Michael Fetterman, DDS

Dr. Fetterman was a rude rude old man, he tried to convince me to get a dental bridge implant on my front teeth but I didnt see why I should when I could just get braces. So I told him that it would look unnatural and fake if I were to get the dental bridge implant. He tried convincing me by saying, «Oh…but everything people get is fake… plastic surgery… and what you’re wearing is fake!» (He then picks on my bra strap and snaps it) First WTF, did you have to do that for, so unnecessary and very very unprofessional of you! Second WTF, why do you have to talk about plastic surgery? I just think it’s fake getting the bridge implant because I don’t feel like getting the implant and I prefer getting braces to fix my front teeth!

It’s rare to leave a dentist feeling happy, but that was my experience here.
The dental hygienist was awesome. She was fun to talk to, did a great clean on me, and made an awesome recommendation for some sensitivity issues I’ve had for years.
Dr Fetterman came in and did my check up. I passed with flying colors (I have perfect teeth but terrible eyes, go figure) so I can’t comment on any kind of serious dental work he may do. He told me a funny story about the Unilocal review of the woman who said he kicked her out. It was pretty good.
They took my insurance no problem. Everything here was quick, painless and easy!

I’ve been going to Dr. Fetterman’s for years now, and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve had a lot of work done here and always superb work. I tend to be shy of the needle but Dr. Fetterman has this trick that I don’t even feel the shot. Everyone that works there is highly educated, kind, and welcoming. I refer all my friends to him, I highly suggest Dr. Fetterman.

I’ve been going here for 3 – 4 years now. I really like Dr. Fetterman and his staff. They do very thorough cleanings and very kind staff. I don’t go to my dentist office to watch TV and stare at fish tanks, I go for good dentistry and thats what you’ll find here.

I would give him 5, but I’ve only seen him one time. That being said-​that was THE BEST visit to the dentist ever. Dr. Fetterman and his wife/​assistant Jane are so awesome!
First arriving Jane was so bright and outgoing and nice. She brought me a gossip magazine while I waited which was only like 2 min-​I didn’t even get to read it, but still I thought it was rad she did that.
Then when Dr. Fetterman came in he was just a friendly, and got right down to business. He took his time to explain to me everything he was doing (was just a cleaning) and even drew out pics for me of what the teeth look like inside etc. It was pretty interesting! He said he just wanted me to know because no one ever tells anyone. He seemed to genuinely care about my teeth but wasn’t nagging on me about anything.
On top of that he had me laughing the entire time with his joking around. When it came to business he was very professional, fast and good. But-​the best is that he and his wife are so personable-​you really feel like you are in good caring hands. I actually look forward to my next cleaning.
I rarely take the time to write Unilocal reviews, but in this case I made a point of it.

I love Dr. Fetterman. He’s a kind man, fair, funny, interesting and to top it off he’s got skills.

Going to the dentist is a pleasure when it’s Dr. Fetterman you are going to go see. He always tells you what he is doing and I always get tips on brushing and flossing! I have seen him for the past year and half and he always remembers what I was up to the last time I saw him– the man is an elephant– he doesn’t forget! I love hearing his stories too– it’s like going to see an old friend who happens to be a dentist.
I am actually writing this review the day that Dr. F pulled my wisdom tooth. First tooth I have had pulled as an adult and he was fast and made me feel comfortable. If you are looking for a good dentist, I would highly recommend my doctor.

Dr. Fetterman is the MAN!!!
He explained everything that he was doing as he did it, and explained why he was doing it. If you are looking for a great dentist downtown in highly, highly suggest Dr. Fetterman.
The Anelya character below me must be quite abrasive to have had this response from Dr. F.

He kicked me out of the office almost as soon as I sat down in the chair, BECAUSE I asked him what’s is he planning to do?
He said: I DON“T THINK IT’S GOING TO WORK BETWEEN YOU AND ME!
That’s ridiculous!

I really like Dr. Fetterman. He’s nice, friendly, and makes me feel calm while at the dentist (which, believe you me, is not an easy task). I’ve recommended him to friends and I guess now I’m recommending him to strangers too. His staff is also very friendly and they can always make an appointment in a reasonable amount of time.

What a great dentist! From the moment I entered his office I was greeted witha warm welcome. Nice front desk staff. They were very knowledgable about insurance.
Dr. Fetterman was very kind and funny! It was like having Santa Claus work on my teeth. What could be better than that? He has a very gentle touch and conservative approach. He didn’t try to push any treatments or products on me, as many other dentists do. His assistant was also very jolly, and informed me of many sales going on in the area. (She and I had just discussed Loemann’s boot sale.) Afterward, Dr. Kim Mitchell, his associate cleaned my teeth. She was also very gentle. I WILL be returning!
4/13/09**Had an emergency! Cracked a tooth this weekend. He saw me during his lunch hour. I’m as good as new

When I moved back to San Francisco more than five years ago now, I took the very high recommendation of my aunt who has been going to Dr. Fetterman more than 40 (yes, forty) years. Well, now I know why she’s stayed with him so long; he is everyone’s dream dentist. He’s friendly, professional and competent. He’s always generous with compliments. (I love that he tells every woman she’s beautiful!) He’s conservative in that he doesn’t perform unnecessary work (I’ve had my share of dentists «creating» treatments to meet their own financial needs.) I don’t ever remember a visit to Dr. Fetterman being painful or uncomfortable (physically or mentally.)
I can see why, with the exception of one individual, there is unanimous high praise for Dr. Fetterman here. (About Aimee F’s review, cancer of the teeth and glowing gums? Someone needs to go back to eighth grade science!)

Love this guy. Super nice, and so are his staff. The first time I went he cleaned my teeth and was talking to me the whole time. Which I found a bit odd, but whatever. The second time I went the oral hygienist did her thing and then he checked my teeth. Seriously if you need a dentist in SF, Dr. Fetterman is your man.

I can’t offer the rave reviews that others have. Dr. Fetterman creeps me out. Mostly because, the first time I went to his office, he probed my mouth (not too deeply, but still) WITHOUT GLOVES.
I had Nadia as a hygienist and it was the most painful cleaning I have ever had. I have never had a cavity: I know what I am doing as far as my teeth go (although, I will admit, I hadn’t been to the dentist in almost 2 years). Usually, there is a trace of blood at my dental cleanings, but there were serious blobs of blood coming out when I spit. She kept telling me to floss but also that my teeth «weren’t bad.» Then Dr. Fetterman (who told me I am beautiful at least twice during the appointment, thereby magnifying the creepiness of my experience) came in and raved about how great my mouth looked. He asked how I felt about my teeth and I said «Good, but they’re a little yellow… I’ll just get some Whitestrips.» He replied, «Those don’t work [I have had other dentists tell me they work just fine]. You should have it done in the office here.» «How much does that cost?» «$ 500, and you can always come back for a touch up.» «Yeah, I can’t afford cosmetic procedures not covered by my insurance. Thanks anyway.» «Well, we do a lot of work to whiten them. We take a mold of your teeth and then you get a tray that fits you perfectly and…» etc. I was semi-​peeved at this point. Peevishness escalated when I was asked to come back for an xray appointment. Don’t xrays take approximately 5 minutes to perform? Couldn’t we just do it then?
I came back a week later for the appointment. I have never had more than 6 xrays done at a time (usually 4), but Dr. Fetterman (after telling me that «We have this new thyroid collar on the lead apron, ’cause glands really hate xrays! Haha!») gave me no fewer than 12. I will probably have cancer of the teeth in a few years or maybe glowing gums; the only solace I found was in reminding myself that I get xrays very infrequently.
I won’t go back to Dr. Fetterman’s office.

Thank you Unilocalers! Your recommendation to Dr. Fetterman was spot on! I’ve not been to a dentist in more YEARS than I care to admit to. He’s gentle, funny, nice and a class act!
His dental hygenist, Nadia, inflicted pain on me but i really NEEDED a good clean! And she did an amazing job! My gums were aching after but my teeth felt cleaner than they had ever been!

I hate dentists but have only really trusted one, the same one, since I was 14. I’ve lived in the city since I graduated college and even then, I drove to San Jose to go to my dentist there.
So, when I had a dental emergency, couldn’t see myself driving to SJ and was finally resolved to getting a dentist in the city, I found Dr. Fetterman.
And man, did I luck out! He was funny, nice, gentle — and told me that I didn’t have to have a root canal, that I was just stressed and that awful throbbing pain was due to stress. Then he made me laugh because he blamed it on my being a newlywed.
So yeah, efficient, knowledgable and calming.
Everything you want in a guy who wields a drill.

Dr. Fetterman is great. I’ve been seeing him for about seven or eight years now (since I moved to the City). He took out my wisdom teeth (all four) when they needed it, and has replaced a lot of my old fillings from childhood. He’s very skilled and very concerned that everything feels right when he’s done. As everyone else has mentioned, he is very friendly and funny. I actually look forward to seeing him. He hasn’t told me I’m pretty, but he has complimented my socks.
The dental hygienist is, er, efficient, it’s true, but she’s really very nice (maybe because I *do* floss).

Aw, I love this guy. But that’s probably because he told me I’m pretty. And he cleaned my teeth with his own two hands. He is very gentle. And he told me I’m pretty.

I am a dental-phobe…I avoided the dentist like the plague for almost five years until I realized I was paying for dental insurance and I might as well freakin’ use it. When I went to Dr. Fetterman’s, I was put at ease. He is great — friendly and funny, and his wife (his dental assistant) is so sweet. Everything was pretty painless, even when I had to get a crown put on my back molar. The only thing I don’t like about his office is that they are kind of «old school». My friend, who is a dental hygenist, says I should look for a new office with more hi-​tech features… but for now, I’ll stick with Dr. Fetterman :)

A refuge for those of us who don’t thrive on semi-​annual trips to the dentist. If your hand slips off the doorhandle of your dentist because it’s sweating too much, give Dr. Fetterman a try. Awesome guy — funny, skillful, patient, and into his work. The man loves teeth. Ask him questions about what’s wrong with yours, and you’ll get a great education along with clean teeth. «Helga» is still there, I think — but hey, you want clean? She’s got your clean, pal!
Seriously, this is the only place I’ll go. Five stars.