Figoten Sheldon DDS

Painless, Professional, Pleasant Surroundings… a please to go to.

It seems a little odd writing such a glowing review of our dentist because going to the dentist is usually not the best experience. This is the opposite, starting with the jazz music playing (not bad elevator music). The office is filled with art that is beautiful and tasteful, you don’t feel like you are at a dentist office.
The staff is gentle and I feel very well taken care of. It is actually a very pleasant experience going to do something I normally do not enjoy doing.

Oh Dr. William Chan, where have you been my entire life! I hate going to dentists, however, after getting my teeth cleaned here a few days ago, my thoughts may have changed.
I hate getting my teeth cleaned and I thought it was because of the pain that was involved each time I got it done. I realized that it had to do with the person and not the process itself. He made it so pleasant that I experience 0 pain and 0 discomfort, was a piece of cake. Obviously his skills are A+++.
Most importantly, he looks honest, is honest and was honest. I can appreciate that and def earns my respect. My bf went in the afternoon immediately after I told him Dr. Chan was bomb.
And, I just got my friend to go as well who was looking for a dentist FOREVER!
Thanks for the pleasant experience, now I can get my teeth cleaned more often as I don’t dread the experience.

Dr. William Chan is far and away the best dentist I’ve ever been to. I’ve been to most the «top» dentist” in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. He is super honest and really cares about his patients. I highly recommend Dr. Chan.

Dr Chan is an exceptional dentist and my entire family is seen by him. He’s always thorough, patient and knowledgeable. The assistants/​receptionists are also very kind.
The only concern I have is actually related to the other dentist in the office whom I haven’t personally met, but have frequently overheard him during my visits yelling at his assistants in an unprofessional and sometimes demeaning way. It makes me feel incredibly sad for his employees and degrades the otherwise overall pleasant environment the office provides.

Great dentist! I’ve been going here for years!

I had not had a teeth cleaning in over a year and was a bit scared of going today but it was the best experience I could have imagined. Dr. Chan was so gentle and held no judgement of me neglecting my oral care. The whole office has a sense of calm.
Thanks Dr. Chan, I will definitely be back in 6 months.

I’ve been going to see Dr. Chan for about 2 years and he is great! Dr. Chan is very honest and knowledgeable. I get my teeth cleaned here twice a year (through insurance) and I get the occasional filling filled. While I get my teeth cleaned, the dentist office overs DVDs to watch to make your teeth cleaning more tolerable. Thankfully, he isn’t one of those shady dentists that give you a $$$ bill months later.
Also, parking is easy and FREE. They have a free parking lot in the back of the building. As and added bonus, I always get a free travel toothbrush/​toothpaste kit after every visit!

I am concerned about writing too glowing of a review for Dr. Chan, because he might get too busy to see me. You know you’re a little bit in love with your doctor when you are leaving, see another patient starting their visit, and get jealous!

18^th street is one block immediately west of 20^th on the South side of Ocean Park. There is no 19^th in between.
I’ve been coming here for my cleanings and check-​ups for about 2 years now. Great skills, painless experiences, plus they have virtual glasses to watch tv on if you have long procedures. I’ve never personally experience this but the husband did. Also, nice décor with a little garden in the back facing the examination chairs, a quaint collection of pottery and wall art.
Just be sure to give correct and specific information to the receptionist; I have been through a billing error once. Otherwise, very nice staff.

I’ve been going here for a few years now. Why haven’t I written a review yet?
Dr. Chan is a sweetheart and a knowledgeable dentist. Perfect combo!
The office is beautiful and calming.
Watching movies while getting teeth cleaned is a plus.
Everyone at the office is warm and caring; I’ve had no problems with them. I’m from Georgia, and this place exudes Southern charm. I feel right at home when I go to the dentist.

I saw Dr. Chan for the first time today and he’s great: very nice guy, and my teeth cleaning was about as painless as those can get. Plus, he didn’t try to ask me questions while his hands and dental tools were in my mouth.
Also, he has these virtual-​reality-​ish goggles that you can watch a movie on while he cleans your teeth. I was skeptical at first, but it actually did help distract me from the dental work.

–1 star for the unhelpful receptionist. The receptionist called recently to confirm my next dental appointment, and given my last experience, I made a point to ask if I was seeing Dr. Chan directly, or someone else. She told me I was scheduled to see the hygienist again, and told me «that’s always how it goes.» I told her I had seen Dr. Chan directly for cleanings and examination prior to my last visit, and she gave me some lame excuse about how that was just because I was having some «special work» done on my teeth that was outside the normal cleaning. Since I didn’t remember Dr. Chan ever telling me that I was having anything other than a cleaning performed, and (as far as I know) I never had them charge my insurance for anything else, I gave up and just cancelled my appointment.
I don’t pay all this money so I can see some assistant twice a year. I pay to see the dentist. Will find a new dentist, I don’t want to deal with his staff anymore.

This is a review for Dr. William Chan who works in the same office as Dr. Figoten;
Dr. Chan is the best dentist I have seen in LA over the past 15 years. Finally — a great skilled dentist who doesn’t try to sell you on unnecessary procedures!
I had not been to the dentist in too long a time, so I knew I had some serious work. I also did not have insurance. Dr. Chan explained what needed to be done today and what could wait — and was very sensitive to finances. He has great technique, numbed my mouth nicely and I felt no pain during the procedure.
He also has a DVD player with glasses so I could watch a movie during the procedure. You can bring your own DVD too if you like.
I feel so relieved to have finally found someone to help me take care of my teeth whom I can trust.

Dr. Chan is ouch-​free and doesn’t try to up-​sell on any products. That’s HUGE!!!

Dr. Chan is a great choice for a dentist. I had my teeth cleaned and examined and he notified me that I had one cavity. He showed the cavity to me in a mirror so that I could see what he was seeing, which I thought was very helpful (especially given that lately I’ve heard some horror stories about dentists fabricating issues due to the bad economy).
I went back the next week to get my filling and was delighted that Dr. Chan gave me a list of movies to choose from that I could watch in movie goggles with earbuds while he worked on my teeth! This is SUCH a nice touch and really makes the appointment fly by. I watched part of Julie and Julia while he and his assistant quickly and efficiently filled my cavity.
There was NO pain whatsoever with my cleaning or filling. Dr. Chan is extremely nice and professional, as are the dental assistants and hygienists. I am so happy that I found a new dentist that I will definitely be using going forward. I highly recommend.

I was traumatized after having braces for 4 years, so had avoided the yearly dental visit for some time. I finally broke down and found Dr. Chan.
First, Dr. Chan is just the nicest man. He never made me feel bad about neglecting my teeth and was completely understanding about my fear of the dentist. I was completely comfortable and relaxed throughout.
During my cleaning, I was seated in a standard dentist chair facing lovely french doors which were opened up and led to the yard/​garden so the fresh air and sun was right in front of me.
Because of my nerves, he gave me movie glasses and allowed me to pick a movie to watch during the cleaning. Nothing like a good romantic comedy to distract from the drills and suctions and other weird bits that go in your mouth at a dentist.
I went back today for a minor procedure, and had an equally good experience — and got to see another great movie.
Dr. Chan makes going to the dentish FUN!

I started going to Dr. Figoten’s office five years ago for a crown after a root canal. I’ve never enjoyed a visit to the dentist so I was apprehensive when I first walked in.
Their offices are quiet clean and amazingly peaceful. I felt like I was in for a zen retreat which is awesome if you typically dread going to the dentist. In the last five years I’ve seen both Dr. Chan and Dr. Figoten, and they are both very polite, timely and accommodating to your needs. I never bother to watch a movie but my daughter enjoys it and it makes things easier for her. Honestly, the idea just seems weird to me and the offices are relaxing enough I don’t need a distraction.
I’m not a dentist but I feel they do an excellent job and they back their work. After a few months the initial crown came loose. I contacted the office and they immediately brought me in and replaced the entire crown from start. No adjustment or re-​shaping, they pulled the old one off, remolded a new one, put a new temp on and put the final on when it was ready, all free of charge. Since then (five years ago) I haven’t had a problem since (with that tooth at least).
After reading other reviews, I’ve never had a negative experience with the office staff. We had an initial delay figuring out my insurance policy (for which I was partially responsible) and since then it’s been smooth sailing. Josie is always very diligent about calling and confirming appt’s and re-​scheduling as needed. My last cleaning I mis-​scheduled, arriving a week early. I had a funny feeling since I did not receive my usual confirmation phone call. Instead of turning me away and making me return the following week, they fit me in between appointments and only had to wait 15 minutes for them to finish the previous appt and clean the room.
So that’s way longer than I expected to write. Long in short, best dentists I’ve ever been to.

I’ve been to multiple dentists over the years, and this was easily the best experience i’ve had. I had a morning appointment, so when I arrived, only Dr Chan was there. He was nice and gave me paperwork to fill out. I have Delta Dental PPO, so the visit was covered.
When I was ready, I was escorted to a room by the assistant who had arrived (or maybe she was the receptionist?). The room was clean and quaint and felt more like an airy, happy room in a bed and breakfast than an evil dentist lair.
They took a couple x-​rays in the same room and then Dr. Chan offered up a case with a bunch of movies to choose from (I chose Sex and the City, which was probably the worst thing about my visit). I looked around but didn’t see a monitor or anything. Then he puts this weird tron thing on my face and wow, like one of those little viewfinders, you get this little tiny screen to watch a movie on and he can still work on you easily. It was really cool. Maybe they’ve developed these things in the last 2 years since I last saw a dentist and it’s common, but I was impressed.
During the exam/​cleaning, he was really conscious of my comfort and asked if i needed a break, even though he was perfectly fine and gentle.
And then it was over! They sent me on my way with a little baggie of floss and toothbrush and I was done.
My teeth looked amazing afterwards. I have left dentists before, where it didn’t even feel like they cleaned or scraped half as good as they needed to.
I didn’t have anything major done, so I’ll update if I ever need a cavity filled there and he turns out to be Dr. Death. But overall, I would say it really was really pleasant in a really nice environment and I would recommend this office heartily.
Make sure you park in the back — free parking and the entrance is back there too.

Wow. Based on the Unilocal reviews saying he was conservative about filling cavities I booked an appointment with Dr Figoten for a second opinion. Another dentist recommended over $ 900 in fillings and inlays and I was a little shocked, because it’d been just nine months since my last appointment and I’d had a clean bill of health then.
Thank god I did! Dr Figoten was horrified that someone had recommended so much work and said that in fact there was nothing at all wrong with my teeth other than staining as far as he could discern. I am SO glad to have found a dentist in Santa Monica who isn’t all about whitening, cosmetic procedures, and unnecessary crap.
Needless to say, I booked my next cleaning appointment as I was leaving the office.
Dr Figoten also has the single artsiest dentist’s office I have ever seen in my life. Dang, it’s more tasteful than my house.