St George Dental Clinic & Medical Spa

Let me start by stating that prior to visiting Dr. Halaka, I had not visited a dentist in almost 10 years for pro-​active dental treatment, and only visited in cases of emergencies. By the time I visited Dr. Halaka, I had three teeth in need of serious treatment. I was ashamed that I let my dental hygene deteriorate. However, Dr. Halaka was not judgmental and there was no talk about what I should have done but he was focused on what we could do to make the situation better. I was extremely thankful about this approach because I had enough shame and did not need any additional commentary. I visited both the Van Nuys and Hollywood offices, and the Van Nuys office is very nice and had most of my hard dental work done there. The Dr. offers deep sedation in the Van Nuys office and was able to get my bridge work done practically pain free. I highly reccomend Dr. Halaka as he is kind, knowelgeable, effective, and non-​judgmental. His office staff is also very friendly and helpful. Thank you Dr. Halaka for giving me my smile back!!!

Like the clinic
The doctor and the staff there are very friendly, clean & cooperated
I haven’t waited so long as they started working in my teeth on time
I’d recommend it to any of my friends who’s looking for a good dentistry

Just had my first appointment at St. George after my insurance changed and they were exactly what I needed. Definitely no frills, but the office was clean and everyone was very nice. Galina at the front desk was super sweet and great at explaining to me what my insurance covered and didn’t cover before they did anything. Dr. Halaka was very nice and thorough and didn’t waste my time. There was a bit of waiting around (count on hour for an appt), but all in all it was a fine experience!

I’ve been visiting this dentist’s office for about 3 years, since I moved back to LA (previously I lived in K-​town, where there are many fancy, shiny new looking offices covered by my insurance plan). My last visit I had some serious cavities to get filled (some required porcelain) and I didn’t want to go to an office just because it had a nice lobby and expensive rent, so I researched doctors with excellent reviews, credentials and experience.
I found Dr Halaka to be just who I was looking for, his staff is friendly and has gotten to know me over the years. Galina and Rebecca are the 2 I remember from my last visit, they were awesome, got me to laugh and kept me in great spirits, despite Dr Halaka preparing some pretty sharp tools for my cavity filling.
When it came to doing the fillings, the doctor continually checked with me to ensure he wasn’t causing excess pain and did a great job. No complaints, quick and efficient, am happy to have found this guy! Oh and in the 3 years I’ve been coming here for teeth cleanings and other work, I’ve never waited more than 5 – 10 min for my appointment, I VERY much appreciate this, this is NOT the norm with doctors/​dentists… Thanks again guys, I’ll be back!

impeccable workmanship, but non-​impressive bedside manners.
If you are looking for someone to hold your hand and comfort you, this isn’t the doctor for you, however, if you are looking for someone to get the work done right, and with superior skills, this is your place.
i personally recommend.

I went to St. George dental yesterday. Doctor S. Halaka did an excellent job cleaning my teeth. I am completely satisfied. He did everything I needed very fast and with almost no discomfort. He is my favorite dentist in US and I am so happy I’ve found him a year ago. That time he had done a great job with my wisdom tooth, deep cleaning, some cavities. I always feel so comfortable there, even though my teeth are pretty sensitive and I was always afraid to go see a dentist. But Doctor S. Halaka is different. He is extremely professional and he does all the work very quick. So as soon as I start feeling discomfort — everything is already done. But the quality of cleaning is really good and my teeth stay clean longer than usual. Before him I was doing cleaning only with many shots freezing a full mouth. I just don’t need it with him! I am so surprised.
And he is very straight to the point and honest. I feel that I can trust him completely.
Their prices are really reasonable, and Galena (his assistant) always finds a way to save my money.
By the way, Galena is an absolutely amazing person. She is so attentive, caring and understanding. It’s a pleasure just to talk to her.
I need to put crowns soon and I know I will do it there.
So I definitely recommend St. George dental clinic to everyone. Great service, prices and attitude!

No one should ever go here for anything but a cleaning or very simple filling. I went for a terrible pain which turned out I needed a root canal. I should’ve just walked out. Not only did the dentist keep coming in and out while working on other patients, a year later I find out that he didn’t get all the root out and now its completely destroyed. I’ve had several other dentists look at it, and they all said it was a botched root canal. I just want people to know that if they’re in a bind and don’t have dental insurance (which I don’t) DON’T EVER GO HERE! In the end it’ll cost you more. I paid so much money on this damn tooth and it all could’ve been avoided if St. George did it correctly in the first place.

I love going to St. George Dental Clinic because everyone is so nice there! Dr. Halaka is always very nice and trustworthy. I think he saved my teeth from getting worse. I definitely feel more confident to smile now. Galena and the rest of the staff always take care of me.

I went to the newly opened Van Nuys office. The doctor and staff are very professional and caring. The facilities and equipment are state of the art. They do everything they can to supply me with the best care and comfort possible. Dr Samir is truly compassionate and cares about his patients, and this was the most important thing for me, to know that he is doing what’s in my best interest. Definitely recommended!

When I went here, I had to wait. Forever. Just for a cleaning. Then when I finally get in, they said they can’t do a cleaning and I would have to schedule it another time. But that’s not what makes me put this at two stars. This place is dirty. 2 stars b/​c where I used to go in the midwest, was immaculate, sterile. Here I felt they haven’t cleaned this place in ages. Also, I couldn’t help but notice that the assistant would put the tool in my mouth and stick it in a drawer and reuse it again. Like it wasn’t put in a sterile dish or something. Then the dentist told me I have to do all this work and something about it raised my suspicions… I have yet to schedule another dentist appt but so far my gums and teeth look and feel healthy. I don’t ever want to step foot in here again.

About what you’d expect for a dentist in a strip mall: cheap, no frills, nothing special.
I went in for a checkup. It had been about 2 years since I’d been to a dentist, and apparently I needed a cavity filled, a cracked filling repaired, and a periodontal cleaning — that’s the thing where they numb you and then poke a scraper between your teeth and your gums. With my Anthem BC/​BS insurance, which only covered part of the cleaning, I was on the hook for a little over $ 400.
(UPDATE: The costs break down as follows:
— Exam: $ 94
— Full mouth x-​rays: $ 95
— Filling 1: $ 280
— Filling 2: $ 250
— Perio cleaning: $ 496
— Total: $ 1,215; Anthem covered $ 783; my bill was $ 472 with $ 50 deductible.)
Overall, there was a lot of waiting. A long wait before I got in a chair; then a long wait before they did the x-​rays, and then a long wait before the dentist showed up; and then a long wait before they started the numbing for the first round of cleaning.
They did a ton of x-​rays, often messing up on the first try and having to re-​do. Also, for certain x-​rays, they made me hold a block in my mouth with my finger. I’ve never been asked to do that at a dentist before — I don’t know if it’s standard practice but it certainly was a new experience for me. I was starting to get worried about radiation exposure. I was a first-​time patient and they never asked me if I had x-​rays done recently at my previous dentist. (I hadn’t, but still, it seems like they should have asked.)
The periodontal cleaning was pretty straightforward. A couple numbing injections, then an uncomfortable scraping, and then we were done after about 20 minutes.
Dr Halaka gave me some strange brushing advice: he said that I shouldn’t brush up-​and-​down or side-​to-​side. Instead, I should brush in one single direction, from the gums up to the top of the teeth, like coming your hair. I’ve never heard of anything like that before, but he said that it was the only ADA approved method for brushing your teeth. It just seems weird to me. And messy.
I needed two separate appointments for the cleaning (right side, then left side). After both appointments, my mouth was quite sore for the rest of the day after the numbing wore off.
The office wasn’t exactly dirty; but it seemed dingy and old, the fixtures flimsy and cheap. Also, it is kind of weird to name a dental practice after the patron saint of syphilis. (Really, he is.) I’m not sure what to make of that.
Since this appointment, a friend recommended I check out Dr Edgardo Falcon. I think I’ll try him next time.

I want to give five stars but when I was there, I don’t know if there was a scheduling mishap or what, but after I sat in the chair and got x-​rays I was waiting nearly 2 hours before actually getting my teeth cleaned.
That said, the staff is otherwise helpful and nice and the dentist did a great job. More about that:
Dr. Halaka gave my teeth the serious help they needed. After delaying too long going to the dentist, I had a couple cavities. He deep cleaned my teeth and filled the cavities and even put some filling on a chipped tooth to make it look whole — all with no pain and great results. He even taught me how to use my electric toothbrush properly (it makes a difference) and it has seriously rebuilt my gums in a matter of weeks after my lack of care-​taking had eroded them. Stop putting it off and go to Dr. Halaka and get your teeth taken care of already.

Dr. Halaka is great! He’s very gentle and caring toward his patients. I didn’t have any dental insurance and the price was very reasonable and affordable. I experienced no discomfort while he was working (rare in my experiences). They also have a clinic in Van Nuys that he is at part of the week. Very great work

Excellent! Like most people I have a mortal fear of all things dental! I found myself with no option but to have an abscess tooth drained. After going to the free clinic and being turned away. (I have no dental insurance) I stopped at the first place I saw. A little space tucked away on Sunset and Highland. I was immediately attended to. The problem was diagnosed right away. I was in a dental chair within 20 min. and out the door within 40. Dr. Halaka has to be one of the most amazing dentist ever! He took care of my problem, gave me options on what to do next. He was even willing to work with me on the price!!! He is gentle and quick with a very soothing professional manner. Plus he’s a fellow New Yorker!!! The staff was also helpful and kind. So glad I stopped!!! I highly recommend his office for your dental needs.

Dr. Halaka is sssooo amazing. He is gentle and extremely caring about his patient’s and is very sensitive to even the smallest amount of discomfort. I found my new dental clinic and couldn’t ask for more!

Love the work these guys do here. They have reasonable prices and are open on Saturdays. Go here!

I started going to St. George Dental like 5 years ago. Recommended by my father. I cant say enough good things about Dr. Halaka. I would never go to anyone else. I never fear of pain or discomfort. My little sister especially loves him. He is caring, gentle and their prices are reasonable. His assistant Galena is the bomb. She is a riot, So full of energy and always makes sure your comfortable.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Halaka since his started his practice. perhaps in the 90’s, maybe earlier. I met him when I referred to him for an emergency. I’ve always been embarassed and sensitive about my teeth and my health; Dr. Halaka always had a way of passing on a sense of goodness, and confidence; which made it so much easier for me to talk about my needs. This confidence help me so I could could trust him regarding the numberous health problems that developed over the years, and he always took caution and passion with his work. My husband asked me why I keep going back to him, I say, because I have faith in him after all these years, and he knows my teeth and hysttory. I dread the thought of another densits, I have a hard time thinking about going somewhere else, because it takes a while to develop a good working relationship with a dentist or doctor; I have been able to depend on him when I need him. His rates are good, and the office works hard with billing options and insurances and help with financing. Dr. Halaka. I think he has a good heart for his patients and his staff.

Doctors at this place practice random grinding of healthy teeth around the one where filling is being placed. I experienced this twice. Once with the doc who owns the place, and another time with another doc. who worked there last year.
The doc. who owns the place probably doesn’t have a sense of proportion. He put an oversized crown in my mouth.

I know most people would probably disagree with me about this dental office, but I don’t mind it at all. If you’re into a super modern, glitzy dental office with all the latest and greatest gadgets and flat screen TVs everywhere, this place isn’t for you. If you’re into dentists that are very gentle, this place probably isn’t for you. Just so you know, dentist offices don’t scare me, needles mildly scare me, and Dr. Samir doesn’t exactly have the gentlest touch, but I’m ok with that because my tolerance level is pretty high. With that said, I’m the kind of person that sits in the dental chair with the «let’s just get it over with» attitude.
I’ve been going to Dr. Samir since 2000 and he is very down-​to-​earth, friendly but not in your face nosy, and just very straight to the point. I’ve had major work done here, including bridges, crowns, root canals, deep cleanings, and soon, another bridge to replace the old one. All of the work he has done has been solid. I think I appreciate the Dr.‘s honesty when it comes to things I need done, and he never tries to sell me things/​procedures I don’t need. I also came to him when there was a time that I didn’t have dental insurance, and he always kicked me down a really good deal.
My husband always asks me why I keep going back to him, but I feel like it’s been almost a decade, he knows my teeth, and I like his no frills vibe. Plus it’s really close to my apartment. Oh yeah, parking isn’t the greatest, but there is a free underground lot, just make sure you mind the signs of which parking spot belongs where.