Family Dentistry

4.20 /5 (5 reviews)
Verified Reviews

About

Family Dentistry, located at 700 Columbus Avenue in the heart of New York City's Upper West Side, stands as a beacon of compassionate, comprehensive dental care under the expert leadership of Dr. Meena Shah, DDS, its founder and principal dentist. For more than 20 years, this esteemed practice has served generations of families, earning a reputation for gentle, mindful dentistry that prioritizes patient comfort, holistic well-being, and long-term oral health. Established by Dr. Shah, who has dedicated her career to family-oriented dental services, the practice has evolved from a traditional dental office into a modern, bright, and welcoming space known as Mindful Dental, reflecting a commitment to creating a non-judgmental environment where patients of all ages feel supported and at ease.[4]

The mission of Family Dentistry is rooted in a patient-first philosophy: personalizing treatment plans to address individual needs while embracing a holistic approach to care. Dr. Shah and her team focus on not just treating dental issues but fostering lifelong habits for optimal oral health, calming anxieties around procedures like needles and pain management, and providing end-to-end solutions from routine check-ups to complex restorations. This dedication shines through in patient testimonials, with long-time visitors praising the practice for maintaining straight, clean teeth and healthy gums over 14 years, and families appreciating the chairside manner that makes visits enjoyable even for children.[4]

Services at Family Dentistry encompass a full spectrum of general dentistry tailored for every family member, including thorough dental exams with cleanings, x-rays, and oral cancer screenings; cosmetic enhancements such as professional whitening, veneers, and smile makeovers; restorative procedures like fillings, dental implants, crowns, and bridges; and prompt emergency care for urgent issues such as severe pain, cracked teeth, or infections. The practice supports specialist referrals when needed, ensuring seamless continuity of care. What truly sets Family Dentistry apart is its unique value proposition: a mindful, supportive atmosphere that contrasts with the often sterile, high-pressure settings of other dental offices. The recent office renovation has transformed the space into an open, bright haven that reduces dental anxiety, while Dr. Shah's expertise in family care—honed over two decades—ensures treatments are efficient, effective, and empathetic.[4][3]

Dr. Meena Shah's expertise is the cornerstone of the practice's success. As a seasoned general dentist, she specializes in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, with a special knack for pediatric and anxious patients. Her approach emphasizes education, empowering patients to understand their oral health and make informed decisions. Unlike larger corporate dental chains that may prioritize volume over personalization, Family Dentistry maintains a boutique feel, offering reasonable co-pays, wide insurance acceptance, and flexible payment plans to make quality care accessible. Patients rave about the reasonable costs and the likelihood of insurance coverage, making it a go-to for Upper West Side residents seeking reliable, family-focused dentistry without breaking the bank.[4]

In an era where dental visits can evoke dread, Family Dentistry distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on emotional well-being alongside clinical excellence. The practice's longevity—over 20 years in the community—speaks to its trustworthiness, with reviews highlighting consistent results and a warm, familial vibe. Whether it's a routine cleaning for a child, a cosmetic upgrade for a professional, or emergency relief for sudden pain, Dr. Shah's team delivers with precision and care. This blend of experience, innovation, and genuine concern positions Family Dentistry as more than a dental office; it's a trusted partner in health, setting a gold standard for what family dentistry should be in the vibrant Upper West Side neighborhood. With its central location at the corner of Columbus Avenue and 94th Street, convenient hours, and commitment to excellence, Family Dentistry continues to build smiles and lasting relationships, one patient at a time.[1][2][3][4]

Additional Details

Specialization: General family dentistry, including preventive, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency care[4]
Services Offered: Dental exams (cleanings, x-rays, oral exams); Cosmetic dentistry (whitening, veneers, and more); Restorative procedures (fillings, implants, crowns, bridges); Emergency dental care (urgent appointments for pain, cracked teeth, infections); Specialist referrals as needed[4]
Pricing & Insurance: Accepts a wide range of insurance plans and payment options; reasonable co-pays[4]

Contact Information

📍 700 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10025, USA
🏢 New York

Location

Customer Reviews

Elissa Dunlap
December 9, 2025

I’ve been coming to this office for a few years now and my experience has only ever been positive. The staff are lovely, and have always managed to accommodate my busy schedule. They even have Saturday hours, which really helps for those that work long hours during the week so that you don’t have to take time off of work to get basic dental care. Dr. Shah is very friendly and quick but efficient. I trust her and know that she wants to keep my teeth healthy. I would recommend this office to anyone who wants quality dental care from a team of caring professionals.

kaliq nero
January 8, 2026

Wow, Dr. Shah and her team are really nice and warm, and nurturing. I felt at home there because there is a warmth among the staff. She is also quite competent, and seasoned at her craft. She got busy! She fixed 7 of my teeth. How did my other dentists miss that? All in all, great dentist, will go back.

Ellen Faucette
January 27, 2026

Dr. Shah and her staff was very patient, kind and understanding of my fears and discomfort. They made me feel very well taken care of. Yes I will and have recommended individuals to Dr. Shah's practice. Thank you team!

Clara Francesca
January 15, 2026

Dr Meena Shah, DDS and team at Family Dentistry are fantastic! I had recent experience with the dentistry profession wanting to trick me with hidden fees, unnecessary procedures and lack of transparency, so I was reticent to go to the dentist. Finding Dr Shah was a true blessing: not only is she an excellent dentist with a kind and thorough team but she and her team explained what was happening step-by-step, what the fees would be, how to ensure my optimal dental health moving forward and long-term planning. I am thrilled ethical, talented, kind and excellent providers like Dr Shah exist.

Phoebe A
January 22, 2026

I recently, moved back to New York and needed a dentist after an incident with one of my teeth. I found this location near me and they worked with my dental plan so I called Friday and made an appointment for that upcoming Monday. The receptionist and support staff were all very nice and helpful. I got to my appointment 30 minutes early and didn’t actually get seen until an hour and half later. I knew being a new patient there would be a wait but didn’t expect that it be this long or that I’d be the last one to be seen and treated. Nonetheless I was patient and understanding, but my issue is with Dr. Meena Shah who it became really clear was focused on making as money as possible off me over actually giving me the best patient care. Right off the bat without really examining me went into telling me I needed to have an additional procedure before I could have the crown I came in for, and that I would have to wait 2 weeks before I could put the crown in. In the meantime she said, she would be putting a temporary filling for the two weeks. I agreed wanting to fix the problem the best way possible, but when she began charging me for the services she didn’t even consult the prices of my dental plan, and had I not been on top of things she would of taken advantage and overcharged me. Less than 48hrs later the temporary filling that was intended to be in place for two weeks until I could get my crown put in came out. I called and the nice receptionist remembered me and told me I could come in that day and have it fixed. When I arrived all of sudden Dr. Shah was now saying I needed to get the build up and the crown put in for this amount of money, which essentially made the procedure she charged me for unnecessary and the supposed 2 week wait was no longer needed. When consulted with the plan fees and what she was trying to charge me it was $660 more than she was supposed to. So once again she was trying to take advantage and overcharge me. When I corrected her and showed her plan fees all of the sudden she said I needed an additional procedure and even with that her original charge was still $500 more than she was supposed to charge. When she realized I wasn’t going to be taken advantage of by her the plan changed and she could no longer do all work and could now only do the build up and needed me to see a specialist to get a procedure done before putting in my crown. At that point after realizing how money hungry and unethical she was being I decided not to get any further work done and just have her refill the temporary filling that she put in and came out. Her attitude after realizing she wouldn’t be cashing out on me that day became very dismissive and rude. It’s honestly appalling how she behaved especially when the pricing was an agreement that was made with the dental plan companies so the fact that she would try to take advantage of people is terrible. She clearly isn’t concerned about doing what’s best for the patients and it’s about how much money she can conveniently squeeze out. It’s unfortunate cause the rest of staff I interacted with are great and one lady who remembered me from my initial visit checked on me to make sure I was ok. I would be wary of Dr. Shah and her intentions as it’s about money with her first and may just want say you need things you don’t. While looking into Dr. Shah further I found reviews and patients who had the same concerns and issues I did so it‘s a pattern with her.