Dentist Reviews Yuma, AZ | Picacho Family Dental Implant Center of Yuma

T. S.

Jun 2021

I had an absolutely LOVELY experience at my first appointment at Picacho as a new patient. If you're in the market for a new dentist, I broke down some details about my visit that might help you make an informed decision in choosing Dr. Lemmon. Having been to several different dentist offices over the years, you start to notice the differences and can tell when a place knows what they're doing. First off, they offer a digital experience. The website is actually up-kept and useful. You can request an appointment via the website, and they actually receive and respond to it (I've had many businesses that just ignore online things and only respond if you call). Additionally, you can fill out all your paperwork on the website, so when you arrive at your appointment it's already there and ready to go. Gone are the days of sitting in a lobby with a clipboard, filling out actual papers with a pen. This is also very efficient and a good use of time, because this allows the office to review your info before you get there, rather than briefly scanning it as they're walking you down the hall to your appointment. Every single staff member I came across was professional, competent, and friendly - on the phone, in person, and they even responded to my text one time! I think it's important to mention they are not that "fake friendly" that you get some places, but genuinely like they're enjoying their day and have the capacity to be pleasant to you. You can kind of tell the hiring style of different businesses, and whoever is in charge of the hiring here clearly knows what they're doing. When you arrive as a new patient, they even give a little tour of the office layout and let you know where the restroom is, how many hygienists there are and where that area is, and where the other procedures take place. I never realized this was something I'd like to know, but it was so nice to understand how things work there, instead of being led straight to a little cubby, and having to awkwardly ask where the restroom is at some later point in your appointment. This one little tour gave me a better impression of this office and how it's run. Another thing that stood out was how they actually seem to schedule enough time for each patient (I know, gasp!). They took time to actually ask relevant questions before my checkup/cleaning started, and had some good ones I hadn't heard before, like "What's most important to you with your teeth/treatment?" and "Do you like to know the details or just want to hear the bottom line?" ...Like, someone really put thought and care into every detail of running this practice! I was very impressed. Then, when the Dr. Lemmon came in, the Hygienist, McKenzie, very accurately briefed him with a summary of my concerns and how I'd like to be treated. Having had multiple hygienists poke and prod around in my mouth throughout my lifetime, the experience has varied. But today's cleaning was the BEST cleaning I've ever had in my life. I have very sensitive teeth, and this is the first time I've had a cleaning where they actually remember which teeth to be extra gentle on. It is clear that the staff here are more educated and competent in their given areas than other offices I've been to. Hygienist McKenzie easily answered all my questions, enabling me to take better care of my un-renewable resource (teeth & gums). You can see that tooth stuff is her jam, and she lit up when talking about it. That is what you want when entrusting someone to dig around in your mouth! Dr. Lemmon is also clearly good at what he does. He caught things on mine and my kid's x-rays that other dentists have never noticed or explained. He got leftover residue from Invisalign attachment off my tooth in about one minute, that the last office had told me would just have to stay on my tooth forever because they couldn't get it off. And when speaking to him, you get the feeling that he actually cares what you have to say, how you feel, how your experience was in the past and wants to improve it in the future. He did all this in just a couple minutes. But might I add, a couple very un-rushed minutes. There was never the feeling that he needed to hurry up and get on to the next person, and genuinely wanted to make sure any questions or concerns you had were answered. My kid and I had back to back appointments and we had to wait for a couple minutes - but after realizing the reason for the wait was because the dentist actually gives his patients the time of day, I was perfectly fine with that and will appreciate any wait time in the future for that reason. They actually educate patients, instead of herding us through as fast as possible to get an extra buck. I learned several things today, which is also something I didn't know I wanted from a dentist. There isn't much education about dental health, anywhere, I've realized. Just maybe the little comments while you're laid back in a chair with your mouth open, which isn't very helpful. This office actually sat down to explain the *why* and the *how*. I appreciated that. Lastly, this office is transparent about costs. I am forever scarred by the medical industry, where you go to the doctor's office and they rack up charges for this and that, and you're not allowed to know how much it's going to cost you until weeks later when you get a surprise bill in the mail. However, this office explains to you what they recommend, and then make up a detailed treatment plan and price estimate for each thing. HALLELUJAH! How this is not standard practice for every healthcare area, I have no idea. They even break down the recommendations by what's most urgent, so you can make an informed decision about what to prioritize into your budget. Wait, one more thing. They even emailed me my treatment plan with prices. EMAILED. I did not leave my appointment juggling piles of paper and little appointment cards that I'm going to scan the second I get home and shred. Nope, everything is safely in my email where I can pull it back up any time I need to, and this saved me about 10 minutes of scanning and shredding. It's 2021, and this office is clearly with the program. Thank you Picacho Family Dental! If I ever move away from Yuma I will be road tripping back into town for my cleanings.

isaac a.

Mar 2020

In all honesty and candor, as an individual whom did not have the best relationship with a dentist growing up, I was extremely unsure of the correct way in which I could once again have the smile, that as a young man, I was complimented on quite often. A smile, that was once said as being "able to cheer up a room," and as cheesy and corny as this is sounding, that meant so much to me, that as a person I had the ability to bring joy, at least to that 1 person. JUST BY SMILING! Who could ask for anything more, right? Sadly, time and my own culpability diminished the luster and shine of the smile that could once cheer up a room. And with it, the confidence to pursue my goals. The lack of self confidence was greater than anything else present in my life (I'm not saying that I was locked up in a room and did not come out, what I'm saying is that I made sure to have the least amount of contact possible with other people) I was truly embarrassed to smile at people, I despised having to speak to people, and if I did, I tended to cover my mouth when I spoke to them. So needless to say, I was terrified about going to the dentist. I was unsure of what the prognosis would be for a person whom has been smoking for 20 years and had not been to the dentist in at least 5 years, my exceptions were as low as they could get. And while my own assumptions were far worse than reality, it was the staff at Picacho Family Dental that manifested my desire of a great smile into reality by providing the highest quality service they have to offer. From the very first appointment at the evaluation, to the extractions of my wisdom teeth and EVERYTHING in between, they were professional, compassionate, caring and up front about everything. They hid nothing and held nothing back when I asked or showed concern about a procedure or had questions about my insurance. The front office staff was always willing to answer questions and are very friendly, the Dental Assistants are helpful and knowledgeable of what they are doing, (I am positive that you cannot request a specific DA, but Karina is a miracle worker with the topical numbing gel, you feel nothing), McKenzie, the Dental Hygienist is efficient and meticulous at what she does, while being attentive to any discomfort you may be feeling and willing to work at your speed. Lastly, on a personal note, Dr. Hopkins, thank you for doing what you LOVE, you were on point from day 1, sounding like a broken record, you showed compassion in every interaction, and allayed every concern that arose with professionalism and friendliness. And while past experiences with dentist left lasting negative impressions, YOU and your team managed to erase every bad experience while creating new positive ones that will allow me to continue to enjoy my Refurbished (LOL) Smile. Sincerely and with the utmost respect, THANK YOU for what you do! P.S. It just seems like Five Stars is not enough, so I also give you a 10 out of 10, and a 100% on Customer Service.