Luis Barr, DDS

I’ve been a patient here for a year. Dr. Barr is very friendly and competent. I had a serious dental issues that had been improperly fixed by another dentist and while I ended up needing a crown, Dr. Barr did everything right and with a minimum of pain and trouble. I also get cleanings here twice a year and they do a good job. I don’t think they try to sell stuff or make needless recommendations like some dentists do. I’m very happy with the practice.

Been a patient here for over years with no complaints, they have always been flexible with me even when i was late for appointments etc. I would highly RECOMMEND them to anyone looking for a general dentist.

I was a patient of Dr. Barr’s off and on from 2006 to 2011 because his office didn’t always accept my current insurance. Here are my major issues with Dr. Barr’s office:
First, every time I’ve gone in over the last 10 years I’ve told them I have severe adverse reactions to local anesthetic, so I’ve only ever gotten cavities using gas — including my root canal. Shortly after my root canal back when I was still a fairly new patient, Dr. Barr stuck me with a needle with NO warning. I was out of work for 2 days in excruciating pain. I barely got an apology.
When I called last year to set up an appointment for a cleaning, I was told that I had a balance for a cleaning appointment back in 2011 (which should have been covered 100%) and would have to pay that before they would schedule me a new appointment. The staff member I spoke to was extremely rude and unhelpful. When I checked my insurance claims history I found out they had NEVER even submitted an insurance claim. It took weeks and several calls to their office before they would re-​submit the claim and correct the error they made in the first place.
Today was the last straw. Because it had been more than a year since my last appointment, they make you come in for two separate appointments — an «exam» with bite wing x-​rays (which lasted all of 15 minutes today), and a separate appointment for the cleaning. I haven’t gone back before today because it’s too hard for me to take off of work for 2 dentist appointments so close together. I called last week and was told that there was a cancellation today for a cleaning at 3:00, so they could actually schedule the exam for 2:00 and be able to do both in the same day. It’s the ONLY reason I accepted the appointment and took off of work. Today they said they had already recycled my file (even though I had been in the office less than 4 years ago), and the cancellation had been for 2:00 — the same time as my exam appointment. They told me this AFTER I already had the 15 minute exam with Dr. Barr. NO apology, no accommodation or anything except for telling me I could come back 2 hours later… which would cost me the rest of my afternoon and I had already scheduled appointments with clients for the afternoon.
Today Dr. Barr also told me that he no longer used gas because he is sensitive to it, which is contrary to what I was told on the phone when I specifically asked. Instead of offering to ask if Dr. Schneiderman would do my filling that I need to have done, he tried to force local anesthetic on me — even though I repeatedly told him that my adverse reactions were extremely painful and would cost me days of work. His response was — «we can schedule it for the end of the day.» Seriously??? What kind of doctor forces a painful procedure on you just to fill a cavity?
Definitely NOT worth going back. It’s really frustrating that this office wasted my afternoon, yet again, and now I’ll be looking for a new dentist. I guess after all these years I should’ve known better than to give this office another chance.

This review is based solely on my over-​the-​phone experience with two members of the office staff. I found this dentist’s name on my insurance provider’s website. I called to make an appointment and was immediately confronted with an extremely unhappy and unenthusiastic person who answered the phone. I asked whether the doctor was taking new patients, and you’d have though I’d asked her if I could kick her dog. She have me an abrupt «Yes,» followed by silence. I continued with the conversation and said I wanted an appointment with Dr. Barr, she responded, «what insurance do you have?» When I told her, she said, «You’ll have to talk to Keisha. She’s out of the office right now. Please hold.» After holding for a few minutes, another lady spoke to me and informed me that the office doesn’t take my insurance. I told her that I’d gotten the doctor’s name and number directly from my insurance provider’s website. She then told me that they stopped taking my insurance (along with a slew of other insurance companies, which she listed) years ago, but that the insurance companies refuse to remove their office’s info from the website.
The fact that the office doesn’t take my insurance, despite being listed on the insurance provider’s website was weird. But the attitudes of the office staff was really frustrating. The exact same message could have been conveyed with less sarcasm, less aggression, and a little friendliness. It would have made a world of difference.

Some of the reviews I’ve read are disturbing because I can’t imagine those conversations or events occurring some reviewers seem hypersensitive or high maintenance. No dentist will treat your teeth without an X-​ray. A past X-​ray would certainly be an acceptable alternative within a proper time. I wouldn’t have my checkups and cleanings with getting the tiny teeth X-​rays. If I couldn’t get those, I’d find an alternative way to evaluate my teeth.
Anyway, I first went to Dr. Barr in 2006 and am still going to him.
I had one hygienist in 2008 who was difficult. Actually, she was downright rude and combative, but I’ve never seen her again. The two other hygienists I hsbe seen every 6 months since then are excellent professionals. I highly recommend them.
When I first went to Dr. Barr I did not have to schedule 2 appts fir xrays and cleaning and I can’t imagine anyone having to do so. That seems like a self– destructive business practice and super inefficient.
When I have refused x-​rays because of financial constraints, Dr. Barr has been more than understanding and we’ve waited until my next visit.
Paula has been exceptionally kind over the years with helping in scheduling and dealing with insurance.
In my last panoramic, Dr. Barr was concerned about a very very microscopic spot you wouldn’t see with a naked eye. I honestly didn’t see anything in the xray. Dr. Barr referred me to an Endodontist in the same bldg, Dr. Pascal, who did a tooth ctscan just to make sure.
Turns out I had a serious and large infection very deep in a tooth. The nerves were dead but the tooth never changed color do I had no idea anything was wrong. Dr. Barr’s intuition helped me get a necessary root canal that was so intensive, it required 5 visits to Dr. Pascal (who I also highly recommend). It is now healing properly. But I feel they both caught and addressed the infection just in time and have worked hard to save my tooth.
Dr. Barr did the final work on the post canal buildup of the tooth but it was $ 372 for a15 minute job to fill in around a root canal. When I made the appt on the phone, the lady at the front desk said, «Great! Well see you next Monday.» When I showed up that Monday, a different woman (again, not Paula, told me my appt was for the next Monday.
This situation was particularly annoying bc I paid $ 18 to rush to that appt in the cab. I sent an email requesting that the $ 18 be deducted from the $ 372 procedure but never received a response. I like Dr. Barr and Paula and Dr. Schneidermann too much to make an issue of it.
$ 18 isn’t a lot to some people but I’m a full time graduate student living on Stafford Loans and babysitting money. I was super annoyed because it was during semester finals when I had zero extra time.
I’m a 90% fan of Dr. Barr’s practice but definitely recommend him. I’ve had a few annoying experiences but Dr. Barr is a professional who is great at what he does. He has never annoyed me and i think he is a great person. He always has a conversation with me about my life and asks questions. His «bedside manner» is super great, especially if you’re a Texan or southerner who values substantive relationships or conversations with those whom you do business. I like feeling I matter to the person getting serious money for my dental care, which is incredibly expensive without insurance.
I will go back to Dr. Barr as long as I live in DC. He’s only the 2^nd dentist I’ve had in 30+ years.
Addendum:
Finally, after my tooth infection completely heals, Dr. Schneiderman will facilitate my invisiline this fall. It is super convenient to be able to have it done in the same office.
Verdict: Dr. Barr is a nice guy who saved my tooth and makes sure my teeth are in the healthiest condition. I definitely recommend him and strongly disagree with the one star assessments.

Medium.
Pros: The woman who cleaned my teeth was gentle, and it actually felt good having her scrape my teeth with her metal tool. Dr. Barr is friendly.
Con: The dentist office makes you make TWO separate appointments for your initial check-​up and your initial cleaning (whereas every other dentist I have been to or heard of does this both in one appointment). Then, if you take too long to come back for your next visit (over a year, I think), you once again have to have two separate appointments for another ketchup and another cleaning. It was difficult explaining to my boss why I had to ask for another sick day for another dentist apt, when I just had one.

I have been going to Dr. Barr for 7+ yrs and would not change him with anyone else for as long as I live in the area. He has done great work with my teeth and am very pleased with his expertise. His staff is also very kind and thorough. I have recommended my friends and colleagues who are now regulars of Dr. Barr. I would highly recommend him.

I just made a dental appointment and it occured to me to Unilocal about my dentist. Dr Barr has been my dentist for a couple of years, after many years of bad dentistry and a sort of hopeless feeling about my teeth. He is always positive, mostly painless and ever accomplished. Unlike my previous dealings with dentistry, Dr Barr provides a clear path to (in my case) rebuilding my smile. He seems to get it right the first time. I am so relieved to have found him. The anxiety that had haunted me for years is now just a memory.
I’m sure this review seems a little over the top. But I can’t help it. The Dr really has been great.

I’m a new patient to Dr. Barr, but after my initial patient exam and first cleaning, I am definitely satisfied with his business.
On my first visit, Dr. Barr was very thorough in going over my dental history, current medications and how they affect my oral health, where I’ve lived (for info on fluoride in the water) and made some great (and easy) recommendations for my everyday care. I felt very comfortable with him and his easy going yet detailed nature.
His hygienist at my first cleaning was thorough, very gentle, and quick so that I was in and out in less than 45 minutes, which was great considering I did the cleaning on my lunch break. She also re-​did my panoramic X-​rays in about 5 minutes since I couldn’t recall the last time I got them done.
The facility at Dr. Barr’s office is also exceptional — very clean, nicely laid out, and because it’s on the 9^th floor in a building in Dupont, you get a BEAUTIFUL view while you’re laying in that chair. I certainly hope I never have to sit it in for very long, but if I did, I could never get enough of that view!
How I really knew that Dr. Barr was good was when a couple of my co-​workers and I went to lunch last week after one of them had just scheduled a cleaning with her dentist. Turns out that she, and another co-​worker at the table, also go to Dr. Barr. And we didn’t even know it! If you’ve got a good dentist, stick with him!
Lastly, both Dr. Barr and his hygienist complimented my teeth and asked if I had had braces. Of course I did (no one’s teeth look this fabulous naturally), but I like me some flattery from time to time :)

This is my first time posting anything on Unilocal but I thought it necessary to share my experience with Dr.Barr. In sum, he is the worst dentist that I have ever experienced. I am a cancer survivor who had radiation to my neck when I was a teenager. Because of this experience, I am wary of dental xrays and try to minimize the number of xrays that I have (every 3 years or so). I went into Schneiderman and Barr this week for a cleaning and was told that I had to have xrays. However, my previous xrays were less than two years old. I have nothing wrong with my mouth and requested that I skip the xrays and just have a cleaning. I told Dr. Barr that I would be more than willing to sign a consent form to skip the xrays or to talk to Dr. Schneiderman (my regular dentist) when he was back in the office to see if he really felt that the xrays were necessary. Dr. Barr refused to let the hygienist clean my teeth without the xrays. I left and will never go back there. I truly believe that dr Barr is desperate for as much revenue as he can sucker out of each patient that he has and does not feel he makes enough out of just a teeth cleaning. Please, do not use this practice. Since this experience, I have received loads of other dentist recommendations. There are plenty of other dentists in dc and dr. Barr does not deserve your business.

i loooove dr. barr. he is awesome. he replaced two fillings for me and i’ve never been kissed so gently with a needle. he was fast too… perfect results.
but even more than him, i loooove his staff and the lovely lady that spends the most time with me… i think her name is rebecca. i could be wrong. but names are irrelevant, she’s awesome. she is always chipper, even at 8am. she is blunt. and she can tell when i say i’m getting an electric toothbrush and i didn’t. she also can tell when i say i’m getting a mouth guard and i didn’t. i promise to stop lying to her when i return.
the receptionists are always helpful, friendly, and fast.
the services there are modern, happy endings are standard. just kidding, but they offer this cool tv thing that lets you see inside your mouth and it tests the density of your tooth for possible new cavity development (i think). i could be botching some of what the tv thing does but it’s still sweet. and you can access your stuff online which is nice.
i like going here b/​c it’s fast, it’s convenient… right across from the palm in dupont… and dr. barr is cool. he is a chill dude. he is relaxed and seems completely at ease.
definitely check this place out, it’s a great office.

I am picky about dentists. Very picky. For the first 25 years of my life I went to one dentist only, a family friend who cared for my sister and I like his own kids. During college and grad school, I’d schedule appointments while on school breaks, even paying for them myself after aging out of my parents’ insurance.
But when I graduated and moved to DC, I decided it was finally time to find a dentist that did not necessitate a 5 hour flight home. Unfortunately with the first few I tried, my new-​dentist fears were realized. And after one excruciatingly painful filling experience, I started thinking that 5 hours for a good dentist is not too bad after all. Luckily after that though, a co-​worker who is also very picky about dentists referred me to Dr. Barr, and I’m so glad she did.
I’ve been going to Dr. Barr for a few years now. My appointments (usually morning) start on time. The hygenists in the office are thorough and competent. I’ve also had Dr. Barr do a filling (virtually painless) and a cosmetic procedure that I’ve been very happy with.
I have to say that I was very surprised about the person who had the panoramic x-​rays done too early and had to pay out of pocket. When I first switched to Dr. Barr, they specifically asked when I’d last had the panex done, and made a notation in my chart at my next appointment when I brought that info in. Insurance covers them only about every 5 years and I’d had them recently at my prior dentist, so it wasn’t until this past visit that I was due, which the hygenist noted from my chart.
The only negative I would note is that cleaning appointments book several months in advance, which can be a pain when something comes up at work week-​of and you have to reschedule. The one time this happened to me, though, I asked to be put on a waiting list for cancellations, and was able to get an appointment the very next week.

I can only say good things about Dr. Barr. He seems to have the right balance between what needs to be done and what could be done if you want to spend more money. He was totally upfront with me. I’ve had some complicated stuff done and everything came out well — with no pain. He’s quick, confident, accurate, and good.
The front desk staff are as nice and competent as it gets. Ditto for the hygienists.
I’d recommend Dr. Barr — and his office — to anyone!

Now, now Lola S. Clearly something he said has angered you, but Dr. Barr is a fabulous dentist and I HIGHLY recommend him.
Trust me, someone who makes as many trips to the dentist as myself (love of sweets=cavities!) knows a great dentist when I come across one. And I’ve been to dentists on both coasts to boot.
Dr. Barr is very professional, easy-​going and tells you like it is. I trust his assessment and he’s always done a fantastic job on my chompers. I’ve seen him for cleanings, two small fillings and an overlay and all have been done satisfactorily.
I was recommended Dr. Barr by an old co-​worker whom has been bringing her family to him for years. I’ve been seeing Dr. Barr for two and a half years now. Receptionist staff is very friendly, just don’t always call and remind you of your appts. (which is a bit annoying when you book an appt. so far out) so make sure you’re on top of your appt. date/​time!

If you’re about to pay a lot of money to this guy, check him out in consumer checkbook. They do professional surveys and are not a hit or miss gossip level stuff like Unilocal.Last time I checked, his professional skill was rated B while there were many dentists whose professional skill was rated A. Who do you want to work on your teeth, someone whose skill level is just satisfactory or someone who’s excellent?
The only thing I’d recommend this dentist for is cleaning (which, of course, is done not by him but other staff who work at his office). I liked their thoroughness.
He was recommended to me by a person who never had him do any major work (crowns, bridges, etc). If you are going there based on someone recommending him to you, and you need major work, you owe it to yourself to ask whoever is recommending Dr Barr to you 1) has he ever done any major dental work for them (I’m not talking about fillings) 2) has it been 4 years since he did that work and is everything still okay (based on my research, most of major work should survive far beyond 4 yrs, more like a decade plus).
He did three crowns for me — 2 of which had to be replaced after 3 years (likely earlier but 3 yrs later is when I was told I’ll need it) and I just found out that the third will have to be replaced now too. This is thousands of dollars I paid to Dr Barr that I’ll have to pay again to have redone. I’ve been flossing and brushing religiously, after every meal.
My current dentist gives a guarantee for a crown for 4 years, by the way. Not Dr. Barr. I can’t afford taking chances on my teeth and paying a fortune for something I need to pay a fortune for again a couple of years later (hope you have better luck with him than I did), hence only two stars. My current dentist’s eyebrows shot up when I had to tell him how new those in need for replacement crowns were. Having been told by Dr Barr that those things usually last for at least 10 years and having brushed and flossed religiously, it’s quite disappointing to be back to square 1 and have to cough up some more thousands of dollars, again. Oh, I guess you could say it’s maybe not 100% Dr Barr’s fault, maybe there are some mysterious forces that caused this, but heck, after this experience I don’t care to stick with him to find out what the future holds.
One of Dr Barr’s favorite things to recommend to me was to have my wisdom teeth removed stating that I didn’t have enough space for them. So I go to an oral surgeon, the guy who actually does the removing — and guess what — he tells me that I have enough space for them and that he sees no need to remove them… oops.
Also, if you go to them, I recommend to watch what your insurance will pay for. I hope you’ll have better luck but he’s asked me to have some stuff done specifically stating it won’t cost me out of pocket (like «the big» Xray, the panoramic view that dentists take every 3 years) and then I ended up having to swallow the whole cost because they weren’t due yet, according to insurance (you’d think that after me going to their dental office exclusively for 4 years they could have told me that info).
I spent 4 years with this dentist, and this was probably 4 years too many.