Smile Design Specialist
Richard Ekstein, DMD:
Practice Profile Page

I highly recommend The Smile Design Specialist.  Dr E. gave me a beautiful new smile about 10 years ago. He and his entire staff are very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Melinda, my hygienist is amazing.  She’s such sweetheart!  I wouldn’t ever think about going anywhere else! I’m extremely satisfied with Dr. Ekstein and my bridge work. He and his staff are very professional and super friendly. I use to be terrified to go to the dentist when I was a child, but not anymore! I highly recommend him. Thank you Dr. Ekstein for my beautiful smile!

I am very thankful for the courteous and professional service I receive. Placing your health into a strangers hands is not an easy decision. But I am thankful for Dr. E taking the time to ask me what my desire for care was. After deciding what the best course of action was, I was present with a treatment plan that was acceptable. Thank you team for your service.

I’ve always been deathly afraid of going to the dentist until I started seeing Dr. Ekstein.  Dr. E. and his staff are very professional, friendly, caring and the treatments are painless.  I travel for miles to get to their office passing many other Dentist offices along the way but my wonderful experience and at home feeling will keep me there.  Thanks Dr E, Liz and staff

Dr.E and staff are the best ! Dr. E is the most patient, caring and understanding dentist i have ever been to in my life. He is very professional, courteous and makes patients feel at ease. He makes you feel like family. I will definately refer my family and friends to him. His staff is great, very friendly and professional. Liz, Keisha , Lisa and Melissa have been great to me ! I love it here ! Do not hesitate to make an appt with them. You won’t be disappointed ! Thank you dr.E and staff ! Keep up the great work.

Hola, First off let me start out by saying that I’m the biggest Dental chicken on planet earth so going for a root canal almost brought me to tears! After meeting Dr. Ekstein and the office staff some of my anxiety did go away! Now that I’m about half way done with my teeth problems my anxiety is less and less every time I go. From the moment you walk in you are treated like a friend or family not like a “number” The DOC is gentle and doesn’t have that “holier than thou” attitude. He seems like he really cares! The front office is awesome and the back office is just as cool! If you’re a dental chicken go here and they’ll take really good care of you!

The entire staff was great from booking the appointment, checking my insurance, and being seen right away. Dr. Eckstein is so friendly and put my nerves to ease. I will be coming back for my routine visits from now on.

Not only is Dr. E the best in the industry but his staff is awesome! I’m not a fan of the dentist industry or it’s employees but The Smile Design Specialist are god sent and they caterer to weirdos like myself and I love them for it! They also put up with my entire family including the male weirdos. Best dentist and staff in the tristate area……THANK YOU!

I began seeing Dr. E many years ago initially because his practice was close to work and convenient. My experience with Dr. E and his staff was so positive and pleasant it was nothing like what a typical trip to the dentist had been in the past. I was always made to feel comfortable and at ease with anything I had done from a hygiene appointment to a root canal. Today now with a wife and 2 children and a 40 mile commute to his office, I WILL NOT take my family anywhere else! I give Smile Design Specialists my highest recommendation.

I arrived in this area about twelve years ago and I have been a patient of Dr E for about that long. This practice as a whole is the best dental practice I’ve ever been too. I have probably seen ten dentists in my life time and Dr E stands out as the best so far. My family and I have had extensive dental care at this practice and it has always been done with great care ,successfully and above expectation. I highly recommend this Dentist and his adept,kind and professional staff.

Jessie is one of the hygenists at SDS. She is very professional and personable. She explains each step of the procedures and makes sure you are comfortable. She does a super cleaning. Also she has keep me informed of all the latest techniques that may benefit me. I have been a patient of Dr. E for a very long time. He is highly skilled and caring. He  take the time to listen to your concerns and put you at ease. He is just a fantastic dentist. I would highly recommend SDS.

I have been going to Dr. E’s., office ever since he took over for Dr. Edwards. I really appreciate how I am taken care of from the minute I walk into the office to when I sit in the examine chair till I leave. My hygienist (yes she is mine) Liz, helps me keep my oral hygiene pristine even though I over brush, floss and rinse. Dr. E., is an gentle giant and is very focused on his expertise. The office is maintained by amazing ladies that sit in the front, I can honestly say that I have never seen it look shabby, I have never been given a bill that I wasn’t aware about. There is always someone there to give you the run down before you walk out along with fun flavored chap-stick (you can never have too many)

Let me start off by saying the moment i walked into the office, the sweetest woman named Fran greeted me and knew who i was immediately (initial visit as well). Shows that are on top of their appointments and aware of the patients walking into their office. The office is so comfortable, clean, and the atmosphere feels cozy. When i was brought into the consult room, Keisha asked me all the appropriate questions that were vital to my visit. She was super nice and once again made me feel comfortable. Dr. Ekstein is literally the nicest doctor I have ever encountered in my life. I am terrified of the dentist but he was so friendly and funny! When I explained my fears and everything, he literally said “I get it, you were traumatized.” When he did a quick evaluation he explained every single thing in detail what had to be done and how. Once we were complete, I went back to the front desk where I was scheduled another appointment to follow up with more details and insurance information which was already started by the other nice woman (I do not know her name, sorry). If you are looking for a new dentist, I highly recommend Dr. Ekstein!!!! I am truly happy with my initial visit.

I love Smile Design Specialists in North Arlington. Upon arrival at the office, I always have a wonderful experience. Jessie the hygienist is great and Dr. E. is wonderful. Both are honest about things I do well and areas where I need attention, and they do so lovingly. The only reason I’ve given 4 out of 5 stars is the office’s use of text, email and phone reminders. They are annoying and give me high blood pressure. Perhaps some people need multiple reminders, but I’d like to be put into a category that allows one reminder (text or call, not both) the day before. I DON’T need reminders weeks before or the morning of. I’ve also unsubscribed from email communication because the volume of messaging was insane

Excellent Dentist and Staff. Just had a cleaning and it was the best I’ve ever had. The staff is professional and very knowledgeable. Dr. Ekstein explains everything thoroughly and does great work. It’s a bit on the pricey at this office, but the service and equipment are top notch. I just recommended a friend to visit the Smile Design Specialist.

Dr. E and his entire team are true professionals and made me feel like family. When I came to them I had a tall order of dental work that needed to be done before my wedding. They put together a plan and executed it flawlessly. Most people are scared of the dentist but not here. They treat you like family, greet you with a smile, and every room they have is warm and welcoming. They educated me on how to care for my teeth properly, did about 3 years of dental work for me in about 8 weeks, and for the first time in my life I can smile with confidence knowing the work that was done has transformed my smile into something I am so proud of. I haven’t been able to smile with teeth in years as I was ashamed of my teeth and the damage I have done over the years. Every aspect of my experience with them was above and beyond what I had expected. They even gave me a little wedding present when I returned from my honeymoon. If you need a real dentist then look no further. I couldn’t thank Dr. E and his team enough. You guys are truly magical. THANKS AGAIN!!!!!! <3

Very friendly staff and Dr. Ekstein is very knowledgeable. He doesn’t force you to do unnecessary procedures and does only essential work on your teeth. My teeth cleaner was Melinda. And for all the time I’ve been here she has thoroughly done her job in cleaning and x-rays. Overall she ensures you have a comfortable and great experience. I am so glad I came across this place and definitely recommend it.

I have never had such a great experience going to the dentist before, like I did today. Dr. Ekstein and his staff members are so attentive, friendly, and very helpful. Melinda was the staff member who preformed my cleaning and X-rays. She was professional, knowledgeable, and overall amazing.This was my first time coming here and I’m happy to say I believe I have found my new dentists.