SmileMax Dental Centers

I wish they took adult patients, too! This was a great first dentist experience for my 18 month old, and we’ll look forward to going back.

I would like to have the owner contact me or someone in executive management if they read these postings. I have had an unacceptable experience at Smile Max. There were at least four appointments that were either cancelled last minute or the office pulled a NO SHOW.
The sister location in the Valley, for two weeks, did not answer telephone calls during business hours or return a phone call. The Culver City location, it often goes to an answering machine and up to a week could pass by without a return response.
The front office staff is weak, not able to handle basic requests, and lacks follow-​through. I feel that they should get someone new or a Manager as they are ineffective and not able to coordinate to get you the answer from someone knowledgeable. I do not think it is intentional, but I do think that if they do not know, they shut-​down and you could call every week for two months, and they are just not capable of helping out.

Dr. Potter and his staff are the nicest! The girls are very sweet and so comforting when getting work done. Dr. Potter is very very very thorough. He really takes the time to do good work and do it well. You can be in his office for awhile, but you know you are in good hands with an enthusiast doctor. I would recommend Dr. Potter to friends and family alike!

Went in to this office because of the special they were offering. Found the office staff to be very professional and friendly. The dentist was very informative about what was going in in my mouth and took his time with the exam. I thought I might be rushed through because it was a special price, but I got a very thorough exam and cleaning.

I am shocked there are bad reviews here.
Dr. Maria G. is the best dentist I’ve ever encountered in my life. She works slowly and with care, and will stop when I’ve had enough. She is the only dentist who pays attention to my bite: she shapes the crowns and filings so my jaws align properly. I actually came to her thinking I had to have a root canal redone, when all that was wrong is the crown needed to be shaped so I bit down properly. She did that and all the pain was gone. I have a lot of problems with my teeth, evidenced by x-​rays done by the dentist who previously owned this practice. She did not embellish or exaggerate anything when she did new x-​rays and put the old ones right next to them so I could compare the two sets. As a potographer, I have no problems looking at film and seeing what is there (and what isn’t). Julio, her assistant, is professional and kind, and follows her instructions well.
Gaby, the office manager and billing person, has been extremely helpful in getting all the insurance benefits to which I am entitled. She’s helped me manage the costs — without this I could not afford the dental care I really do need.
I recommend this place highly. I would send my family there.

My deep cleaning actually didn’t happen due to the doctor having an emergency, being hours late. Thankfully I looked at other Unilocal reviews while in the waiting room and got a second opinion. I was advised I had TEN cavities at this location when actually I had ZERO. Definitely recommend a second opinion. The people were very nice but still highway robbery dentistry!

*** Scroll Down to see the «non-​recommend» reviews *** There are warnings there too!
STAY CLEAR. I’m still angry that I may have been gullible enough to believe I had NINE cavities and need a «deep» expensive-​ass cleaning! She almost screwed me out of $ 2,445. Don’t come here but if you did GET A SECOND OPINION. and PS. they refused to give me my X-​Ray.
Here’s my experience: BEWARE BEWARE BEWARE !
I stupidly strayed from my usual dentist. I popped into Smile Max because It’s right near my nail shop. I figured I’d see if they’d take me just to make sure everything is still okay with my pearly whites. I have great teeth and would like to keep them that way.
The assistant was awkward. Maybe new? That’s Okay. moving on. Here comes the female dentist. My X-​ray was fine but evidently I brush my teeth wrong? She fingered my mouth for what seemed like 3 solid minutes. I have ridges because I brush side-​to side. Ummm, no I don’t not since I was three. I’m 44 and certainly know how to brush correctly. Moving on… She had me hold a mirror while she held the tiny in my mouth and told me to look in the big mirror at the small mirror. With NO instrument she pointed out cavities with her naked eye. I always thought that if the pointy instrument stuck to the spot it meant the enamel was off and thus, it’s a cavity. If it doesn’t stick it’s just a pit stain. I left there with my print-​out «plan» which would cost $ 2,445 for NINE cavities and a deep cleaning ! What?!
By the way, I never got the cleaning I payed for. He polished the front of my teeth. Nothing more. I ran from there horrified. Did I really have 9 cavities and needed an expensive deep cleaning???
I contact my usual dentist. He took me right in. Guess what. ZERO cavities! Thank God for honest people. His exact words were, «If I filled every pit stain I saw, I’d be a millionaire.»
The dentist at Smile Max is way to gung-​ho to charge you money. And unnecessarily. If you go here, and you suddenly have problems with your normally fine teeth, GET A SECOND OPINION. Or better yet, skip this place altogether. I’m reviewing to warn others.

This dental office is the best, All of the front office staff are professional and they care about your dental needs. I would highly recommend this dental office to anyone who is looking for a good dentist.

DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE GOING HERE
They LIE to you!
Complete negligence
I have an HMO insurance and went here because they were in the same network as my provider. When arriving I went in a filled out the paperwork. Then proceeded to take some X-​rays.
I came in for a basic cleaning. After about 10 minutes of waiting, the doctor came in.
She says I have 1 occlusal cavity and need a «deep cleaning» (code word for more $$$) that needs to be taken care of. So after about another 10 minutes or so, the billing lady comes and tells me I have a «few» cavities that need fixing.
Hmmmmmm
I looked at the X-​rays and saw NO cavities. The doctor asked «do you even know how to read an X-​ray» I replied «my mother is a Cardiovascular surgeon and yes I can read a dental X-​ray»
The doctor wasn’t happy that I was challenging her and then proceeded to tell me I have 7 – 8 cavities. LOL (pathetic scam) She then proceeded to spray air on my front lower 2^nd premolar. I felt nothing. After questioning the Doctors discoveries, the billing lady with the clipboard says «she’s a doctor she knows what she is talking about».
So first I had 1 occlusal cavity, then the billing lady said I had a «few» then the doctor said I have «7 cavities»… (Complete joke)
I know they were completely wrong and lying to me. Completely trying to up-​sell me for treatments I did NOT need whatsoever.
I literally got up from the chair and said «your wrong and your lying»… which they were.
I got into my car very upset knowing I was being lied to so they could make a buck off me and the insurance company.
I then went to a very well respected Dentist the exact same day here in Los Angeles.
I told the new dentist about my last visit literally a couple hours earlier. He was completely floored. Not only did I NOT have 7 cavities, what the dentist thought were «cavities» were nothing more than very small tooth abrasions thats it. I did in fact have two cavities that the X-​ray showed and dentist ACTUALLY SHOWED me that were not shown to be by the Doctor at this office.
You would think if someone had 7 cavities as they said I did. It would show up on an X-​ray. Secondly I would be shown those cavities. I was not in this case. No headaches, no pain, nothing. Sadly, many dentists (not all) can and will misdiagnose you. In my case, I know my body and I know my mouth. I didn’t appreciate the lack of respect and integrity from this office at all.
Know your body, do your research and DO NOT be afraid to ask questions. Just because a doctor tells you something does NOT mean they are right. If your questions are not being answered accurately. Then do not use them

This is the best dentist office I have ever been to. I love how the staff remembers you from your previous time… there is no long wait and they even ask about my child when they see me! Very good with people. An overall good dental experience!

Great place! Everyone is super nice in this place, once you walk in the guy at the desk is attentive and aware of what your coming in for, if it’s not your first time. The doctors assistant is a nurturer at heart and goes beyond the scope of service to make sure your comfortable, did I say he’s awesome. Gaby’s busy doing ppw so she’s not in the way!