Alaa Abdel-Maqsoud, DDS

I just went back for another appointment, I won’t go into the gruesome details, but I had a really bad infection of some sort get into my jaw and eat about half of it away before it was discovered. Went to my usual appointment and once the Doc saw my teeth he immediately did a full set of X-​rays and it was quite obvious that I had some serious issues going on. All the teeth are dead, bleeding into themselves and all are coming loose. I had no idea because I didn’t feel any pain, I brush at least twice a day, floss, and use the little pointed brushes to get between my teeth. I thought all was good. Boy was I wrong!
So I go see Doctor Abdel-​Maqsoud every 3 weeks for a check up/​pull the bad ones/​work on the gums and get them cleaned up, then I get 3 weeks to heal then I go back again. Most refer to him as «Doctor Max» instead of pronouncing his whole name abdel-​Max-​sood is basically it. It’s not hard to pronounce so I say the whole thing out of respect and have even learned the Islamic greeting that we non-​Muslims say to Muslim men. He was impressed and responded with something in Arabic that I didn’t understand at all. I asked if I pronounced it correctly and he said yes I did, but also told him I don’t speak Arabic so what he said back to me was not understood. He patted me on the shoulder and laughed a bit. I think he appreciated that I at least tried, and I did it out of respect. He’s originally from Egypt and a Muslim, and one of the kindest and most gentle people you will ever meet. I’m SO glad he was recommended to me. Actually by Lyd A. here on Unilocal and her husband that are very close friends for decades. Thanks Lyd!
I moved my appointment up by a week because I had a couple of teeth that were constantly aching and I got my little dental mirror out and a flashlight an took a look and wow! It was pretty obvious even to me, the untrained, that it was time to get them out of there. They appeared to be affecting the gums about them and they themselves looked really horrible.
And I realize that any «muck» coming off of these teeth and gums is being swallowed, not great for my overall health at all.
So I went in, the staff is always very nice and helpful in any way I need and in comes Doctor Abdel-​Maqsoud. He took one look and agreed, it was time for them to come out. The one on top came out so easy I was surprised, but the bottom tooth, even though it was very loose took some wrangling to get out. But out it came.
When he adds the gel that I’m guessing numbs the area before the shots of Novocaine he always checks to make sure he’s not hurting me. Then after a little while comes the shots. I can hardly feel them, but by his actions and the pressure I feel there are quite a few of them. He constantly asks «are you o.k.?» «Am I hurting you», to the point that I now use hand signals because it’s a bit hard to talk with his and this assistants hands and instruments my mouth. He always warns me if there is going to be a painful one, I hang on and it’s over in a flash. He constantly checks how I’m feeling, in pain or not, and his assistant relays what finger signs I am using to him as I think he’s looking in my mouth and rarely looks away.
So I had to very sore and very nasty teeth pulled out with only a few little bits of pain during the process, which he warned me about previous to them. After cleaning up the gums and area, he scrapped a bit on the teeth in front of the teeth that we pulled, I believe to get the dried blood off that I can’t seem to get with any of my brushing or risings (which I do with an antiseptic quite a few times a day). They gave me a big zip lock bag of gauze to keep them packed up nice. Explained how often to change it out and what to look for before stopping and I was out of there! I think I was in his office about 30 minutes max.
I have to say, after all this ranting (sorry if it’s a long read — but I believe this Dentist is worth it) that he’s one of the kindest and most gentle people I’ve ever met. I honestly believe that he cares about my health. On a number of occasions he’s sat with me and discussed what needs to be done, what I should do to help the situation, and gives me advise on the best way to deal with all of this. And he gives me a hell of a good price being I don’t have any insurance and it’s all out of pocket, and the whole process is going to be extremely expensive by the time I get new teeth implanted.
I just have to say, I have not met a Dentist, nor even any Doctor at all who takes time to talk to his patience, tell them what’s going one, and what needs to be done to fix it. He’s just an all around great human being and I am SO happy that I’m going to him.
Thanks again Lyd A. I sure appreciate the reference and telling me about this guy, he’s just downright the best Dentist I’ve ever used! Bar none!
I wish I could give him 10, 20 or even 50 positive stars, he’s deserves them! :)
Dr. Abdel-​Maqsoud, is the greatest!

These guys are the best. The girls are all great friendly and so pleasant all the time. But Doctor Max is the best of the best. He is not only a great dentist but he is gentle, kind and funny as heck. I don’t know what I will do if he ever retires. My family has been going to him for over 25 years and hopefully for another 25. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING THE BEST, and especially Gina who keeps it all together. Love you guys.

I have been going to Dr. Max for over 20 years. Prior to that I felt like I was jumping from dentist to dentist trying to find one I felt comfortable with. Dr. Max is extremely knowledgeable kind and I love his sense of humor. He has done quite a lot of work on me. Sometimes I think I challenge him with some of my dental issues but he always takes his time and always fixes any issues that I may have. I always feel welcomed by him and his office staff. I know I am always in good hands when I am in his office. I am so pleased and comfortable being in Dr. Max’s care that when I move out of state next year I will continue to make my dental appointments with Dr. Max while visiting California. Thank you Dr. Max, Gina and the rest of the staff for your continued care.

We have known Dr. Maq for about 27 years now. My brother who hated dentist with a passion recommended him and actually told us he’s good… so that was worth checking out.
My whole family and clan go to him now. My children, nieces and nephews love him. He is honest, good, funny, and gentle. His staff are awesome as well. Gina has been working with Dr. Maq for as long as we’ve been going there. So that tells you a lot!
They have gotten better and better over the years. They do not overbook, so patients don’t have to wait a long time and you are not rushed out of there.
He is the BEST!!! We too drive extra mile just to go there.
Keep up the good work,

the best dentist you will ever get

Like some other’s that have commented I too drive over a hour to go to Dr. Maqsoud. I have had some really bad expierences with other dentist including them telling me that my children or I had work that needed to be done when indeed it did not, that is when a coworker recommended him to me, that was over 8 years ago. Dr. Maqsoud is the most honest dentist I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I cannot express how much I HATE going to the dentist yet he makes it a little better.

I have been going to Dr. Max for years. The thing that I appreciate the most about Dr. Max is that he has not subscribed to corporate mentality that most dentists have adopted these days. He is 100% about patient care– not about profitability. I drive an hour out of my way to go to him rather than deal with the awful dental groups that have cropped up in every strip mall in my area.

Horrible dentist. He ruined my teeth. He doesn’t communicate with his patients. I ave seen two dentists since going to him who have confirmed that dr. Alaa gave me terrible quality dental work and now I have to pay $ 8000 to fix his mistakes! Stay clear of this monster.

I am a doctor myself and I am very picky when it comes to my care as well as my family u can believe me when every single family member is now switched to Dr. Maqsood he is very competent and his care for his patients is rare these days I highly recommend his office in this first Unilocal review.

I currently work at a different Dental Office than DR. Max’s but I still prefer his work over the discounts I receive at the dental office I am employed at. Dr. Max is genuine and here to help, not just after your money like most of the DDS out there!

I went to Dr. Maqsoud based on these reviews. He is gentle and kind and a top notch dentist. I have had crowns and a root canal by him and he is constantly concerned with pain issues. I have had a ton of dental work in my life and he’s the best. His staff is cordial and pleasant. I completely recommend him. The rest of my family now sees him, too.

More of what everyone else has said: he is nice, swift, and thorough. He is really concerned about your comfort as a patient, and he has a great sense of humor. The rest of the staff is friendly as well.

What an exceedingly sweet and genuine man!
I came here on several recommendations and I’m glad I listened to them.
Everyone is right, his staff is super nice. Nicer than any staff I’ve ever experienced in any kind of doctor or dentist office.
I was in a lot of pain and called and I was able to get an appointment right away.
Dr. Maqsoud is honest and extremely knowledgeable. The man knows his stuff. He remembers what you talk to him about when you see him, he makes sure you are comfortable, and he takes his time with you, and he really cares about how you are doing in your life.
If there is someone who can make going to the dentist easy and stress-​free, its him. And again, his staff is wonderful.
Go see him! He doesn’t like to cause pain to his patients… lord knows why he chose to be a dentist then.

Truly a phenomenal dentist. His demeanor and sense of humor make going to the dentist fun. I really thought I’d never write such a statement. But, Dr. deserves it; Wish more dentists could be so good.

I went to this dentist based on the strength of the first review. That five-​star review hasn’t been proven wrong by my experience. I can’t recommend Dr. Abdel-​Maqsoud highly enough. He strikes me as being honest, caring, and talented. I had a root canal and didn’t experience any pain; nor did I come to expect to, as the doctor was constantly checking to see how I felt. His clinic is extremely well run, from the front desk to the dental assistants; everyone is kind and professional. The equipment is top-​rate, too: if you have a cavity show up on your x-​ray, there’s no doubting it when the doctor inserts a small camera into your mouth that relays its footage to the television screen that swings out over your chair. When the TV isn’t being used for this purpose, it’s there for your entertainment. You’re given wireless headphones and asked to choose what channel you’d like to watch. That the doctor is a fan of soccer and let me stay in the chair a few minutes after my appointment had ended to watch the conclusion of a Germany-​Croatia match in Euro 2008 (in part because he wanted to watch too) well, I knew I’d found a great dentist then.
I put off finding a dentist for a long while, too long, because of my experiences with my previous dentist. There’s no excuse for someone in The Valley doing that if Dr. Maqsoud is still taking new patients, which I assume he is. Call him. You won’t be disappointed.

How in the world am I the first to Unilocal this awesome dentist?! Unreal.
Okay so here’s the story morning glory. I, like most of you I’m sure, am not fond of going to the dentist. I mean really, what’s to like about it? You get poked & prodded and scraped and sometimes even bitched at for lack of doing this or that. Bah. Also, I’m sure like most of you, I had over the years had the HARDEST time finding a dentist I liked. Either you don’t have insurance & you can go to ANYONE yet you can’t afford to or you DO have insurance & are limited to a couple of lame choices.
Look no further!!! I’d had it with my last dentist & his shabby dirty office, as well as his mood swings and most of all his non English speaking staff (yes, ALL of them. I mean WTF? How do you expect me to make an appt. when no one understands me?) But I digress… I decided to make a bulletin on myspace asking every friend I had for their recs when my insurance changed, since picking one out of the provider booklet is ridiculously aggravating. As luck would have it, an old friend recommended his dentist… Dr. «Max». He said he was gentle, nice, close by blah blah blah. It was the fact he’d been going to him for the last 15 YEARS though that made me curious.
I love this guy! Really, how often do you hear someone tell you they LOVE their dentist? :) I’ve been three times so far & each visit is better than the last. Dr. Maqsoud TRULY cares about each person that sits in that chair. He has a heart of gold, the patience of a saint, and the most gentle technique. You guys… I actually LIKED getting two fillings the other day! Yes, I swear. It was so easy! I would have gone back the next day if they’d said they forgot to do one. Oh and on that note, that’s another cool thing about him. He doesn’t lie. I’d been told I had like 20 cavities by last dentist, who was obviously just trying to swindle me for money. Dr. Max showed me on the computer screen that sits in front of the chair (which you can watch tv or movies on while they work YAY!) that I only had four! Also when I went to pay for my fillings (white composite, not mercury) I paid MUCH LESS than I had at the last dentist. I asked why & she asked what they’d charged me at the other place. Again, I’d been swindled! That last dentist office was the equivelent of a mechanic who tells you there’s things wrong with car that really aren’t, knowing you won’t know the difference. Bastard!
I almost forgot to add that the teeth cleanings are just as easy & gentle as the fillings. His nurse does them & she’s a doll :) She gives you headphones to watch the tv in front of you or listen to music. She’s totally quick & you’re not left feeling like your mouth has been raped. I finally am willing to go twice a year as I’m supposed to, instead of accidentally «forgetting»!
To sum up… nice clean office, great staff, comfy chairs, computers to see your xrays right in front of you, tv & music, gentle technique. Please give Dr. Max a try… I promise you won’t be sorry!