Optimum Dental

Reviews

• JC

  Jeffrey Cagle

  Feb 25, 2026
  5.0
  Once upon a time I hated going to the dentist. Like, with the passion of Zeus. I would fight the anxiety in my brain, trying to convince it that I could make it through another session in a dental chair, but the anxiety always turned to panic, blasting out of me with an exit velocity that could launch a rocket into space. When I moved to Northern VA, I had to find a new dentist, and the fates conspired with the universe, leading me to Optimum Dental and the caring hands of Dr. Balderson and her staff. I say the following with the utmost conviction: if our planet became a post-apocalyptic wasteland I would STILL go to Optimum Dental for my care, fighting hordes of mutant zombies just to get my teeth cleaned. Why you ask? Quite simple: because my first encounter with Dr. B was nothing short of life changing precisely because she, and her staff, put me at ease in a way I had never experienced before. After more than ten years of working with Optimum Dental my anxiety is no longer an issue and I actually get excited to go to the dentist!!! But this sense of ease is not the only reason I look forward to my visits. No, it is also because I have never met a provider, and a staff, more dedicated to actually talking with and getting to know me as a patient. Truthfully, I get excited to go to the dentist now in no small part because I just like chatting with the people who work there, and I would probably drop in just to chat if I didn’t have other daily responsibilities. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not share that one of my most memorable interactions with Dr. B was when she complimented my shoes by saying “Nice kicks!” This small and admittedly random exchange with my dentist left a memorable and endearing impression on me. How come? Well, because it is an example of how perceptive and genuine Dr. B is as a person. And honestly, I think that is what was always lacking in past visits to other dentists. Those dentists were not interested in seeing me for who I was, whether it was my emotional state or just the shoes I decided to wear that day. They had a job to do and just went about doing it. Fair enough. But this also meant they lacked an authenticity that allowed me to connect and relax. With Dr. B I have never felt she is being anything but her true self, and I have no doubt she truly meant it when she said I have “nice kicks!” So yeah, go to Optimum Dental. Give them a call, set up an appointment, and get ready for one of the best dental visits you will ever have. And then, get ready to fight zombie hordes because, like me, you are gonna want to keep going back and seeing Dr. Balderson and her staff.
• RG

  Rachel Goldsmith

  Jan 19, 2022
  5.0
  My dentophobia was severe enough that it had literally been decades since I’d been to see a dentist. I immediately started to relax when I walked into the office. They create such a calm and welcoming environment. Dr. Balderson is one of the kindest people I’ve met in a long time, and her staff are equally wonderful. I would wholeheartedly recommend this practice to anyone with dental anxiety.
• KB

  Keith Ball

  May 6, 2020
  5.0
  Great experience! I had been casting about for a new dentist that took my insurance (the last dental office I visited put me off of going back for over a year). Dr. Balderson and her staff are top-notch, are thorough, and know their stuff!
• SS

  S S

  Dec 22, 2019
  5.0
  Dr. B is amazing! She's so sweet and is a real perfectionist. She asked my opinion every step of the way. Her staff is great and so welcoming. Highly recommend her practice!