Laguna Beach Dental Group

Horrible place. Up sells unnecessary services. Doesn’t even stand by their warranty for work they do. Had a cerec crown break in a year. All they had to do was push a button and make another crown. Instead they refuse to honor their warranty. and try to charge you 1,000. Office is unprofessional and the office manager is horrible and rude. Find a professional practice instead.

Total scam artists. Charged me over $ 400 when my co-​pay is $ 5. The women at the desk are surly and vicious if you confront them about overcharges.
When another Dentist asks for your x-​rays they say they never took them or wont answer their phone.
Total scumbags.
Richmond Aulisio (949) 416‑4239 call anytime.

These people are scam artists and not very good ones either. I wouldn’t be surprised if most of the good reviews on here are fake profiles they made.

Shame on me for not making a change sooner to a different dentist, but today was the final straw! My time is obviously worth nothing, as i waited 1 hr and 20 minutes and still had not had the cleaning done (which was the reason I came). Read the MANY other review its all the same… they are sales people and waste your time, until you come out all pissed off. I had to walk out of the office without having anything done… NOTHING.

I went in for an examination, x-​rays, etc. At first, everyone was great; everything was great. They wanted to do a deep cleaning that day but since I was not prepared for them to do any work, immediately, especially without knowing how much out-​of-​pocket I would be responsible for, I declined. However, I went home that Friday and emailed them, asking them to give a comprehensive report of the work that I that had recommended and HOW MUCH OUT OF POCKET it would cost me. Monday came and I had not heard back from them, so I called them and asked the receptionist for this information. She gave me her DIRECT email address (she said the other one goes to a «server at another location») and I immediately emailed her, requesting HOW MUCH OUT OF POCKET the recommended work would cost me. It’s now Wednesday and I still have not heard back from them. So, now, I will request my x-​rays from them and go to another Delta Dental dentist. If their administrative follow-​up/​follow-​through is this bad, I feign to imagine what their follow-​up/​follow-​through will be if/​when I actually need some follow-​up dental work.

I’ve always dreaded a visit to any Dentist, that is until I found this dental group. I advised them of my phobias of laying too flat in the dental chair and my gag response with dental dams. They went above and beyond to accommodate my comfort level. Never have I had a better experience with any dental office. I found them to be caring, honest, friendly and professional Highly recommended!

Had a great experience with Dr. Birrer. The hygienist (jade) that did my cleaning was a little rough and not as systematic as I would have liked. She seemed new, so I’m sure with a little more experience she will be great. She did a good job with patient education. Dr. Birrer is very friendly and kind. He explained things and gave me his time. I had a filling re-​done and it was the least uncomfortable dental procedure I can remember, couldn’t feel the drilling or any pain during it, which was awesome. I felt comfortable there and plan to continue.

This is nothing more than a retail store that employe’s young aspiring dentists who are anxious to learn on your teeth and sell you things. A set back for my teeth and wallet.

Went in for my cleaning with Allen this was the first Time Allen worked on me. Wow Allen did just a great job he was very thorough. He taught me a different technique on flossing. Dr Birrer the younger of the 2 dentist finished my implant so excited it looks great. It looks just like my other teeth. I’m still surprised at some of the negative reviews. I have never felt pressured to treatments. Both Dr Buehler and Dr Birrer are very thorough. They told me what was needed. I would rather have dentist that takes their time then someone who gets me in an out in 15 minutes. Exams and cleanings which there are more than 1 type of cleanings take time. I did my research and over 50% of Americans have periodontal disease and that was in 2012. It is 2015 now people so I’m sure it has gone up. This means you don’t get your free cleaning. I have worked in the eye industry for over 10 years insurance companies cover what they want to cover not what is best for the patient. Patients would want what only their insurance covers and guess what that isn’t even what is prescribed for them. It sucks to have to pay for some services but it’s better then the alternative not having teeth.
Laguna beach dental does excellent work. You pay for what you get.

The good things:
These people are qualified for doing dentistry work.
The bad things:
It’s weird that for a place where you’d expect Laguna Beach-​type high standing and class in dealing with customers/​patients, they treat you like any shady car salesman would. There is no picturing that we have a life that we’re trying to go about when people like these make getting everything they can out of your wallet their sole priority, and without the class of at least trying to hide it.
I’m not even going to mention my teeth on this review because it’s very clear that they’ve been out of the topic since I first stepped in that place. Not going back. I’d rather have a slightly less experimented doctor look at me and tell me what’s what than such a blatant scam process such as the one they have going there.

Beware!!! I lost a tooth here because of a maladjusted Cerac crown. Very bad experience from the onset. If you love your teeth, and want to keep them healthy and in your mouth, STAY AWAY from this practice. They will also try to convince you that you have periodontal disease even before you walk in the door, because they make more money that way. All they care about is making money. And Dr. Beuhler is one of the most arrogant men I have ever met. Carol B., Lisa B., Kim S. and Michelle S. I agree with your comments. If I could give a negative star rating, I would.

I was just in this office for my cleaning and I have to say my experience all around was awesome. The staff was super friendly when I called to book my appointment. When I came in I was greeted by Christina and Anna. They were both really kind and helpful. I only had to sit in the waiting area for about 5 minutes before they were ready for me and took me back.
The X-​rays with Joel were quick and before long I was in the chair talking with Dr. Birrer. Dr. Birrer was very friendly and thorough and said my crown (which Dr. Buehler put on during my last visit, he’s an amazing doc too) was looking great. Allen the hygienist got me cleaned up and I was in and out in less than an hour.
If you live in the area and need a dentist I highly recommend this office. Either Dr. Buehler or Dr. Birrer will take great care of you!

I just had my first experience with the Laguna Beach Dental Group. Great people, great office, sweet location, super friendly & professional. Doc and his assistant were a perfect duo! Stoked to find these guys…

I know everyones experience is different but I did NOT encounter any of the things other people had complained about I am very happy I have found a good local dentist I can trust!
After reading the reviews for this place I was apprehensive to come here but as the dental office is close to my house (about 15 minutes drive) I thought I would give it a try and I couldn’t be happier!
My appointment was on time and as they started the examination and x-​ray straight away, no waiting around first plus point! The offices are neat, orderly and clean. ALL the staff here are great, the receptionists are friendly and helpful and worked with me and my schedule and I didn’t need to wait months to get an appointment like at other places.
My dentist Dr Birrer was very personable and thoroughly explained problems and proceeders for immediate care needed and for long term health care to prevent further problems that could occur.
The great thing about this dentist is knowing your options and the fact they provide different payment plans, you can tell here that the patient is priority and so if you need a good dentist in Laguna Beach you should give them a try.

Been going here for 6 years. Used to see Dr. Niven who was replaced by another young guy Dr. Birrer whom I like even more! Very informative and takes the time to explain what my options are. Make sure you see Dr. Birrer or Dr. Buehller!

I recently moved to NYC from Southern California and haven’t found a dentist here yet that I trust as much as the dentists from Laguna Beach Dental. Dr. Birrer has been my go to doctor for the last few years and my experiences have always been quick and informative. Dr. Birrer goes the extra mile to teach you the importance of your dental health and how to properly brush your teeth. I’d been brushing wrong for years! He also helped me understand some jaw pains I had and how to take care of it. I generally do take care of my teeth so I usually only go in for cleanings every 6 months and don’t have any extra work done. For routine check-​ups and cleanings, Dr. Birrer is thorough. I haven’t found the office to be too busy or have long waits.
As for the reviews that say this office «nickels and dimes» you. I find that these dentists recommend what they believe is the best/​top of the line procedures or solutions without assuming you can/can’t afford it. That’s what makes them really good dentists. It’s up to you as their patient to make them aware of your financial constraints so that they can suggest something more affordable.

I was really surprised by the 2-​star rating of this place until I saw the nearly 40 filtered reviews that are mostly 5-​star! Now I know that my positive experience was not a fluke. But I waited until I had a few appointments/​sessions here to write a review just incase.
There are two dentists at this office and I was assigned to the younger doc (Dr. Birrer), who to be honest had me concerned and worried at first because he’s, well, younger. I was afraid he wouldn’t be as experienced or good as the senior doctor (Dr. Buehler) but oh my molar were my fears squashed after 5 minutes in the chair with him! This guy knows his stuff. He seems meticulous with his work and you never feel like you’re just another mouth in an assembly line. Plus, because he’s newer he seems to care more about the patient and took time to explain things to me about my teeth that my old dentist never bothered with. He made sure I was comfortable at every turn during my fillings, and I never felt like I was being pushed to get unnecessary work done, something that is always considered a red flag and huge turn off. But Dr. B told me that I actually DON’T need to get certain procedures! I felt like I could definitely trust him.
I have since gone to Dr. Birrer for my Invisalign too, which I’m so far also pretty happy about.
The office itself is nicely kept and clean, and the rest of the staff is friendly and pleasant. If I could deduct half a star I would, only because I sometimes have to wait a bit when I arrive for my appointment. But to me this is only a minor inconvenience for the happy teeth I get when I walk out the door. Now that’s dentastic!

I agree with Lisa B & A.B. Stay clear of this place. Its the dental equivalent of a puppy mill. Make money at all costs, including patients’ welfare. My experience is similar to two of the reviews mentioned here. They tried to convince me I needed work that I know I didn’t need then refused to clean my teeth. Very slick salesmanship with professional looking brochures to help convince me that what they were selling was standard practice. Just the opposite is true.
I cancelled Delta Dental insurance & went back to my regular dentist (saw him within 6 weeks). I was told by his staff that how I was treated at Laguna Beach Dental Group was typical of these kinds of offices & they do use fear & lies to sell unneeded dental work. I paid for a cleaning & exam by my regular dentist’s hygienist who said my teeth & gums were in very good condition & none of the work prescribed by LBDG was needed.
Beware of Laguna Beach Dental Group. They don’t care about anything but money.

First let me say that I’m a business owner for over 10 years and by instinct can tell when I’m being taken for a ride. These guys are FIRST business men and their business happens to be dental work.
There is a reason this place is called «Laguna Beach Dental Group». It is not a dentist that owns his own practice. It is a corporation that hires dentists to work there and sales people (who are at the front desk) to sell you work. Does this make sense? All they care about is making money.
I’ve been here 3 – 4 times now and each time I feel like I’m walking into a used car dealership rather than a dentist office. Very little regard for taking care of your health or providing actual dental services.
I was forced to use this dentist because it was one of few places that my bad insurance coverage would accept (delta dental individual plans are garbage and I have now switched because of this place).
Today I went for me 6 month cleaning and they kept me there for over 1 hr and didn’t even do the cleaning. From the moment I sat in the chair they started selling me work. It would have been nice of them to actually do my cleaning and then tell me that I needed this or that but NO. Just sell sell sell!!! When I asked them if they were going to do the cleaning that I came in for they said they couldn’t do it for some BS reason. I was so pissed, I never write Unilocal reviews this but place deserves it.
Most people put trust into their medical professionals and will do whatever they are told is needed. This places take full advantage of that. I don’t know how they sleep at night.
There is very little regard for patient welfare. It is strictly a sales office that sells dental work. Find another place.

If going to the dentist isn’t already your nightmare, welcome to Laguna Beach Dental where, in addition to your unreasonable childhood dental fears, you can tack on reasonable adult fears such as outrageous dental bills.
Or as my husband once said after getting a simple cleaning here, «They always want to sell me fries with my burger.» Upsell, upsell, upsell! That’s the motto here. Don’t worry about whether your insurance will cover it; don’t you live in Laguna Beach? Spend, spend spend! I kid you not, one of the «closers» in the office once told me that they were required by law to put in a porcelain crown rather than the typical resin crown covered by my insurance. Turned out, he was «mistaken». Duh. That was my final straw.
Also, each time I went I would get a different dentist; I suppose that’s why it is called a ‘group’ but I didn’t care for it. Can’t believe I stayed with them 4 years. I now go to a local dentist who remembers my name and does not view me as a wallet walking in the door. And his staff of two makes me feel as if they are there to assist me rather than trick me into getting more than I need.