Tavarez Orthodontics
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Tavarez Orthodontics
Since 1997, we have offered the communities surrounding Menlo Park and San Carlos the highest quality of orthodontic treatment available in comfort and style. Dr. Kathleen Tavarez is one of the top Invisalign and orthodontic providers - quality of treatment is her primary concern.

Along with her excellent team, Dr. Kathleen Tavarez believes in making a difference in your life from day one, and wants to see you smiling from your first day in our office to the day your treatment is complete.Providing quality orthodontics to Menlo Park, Atherton, San Carlos, Belmont, Palo Alto, Stanford, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, Woodside, Los Altos, Portola Valley, San Mateo, Foster City and all surrounding California areas.
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Dr. Kathleen Tavarez has been specializing in orthodontics since 1992. She began her higher education by studying at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) graduating with a Bachelor in Biology Degree. She continued to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery in addition to a Bachelor in Dental Sciences.
We recognize that all of our patients are unique and deserve to receive orthodontic care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding orthodontic experience every time you visit our practice.
The first step toward achieving a beautiful, healthy smile is to schedule an appointment. Our scheduling coordinator will contact you on our next business day to confirm your appointment. We look forward to meeting you! If you need to cancel or reschedule an existing appointment, or if you require immediate attention, please contact our practice directly.
We understand your need to receive treatment in a practice where you feel comfortable, safe, and welcome. Please feel free to schedule an appointment, or stop by for a complete tour of our practice. You will get to meet our team, walk through our office and treatment areas, and learn more about the treatments we provide.
At our orthodontic practice, we work hard to treat our patients the same way we would like to be treated: with respect, professionalism, and sensitivity towards your needs. We understand the expectations of the patients and families we serve, and we do everything we can to make sure that each patient has an exceptional experience at our practice.
Reviews (19)
Dan M.
Dan M.
Nov 09, 2021
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I wish I could rate our experience at this office higher, but they make it really difficult! They have poor performance on both logistics and clinical care.
- Logistics: It is impossible to find convenient appointments within a reasonable timeframe (4-6 weeks). Usually, they are booked up months in advance, with an occasional opening here and there in the middle of the school day. If you need to re-schedule an appointment for any reason, forget about getting in on the same month as the original slot. They have WAY too many patients for the number of hours that they work and are consistently overbooked
Todd B.
Todd B.
Nov 02, 2021
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Beware....
While they claim they take insurance and yet they came back to me for $1k over a year after my treatment.
Read the fine print. Even though you think insurance will cover you, even years later this office comes back to you for any funds not covered.
Good Orthodontist but bring cash
Aj C.
Aj C.
Mar 06, 2020
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Horrible & disappointing experience for our child with Dr. Tavarez.
Coming from a family where my father was an accomplished orthodontist, children actually looked forward to seeing him and getting braces. He interacted with his clients and had a gentile bedside manner and showed a real interest in their development.
These are none of the experiences myself, nor my child had with Dr. Tavarez, insofar it was a traumatic event at each appointment.
Complete disregard and utter indifference.
Zero engagement...
Would suggest to find an alternative doctor for care.
David J.
David J.
Sep 21, 2018
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There is only one orthodontist for two offices.
One office is in Menlo Park. One is in San Carlos.
There are many many patients.
I'm sure this is good for the orthodontist's profits but not so good for the patients.
If you or your child has a need for help (a wire comes out or some other difficulty with the appliances) it is very difficult to get an appointment. You may have to drive to the office far from your house. And your school. And with Bay Area traffic, it can be a nightmare.
The staff who makes appointments seems disinterested.
In my opinion it is more of a one-doctor factory
Hugh L.
Hugh L.
Aug 07, 2018
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We looked at a number of orthodontists including Dr. Tavarez. We were really put of by the assembly line practice. Dr. Tavarez seems to be spending more time thinking about marketing and and patient acquisition than on treating actual patients. We spent 5 min with her in the initial visit and about 1 hour with various marketing, finance and lab technicians. Not the family practice we were hoping for. Based on some of the reviews and friends' feedback this would likely be the last time we saw Dr. Tavarez. We decided to go elsewhere. Just not a good fit for us.
James W.
James W.
Mar 15, 2018
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This is a factory assembly line practice
The office is flooded with young patients
But how many orthodontists are there?
Our children saw one when we first paid
But then we just saw assistants
The orthodontist makes cameo appearances on rare occasions
Wish we had known before we paid
Tess B.
Tess B.
Jun 27, 2017
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I started Invisalign this year with Tavarez Orthodontics and I have nothing but good things to say about it. Her prices are comparatively low for this area. The quality of care at this office is high, and the experience is too. Easy to schedule, no waiting before appointments, clean and pleasant office, gentle hands, clear guidelines and instructions, respectful treatment by all, and the dental work itself seems to be progressing well. I was very nervous to start this process but this office has made it painless and simple. Thanks, Dr. Tavarez!
Katie B.
Katie B.
Jul 20, 2016
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Dr. Tavarez has been wonderful. We moved when we were about 2/3 of the way through treatment and Dr. Tavarez and her office made that transition go as smoothly as possible. We went to three orthodontists here that we were recommended to and all three were very complimentary of the work that our daughter had received with Dr. Tavarez. She personally spent time on the phone with several of the doctors to help us figure out which one would be most in line with the treatment that she had started to minimize the time and money that we'd have to spend. She was fair with the amount of money that
Danny N.
Danny N.
Feb 18, 2016
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This orthodontics practice is great. We are so pleased with Dr Tavarez. In word word she's *Great* Everyone is so friendly and courteous.

Very comfortable office makes you feel right at home with tv & water. Plenty of parking near by too. It's been a pleasure having her treat our Daughter.
Michelle R.
Michelle R.
Jan 19, 2016
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Seeking a job in orthodontics? Beware... Dr. Tavarez treats her employees terribly. Very unprofessional, unorthodox, and down right rude. In addition, she overbooks and expects her employees to work at a very difficult pace.
Kamlpreet B.
Kamlpreet B.
Jul 26, 2015
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I had invisalign treatment done by Dr. Tavarez. I got 3 quotes before I picked my doc to do the treatment. She had the best price and I could tell she was confident in her technical skills. So, I went with her.

They run a really good business here. Scheduling can be a little tight but I think that's because they provide good value and have a decent customer base.

I had some issues with treatment that were specific to my teeth. Particularly, I had some crowns that were difficult to get buttons placed on. They fell off many times. Dr. Tavarez always got me in very quickly and worked around
Hao Z.
Hao Z.
Jun 23, 2014
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Extremely disappointing..the staff has been so inflexible, unreasonable in terms of providing summer scheduling, bordering unprofessional and rude. I can not believe I would recommend this service to anybody!!!
Chris C.
Chris C.
May 27, 2014
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Very disappointing experience. Had made an appointment for a consultation. On the phone I was assured that this would be a free consultation, although I had seen the doctor many years ago. Since this was long ago, I was told a new consultation was needed and it would be free. Then, when I come to the appointment, the front person announced that the consultation would cost $165. She apologized and tried to indicate that she had only found out herself on the day of the appointment that there would be a charge. This is neither credible nor does it speak well for their organizational ability. Obviously
Marc S.
Marc S.
May 14, 2014
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My oldest child has Tavarez but my next kid will not. She is very unaccommodating in her scheduling and my daughter has to miss school frequently. And the times when your kids are out of school and can be flexible? Well guess what? Tavarez takes her vacations then and all her patients get hosed.

She is about HER and not her patients. I guess she just has waaay too much business so I will try and help her out with my next kid and will not recommend her to others!
Chauntelle T.
Chauntelle T.
Dec 18, 2013
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Amazing. Pretty much sums it up for me. Dr. Tavarez came to my rescue after 3 years of an invislign nightmare, which incidently was supposed to be 6 months- thanks to a general dentist who clearly had no clue what she was doing.

Dr. Tavarez and her staff are beyond friendly, accommodating, knowledgeable, helpful and talented and her office is state of the art.

When I walked into Dr. Tavarez's office I was a wreck as I had been through 3 years of general dentistry hell. Dr. Tavarez was very thorough in her assessment, very detailed with her work and she was very clear in communicating what
Ken M.
Ken M.
Nov 11, 2013
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Courteous, helpful, on time, modern, skilled, friendly. And, the prices are very reasonable too. What more do you want?
Anne S.
Anne S.
Jul 15, 2013
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I chose the Tavarez office on the recommendation of a friend. We consulted with two other highly-recommended orthodontists first--Dr. Samuels in Palo Alto (we waited over an hour for her--she was out at lunch--when she finally saw us she was abrupt and had not one word of explanation or apology). I found Dr. Ross in Los Altos to be condescending to his staff. By the time we saw Dr. Tavarez, I was impressed with the comfort and appearance of the office, the friendliness and professionalism of the staff, and I was a bit bowled over by Dr. Tavarez herself, who has a bit of the movie star about her
Bo S.
Bo S.
Mar 13, 2013
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My daughter got a retainer fitted at Dr. Tavarez's office. We won't be going back. Our 9 year old daughter never had an imprint done before and when she gagged on the funny tasting mold and started crying, the nurse rolled her eyes, said that she did this 30 times a day, and abruptly left the room. Our daughter cried harder and my wife was in shock. Really not the child friendly and supportive environment we expected. Dr. Tavarez was courteous enough but her smiles never reached her eyes. One of those "nice," but not kind, people. The receptionists at both offices seemed
Susan H.
Susan H.
Apr 10, 2010
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Disappointing experience.

I purchased the Invisalign package at Dr. Tavarez's office and unfortunately I was very disappointed with the result. Not all of my teeth were straightened and I am unhappy with my overbite.

I even paid extra for a permanent retainer but during the last few months the permanent retainer has detached... twice. I had to pay for the reattachment of the retainer -- even though it was not my fault that the retainer had come off. (I was eating ordinary meals when the retainer fell off). I have friends who have had permanent retainers from other orthodontists for over