Optima Dental Spa Portland

I had a great experience at Optima Dental. The office is nicely decorated and conveniently located. All of the staff were kind and helpful. There were several new types of equipment I had never seen before including much more comfortable x-ray and cleaning devices. I especially liked Nicole, the dental hygienist who cleaned my teeth. She was so friendly and gentle and always asking me if I was comfortable with the various types of cleaning techniques she was using. I didn't need to have any procedures done with Dr. Meriwether at this time but he went over problem areas on a couple of my teeth and explained his recommendations for them as we looked at photos of each tooth. The photos were much easier for me to understand than just looking at x-rays. There was a very comfortable, fully reclining exam chair which I also liked because I didn't have to have my neck bent backwards.

What a great experience! I went in to get a full examination, knowing I would need to reschedule for a cleaning and then another appointment to be fit for the Clear Smile Aligners. While I was in the office, I was so impressed with the modern technology they were using. As I was getting ready to leave, they told me they had an opening for my cleaning, that day, so I immediately snatched it up. Then as I was getting done with my cleaning, Kristy came in and said my dentist had a cancellation and would I want that appointment. Well I jumped on that also. I went immediately in and had all of my scanning and pictures taken. Next appointment will be to get my new Aligners. What a fun cool experience that was. Everyone in the office was amazing and kind. I can’t wait to go back!’ Amazing team! Thank you, K Jensen

Short Story: This place is not for severe anxiety cases. They should stop offering sedation dentistry because it will attract the exact type of patients they are not emotionally equipped to handle. Long story: Been going to this office every 3 months for 4 years and I must say it's changed A LOT. I have severe dental anxiety (crying, hyperventilating, shaking, etc) and when I found Optima dental in 2018 it changed my life. The dentist at the time was so gentle and reassuring, they went above and beyond the extra mile to make sure I was okay, never any judgment, never making me feel embarrassed or ashamed for my display of severe anxiety. I was actually able to go to the dentist, and my anxiety had actually gotten better and better with each visit. I went from needing to be IV sedated to get a routine teeth cleaning to being able to get a teeth cleaning on just a little nitrous! It was liberating! I'm sad to say this office in 2022 is much different. Not only is the entire staff including the dentist not the same people, the ethics and values have completely changed. I had an appointment 2 weeks ago and was denied nitrous, mind you I have been going there for 4 years there should definitely be a note that I need nitrous and have severe anxiety, and I always make sure I tell them on the phone when making an appointment that I need nitrous, but alas the hygienist was telling me they could not provide me with it. Upon hearing this I said "okay lets reschedule" in which she said "nooo you just need to calm down" and said I needed to be a "stronger woman" than I was being. I cannot help my irrational fear, it's not fun, I wish I wasn't this way too. I did not let her clean my teeth because I would not be able to stop crying or sitting still, so the dentist came in to look at my x-rays.... Absolutely no empathy or understanding for my situation. You can tell he is annoyed with my display of intense fear and emotion in his office. I also had a filling with this same dentist some months ago where I needed to take an oral sedation and prior to the medication kicking I was having a panic attack (this is simply the harsh truth for someone with a severe fear like this) and everyone in the office was cold, uninviting, and clearly uncomfortable/annoyed with my feelings. They wanted to send me home, and I had to tell them that going home wont change an intense irrational fear like this. Mind you I am extremely apologetic through all of these situations.. I understand it's dramatic and hard to watch, but the OLD optima dental team was so warm and comforting through it all it's hard to not compare.

Optima is the place for personalized, state-of-the art dental care. The hygienists, assistants, and front desk staff consistently greet me with a smile and make me feel welcomed and valued as a patient who’s entrusted them with my oral health. Dr. Meriwether is humble, clearly dedicated to his craft, and doesn’t cut corners the way I’ve observed other dentists do. It’s clear that patients’ comfort and the quality of his work are among his top priorities, and the same values come through in the work of the other office staff. While they got the job done, my previous dentist never seemed to remember anything about me or have any interest in trying. The staff at Optima do remember their patients, recalling a detail you shared at your previous visit or asking a question and actually giving you a chance to answer without tools holding down your tongue. I plan to stay a patient here for many years to come!

I’ve never had issues going to the dentist and maintain healthy oral hygiene. I went in as a new patient for a routine cleaning. This was the best dental experience of my life. Friendly Administrative Professionals, best Hygienist, and a wonderful Doctor. Best clean I’ve ever had, and a very thorough exam with an excellent explanation and a minor treatment plan to address normal issues. Would recommend no one else for dental healthcare. These professionals obviously love what they do and it shows. Simply amazing!