Altoona Smiles PC

I had good experiences with Altoona Smiles up until about a year ago when I had such a negative experience I decided not to return.

At the last appointment I had with Dr. Nicole, I declined x-rays as I had just had x-rays done 6 months prior at my last appointment.

I was told that it was policy to do them at every single visit, but I was paying out of pocket and thought this was way too frequent regardless. Dr. Nicole and the dental hygienist kept pressuring me to do the x-rays and said they would not break their policy and would not do my cleaning without them.

I had driven all the way from Ankeny and taken off of work for this appointment and I did not appreciate this attempt to strong-arm me into doing something I clearly was uncomfortable doing.

I left and never went back and I don't regret switching to another practice.

EDIT: I'm unable to reply to the reply from Dr. Nicole so I'm replying here. As explained in my review, I had already taken x-rays 6 months prior. I was being asked to take x-rays twice within a 12 month period.

Opps, reposted same review Twice -
We just recently switched to Altoona smiles, I have been there 3 * on scheduled appointments and one time on a Friday afternoon, unscheduled, for a tooth extraction. The entire staff is always on their toes and looking out for your needs. It is one of the best dentist office I've ever been in. I would (do) highly recommend.
Stop in and check them out, or do yourself one better, and schedule an appointment.

The best dental experience I have ever had. My kids love going there and we always leave feeling like we are well taken care of. The entire staff is friendly and helpful. Highly recommend to any families looking for top notch dental care in Altoona.

I had horrible tooth pain this week and ended up having to go in for an emergency dentist appointment. I had a hard to diagnose case and had to go to the endodontist. Still hard to diagnose. Back to Dr. Eric and Dr. Nichole. They didn't give up on me and helped me deal with the pain and bent over backwards to get me back in with no notice to the endodontist. Finally, we figured out the problem and got it taken care. The level that they care here is amazing and they didn't give up trying to figure out what was going on. Finally, after dealing with horrific pain for over a week, I'm fixed! Thank you to the whole staff at Altoona Smiles for always getting me in and helping me out! I hate going to the dentist more than anything but if I have to, it's Altoona Smiles all the way!

So I walked in the door for my appointment and the receptionist remembered me by name.
The hygienist recalled things about me, and what I was up to from my previous visit.
Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, is kind, genuinely engaged in my care, and willing to do whatever they can to make sure I get the best dental care. Anywhere.
Thank you, Altoona Smiles.

I would recommend this dentist to everyone! I love the staff and Dr. Forsberg is amazing. I also appreciate their superb service, kindness, and upfront pricing. I will never go elsewhere as they have a state of the art facility and are wonderful to work with! I give them a 20 out of 10!

I have been scared to go back to the dentist for over 20yrs, due to a bad experience at another office. When I arrived at Altoona Smiles I was greeted and am always greeted like family. The staff listened very carefully to my concerns and needs and have been very sensitive to those concerns and needs every time I have an appt. I love Dr. Eric and his staff as well as the rest of the staff. They make you feel just like family every single time you arrive.
Go Altoona Smiles, Dr. Eric and the whole staff team members.

Amazing customer service from the moment you walk in until you leave! They have plenty of staff to make sure you’re taken care of but you don’t get overwhelmed. This was my first time here and I will definitely be going back for all future needs! I’ve already referred to all my closest people!

I've gone to Altoona Smiles for a few years now and generally had a good experience. Last time, however, was awful.

I was having an issue with my jaw and my PCP said to have the dentist look at it first since I had an appointment coming up. The dentist I got in with was not my regular dentist. He examined me and was ready to give me a referral to a specialist, but he had the other dentist (who was my regular dentist-Dr. Nicole) come take a look for a second opinion. While crying through my entire appointment because I was in such pain, the way Dr. Nicole examined me was rough and degrading. It seemed like she didn't believe me and what was going on and told me to just take Ibeauprofen and relax for my condition, which I had been doing all week waiting for my appointment. At one point she asked if I was seeking muscle relaxers and what felt like was interrogating me on what stress I had in my life that created my condition-like it is all my fault I was in pain. I told her I was scared and my jaw was my stress since I could not eat, sleep, or talk right with the condition. She was very dismissive, and I left my appointment sobbing.

Fortunately I was able to get in with my regular doctor the same day. When I told them what happened at the dentist they even asked, "Who is your dentist? " because they were empathetic of the poor care I received. They were able to provide me with help and education about my condition, unlike Dr. Nicole. They took me seriously.

Furthermore, Dr. Nicole said that someone in my condition she would check on in a couple weeks, but she would in a week for me. I never got a call from her or the office and it has been weeks.

Let's just say I've been to a new dentist that has helped me and will not be back to see Dr. Nicole. She was fine with routine checkups, but when it came to something that required more I left disappointed and feeling worse off than when I went in.

Very professional staff, clean offices! They're very quick about scheduling appointments as needed. Love that they will explain what they're doing and why- I've had quite a bit of dental work done within the last month and every experience is positive. Kelli and Dr. Eric make a great team!

Altoona Smiles is always fantastic! Whether we are going in for a 6 month checkup for me, my daughter or my husband, or a cavity - they are wonderful! So very kind, caring and professional - always making a personal connection to make you feel welcome. Highly recommend for all ages!

I’ve been going to Altoona Smiles for a while now and from the first encounter at the front desk to going in and getting services done, I’ve had nothing, but pleasant interactions. Dr. Eric, the hygienists, and the staff there are such great people.

I needed a new dentist a couple of years ago, and Altoona Smiles was a great choice. Dr. Nicole and Sabrina are so personable, and I feel a lot more invested in and educated about my dental health. I moved away from Altoona, but it’s worth the drive to keep coming back.

Staff is incredibly friendly, professional, and helpful. I would absolutely recommend this office to anyone in need of a dentist!

I had been avoiding going to the dentist for about 7yrs and ended up having a filling come out. Nicole did the initial exam to anything worse than a filling that needed replace and Eric gave me the filling. Both were great experiences where they take the time to explain and answer any question you may have. I also, had another filling come lose the night before the first filling was replace. Eric took the time to look at this during the same appointment for the first filling.

Overall, the experience is different than other dentists I have been to, or Dr.appointments in general. They mold the experience to be as comfortable as possible so it is about you being happy and satisfied, and not giving you a typical experience where you enter and leave being apprehensive about having your teeth taken care of.

I always enjoy going into Altoona Smiles! That may seem strange going into a dentist’s office, but the staff and doctors are always happy and have a smile on their face. Dr. Eric explains what is going on and if any procedure needs to be done, he will tell you why. My kids even enjoying going to the dentist. And for this Mom, that is a HUGE win! In fact, Kelli helped my daughter get over her initial fear of getting her first fillings! Thank you for all you do!