Island Dental

I’ll just start by saying that I don’t think this dental practice is particularly bad. He is knowledgeable, and friendly, but my experience was horrible. It may be different for others.
I went in for a cleaning as part of my yearly thing. I just moved to the area and this one had great reviews, and was covered by my insurance, so I figured it would be a good option.
I’ve never had such a rough teeth cleaning in my life. It’s not for a lack of proper tooth care either. They weren’t very careful when cleaning my teeth, and ended up grinding away my gums with their polish drills. Now, I understand that sometimes you have discomfort after a tooth cleaning, but this was excessive. My entire mouth felt like I had taken sand paper to it. it was horrible, and nothing like I have ever experienced before. Overall, just a general lack of carelessness on their part, and this isn’t even the worst part of my experience.
The worst thing that happened which now leads me to need to go to ANOTHER dentist have it fixed is the «filling» Dr. Houske put into my tooth.
When he did a check up he noticed that I had a soft spot on one of my teeth, and suggested I should get it cleaned out and put a filling in it. 15 minute procedure, nothing too bit, so I figured it would be fine.
They drilled out my tooth, cleaned it, and put the filling in. Only problem is that they knicked the tooth right in front of it, and forgot to cover up the entire exposed dentin on the tooth. The solution? Wait it out, don’t eat on that side of my mouth, and put some sensodine toothpaste on it nightly.
Suffice it to say, I’m pretty upset. The tooth had never bothered me before, but now all of the sudden I have a constant pain in my mouth from a botched procedure preformed by Island Dental. I’m stuck here happy that at least I didn’t have a root canal or any other serious procedure done by them because who knows how that would have turned out.
I had a follow up with them, and he offered no real solutions. Not even a suggestion on when I should come back it, or if they would fix the issue they caused. So I’m left with now having to go to another dentist to fix a botched procedure by Island Dental.
DO NOT GO TO ISLAND DENTAL. It was a huge mistake on my part, and hopefully you will not make the same one.
As an aside, the staff is friendly, and Dr. Houske is very friendly as well. If you’re looking for a friend as your dentist, then you should go here. I however, was looking for a dentist who wouldn’t leave my mouth in worse shape. Obviously that was setting the standard too high for Island Dental. I will never be revisiting this office.

Dr. Houske is a great dentist. He is friendly, funny, and honest.
He gets to know his patients and takes time examining their teeth and answering any questions or addressing any concerns they might have.
All the staff in his office and the office next door (where they do the teeth cleanings) are all very friendly, professional, and efficient. I leave this office with clean teeth and a smile every time I go. I definitely recommend this office.
Plus Dr. Houske went to USC FIGHT ON!

excellent care. professional, clean, great environment. great with kids too —

Island Dental is the first dental office I actually enjoyed going to and that says A LOT!
Dr. Houske has a well-​liked factor to him that most dentist may never fully grasp. What sets Dr. Houske apart is that he takes the time to get to know his patient and after fixing the problem/​working on your teeth he strives to educate instead of scold. While most Dentists criticize you, Dr. Houske creates a dialogue to determine the factors that may cause problems or future problems. His job is to make sure his patients leave the office with beautiful teeth and the knowledge to keep them that way.
I really appreciate everyone here at the office. Dr. Houske, Dr. Kubo, Mary and Corine in the front and Evette the dental assistant are very friendly and welcoming people. Evette is especially thoughtful and she makes sure her patient is at ease. She definitely eased my dentist apprehension and made sure I was comfortable.
I would definitely recommend this dental office to everyone. If you have a fear of dental offices and you are worried about personal fears then come here, you will leave happy and smiling.

I had a crown put in about 5 years ago that completely broke apart. I went back to
Island dental and they quoted me $ 1600.00 to put on a new crown. I thought that was
high and expected a little discount since they put in the last crown and it only lasted
5 years. When I said I was going to get another bid to do the crown the office manager said they would do it for $ 1325.00 I did not like the way they did business so I still did not use them. I found a dentist that went to USC dental school and did
a great job for $ 890.00 His crown also fit much better than the one that Island dental
did years ago. Needless to say I found a new dentist and am very happy.

I had to find a dental office years ago that would be Great for my 2 kids. I found it. I love everyone at Island Dental. Dr. Kubo is great with both of my kids. My son does not like going but will sit in the chair and listen to Dr. Kubo. My daughter loves the dentist. Thank you All at Island Dental for taking such good care of my kids

A dentist that you enjoy going to, no, well I have to admit Island Dental is a place I look forward to going to. The professionalism, friendliness of the staff, excellent care of Dr. Kubo and cleanliness of the office makes this dental experience top notch. Honestly, could not even feel the novicane shot. I am glad I found this office, it’s worth the drive from Orange County. Yes that’s right I drive from Orange County for the superior care offered at Island Dental.

I have no dental insurance and they took me in. The doctor I had was very blunt and he was the best I ever had. He was very upset that even though 2 of my teeth could of been saved but I didn’t have the money to get them fixed so he had to extract them. I had problems with a previous dentist who really hurt me and did not know what he was doing to numb me and he was so rude and mean. This dentist knew exactly what he was doing. While he was doing the procedure he would ask if I was ok several times. He was perfect to the «T». The way he numb me was so painless and he hardly used too much of it. And boy was he quick. He wasted no time!!! He knew my big fears but he helped me stay strong. I still have to go back to get another tooth taken out but trying to get it fixed instead. I highly recommend this place. They are all great people who care and took the time with me. They don’t make you wait long and I noticed while I was there how happy the other patients were. Thank you Island Dental for putting me at ease and see you soon.

This has been my second time visiting Dr. Houske and i had an amazing experience the times i been their. He is very knowledgeable. I had gone to a different dentist before and was told that i needed a root canal and a crown but once i went with him, he was able to save my tooth by just doing a filling because of him i saved a lot of money. The staff is also great and very friendly. The office is always clean and you feel welcomed. I recommend Island Dental.

I love this place! I come here often to visit the staff and they are always matching and color coordinated. Every one is always happy here on the island. I started coming here about five years ago when I started college and had no money. I hadn’t been to a dentist in a long time and had six cavities. I knew they were all legit because I had them diagnosed at a different office and this was me getting a second opinion. I loved this office and my experience so much they filled my teeth and helped me out with the financial end to make it affordable to a struggling college student. Later after I graduated I got my front crowns redone here because I had broken my teeth as a kid and they look 100x better then before … I’m fact they are all porcelain and no one can even tell they are fake they match so well. Dr. Houske did an amazing job and made me feel beautiful!
His staff dr kubo and hygienist Lisa is truly amazing they have been so great and done such great work I would send all my friends to the island!

Been going to this dentist since I moved to Cali. Lisa is the best dental hygienist!

I went to their Carson location (which is the same dentists) & what a rip off! I even warned my girlfriend not to go to them. She didn’t listen and they ripped her off as well. I am very obsessed with my teeth & gums. I have always taken great care of them. I went to Island Dental & they gave me a list of over $ 2,000 worth of recommended dental exams, deep cleanings, etc. that I absolutely did not need. They tried to pressure me into a bi-​monthly deep cleaning plan that could be financed «for my convienence». I went to 3 other dentists since & have never been told the same thing. What a sham! I don’t trust any office that is only out to make money.

I have been a customer for years at Island Dental. Dr. Houske is a great dentist who has staffed his office with friendly, experienced and knowledgable people. I wouldn’t go anywhere else. They really educate you on preventative care. I really appreciate the extra time they take to explain things.

The staff is awful there! They think they know everything, they can never be wrong. Will simply hang up on you if you even try to argue a point. DO NOT do anything you ask of them! Simple task of changing a phone number has not been done for over 3 years! Still wrong to this day. My son is unfortunately stuck having to go there as they have already billed my insurance and max has been met. If I change dentists, will have to pay retainer out of pocket. Can get no straight answer on how much longer before the braces come off. Every visit a new «procedure» needs to be done. Never billed me from the beginning of treatment and then 3 years later says oh by the way, you now owe us $ 3000 and here is your bill due in 10 days or you go to collections! I constantly was asking for help with billing over the year and Maria (who is the worst of them all) tried to tell me that I was wrong and they were right. I have done insurance billing for 10 years! I think I know how to read an EOB. The actually billing girl was only in for 5 minutes a week and never returned calls. Halfway through her treatment, they changed the doctor. No notice, no asking us if we would mind. NOTHING. Just one day came in and they said we had a new doctor who had a «new» way of doing things and so the braces have now been on for 4 years! Ridiculous!

THEY BASICALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE DOING, ARE RUDE AND OBNOXIOUS AND DON’T BOTHER COMPLAINING TO DR HOUSKE BECAUSE HE COULD CARE LESS. IN FACT, DON’T BOTHER EVEN COMPLAINING AT ALL BECUASE NON OF THEM CARE! THEY KNOW THEY HAVE YOU STUCK ONCE THEY BILL YOUR INSURANCE.
WOULD DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND THEM EVEN TO MY WORST ENEMY!

Recently moved to the area and so needed a new dentist. I went in for a standard checkup without any reviews or referrals on this place. This place overcharges it’s clients. Most of the treatments were deemed unnecessary. I’ve always had no problems with my teeth before and was wondering why all of the sudden this dentist feels that I need all these treatments. My treatment would be customed based and I could use their payment plan. It was going to cost me a couple thousands. What a ripoff. I ran as far as I could from this place, but they still continue to leave messages and send post cards. Finding it very hard to find a good dentist, doctor and mechanic these days. Update: Found a great dentist and all I got was a cleaning. Teeth was in healthy condition! All I can say is beware and always get a second opinion, your not obligated to any service till you sign on the dotted line.