 7:30 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Our philosophy at Padre Dental Group is to offer full service dental treatment for the whole family. We enjoy working with all ages. Combing artistry and advanced technology, Dr. Preston and Dr. Valerie Kaenel use the latest material and techniques to create the smile you want.

We are CEREC specialists providing one visit crowns. And we now offer INVISALIGN for straightening your teeth. If you’ve always wanted straight teeth, but don’t want to wear the traditional metal braces then call us for a consultation today!

Through individualized care, together we will set realistic goals and give you a dental treatment plan that will suit your specific needs. We hope you experience your next dental visit with us.

History

Established in 2000.

Padre Dental Group opened in June 2000 in the Scripps Mercy Clinic building with zero patients and Dr. Preston working less than two days a week. In April 2004, we moved into our current location, adding Dr. Val at the same time. In the near 10 years of business, each year has seen progressive growth in our practice. We rely mainly on word-​of-​mouth referrals. We do not advertise. All of the staff strives to treat each patient as an individual and devote their energy to a successful outcome.

Meet the Business Owner

Dr. Preston AND Valerie K.

Business Owner

Dr. Preston: The best part about dentistry for me is all the great new technology. I am always researching and taking courses to find out what is best for the office and our patients. I love being able to provide treatment with lasers, digital cameras and xrays and one visit crowns with CEREC®. When you are in the office, feel free to ask me about any of our technology that we have to offer. Outside the office you’ll find me running, biking, playing soccer and car racing.

Dr. Val: I am not a native of San Diego, but moved here in 1989 to attend UCSD where Dr. Preston and I met. We graduated from USC School of Dentistry in 1997 with our Doctorate of Dental Surgery. By both finishing in the top 5 of our class, we received OKU Omicron Kappa Upsilon honors. The best part of dentistry for me is helping people. I love it when our patients leave the office happy. When I am not at the office, you can probably find me with my two daughters. I also love playing soccer and running.

Padre Dental Group also recommends

Lester Machado, MD, DDS

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Chirurgie dentaire

Dr. Preston AND Valerie K. says,

«Our most trusted oral surgeon.»

Jewel Web & Design

5

reviews

Webdesign

,

Design Graphique

Dr. Preston AND Valerie K. says,

«Janja desiged our website and did a fantastic job. She is so easy to work with and very talented. You get a lot of value for your money with Janja!»

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20 reviews of Padre Dental Group

No registration required
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
First off, I must admit that I am the BIGGEST baby when it comes to dental stuff but I’ve been with Dr. Preston and Padre Dental for the last 5 years because of the quality of care and level of comfort they provide.
I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Preston and his staff. To start, the facility is so clean and all of their equipment is state of the art. Bobbi, the office manager, is so friendly and really treats you like you’re part of the family. It’s nice to walk into their office a few times each year and see a familiar face.
Dr. Preston is excellent and really does a thorough job with all of us his work. He’s got a great bedside manner and makes you feel at ease. I see Kelly for my routine cleanings and she is a highly skilled, awesome hygienist.
Scheduling appointments is a breeze and they use an automated system to send you reminders to your email or cell phone a few weeks in advance to confirm your appointment.
If you’re a big wimp like me and hate the dentist or you’re looking for quality dental care then Padre Dental is the place for you.
Place rating: 1
La Jolla, CA
Dear Padre Dental, I just thought you shouod knows that you lost three clients today. I called to schedule appointments for me and my two children and immediately got the ansewring machine saying you were out of the country until January 4th, then went to voicemail. It’s January 8th… I would think a receptionist would pick up.
Place rating: 4
San Diego, CA
Padre Dental has administrative scheduling problems. Coupled with limited availability, scheduling is very difficult and it is hard to schedule, keep, or reschedule appointments.
Twice, we have made follow-​up appointments BEFORE leaving the office (several months in advance) that were later cancelled by Padre Dental. Both times Padre called to explain that «they don’t have appointments at that time of the day and we should have never been able to schedule that time in the first place». But we did, with the receptionist, in person. Rather than rectifying their mistake and finding a similar date & time next to our original appointment, the best they could do was push us out to the end of their calendar, which was several months out, well beyond the suggested follow-​up for a cleaning.
*Edit: Speaking with the dentist directly, he was able to rebook a time close to our original appointment, so I’m upping our rating back to 4 stars.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I found my San Diego dentist finally! What a relief. I loved the dentist, the assistant, and the office staff. It’s a husband/​wife team, and they are both kind and brilliant and super helpful. He made suggestions and tips none of my past dentists paid attention to. From start to finish, a fantastic experience. So relieved! A good dentist who makes you feel comfortable is so important.
Place rating: 2
San Diego, CA
Went here a few times and wasn’t that impressed. I don’t mind cleanings and usually enjoy it because of that fresh, clean feeling you get afterwards, but the last time I had my teeth cleaned here was probably the most painful cleaning I’ve ever had. I have a pretty high tolerance when it comes to pain, but she was just digging and scraping way too hard. I kept asking if she could let up a little… yeah, that wasn’t happening.
But what ultimately made me decide to look elsewhere is the person at the front desk — Bobbi. My own experience with her was just OK (I mean, it definitely could have been better), but I did notice that she can come off as pretty harsh and she does seem to treat some people more favorably than others. I also found that even if you’re not a new patient, it’s pretty difficult trying to get an appointment set here since they seem to pick and choose who they want to follow up with.
In the end, if you manage to get on Bobbi’s good side, then give it a try because Dr. Kaenel is a good dentist.
Place rating: 5
Skokie, IL
I moved from Chicago and had to have my invisalign transferred to san diego. Dr. Val and Bobbi, made the whole process a breeze! Dr. Val and Bobbi are are so personable, they really made me feel comfortable at their office. They really cared about the whole transition and worked with my crazy hours and relocating! The office is clean and located in the heart of hillcrest, great views of san diego. I am never on time (bad habit) but they were always ready for me and never seemed upset about that. Dr. Val takes her time with you and makes sure everything is set up correctly with your agenda. Very happy I found this dental office!!! Great experience!!!
Place rating: 5
Morristown, NJ
Dr Val and the whole staff is great. I moved from SD to NJ 3 years ago and still fly back to SD to see Dr Val for my cleanings!!!
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
Called to schedule a new patient exam: phone was answered as «Bobbi please hold!» and slammed down, no business name even given nor did she even wait for me to answer. Apparently Bobbi doesn’t think anyone reads Unilocal and thinks she can just treat people rudely. Learn some customer service Bobbi. I work in healthcare in San Diego and avoid office staff that carry themselves stressed and bossy. Needless to say I hung up on her and called Park Dental Arts whom also takes my insurance and is up the street. Phone was answered and appointment was scheduled easily. Good bye Bobbi.
Place rating: 5
La Jolla, CA
I’ve got a lot of dental work. British genes. Thanks grandma. So, I’ve been to at least a dozen dentists over the past 20 years. No one has compared to Padre Dental. Last minute repair. Done. Big messy stuff that takes hours. Done. Incredible attention. Incredible work. Great prices. No games on money. No up sells. The best dental work I’ve had on those 20 years. Highly recommended. Thanks Bobbi and the Drs and staff!
Place rating: 5
Atlanta, GA
Wonderful practice and a great office that makes you feel right at home as soon as you walk in! Dr. Val is fantastic and spends a great deal of time making sure you understand everything that’s happening in your mouth. All of the hygienists and dental assistants are very knowledgeable as well. Could not be happier with my experience here and I highly recommend this practice!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Great dentist and dental hygienist! I’ve been going here for a few years now. I’m glad I found Padre dental.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Just had my second appointment, where i actually had some work done. Dr. Preston and his team are awesome– the procedure (two fillings) was nearly painless. I always get nervous when they do the Novocaine shot, but he is very good at what he does, and I barely felt it. He even suggested that I did not do the Novocaine for one of the fillings (since the cavity was on the surface), and he was totally right– he did not use any, and there was no pain or discomfort. It’s nice that he didn’t have me go through a second shot of it if I really didn’t need to. They were quick, friendly, and answered all my questions. I also liked that they (the dentist and his assistant) had a conversation while they were working, because listening to them kept my mind off of the drills in my mouth :) I have found my permanent SD dentist!
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
I called to make an appointment for my spouse and talked to a receptionist named Bobbie, just the few minutes on the phone with her convinced me this is not the place for us. She was cold and unfriendly. I felt like I was bothering her by asking questions about the practice. Not good!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Been seeing Dr. P Kaenel for years now, and have had to be seen for regular cleanings, several cavities/​crowns/​fillings and a referral to a specialist for a root canal while 36 weeks pregnant. Not once did I ever second guess going to Padre Dental Group for any services. Many times they could prep my mouth for repair and place the PERMANENT filling/​crown in the same visit (made by a machine on site.) I love not having to have a million follow-​up visits for the same tooth. The entire staff is always nice, and I am confident they use the latest technology and talents to the patient’s benefits. I recommended them to my sister a few years ago (because her dentist used scary/​ancient technology), who is deathly afraid of dental work or anyone toughing her mouth… and she has liked them and continued to be in their care, too.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Yes! Clean and pleasant location, great dentistry. Super friendly customer service. Not your usual bleeding gums tooth cleaning kind of place.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Thank you Unilocal for helping me find the Padre Dental Group.
They are everything one hopes and expects a Dental office to be.
The positive reviews here echo everything I could possibly say.
Place rating: 1
San Diego, CA
Don’t go here! Unless you like overspending…
I had a bad experience with the receptionist, Bobbi, she lied to me and told me to wait 2 months to get my broken bracket fixed so it would be covered under my insurance. So I did just that, instead she sent me a bill 2 months later for the full amount and later told me that this procedure was not covered. So you gave me wrong information then she told me it was my fault and responsibilty to double check the information she had relayed me. She screamed at me over the phone and told me she would not let me leave a message for the doctor or speak to anyone else. Probably cause she didnt want her superiors to know she screamed at paying patients and told me I had an attitude problem.
She later called me back, told me she looked at my chart (which I thought she was already looking at). And she claimed the $ 110 bill i got was meant to be sent to the insurance company, but after the insurance company refused to pay she accidently billed me. She then said they were only gonna charge me $ 62 and I was getting a $ 48 discount!!!
After you just screamed and insulted me you still charge me for the mistake and you admit to overcharging the insurance company for a procedure I am still paying for?(which is illegal and also taking money out of my maximum $$$ allowed a year out of my premium) Overall this isnt the kind of business I do. I support business who treat their patients and guests with respect and courtesy. Never offending and also always remembering I am the one paying and there are many other options.
The doctors were great here, but going to the dentist is an overall scary experience. This was my first time seeing a dentist in a few years and lets just say it was not a good experience and I will no longer be going to Padre Dental.
Place rating: 2
San Diego, CA
Been wanting to write a review for PD for awhile. I am a former client and initially found them here on Unilocal after seeing all the great reviews.
Well, I got a chance to see them — ONCE. I loved their office, it was quaint. I loved the dentist who saw me. I told him I was traumatized long ago as a small child at my family’s dentist and because of it, I was kinda phobic in the chair. He was really great about my situation and ended up being kind, caring and gentle on my teeth. Not once did I fear for my life… or my mouth. He wasn’t pushy about products either, which I was relieved about. In the end, he discovered a tiny cavity that he said could easily be filled with no anesthetic needed. I was overjoyed and was told I could book this appt on the way out.
Between the addition of a lovely assistant who was present during my exam and their receptionist who seemed sincerely interested in both clients calling in and stopping by in person, I felt like I had finally found a dentist I could never leave.
Sadly, I never saw them again. Frankly, I could never get in.
What do you mean the soonest you can see me for my small cavity filling is 3 months from now? Fine… ok, let’s book it. When I had to reschedule it because of being short-​staffed at my job, I figured I could reschedule it out again with no problem. Maybe I’d have to wait a maximum of 1 month. But when I called, I was told nothing was avail until another 3 mo’s from now! By then, my cavity would no longer be the small speck it started out as, would it? My heart broke. I knew this was a sign. How does a business intend on building relationships and retaining clients when they can’t even see them in a timely or even semi-​timely fashion? I understand scheduling is dependent upon both parties involved, but seriously, we were now 6 to 6 ½ mo’s out from my initial visit — for a cavity filling!
So Dear Office, I agree that you are a lovely team with well-​deserved reviews for your dental work but you should inform new patients of your severely limited availability that one must deal with when trying to book a follow-​up appt. If an emergency comes up and a client has to reschedule, well, good luck with that (this is especially vital to those of us who are already phobic/​nervous to initiate a phone call to the dentist to begin with!).
Expand your dentists’ availability and have a more accommodating schedule for your clients, new or old, and I’d come back in a heart beat.
Place rating: 5
Louisville, KY
For years I didn’t have dental insurance and consequently I haven’t had a regular dentist in some time. I tried one other dentist in San Diego and didn’t like my experience there, so I turned to Unilocal and found Padre Dental Group.
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I actually don’t hate dentists. I’m less concerned about gentleness than about the quality of the work. I don’t want fillings (or other work) to look bad, fall out, or generally suck more than they do inherently.
Well, it’s been a little more than a year since I had work done by Dr. Preston and so far so good. Additionally, I’ve been back twice for cleanings and every single person I’ve interacted with there has been very nice and professional (this includes both Dr. Kaenels, receptionist Bobbii, and Emi for teeth cleanings). Nobody ever seems too busy to deal with you, which is a sharp contrast to my other recent experience. They also happily answer any questions which is nice because I tend to be curious about every procedure or piece of equipment.
During each visit, I was advised (by different individuals) that I could be a candidate for Invisalign, but as other reviewers mentioned they are not pushy.
This place probably doesn’t need more reviews that say the same thing, but they are really good. If only I could commute 2,000 miles to go to the dentist!
Place rating: 5
San Francisco, CA
I just moved to SD from SF and was in search of a new dentist. Obviously, I relied on Unilocal for some advice and came across Padre Dental Group. It is extremely close to my house so I figured I would give it a shot based on their already wonderful reviews, and boy, was that a good idea.
Having a run of really bad dentists the past few years made me a bit suspect about getting an exam, etc. for the fear of having 30 cavities but, Dr. Val was as calming as a dentist should be and assured me that it probably wasn’t as bad as I thought. Sure enough, she was correct.
I literally just got back to my office after getting two fillings (yes, I am still numb) and was very pleased with the quality of work Dr. Val preformed on me, and will be sure to recommend her to anyone I know. Lets just say I don’t mind going to the dentist anymore :)