I came to Dr James Cooke after a very difficult 2 months with 2 previous dentists. I have had 3 root canals, 1 crown, 1 onlay and 3 implants, and have lost 2 teeth after cracks progressed. On 09/07/2026, Dentist 1 examined 36 after I reported sharp pain on biting, described a hairline fracture and advised no treatment until the tooth “changes colour”. I also raised 37, which he had restored after a crack more than 10 years earlier. While trying to locate those earlier notes, it was discovered that my pre-2017 hard-copy record had been lost. I then saw Dentist 2. On 24/07/2026, I again reported pain on biting in 36; he could not see a crack and advised waiting. On 04/08/2026, he placed an “adhesive restoration” (item 531) on 36, saying it would hold the crack together. On 03/09/2026, although he again said he could not see the crack, he drilled and restored 36. He then said the pain could instead be from 37, but did not investigate it. Root canal treatment was suggested. Afterwards, 36 became constantly hypersensitive, even to breathing. I sought specialist endodontic assessment, but Dentist 2 refused to provide the detailed referral and X-rays required by the specialist, stating that I had self-referred and did not require specialist assessment. I first saw Dr Cooke on 10/09/2026. He spent close to 2 hours listening carefully, then performed a thorough examination, X-rays, clinical photographs and pulp vitality testing. He established that both 36 and 37 were healthy and vital and did not require root canal treatment. He found that 36 needed to be completely redone and that the adhesive restoration had no clinical benefit, interfered with cleaning and was irritating the gum. On 15/09/2026, Dr Cooke completely redid 36. His attention to detail was exceptional: topical anaesthetic before local anaesthetic, computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery in measured amounts, cheek protection, lip balm, interproximal finishing tape and a protective cavity liner beneath the filling. He also removed the unnecessary adhesive restoration. Crucially, he did not stop at 36. That same day he investigated 37 and identified a major crack extending along the tooth—the actual source of my sharp biting pain. As the anaesthetic from the corrective treatment on 36 wore off, the constant hypersensitivity resolved. What impressed me most was how quickly Dr Cooke acted. With 37 still healthy and vital, he recognised that it needed protection before the crack progressed further. Despite an already full schedule, he fitted me in on 16/09/2026, the very next day, for the crown preparation procedure. The crown preparation was lengthy, but I never felt rushed. Dr Cooke repeatedly checked my comfort, used the same careful anaesthetic approach and took great care with the permanent crown impression. He also took a clinical shade-matching photograph for the laboratory. He discussed 24, 25 and 47, my 3 implants and longstanding gingival discomfort, recommended periodontal maintenance, prepared a detailed periodontist referral and identified grinding as a likely contributor to my cracked teeth, recommending a mouthguard. My permanent crown is scheduled to be fitted on 30/09/2026. From 10/09/2026 to diagnosis, correction of 36, identification of the major crack in 37, crown preparation and planned crown placement, the turnaround has been remarkable. Within 6 days, 36 had been corrected, my hypersensitivity resolved, the true source of my pain identified and 37 prepared for crown protection. Dr Cooke combines thorough diagnosis, conservative treatment, meticulous technique and immediate action. He listens, explains his clinical reasoning, shows me the X-rays and photographs, checks my comfort and never makes me feel rushed. I only wish I had found Dr Cooke sooner. After a very difficult period of dental treatment, he has restored my confidence in dental care. I am extremely grateful to Dr Cooke and the team at Shore Dental.

On 24/07/2026 I attended Dr Poon for a clean and oral examination. A high-volume suction tip was used instead of a saliva ejector; I was not warned and became drenched when I tried to close my mouth around it. I was also charged $50 for item 072, “photographic record”, although the image was taken on a smartphone rather than an intraoral camera. On 04/08/2026 I returned with sharp pain on biting and a suspected crack in tooth 36. Dr Poon said he could not see the crack. Given my history of cracked teeth, crowns and three implants, I wanted it protected. He applied an “adhesive restoration” to 36 and charged $300, saying it would hold the crack in place. He also prepared a treatment plan leading towards root-canal treatment. On 03/09/2026 I returned because the pain persisted. Before drilling, Dr Poon again said he could not see a crack in 36. No topical anaesthetic was used before the local anaesthetic injection, which I found extremely painful. No cheek/soft-tissue protector or lip balm was used. A high-volume suction tip was again used. No computer-controlled anaesthetic delivery system was used. No interproximal finishing strip/tape was used; floss was used instead. The $300 adhesive was left despite irritating my gum and interfering with cleaning. Immediately after drilling 36, Dr Poon said the pain could instead be coming from 37 because the teeth are very close together, but he did not investigate 37. He said, “I trust my patients with their symptoms”, yet continued to tell me I would ultimately require a root canal despite no diagnosis of irreversible pulpitis. After the anaesthetic wore off, 36 became highly sensitive, including to air, and painful continuously rather than only on biting. On 05/09/2026 I requested an endodontist referral with clinical notes, test results and x-rays. On 07/09/2026 I received only a brief referral for suspected crack 36 without that information. I followed up and asked for 37 to be included because it was painful on biting. On 08/09/2026 the practice told me I could refer myself. The specialist clinic said a detailed referral and x-rays were required. Dr Poon refused to provide the detailed referral I requested. On 09/09/2026 the clinic manager told me Dr Poon had said I had self-referred and, in his opinion, did not need expert evaluation. I was told my appointment would be cancelled if the required material was not supplied by 16/09/2026. I saw another dentist on 10/09/2026. He has 156 Google reviews and a 4.9/5 rating. He examined me, took x-rays and intraoral photographs, and tested pulp vitality. Both 36 and 37 were vital and neither required root-canal treatment. He advised that 36 needed to be completely redone. I saw the photographs: the restoration was rough and the tooth had been extensively reduced towards 37. He advised that the $300 adhesive had no useful clinical role, interfered with cleaning and visibly irritated my gum. It had to be removed. The second dentist found 36 vital with a healthy pulp and said it should not have been touched. Dr Poon had drilled a healthy, vital tooth while the actual source of my sharp biting pain remained untreated. On 15/09/2026 tooth 36 was completely redone, with a protective cavity liner beneath the new filling. The hypersensitivity and pain disappeared as the anaesthetic was wearing off. Most importantly, the second dentist investigated 37 and found a major crack extending along the tooth. I was advised this was the source of my sharp biting pain. He saved 37 by identifying the crack in time and arranging prompt crown protection. I was advised that, if the crack progressed, it could lead to irreversible pulpitis, root-canal treatment and potentially extraction. Dr Poon himself had raised 37 as a possible source immediately after drilling 36, yet did not properly investigate it. Instead, healthy, vital 36 was drilled while the significantly cracked 37 remained untreated. I regret not seeking a second