Dr. Carolyn Yu, DDS - Pinole, California

M Szalay

I wish I could give Dr.Yu a negative star rating.

This review is long over due. It has taken me over a year to write because I have had to get over the traumatic dental experience.

I came to Dr Yu in Feb. 2023, after selecting her because she had good reviews and was affiliated with the CoCo board.
I needed a crown and I was hiring her to do this work. In June of 2023, I went to her to begin the process. First I needed a mold of my mouth for the crown. This is where the bad experience begins. Her assistant prepared the mouth tray with so much purple hoop that it was hanging over the sides. She put it in my mouth and reclined me while the goop actually started to go down my throat and a could not breath. I started to choke and Dr Yu ran over from the patient she was working on to me and removed the tray, sat me up, and told me to cough. I was almost in tears as I coughed out parts of the goop. She had to take over the procedure and finish creating the mold herself.

Forward a few weeks, the mold was done and sent to her dental lab, Precision Arts Dental, located across the parking lot from her office. The first tooth they created was not the right color and didn’t match so they had to make a new one. So I had to come back another day. The lab made another new tooth and when she was fitting it in my mouth it was too tight and not the right color again. So she had me go across the street to the lab. Where the horrors started again…I had to spend hours in this dirty lab and with the owner taking the tooth out of my mouth and laying it on the filthy table. I had to ask him to please clean it before putting it back in my mouth after a few times, I was getting so grossed out. I will do a review on this dental lab…
I just wanted to leave and not continue with this terrible process, but then the lab owner finally got the color right and sent me back to Dr Yu. She was working on two different patients, in two chairs, so she broke away from them and rushed me into an empty chair where she hurriedly cemented the tooth into my mouth. It was tight, crooked and scratchy on the backside. She told me to live with it a few days and come back later.
I left her office in pain and was so distraught. Did I really pay $2,600 dollars to be manhandled and leave in thus much pain?!?!
I waited 3 days like she asked and then told her I wanted the tooth out of my mouth. She asked me if she could work on the tooth, but I had lost faith in her and wanted to get away from her, this lab and the awful crown she put in my mouth. So I told her no. So she took it out and I left her office so relieved to have this terrible crown out of my mouth and NEVER TO RETURN!
A few months later, I wrote to Dr Yu and requested a partial refund. She ignored me. Then I sent a registered letter explaining the whole traumatic experience, with photos of the crooked tooth, and again requested a partial refund. She signed for the letter but still ignored me.
It’s been over a year and I feel it’s time to share my experiences with Dr Yu and Precision Arts Dental lab.
I would avoid both of these businesses!

Lori Berry

Excellent dentist and all the office folk are very sweet as well. For having to get dental work of all kinds, she's got the experience and gentle skills. No one is rather get shot in the gums and teeth drilled by! ❤️

Gary Johnsen

I have been a patient of Dr. Yu for the past seven years. I am in my mid 70s and I plan on being her patient for the remainder of my life. She is exceptional at her craft. Her staff are to be praised for their role in creating a friendly and professional office. Thank you Dr. Yu and staff for all that you have done for my wife and me.

Rizalito Zaragoza

My wife and I just saw Dr Carolyn Yu for our first appointment the other day. We both have xray and our teeth cleaned. Dr Yu cleaned my teeth and it was very intense, and it felt clean and refreshing afterwards. Dr Yu is very good and highly recommended. My wife and I booked our next appointment for August. See you soon Dr Yu.

Paul Ehara

I had an upper molar pulled today and though I dreaded it, Dr. Yu was super efficient. The extraction went smoothly and it was over in a matter of minutes. I experienced very little pain. Receiving the local anesthetic did sting a little bit, but the extraction itself was nearly pain-free. I am now following her after-care instructions. I’m so glad I got this done, and am grateful for Dr. Yu’s experience and expertise!

Santiago Portilla

I am so grateful my doctor recommended her dentist, Dr. Yu, to me. Dr. Yu is very thorough; she listens and lays out treatment plans and carefully explains the pros & cons of each. I have seen my share of dentists over the decades and Dr. Yu is exceptional in her care. An added plus: everyone on her team is kind and welcoming.

DJ Leland

I knew I had found the right dentist after my visit today with Dr. Carolyn Yu. She is thorough, provides clear explanations, and respectfully answers questions. She differentiates between treatments she deems essential for oral health and those she deems optional, which helps patient decision-making. Her staff were friendly and helpful and seemed to enjoy working in this office, all of which created a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

Carina Zaragoza

Friendly front office staff. Had pano x-rays by Nicole. She explained and narrated the process. Dr Yu did a check up as I am a new patient. Dr. explained what she was doing throughout the process, too. Overall, everyone in the office was kind and knowledgeable. So happy to have found this doc and her staff.