Solo general dentistry on College Hill's Waterman Street near Brown University
Smyleee Rating
Very Good
Dr. Lena D. Karkalas, DDS practices general dentistry at 151 Waterman Street on College Hill in Providence, Rhode Island — a named practitioner solo practice in the most academically dense section of the East Side, just blocks below the Brown University campus. College Hill takes its name from the prominence on which Brown University sits, overlooking downtown Providence and the Providence River, and the Waterman Street address at 151 places Dr. Karkalas's practice on the street that runs directly in front of Brown's main green and principal academic buildings. The College Hill neighborhood is home to Brown University students, faculty, and staff, as well as the established residential community of historic wood-frame houses that gives this part of the East Side its landmark architectural character.
Dr. Karkalas provides general dental care for patients across College Hill and the broader East Side community. Services include comprehensive oral examinations, professional cleanings, dental radiographs, tooth-colored fillings for cavities, and crown restorations for damaged or decayed teeth. The College Hill Waterman Street location draws patients from the Brown University community — faculty, graduate students, and affiliated staff — as well as from the long-established residential households in the surrounding streets. The surname Karkalas carries Greek heritage associations, reflecting Rhode Island's historically significant Greek-American community in Providence and surrounding communities.
Waterman Street's College Hill and Wayland sections host multiple dental practitioners within a short stretch: Dr. Carl Cotoia, DDS at 183 Waterman Street and Dr. Jason Conforti, DMD (and Drs Light and Conforti) at 189 Waterman Street are nearby, making this part of the East Side a natural professional dental corridor for the neighborhood. The 151 Waterman Street address places Dr. Karkalas's practice at the western end of this cluster, closest to the Brown University campus and the College Hill residential core.
For College Hill and East Side patients seeking personal solo general dental care on Waterman Street near Brown University, Dr. Lena D. Karkalas, DDS provides an accessible and practitioner-identified dental home in one of Providence's most distinctive neighborhoods.
Dr. Lena D. Karkalas DDS at 151 Waterman St on College Hill in Providence, RI — solo general dentistry near Brown University in the heart of the East Side.
Best Known For
General Dentistry
| Monday | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday(Today) | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Thursday | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
General dentistry at Dr. Lena D. Karkalas, DDS covers the routine care that keeps teeth healthy — exams, professional cleanings, tooth-colored fillings, and decay prevention — for patients across Providence.
Smyleee Rating
Very Good
184 reviews
Smyleee Rating reflects verified profile signals, reviews, and overall care quality.
Dr. Karkalas is a knowledgeable dentist. However, her communication style could be more compassionate. Visiting the dentist can be a vulnerable experience, especially when receiving difficult news about one’s dental health. A gentler, more empathetic approach when delivering recommendations would go a long way in making patients feel supported. I came for help but left hurt, sad and scared.
My child had a deeply troubling experience at Dr. Lena D. Karkalas, DDS’s office. We discovered dishonest billing practices, charges for services that were never performed. When we raised this issue, the response was both rude and unprofessional. The office and billing manager, who is the dentist’s husband, appeared to intentionally mislead my child both during her visit and later on the phone, and Dr. Karkalas showed no willingness to address the issue. We’ve read similar stories from other reviews. Sadly, this practice’s behavior seems corrupt. I hope they reconsider their dishonest practices, and this review helps prompt them to change. Your response is not honest. The issue is not about what insurance would pay, it is about you charging for X-ray images that were never taken. That is dishonest billing. When we raised this concern to you, both you and your wife, the dentist, were rude and dismissive instead of addressing the issue. You also refused to answer calls or provide a working email for resolution. This is unacceptable. We urge Delta Dental to investigate your billing practices, as patients deserve transparency and accuracy in their care. Remember, instead of spending time defending yourselves in replies, you should address the repeated complaints from patients about dishonest billing and poor treatment. Writing polished responses does not change the reality of how patients are treated in your office.
I've been going here for years and I love the team here! I live out of state now and am always so happy when i can get an appointment when I'm visiting! It's a pleasure to see them and they provide excellent care!
As always, I received great care at Dr. Karkalas’ office. Kelly is absolutely the most skilled and gentle dental hygienist. Dr. Karkalas always maintains the highest standard of dental care. Both provided me with helpful suggestions on how to maintain dental and gum health.
I can’t say enough great things about Dr. Karkalas and staff at this dental office. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism by the entire staff. Everyone went above and beyond to make sure I felt comfortable and at ease, which means a lot to someone like me who gets very nervous about dental visits. Dr. Karkalas and staff were exceptionally thorough, kind, and took the time to explain everything in a way that I could understand. The atmosphere is calm, welcoming, and truly patient-centered. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll be treated with care and respect, I highly recommend this office.
Reviews are aggregated from public sources.
