Queen Street Dental Centre

I went for my first and only appointment with the clinic. They were 15 minutes late and failed to schedule a cleaning.

They specifically design their prices to be 5% higher than insurance so you will always be paying out of pocket. They do not disclose this on booking.

While they offered an apology for their error, it does not in a way make up for my lost time or frustration.

Who would pay an extra 5% for poor communication, late service, wasted time, extra visits, and frustration?

There just isn't a better dental office than Queen St. Dental Centre. Everyone in the office is amazing - from cleanings to major procedures to the awesome staff at the front. Our kids love them too!

Ahhh, embarrassing. Yes that's how this update starts. I am an embarrassment.

You know when you wake up (in your own bed [thank god]) and it's the middle of the week (like a Thursday) and your phone says the time is 1057 and you think...

"hmn I shouldn't be asleep right now because I have another commitment and I just can't put my finger on it... and it's not work, it's something else..."

And then you realize that you are supposed to be at the dentist getting your teeth cleaned in 3 minutes and that's why you feel like you shouldn't be sleeping off a mid-week bender? No? That hasn't happened to you? Then... my bad (I guess).

Long story short - I called the dentist and said I would be late and they were totally cool about it. Then I showed up (looking/smelling like a hobo) and they were totally cool about it. Then I disallowed the cavitron 5000 from my cleaning and they were totally cool about it.

The bottom line message I want to deliver to you in this review, is that I am never switching dentists again. Actually, that's not exactly true. I am never switching hygienists again. If Lisa moved to a different dentist office, I would move my records along with her.

This was the most painless dental cleaning I have ever had. That statement is not a joke. I had not been to the dentist in 1.5 years, and there was a lot of cleaning that needed to be done; Lisa had brand new dental tools that she was delighted to break in on me. She was done in 45 minutes (I have historically had to break up cleanings into 2 visits) and when I inspected her work, I expected to see residual tartar and plaque because of the efficiency and painlessness of the service, but the cleaning passed the quality control inspection. I remain shocked by the quality of this cleaning and it has inspired me to floss more regularly, because I want to preserve the work that she has done here.

This is my new hygienist and I hope that I die before she does (like... a long time from now) because I can't imagine finding another person that is this good at this job.

This is my local dentist. I had another visit here today.

Can't complain, they are generally punctual, and the hygienists really care about my teeth! The docs are super nice too.

I swtiched dentists after I just didn't feel confortable with my last one, who did a few shady things. Dr James Sugraman is now my regular dentist and he has been great. I trust him completely as my dentist.

The last time he had a night guard made for me, the lab made a big error, he apologized profusely and went out of his way to make sure it was corrected and I got it back as soon as possible.

They also have a beautiful office (except the back room with the big window is really cold in the winter) and great reception staff. Highly recommended!

I went to Queen Street Dental Centre on recommendation by a close friend, whose husband and 10-year-old son both are patients.

My dentist is Dr James Sugarman. He's approachable, friendly and doesn't try to push for unnecessary treatments (i.e. he understands if you're on a budget). His specialty is root canals (hurray for me!), 3 of which he performed in less than an hour. It was (relatively) swift and painless after the freezing (ha! the needle is another thing). I had minimal pain and swelling afterwards.

I also needed to have crowns put in to replace some broken front teeth**. He had Dr Vicki Sugarman come in to match my colour properly, since that's one of her fortes. I wore temporary crowns for about a week while my permanent crowns were being made at a lab. I now have a shining, gapless smile thanks to Dr James Sugarman.

The front desk receptionists, Maria and Ingrid, are very friendly and helpful. And Dr Sugarman's assistant Dorothy is hilarious and sweet.


**yes, I am a mess in the dental area, due to a cycling accident of the ... faceplanting variety.

I have a lot of anxiety around dental work, and I have to say, Dr. James Sugarman could not have been more calm, kind, professional and understanding when I went in, very obviously stressed, to have a filling done. He did a great job. It didn't hurt at all despite my great fears that it would. I have to go back for more work next week, and I'm already feeling calmer about it knowing that he is clearly very good at his job.

Great dentists/hygienists,
BUT the receptionist named Maria (or Ingrid? the Hispanic one) was very rude. I had done a partial payment after an appointment and she snarled something about "that isn't the way things are done here."

She was also making rude remarks about patients as they walked out while I was waiting to be seen.

WOULD'VE been a great dental office to visit, but sometimes the receptionist makes all the difference.

Very disappointed.

UPDATE* 2015/02/28: Like I said before, great dentists and hygienists- I still stand by my word. Which is why I came back. I haven't seen Ingrid or Maria since, and the new receptionists Amanda and Shauna are so pleasant & polite! Dr. James Sugarman is wonderful and never makes me feel guilty for having crappy teeth (I have a fear of dentists.. Which means I hardly ever go, not even for a cleaning every 6 months) nor does he lecture me about it. I never feel embarrassed and my fear is quickly diminished once I'm sitting in the chair because I know I'm in good hands!

My full time dentist is located in Causeway Bay Hong Kong but from time to time it is more convenient to have a dentist here in Toronto. I've had several bad experiences with Dentist in Toronto. I feel they are more interested in billing you than giving the best advice. That experience has been removed since I discovered Dr. Sugarman and Queen Street Dental Centre. This is a modern, state of the art facility. From digital x-rays that can be emailed to my dentist in Hong Kong to local art hanging in the waiting area.. I've never had a bad experience at this location.

After another visit to Queen Street Dental Centre that completely exceeded my expectations, I wanted to post a review to say in particular how lovely and amazing Lisa the hygienist is.

Lisa is so friendly, personable and (most importantly) gentle. She always offers me my choice of music or satellite TV to make me comfortable. Sometimes, I'll take it, or sometimes I'll just put on the sunglasses, close my eyes and rest. I appreciate that she does a thorough job in very little time with no discomfort.

Similar to getting my nails or hair done, the experience of going to the dental office and getting my teeth cleaned relaxes me and improves my day.

Thanks, Lisa for making my cleanings so pleasant, and something I really look forward to!