Carlsen Gary D DDS

I didn’t look him up when my daughter had some teeth removed about 5 years ago for braces and now she needs her wisdom teeth out so I am researching and I see his face and name and brings back a horrible memory, we still talk about it. There aren’t too many oral surgeons in HB, but I too am warning about the horrible experience she and I had. He was describing some procedure in front of her about cutting her jaw and moving it forward something about making her appearance better, she was getting upset and he kept on. What the H, who does that in front of a child. Anyhow we were there for a consultation to remove 3 teeth not moving her jaw. I should have known better, also her recovery went horrible from the time I got her home, bleeding, basically fainting when she got up for 2 days. She was in horrible pain for at least a week and had to refill pain medicine too… Stay away… Also the office is old inside and out, another warning…

I had my wisdom teeth removed by him very recently, I was a little eerie at first due to previous Unilocal that have been written. I personally was seen right away for all of my appointments. The staff was very friendly and calming before the procedure was done. I would recommend him to all of my friends. Job well done thanks so much! Also a nice plus that he calls you the night of your procedure to answer any questions or concerns :)

Doctor Carlsen is an excellent surgeon and his staff is beyond professional and accommodating. I highly recommend this surgeon and I am lucky I got a referral to him!

Not very engaging. An will get straight to the point… helps a bit.

I got 3 wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Carlsen. The procedure went well enough, but the staff and doctor couldn’t have cared less about their patients. When I came out of the anesthesia, dr. Carlsen didn’t come ask how I was doing. Then, when I went in for the follow up appointment, they said he had just started a surgery and wouldn’t be able to see me until an hour after my appointment was scheduled. The front desk lady said, «well, if you feel okay, you don’t have to come back at all.» They just come off as very careless. Nobody in the office seems to care about the patients or know how to keep a schedule.

Dr. Carlson and his staff are amazing! From the minute I called and spoke with Debbie to make the appointment until my tooth extraction was completed it was a very good experience! They are ALL trained professionals and it shows! They were very informative the whole way and made sure I was comfortable and recouping well from the surgery. LOVE this place (and I have always experienced anxiety with dentists in the past) I highly recommend them.

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible service. I found this specialist on Unilocal to have my daughter’s wisdom teeth extracted. My daughter had 2:40 pm appointment today for her initial consultation. I pre-​filled out the new patient form ahead of time, got off work early, pulled my daughter out if school early and arrived at 2:30 pm. Waited 40 mins and asked the front desk gal Debbie how much longer because my daughter has tennis lessons at 4 pm. She checked and said it would be at least another 30 minutes. What’s the point of making an appointment if they don’t honor it. How would they like it if all their patients made appointments and just showed up an hour and 15 minutes late? We left and I’m taking our business elsewhere.
I found this Oral Surgeon on Unilocal,so I made an effort to Unilocal my experience afterwards. I would NOT, EVER, EVER refer this dentist. If you decide to go, show up an hour late. You’ll still be early.

I’ve had 3 wisdom teeth removed by Dr. Carlsen and it’s been a very positive experience every single time. Dr. Carlsen himself is extremely professional and beyond experienced so I felt comfortable under his care at all times. The staff is also exceptional as well. I read the comment below about Becky and it almost made me giggle just for the fact that I think that she is just one of those people that you have to understand a bit to not take her offensively. Yes, she is a bit dry I suppose, but if you start talking to her she’s very friendly. Especially if you’re sitting there anxiously about to get a tooth yanked, she’s comforting and kind. Bubbly. no. Professional and astute… yes. Excellent practice overall.

I did not have any procedures done here. I did, however, get an extraction consult. This is my experience.
Dr. Carlsen was very nice and thorough. He seems to keep up to date with modern practices despite having received his degree three decades ago. Yay for experience and continuing education.
Doc aside, his staff were horrible. Everyone knows that you get little face time w/​the doc and spend most of your time dealing w/​their staff — billing, scheduling, etc. Georgie (sp?) does not keep her promises — she won’t call back when she says she will or get things done in the timeframe she says things will get done. Rebecca (Becky) is all bad attitude. She’s curt, gives dirty looks, and does not sugar coat anything. Which is what I usually prefer — honesty, that is. However, the customer service here is gawd-​awful.
I was scheduled for a consult on a Friday — Georgie offered, I accepted. Apparently, they don’t usually consult on Fridays. Becky called me the day before my appointment to reschedule. It wouldn’t have been a problem for me except Becky stated that they don’t usually consult on Fridays and that THEY WANTED TO GO HOME EARLY. Are you kidding me?! How lame! The optimist in me wants to give her credit for being honest. But I won’t because she’s rude.
During my consult, the Doc handed me a fine-​print document to read over and sign. He instructed me to hand it to Becky when I was done. So, as any responsible person, I actually read the important document (FYI — did you know wisdom teeth extraction can cause permanent numbness, inability to use your jaw, and/​or death?! You are now informed/​warned. You’re welcome.) Becky checked on me about two minutes after the Doc left my side. I told her I wasn’t done reading the document. She mumbled under her breath for me meet her at the counter when I was done. She was obviously annoyed. So, when I was done, followed her directions and met her at the counter. Boy, did she shoot me the dirtiest look I’ve ever experienced — looked me up and down and back up again. I haven’t been shot that look since grammar school right before brawling!
Needless to say, I did not go through with my extractions w/​this office for the sheer fact that the staff are rude and utterly unprofessional. Apparently my insistance on reading fine-​print documents before signing, inquires about out-​of-​pocket expenses upfront, and expectation of a certain level of professionalism from this office was unreasonable and made them uncomfortable.
Other important info: unprofessional staff, located in medical offices next to HB hospital, modern xray machine (the type that spins around your head), Doc was thorough and patient during consult, free consult, don’t hold your breath if the office promises to do something for you by a certain date/​time; they’re notorious for not following through.

Firstly, I suffer from severe anxiety issues. They’re not always related to health, but as you can imagine, health stuff makes it worse. So the thought of getting all 4 wisdom teeth extracted? Freaked me out.
I was recommended to Dr. Carlsen by my dentist. During the consult, he was very nice and professional, and everyone at the office was very welcoming and reassuring. It’s a small place, so I didn’t have to wait at all. I was even running late and they were fine with that.
Went in last Friday for the extractions. I was led immediately into the back, where I proceeded to sob hysterically as my fear escalated. The nurses talked me through my anxiety attack, pet my shoulder, told me everything was going to be fine and it would be over before I knew it. They explained things every step of the way, from when they were applying the rubber band around my arm before the IV insertion, to putting the heart monitors on my body, etc. I closed my eyes for the IV insertion, but even like that, Dr. Carlsen and his staff continued to tell me exactly what to expect and when so that I didn’t freak out more.
After I konked out from the general anesthesia, I came to and the nurses helped me to a chair and walked my partner and I through the healing post-​op care. Even then they were incredibly nice and caring. I’ve actually never felt so calm about dental procedures in my life!
And they must have done a fantastic job, because I’m on day 5 and there’s been NO PAIN AT ALL. No dry socket, either, which I was deathly afraid of. They give you a packet when you leave that has 3 pages of post-​op details. Dr. Carlsen also called me the night after my surgery to find out how I was. I was asleep at the time (slept a LOT with the awesome meds they gave me), but it was incredibly nice to know he cared enough to follow up so quickly. My actual follow-​up appointment went just as quickly as everything else and again, they were super sweet and helpful to answer all my questions.
I also noticed on my follow-​up that they have a plaque in the waiting area that reads «We cater to cowards!» and they really do. I’m a coward about all things medical, and they helped me SO MUCH.
Can’t recommend this place enough. While I hope I never have to get teeth pulled again, if I do, I know exactly where I’m headed. Thank you guys SO MUCH for your patience, attention, and care. You have no idea how much people like me appreciate it in such stressful situations.

I seriously just left Dr. Carlsen’s office about 20 minutes ago. Today’s task was getting my #2 molar removed. It was a shell of a tooth and was in total need of removal.
They first took an Xray. Xray showed that I also had 3 wisdom teeth in need of removal as well. While Dr. C was extracting my #2 molar, he went ahead and took out the wisdom tooth behind it too. All this while under local anesthesia. I’m home now, no pain, minimal swelling and they even sent me home with a great little packet explaining what to do.
Dr. Carlsen’s rates are very reasonable and the best part… my insurance covers most of it! Woop!

The doctor himself is not super talkative or engaging, but definitely experienced and knows what he’s doing. The staff is super friendly, and remembers you when you come in. They are welcoming and willing to answer any questions that come up after a procedure.
I was extremely surprised by the price of my wisdom teeth extraction because I had been quoted something outrageously much more expensive when I’d gone to another doctor in the area for a consultation. Prices are good.
Basically if your insurance covers you, take advantage of Dr. Carlsen’s office. Like the other reviews said, he’ll call your house after your surgery to make sure there are no complications. Just be sure to ask lots of questions if you want to know what’s going on, because the office does kind of usher you in and out. They don’t mess around.

Dr. Carlsen was referred to me by my dentist to have my wisdom teeth pulled out, he’s a very good doctor. His prices are reasonable and his staff are very friendly. He’s been practicing dentist in Huntington Beach for over 30 years and he’s a very nice doctor. He called me to make sure how I was doing, and was shocked that he even called me to check on me. I would definitely recommend Dr. Carlsen !!