Cat has bad gingivitis - advice needed

My 9 year old kitty has had pretty bad gingivitis for quite some time now. It never seemed to bother her that much until recently. I've noticed she hasn't been going near her dry food for the last couple of days and continuously meows at me until I give her canned food (which she scarfs down). We recently moved down to Fairfield, CA (East Bay area) from Portland, OR and I don't have a vet down here who I can really trust. I looked into Aggie Dental Center, which has good user reviews as well as offering a board-certified anesthesiologist (extra cost if you request that he is present during the whole procedure). This would cost me in the ballpark of 1000-1500, depending on various things such as whether teeth need to be extracted, which some probably do. It also costs $140 just for the consultation appointment. 

If anyone has any information about safe places to take pets for dental cleanings--especially in the Bay Area--please let me know! I would rather pay more and know that my cat will be okay than run the risk of an unexperienced vet potentially killing her. Meanwhile it looks like I'll be switching her to canned food to make it easier on her mouth.

I don't know the area, but I do have an old cat with gingivitis and she has had some tooth abcesses which respond well to antibiotics.  Her last cleaning and extraction a year ago cost $300 which is a lot for me, but I know California is much more expensive for everything.  You might try asking the local rescue groups for a recommendation.

I'm afraid I don't have any ideas on vet care for you as am in the UK, but do have experience of a cat with gingivitis so just want to offer some support.  It is hard to watch them in so much pain they are off their usual food.  Mouse got so bad at one point he wouldn't even touch his favourite snacks (Thrive which are dry but not hard).  At that point he was obviously sick and when I got him to the vet he had infected sores in his mouth and throat and tonsillitis on top of the red gums around his teeth - poor guy.   He needed anti-biotics but no tooth extractions.   

The main thing for your cat right now is to have a vet look at her mouth and see what's going on - it may be anti-biotics and a little pain relief could help her a lot.  You can check out the cost of cleaning / extraction or any other treatment needed, but don't let the scary costs of more major treatments put you off seeing a vet to get initial advice.

I'm glad you have managed to get her eating wet food so she can be as healthy as she can be right now and not risk other health problems developing.    

Let us know how you get on with finding a vet, and what they recommend.