Hartford Koenitzer Dental

So I decided to write a review of my new dentist, Dr. Koenitzer. I came here and began reading the other reviews and honestly I couldn't believe the garbage some of these people are pedaling. I'll start with my story.

Ive had dental issues for years, and like many other people I have had spotty dental insurance to say the least. I tell you this only because my teeth have a fair amount of issues because of my own doing. Well, the other day a large crown I had installed at a dental school years ago cracked in half, leaving what was left of my original tooth exposed and very painful. I currently have no insurance and NEEDED to get this tooth fixed. A friend of mine pointed me to Dr. Koenitzer. I made my appointment for a few days later. I was seen, a new set of x-rays where taken and a plan was set about to fix my tooth and a couple cavities that where looking worrisome. This is where I will take umbrage with some of the other reviews written here: After my initial x-ray/consultation appointment I was directed to their financing department. I was sat down and given a clear and organized plan of what planned for me and my teeth and their prices. As I said earlier, I am without dental insurance right now so ALL of this is coming out of my own pocket and their pricing was reasonable and I was given options as to what procedures (After the NEEDED crown) I was going to sign on for. Nothing hidden, and nothing I didn't approve.

After my two appointments to install my new crown and fill two cavities I can only give glowing reviews of Dr. Koenitzer and his staff. Everyone is friendly and efficient, Dr. Koenitzer has a quiet comfort about him that made what could be a daunting procedure smooth and painless. Im also going to add that I am not a family member of any staff member like the person below insinuates some of these reviews are. Im just a guy trying to keep the the teeth I have in my head.

Conclusion: If you need a dentist, go to Dr. Koenitzer. There is a reason he is voted best dentist in Petaluma year over year. I know i'll be a client from here on out.

They have just moved to a bigger facility it's beautiful ..the front desk people were very kind and polite ,called to remind me of my appointment.
Austin is my dentist and let me tell you I couldn't feel anything
I had teeth pulled posts put in and my Teeth look great I'm so happy with them . I would definitely recommend them to all my friends

I was briefly a patient of Dr. Koenitzer's practice.

The old office was outdated with country music blaring in the waiting room. Not what I want in a medical provider. When in the chair, I insisted on nitrous oxide, which was begrudgingly given to me by a rude dental assistant who said "you need nitrous for a cleaning?" This practice routinely recommends unnecessary procedures, using fear tactics to increase revenue. The assistants seem peeved at patient requests and lack the warmth and comfort to ease patients with dental trauma.

When I had an outstanding balance, I was managing caretaking for my mother who was dying of cancer. In September 2023 I received an email and a phone call from billing manager Mary Beth, threatening me and demanding I remit payment of $200 within 24 hours. When I asked for a payment plan she said the office doesn't "do payment plans."

I guess they have a new billing manager who just rang me looking for payment a year later. lol

Patient care/dignity: D-
Office ambiance: C-
Quality of dental work: B-
Likelihood I would ever let this practice work on my teeth again? 0

Here is a copy of the email I sent the office in 2023: Hi Mary Beth,

Thank you for your email and voicemail today. Please accept my apologies for the delay in payment, however I was disappointed to hear the tone with which you left a voicemail and spoke with me on the phone. Your tone was cold, unwelcoming, demanding, and punitive - not what I expect from m my healthcare provider.

Let me remind you that your patients are human beings with their own lives and set of challenges. For the last 18 months I have been the sole caretaker for my mother, who is actively dying of bile duct cancer, while working 12 hour days managing a behavioral health clinic. I, like many of your patients, sometimes need to make financial priorities. Over the last two years, my top priority has been maintaining my mother's quality of life.

In my experience with every other health provider, payment plans have always been an option for an active debt, but you indicated this isn't an option. I cannot pay the amount in full today. What I can do is pay in 4 installments, so it would make more sense for the practice to send this account to collections.

I don't have the bandwidth to manage your poor attitude and customer support skills, which are emblematic of a money first, patient dignity last mentality. As such, I'll be switching dental providers so please advise when my patient file is available for pick up. Moving forward, I hope you can find a way to communicate compassionately with patients, lest you drive more people away from Dr. Koenitzer's practice.

May you find room and willingness for improvement.

Have the day you deserve,
Juliet

I have been treated by many dentists in my 72 years. This is the 1st review I have ever written, but Dr. Hartford is deserving of the highest praise. I would recommend Dr. Hartford to anyone.
Dr. Hartford was amazingly skillful and kind. Unlike many other dentists, Dr. Hartford did not lecture me on dental care. Instead, he worked diligently to resolve my dental issues. Nor was I sold any special, dentist recommended, mouthwash or toothpaste. Dr. Hartford formulated a plan for future dental care that we will follow. He thoroughly explained the treatment. The practice's prices are very reasonable. The staff was very helpful and returned calls in a timely manner.

Beware! Lovely office, nice receptionist. I was advised I needed procedures I absolutely did not need. This was confirmed by the dental office I subsequently went to. But I needed an emergency filling so I gave them my insurance information and went ahead.
Dr. Koenitzer warned me of dire, painful consequences if I did not take his advice, even while doing the filling. The office manager incorrectly, deliberately told me it would cost less than they billed, after assuring me they verified charges with my insurance. She refused to let me even speak with Dr. Koenitzer. Others have told me this experience is not unusual with this practice.

Front desk staff "Diana" was very rude on the phone when I called about an error that was made. I haven't had any issues with dr or hygienists but front desk should recognize what a HUGE role they play in retaining or not retaining clients.

I've been coming to Dr Koenitzer since I was 16 years old. I am 49 years old now and he's taken very good care of my teeth. Up until 2022.

His office was very organized and he has provided excellent service for my entire family up until last year. His office forgot to bill my insurance for dental services 9 months ago and now I've got a bill for $400.

Currently, it takes 6 months to get an appointment, though he added a new dentist to his practice recently. This makes no sense. He recommended
I get my teeth cleaned every 3 months but that is impossible with his current staff. My next appointment is in September.

I don't recognize any of his new staff. A temp worked on my teeth today. She did a good job, but I probably won't see her again. I'm not sure what has happened to the front and back office staff, but I cannot recommend this office to my friends. It's a shame.

If you want to wast your time , money but receive
Stress, pain, rudeness , unprofessionalism, to be misdiagnosed and a bill for the job that wasn't done, a year later then Koenitzer is a "perfect choice". You will get everything what said above. What a shame this office exists. I had a horrible pain when I came to his office he accused me in faking it. I am glad I found antheridia dentist who fixed my problem. I had to suffer from pain another week from being misdiagnosed !!!! DO NOT GO TO KOENITZER!!!!

I would adopt this guy if I could. WOW. As a dental trauma survivor, Dr. Hartford has saved the profession. He and his team are spectacular. I was in this week, and needed a filling repaired and was a total mess. Like, no sleep the night before mess. I am a product of the "old knee in the chest" North Korean dental school guy from the 70's and 80's who I am hopeful is uncomfortable in his final resting place...and now am saved by Dr. Hartford. I felt NOTHING. I was waiting for the soreness and the pain to set in and felt NOTHING. I am super grateful for his skill and his bedside manner. Super polite, explains things without the graphic scare the pants off you detail. AWESOME. Go back to the dentist. See this guy and the team at Dr. Koenitzer dental playground.

Great Dentist have been going here for years.
Only one issue. Received a bill at end of year 2022 that included a past due balance of 90 days and 30 days past due. It also said pay to avoid late fees. I was in shock seeing I owed over $300. I had made payments as I had work done and received no bills. I thought all was good. So I called and found out they were behind in getting billing out due to a shortage in employees. Luckily I had minimal work done or who knows what I would owe. Now I am hesitant to go back in 2023 because I might have hidden costs sent to me at the end of the year!

Yeah, not good. All three of the 'in-house made' crowns that this dentist made have broken and had to be replaced...giving the crowns a three to four year lifespan. Don't waste your money if you're looking for something a little more permanent.
Also, the constant bombardment of the staff asking you 'to take the time' to fill out the BS 'dentist of the year' forms is very inappropriate. I've found the staff to be less human and more 'how do we bill you for more services, while making it their only goal to hound you into filling out their self-promoting nonsense.
Overall, D-, and I do not recommend.
The best part about being very disappointed with this dentist was it prompted me to find a competent dentist in Rohnert Park.