The Center For Aesthetic Dentistry

I’ve worked with a lot of dentists in San Francisco and this office happens to have some of the best clinicians I’ve ever known. Please don’t let the negative reviews turn you off– those people have no true concept of value and would probably be better served at a cheap office with the dental work to match.
Dr. Bellen, longtime owner of this practice has always charged a little more because he only works on you one at a time and he takes his time doing it. The dentists who charge a fraction of what he does can do so because they’re seeing four other patients at the same time– not the best way to receive healthcare of any type in my opinion.
I’d like to make another correction– Dr. Chiem has not taken over this practice and no longer works there. Dr. Bellen, now retired, has left his patients in the care of Dr. Eric Benson. Dr. Benson has spent more time and money on continuing education than most of the dentists I know and he has the skills to prove it– he’s been trained by some of the most talented dentists in the world.
For those of you who have been with Dr. Bellen over the years, I would strongly recommend that you stick with Dr. Benson– he was hand-​chosen by Dr. Bellen to take over the care of his patients and friends that he has treated for so many years. I highly recommend Dr. Benson for your dental care. You will be in very capable hands and he’s a super nice guy too!
Oh and I have to add that this is one of the only dental offices in 450 Sutter that has it’s own restroom, which is really more like walking into a day spa. No running down the hall and up/​down stairs (with a key attached to a toothbrush) to the bathroom if you’re a patient here. The Center for Aesthetic Dentistry is all about your care and comfort!

I can’t believe I’ve been waiting more than 10 years to ream this scam-​a-​rama!
$ 400 for a two-​surface filling x 2 = $ 800. Yes, that was over 10 years ago. I remember getting angry that my insurance company would only reimburse $ 200 for each tooth, so I called and gave them a piece of my mind. They explained how the rates are determined (based on the going rate for a particular area), so I decided to do my own research to prove them wrong.
Well, unfortunately, they weren’t lying. I called around to several dentists within the same zip code (at the time, this place was located on Battery St.). The first thing that all of the dentists asked me was the procedure number (after they asked me if I was sure I hadn’t received a root canal for $ 400 per tooth). Of course, I didn’t have that because this place didn’t even give me the correct paperwork. When I called to get it, the jerky office manager was reluctant to give it to me. When I finally *did* get the procedure number, I called three different dentists and the highest amount that I could find that any other dentist charged for a similar procedure was $ 180.
$ 180?! Uh, kind of a big difference between $ 400 and $ 180.
What’s sad is that when I mentioned the name of my dentist (when I was so shocked to find out how little I could have paid… even at a dentist in the Embarcadero Center), none of them were surprised. One of them even started laughing because she’d heard the same story from other people! Apparently, this dude is notorious.
Don’t even get me started on the three times I had to go back to get one of the fillings fixed (from scratch) because I couldn’t even floss between the two teeth without feeling like I was reliving a scene from «Marathon Man»! My current dentist recently had to replace that particular filling. I explained that I had problems in the past with that filling and he explained that it was due to having too much filling in the tooth. I’m no expert, but that seems kind of elementary, doesn’t it?
Oh, and before you say that I should have asked an estimate before I had the work done, you can bite me. I’ve always gone to honest dentists (yes, there are a few around) and I never thought that I’d have to get an estimate for a couple of simple fillings!
Whew, that feels better!

Dr. Bellen was great when he was the dentist at this practice. Unfortunately, he is on medical leave, and a Dr. Chiem has taken over the practice. I have been very disappointed with the inferior service Dr. Chiem provided to me. I hope Dr. Bellen recovers soon — both for his practice and his patients.

Jerry Bellen DDS and his receptionist, George, will NOT return my $ 1,500 that I placed as a down payment. After thinking it over I demanded my down payment and my x-​rays I paid for and I was refused by «George» who said Jerry Bellen was «ill». STAY AWAY!

I had not been to the dentist in about 10+yrs but when I walked into Dr. Bellen’s office (note: the new location is at 450 Sutter st suite 1023 — which I do not like as much as the old place but it is all about the work they do — which is the best!!) I felt at ease. I actually like going to the dentists now, if you can believe that! Almost in a weird way, but the staff makes you feel comfortable, and everyone is very informative on the procedures you are getting.
I feel like family when I am in the waiting room and their #1 patient when in the chair. I have spent about 10k in about 2yrs and have another 10k worth of overlays to get done, but the work they do tops any other dentist I have been to or heard of, so again; if you want the best, this is the place to go!
The only downside is the coverage (though I am not covered anyhow) they do not accept most (if any) insurance, In fact except for cases involving fractures or other pathological conditions, there is rarely insurance coverage! So be prepared to invest in yourself…