Smart Start Dental, Oakland, CA

About Smart Start Dental

Smart Start Dental is a pediatric-focused dental clinic serving families in Oakland, CA. They specialize in gentle, comprehensive care for children and teens, including sedation dentistry for anxious patients. Services include pediatric exams and cleanings, emergency dentistry, sedation dentistry, and preventative care. Located in Pinole, they serve the greater East Bay area with convenient Saturday appointments. Trusted since 1979, they accept Medi-Cal and Denti-Cal to make quality dental care accessible for all.

What Customers Are Saying 20 reviews

The life of Ali Leyva Google

★★★★★

May 31, 2025

We loved every minute of our visit! Everyone was super nice, and the doctor was amazing. Thanks for making my baby's dental appointment easier and pleasant.

Owner Response

We're thrilled your little one had a great experience at Smart Start Dental in Oakland. Our team loves providing gentle pediatric dentistry. Can't wait to see you again!

Renee Strong-McDaniel Google

★★★★★

May 31, 2025

Very nice representative, was not rude even though I didn’t have insurance card or referral and very thorough visit addressed all concerns! Highly recommend this place!

Carmen Fernandez Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

Great spot for kids' dental checkups in Oakland. Plenty of parking and the office is always clean. Staff are friendly—especially the black-haired girl at the front desk. For a fast visit, grab the 7am slot. All the dentists are great.

Owner Response

Thanks for the shoutout! We're glad you enjoyed your visit to Smart Start Dental in Oakland. Our team works hard to make pediatric care easy and stress-free. See you next time!

Wake up Jeff Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

This was my daughter's second cleaning visit. Just like the first, the staff were friendly and helpful. They found cavities and took care of them right away, even though they were busy. No need for another appointment. - Bruce Keo

Owner Response

Bruce, thanks for bringing your daughter to Smart Start Dental in Oakland. We're glad we could handle the cavities during her same visit. Looking forward to her next cleaning!

Kelly J Google

★★★★☆

Apr 26, 2025

The receptionist with the long name was super patient and attentive. After my younger son's dental exam in Oakland, she helped us schedule the next appointment and gave me the forms to take home since my older boy is coming in next week. The X-ray technician was kind and patient too—my 7-year-old felt no discomfort and cooperated the whole time. The dentist carefully explained his dental issues based on the X-rays and gave us treatment recommendations. Only downside was parents couldn't go with their kids during the cleaning.

Owner Response

Thanks for sharing your experience at Smart Start Dental in Oakland. We're glad our team made your son comfortable during his pediatric care visit. We hear your concern about not accompanying children during cleanings—we'll review our policy to see if we can adjust while maintaining safety. Hope to see you again!

Don Alonzo Black Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

I made a smart choice picking Smart Start. My son was in pain from dental issues, and the staff really cared. They did a thorough assessment and came up with a plan. He left smiling and pain-free, and now he gets why brushing and flossing matter.

Owner Response

We're so happy your son is pain-free and smiling! At Smart Start Dental in Oakland, we love helping families with pediatric dentistry. Thanks for trusting us—see you at his next checkup!

Karla M. Abarca-Hernandez Google

★☆☆☆☆

Apr 26, 2025

Don't take your kids here. Front desk is nice and tries to help, but they always take your kids to the back where you can't see what's happening. When you ask questions or have concerns, they get mad and make you feel uncomfortable in front of your children. No manager available.

Owner Response

We're sorry you felt this way at Smart Start Dental in Oakland. We understand wanting to be with your child during treatment. We'll review our policy to allow parents in the treatment area when possible. Please contact our office to discuss your concerns further.

moises ledesma Google

★★★☆☆

Apr 26, 2025

I went here as a kid and it was good. But as an adult, the reception people are rude and don't answer the phone—except for one Latina lady who's been there for years, she's the best. The doctors are cool and I like their work. It'd be better with better reception staff.

Owner Response

Thanks for your honest feedback. We're glad you like our dental care at Smart Start Dental in Oakland. We'll work on improving front desk responsiveness and phone coverage. We hope to see you again for your next cleaning.

Abdulrihman Alshehari Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

I had a fantastic experience at Smart Start Dental. The staff were incredibly friendly and professional. They cleaned my teeth thoroughly, and the results were amazing. Highly recommend!

Alyssa Singer Google

★★★☆☆

Apr 26, 2025

I have an appointment for Monday Feb 10 at 11am, I've been trying for a week to call and cancel. The phone has not been answered when I call and voice mail is full. The text message system says reply c to confirm but does not give an option to cancel and does nothing when you say cancel. There is no email address for the business. Please confirm the cancellation.

Marshique west Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

My 5 year old is extremely comfortable going to this office. All of the staff is nice, theril and gentle with him. He didn't want to leave today...

Maria Santos Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

I’ve been taking my children here for 13 years since my oldest was struggling with letting dentist do anything to him I was referred to this dentist & been coming since.After new ownership took over a couple years back every visit has been great.They treat my children with such good care.So driving 30min just to bring them here is nothing because of the great care & professionalism.100% recommended.

Stephanie Lee Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2025

Awesome Service thank you so much. My son had a lot of work done to his mouth. I was so afraid and scared he was gonna be by his self but I just thank God that the nurses in the dentist they were all awesome thank you God bless you all.

Bell H Google

★☆☆☆☆

Apr 26, 2024

This is not a welcoming place for black women. I was accosted by the short heavy set male receptionist. He was unprofessional, impolite, and gave snarky answers. When I asked for the manager's name, he said 'she doesn't have one.' He called me a monkey! Then lied to security in Spanish, but I understood every word. I had a witness.

Owner Response

We take this very seriously. At Smart Start Dental in Oakland, we have zero tolerance for discrimination. We are investigating the incident and the staff member involved. Please contact us directly so we can address this properly and make things right.

Mona Alhandarish Google

★☆☆☆☆

Apr 26, 2024

Took my daughter out of school for an 11am appointment, didn’t get attended for an hour and a half and still wanted us to wait another 45 mins. Ridiculous. We left without getting any service done because the doctor does not know how to do the treatment that my daughter was supposed to do. What is the point of an appointment if the doctor does not know what to do.

Josefina Avila Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2024

Staff and X-ray tech and Dr was very attentive to my son that has a disability., made it very comfortable for him to actually get some X-rays and a cleaning done also And explain his treatment plan to me!. Thank you smart start dental!.☺️

Sheilacy Owens Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2024

The staff here are friendly, down-to-earth, and professional. The dentists are exceptional too. I like how they break things down—if you don't understand, they help you. They always let you know what's in your best interest. They really care.

Owner Response

We appreciate your kind words! At Smart Start Dental in Oakland, we're passionate about patient education and preventive dentistry. Thanks for trusting us with your care.

Janisha Christian Google

★☆☆☆☆

Apr 26, 2023

This has nothing to do with the services, but the front desk lady is extremely rude and unprofessional. I called to schedule an appointment for my child and her tone was terrible. When I called back, she deliberately didn't answer after 8 tries. Little did she know, my child's father was in the office watching her ignore the phone. I had to send him inside to schedule while he was with our other kid across the hall. I'll be contacting a supervisor and am tempted to cancel.

Owner Response

We're sorry for this experience at Smart Start Dental in Oakland. This isn't the level of service we aim for. We'll address the front desk behavior and ensure our team answers calls promptly. Please reach out to our manager directly so we can make things right.

Christopher Martinez Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2022

This dentist is a great place to bring your kids. All of my kids have been coming here for years now and it’s always been a painless process. From checkups to cleanings the staff is always very professional and they create a safe space for my kids. I love bringing my kids here because I know what I’m getting—sufficient staff and great work done. Thank you guys and gals for being THE BEST DENTIST OFFICE EVER!

Yavan Foster Google

★★★★★

Apr 26, 2022

I went in last week for a routine cleaning as I haven’t had one since before Covid. I am usually a little nervous at the dentists but the doctors and staff at Smart Start dental were amazing and put my nerves at ease. The staff was very friendly and professional and took care of all my needs. 10/10 would recommend

Offerings

Brushing Tips Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Implants Digital X-Rays Emergency Dentistry Exams and Cleanings Flossing Tips Intraoral Cameras Oral Cancer Screenings Orthodontics Pediatric Care Pediatric Dentistry Periodontics Preventative Dentistry Sedation Dentistry Teeth Whitening

Service Options

Accepts new patients Appointment required Appointments recommended Checks Cosmetic dentistry Credit cards Debit cards Emergency services LGBTQ+ friendly Mask required NFC mobile payments Onsite services Payment plans Pediatric care Restroom Sedation dentistry Staff get temperature checks Staff required to disinfect surfaces between visits Staff wear masks Wheelchair accessible entrance Wheelchair accessible parking lot Wheelchair accessible restroom Wheelchair accessible seating

Get in Touch

+1 510-568-3577 Visit Website

Business Hours

Monday	7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tuesday	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Wednesday	7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Thursday	9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Friday	7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Saturday	7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Sunday	Closed

Location

8201 Edgewater Dr #106
Oakland, CA 94621

Service Areas

Oakland, CA Pinole, CA

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