Wow. Is all I can say about my experiences with Dr. Kim's office! I came into her office with anxiety about dentists due to some traumatic experiences in childhood and young adolescence. When I told her and her dental assistant I was nervous, they were so kind and understanding, and both went out of their way to check in with how I was doing throughout each visit. As far as care goes, Dr. Kim is truly exceptional -- she is so gentle and skillful, and did my cleaning herself! Whether it's teeth cleaning or fillings, every procedure from her has been painless and meticulous. She kept my dental anxiety in mind, asking me if I was okay throughout the visit, patiently explaining each step, and overall taking the time to treat me with kindness and patience. Thank you, Dr. Kim!! read more

Dr. Kim is extremely professional, knowledgeable, and skilled. I appreciate her no-nonsense approach--she is efficient, thorough, and always focuses on what I need. I'm very happy to have found her and hope to continue seeing her for many years to come. The entire staff is friendly and welcoming, and scheduling appointments is always easy. They are transparent about pricing and work well with insurance, which makes the whole experience stress-free. Thank you, Dr. Kim and team, for providing such excellent care! read more

Dr. Kim has been my dentist for 11 years. She's the best dentist I've ever had. She is very thorough and she works quickly. She's amazing! I recommend her highly. read more

I had a very disappointing experience with this office. The front office staff was rude and provided information without fully understanding the details. When I asked reasonable questions to clarify billing, the tone immediately shifted as if I was being difficult for simply asking for accurate information. When my filling fell out, the doctor told me chairside that there would be no charge. However, when I later returned for a cleaning, the front office informed me that I had a balance. After "checking" with the doctor, I was then told that normally they don't cover fillings that fall out after six months. If that is the policy, it should have been clearly explained at the time of treatment -- not presented later as if it were a special favor. Clear and honest communication matters. Patients should not be made to feel confused or uncomfortable for asking about charges. Unfortunately, between the inconsistent information, unprofessional attitude, and the filling failing in the first place, this experience felt careless and disappointing. I initially came because the office accepted my insurance, but overall, the quality of service did not meet expectations. read more

Everyone there is so nice and caring. She made me feel very safe and comfortable and I normally hate going to the dentist, but she made it so much better. She is very gentle with procedures & even made her my new primary dentist. read more

Dr. Kim is a great dentist! I'm usually pretty good with dental stuff but I've needed to get some cavities filled recently and I've been more anxious about it than I have been in the past. Her and her staff are super understanding, they gave me a break when I was feeling panicky and kept checking in throughout the procedure to see how I was doing. I felt a little embarrassed by my anxiety but I definitely felt comforted and not judged by Dr. Kim and her staff. read more

Love this dentist & staff! From the receptionist Karla, to the male assistant (can't remember his name) & the dentist herself. Dr. Kim! I was a little nervous going in. I hadn't been in to see a dentist in a while but the Dr made me feel comfortable, I did not feel like she was judging me and she did not push anything on me that was not needed. Made it a great experience. She set up a plan for me, I am almost done with that plan and through it all Karla has been great at answering all my calls and questions with patience and lots of help and kindness. Great people! read more

I would not recommend this dentist. She has been trying to get you to do things to your teeth that is unnecessary. She also does not have an assistant so that in itself is not good as she tries to save money but that's actually not good because she is always always in a hurry to clean your teeth and doesn't do a thorough job. I ended up seeing another dentist who told me my teeth looked my teeth had not been cleaned for years even though I had her doing my cleaning for a few years. I do not recommend this dentist at all as she will try to scam you in doing things that are unnecessary. Stay away. read more

Dr. Kim is great! I'm one of those weirdos that actually likes going to the dentist. I've been going here ever since I got a job with dental benefits (15+ years ago) and have not had a bad experience. I must say I do a great job at brushing my teeth and make Dr. Kim's job easy :) . I did take a short break because my wife thought she had a better dentist but I found their cleanings to be too harsh in comparison to Dr. Kim. Dr. Kim relies less on heavy machinery and more on skill to get my teeth back in shape. She does the cleanings herself! There was a time where I had to get fillings (I didn't go to a dentist for 7 years and had some cavities). Dr. Kim and her assistant worked like a well-oiled machine. It was like they could read each other's minds without saying anything. Another time, she found a loose filling and fixed it free of charge. Since I've gone to Dr. Kim's for my regular cleanings I haven't had another cavity. She is also honest which many of my friends have not encountered with their dentists. I inquired about getting an additional cleaning (I would pay for outside of insurance) and she told me that I did not need it. According to my friends, most dentists would have jumped at the opportunity to take my funds. Dr. Kim and her staff are professional, friendly, and kind. If you read this, thanks Dr. Kim and co.! 11/10 would recommend. read more

Good location and perfect doctor! Strongly recommend this dental office. If you need any treatment please visit here! read more

Dr. Kim is the best dentist in Irvine. She is very attentive to her patients - listening to my concerns and questions, and talking me through every step of my checkup and treatment process. read more

I'm the last person to be writing a positive review for a dentist given my endless bad experiences in the past, and yet here I am. I was looking for a new dentist in the Orange County area and had to work backwards from my insurance to find an office. Once I made a short list, I came to Yelp for reviews. Dr. Kim's reviews were positive so I decided to call the office. That's usually a good vibe check of what the culture is like. The lady on the phone was knowledgeable, helpful, and organized. A great first impression so I decided to make an appointment. I told them I just wanted to talk to the dentist. Needed my second vibe check. Dentist came in and was so kind and gentle. Asked questions about my anxiety, explored my dental history, did a brief exam. She confirmed what a previous dentist said, which was that I needed a filling. I scheduled a follow up. At the filling appointment, the hygienist exceeded my expectations. I told her about my anxiety and she made me feel heard and understood unlike any medical professional I've ever met. It actually tears me up talking about it. I was so anxious and yet felt I was in good hands. Dr. Kim gave me a verbal rundown of what to expect and then I put my headphones on and disappeared into my own place. The dentist worked efficiently while the hygienist kept her arm on my shoulder (when available) to ensure to me that everything was ok. I'm sure not everyone needs or wants that kind of compassion, but to me, their service from checkin to checkout was flawless, and my cavity is taken care of. Thank you so much team! read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Kim's for over 15 years, and there is a good reason why. Several reasons, actually. Dr. Kim is everything you want in a dentist: friendly, gentle, efficient and genuine. She has a fabulous bedside manner, and really listens to your concerns before offering advice/solutions. Dr. Kim's office is always very clean, and each member of her staff is highly skilled and personable as well. I feel 100% confident and safe going there during this pandemic due to the cleanliness and safeguards in place. If you're looking for a dentist you can depend on long term, I can't recommend Dr. Kim highly enough. read more

Doctor makes patients comfortable and at ease. No crowded hands around you. You can control the vacuum that socks the salvia.

I highly recommend Dr. Kim!!! She is so gentle with her work. I usually have very sensitive teeth, even with cleanings. When she came to my sensitive teeth, I cringed and clenched my fists anticipating that sharp pain, but I never felt it. She uses room temp water for her cleanings and is very gentle. I haven't had to get fillings done yet, but my husband has by her and he said that she is very gentle and explains what she's doing each step of the way. If you're afraid of the dentist, she's the one you want to see. If I were to ever leave Irvine, I'd commute just to see her. read more

Literally the best dentist I have ever been to. I been through alot with my dental from all across the states since I move alot and Mrs Kim is the best there is hands down. Very gentle and very clean. Office is spotless and in great shape. Staff is kind and amazing. Its a well oiled machine and I wont go no where else read more

Dr. Kim was good about explaining existing dental concerns and possible future precautions, and solutions. No other dentist I have been have seen mentioned the issue of the length of the roots of my teeth. I generally dislike visiting the dentist, however, Dr. Kim made the visit pleasant. She was gentle and gave a lot of useful information. She was efficient with her time, she cleaned my teeth first because the X-ray technician was out on lunch. I had my x-rays taken once the technician was back which saved me time. The front desk receptionist explained that she was new to the job which might explain the reason she was curt about explaining procedures, filling out the form, and answering my questions. I would recommend Dr. Kim to my friends and family. read more

I really like Dr. Kim's style, she's very fast and efficient, no small talks. I never really had to wait in the waiting room, always brought back when I arrived. She also does teeth cleanings with an assistant, so you don't need to deal with an extra cleaning technician. I am very happy to have found this place. read more

I can always trust Dr. Kim. She is great at what she does and make sure your dental concerns/needs are met

Ivy Dental is located on the 2nd floor of the 4950 Building. It is quite easy to find as you get off the elevator on the 2nd floor and it should be on the right side of the hall way. The dental office is clean and they do provide you a seating area as you wait or your appointment. What I like about this dental office is that there's actually alot of UCI students that goes here and have saw good reviews about it. I came on a Wednesday afternoon for teeth cleaning and also did some fixes on the cavity the process went quite well. I did arrive here early since I didn't want to deal with traffic later on and be late. The TV kept me entertained until my appointment was up. Dr. Kim is very nice and guided me through the whole procedure. She was informational about ways to keep my teeth healthy and clean. They do take UCI insurance PPO and I highly recommend coming here! :) you won't regret it. read more

Elaine Kim, DDS - Waiting area :) - General Dentistry Near Me - Irvine, California

See all

I was referred to Dr Elaine Kim at Ivy Dental a while back. My friend Teresa was raving about her wonderful experience at the dentist office. I was like O_O' are you serious?!?! It wasn't until recent when one of my childhood fillings fell out that I needed to go in ASAP!! I spoke with Adriana and she told me and I was able to get an appointment in a timely matter. It is very nice that Dr. Kim is able to stay later if you ever need her to. Adriana was very kind and very professional. She was continuously helpful, even down to the last minute when I was a bit lost finding the office. Dr. Kim has a very warm personality and I felt immediately reassured when I met her. She left me with Iztmara to take 3 xrays from different angles to optimally take care of my tooth-needs. Iztmara was very nice and accommodating. She even went out of her way to find me the channel list incase I wanted to watch a certain show. This office is definitely high tech!! I love love love Dr. Kim. She does not try to upsell you on procedures. She genuinely just wants to help. Furthermore, Dr. Kim will tell you step by step what she is doing and that really comforts me during the nerve-racking process. I am more than pleased with her work and I will definitely be coming back here!! Amazing technology and a loving staff!! What more can I ask for?? I will definitely recommend Dr. Kim to all of my friends and family in the area!! :D I already have a cleaning appointment with her in January!! Can you believe?? I'm actually looking forward to my dentist visit!! read more

Dr. Kim is the best dentist I've ever had! She is very good at communicating and the whole process of going to her office feels very efficient. She was very gentle and she did a great job with my teeth. I would definitely recommend her. read more

Literally the best dentist I have ever been to. I been through alot with my dental from all across the states since I move alot and Mrs Kim is the best there is hands down. Very gentle and very clean. Office is spotless and in great shape. Staff is kind and amazing. Its a well oiled machine and I wont go no where else. read more

Dr. Kim is very detailed in everything she does with her patients. I was recommended to her from my sister after many bad experiences with dental care visits. I don't live close but she is worth the 30 minutes drive. I plan on moving my entire family. read more

I have been to a lot of dentists in the past due to making up for neglect and an impoverished childhood. Dr Elaine Kim is the absolute best dentist I have ever been to. We've worked on my dental health and now for the last 6+ (since late 2013) years she's been my dentist have been the best years for me, pain free and healthy. She does a fantastic job and unlike other dentists I've visited in the past doesn't try to up sell you on unnecessary work. I even had one dentist try to file down my mamelons. Dr Kim's office is great. The staff has always been helpful and nice. They even send you reminders over email and wish you a happy birthday. I would not hesitate to refer anyone to Ivy Dental. To Dr Kim, you are a credit to your profession and I am happy that you are my dentist. Thank you. read more

Best dentist around the irvine area. My wife and I have been going here for a while now. All the staff are very professional and flexible with schedules. The office is clean. Dr. Kim is super professional but very understanding. She doesn't sugar coat anything. She will tell you exactly how it is and is not afraid to refer you to a specialist if it's required. If you want a friendly, professional, no nonsense dentist, look no further. In terms of prices, I have a ppo and two crowns (molars) is about $600-700. read more

Dr. Elain Kim has been my go-to dentist for the past 5 years. She is honest, professional, and reliable. She also does the cleaning herself, is thorough and meticulous, and explains the process step-by-step. She doesn't try to sell any unnecessary services, and is straightforward when addressing any concerns from the patient. She will be by dentist of choice as long as I'm in the OC. read more

I literally just stepped out of Dr. Kim's office not 10 minutes ago. I have been coming here since I moved to Irvine and I really wanted this place to work out because I live across the street. But I think that was my last visit. I had my appointment at 9:45 this morning and I just left the office. It's 10AM... I'm a little dumbfounded. That cleaning took between 5 to 10 minutes. Typical dental cleaning is between 30 to 60 minutes. My entire appointment from check-in to getting situated to the actual cleaning took 15 minutes. I think this has less to do with her being sufficiently fast and more to do with her sacrificing care and cutting corners. My paycheck gets deducted hundreds of dollars a year for 2 cleanings that last no more than 10 minutes. I would hate for anyone else to feel like they didn't get their hard earned money's worth. I would love to hear a rebuttal from Dr. Kim. Please let me know whether this is typical or if I was an exception to your standard practice. I am genuinely curious. Thanks. read more

I have been going to Doctor Elaine Kim for almost 20 years. She is the best, most efficient, prompt dentist I know. All my family and extended family goes to her~ read more

Dr. Kim and her assistant Katrina and other staff are awesome. Highly recommended.

There was a lawsuit and lawyers letter sent to Dr Kim and her insurance company. Because the financial damage did not exceed $7,500, it was a small claims issue. I moved out of town and did not have the time to come back and fight her on it. She charged my insurance for a crown not placed and therefore I had to pay another dentist full price. Dr. Kim, if you want to make things right, pay me back for all the unnecessary work and damage you have caused. Don't hide behind vague remarks of how you treat your patients. If you look at my reviewing track record, I am quick to give 4 and 5 stars. I only speak out when the issues are real. I beg anybody who values their time, money, and dental health, to seek another dentist. Please spare yourself the pain and suffering my wife and I endured. read more

Dr. Kim is great. She came highly recommended and is the best dentist I have ever visited. She does all her cleanings herself and is extremely fast. I have been going to her for about two years now and will definitely continue to do so. No negatives that I can think of except I believe she doesn't take HMO (only PPO or self-pay). Also, her equipment is now brand-new as she moved and she has tv's at each chair (the Corporate Park address is wrong...not sure about the phone number). read more

Dr Kim has been my dentist since I moved here 4 or 5 years ago. She is by far the best dentist I've had. Her cleanings are quick and professional. She does all the cleaning herself and is able to check my teeth in the process. The few times I've needed something more than cleaning, she works quickly and is very thorough. With my busy schedule, I'm a big fan of getting in and out of the dentist quickly! read more

I can't recommend Dr. Kim enough. She is as good as you'll ever find. I've been a patient of hers for about 5 years now (I think?) and she is the best dentist I've ever had. She's fast, efficient, very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a good, gentle dentist. I really like the new office location and how spiffy everything is. There are now flat screen TVs in each room and the XRay machines are state of the art and 100% digital. This might sound odd, but I really do enjoy getting my teeth cleaned nowadays... XD read more

I highly recommend Dr. Kim! She is a very genuine person who truly cares for your well-being. I had a complicated issue with my molars and she thoroughly explained the different possible treatments. She tried to give me stats as to what may have the better outcome in the long run. She wants to make sure that you don't waste your money, and treat your teeth in a way that provides the best possible outcome for now and the future. Also, she welcomes any kind of question you may have and will sit down with you to answer everything. Dr. Kim is just overall very friendly! Also, everyone that works in her office is extremely friendly as well. Her office is very clean, and all her equipment looks new. Each room also has a t.v. if you need to wait for some reason. read more

Dr. Kim's practice does the job. Dr. Kim gets down to business doing her job efficiently and fast. I barely waited to be seen. Staff was communicative. The best part is that it doesn't feel like a business where they're trying to sell you up on unnecessary procedures. I gave 5 stars because this dental practice meets my needs which are: -excellent service: friendly enough but not too fluffy or disingenuous -clear communication on why she does something (i.e. I'm putting this in your mouth because...) -Dr. Kim seems really sharp and does her job well -Dr. Kim is the one who did the cleaning, not a hygienist -seems like the tools she used were up to date/high tech (I got fillings, xrays, and a cleaning done) -solid credentials (Cornell, Columbia, Yale) If you're looking for a lot of hand-holding or a really fancy place that makes you feel like a superstar and gives you about a million other ways to make your teeth look fabulous, this is not the place. If you want to feel like your needs are met and you're spoken to in an intelligent way with clear explanations and treated like a grown adult, not a baby or a pay check, then go here. Dr. Kim is great. read more

Awesome dentist! Her office is very clean and her equipment is like new. I came here for cleanings and also got a cavity filling. I was amazed at how painless the cavity filling was. I remember getting fillings from my old dentist being a very painful procedure but with her I barely felt a thing. Also she does the teeth cleaning herself and doesn't hand it off to a hygienist like some dentists do. Also important is that service is very prompt. I barely spend time in the waiting room when I show up for my appointment. And once you're in the chair, you are the only patient she sees. I have been to dentists that go back and forth between patients but I have never seen her do this. Her location is perfect for UCI students since it is really close to campus. I came here when I was attending UC Irvine and after graduating and moving back home Im still searching for a dentist as good as Dr Kim. read more

I've been coming to Dr. Kim for almost a decade now. Dr. Kim is the honest, professional, and hard-working. She has a friendly staff as well. I too have received the 'hacked email' other yelpers have pointed out (Paul N.) but to be fair, I don't see how an internet-hack has a high correlation with whether someone is a reliable dentist. Moreover, Dr. Kim is the dentist for both my mother and father, as well as my wife. read more

I've been coming here for years on recommendation from my sister. They accept my insurance, including the insurance provided by UC Irvine. Dr. Kim is professional, always answers all of my questions, clearly explains what work or cleaning I need, and leaves me feeling like a valued patient. The prices and scheduling are very reasonable. The experience here is superb enough that I don't feel anxious about visiting the dentist! :) read more

Highly recommended! She's very good at what she does. Dr. Kim takes care of her clients.