Contemporary Dentistry

Whenever I return to Rochester, I always make an appointment at the offices of Contemporary Dentistry because I’m guaranteed to have a positive experience. Dr. Belous and Dr. Messer are generous and actually care about their patients’ well-being. I always feel better after my checkups because I know I’m in good hands. Plus my teeth always feel cleaner than when I go to another dentist’s office. Go figure!

Meri, my hygienist, is bubbly and knowledgable. Dr. Messer takes great care. Everyone from check in to check out is friendly and professional. In large part because of the staff at Contemporary Dentistry, I'm someone who actually looks forward to going to the dentist!

I've been going to Contemporary Dentistry (Dr. Messer) for about a decade now, and have never had a bad experience. More than that, I've come to actually LOOK FORWARD to going! Why? Let me count the ways: 1) beautiful, soothing waiting room; 2) alert, responsive receptionists; 3) professional, courteous, thoughtful hygienists and dental assistants; 4) empathic, sensitive, meticulous, and hugely competent Dr. Messer.

I had years of fear about dental visits. I specifically sought out Contemporary because they specialize in phobia issues. They now have me literally looking forward to my visits. They'll give you headphones, a blanket, nitrous and they'll be so kind that you will forget your having any work done and think you're at a Spa.
Plus, they reversed years of bad care and now I have a gorgeous smile and healthy teeth and gums. Dr Bellows is great.
Not cheap, but worth every penny!

The caring staff at Contemporary Dentistry are always friendly and welcoming. I am very happy that I have found this practice in recent years and now my daughters also are seen there. Staff are caring, considerate, kind and professional. My cleaning was very thorough and steps were all explained in the process.

After reading a rather detailed and unfavorable review on here (which people are entitled to do; post their experiences), I just wanted to add this regarding costs of procedures and the feeling a few may have had about feeling that work was recommended that wasn't really needed. My first visit to this office was over 3 years ago to see Dr. Messer. It was my CHOICE to stop in for a consultation on having amalgam fillings removed due to the mercury in them. I know my mouth is full of these amalgam fillings and I wanted a consult on the proper removal (and cost) of taking them out and having them replaced. Although Dr. Messer did explain how they safely remove the old fillings, they did NOT push removing my 5+ amalgam fillings. They gave me a consultation with quote and let me decide. Dr. Messer's bigger concern was for something that showed up on x-ray involving my jaw. I had no idea this was even a potential issue and went to see a specialist about it. She and her practice could have certainly "sold" me more on the removal of the amalgam fillings (which is why I went there in the first place), but no such sales pitch took place.

I, too, have had the unfortunate experience at some dentists' offices in the past where it feels like a sales pitch the minute you sit down in the chair. However, I did not feel this way here. When I came back to the practice to become a regular patient for routine cleanings and exams, I was treated courteously and with the utmost respect for any concerns or questions I have had. Quite honestly, I'm tired of needing to have my teeth drilled and work done. Dr. Messer and her team have given me alternative options for caring for my teeth and mouth to help prevent further cavities and respect my thoughts/opinions on the types of medicines or alternative medicines I use or could use. I'm sorry for those that had a negative experience here. That has not been the case for my family or me.

After having been patients at this practice for a few years and thousands of dollars later, my husband and I decided it was time to find a new dentist. If you are a patient or are considering this practice be aware of a few things:

1. Their prices are significantly higher than other reputable dentists located in Brighton and Pittsford. We are talking $50-100 per basic fillings, and hundreds of dollars for root canals, crowns, etc. They do not care to even consider price schedules from insurance companies – they name their own inflated prices and are not in network with any insurance company.
2. There is nothing holistic about the way they treat patients. They use the same sedatives as any other dentist in the area and charge more for the “spa like” environment. If anything, we have now learned from getting second and third opinions they over treat their patients.
3. Their treatment plan seems to constantly change as well as pricing. As a family that is on a budget, we were very specific in that we could not endure “surprise” charges without our consent. Every visit where work was done, there was a change in the amount we would owe at the end (when my husband was too numb to talk to them) than what we were told to anticipate (and we are talking about basic fillings…no special work done or medical emergencies).
4. You will wait and wait and wait. Their appointments never run on time and you could spend half a day there for cleanings, basic fillings, etc. Yet, if you run behind, I have heard from other unsatisfied former patients they will turn you away, charge you for the appointment, and then require deposit for next visit. Their time is valuable, but not the patients.
5. They have a real issue calling and needing to reschedule constantly. When they go to reschedule you, it's not a week difference, it can be sometimes up to two months! So in the meantime, you sit with a decaying tooth or problem on hold waiting to be fixed.
6. They do not do basic extractions or the simplest procedures most dentists do. They instead have another dentist come in on Fridays to do the procedure. Not only do you get charged a “consultation fee” for Dr. Messer to tell you the work is needed, you will then get another “consultation fee” for the dentist on Friday. We are talking $90 consultation fees per dentist NOT covered by insurance companies.
7. Office Manager Harrold is Dr. Messer’s husband. When we had bill issues, they were real quick to credit us the difference we didn’t agree upon or drop the charges when we would put them in between a rock and hard place being we made them put what we would owe in writing before they did the work. How does an office stay in business doing this if those charges were truly owed and they can just deduct them numerous times? Also, they offer a fairly significant discount if you pay by cash or check…again, how inflated are the prices to be able to do so?
8. Lastly, upon switching to a new dental group within walking distance (and also very reputable and well known in Rochester)….we were surprised to find out one of the fillings my husband still supposedly needed done, was definitely not needed. Perfectly healthy tooth on the xray provided by Contemporary Dentistry to this group! Secondly, a tooth they claimed they couldn’t fill all the way and would need $3,000!! in work, guess what? New dentist was able to fill – no need for grinding of the bone, implant, and all the ridiculous recommendations made.

Bottom line – compare and look around at other options if looking for a new dentist. If they recommend work – ALWAYS get a second opinion! I am not the only review or past patient I have come across who avoided major amounts of expensive work by simply going elsewhere. We feel so lucky we chose to leave when we did and save my husband unnecessary work with an honest dentist who charges fair prices for work that NEEDS to be done.

My husband and I have been coming to see Dr. Messer at Contemporary Dentistry for all our dental needs, for a very long time and have been more then pleased. Our last appointment was for cleanings and every time we have our teeth cleaned, Dr. Messer always examines our teeth afterwards. She is very thorough and we feel very lucky to have found such a wonderful dentist.

Dr Belous and the staff at Contemporary Dentistry are the most caring group of dental health care professionals I have ever encountered. They do things that I have never seen offices do before. They will offer chapstick if your lips are dry, they will ask you if you want to wear headphones and listen to music if they have to do work on you, they will really wait until the numbing medicine is working and not just start right away like other places. They also offer other services, I have been thinking about braces and would absolutely do it here under the guidance of Dr Belous!

Friendly personnel who explained the entire process regarding my visit and procedure

Dr. Belous and the entire staff are just awesome! After years of putting off having work done, I went there on the recommendation of a coworker. They came up with a plan, explained why things needed to be done and have executed flawlessly! They replaced an old silver filling and did two partial crowns, I just wish I had found them sooner! A first class Doctor with first class staff, a first class practice!