Local Start Dental Reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars based on 413 reviews on Google.
Mishana Garschi 路 1 out of 5 stars 路 2 months ago
I鈥檓 beyond disappointed by my experience here, especially because this place presents itself as serving the community. I feel like I need to share my experience as a warning.
At my visit, I was told I needed a deep cleaning and a regular cleaning, had four cavities, and needed a night guard - totaling around $1,200. When I tried to ask for more information, Dr. Patel was dismissive and curt.
This didn鈥檛 sit right with me, both because of how aggressively it was presented and because I am very consistent with my dental care. I decided to get a second opinion and also had my X-rays reviewed by a third dentist. Both confirmed that I did not need a deep cleaning and that there were no cavities requiring treatment at this time. All I needed was a standard cleaning.
Being told I needed nearly $1,200 worth of work, only to have multiple other dentists confirm it wasn鈥檛 necessary, is deeply unethical.
I wasn鈥檛 initially planning to leave a negative review, but after receiving a call from Local Start just now asking when I would begin their treatment plan, it reinforced my concerns - this place is financially driven rather than patient-focused.
I would strongly encourage anyone to get a second opinion before agreeing to dental work here. I had a much better experience at Campus Walk Dental, where I felt listened to and their approach was much more ethical and transparent. Also, their pricing is nearly identical.
In the end, I saved over $1,000 by not moving forward with Local Start's unnecessary treatment plan.
liz whittmann 路 5 out of 5 stars 路 3 months ago
Wonderful experience! I HIGHLY recommend Local Start! I was nervous, personally having endured a multitude of dental procedures over the years. However Local Start was sooo much better than any of my previous experiences. Dr Serag was very knowledgeable, explaining steps along the way. The pain during procedures was minimal compared to my past experiences. The staff was friendly and accommodating. AND the price was the Most affordable I have come across. I only wish I had found Dr. Serag and his team at Local Start sooner!
I finally have my smile back.馃榿 and could not be more pleased!!!
Alicia Espino 路 5 out of 5 stars 路 6 months ago
Dr. Serag is excellent! Very gentle and knowledgeable, and does the best work! He takes the time to explain and understand your needs. I am extremely pleased and satisfied with his work! The office is clean, staff are professional and friendly. My whole family feels well cared for.
Highly recommended!!!
Mikayla 路 5 out of 5 stars 路 5 months ago
Dr. Serag and his assistant were amazing! I was nervous about having my tooth pulled, but the procedure was completely painless. Dr. Serag鈥檚 kind and reassuring manner really helped with my dental anxiety. His assistant was really sweet and guided me through every step, making the experience smooth and comfortable. I highly recommend them to anyone who feels nervous about dental procedures.
Ashlee White 路 1 out of 5 stars 路 4 months ago
I would have given this place 5 stars for the friendliness of the staff and the dentist, however my visit was a complete waste of time and money. I was seeking affordable dental work and was hopeful to be able to utilize their sliding scale. I was also interested in this place because they are a non profit dentist office who specializes in low income dental assistance but after meeting with the person who decides the cost of the dental work I knew right away this was not the place for me. I was quoted $2000 more than affordable dentures and they are out for profit. The price for regular dentures is definitely unattainable for fixed income budgets. I dont see how they are helping anyone at that point. I will stay with affordable dentures price plan. I drove an hour and a half and paid for the consultation for nothing. Its unfortunate due to how friendly everyone was but I feel like I was very mislead by their website and finding them through affordable dental options searches.
Reviews provided by Google.
About Local Start Dental
Local Start Dental is a nonprofit dental clinic in Durham, North Carolina, with a mission of restoring smiles and confidence for underserved neighbors through comprehensive, accessible dental care. Pricing is based on a sliding scale, and the clinic pairs compassionate care with hands-on training for the next generation of dental specialists. Care is driven by a collaboration between general dentists and prosthodontists, specialists with years of advanced training from leading dental schools, and all treatments are performed in-house so patients receive seamless care from start to finish.
For patients considering dental implants, the practice offers a full range of tooth replacement services, including dental implants, implant overdentures, fixed hybrid dentures, and complete conventional dentures, alongside general dentistry such as exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, and emergency care. Implants at Local Start Dental are titanium posts placed in the jawbone to serve as a sturdy foundation for a crown, bridge, or denture, and the team walks patients through consultation, placement, healing, and final restoration. The facility includes an on-site denture fabrication clinic, a three-dimensional printer for dentures, and cone beam imaging for precise diagnostics, so custom prosthetics are crafted digitally under one roof.
Meet the Doctors
The clinical team at Local Start Dental is led by Dr. Mahmoud Serag, a prosthodontist who serves as Clinical Director, alongside Dr. Annie Chen, a general dentist. The site describes its clinicians as experienced general dentists and prosthodontists who specialize in comprehensive oral health care, from preventive services to advanced tooth replacement and restorative dentistry, supported by on-site dental technicians who craft custom dentures and prostheses.