Santa Monica Dentists
Alan Samuel, DDS:
Practice Profile Page

I chose Alan Samuel, DDS because I found it online with a good reputation. Dr. Samuel is highly skilled and I am quite happy with his. Everyone in the clinic is very nice too. But my experience is not 100% satisfactory though. Once the young girl at the front desk double charged my per-examination fee and put a higher charge on tooth extraction without confirming with the doctor. Now recently, he booked a tooth canal treatment for me early this year without telling me beforehand that the total cost would exceed $2000 which is my insurance maximum each year. Luckily, after I made a complain, Dr. Samuel made a proposition to make a stronger temporary tooth crown in hope that it will hold for a year. So, overall I am still happy with the clinic

I’ll add to the accolades for Dr. Samuel, for sure. Everything you read here is true: the office staff is great – friendly and helpful. The office itself is clean and up-to-date and I LOVE that they have 7 a.m. appointments; they get you right in! I have seen both Dr. Samuel and Dr. Videgain on separate occasions (Dr. Samuel is my usual) and they are both wonderful. Kind, patient, not alarmist yet thorough. I also visited Dr. Yancey, the periodontist on staff, for a gum graft. Um, gum graft? Could anything sound less appealing? I can honestly say it was really a piece of cake. Dr. Yancey was also patient, gentle, and thorough. It seems that all the dentists and staff are committed to providing patients with a good experience. That gets them five stars in my book.

The BEST group if doctors, hygienists and office staff you will ever find! I play hockey and have had teeth knocked out, broken and I have NEVER felt any pain or discomfort from any one of my hundreds of procedures! These are caring Drs who really care about your health and well being. If you need a dentist STOP you have found the BEST group ever! I’d never go anywhere else I trust them 110%! And have referred many many friends, hockey team mates and co workers!

Writing this review involved me revealing something rather embarassing about myself: I went 10 years without visiting the dentist. Oh yes I did!  I said it.  I’m a *reformed* dentalphobe… and I owe a great deal of my new dental life to the wonderful folks at Dr. Samuel’s office.  I gave myself a year to use up a rather large flex allowance, knowing I’d rather bite the bullett than lose $$$$ of my hard-earned money because I couldn’t put on my big-girl panties and just see a dentist. To my credit, I did wait until November to make an appointment.  Way to procrastinate! Luckily, I was able to get in.  I still remember the doctor and staff looking at my gums in horror, wondering how I could even tolerate their stares without some anesthetic – they were pretty tender.  In reality, I didn’t experience any pain at this visit.  None.  Dr. Samuel told me simply, “I learned a long time ago – if there’s a hole, DON’T poke it before the patient has been numbed.”  Hmmm… I’m no doc, but I sure liked where he was going with that. In total, before year’s end, I had a dozen appointments.  I had my quadarants scaled (my penance for my dental neglect), two fillings, one wisdom tooth extraction, fitting for whitening trays, fitting for a bruxism appliance and a filing and refilling of the gap between my two front teeth, which was originally filled before 9th grade.  The office staff treated me like family – shoot, I might as well have moved in! They billed my insurance in way to minimize my out of pocket (paid a total of $7 for my gap bonding, which is totally cosmetic).  They use the latest and greatest technology to treat dental issues.  They also have a periodontist on staff, which is nice – Dr. Samuel will just call her over if he’s got a gum issue he wants some input on.  No need for a separate appointment. They are a family operation.  Most of the assistants are related to Dr. Samuel by blood, marriage or years of friendship and professional contact.  When the receptionist passed away, they sent a letter to each patient with the news.  They always remember me when I come in, even though I’ve “graduated” from three-month to six-month intervals between cleanings. My teeth have never been better.  Definitely ask for Lisa to do your cleaning.  She’s wonderful!  Every time I see her, she reminds me how far I’ve come and how glad she is that I still come.  Shoot… even if I move out of state, I’d probably fly back twice a year to visit Dr. Samuel.  I’d say that was a joke, but it wasn’t.

Hadn’t been to the dentist in about 3 years and finally decided to make an appointment. I listened to what my fellow yelpers suggested and went to Dr. Samuel and was very pleased! He was friendly, engaging and quick I would recommend him to anyone looking for a great dentist.

This place was excellent.  I have been very picky with my dentists in the past and this one passed the test with flying colors.  Everyone in the office is super friendly and they ran on time, which is very important to me.  Lynn was excellent with going over my xrays and cleaning my teeth while answering all my annoying questions. When I met with Dr. Samuel, he was very detailed with explanations and showed me what he was looking at and where some potential problems were.  The whole staff was friendly!  I would recommend this office to anyone and everyone.  The best part about the office were the fact that it was so clean and that they have the latest technology for everything. I will be going to them for years.

I just went to Dr. Samuel based on other reveiwers and he is hands down the best dentist I’ve been to since I was a kid. He didn’t try to sell me on anything and even said that my wisdom teeth looked fine after my last dentist was practically forcing me to have them removed! Definitely recommend him!!

First of all, I need to note that I absolutely hate going to the dentist!  A coworker recommended Dr. Samuels when I moved to the Westside and I figured I’d give him a try – although, I was skeptical, as always.  It was a great experience.  The office is pretty big, but efficient.  Dr. Samuels was very kind, gentle and moved very quickly (important to me).  My first visit for some reason only covered the check up with Dr. Samuels.  They took xrays and noticed that one of my fillings had cracked (he showed it to me on the monitor.  I had to come back to meet with the hygienist and also get a filling re-filled.   The only downside was the two visits to get my teeth checked and then cleaned and that you end up working with a number of different hygienists (although all were super friendly).

Dr. Samuel is a great dentist.  I have been looking for years and had bad experiences. He makes you feel so comfortable and the staff is so awesome.  Dr. Yancy also works there and did gum grafts for my recession and she did such a great job at alleviating my fears and I actually look forward to doing it again. My teeth have never been in such good shape.  Also their hygienists are amazing. I love Heidi she takes such good care. They all take pride in what they do and explain the whole process.  I give them high recommendations.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Videgain for about 8 years now. I moved out here from another state and was scared that I’d never find a GREAT dentist (and I have a complicated dental history). Dr. Videgain is probably my best medical find out here in Los Angeles. The whole staff is welcoming and helpful and really care about customer experience. Dr. Videgain is knowledgeable, engaging and caring. I’m sure you may be able to find places that charge a little less, but I’ll pay for this quality of service any day. And in the long run I’m sure I’ve saved money b/c Dr. Videgain has always tried to find the most affordable remedy for my situation- he never pushes anything and refers out when needed.  Highly recommended

I have to say that this was by far the best dental experience that I’ve had in my life. From reception to the hygienist to Dr. Samuel, the staff was very nice and incredibly informative. From beginning to end: I easily found street parking (they don’t validate). I arrived 15 minutes early as requested to fill out the paperwork and that is exactly how long it took. They were running about 5 minutes behind, but after hearing of my tight schedule, they were able to get me out 30 minutes earlier than expected. The hygienist was wonderful. She showed me my x-rays, was very thorough, and didn’t mind explaining anything and everything as I like to know what this is and why this is like that. She was gentle on my gums and my teeth feel great! Dr. Samuel was amazingly helpful, explaining in detail and making sure that I understood everything that he had concerns about as well as why. He used a small camera to show me my teeth and keyed into the major issues. He didn’t try to up-sell me or pressure me as others have done before. I’ve had an issue with a filling from a past dentist for years and I’m excited that it’s finally going to be fixed! I’m usually a bit nervous about returning to have work done, but can honestly say that Dr. Samuel has earned my trust and I’m not worried at all. He even let me know exactly how long I could anticipate the procedure to take. Once at the reception area they were able to quickly and accurately explain what my insurance would cover for my future work & schedule me in.I can honestly say that I have no questions or concerns. I feel like I am in good hands and fully recommend this office.

One of my husbands co-workers recommended Dr. Samuels, since we were having trouble finding a dentist/dentist office we liked. Dr. Samuel is fantastic! First if all, my appointment was at 3pm and I was seen at 3pm, best part is you don’t have to wait! Second of all, the doctor explains everything step by step even explains any pain you may have after the procedure. He is gentle and careful, after the 2 fills, I had no pain nor soreness! Felt as though I didn’t have anything done. Third of all, Dr. Samuels And the staff are extremely friendly and personable!!! I will be recommending Dr. Samuels to everyone!!!!

I have been dentist hopping since I moved here in 2004 and I have finally found my dentist. Dr Samuel and Jessie were a fantastic team – helping me through 4 fillings with expertise and smiles. I will recommend him and his staff to everyone.

I was very sad to leave the area and have to find a different dentist, as Dr. Alan Samuel is one of the best dentists I have been to…ever! He is extremely gentle and very patient and caring. I never once got the feeling that he was trying to recommend unnecessary procedures and never questioned his genuiness and sincerity. I also really enjoyed his office, including the little things like the pictures on the vinyl light covers on the ceiling so you have something pleasant to look at when you are reclined. Also, during a procedure that required a lot of drilling, they offered headphones with a pre-loaded ipod so that I could listen to music. The parking lot to the office center cost money and there was no validation, but there was ample parking on the street. Go see Dr. Samuel – you won’t regret it!

As a patient for more than 6 years (at least 15 appointments) , I can say the three dentists in this practice – Samuel, Videgain and Wagner, are awesome.  Aside from the fact that all three are personable, reasonable and excellent dentists, they run a well oiled machine. This office is more efficient than any other medical or dental practice I’ve encountered in 40 years.  No joke.  They are always on time, they follow up on everything and the entire process is very efficient.  And EVERYONE SMILES HERE.  All the time.  The office is clean and it has the latest equipment.  I’ve never had a complaint and I am a former healthcare administrator. If you are in or near Santa Monica, this is the only dental practice you need.  Highly recommended!

I’m going to be real with everyone for a brief moment. Before going into visit (and I say visit because it truly was a delight) with Dr. Samuel, I had avoided going to the dentist for three whole years. I had a really bad flossing incident with a dental hygienist and I just didn’t want to relive that horrible day of my life. Anyhow, a dear friend of mine from work was concerned about the health of my gums because that’s the kind if sweetheart she is and she recommended Dr. Samuel. I was hesitant at first but then I remember that just because you have one bad experience doesn’t mean you need to throw the baby out with the bath water. I mean sure, I got sick from eating some dangerously undercooked carne asada back in 03 (Thanks a lot Jim!) but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying a hefty burrito from Chipotle every Thursday. Upon entering the office my ears were showered with the sweet sounds of Rob Thomas. And I’m not talking solo act Rob. This was the real deal, late 90’s Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 fame. From there it only got better. Vertical Horizon, Spin Doctors, Collective Soul, Counting Crows and many, many more. The only negative was that towards the end of the visit they played a remake of 98 Degrees’ classic wedding hit “I Do” by some two bit country artist. If you’re going to play that beautiful song, don’t mess around. Stick with the original track. Beyond the soundtrack to my visit, everything else was just a dream. I had my very first cavity filled and to be frank I was terrified. I saw all of the needles and drills and my tummy took a tumble! I think they saw the terror in my eyes and were able to put me at ease with some light jokes and  stories. Before I knew it, the left side of my face was numb and the deed had been done. Never before had a dentist graced the nooks and crannies of my mouth in such a way. He was like a magician who also had the power of a wizard and the gentle touch of a sushi chef. Before I knew it my visit was over and they sent me on my way with my little goodie bag in hard. It was a tearful goodbye but I needed to get a move on because I parked in a permitted zone (huge mistake!). So will I make up some crazy excuse why I won’t go to the dentist for another three years? Hardly. If anything I’ll go on a cotton candy binge just so I can see my dear friends again.

Feels odd to say because it’s always synonymous with painful experiences, but I love my dentist!!! The staff at Dr. Samuels & Dr. Videgain’s office are super friendly and put you at ease. Dr. Samuels does an excellent job of making you feel comfortable and explaining procedures in an easy-to-understand manner. He is legit, doesn’t scam patients and is a joy to go to. Their office features high tech dental solutions, which continue to impress me. He is focused on preventative care and treats each patient with respect and courtesy. If you’re looking for a dentist, I highly recommend Dr. Samuels

Best dentist ever. I’ve been seeing Dr. Samuel for 17 years. He’s done cosmetic work and dealt with emergencies. His staff is the best. Organized, on time. I drive from Studio City to Santa Monica because I like them so much. I’ll never go anywhere else

I just returned from my first appointment for a cleaning and general check up with Dr. Samuel and I have to say that this was by far the best dental experience that I’ve had in my life. From reception to the hygienist to Dr. Samuel, the staff was very nice and incredibly informative. From beginning to end: I easily found street parking (they don’t validate). I arrived 15 minutes early as requested to fill out the paperwork and that is exactly how long it took. They were running about 5 minutes behind, but after hearing of my tight schedule, they were able to get me out 30 minutes earlier than expected. The hygienist was wonderful. She showed me my x-rays, was very thorough, and didn’t mind explaining anything and everything as I like to know what this is and why this is like that. She was gentle on my gums and my teeth feel great! Dr. Samuel was amazingly helpful, explaining in detail and making sure that I understood everything that he had concerns about as well as why. He used a small camera to show me my teeth and keyed into the major issues. He didn’t try to up-sell me or pressure me as others have done before. I’ve had an issue with a filling from a past dentist for years and I’m excited that it’s finally going to be fixed! I’m usually a bit nervous about returning to have work done, but can honestly say that Dr. Samuel has earned my trust and I’m not worried at all. He even let me know exactly how long I could anticipate the procedure to take. Once at the reception area they were able to quickly and accurately explain what my insurance would cover for my future work and schedule me in. I can honestly say that I have no questions or concerns. I feel like I am in good hands and fully recommend this office.