Nip Charles DDS & Associates

Dr. Charles Nip is my family’s dentist. He is very professional compare with numbers of dentists that my parents and sisters have visited.
Dr. Charles is a very caring and patient dentist that his opinions always help and work. Not only my family members, also my colleagues all consider him as the best dentists in San Francisco.
Moreover, the attitude of the staffs are so friendly that make us feel comfortable during the visits!

It was my very first time at this dental office and called to schedule an appointment for a teeth cleaning. I went in, filled out the paperwork and took the x-​rays only to find that they had no intention of cleaning my teeth. Instead, a dentist (or dental ass’t?) spent five minutes looking at my mouth. She told me that my gums were «in very bad shape» and that I needed a thorough gum cleaning at the cost of $ 650 — and that’s after my insurance kicked in.
I see the dentist every 6 months and have never had a dentist tell me that my gums are even in moderately poor shape.
I have been hearing more and more people have this happen to them at dental offices all over so be cautious! As for me, I’m finding another dentist to go to.

I’ve been going to the Nip Dental Group for years and they’ve always been friendly, on-​time, and efficient. They’re technologically up to date with tvs in every room to view xrays immediately, appointment texts, etc.
Dr. Charles Nip was my dentist to start, but he is now semi retired and now I go to Dr. Christiaan Nip. He’s always been on time, quick and great to converse with — even while he’s cleaning my teeth!
I also have receding gums due to braces which have weakened the gum line. Dr. Nip talked to the oral surgeon in their office about my situation and personally talked to me afterwards. He didn’t push the operation on me and said it was my choice since in my particular case, it’s more cosmetic than necessary. I appreciate the honesty.
I’ve also referred several friends who never went to the dentist until their teeth hurt and Dr. Nip accommodated them with last minute appointments, root canals, and whatever they needed.

All in all unimpressed!
Only three I was satisfied with were Angie the professional receptionist, Peggy the cheery assistant, and Dr. Lai who’s no longer with them since 2009.
Major disappointments:
1. I was referred here because of Dr. Ja’s and Dr. Nip’s reputation, both of whom don’t accept new patients (or at least my husband and I haven’t seen since coming here in 2008).
2. Procedures are done without first advising or reviewing the cost impact. In 2008, I spent over $ 500 out-​of-​pocket because insurance didn’t cover. As you all know, 2008 wasn’t the year when there was much discretionary money laying around for most, I wasn’t an exception. So a courtesy check would’ve been nice.
3. I was overcharged by about $ 150. Granted they reimbursed me. However, it took a bit of research on my part — rummaging through plan’s schedule of benefits, decoding the lingo — and had I never looked closer at my statement, it would’ve been theirs.
.and just in June 2009:
4. They’re other receptionist, Vanessa, was the classic customer service staff you’d HATE to ever experience — rude, unhelpful, answering as if reciting from a script, don’t listen to your concerns or situation, and oh by the way, RUDE!
5. I went in for my annual cleaning last week. After a bit of confusion surrounding my insurance, they finally received my plan’s refax of eligibility. Only thing is they’re asking me to pay $ 15 copay when my plan clearly states it’s covered in full.
6. Parking isn’t easy around the area — your typical SF downtown meters and residential spaces that are usually taken within 30 seconds of someone leaving. After the long confusion with that painful Vanessa lady, I came back to a $ 50 parking ticket. I guess it’s the cherry on top of the overall BAD experience.
That’s it! I’m actively looking for a new dentist office and refuse to return to this one for any more visits.
My thoughts if you’re on the fence: If all you need is the basics, I’m sure this place will serve fine. But if you’re like me, hoping for a friendly, professional experience atop of some competence, then you may want to turn while you can.