Lucio H. Kim DDS

Dr Kim is the best dentist I have seen...seriously!
I just moved from SD and hadn't seen a dentist in a few years. I found Dr Kim here and on other sites (yelp and droogle) and decided to give him a go. GREAT experience. I don't have insurance so Dr Kim was kind enough to not charge me for the consult/exam...so that was cool.

I didn't even have to wait to be seated...very prompt. They greeted me by my name and were very efficient with the xrays and the paperwork. Dr Kim himself was everything I could ask for in a medical professional...polite, he listened when appropriate, he asked questions when appropriate.

Very matter of fact and explained everything he was doing, why he was doing it, what he found, what ALL my options were and what needed to be done and in what timeframe. EXCELLENT! I have never had this kind of detail orientated care before.

I didn't feel like i was being "sold" on anything like I've experienced in other offices and that goes a long way in the trust department.

At the end of the visit, Dr Kim walked me out and thanked me for coming in (!) They went over all the costs very clearly and everything Dr Kim went over with me in the chair was the same when they went over my financial responsibilities...so consistent and no tacked on charges/hidden fees.

I've found a new dentist for life! (or as long as I'm in Pasadena....)

Posted 07/04/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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I never write comments or respond to surveys, but had to drop a few kind words for Dr. Kim. That's how good he is. He's smart, has a proactive customer service approach, and is a gentle dentist. On my first visit, he sat me down, discussed his practice and his approach to dental care, and then actually asked me what my expectations were from him as my dentist. It totally blew me away. I have never had a medical professional care enough about me to ask me what my expectations were so they could meet or achieve them. Dr. Kim is a good guy and a good dentist. He has my highest recommendation.

Posted 03/04/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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I, for one do not enjoy dentists. I haaate the whole dental experience. So when I had a funny feeling in my gums, I got nervous. But denial can go a long way, so I put it off and put it off...but it kept on getting worse AND I haven't been to a dentist in forever + a day, soooo I ran to the comfort of strangers here . I found Dr Kim and liked what I saw and when I called, I was immediately put at ease b/c Dr Kim answered the phone himself! I was shocked b/c I was expecting a machine..it was the weekend, but he answers all the emergency calls personally...very cool. He was very comforting over the phone and even though he couldn't see me that day (it was a sunday so I don't blame him), he gave me some recommendations over the phone so that I wouldn't be in so much pain until he could see me the next day. Those helped alot so at least I would be able to function. But it was above and beyond what I was expecting...and this was the trend for my experience here.
Even the next day went OK . I was nervous as hell! But his calming demeanor and they way he actually talked with me and listened to my concerns and bad experiences from a crazy dentist back in the IE made me feel better. Unfortunately, the gums needed some extensive cleaning procedure...but he PROMISED me I wouldn't feel any pain and he delivered BIG time on his promise. It went fairly smoothly...although the sound of the cleaning thing still makes my hair stand on end...but he was efficient, caring, gentle and patient. He even called to check up on me the next day....is that service or what?!
I promised him I would write a great review for him and since he came through on his promise, I joined Yelp to come through on mine to help spread the word.
I still have a crap-load of dental work to do, but at least now I have a dentist I can trust and rely on.

Posted 12/19/08 | Report Abuse

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Dr. Kim should be the standard by which all dentists should be judged. Yesterday I had a root canal and felt absolutely no pain. From the moment I contacted him he was reassuring. He said I would have no pain and he was right. He took his time in administering the novacaine - which was also painless and gave it time to work it's way thru and even then rechecked to make sure it was adequate before starting to work on me. After a few minutes of waiting to feel pain at any moment, the pain never came. The entire process was, again - painless! He and his assistant were so efficient and so caring for my comfort! I am a total coward when it comes to dental work but not anymore. I'm going back for another root canal in two weeks and then crown work. I wish I'd known about him before. He also follows up to see if you're ok. I can't say enough about Dr. Kim.

Posted 10/11/07 | Report Abuse

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Dr. Kim is a great dentist. I had one for six years, and after moving to Glendale, I was worried about finding a new one. Your guys reviews helped me a lot, I made an appointment for my son and myself, and have everything good to say about Dr. Kim. And not just Dr. Kim, but everyone front lady and assistant. I would like to comment on post where lady said that he is expensive....well we should take care of our teeth in first place, and like everything else there is a price to pay if we don't :)Thank you Dr. KimAmila H.

Posted 10/10/07 | Report Abuse

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Go to him. In the dental game, I think there is no better than Dr Kim. I have had major problems with my teeth since college and have seen a whole range of dentists. From really nice but painful, to money hungry and painful, to really sketchy and painful. But Dr Kim has been absolutely wonderful in all respects. I needed a 2nd opinion about a root canal and because I told him I was in graduate school and had no insurance, Dr Kim was nice enough to not charge me for the consultation. In the end, he saved me from having the root canal and I have been pain free ever since. I really appreciated his conservative approach and he helped me out when others did not. Because of my starving student status and because I didn't want to have the tooth pulled, Dr Kim was kind and generous enough to do what needed to be done to save it and in the end said "Pay me when you can". Where do you find that coming from a doctor nowadays? And I of course did settle my bill ASAP, but I owe a lot more than money to Dr Kim and the least I could do is spread the word...go to him.

Posted 07/26/07 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Although Dr. Kim has a charming "bedside manner," I cannot recommend him. He took very poor x-rays (partials) and charged me for full ones. I went to another dentist two months later, who could not use the x-rays at all -- and when I saw his concerns, I agreed. The new dentist then had to wrangle endlessly with my insurance company, since I am only allowed a full set of x-rays every period. His x-rays were a completely different story. Dr. Kim is also very, very pricey. Nice guy, but I cannot recommend him.

Posted 07/17/07 | Report Abuse

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I was looking for a new dentist after an awful experience, and came across www.brushandsmile.com. I was so happy! I made an appointment to meet with Dr. Kim and found to my delight that I was no longer to be in fear of the dentist. He is so patient, caring and patient. Wait, did I say patient??? I came in to his office with so many nerves and a million questions. He really made sure I was comfortable before beginning any treatment. He can walk you through every step of the way if you'd like that, or he'll get you in and out as fast as possible without compromising the quality of his work. I am the one who needs the calming and explanations, while my husband needs a speedy visit. He accomodates both of us perfectly! We both are so thankful for him!

In short, if he's not your dentist, he SHOULD BE!!!

Dr. Kim is AWESOME and he ROCKS!!! :)

Posted 01/26/07 | Report Abuse

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As an SF transplant, I found myself looking for a dentist due to an unexplainable shooting pain in my mouth. The first dentist I went to here is sunny SoCal said that I needed the dreaded rootcanal (!) but quickly glossed over the fact that I was horrified and proceeded to tell me the benefits of getting whitening and veneers done. I promptly fled the scene and ran to the comfort of strangers at this wonderful site!! I saw Dr Kim's reviews and thought all these people couldn't be wrong and called the office where I was promptly appointed the next day. Nice. What was even nicer was that Dr Kim called me himself about an hour later to...get this...introduce himself and to ask if there was anything he could do to make my first visit more comfortable!! I was floored and very comforted...I (like many people) am very scared of all things dental. The next day I met Dr Kim and before he delved into the horrors of my oral condition, actually sat down and talked WITH me about my fears and expectations and how he could meet and/or exceed them. He then confirmed that I indeed needed the rootcanal AND then told me all about what it was (not fun) and what to expect in terms of pain levels (none), sensations, afterwards. That put me more at ease and calmed my overactive imagination. The actual rootcanal was pure poetry as I did not feel ANYTHING!! I could have cried I was so happy. All the past trauma I have experienced is still there but it's much easier. Now maybe I can be more proactive with my teeth instead of waiting until this happens again. He even called me that same night to make sure everything was OK with me. Where has this guy been all my life?!?! I can now say with heterosexual confidence that I love this man and what he can do with a dental drill. I cannot recommend him enough and am now a huge Dr Kim fan. The rest of these dentists may be sufficient or just OK, but Dr Kim is by far the absolute best.

Posted 01/21/07 | Report Abuse

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I can't say enough about Dr. Kim. He is extremely friendly and professional. Never have long waits and great incentives for new patients. He is open to any questions or concerns and is very gentle. I've been to alot of dentists in my life. He is one of a kind:)

Posted 10/18/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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If you're looking for a great dentist, I highly recommend Dr. Kim. I saw Dr. Kim for the first time recently and the reviews on Insider Pages were right. I had a lot of questions about the procedure I was about to get done and he was very patient with all my questions and concerns. I didn't feel like he was rushing me out of the office. He really listened with care. And best of all, I was very happy with the results of the procedure I got done. He definitely exceeded all of my expectations. :)

Posted 06/20/06 | Report Abuse

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Dr. Kim was the first dentist I've been to who actually listened to my concerns and checked my teeth for more than cavities. He gave me great tips on flossing and really assessed my situation on a personal level. I found the level of care I got from Dr. Kim and his staff to be exceptional. After my appointment, Dr. Kim sent me a $10 Starbucks card to thank me for coming! I will definitely make this my new dental care home!

PROS: nice, listens well, really cares
CONS:

Posted 06/15/06 | Report Abuse

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I do not write reviews. I do no like dentists. It is by blessing I found insider pages, and it is on faith that I went in to see Dr. Kim(faith and all the other reviews). I've been worked over hard by previous charlatans of dentists. I've been left aching, broke, and abused by paperwork and thievery by dentists in the past. I've yelped in agonizing pain only to feel ridiculous because: "You should not be feeling anything, your ethnicity makes it hard for you to numb" excuse. So living here in LA a total of five months you can understand why I didn't even know where to begin.

Lightning struck first. Dr. Kim was the first dentist I went to and I'm thankful I do not have to look for another. There is a combination of care you get from him. It isn't just professional work and then you are gone. No. Its personal. He cares about the individual client. He asks me personally what I expected of him. He diagnosed my condition(s) and explained to me in a logical and teachable way what needed to be done, why, and the time frames of them. He never once scared me into having work done like I know many of you might have experienced. He basically told me the facts, and I made up my mind about the rest.

You know that saying: "Its like pulling teeth trying to..." Well they will have to change that saying for people that go to this guy. It was effortless, smooth, and not even worth being nervous about. Besides the education in all things dental, Dr. Kim seems to have a passion for his trade/art. And he also has a passion for being able to accomplish the procedure with little or no discomfort to the client. To him, it seems like both goals are part of the same. Knowing this, it puts guys like me to ease knowing full well that this guy is a real pro. And it will feel like you will be the only patient he has that day.

He has a great support staff too. I just signed up to this insider page, just to leave this review.

PROS: He really is the finest dentist I've ever been to.
CONS: There isn't one of him in FL.

Posted 02/08/06 | Report Abuse

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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What really impressed me with Dr Kim was that he really sat down with me and talked WITH me, not at me like I am used to from doctors. That and he also really listened to what I was saying and what my concerns were. He even took pictures of my teeth so that we could talk about exactly what was going on. He was very professional and very thorough and he allowed me to ask questions and was very patient and answered all of them. He's not the cheapest, but from the phone shopping I had done, he's not the most expensive either. Well worth the experience of actually being comfortable at the dentist. I want to recommend him to all my friends b/c I want him to stay busy and to never have to leave!

PROS: Kind, thorough, explains, patient
CONS: None

Posted 02/06/06 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Dr. Kim is very professional and gives you very personalized care. I have spent a lot of time in dentist chairs and I can safely say that I have felt the most comfortable and pain-free with all his procedures. He takes extra time to explain the procedures to ease your fears and also does not rush his injections...making sure you are "okay" each step of the way. I highly recommend him and have already referred my family to him as well.

Posted 10/25/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Dr. Kim takes his business seriously, but he does so with an approachable fun attitude. He explains what he's doing as he is doing it -- I've never had that with a dentist...I learned alot. Furthermore, he gave my entire head and jaw an exam -- checking for irregularities. This was also something I've never seen a dentist do but which makes perfect sense: who else is going to check out these areas?

At the end, he told me about the IP free whitening which is something I didn't even know about...most docs would be happy to get off the hook from having to offer something for free if it wasn't inquired about.

Bright, pleasant and smart. Don't be worried about his office's waiting room which is drab and old-fashioned. The examination rooms are bright and cheery.

PROS: loves to share information, teaches you about your teeth
CONS: none

Posted 08/08/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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My experience with Dr. Kim has been pleasant since the first time I called to make an appt. He scheduled me an appt. right away. I felt Dr. Kim was a personable yet professional dentist who did a great job cleaning my teeth. He made me feel comfortable throughout my visit by explaining everything to me and making sure all my questions were answered.

PROS: Trustworthy Dentist and nice staff!
CONS:

Posted 08/03/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Although the free whitening offer got me to read the reviews, it was what they said that prompted me to make an appointment with Dr. Kim. What I was looking for was a dentist that listened and explained. Dr. Kim does both in a very personalble way. The staff are really helpful and friendly as well! I've got a new dentist thanks to Insider Pages.

Posted 07/15/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I actually used Insider Pages to find a dentist. Given the stellar reviews of Dr. Kim, I made an appointment. I was pleasantly surprised that all his great reviews were true. His office is small but clean with very professional staff. What was a complete surprise to me was that Dr. Kim sat down with me and asked me of my expectations of him and his practice. No other dentist has ever done that before! They just look at the X-rays and go to work. Dr. Kim explained everything he was doing and performed a very thorough cleaning himself. It was a very pleasant visit and I would recommend Dr. Kim to anyone.

Posted 04/11/05 | Report Abuse

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i just moved into the area and got dr. kim's name from a friend who raved about him. and he wa right. i was immediately put at ease by his manner and is office had a very calming atmosphere to it. he does all the cleanings and is very gentle. he explained everything very thoroughly and seemed like a no BS kind of doc. the implants he did were the best thing i could have done...and they look so natural. i'm very happy to be able to chew everything again.
i would recommend him HIGHLY.

Posted 03/17/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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I had always been scared to go to the dentist. A friend recommended Dr. Kim to me and it has changed my life...literally. He didn't make me feel bad about my teeth and gums like other dentists have and all the work was painless and quick. PLUS, it looked great! I haven't had a smile like this since i was in college!
The veneers that were done look very natural and he even had grreat payment plans so that i could afford them!

Posted 02/10/05 | Report Abuse

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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