Joseph S. Kim, DDS - Santa Cruz, California

Tim S.

This is the dentist office to go to, if you live in the area, no doubt. Dr. Kim and his entire staff are amazing in so many ways. I love that they're a small outfit who care about each patient personally. Mara, their office manager is super responsive, incredibly knowledgeable, and always a ray of sunshine when I come in. Their hygienists are kind to my teeth and take their time to do a thorough, yet efficient job each time I come in for a cleaning. Dr. Kim himself is equally caring, very professional, and he won't go recommending procedures you don't need. I've had a crown and a filling done by him so far and no issues whatsoever. I've been going here for almost 2 years and the experience has been fantastic. No complaints whatsoever. This practice/office is a diamond in the rough.

Carole C.

What an awesome experience! Right from the moment I entered the office, I felt welcome, valued, and safe. Mara immediately put me on ease even though she was on the phone at that moment. She greeted me with a big smile and signal that she would be with me momentarily. The assistant, Phil, was professional yet friendly and competent. When Dr. Kim entered the exam room, I expected a consultation. He looked at my x-rays and saw that I had three implants and was seeking a fourth. He said, "I see you have experience. I can do your implant now if you have the time." Whaattt?!!! I've been thinking about this for months, trying to figure out how to afford an expensive implant. I considered going to Costa Rica where it's cheaper, but by the time you include travel and hotel fees, it wasn't worth it. Dr Kim had an advertised special, so I made the appointment thinking I would just listen. When he offered to install the implant on the spot, I jumped at the opportunity. He did an AMAZING job! In three months I return for the crown installation and my smile will be complete! Dr. Kim and his staff are precious jewels! I highly recommend them!

Jasper G.

Dr. Kim might just be the best dentist I have ever had. Not only is his staff very kind, friendly, and welcoming, he is very knowledgeable, quick, and detailed when explaining the procedures. 10/10 would recommend.

Lenny M.

Was able to see me right away and reattach a bridge that had broken off.

Edward W.

Dr. Kim and his staff were very kind, patient and professional when I saw them. I felt that Dr. Kim and his whole staff did their best looking after me and I would recommend this office to a friend.
I thought I had a cavity, but Dr. Kim assured me that I did not, so that shows a level of honesty that may be missing from some other offices.

Tia T.

I can't speak highly enough about how grateful that I am for the treatment that I received from Mara, Dr Kim and Meredith.

From the very first phone call with Mara I felt this was the office where I would get the care that I needed. I looked at a few places just to be sure but with each communication I have had here, and the way everybody treated me with kindness and care I knew this is the best place that I needed to be.

When I showed up at the office I had not been to the dentist for a long time. I felt embarrassed and anxious due to the condition I had gotten myself into with my teeth. Each of them treated me with such kindness and respect.

Mara was so kind, professional, welcoming and sincerely treated me as if I was an important friend.

Meredith was so kind and understanding so I felt comfortable to ask any questions that I had. She showed empathy and made sure to tell me that I should not feel embarrassed about my teeth. I felt so grateful for her kindness that I wanted to cry with relief that I was where I need to be to feel safe and get my dental work done.

Dr Kim took care of me from the start. He is kind, he listened, answered all my questions with care. He did not rush me or push anything that I didn't want. He explained everything that I needed to know.

When I left the office the very first time I had a plan from start to finish for all the work that I wanted to get done over time.

I have worked with thousands of people observing and teaching about communication in relationships so I observe closely how people treat each other. I am very aware of unkindness, weird power dynamics or people who treat others in ways that drain energy or make others feel uncomfortable, insecure or as if they don't matter.

On my first visit to get work done they talked to me about options and did exactly what I wanted. Every time I left the office I felt like I wanted to stay longer because these people have a special and rare gift to treat you with such care and high service that I felt like I was treated as if I was a celebrity or a friend and it felt sincere and from the heart, like this is not just put on for a business but because they are truly good- hearted people that care for others.

I will always be grateful for how I have been treated here at Dr. Kim's office.

Alex Y. C.

This is another review for Dr. Kim.
My kids think going to a dentist is like going picnic. What more need to say? Dr. Kim is funny, kind and very smooth with patient and make you feel perfectly comfortable at what could be potentially the worst experience possible. Looking forward to seeing you next time Dr. Kim!

**

I have nothing but the best for this dental office. Front desk staff is very kind, friendly and thorough with explaining all the details of today's visit and bills; assistant is also friendly and considerate. Dr. Kim is simply the best all throughout. I have tried numerous dental offices over the last 30 years, but there are good reasons why I drive extra 20 min to see Dr. Kim and all worth it!

Nick M.

Dr Kim purchased the business and client list for my previous dentist, Dr Henry Ramirez. Upon checkup, Dr Kim found that I had several issues, and I made an appointment to do a chunk of the work, including two crowns and several cavities being filled. Dr Kim worked very fast, and did all the work in an hour, including two temporary caps. When I returned to have the permanent crowns put in, I could immediately tell that one of the crowns was ill-fitting, much too big for my mouth. I told this to Dr Kim and he worked on it a bit, but ultimately I left that day. It did not feel better the next day; and I could tell my chewing was not normal because of the size and height. I went back the following day to get it adjusted. Again, even post adjustment, it was too big. I returned again, and it still feels off. I've gotten a few crowns over the years, and I have never had one that didn't fit even after multiple visits. I believe that the crown is just the wrong size. Instead of putting in a new crown that fits, Dr Kim has been working on it to reshape it, and it still doesn't feel right. Overall I am disappointed with this experience.

I tried going back to Dr Kim despite this issue and scheduled a cleaning and exam. This appointment was even worse. The "cleaning" I got was terrible - the practitioner did NOT probe for gum depth despite it being 1 year since my previous cleaning. She also sprayed me with water multiple times with water, hit me in the head with the X-ray machine, and spent significantly less time than any practitioner before in actually cleaning my teeth.

When the cleaning was complete, I expected to see the dentist. I asked where he was and if I would be seeing him today after all. Mara (the receptionist who booked the appointment) told me he was "stuck" over the hill, and asked if I would like to reschedule. I told her I would be finding a new dentist.

This practice does a HORRIBLE job and treats their patients very, very poorly. Do yourself a favor and find a different dentist.