The Smiling Place

It’s a Dentist so I feel that I can’t in good faith give it 5 stars, but it probably deserves it. No one wants to go to the dentist, but if you have to go, go here! Good people nice atmosphere my hygienist Jeff was awesome, and everyone is quite friendly. My only gripe would be that the waiting lounge seems to have Fox News 24/​7, and I, along with the rest of the world, could do without that. Fortunately they don’t seem to keep U waiting long and run a tight ship.

Had a few issues with scheduling but have had two visits here — one for myself, one for my 8 year old. Nurses and docs were all great.

Friendly staff and gave me assurance that i would be taken care of. Although there was a bit of a wait which was understandable, i was entertained with a movie.

MONEY HUNGRY!!!
They insisted my son had a cavity and needed work done. I went to another dentist and they said he has NO cavities and did not need any work! I smell money hungry dentists at this office! No thanks, we will not be returning to your office. We are going elsewhere!
Also, made an appointment for their Ewa location and when I arrived they said I needed to go to their Kunia location. Excuse me? I made the appointment for Ewa NOT Kunia!
The receptionist sits in the back of her cubicle area, facing the exam rooms. With this, customers walk in and are not greeted by anyone, nor do you see anyone. The receptionist is not attentive to customers at all. I had a question, stood at the receptionist counter, while she had her back toward me, and I’m saying «excuse me» and she ignored me!
THE WORST EXPERIENCE WITH A DENTAL OFFICE!!!

I have had nothing but trouble here. They have a very strict 48 hr cancellation notice policy, as opposed to the traditional 24hr notice. I just received a bill for $ 86 because I gave 24 hrs notice.
The doctors and hygienists give me a hard time every visit. They speak in a condescending manner and are disrespectful. Paid that cancellation fee and will not be returning. Bad customer service!

I first went to this dentist a yr ago! i was missing my front teeth and needed a crown on my implant! she seriously was super rude and said in a bitchy like tone you need more than a crown to fix your teeth! i then left balling and never went back! worst dentist ever

Its ok. doctors are ok. and customer service is ok. I rather drive to Waipahu one because i feel like they are much better at customer service and more appointments availability

I gave this place a try for an entire year and was not impressed. First with their customer service and having to wait extremely long to be seen — even when I had the first appt of the day. I experienced a «fill in dentist» during my second visit and it was obvious she had not made herself aware of my personal record and was making comments about cavities that I don’t have … I would never recommend this specific dentist/​location

I would give no stars if I could and will be reporting this business to the BBB. I have dealt with this businesses incompetence for the last time. My husband and I have made appointments and been told one time and it’s another. They have also informed us that it is in one location (ewa) and when I get there it’s at the other (kunia).
Being a mother of three young children it is very hard to get time to do anything like this that requires ours of alone time. So that being said. I have had the last straw today when I was turned away or my apt. I scheduled an apt for 9:30 in the Ewa office. As I am pulling up into the shopping center I am called by the receptionist saying I am late for my apt. I immediately call back saying «No my apt was for 9:30!!!» When I get up to the office it is now 9:17. The woman says to me that they are sorry but have to TURN ME AWAY! They said they could not perform my procedure due to my being late! I am furious at this point and tell her that I am not late my apt was for 9:30 and I have a witness to this because my mother was there when I made the apt and she Is my sitter. Because I have had this happen to me previous here I TRIPLE checked! I could not believe they would refuse service to me because of their error!!!
They don’t care about loosing me as a client that is obvious by the reaction to the incident. Also I will say this, the dentist is rude as heck. I will admit since having my twins and a newborn recently, I have not had time to see them. I should not get flack for having not had time. Dr lee, I believe her name is, a larger Japanesep woman that is young and has no real sense of life and what people with families go through made me feel like I was horrible for not going in the past year. It’s obvious she does not have children. She seems very immature as well. When your in someone’s mouth, you and your assistant should learn to be more professional. And as for your techs, learn how to control your tools instead of shooting the dentist with it and sucking the liquid in the back of my throat seems to much of a task for you to do. I mean seriously that all you had to do was rinse and suck, are you really hiring people that are incapable of performing such a simple task. «Scary»
Also at the apt I was not informed of my x-​ray results. My deep cleaning in another dentists opinion was not necessary and purely justified. They could have performed my routine cleaning which they refused then worked on the problem areas later. Hmmm how are you running your insurance claims??? Because all this came about today I am determined to look closer into this dental place and it’s claiming to insurance companies. Are they really justified and what about what they are failing to provide before other services.
Last thing, I was interested in veneers. They use to offer laser whitening. This dentist was saying instead of whitening first then doing my front 4 – 6 she was INSISTING that I get veneers on my whole entire top mouth!!! You make me sick dr lee. Because you don’t offer whitening in the new age anymore, you are trying to convince people to shell out tens of thousands of dollars on work they don’t need! BEWARE PEOPLE!!! Seriously, don’t let ANYONE who calls them self a title that people think is relevant to a doctor lead you into thinking there are no other options!!! I am appalled BY THE SERVICE HERE And I am going to be pushing hard on reporting them to as many business critics and sites that I can!

Great first dentistry on the island. Yeah had to make two different appointments, but this is better. They took time to explain my unique situation and game plan. Love these guys. Front office is awesome. Exactly what any office desires. Was referred by my insurance, but they actually got this one right. Great professional staff.

After a terrible experience with another dentist, I went to The Smiling Place and saw Dr. Shek. I was very impressed at not only the efficiency of Dr. Shek and her staff, but the office is very well kept and there is plenty of parking. My xrays were fast and easy, the exam was simple and explained to me each step of the way and the cleaning was the best I’ve had in Hawaii!

Rating is only for their office policy. For new patients you have to first come in for checkup, X-​rays then come back another time for the actual cleaning. When did this become so dang complicated. My mainland dentist could do this all t once for annual check ups. So tired of slow processes to get something done. Who has time for multiple visits, so inefficient!

I was originally referred here by another friend who loves this place. I dont know how the other reviewer could be upset with Dr. Shek. She is the best dentist we ever had — she goes over and beyond for our family. I think some people just like to be mean on here; maybe they get a «power trip» from it.
Personally, I think the fact that they DO have a lot of patients says something… I wouldnt want to go into an office where the dentist didnt have any patients waiting for them. Dr. Shek gives a lot of attention and time when she sees her patients and they all like to «talk story» with her. She has on a few occasions fixed things other people did in my mouth, even without compensation.

Friendly staff, lots of parking. They are pretty quick. They really make you feel comfortable there :)

This review is from my experience here after several appointments in the past 3 years. The office in ewa beach is fairly new, there is a lot of seating in the waiting area, the receptionists and dental assistants are always nice. Dr. Shek in the other hand is not so pleasant: 1. when I first met her she didn’t even introduce herself, she just rudely said «oh you look like a little girl». 2. My second appt with her (to get my fillings) she double booked herself and my appt took more than 2 hours! Also while I was patiently waiting in the chair for her to finish doing my teeth another patient was complaining how it’s taking so long and GOT UP and LEFT. And the receptionist had to inform Dr. Shek what happened and she was surprised?! And asked why?! She’s seriously sooo greedy that she doesn’t notice that her patients have been waiting so long?
But I need to add that the dental hygienists are really great and very professional, I wish I could say that about everyone is this office.
Keep in mind, you will be «assigned» to a specific dentist and you can’t switch even though there are two other dentists in the same office. Trust me I pleaded two times about it.

I scheduled an appointment for an exam, x-​rays, and a cleaning. When I called I spoke with Gwen and also asked if I could be fitted for a new retainer as my old retainer was worn and needs to be replaced. Gwen stated «Sure, you can speak to the dentist about that.» I arrived 15 minutes prior to my appointment as requested and filled out all necessary paperwork. While waiting two other patients arrived, and despite the bells on the door, no one seemed to acknowledge their presence, through the loud laughter that could be heard through the door behind the reception. I was called back for my appointment promptly at 1:05 pm. I was treated pleasantly, though no one seemed to want to make direct eye contact nor introduce themselves. After x-​rays and a 20 minute screening of «Sleepless in Seattle», Dr. Chui (sp?) entered the exam area and was professional enough but seemed to be overwhelmed and spoke quickly and curtly. Her exam was very rough and insensitive. Her demeanor was direct and cold, almost as if she were my little sister and was annoyed that she had to examine my teeth. «Move your tongue.»… «lift your chin.» No, «please» or «ok, now I need you to…» During my exam she asked (regarding a molar) «Does this tooth ever bother you?» I replied «Yes, at times. Does it need to to be refilled?» Her reply was «Probably more than that.» After the exam, I asked her if she needed to do a root canal on that tooth to which she replied very sternly «there’s nothing wrong with that tooth.» I began to ask her why she mentioned it in the first place and she seemed to become irritated that I would ask her and she stated «If you cut your finger, we’re not going to cut your finger off.» I sort of laughed at her and stated «If my finger is going to be cut off anyway, why don’t you do it now and save the pain?» She then stated that she would conduct further xrays, which I was instructed to hold into my mouth without being give then option of Purell or washing my hands first. (clearly I would have asked if I had a genuine concern of the sanitary nature of my hands but at this point, I felt as if they were ill prepared to answer any of my questions.) Dr. Chui then returned with the new xrays and stated that nothing was wrong with that tooth and that I only needed the fillings for the cavities that she found. I asked Dr. Chui if she could make me another retainer. She stated «We are dentists here. You’ll have to see an orthodontist for that.». To add further insult, she stated in a condescending tone «An orthodontist is a specialist. I’m not an orthodontist.» Obviously, we were not seeing eye to eye here and I wasn’t going to get the retainer re-​created in this office. I expected to get my cleaning, but then was informed that the appointment was only for an exam and xrays. I would have to reschedule my cleaning. My original phone call request had obviously been disregarded in many aspects.
In my opinion, I feel that there is a distinct and palatable void of leadership in this office. I feel as though Dr. Chui is under-​educated with how to properly and professionally handle questions from patients, and possibly over-​whelmed with patients. She seems to be overly concerned with the technicality of her job as a dentist, and far less concerned with being a professional with a proper bedside manner. In addition, I noticed a lot of background laughter in the office, personal records of other patients being left out in the open in front of other patients, and even witnessed office staff bring the wrong patient back and then escort him back to the waiting room, without so much as an apology.
There’s a memorial of sorts in the front of the office, in the form of a laminated memorial flyer for not one, but two dentists, apparently a father and son, one of whom passed in 2006. Sort of a grim introduction, I felt.
Overall a very disorganized, unprofessional environment. However, I feel that with the right leadership, and possibly some employment turnover, this could be a decent business that treats patients with dignity and respect. Unfortunately for The Smiling Place, I will be smiling elsewhere.