Location: Hickory, NC, 655 Lenoir Rhyne Boulevard Southeast 28602
Phone: (828) 469-3000
Website: https://www.smilestarterdental.com/
4.3 out of 5 stars based on 462 reviews on Google.
Emm · 5 out of 5 stars · 5 months ago
My daughters had 3 appointments so far, she’s loved it. No bad experiences, she had a few cavities and even then there was no complaints or concerns. I was super nervous of letting her go back alone, but she does awesome:) Great staff! They’re very friendly, understanding, and supportive!
Bethea Schnuit · 1 out of 5 stars · 2 months ago
My son is on the spectrum and was having his first actual dental procedure done. His first filling. They refused to let me go back with him. I never went back after that and I never will. And I tell everyone in mom groups online about that experience as well.
Olivia Engle · 1 out of 5 stars · 6 months ago
I hate to right a review like this but I feel as a parent all parents should know this. So today my niece had a appointment today and she was getting a extraction and she was resisting it, they did the strap down method and had me hold her head down as she received the anesthesia with the needle in the mouth. Which is normal. What was not normal was the face of pain and pure torture she went through in her face and scream. When I say that was insane to see as a parent I ended up passing out in that dentist room seeing it. Then after about 10-20 minutes I was woken up and was still in shock my sister had requested they just ended it which they were not able to do then just finished the extraction. I understand needing to do extractions however if it took the amount of pain and torture that my niece had went through to do the extractions they need to either allow kids to be put to sleep or not do it at all. When I say she looked tortured she didn’t want anyone in there it took 3 family members for them to finish. I wouldn’t be posting this because I don’t do reviews I usually just read them but I wanted to make parents and other family members aware!!! Let’s keep our kids safe and our of torment.
Becky Molina · 5 out of 5 stars · 9 months ago
I brought my three year old for his first ever dental visit and he did very well. The hygienist was very gentle and informative. Dee at the front desk was very nice and accommodating. Our whole experience was 10/10.
Batana Xanavongxay · 5 out of 5 stars · 3 months ago
Not a long wait and they clean your teeth and did exam pretty fast. They clean all 4 kids teeth pretty fast. Front desk receptionist was very nice and polite.
Reviews provided by Google.
Smile Starters- Hickory is part of a North Carolina based practice that provides general dental services in a pediatric setting for children and young adults. The practice focuses on preventative care, including regular dental check-ups aimed at diagnosing problems early, and accepts most insurances as well as offering a discount membership option for patients without coverage.
Services described on the practice's website include dental cleanings, sealants, composite and amalgam restorations, comprehensive oral evaluations, fluoride and varnish treatments, stainless steel crowns, x-rays, nitrous oxide for nervous patients, and teeth whitening at some locations. The practice also offers hospital dentistry at select locations for patients who need additional support during treatment.
The practice's clinical team includes Rafael Rivera Jr., DDS, known to patients as Dr. Raf, who owns and leads the Smile Starters organization. He earned his dental degree from the UNC School of Dentistry, served in the United States Navy where he completed additional training in general dentistry, and has focused his career on treating children and young adults since 2002. He purchased Smile Starters in 2008 and has been involved in efforts to improve access to dental care for underserved communities in North Carolina.
