Smiling Place

A place where I feel comfortable with the hygienist/dentist. Looking forward to have my partial done by the professionals

I went to the Ewa beach location. Loved the customer service and they made me feel really comfortable and my Dr. is really nice. However I never expected to be blind sided when it came to paying for my bill after treatment. This was my 3rd visit there and had no issues with the first two. Before they do any work on you they do a thorough examination and let's you know what needs to be done and they give you an estimate(s) of the cost and you decide what and when you want the work done.

I had an appointment this past Saturday and I received a reminder call Thursday and the Clerk confirmed with me what was going to be done and how much I will need to pay. 2-fillings for $233 which I agreed to and signed for. I had my own copy as well. However when the work was done this time and I had to pay my bill it came out to $451! That's when I learned they did 3 fillings instead of two and added a liner Which I had no idea that's what they were gonna do.

The reason they give you an estimate is so patients will know how much they Will need to pay before making appointments. Dental service is expensive as it is even with dental coverage and I'm a single parent who has to live on a budget and I have to save up to to get dental work done. Ended up having to use my grocery money to pay off my bill.

Not sure if I'm the only one this has happened to. But I have other work that needs to be done and I'm gonna make sure and confirm with the Dr before she starts any work and make sure I'm only paying what Ive agreed to. Like I said the staff is really nice and its clean and they follow all the guidelines for Covid19. I feel safe and comfortable there. My only issue was my bill.

I've been going to the smiling place for 4 years and I have only great things to say about them. Staff are super friendly and understanding, very courteous and organized. My dentist is Dr. Chadron Araki. Dr. Araki is such a gentle Doctor and he will talk to you throughout the process of getting numb or even doing a procedure on your teeth. When I took out my wisdoms, the process was so quick that it only took 15 mins.

To take out all 4 of my wisdoms, I feel like waiting for the numbing to kick in was the longest part of the procedure. Every time I go here, they always take care of their patients and I feel like that is so important being because a lot of people don't like going to the dentist.

Check YELP Reviews to compare This place should be called the "Frowning Place" The head Dentist Chadron Araki is completely incompetent. I had made an appointment several days prior. I went in got an x-ray, waited patiently for OVER an HOUR for him to stumble into the room, without even an introduction, and say he couldn't do anything for a simple, common chipped tooth.

Nor was he accepting new patients. Dr. Araki would not even give an overview of possible recommended treatments. Why didn't his office tell me that they were not taking any patients BEFORE they accepted our appointment, had us sign in & took an X-ray? All to do absolutely nothing but charge us $80 for NO SERVICE whatsoever. Moreover, most of his staff (with the exception of one dental assistant) was NOT even wearing a mask in the midst of COVID-19.

The front office staff who took patients temperature entering was NOT even wearing a mask. Do these people even have even a basic understanding of human health and SAFETY? They are dealing with people's mouth every day. Do they have even a basic understanding of business? All I know is that I walked out with a nearly $80 bill and got no treatment, nor recommendations whatsoever.

As I walked out, all I could do is try & laugh, scratched my head wondering had Dr. Chardon Araki got his degree in dentistry from a Rolling Stone magazine ad or an Ashram of alternative medicine in India? Had Dr. Akari sucked too much laughing gas prior to walking in to see me? Or had he permanent damaged his brain due to an overdose of sucking another anesthesia?

Either way, my patient experience REALLY sucked! I would never go there ever again. They wasted 2 hours of my time, charged my insurance $80 & did not treat me-nor even attempt to help me. Someone please call the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The Frowning Place!

Dr. Chad I thought Walmart stopped selling those degrees that people could buy and start calling themselves a "doctor". From my experience, I would have guessed my dental hygienist was the doctor and he was a random looking into my mouth for a few seconds.

New workers making simple mistakes. I called the Ewa Beach number (I have it saved to my address book) to schedule an appointment. The receptionist gave me a time, but didn't say that the appointment was in Kunia. I assumed it would be at the Ewa Beach branch, because that's the branch that I called. -face palm- There should be a standard procedure to give the: Date, Time, and Location with every appointment confirmation.

Print it out on a checklist and post it right in behind the phone so you can see it. Say it at the end of the phone call before saying goodbye. P.S. I used to go to this dental office, it's pretty good, abate expensive, but they should readjust their procedures so this situation doesn't happen again. I'd also like to see the new patient forms on their website again. It makes things easier. The links are also missing on the patient page, but are present on the home page.

I was referred by my sister last year September 2017. My first time experience was excellent. Staff is very courteous and knowledgable. Articulated a clear treatment and payment plan and ensured that I understood it. Highly recommended to family and friends.

I have to tell ya.these are THE BEST DENTIST in all Hawaii! I absolutely love all the Dentist, the Dental Assistances and office personnel. I actually look forward to my appointments. Love you all so much

The staff and dentist are really caring, supportive, and informative by giving the best options and advice based on knowledge. The environment is clean and comfortable. I would definitely reccomend anyone coming here! Thank you!

Dr Chad is great, he wished that I had my dentures to be correct and true and very cognizant of full comfort and fit. I had nothing but great praises n blessings for this company who removed my remaing bottom teeth and getting me ready for my full dentures. Good job one from being greetings upon arrival to being led back and situated in my chair. Wonderful gracious ladies.

Awesome place from location to the staffs. Appointments are always fast, no lines to wait, friendly workers, and the place is clean. The best dental place so far.

Dr. Chris is the dude and ths Smiling Place always exceed expectations, made to feel totally comfortable on every visit. My go to when dental work is needed for me and the family.

I haven't been to the dentist in a really long time I wanna say at least 10 years. So I am writing this review As someone who can't really remember previous dental experiences. The most I've ever gotten done in the past was a good cleaning and maybe an X-ray. The only real real reason I went to the ewa location is because I had a sore tooth.

I must say considering i am really scared of anything that has to do with needles and not Going to see a dentist in at least 10 years they did a really good job! They took their time they explained everything so that I could understand it and they always made sure I was OK every single step of the way! I will definitely be going back to get a good cleaning in March and for anything else i may need.

Haven't had any work done by the Doctor yet but the hygienist that cleaned my teeth today was awesome! Very personable, professional and pleasant. Looking forward to my upcoming appointments. Oh, noticed he doesn't have his own letterhead yet. All the paperwork I filled out and received had another Doctor's name and a different address from this office. Hmm, kinda weird.

His name was not on any of my paperwork. Strange. I would think that could become quite confusing, legally, since I did not see the Doctor whose forms I signed and I was not at that address on the forms. Quite puzzling. Dr. Young must be very new. He does have a business card though. :

The staff and the knowledge with the hand ons skills is excellent. Prompt service, friendly faces. They make sure you are comfortable throughout the days chore of keeping teeth and gums up. They hav a pow wowin the morning to hype up positivity and it works.

PLEASE HEED MY WARNING. THIS DENTAL OFFICE IS A SHAM. What has actually transpired between this office and I is too long to type here, but believe me you would be appalled. "Shelly" the office/financial manager and Dr. Hirota are the two most unprofessional dental "workers" I've ever dealt with. This office sent me to collections for 89 cents three years ago- when I'd been in and out of the office multiple times for cleanings and no one mentioned a word about it to me!

So after the late fees and realizing they sent me to collections, I mailed them a check ASAP for a dollar and some change. After that fiasco, I went back to them- giving them another chance for some serious dental work and they not only gave false information (completely lied and made up stories), I ended up paying over $1500 for sub par dental work and am still in pain from it.

I was told I wouldn't pay anything for the work at the time it was done but halfway through they had me sign paperwork saying my insurance may not pay- what was I supposed to do at that point? They'd already started drilling- the "Doctor" was literally working on my teeth when Shelly came in to break the news. What a sham! I DO NOT recommend this office to anyone.

I work in the medical field myself and these people are not just unprofessional, they are downright ignorant. The only good thing this office has going for them are a couple of genuine and thoughtful dental hygienists. but if they have any sense, I'm sure they won't stay there for long. LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR YOUR DENTAL NEEDS. I'm reporting this office to the Better Business Bureau, the Attorney General, and anyone else within my power so that this doesn't happen to anyone else. No one should be treated this way.

This place is the booommmmbbb dot com. Everyone here is soooo happy. From when you enter and until you exit you see everyone smiling and happy. Dr. Hirota (i think i spelled your name right) thankyou so much for all the great laughs and service. Ive been to many dentists all around the island and by far THIS is my favorite place. I dont know any place that can pull a tooth and have you happy it happened. (no they dont give laughing gas) shoutouts to jayme and char and the other person who just helped do my filling, oh and everyone in the front desk. You have all made my experience the best and ill make sure to bring everyone more food!

I've been going to this dentist since I was a little girl, and Dr. Chad knows all my family members and always asks how they are doing. I have a huge family so it's impressive that he remembers each of us! I haven't had any major problems with the Smiling Place. There was just one time, I was scheduled to get a filling for a cavity and I think I rescheduled it 2 or 3 times because things kept popping up.

On the 3rd time, the receptionist was so rude to me. She said, "You know what, this is your THIRD time rescheduling this appointment already. How about you just come in when you're actually ready?!" in a really irritated tone and then hung up. I was blown away at her blatant rudeness. I don't know her name and this happened about 2 years ago.

If I didn't already have about 15 years of history with this dentist, I would've left because of that! Hoping the receptionists working there nowadays are kinder and more patient than that woman. Overall, I love going to either location (one in Kunia and one in Ewa Beach). There's always easy to find parking, they're super friendly and efficient in dental work. They accept DHS so my biannual cleanings are usually about $5. Love Dr. Chad!

I give them 4 out of 5. They are EXPENSIVE. I have top notch HDS insurance. Any other dentist, my co-pay has been between 10-12 bucks. Them 41.00 each visit. OUCH. I have two teeth that need to drilled out and refilled. Apparently I grind my teeth at night. But after that and my one month follow up appt, cause they insisted on a "deep clean". Which they do one section at a time, which means 4 days of work leaving early.

So I think after my one month deep cleaning appt. I'm gonna change. Back to my old dentist. He is $11 for check ups and. Cleaning. And cavities $50 to fill. This place AFTER my great insurance. $108.67. OUCH

I set up an appointment and emailed the x-rays from 6 months ago from previous dentist on the mainland. Over the phone they said that was fine. When I arrived they said, "you are here for x-rays and a check-up, right?" When I said, I did not need the x-rays they said new patients needed to get x-rays and panoramic x-rays. After a slight protest I agreed.

It was clear they were after any money from the insurance company that they could get. When that was finished, they said I was done. Excuse me? What about the cleaning? I have never been to a dentist who did not also clean. They said it was the owners policy that cleanings had to be a second separate appointment for new patients. There was also mold growing on the ceiling - looks like an AC leak. If it wasn't directly over the the patient's chair, perhaps it would not be an issue. Thanks but no thanks, I will not be returning.

I am always apprehensive when it comes to finding a new dentist. I have had a LOT of dental work done. I usually am nervous at the dentist, and use gas when it's available. Not only was my dentist sensitive to my concerns, Dr. Joshua Cardwell turned what used to be a nightmare into an easy visit! I have also seen Dr. Chad Araki, and he is just as wonderful.

I recommend these two dentists to anyone who asks, and I couldn't be happier with them as dentists. They don't waste my time and money. They don't make me uncomfortable. The office staff has always been wonderful and accommodating as well. They work with my schedule as well as being nice and caring. I have never had a complaint about them! The facility is always nice and clean as well. Best dentists on island!

I've been going to the Kunia location for quite sometime, many years in fact, but it's all been a blur of people hiding behind surgical masks and blinding lights staring down my gaping mouth. I can say though, that I usually leave with my mouth feeling so fresh and so clean. The staff are very friendly and I feel quite comfortable here. I seem to always be sent to the same room for my examination. There's a poster on the wall where you're asked to find 10 toothbrushes.

After years of looking at this poster and seeing the colors fade because it's been placed directly in the sunlight, I'm happy to say that I finally found the 10th toothbrush. I kept this little victory to myself, howerver, as the dental hygenist came into the room to give my teeth a good scrubbing. I left with a new toothbrush and some mint flavored dental floss. Mint. Delicious.

I have been terrified of going to the dentist my whole life. From childhood, it was always one bad experience after another. When I had my wisdom teeth pulled about 8 years ago, and my previous dentist did it without knocking me out and sent me home with no pain meds, I had enough with the terrifying dental experiences. Of course, I take care of my teeth, but my fear of dentists had paralyzed me from walking into another dental office.

About a week ago, I began having tooth pain and my gums were severely swollen. I could barely eat. I walked into The Smiling Place hoping to make an appointment because the pain was unbearable. They were able to see me that morning! Dr. Lee was so patient and kind. He heard me talk about my concerns and anxieties, managed my pain extremely well, and has worked with me to fix my dental issues.

I needed a root canal, and he worked very hard to keep my pain to a very minimum. For the first time in my LIFE I actually feel like I have a dentist who is not a pain Nazi! He is an amazing, caring dentist, and I'm so grateful for his work. They also worked with me on the billing. I have insurance, but certain procedures and costs are covered in a strange way it not at all. They worked with me so that I could get my work done and actually afford it! Overall, this place is amazing!

I had my first appointment with Dr. Caroline Shek at this office yesterday and was a little apprehensive because of my past experience with dentists. I got to the clinic a little less than half an hour early to fill out insurance paperwork and medical history. The receptionist at the front was nice and called me by name when I came up to the counter.

The lobby was clean and modern with semi-comfortable waiting chairs. I brought my xrays with me from my dentist on the mainland because I knew that my insurance wouldn't cover another set this year. I also gave the receptionist their business card informing her that they would happily email the digital photos to her so that the dentist could have a look at them and she said she would call them.

The receptionist also informed me that although my insurance covered my visit, I still had to pay the sales tax, weird IMO I never had to do that on the mainland! I turned in my paperwork and still had to wait 15 minutes past my appointment time to be seen. When the dental assistant came to get me, she was very polite and warm. I sat in a comfortable chair with a little view.

The dental assistant asked me about my xrays which I showed her and reiterated to her what I told the receptionist. She said they would call my old dentist. When Dr. Shek came in she introduced herself and was very warm. We talked a little about how I came to the office and then she asked me about XRAYS! I smiled and repeated myself for the 3rd time about calling my old dentist and she said thanks and asked her dental assistant why they hadn't called yet. Hmmm.miscommunication or what? Anyhow, she decided to not take up more of my time and did a comprehensive exam and looked at the papercopy xrays I had with me (she said she would make sure the digital copies were put in my file later).

Her exam was thorough and painless and she explained what she was going to do to me before she did it which was very important. I hate being jabbed at and not told ahead of time. After the exam she even gave me a written "report card" of the current status of my dental hygiene as well as scheduled a routine cleaning. I left the office content but not impressed.

I returned this morning for my cleaning and was greeted with a kind, warm staff who took me to the back within 5 minutes. I met my hygienist who was really cool and gave me a good cleaning without any pain. He was also really pleasant and made the experience very comfortable. So I'm good for another 6 months!