Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC Faculty Practice

Go here ONLY if you can deal with not getting all the information necessary. I had a perio consult, and was charged more when I arrived, because they couldn’t tell the difference between ‘periodontist’ and ‘orthodontist’ prices. The dentist was very nice and I was told to get a ‘perio maintenance’. The office told me, on the phone, it was $ 144, but if the person doing work concluded more work was needed, the price would go up, after I exit the chair. AFTER 5 phone calls trying to nail down the price, it was $ 144. After I had the procedure, I was told I needed ANOTHER consultation, NOT the perio one I already had two months earlier, but a GENERAL YEARLY CONSULT, BEFORE my next ‘perio cleaning’. The woman at the desk nor the person giving me the procedure could explain why and had to call the supervisor.
Why do I need two consults, when the first one told me everything needed to be done. People go here because they can’t afford regular dentists, not to pay for unnecessary consults.
They’re off my list

What you can expect:
Arrive early.
You will likely wait.
You will need to pay for services before rendered.
Total time in/​out could be up to 5 hours.
Make sure you keep your meter fed.
All that said, there really isn’t much to complain about. It’s a school!
I initially went to their Urgent Care for an infection in my wisdom tooth, after being on hold with UCLA for about an hour when I tried calling about 40 times. I even left a message for a supervisor. But they never followed up.
I was seen at USC and examined within a reasonable timeframe. Afterwards I was taken to their oral surgery department for a consult. After speaking with the Dr. there I decided to take antibiotics (which he prescribed) until the swelling went down.
Fast forward two weeks. I am now home from 2 extractions (with full sedation). Sure my mouth is sore. But that’s expected. Things seem to have gone well.
What I can say is that this isn’t my first experience with a clinic. So I’m pretty understanding of the whole process.
As for my experience at USC (particularly with Dr. Lim and the ladies in reception), they were wonderful. Given the volume of calls and patients they care for each day, their level of service was very, very excellent.
Being without dental insurance and having low funds, I’m so grateful to have found USC’s dental school.

Great service every time. Not worked on by students. That’s another dentist office. This is the faculty so they can still see patients during the day after teaching a class or something. I’ve had Dr. Furuichi (and now Dr. Phark) and both were very thorough and nice. All the hygienists are great and do a wonderful job. I love getting my teeth cleaned and they do great work. Not expensive either. I dont have detail insurance and everything is so reasonable. Ex. I pay $ 169 for a cleaning and for Dr. Phark to see me. my old dentist up north charged me $ 250 for the same thing. And honestly I feel this place does an equal or even better Job! Everyone here is nice!

If you can use another dentist I would recommend doing that. This was convenient for me because I have the USC Medical Network Plan but poor dental care is not worth it. My main issue: It’s hard to get an appointment in a timely manner here, which is important when you have decaying teeth!
I came for my initial consultation back in May, and after x-​rays I was told I needed several fillings (unfortunately, I had a bad dentist before this). When I went to the front desk to schedule my next appointment for the fillings, the earliest available was in late October.4 months later! I wasn’t thrilled about fillings so I guess I was fine putting it off, as long as it would get taken care of.
Once October came around, I came in for my procedures. She started examining me and said «ok I think we’ll start with this one, it’s the worst.» So I asked how many I will be getting today (this was never expressed to me), she said «oh just one».I said «wow, is that all I need?»…her response «oh no you have 5 more. You’ll have to come back for another»…WHAT?
«Why am I only getting one today»
Dentist: «Well you’re only scheduled for an hour, next time we’ll do 90 minutes and see if we can get 2 done»
Why would she only schedule me for an hour if she knew in MAY, that I would need multiple fillings?
The actual filing went OK, though she didn’t have the best «bedside manner». She made me feel like a burden for saying that the drilling started to hurt in one spot. Reluctantly she gave me a second shot in the location and all was fine from there. Go figure.
When I went to schedule my second appointment, the next available was late January… mind you this was another 3 months away. And with her only planning to do 1 or 2 at a time, at this rate I wouldn’t have my teeth fixed for year or more! This just seemed ridiculous and irresponsible of the USC staff. I’ve stepped up my flossing/​rinsing game to prevent any further decay but I refuse to wait a year to fix the damage and don’t want to risk them getting worse and needing a root canal! I’ve since set up a consultation with a different dentist that a friend referred me to. They had appointments within the week. After the consultation, I now have TWO appointments to get ALL my fillings done before Christmas. Imagine… efficient and attentive dental care. You won’t find this at USC.
I’d be happy to refer you to my new dentist. :)

My dentist left the faculty practice after I had scheduled an examination with him, but I was not notified. A few days before the exam, my last wisdom tooth erupted through the gum and was (is) causing me extreme pain, but I reasoned that I would wait to see the dentist at my scheduled appointment.
I showed up at the practice at my scheduled time (9:30am) for the exam and a cleaning, and was told by the hygienist that I couldn’t even have my teeth cleaned, let alone my throbbing tooth examined, because it had been over a year since my last «comprehensive» exam (17 days expired, I guess, despite «partial» examinations and other dental work).
The one other dentist on duty at the practice, despite it being 9:30am, was already behind (they are always late here) and unable to do the examination. So I showed up for nothing, and the earliest they could get me in to actually look at my extremely painful gum (which I suspect is infected) is three days later, on Monday at 1pm.

I am finally departing from the USC Dental School with tremendous frustrations and concerns very similar to the other complaints!
After a bad filling and two painful weeks I came in to complain and ask the professors to help solve the situation. Before this particular filling, my tooth never hurt!
Professor W. Michael Madden dismissed my worries in a rude and uncivilized manner: he had the audacity to mock me (rolling his eyes) in front of other students! I did not insult him, I did not show any obscure behavior! I simply wanted to be heard and respected as a committed patient. When trying to explain what happened to me, he yelled «It’s the past!».
He said «If it hurts, do a root canal».
He did not care about «my story», but laughed at me, and talked behind my back to his other students publicly– what a shame!!! Then I pointed it out that he was being rude, and he said arrogantly «I can roll my eyes however I want»!
As an authority figure and mentor he should set a dignified example of mindfulness, kindness and etiquette. Instead I felt bullied by him!
To seem cool among his students, he degraded me, as if I was a cheap lab rat with no rights! I felt discriminated against!
(When referring to him the letter D does not stand for dentist, if you know what I mean!)
Instead of addressing the poor quality of the filling, he suggested I pay for a root canal… maybe then the pain will go away!
Well, then the Quality Evaluation Director Dr. Tourach showed empathy towards me, and I was seen by two other (more pleasant) professors.
In fact, it was suddenly confirmed that I do not need a root canal! Also, they suddenly discovered that the bad filling only covered a fraction of my decay. In deed, all the X-​Rays I had paid for failed to show that my cavity was bigger than they though, which now caused me pain, and which almost caused me to obliged myself to a root canal cleaning, and further potential damage of the tooth.
If I had trusted the shallow opinion of Dr. Madden, I would have spent hundreds of dollars, and maybe even lost the tooth after all.
Well, I also had a bad denture like some other patients here: so uncomfortable I spit it out in public when I could not bear the pain). Besides, when ordering one I was not told that there are different kinds! Later, I was told «Oh, the other one may have worked better for you!».
My concerns that the gaps between the teeth surrounding my implant were too big were also not taken seriously.
I have had a few good experiences to USC’s defense, but slowly I am noticing that the school is driven by a financial incentive, rather than «doctoral virtue».
It has been two years since I became a patient and many of the redundant and costly evaluations could have been avoided! I have spent $ 4000. They procrastinated the treatment of my «problem tooth» for a year! To deal with small esthetic issues.
I hate to draw bad judgement, and I shall not claim that ALL of the employees/​students are bad, but I have had enough bad experiences to finally look for a new facility.
Last but not least, the insensitive, offensive and hurtful mockery I experienced by Professor W. Michael Madden (Google Mike Madden BS) was the tip of the ice berg. If you have no other options but USC, avoid him. The most unpleasant person I have encountered, especially in academia. I am a student myself and he should be sanctioned for his immature and mean-​spirited misdemeanor!

My wife and I were both employees of the university and thought this place would be good because it was convenient and on campus. But after many visits here, we gave up and have taken our business elsewhere. They lack ethic of care, and the administrative staff are not on top of their game. We were erroneously billed a number of times and it was difficult to get an appointment. They also make the procedures very short so if you have some amount of work that needs to be done you are required to come back for multiple visits. If you had to reschedule an appointment or change a time they would push your appointment back a number of months and you would just have to keep waiting. Not recommended.

I was seeing orthodontist Dr. Rotstein for exactly 2 years and 7 months. I’ve just recently had my braces taken off and I couldn’t be happier. When I first began to see Dr. Rotstein I immediately observed that she cared for the health of my teeth. She explained her régime thoroughly and took her time caring for my smile to obtain the absolute best results. I don’t believe myself to be an easy client to work with yet Lucille would reassure and coddle my ideas of expected results every single month for 3 years. I couldn’t be happier with the state of my teeth now. I also worked very closely with other staff members such as Yoyo who was very attentive and professional as was the rest of the dental assistants of course. Although, there was a very snappy woman named Sharon working in the front desk who did speak down to me on several occasions. However Miss Sharon met her match in me and I believe her to be a better person for it, I’m sure.
The front desk staff seem to be on top of their game as I sometimes would have liked to sleep through my appointments, yet there they were to wake me during my slumber with a phone call to remind me that I have an appointment the very next day. It was very easy to make my monthly appointment with the front desk staff as well as they were very accommodating to my sleep schedule that included never waking up before noon.
Over all this office was a joy to have visited for such a lengthy amount of time and my teeth are happy I came to Dr. Rotstein for treatment :)

Everything is absolutely good BUT the billing office is totally out of whack. Get prepared to hear terms like: «claimed», «credited», «collected», «charged» and etc being interchangeably used which simply mean the same thing but are being abused to justify the mess. From the very first day that I stepped here I had problems with the billing office I got billed multiple times. It should be said other staff and especially USC faculty are really good at their job. It really worth a try.

I love this place! I’ve been coming here for years, and I’ve never been disappointed. Christian is my dental hygienist, and he is amazing! I feel like I have a whole new set of teeth by the time he’s done cleaning them! He’s also super-​friendly and funny and entertains me while he works. Dr. Sartori, my dentist, does a really tremendous job with composites – the man is an artist! He’s also very friendly and caring. I actually enjoy going to the dentist.

A ok

If you are gaving tooth pain, go see Dr. Finn. She is a resident Dr. who teaches and is studying Endontics. She did a great job on my root canal. I really felt she took care of me and kept asking if I was okay. Thank you, Dr. Finn!

I have never experienced any negative experiences at the Faculty Practice and I’ve been coming since they were located in the Dental school. The experience has always been so good that my entire family, wife and 3 kids make the trek from Orange County to campus to use the clinic.
I’ve also been using the clinic since they were located in the dental school building. The new office in the Engemann Health Center is spectacularly clean and welcoming.

Horrible customer service experience. Ive been coming here for years because of the convenience of working on the USC campus and I am repeatedly disappointed by the level of customer service. The administrative staff always seems to have a bad attitude and the culture is never welcoming. I feel like the staff feels obligated to help me out and i never feel like a valued customer. Aside from the bad customer service, appointments never begin on time. I’ve been called in 30 minutes after my scheduled appointment multiple times. I’m talking about many appointments throughout the past few years and I’m finally compelled to write a review and recommend that you don’t choose this practice. The practice recently moved to a new location and I’ve seen changes in the administrative staff. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen any improvement in the service and I am ready to switch.

I have read some of the reviews regarding dentistry schools in LA and came to the conclusion that most people are just NUTS !
How can anyone complain about getting full x rays, teeth cleaning and a comprehensive list of things that need to be done for $ 88 ?
Please go to a regular dental office and have the same services and compare the hundreds of dollars difference.
Also, the entire facility is spotless — the students are so accommodating and encouraged to try and fix any problem you have.
I have been 3 times and each time I was treated kindly, respectfully and professionally. The appointments may take 2 — 3 hours, but again I have spent just as much time in my regular dentist’s chair.
I have nothing but sincere thanks for all who work there !

I love this place my dentist takes the time to sit down and explain everything for me. I love this place. And my dental assistant Jojo is the best she quickly and efficiently does her work making me feel comfortable in her care. Customer service and patient care is something I know is valued here in this place. Doctor Rodstein has made my smile a asset to me and i appreciate it. Everyone speaks and is willing to offer a helpful hand.

I love this dental practice! I was thrilled to have access to a dentist and hygienist so close to work.
My dental hygienist Christian, gave me my yearly cleaning. He was the most professional and caring dental professional I have ever dealt with! Stellar customer service as well as a concerned listener.
Dr. Phark, the dentist; was amazing as well! Made me feel as if I was not at the dentist. The atmosphere of the office in general is very relaxing and accommodating.
Five star service!
No need to fear the dentist anymore!

I’ve been to a couple of dentists in Los Angeles and the hygienists here are the best. Every time I leave here my teeth feel amazing. I trust what the dentists say and what the hygienists recommend. I don’t feel a big sales pitch from anyone here. My hygienist is superb. It costs $ 95 for a cleaning. I do not know if that is cheap or expensive but for the job they do, I feel that it is fair.
My only not so positive remark would be that the front reception area is pretty monotone. Not really cheerful, rather robotic. They check you in and check you out which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but if youre not going to really acknowledge me, please don’t make me sit and listen to your conversation about how you painted your husband’s toenails with skeletons and he didn’t realize it until he was standing up taking a piss. Its a gross visual.

This clinic could be wonderful but it is SOOOOOOOOOO UNORGANIZED! :-(
In a nutshell, if my insurance had better coverage at other dental clinics, I would not hesitate to seek them out… I did not feel that the services and staff were very on top of their game and it seemed really difficult to get an appointment (whether for an annual cleaning or a cavity/​other more in depth procedure). Additionally, the day of my appointment (scheduled for 4pm) they called me at 10am to request I reschedule it for 2pm… and when I got there they seemed to be confused why I was there so early, um, there needs to be much better communication between the front desk/​scheduling staff.
I agree with Jen K. though, I LOVED my dental hygienist, she was friendly and thorough and I look forward to my next cleaning.
Notes: Make sure to advocate for yourself (if you need paperwork, check & double check on appointments, etc.). IF getting a teeth cleaning, I highly recommend ANGIE!

This dentistry practice is run by the USC Dental Faculty, and is open to the public (sorry for misleading anyone in the past). With that said– I LOVE MY DENTAL HYGIENIST. Christian you are the best! He is very thorough and always offers me advice on oral care. I see him twice a year, and he makes the visit to the office pain free. Appointments are hard to come by so make them early and don’t cancel!
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Parking: This location is in the University Village plaza. It the large plaza directly across on Jefferson/​Hoover with Denny’s, 21 Choices, Starbucks etc. Parking is free and office is located on west end of the lot.