Joe Lawrence H, DDS

Went here for a couple of years. Overall, so-​so experience. It was close to where I live, dentist was nice enough. However, I had an appt. for a teeth cleaning a couple of weeks ago on a Saturday. Had a really long exhausting work week, but I arrived on time at 9:30a. When I arrive they announce the dentist isn’t coming in that day. And no one bothered to call me so I wouldn’t waste my time. Dr. Joe Lawrence’s response? Perhaps if you wait around an hour we can squeeze you in? No apology for wasting my time or canceling last minute. I am also not going to find another dentist in December so I will not be able to maintain my teeth and use my insurance benefits. Really pathetically poor way to treat patients and run a business.

My first dentist committed suicide and my last one retired in her 40’s…I blame my breath which could start the windmill on an old Dutch Oil Painting. I don’t like anything or anyone digging around in my mouth.
So I came here leery, scared and anxious… Dr. Chong was friendly and his hygenist (a young asian woman sorry I’m bad with names) was amazing. Probably the most pain free cleaning I’ve ever had. And they didn’t have to use a sandblaster or Lime Away!
I will be back… hopefully not too soon I don’t need a set of fake choppers like Cher or Faye Dunaway yet!

I went here for a check up and was told that I needed to have 5 cavities filled. It seemed very odd because I have never had a filling and my teeth are in great shape. Also, I had no symptoms, pain, sensitivity etc. I had a cleaning 6 months prior where the dentist said my teeth were perfect. I had a bad feeling that I was being scammed.
I saw two other dentists to get a second and third opinion and was told that I did not need any work done! It makes me nervous that a dentist would recommend fillings that were not needed. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they said I needed them AFTER they checked my insurance and found out that I have no co-​pay for fillings. Also, when I asked if it was necessary the dentist said, «You have the insurance so why not use it?» WTF??? If this place tells you to get work done GET A SECOND OPINION!!! Not sure what the dentist’s name was, it wasn’t Dr. Joe but the younger dentist who works here…

Dr. Chong is awesome. I called last minute on a Saturday with an incredible amount of pain. The night before I didn’t sleep because I have a huge cavity that finally got me on my knees. The front desk was very helpful and squeezed me in so that they could at least get rid of the pain. I was told to come in at 10am. Got there filled out 1 form. Waited maybe 15 min got an x-​ray and Dr. Chong came in told me where my cavity was and was VERY honest and showed me that the cavity was close but didn’t hit the root yet so he was going to save my tooth (and save me a lot of money) and just fill my cavity instead of a root canal. He numbed me and I didn’t feel the shot at all and my pain finally went away after having it for 3 days. My worst fear is going to the dentist then having to pay 2000.00 dollars on 1 procedure and be broke for ever until the next tooth acts up.(I don’t have insurance BTW completely out of pocket payment) I walked out of there with a temporary fill and x-​ray for $ 65.00. I cant even begin to tell you how happy I left there knowing that I didn’t get a unnecessary root canal, I wasn’t in pain, I got a temporary and I paid a reasonable and fair price. Thank you to the Office of Joe Laurence and Dr. Chong for being honest and having reasonable prices. You inherited a client for life. Why cant more dentist offices be like you guys?! Thank you!

Best dentist I could ever ask for. I have a ridiculous fear of needles to the point of crying, panic attack and passing out, I feel 100percent comfortable with Dr. Joe and ALWAYS recommend him to anyone who asks!

I’ve been going to Dr Chong for several years. He is super young but skilled and professional. He takes care of everything himself with a sense of urgency and care. He performs the fastest cleaning I have ever experienced. Who wants to spend more time in the chair? Do yourself a favor. See this dentist and maximize your insurance benefits each year.

Dr. Chong is great… All of the folks here are wonderful people and Dr. Chong the best dentist I have ever had.

A very likeable dental practice along Rowena Avenue, Dr. Joe’s is a great place for people who like keeping their teeth and gums healthy. The front desk is helpful and nice. You can enter from Rowena just past that Mason/​social club place (if you’re going west on Rowena).

First time there and really enjoyed the experience! Christine in the front desk was so helpful and Dr. Chong was really nice! Very quick cleaning, X-​rays, and exam. All the staff were wonderful as well. Definitely going back and referring my friends and family.

Dr. Chong ROCKS! He came highly recommended by a bunch of friends and making the switch to him was a great idea! The staff is very friendly and on it and make sure to confirm your appointments with you the day before your appointment. Every time I’ve gone, Dr. Chong has ALWAYS been punctual — SUCH a plus! Cleanings are a breeze — you’re in and out in 15mins (so long as you’re taking care of your chompers). He did some bonding to my teeth and did such a wonderful, natural job! He, too, is friendly and super laid back and direct. For a great dental experience — this is your place!

I like the dentists and the prices. I was at first turned off by the office (a bit dingy) but that may very well be how they keep the prices fair and reasonable. Dr. Marie is great but so are the others dentists in this practice.

Dr. Chong is THE BEST!!! Seriously. I called on a whim after desperately looking up the nearest dentist on Unilocal because I thought I had a tooth infection and needed to be seen right away. They got in me the same day and were so fast and great it was unbelievable, turned out to be my wisdom teeth and an exposed nerve, came back to have wisdom teeth pulled and WENT BACK TO WORK THE NEXT DAY!!! yes… no swelling and minimal pain! I highly recommend Dr. Chong!

Dr. Joe is awesome! He is gentle and thorough. I would trust him with my family and friends, knowing that they would be getting the best treatment possible.

I’ve gone to quite a few dentists in my life, but have never had such incredible experiences time after time. Dr. Marie is so awesome! A great person and dentist. Although I now live in the OC, I will definitely make the trek when it comes time to visit the dentist again!

I’ve been going to Dr. Chong for the last 3 years and I just love him. He is really great with kids too. Our daughter was 3 and was super afraid of all dentists and doctors but Dr. Chong helped her overcome her fear. She now gladly goes every six months. I highly recommend him.

I was pretty skeptic about coming here, as my teeth are super important to me, and they had misplaced my insurance information and seemed a little disorganized upon my initial visit… but I was immediately put at ease with the care and quality of work that Dr. Chong provided me. I’ve been here three times now, for cleanings and to have bonding done, and each time I was seen immediately and had a great experience.
The bonding I had done was (actually) perfect. Dr Chong seemed to have impressed himself with how amazing the bonding matched my teeth color and how symmetrical my teeth turned out. It was a totally painless procedure and I’m SO incredibly pleased with the results. I would recommend Dr. Chong to anyone who is looking for cosmetic work of this nature.

This guy was pretty dang awesome. I was starting to get a little mad because it was takin a bit to get me in the seat, but reality is the office was busy. I came in signed up with the front office hoping to get it done ASAP as I had some other work stuff to attend to.
Dr. Joe brought me into his office and was like whats up? I told him where it hurt and told him I had to head out fast… He was like no problem, get you out in 35 min, he got me out in 20… Removed a cavity and gave me a filling. Bout $ 140 and I was out. I was numb for a bit, but it was totally worth it. That tooth was bothering me for a while. He took care of me and set up my cleaning and future visit. Glad I found a cool neighbor and FELLOW DODGER LOVER!!!

ive been to ALLOT of dentists in my young life…(hey! i got a busy mouth!)…and drjoe is BY FAR the most talented, kind, GENTLE oral artist i have employed, he is brilliant. he originally took the charge of fixing/​correcting another dentist sloppy work, no easy task… several visits later not only was my mouth healthy and my smile beautiful, but i wasn’t put out onto the street with dental payments. drjoe is very fair with his pricing (heck he could charge more!), but hes the best… i do think he is the happiest dentist i have ever chaired. as a result, my whole family goes and on a regular basis now!
hey, when the experience is fun, pain free, the work is perfect and beautiful, AND your not over charged, you come back. thank you dr. joe for saving my teeth, my bank account, and my smile… how awesome is it to smile again! YAY!!!

The dentist I used to see here was a nice guy and very thorough. So thorough I sent a friend here who became concerned the doc may be taking off enamel. Is that something I need to worry about? I’ll look into it…
Once, I had a filling done and they left some excess composite on the side of my tooth which was there for awhile. Too inconvenient just to come back and have them scrap it off. Sent another friend there and she developed a canker sore a few days after. She felt it was from an over aggressive cleaning.
I’ve also had several cleaning that went well.
Staff is generally pretty nice, but scheduling can be a pain — and availability is inconsistent based on who you get on the phone.

I took a spill and chipped my two front teeth. I no longer have dental insurance so was very apprehensive about calling around to see how much it would cost. After reading great reviews on Unilocal,I thought I would give this place a chance.
They set me up with an appointment the very next week. The woman on the phone quoted me $ 135 to start out.
I arrived to my appointment 10 minutes before my scheduled time and was asked to fill out the obligatory paperwork. The waiting room had a variety of magazines ranging in interest level. I was called back at 2:10, ten minutes after my appointment. Not bad.
The dentist shook my hand (I forgot her name – I am terrible with names) and she sat me down. She asked me how the chips occurred and then gave me an estimate of how much it would cost. She quoted me $ 110 for the one tooth and $ 125 for the other (since that tooth had two chips.)
I asked her if she could just file them down for me before I agreed to get the bonding done. She said sure. After filing my teeth down ever so slightly she let me look in the mirror to examine the work. The chips were still very evident so I told her to proceed with the bonding. I appreciate that she gave me this option. It is reassuring when the doctor has the patient’s best interest in mind.
My entire appointment lasted only one hour. It wasn’t painful, uncomfortable at times, but never painful. After she was done, she let me look in the mirror again. There was a slight pointed edge on one of my teeth. I pointed it out and she said she would file it some more. She was very patient with me as well as comforting.
They didn’t charge me for the consultation or initial exam. The only thing I paid for was the bonding itself. She said the bonding will last between 5 and 10 years depending on how I take care of it.
Overall it was as pleasant as a visit to the dentist can be. I would definitely recommend this Dentist’s Office to others! Cheers!