How we rank dentists
Every list is earned from public records. No practice can pay to appear, move up or stay on, and we do not contact practices before publication.
Dentist News Today ranks dental practices city by city using six public signals: patient reviews (adjusted for volume), years licensed, credentials, access, a list-specific test, and documented community work. Each practice must hold a current, active California license with no disciplinary record.
Who can appear
- A current and active license on the Dental Board of California, with no prior disciplinary action or probation on record. One flag removes a practice from every list.
- An operating office open to patients at a published address in the city.
- Enough evidence for the list: at least 25 public Google reviews for review-weighted lists, and a stated, checkable fact for list-specific tests (for example, Medi-Cal Dental participation or published Saturday hours).
How reviews are counted
A 5.0 from nine reviews should not beat a 4.9 from 900. We pull each rating toward the city average until there is enough volume to trust it: score = v/(v+m)·R + m/(v+m)·C, with m = 50. Ratings are shown with the month we read them. We never copy review text.
Weights by list
| List | Weights |
|---|---|
| Top Dentists | 30 / 15 / 15 / 15 / 10 / 15 |
| Top-Rated Dentists | 70 / 10 / 0 / 0 / 10 / 10 |
| Best Pediatric Dentists | 25 / 10 / 25 / 15 / 15 / 10 |
| Best Dental Implant Dentists | 20 / 15 / 30 / 5 / 25 / 5 |
| Most Beautiful Dental Offices | 10 / 0 / 0 / 20 / 60 / 10 |
| Most Convenient Dentists | 10 / 0 / 0 / 30 / 55 / 5 |
| Best Denti-Cal (Medi-Cal Dental) Dentists | 20 / 10 / 5 / 25 / 35 / 5 |
| Emergency Dentists: Same-Day Care | 20 / 5 / 10 / 25 / 35 / 5 |
| Dentists Open Evenings and Weekends | 20 / 5 / 5 / 20 / 45 / 5 |
| Best Spanish-Speaking Dentists | 20 / 5 / 5 / 20 / 45 / 5 |
| Best Sedation Dentists for Anxious Patients | 25 / 10 / 20 / 10 / 30 / 5 |
| Legacy Dental Practices | 15 / 40 / 5 / 5 / 20 / 15 |
What we never do
We do not accept payment, advertising or sponsorship tied to any list, and we make no claims about clinical outcomes. A list runs only as long as the number of practices that qualify; the headline number always matches the page.
Corrections and removal
Any practice can request a fact check or ask to be left off. We reply within five business days. Contact the Rankings Desk.