As a Registered Dental Hygienist in Santa Barbara, I have worked with many Oral Surgeons and in my opinion, Dr. Michajlenko is hands down the best. 13 years ago my son chose Dr. Michajlenko to extract his wisdom teeth after having 3 other consults. The care he and his support team gives has been unmatched. He is kind, understanding, a calming presence in an uncomfortable environment, and intelligent without arrogance. Today was the third time I took a loved one to see Dr. Michajlenko and he proved once again, he will be the only oral surgeon to place my boyfriend's implants. Thank you for your care. read more

Walter Michajlenko is one of the oral surgeons that came recommended by my dentist. I had a failed root canal so I was informed I'd be a good candidate for a tooth implant. One tooth extraction and workup so far, it's been a good experience. The staff is helpful and friendly, Dr. Michajlenko is knowledgeable, experienced, and I've had a good experience with his services. I feel pretty confident going into the implant procedure in a few weeks. I recommend checking your dental insurance on tooth implants as many don't cover them but some do. read more

Walter Michajlenko, DDS, MD - Waiting area - Oral Surgeons Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Nightmare to deal with. Shady, at best. I know I found another reviewer with similar issues after the fact. They pushed procedures that aren't covered by insurance. They made an error in filing the insurance claim and washed their hands of rectifying it. My insurance company had to step in to get them to make it right. Even they were in disbelief. In addition, it took 6 months to recover overpaid funds. read more

Last summer of 2019, I got all four of my wisdom teeth extracted by Dr. Michajlenko. He and the nurses made me feel safe and comfortable and patiently answered any questions I had. They offered platelet rich plasma therapy to help with healing, pain, and bleeding. Even though it was an extra $300 or so, I took that opportunity and I'm happy I did because the swelling went down quickly and I didn't have any pain the day after the surgery. The pain post-surgery was also not bad so i didn't have to take the pain medication they prescribed to me. Overall great experience read more

I got referred there for wisdom teeth extraction. The overall experience was great! Dr. Michajlenko is very professional and highly educated. The team was caring and helpful. Olivia was very patient when she had to explain all the financial forms. I would 100% recommend friends and family to go there. read more

Dr. Michajlenko was a nice guy and thoroughly explained everything that would happen. His assistants were also friendly and welcoming. The surgery went very smoothly and the check ups after cost nothing. I would recommend him read more

My experience with Dr. Michajlenko was outstanding. I went to Dr. Michajlenko to have my wisdom teeth extracted. After my informative consultation I decided to have my wisdom teeth extracted with IV sedation. The surgery went really well and I remained comfortable throughout the whole process. I was able to go back to work the next day. Dr. Michajlenko and his staff made the entire experience positive and stress free. I'm so pleased with my results that I am sending my husband to Dr. Michajlenko to evaluate his wisdom teeth. read more

I strongly recommend AGAINST going to this doctor for wisdom teeth removal. I had waited for 10 months, after getting several additional opinions from other dentists and hygienists, before I decide on writing this review. To start: the staff at Michajlenko's office are all courteous - they make you feel good about yourself. However, they failed to call my insurance provider to get an accurate estimate of the cost, which is the most basic job. The quote they provided after the consultation was incorrect because they failed to find out that they are actually "out of network" of my Principal Dental POS plan. This left me to find out a few months later that the bill was a few hundred dollars more than the estimate. I wouldn't have complained here though, if they were just incompetent in providing an accurate estimate for my procedure. Understandably they simply would like to see more patients for revenue generation. The main problem I had was the formation of deep pockets at the site of extraction, which took more than six months to heal. During the recovery I routinely visited Michajlenko's office for follow-up check-ups, and they never warned me about any bacterial infection. Now today after seeing my new dental provider, they have identified a pocket of bacterial growth right next to one of the extracted wisdom teeth that was 9 MM DEEP. This problem was not even mentioned by my previous dental provider Anna M. Szymkowiak, DDS, who referred me to Michajlenko. Overall I am deeply disappointed with the outcome of the wisdom teeth removal at Michajlenko's office and their ability to ensure a healthy recovery. Sure they can do a good job taking out wisdom teeth, but you may suffer from the extraction months and perhaps years after the extraction! read more

I had my wisdom teeth surgery done by Dr. Michajlenko and my entire experience with his office was so amazing. I was extremely nervous about the surgery since it was the first surgery I have ever had, but the entire office was very kind, patient, and helpful. I felt so comfortable with everyone there and they were so welcoming every time I came in for a follow-up appointment. Despite the pain and stress of surgery, I would undoubtedly return to Dr. Michajlenko for any future oral surgeries. Thank you to everyone in this office! read more

Dr. Michajlenko is the best oral surgeon ever! Not only is he a dentist and surgeon but he is also an MD. He doesn't just assess your mouth, he assess you as a whole, which is an amazing benefit when going in for surgery. Dr. M's beside manner is gentle and caring and he is very respectful to the patient. After surgery with Dr. Michajlenko he takes the time to personally call you at home that evening to check on you and make sure you are comfortable. There is no better Dr. out there and I have recommended all my friends and family to him as well. read more

I chose Dr. Michajlenko as my oral surgeon when I was 19 years old to remove my lower wisdom teeth before they became impacted. It's a life event for all of us and I didn't want to deal with the discomfort, so I just nipped it in the bud. He did such a good job that my mouth started healing around the sutures a week before they were scheduled to be removed! The staff was friendly and explained everything I would need to do to flush out the holes, etc. to keep them clean. The only thing I did not like is that they required me to watch a video that showed how the surgery was performed and I was already anxious enough as it was. I understand the basics of the procedure; I didn't need to SEE it and add nausea to my nerves. But otherwise super great. read more

Dr. Michajlenko and his staff, Jessica, Cameron, and Carmen were outstanding. They were all very friendly, welcoming, and comforting. My wisdom teeth extraction was so smooth that I would recommend the procedure here in a heartbeat! The doctor personally follows up with a phone call the evening after the procedure to check up on you and to answer any questions. I couldn't be happier with my experience! read more

Dr. Michajlenko and his staff is a very professional group. I'm very impressed with their excellent care to their patients. I have had several oral surgeries and tooth implants from this group. Each time time I was treated very well. Very excellent care! I would recommend this office to anyone. read more

Dr Michajlenko and his staff made a tooth extraction, which I was very fearful and nervous about, a simple procedure. They listened to my concerns, offered support, and made sure that I was comfortable the entire time. Each person took their time with me, gave me guidance, and treated me kindly when I felt scared. The extraction was completed with skill, and there were no complications. I appreciate the kind way I was treated, but also the expertise of each person in the office. Dr. Michajlenko really cares about his patients, he even phone in the evening to check on me. I highly recommend them to anyone needing Oral surgery, you will be so well cared for by this amazing team! read more

Dr.Michajlenko along with a number of his staff including Jessica, Cameron and Carmen made me feel welcome and comfortable from the moment I arrived. Everyone was genuine, sincere and took their time. The overall extraction went well- we took out all 4 teeth. I felt I was taken care of very well. The Doctor called me to check up on me post surgery. We have scheduled various post op follow ups. Thank you for working with my work schedule. And thank you Dr.Moscagno for referring me here. read more

Top Notch Talent, Caring Doctor & Staff. All you have to do is look at Dr. Michajlenko's credentials to know that he is one of the best in his field. But credentials alone are not always enough - one has to look at the whole picture- how the doctor presents him/herself, the feeling you get with them - and then to round it all out: their staff. We were sent to Dr. Michajlenko at the referral of our dentist for my 13 year old daughter to further evaluate an extra tooth that had grown by my daughter's wisdom tooth. He suggested having it removed and explained why. The entire process prior to the surgery was wonderful - I can't tell you how many times I emailed Olivia (Office Manager- who, by the way has been there for 17 years and really knows her stuff) asking her about insurance questions, trying to get a quote and more. We also had to get my daughter cleared from a cardiologist before the surgery and the Michajlenko staff was patient. Prior to the surgery, we were sent all the steps necessary pre and post surgery for how to help my daughter recover, what foods to eat, and much more. Day of the surgery we arrived and the staff was on point. They made my daughter feel at ease. She was very nervous, but doesn't always show it, and let's be honest, as a parent, no one ever wants their child going in for any kind of surgery so parents are a bit uneasy, too. Olivia shared the story about how she, too, is a mom and her boys had just had all four wisdom teeth removed (both boys) and how they had had a great experience, too. When it was time to go back for surgery for my daughter, Carmen introduced herself to my daughter and assured her she would be sitting with her the whole time (by the way : I asked this: if a female nurse would be back with my daughter during the procedure and the answer was/is yes!). Before we knew it, the surgery was over and I went back to visit her in recovery where Carmen was still by her side and watching everything very carefully. They went over all the care instructions and timing, gave us a package of gauze and cold pack for her cheek and they actually walked her out to our car and made sure personally that she was placed in the car (they even have to do her safety belt). They literally saw everything through from start to finish with not just being good at their jobs technically, but having that caring bedside manner that is so important for true health care. I would recommend Dr. Michajlenko to anyone who needs his services. As a mom, they made me feel comfortable - as they did for my 13 year old daughter. Dr. Michajlenko also calls to check up the evening of the surgery to make sure all is well. read more

I am happy to be a patient of Dr. Michajlenko who has proven to be honest, and an expert in his field. Apart from successfully removing my wisdom teeth, he also provided me with a crucial second opinion on a failing implant and ultimately performed the first surgery to remove the implant and treat the infected area. He, Carmen and Ben were a wonderful knowledgeable team and I am glad to have found the practice. read more

The doctor and staff are very thorough and efficient. The other thing north noting is that, shortly before the appointment I received a phone call telling me that they were about 20 minutes behind schedule, which turned out to be spot on. Very impressive. read more

Where to start: I am sure Walter is a great dentist, but his office operates like a used car lot. Let me begin with a swelling pain around a wisdom tooth. I thought it may have needed an emergency extraction that needed to be done same day, wouldn't you know, the only oral surgeon within 20 miles (I called over 10) that said claimed they could do same day was Walters office. After I came in and dropped over $200 for an X-Ray, I watched a 10 minute video that said if I don't get my wisdom teeth out, I may die - great. Cue staff member coming in and informing me I needed another 3D X Ray that was going to cost an additional $185. ALL of this was before Walter bothered to step inside the room. Finally I get Walter in the office to inform me that the pain is caused by an infection, nothing to do with my wisdom teeth, but that I needed to get them out ASAP and could I come in tomorrow? He also heavily recommends the additional $350 procedure to help speed the healing process in his whirlwind sale of the Wisdom teeth procedure. After 5 minutes I get a $2800 estimate that is making my head spin as the office manager tries to get me to book an appointment the next day. After I review the estimate (She conveniently forgot to add the $185 extra 3D imaging I needed) and see if I could do it without the extra $350, she said the doctor HIGHLY Recommended it - I had had enough - but his office manager continued to call me to try to schedule an appointment. Like I said, I am sure he is a capable dentist, but the high pressure sales tactics and impersonal attention left a bad taste in my mouth - no pun intended. read more