Best orthodontists in Washington, DC: graded by phone audits
We phoned 14 Washington orthodontist offices after hours and graded what a patient hears. Here is who picked up the standard, and who did not.
What is the best orthodontist in Washington? The best orthodontist in Washington depends on what matters most to you, but Best Ortho ranks Washington practices on one thing we can measure: how they handle a patient's phone call after hours. 8 of 14 graded Washington offices got an A- or better. The practices with the strongest grades are listed below.
Top-graded orthodontists in Washington
Listed by after-hours grade, then by name. Practices with the same grade are not ranked against each other.
- Brent FreyAfter-hours grade: A+
3863 Alabama Avenue SE, 20020-1001
- Darlene ByrdAfter-hours grade: A+
4110 River Rd. NW, 20016-4618
- Kathryn J ClarkAfter-hours grade: A+
4110 River Road NW, 20016-4618
- Bob KumraAfter-hours grade: A
1120 19th St NW # 320, 20036-3614
- Georgetown Orthodontics, PLLCAfter-hours grade: A
5100 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, 20016-4131
- Howard U. OrthodonticsAfter-hours grade: A
College of Dentistry 600 W St NW, 27889-5215
- John SheffermanAfter-hours grade: A
1747 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Suite 120, 20006-4604
- Shadi SabaAfter-hours grade: A
1147 20th St NW, 20036-3573
- Beautiful Smiles DCAfter-hours grade: C+
2021 K St NW, 20006-1013
- Dr. TalleyAfter-hours grade: C+
2812 34th St NW, 20008-2716
Last audited: October 1, 2026
Why a phone-audit grade?
Reviews tell you about the chair. They rarely tell you what happens when you call at 9 p.m. because a bracket is poking your child's cheek. We test that part, the same way every time, so you can compare offices on it.
How we grade Washington orthodontists
Best Ortho places mystery-shopper calls to orthodontist offices after hours and grades the greeting a patient actually hears, from A+ to F.
- Calls run between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. Mountain Time.
- A call is graded on whether the greeting names the practice, gives hours or a clear next step, and offers an emergency path. See the full scale on our methodology page.
- Calls that never connect (no answer, busy, failed) are left ungraded. They are not scored as a failure.
What the grades mean (and what they do not)
| Grade | What the caller heard |
|---|---|
| A+ | The practice is named, hours or a next step are given, and there is an emergency path |
| A | The practice is named, with hours or a callback offered (or a live answering service that identifies the practice) |
| A- | The practice is named, but the next step is limited |
| B+ | A generic but clear practice mailbox |
| C+ to C- | An unnamed or generic mailbox, almost no greeting, or unintelligible audio |
| D | The call reaches a different business than the one listed |
| F | The line is disconnected, the mailbox is not set up, or there is no working office number |
A grade measures the after-hours phone experience. It does not measure clinical skill. Use it as one signal alongside consultations, credentials and reviews.
What a Washington patient can do with a grade
- Shortlist two or three offices from the top of the list.
- Book a consultation at each, and ask what to do if something breaks after hours.
- Treat the grade as one signal. It measures the phone experience, not clinical skill.
Orthodontist near me in Washington
Looking for an orthodontist near you in Washington? Use the directory search to filter by neighborhood or ZIP code, then compare grades before you book a consultation. Browse Washington orthodontists
Is your practice in Washington?
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the best orthodontist in Washington?
There is no single best orthodontist for everyone. Best Ortho grades Washington practices on after-hours phone handling, and the top-graded offices are listed at the top of this page. Book consultations with two or three before you decide.
How does Best Ortho grade orthodontists?
We place mystery-shopper phone calls after hours and grade the greeting from A+ to F. The grade reflects whether the practice is named, whether hours or a next step are given, and whether there is an emergency path.
Does an A+ mean the best orthodontic care?
No. An A+ means the after-hours phone experience was excellent. It does not measure treatment outcomes or clinical skill, so use it alongside consultations and credentials.
Why is my orthodontist not graded?
Some calls do not connect (no answer, busy, or a failed call), and those are left ungraded rather than scored as a failure. 14 of 18 Washington offices have a grade today.
How often are Washington grades updated?
The most recent Washington call was on October 1, 2026.
Can a practice pay for a better grade?
The Recommended badge is not for sale.