I was referred to Dr. Handelsman by my regular dentist to examine an issue with my lower right gum. After an x-ray and examination, Dr. Handelsman discovered that I needed osseous surgery to correct the issue. Due to travel and my boyfriend's rotator cuff surgery, I needed to put off this surgery for a few months, which was fine. My level of dental anxiety is moderate to high, but Dr. Handelsman and his hygienist gave me a topical to numb the area before giving me shots to further numb the area. The entire surgery took only 30-40 minutes, and I was given printed post-surgical instructions, an ice pack, some Peridex, and a soft bristle toothbrush. Not only is Dr. Handelsman a skilled surgeon, but he is also just so friendly and gentle and kind. Despite my anxiety, I felt that I was in the best of hands with him for my surgery. I have a follow up meeting with him next week. His office staff are also great, including Lupe and Laurie, who handle the business side of his practice. 10/10 service here! read more

So blessed to have found him! Honest, knowledgeable and kind! It's truly a needle in a haystack to find a periodontist like him. Incredible bedside manner, just a wonderful experience. read more

A great dentist with excellent communication and a nice front desk staff. He made time in his busy schedule to see me in an emergency situation. read more

Dr. Handlesman and his staff are exceptional at what they do, and everyone there from the front desk to assistants are wonderful. 10 stars !!!! read more

Dr Handelsman is by far the best dentist I've ever been to. And I've been to quite a few over the years. I first saw him in 2016 when I was referred for an implant (which he did, and has been problem-free since). I also had a couple cleanings that year, including a scaling. Everything pain-free. And the staff has always been delightful. So... I made the mistake of switching to a different dentist a few years ago after moving to Westchester. I figured my teeth were in good shape and I just wanted someone close by for 'light housekeeping' -- cleanings and the occasional filling. I wound up seeing someone who did an okay enough job with the cleanings, but two years ago she talked me into replacing a couple mercury fillings (fillings that weren't bothering me). Anyways, I said "sure, why not." Those new fillings have been bothering me ever since. And she did a root canal with a crown that just doesn't fit. And it's causing bone loss. Not to mention, I now have advanced bone loss above my front tooth, which the dentist inexplicably never detected. Long story short... I went back to Dr H. and he gave me the bed news -- my front tooth is toast. He's gotta extract, regenerate bone and do another implant. It's gonna be a process. The only upside, I know I'm in exceedingly capable hands, and I'm quite confident it's going to go to go well. While I was there, I had a fantastic cleaning from Faye. She was gentle but incredibly thorough. And a shout out to Toya for doing all the preliminary work before I saw Dr Handelsman. She is kind, considerate, professional and cool. Thx guys. See you all soon! -cj read more

Dr Handelsman is as best a dentist as you could find. He is a wonderful dentist. The hygienists are also fine. Why one star only then? That is because the experience I had with the 'gate keeper' receptionist during the end of my emergency visit last week was 'out of these United States'.. Otherwise, the establishment deserves a five star. I stopped over at the receptionist for a parking validation and also to find out how much my bill would be. The lady told me the amount and I said that is fine, I will pay you next week when I come back for cleaning. She said in a tone bill must be paid right after the service is rendered. I told her I know that but I don't have the money with me now, and I promise to pay her later as I have occasionally done in the past. She insisted that the bill must be paid now with an authoritative and firm tone. I pleaded with her to just give me a break this time, but to no avail. A thought came to me to just to walk away when I looked around and saw a couple of people kind of watching what I will be doing next. . I decided not to do that I didn't want to create a scene. I instead used a credit card that was reserved for some other bill. I had to resolve the non-issue 'confrontation' this way instead of being 'detained', until the police arrived. Looking back now, I should have gone back and talked to the doctor about her rude behavior. I guess she would have not allowed that too! read more

I had an upper molar removed yesterday along with deep cleaning of my lower gums. I was more than a little nervous to do both at the same time. I knew yesterday there was something different going on. While he used novocaine to numb both area, he didn't over due it and it was the easiest and shortest withdrawal from the novocaine. Today, I'm in no pain at all. Could be my ability to heal, but I have to assume Dr. Handelsman's skill, and thoroughness have a lot to do with it. Pretty amazing experience. read more

Dr. Handelsman instilled confidence in me from the moment I entered his office. I was a little wary of the implant and extraction process but he and his staff quickly put my mind at ease. One of his staff Toya was particularly comforting through the process and followed up with me after the procedure. She was great. His whole staff was reassuring. read more

After all I will have to say he is terrible. He told me that now I could go Before treatment was completed. I was puzzled but it was OK. Anyway I was leaving him. Later I found out why he said that. my good Dentist told me that my insurance money is all gone. No wonder, Handelsman let me go. Once he collected my all insurance money and left me with no treatment. Do not go him. Do not trust him. All patients with dental insurance are good bates for him. He does not have skill to treat patients' gum problem. But he WANTS your money. As of today, I felt stupid of me. I have met a real gentleman periodontist recently. Among many periodontists, there are good ones and may be bad ones. Anybody has to live. Unfortunately I met bad one. But from his side, he needs money to live. I decided to forgive him and forget about him. I do not have to be unhappy about a bad periodontist. read more

I met with Dr. Handelsman this week for a consult. He was dentist #5. I have to get some gum work done, and an extraction. I talked with dentists from Beverly Hills to Sherman Oaks and all were very kind, polite, and super duper...and yet each time the fee structure and the explanations felt off for some reason. It's not that the offices weren't pretty and the staff not kind it just felt...off. It's that 'underneath' thing in LA, you know? It sounds good, and on paper seems good but your gut is like "What about this isn't right?" Then I met Dr. Handelsman via a recommendation from my regular doctor at USC Keck and Handelsman, so far, is really great. After a consult, I realized I was in the hands of a doctor who takes his 30+ career very seriously, and cares about his patients. No sales job, no rush, very honest and the numbers were nothing like the other dentists. Lupe at the front desk is divine, and the woman who helped me was kind and caring. I don't like dentists. I've been hurt before. I'm scared sometimes. I can tell with this team I won't be hurt. I trust them and I'm not a trusting person. As for the other reviews, I can't speak for them but if you really read those reviews they're reactionary and erratic and emotional and don't speak about the work. Read reviews about the work. I went through 5 dentists over 9 months all over LA...and I finally found this guy. And it's true but physicians in Santa Monica have a different vibe. It's a super healing feeling part of LA. Glad I've got Handelsman in my corner. If I remember I'll report back how the next few months of work go, but my gut says LET'S GO. read more

Run! Any doctor that would hire such nasty staff is bad in my book. Roxy the receptionist was so rude and horrible to me. I had a CT scan done I paid $500.00 for and needed it for another doctor appointment. I lost the disc and let the office know at 7am that I needed a new copy. My appointment for a second opinion was not until 3:45pm so Roxy had plenty of time to make me another copy and I agreed to pay $50 for a disc which probably cost .50 to make. She refused to make me a copy so I went to the office and begged and was really nice and told her I had stayed up till 4am searching. She said she would try to get to it as she took her time paying bills and talking on the phone. After an hour of waiting I left empty handed as she said she would email it and could only send it to 1 email address and could not cc me because then the email would not go thru. I've never heard of an email not going thru because it is sent to 2 people instead of 1. Lies! I got to the other doctor and they said you can not email a file that big so she had lied to me. The other office called her and requested the disc and she said she was too busy. They told her it would take 1 minute and they had already spent 2 minutes on the phone with her. They said that she was just an evil person and they got into it on the phone. Apparently it is illegal to not give someone their medical records and I paid $500 for. I also know that Dr Handelsman partners with complete con artist dentists. They probably didn't want to give me the disc because they know I was going to see another opinion which I got 5 other opinions who all said that the dentist who partners with Dr Handelsman is a complete con artist and should be arrested. After some research I saw that this doctor has many many lawsuits against him and has changed his name 6 times. I am glad I took the time to get other opinions and did my research before literally having my perfectly healthy teeth ripped out and gums left open for a year. Thanx Roxy. There is no need to be cruel. I don't know what someone did to that lady but she must have serious problems in life to be so awful and to take them out on patients is wrong. read more

Hi. I went to Mark Handelsman for about fifteen years and I have to say he is great. He really knows his stuff and he has helped me keep my teeth. But, recently the front desk has changed from Lori to Jennifer and Roxy. And I have to say that they are both, especially Roxy, INCREDIBLY RUDE and inconsiderate. They cut you off mid sentence, are horrible listeners, get really snippy, are super impatient and treat you as if you are an inconvenience to them. Why did they get into the medical profession if they have contempt for people? Lori was super nice and a great listener. Unfortunately she is no longer there. Mark is such a super nice guy. I do wonder why he tolerates this. He certainly deserves better. I am unfortunately going to have to go elsewhere after fifteen years as I am just tired of the abusive front desk. read more

I have been going to Dr. Handelsman since he took over from the previous periodontist who retired. I feel very confident in his abilities - he shepherded me through implanting three front teeth and made it a less stressful experience and did a great job. I honestly don't understand the reviewers who criticized the front office staff - I have never found them to be anything other than professional. He also has great hygienists. Highly recommended. read more

My wife and I have both been going to Dr. Handelsman for about 15 years. He has been nothing short of amazing and we couldn't recommend him enough. However I feel I must write this review to defend Jennifer the receptionist who has been bashed by a few reviews that are totally inconsistent with how she behaves. I knew Lori who was there before her very well and she was sweet. Jennifer is just as sweet and is very polite and attentive. Dr. Handelsman's whole staff is top notch and Jennifer who is the first person you see on arrival is as nice and as efficient as can be. read more

I have gone to so many periodontist in Los Angeles He is the only one that succeeded in getting my gums to be healthy. read more

Dr Handelsman and staff are wonderful. Called in the morning and they fit me right in the same day. Dr. Handelsman spent a lot of time with me, listened to my issue and was very professional. Highly recommend. Excellent experience. read more

Dr Handelsman is superb. I cannot say enough great things about him and his whole staff. I had extreme gum sensitivity and spent years trying to understand what was going on. Dr Handelsman was the first doctor to figure out what was wrong and fix it. Later I was told by a dentist that I had periodontal disease and needed deep cleaning for $750. I went to Dr Handelsman for a second opinion and he actually cleared up the issue again, saving me from wasting all that money and causing further recession in my gums. I do not have dental insurance so it's highly important to me to take the greatest care of my teeth that I can. Dr Handelsman is a key resource for me in being honest about what I truly need (and what I don't) as well as solving problems in the most efficient, cutting-edge way possible. I completely trust Dr Handelsman and am so glad that I will have him taking care of my teeth as I age. read more

Dr. Handelsman extracted a very, very difficult tooth for my husband with barely any discomfort during or afterward. Now, he is looking forward to the placement of the implant instead of dreading it. Not only is Dr. Mark (that's what they call him) extremely gifted but his staff is friendly and competent. You will always feel that you are in good hands from your first phone call to your procedure date. Dental chickens-put your fears to rest. read more

A gifted dental surgeon. I had a bone graft done at his office and did not feel a single second of pain afterwards. He really did it well and I have no complaints. Also when I had a question after the surgery and texted him after hours, he immediately returned my texts. Can only recommend him. read more

Dr. Handelsman's office performed dental work without first getting approval from my insurance, which resulted in a $1200 bill. They failed to communicate to me that had I waited just two months, the work would have been covered, but instead insisted that the work needed to be done immediately. Office staff was less than helpful or sympathetic. read more

I saw Dr Hendelsman per recommendation of my dentist. I was very impressed by him. He was very calm and took away all my anxiety. He was very knowledgable, honest and didn't try to make money by suggesting extra work. I highly recommend him. Five stars to him and his staff as well. read more