Mary Chess-Abelson, DDS

On our first visit, Dr. Mary immediately put my young children at ease. She is great with kids, she is professional, and is patient and thorough when explaining things. On top of all that, the office environment is welcoming and friendly and my kids look forward to seeing the bunnies and saying hi to the friendly dogs roaming the outside property.

With a change in jobs came a change in dental insurance. Mary Chess-​Abelson was in my network, which delighted me AND coincided with a recommendation from a friend. And boy, were my expectations exceeded! She’s so kind, gentle, and she has BUNNIES! A bunny-​filled terrarium in her waiting room. Gratis laughing gas helps too. I’ll keep at this job as long as I can, just to stay in Dr. Abelson’s network.

I was at the office for a teeth cleaning in February of 2016
I had waited 5 month for an appointment early in the morning.
Was scheduled for 7.30 am
Arrived at 7.30 am to find one technician open the door and inform me that the office does not open to 8 am. Handed me the paperwork (which takes 5 minutes) and said they like to have the patience in early as to be ready for the doctor.
Well the doctor as well as dental hygienist did not show up to 8.15 (45 minute wait in an empty office)
I am a business woman and would never have the nerv to do that to a client.

This is the most beautiful dentist office ever! Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Both Drs are amazing dentists. I have been going here for years and am so happy to have found them!

I don’t understand how this place can have so many good reviews. They rarely answer their phone, and when they do they’re rude and not helpful.
Here we go…
I have been looking for a dentist in South Pasadena, and I found them through Unilocal!I called and called and finally somebody answered. I tried making an appointment, but when I asked for help with my insurance, the lady told me to call my insurance, that they couldn’t help me that.
Seriously??? You can’t help me figure out what my insurance covers in YOUR facility? Because I’ve called other dentists after, and they have been more than happy to help me.
Obviously they don’t need any new patients. So professional.

Dr. Mary’s father is my dentist, but my daughter prefered Dr. Mary, she is incredible with children, getting them to feel at ease with the needles and the drilling and the blood etc. Her total attention is focused on the child and their needs. Her father tends to be a little distracted during procedures what with phone calls to friends or business associates during actual procedures. I highly recomen Dr. Mary if you are a child or an adult.

Dr. Mary is truly an exceptional dentist ! She truly cares for her patients. Given that My daughter has autism I had to carefully choose a dentist that has experience working with children. Dr. Mary surpassed my expectations. She was extremely patient and thorough with my daughter. What I appreciated from her was that she made our dental visit such a fun and pleasant time. She explained every step to my daughter which definitely eased her anxiety. The front office were also outstanding! They were so sweet and accommodating !!! Thank you Dr. Mary and Mrs. Chess for the exceptional service!

Dr. Mary and her team are excellent! I have been going here for a few years and have always been more than satisfied with the dental work and care. Then, just this week, they went above and beyond for me, so I just had to write this review to spread the word about how fabulous they are! The cap on my front chipped tooth fell off after biting into an apple on Sunday evening, and when I called Monday morning at 8 am they were able to get me in at 8:45 am and had my tooth fixed by 9:30! I was amazed that they were so accommodating and so happy that I didn’t have to look like Lloyd Christmas from Dumb & Dumber all week long!

Dr. Mary is the best dentist in the area with no compliments and without thinking twice. Her way of treating patients, the superior design of her clinic with its natural landscape, everything in this clinic makes you feel no worry when you are visiting a dentist.
Best dental experience ever

I really loved my dentist in San Francisco and truly felt no other office would replace it. I mean they seriously renewed my love for going to the dentist regularly and ridded me of all past ill will and hatred towards the dentist (due to horrific childhood memories and experiences).
Imagine my surprise when I drove up to the magical entrance of this office, parked in what looks like a beautiful oasis of trees and serenity, and walked into the most calm, peaceful, and zen like office I have ever laid my eyes on. I mean, there is a window looking out into a bunny hang out/​zen garden people!
The staff were all very nice and patient with me. They answered all of my questions thoroughly. Everyone was light hearted, warm, and just really very nice. My first cleaning with them was a very thorough one. My second visit for a procedure was very relaxing. Everyone made sure I was calm and feeling good (I usually get really nervous and tense).
I could seriously go on and on, but I won’t…If you need a dentist and live in the area, or have had poor experiences with the dentist growing up and want to start taking care of your teeth, please come here!

We have been going to Dr. Mary Chess-​Abelson since our family moved to Pasadena. My children really enjoyed her even with their own fears of getting their teeth cleaned because of the uncomfortable tools on their teeth, but the movies and the ambiance of the place made for it.
She also cleaned my husbands teeth even though the military required him to see someone in the military, but we lived about 45 minutes from the Air Force base and my husband is in the Army. Other than that my husband was really grateful and so is our family for having her and her staff so welcoming. The best thing about her is that, she always knew where she left off from our last conversation visit, she really knows her patients!
She’s really good with kids, well with my kids, very patient and sweet!

We love Dr. Chess! She is GREAT with kids. My four year old has his third appt coming up (started at 2 ½) and he always loves going. He only put up a small fuss on the second visit as he was a bit scared but Dr. Mary was so good at making him at home. We will be bringing our daughter here for her first visit too.
My dad is a dentist on the east coast so I know a thing or two. He recommended I find someone who doesn’t practice exclusively with kids as some of them can push unnecessary procedures on you. Seriously though, some of these procedures they do on 4 yr olds these days are a bit ridiculous, they’re baby teeth for heaven sakes!
Bottom line: if you want a highly qualified dentist with terrific ethics in a gorgeous environment at a reasonable price this is the dentist for you.

Went in for an impacted wisdom tooth. Every other dentist I’ve been to over the years (when it would flare up) made a big fuss: oral surgery, take out all four, crazy prices. This dentist took out the impacted tooth, no problem, and the price (I have no insurance) was beyond fair. Everyone is pleasant and relaxed, and the place is beautiful. I will recommend Dr. Chess-​Abelson to everyone I know!

I have had so many horrible dentist experiences so I really didn’t know what to expect. But after I made my appointment with the receptionist, I already felt at ease.
The property is extremely beautiful. I was in complete awe. The staff is super friendly and helpful — I got lost :/​. The Doctor is very friendly and helpful and informs me of everything. Very easy to take to and no pain at all for my cleaning!
I love this place and happy I have found my dentist home. 6 months can’t come soon enough :)
Thanks guys!

Ok. I was really trepidatious about this place because there’s NO WAY it could be as amazing as everyone says, right?
WRONG.
It is pretty amazing.
From the minute I rolled up to the «office» (which is much more like a beautiful garden estate) I felt at ease. Big windows, nice art, cool magazines and a warm reception to boot! This is as close to being in love with a dentist experience that I can get.
The staff is great, friendly and warm. I totally got the sense that these folks are like family. I got some Xrays (they’re digital, so you don’t have to worry about taking them over if they don’t come out right) and a cleaning. get this​.by Dr. Mary! Yes. The dentist does her own cleanings (she even flossed me up at the end). Super sweet and I felt like she got everything. I felt so relaxed (the room that I was in faced a beautiful lush garden with a bear wood sculpture) I literally even almost fell asleep while she was cleaning my teeth. I was THAT relaxed.
They also told me I have «boring but beautiful» teeth (boring because other than wisdom teeth extractions in my 20s, I have never needed work done). I’m a sucker for a compliment.
Pros:
Atmosphere
Friendliness
Professionalism
Accepts my insurance
Garden
Parting goody bag of tooth brush, floss and toothpaste)
Cons:
None
Can’t wait to go back next year!

LOVE Dr. Chess-​Abelson! Great staff to boot!
I had a horrid experience when we lived in Marina del Rey — scared to death of dental visits after that. Thank goodness I found Dr. Chess-​Abelson when we moved to Pasadena. Not only has she restored my faith in dentists, she also went above and beyond to help me with my mouthguard. Seriously some top-​notch customer service.
She also referred me to Dr. Henriod who is a great periodontist. At any rate — so grateful to find her!

This is a terrific practice: father-​daughter dentists! I have gone to Dr. Mary’s father for many years and my son goes to Dr. Mary. They are a great combo as he is old school experienced and is past president of California Dental Association and is an expert. Dr. Mary went to USC and has trained under her father and she’s really come into her own. As someone else said, she does her own cleanings so she picks up everything.
She is amazing with kids as well as adults. She has 3 children under the age of 10 and knows how to treat them. So even though she doesn’t limit her practice to pediatrics she is wonderful with them so much so that my son from ages 5 to 11 (now) enjoys going to the dentist.
The staff is terrific. Makes you feel like family. Honest, professional and skilled. What more can you want?

Can’t recommend her highly enough!
I’m a long-​time user of Unilocal,but never actually write reviews. My experience here was so good it made me want to take the time to say so. The staff — from Carol who made my appointment on the phone to Illeana who did my X-​rays — was exceptionally nice, helpful and patient.
Dr. Mary the dentist was quick without being hurried and informative, as well as personable and professional at the same.
And the office itself is great, tucked away and private.
Best experience I’ve ever had at a dentist’s office.

This is the dental office that will eliminate any fear or trepidation you may have about getting your teeth examined. The beautiful, tranquil setting will put anyone at ease and Dr. Mary and her staff are flat-​out phenomenal with excellent «chair-​side» manners. There’s a reason I recommend them to everyone I know looking for a dentist (even to friends on the Westside!).
Our entire family goes here, including our 9 year old son. They put him in a room with closing doors (just in case, but he never gets too upset) and let him choose a DVD from a huge collection of’s movies to watch during his exam. After, there’s probably the best toy treasure chest I’ve ever seen at a dentist’s office for him to select a prize. We started coming here when my husband had a an abscessed tooth. It was on a closed office day, but Dr. Mary had him come in anyway, because she truly cares about her patients, even the brand new ones.

My sister in law recommeded this dentist after my dear hubby had a bad experience at our last one. I have to say, I was very happy with my experience with Dr. Mary. And I have seen a LOT of different dentists in my lifetime.
First off, you would never know this is a dentist office. It’s in a residential area on the property of a huge estate, but the office is separate from the estate, in it’s own little building. The office is very clean and well organized, the front office staff is friendly. The dental work area is very relaxing, with big windows overlooking a nice garden.
Dr. Mary was very gentle. She also does her own cleanings and polishings which is a departure from most dental offices. She didn’t suggest unnecessary work which has happened to me recently. She has a great chair side manner.
I can reccomend this office highly and hey, no cavities MOM!