Powell Pediatric Dentistry
Opening Hours
Patient Reviews
Dara M
We moved to the Central Valley end of last year. Based on alot of reviews/recommendations, we booked our 4 year old son at Powell Dentistry (Clovis location, off Herndon) last week for his annual check up and to establish care. My son has level 1, high functioning autism, as I told them prior, which they understood. His appt did not go well. I'm not sure if everyone who talked positively about their children's experience at this location got lucky with an understanding dental assistant or was given a discount for a review, but our experience was horrible. They were not understanding and accommodating when clearly my son was showing signs of distress because the dental assistant assigned to him kept forcing him to sit on the patient chair. He didn't want to. When we eventually got him comfortable to sit on the chair, they needed him to lie down for the xray photos. My son didn't want to lie down. He was scared and unfamiliar with the device and especially freaked out with the weighted vest they use to protect the upper body when taking the xray photos. It took alot of baby steps and convincing to get him comfortable - the dental assistant kept disappearing whispering into her headset and was very slow to get anything done. My son doesn't like being confined especially with what seems like a heavy "stray jacket" and he doesn't like laying down. I asked if they can take the photos with him sitting on the chair because that's how far of a progress they're going to get out of him for xray photos. They said "No, he has to lie down on the chair, with the vest on, and he cannot move". The imaging device they use is a handheld portable device. I understand if it was attached to a big machine or had restricted cords - but com'on serious? The dental assistant kept saying it was impossible to take xray photos during his first visit so we will have to visit 2-3 times to get him comfortable..... for xray photos. Mind you, this is the bare minimum beginning stages of establishing care. He was comfortable enough at his first appt where xray photos could've been executed. We made progress to get him on the chair. I told them, "What if he will never lie down for the xray photos? What happens then? He doesn't like being confined, so either he sits up with the weighted vest on him and you take the xray photos or you get nothing in the end." The dental assistant kept implying their protocol was the only way. Our last dentist (in the bay area) accommodated to our son. They never once forced him to the sit on the chair. They let him get comfortable wherever he felt safest and they brushed/checked his teeth while he was up and moving around. When they got xray photos, they let him sit on my lap with the weighted vest on and got photos done in less than 5 minutes! So I'm a little frustrated that Powell Dentistry (in Clovis, off Herndon) and/or the dental assistant was not accommodating at all. As a business that claims to work with or accept patients of all kind - you can't force a nuerodivergent/special needs kid to reform to your standards. You work with them. You get down to their level. I think it's ridiculous to have us do 2-3 visits.... just to see if my son will allow them to get xray photos and even then it is not a guaranteed. The photos could've been done with him already on the chair, he eventually got comfortable, but no, now they want to exclude him at his next visit into a "quiet room" / separate room and we have to repeat the process. I know my child, and that approach won't work. It's more confinement, which he hates. Overall, we did not have a good experience with the dental assistant assigned to us. Proper training would be advised or some compassion and understanding for a child clearly in distress and then rushing us to leave since he wasn't "cooperating" when progress was made.
Tiffany Turner
Absolutely loved this place and experience. We didn't have to wait to be taken back. Both the assistant and the dentist were so so patient and very nice. This was my daughter's first dentist appointment and I couldn't be happier. All the staff were very nice and my daughter loved the play area and the book and balloon she got to take home. She didn't want to leave. Thank you!!
Rosa Toscano Valle
The staff is amazing here! Isaiha was amazing I’m sure I spelled his name wrong! My daughter loves going to the dentist. My son on the other hand he does not do well at the dentist BUT the staff is amazing that it’s just learning process for all of us.
Nina Gaeta
Took my son for the first time last week and was terrified about how he would react… the whole experience was AMAZING! The dental hygienist and dentist were so kind, patient and informative. I am so glad we found this place.
Abi
My daughter has been going here for multiple years and every time she has said her experience is awful. The hygienists are impolite and inconsiderate. My daughter has always had a fear of dentists and bringing her to Powell Dentistry always makes it worse. And when we voice our concerns of her having panic attacks or meltdowns, the hygienists do not listen and proceed to LAUGH AT HER while she is experiencing these emotions. When bringing her to get a cavity filled, we told them about my daughters' nerves and the promised her nitrous to calm her, but instead they gave her full oxygen, splashed water at her, and would not let her listen to her own music. I hope to never bring her back here, as it is taking a toll on all of us severely.