I was born in Taiwan and emigrated to the United States in 1980. My two older brothers and I were raised by my Mom in Monterey Park and to this day, she still lives in the same house we grew up in. I really have to thank my Mother for providing me all the opportunities that made me into who I am today.
I went attended UCLA for my undergraduate degree and dental school training. Afterwards, I completed a three year residency program in prosthodontics at UCLA. It was there where I met my wife, Dr. Mary Shannon, who happens to be an amazing pediatric dentist.
A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating dental and facial problems that involve restoring missing teeth. A prosthodontist is highly trained in cosmetics, dental implants, crowns, bridges, dentures, partials, temporomandibular disorders (TMJ/TMD), and more.
3. Patient Involvement: A great dentist involves a patient in decision making for treatment. They allow patients access to their records and explain all the options for treatment. A great dentist understands that a patient needs to feel in control of his or her treatment.
4. Honesty and Compassion: A great dentist is also honest and compassionate. Dental problems can affect many areas of a persons life. Dentists need to be sensitive to the problems caused by poor dental health.
5. Communication Skills: Strong communication is one of the most important skills a dentist can have. Dentists educate patients on their diagnosis, treatment and preventative care. Being able to explain technical information and make patients understand is key.
It is obviously important to be competent and have extensive knowledge about dentistry and oral hygiene. You need to be able to identify problems quickly as well as provide the most effective treatments. A good dentist also needs to be honest and compassionate. They need to have the ability to communicate and to listen to their patients.
Being a dental patient can be difficult as many dread the thought of being in the dental chair. It is my priority to make each and every patient feel comfortable and reassure them that I have the their best interests at heart.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 12 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestDavid Harder
2 years ago
After years of living without dental problems, I found myself in crisis and with complicated decisions to make. The first was an awareness my existing dentist was not capable of giving the best possible care. I spent a year looking for the right Dentist and within five minutes of the first time they worked on me, knew his practice was the one. In two years, I have never had an alternate experience. This is a brilliant team and they genuinely take pride in giving priority to patient treatment/experience at a fair and reasonable fee.
Dr Milo
2 years ago
After COVID hit, my wife and I were scared to go out of the house. I had a tooth ache and put off my cleaning. I was recommended to Dr. Song through a friend because he has a reputation for being gentle, communicative and excellent at what he does. When we opened the door, we were greeted with the highest COVID safety standards and felt very comfortable having my tooth fixed. We would highly recommend Dr. Song and his team to anyone in Santa Monica or the westside needing help with their teeth.
L H
2 years ago
I have known Dr Song and Dr Shannon for a long time. They are not just friends but also my family's go to for dental care. The staff are very professional and friendly. I don't live close by to the dental office, but willing to make the trip for excellent dental care for my family and I.
Elena Lee
2 years ago
I've been going to Dr Song for 5 years - can't imagine seeing anyone else. From routine cleanings, to treating cavities, to Invisalign, he always has your best interest and never pushes for procedures. He will always inform you of all your options. Not to mention his staff, from front desk to hygienists are friendly and efficient. The cherry on top is being able to wear wireless headphones and watch a Netflix while you get work done!
Sue Saechao
2 years ago
Dr. Song shares his office with his wife Mary Shannon, DDS who manages the pediatric dentistry side of the practice. Both are top 1% and we have been going to them for over 6 years (and now I'm scared too many people will flock to them). My husband and I are both healthcare providers with a high bar for excellence. We both see Dr. Song and all 3 of our children, ages 1 to 7, see Dr. Shannon. We were referred first to Dr. Shannon by a fellow health care provider who had also been referred by another friend (tons of word of mouth referrals). As a paranoid helicopter overprotective parent of one daughter, he assured me my kids couldn't be in better hands and wouldn't let me take my kids anywhere else even though I had booked an appointment at another practice in Santa Monica. He started taking his daughter to Dr. Shannon when she was 3 and now she is 13. He and his wife see Dr. Song too. I couldn't agree more. I was told both Drs. Song and Shannon teach at the UCLA dental school and are the preferred dentists for many UCLA dentists themselves as they were their professors. Dr. Song is soft spoken, gentle, meticulous, detail oriented, and extremely ethical. He is also a prosthodontist. Both providers do what is in the best interest of the patient not for personal profit or to increase their revenue. The work is high quality and if you have any outstanding issues, they rectify it without charging you for the same original issue unless it's something different. Their dental hygienists and staff are superb as is Esther who works front office. They take COVID precautions to limit people in their office by calling you when you arrive to come up to protect patients and staff. They get you in quickly and have electronic forms. They respond quickly if you have any concerns even with their busy schedules. Billing is easy and straightforward. They take Delta Dental PPO I have through UCLA. I have never felt taken advantage of and they never order unnecessary imaging or procedures unless indicated (they will let you know the rationale if you need anything else other than standard cleaning). I've recommended them to NextDoor as well as to friends and patients. Parking is at meters in front of the building and along Wilshire unless you can find neighborhood parking. I believe they have garage parking if you want to pay too. Plenty within 2 blocks. There is an Erewhon next to the building if you need to kill time at the market plus Milo and Olive for coffee and eats across the street. Highest possible commendation and recommendation. We used to see Cynthia Cheung in Westwood who is also great, but this practice fits our family needs the best (plus love Esther - front office sometimes has the greatest impact on the office you choose and ultimately stay at).
Don Taicher
2 years ago
Best dentistry in almost 85 years
Dr. Maca Angemeier
2 years ago
I was in SEVER DENTAL PAIN from a TERRIBLE DESTRUCTIVE DENTIST by the name of Richard Kim !!! this EVIL PERSON DESTROYED MY CROWNS!!ALL HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED!!!Severe PAIN WITH INFECTION!!!! DR. JOHN SONG TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!!!! Dr. SONG COMPLETELY REBUILT MY TEETH AND NOW I AM DENTAL PAIN FREE !!!!!!! Dr. JOHN SONG IS MY HERO!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU SHARE AND YOUR WONDERFUL STAFF !!!!!! Stephen Angemeier
Dr Milo
3 years ago
After COVID hit, my wife and I were scared to go out of the house. I had a tooth ache and put off my cleaning. I was recommended to Dr. Song through a friend because he has a reputation for being gentle, communicative and excellent at what he does. When we opened the door, we were greeted with the highest COVID safety standards and felt very comfortable having my tooth fixed. We would highly recommend Dr. Song and his team to anyone in Santa Monica or the westside needing help with their teeth.
Elena Lee
3 years ago
I've been going to Dr Song for 5 years - can't imagine seeing anyone else. From routine cleanings, to treating cavities, to Invisalign, he always has your best interest and never pushes for procedures. He will always inform you of all your options. Not to mention his staff, from front desk to hygienists are friendly and efficient. The cherry on top is being able to wear wireless headphones and watch a Netflix while you get work done!
Sue Saechao
3 years ago
Dr. Song shares his office with his wife Mary Shannon, DDS who manages the pediatric dentistry side of the practice. Both are top 1% and we have been going to them for over 6 years (and now I'm scared too many people will flock to them). My husband and I are both healthcare providers with a high bar for excellence. We both see Dr. Song and all 3 of our children, ages 1 to 7, see Dr. Shannon. We were referred first to Dr. Shannon by a fellow health care provider who had also been referred by another friend (tons of word of mouth referrals). As a paranoid helicopter overprotective parent of one daughter, he assured me my kids couldn't be in better hands and wouldn't let me take my kids anywhere else even though I had booked an appointment at another practice in Santa Monica. He started taking his daughter to Dr. Shannon when she was 3 and now she is 13. He and his wife see Dr. Song too. I couldn't agree more. I was told both Drs. Song and Shannon teach at the UCLA dental school and are the preferred dentists for many UCLA dentists themselves as they were their professors. Dr. Song is soft spoken, gentle, meticulous, detail oriented, and extremely ethical. He is also a prosthodontist. Both providers do what is in the best interest of the patient not for personal profit or to increase their revenue. The work is high quality and if you have any outstanding issues, they rectify it without charging you for the same original issue unless it's something different. Their dental hygienists and staff are superb as is Esther who works front office. They take COVID precautions to limit people in their office by calling you when you arrive to come up to protect patients and staff. They get you in quickly and have electronic forms. They respond quickly if you have any concerns even with their busy schedules. Billing is easy and straightforward. They take Delta Dental PPO I have through UCLA. I have never felt taken advantage of and they never order unnecessary imaging or procedures unless indicated (they will let you know the rationale if you need anything else other than standard cleaning). I've recommended them to NextDoor as well as to friends and patients. Parking is at meters in front of the building and along Wilshire unless you can find neighborhood parking. I believe they have garage parking if you want to pay too. Plenty within 2 blocks. There is an Erewhon next to the building if you need to kill time at the market plus Milo and Olive for coffee and eats across the street. Highest possible commendation and recommendation. We used to see Cynthia Cheung in Westwood who is also great, but this practice fits our family needs the best (plus love Esther - front office sometimes has the greatest impact on the office you choose and ultimately stay at).
Don Taicher
3 years ago
Best dentistry in almost 85 years
Dr. Maca Angemeier
3 years ago
I was in SEVER DENTAL PAIN from a TERRIBLE DESTRUCTIVE DENTIST by the name of Richard Kim !!! this EVIL PERSON DESTROYED MY CROWNS!!ALL HAD TO BE REMOVED AND REPLACED!!!Severe PAIN WITH INFECTION!!!! DR. JOHN SONG TO THE RESCUE!!!!!!!!! Dr. SONG COMPLETELY REBUILT MY TEETH AND NOW I AM DENTAL PAIN FREE !!!!!!! Dr. JOHN SONG IS MY HERO!!!!!! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU SHARE AND YOUR WONDERFUL STAFF !!!!!! Stephen Angemeier
L H
3 years ago
I have known Dr Song and Dr Shannon for a long time. They are not just friends but also my family's go to for dental care. The staff are very professional and friendly. I don't live close by to the dental office, but willing to make the trip for excellent dental care for my family and I.
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