Chun Kim DDS

I have waited 9 plus years to write a review on Dr. Chun Kim DDS! However, it is time to do it.
When I first moved to the Desert, while recovering from LATEX exposure while being treated for a shattered toe, is when I met Dr. Kim. My new regular dentist here was having a kidney transplant. So, after researching who to go to for TMJ evaluation, I selected Dr. Kim. Why, because he is a shrewd marketing person. He has diplomat designations, plus he has trained to be more of a holistic dentist. Well, unfortunately, there is much BAIT and SWITCH techniques in place.
I will admit, I made a big mistake. The first phase of the TMJ process did not work… it was very uncomfortable. The second phase was a complex and an expensive process. The total costing $ 30,000. My insurance was billed as well with who knows what kind of codes. This is when we all had good insurance and many of us had more equity before 2007.
In my first weeks, I also discovered the hard way, their records while they were transferring computer systems or something, they did not add that I had a latex allergy. Dr. Kim for weeks was using latex gloves. That should of been my first clue…
So, I was getting fatigued and so on.
I will not go through each step of this experience.
Some key points… he put crowns on almost all my teeth. Result, expense of course but cracking of those crowns over the years, more expense… also compromising my gums etc.
I did have a bridge which he remade… however, the lab he used completed the work with incorrect margins, or Dr. Kim measured them incorrectly. Of course, Dr. Kim, used and placed them in my mouth. When my regular dentist returned, he said, you will have problems eventually, when, who knows exactly, but it will be difficult to keep bacteria, tartar out of the area. He even wrote a letter to Dr. Kim… but Dr. Kim denied there was anything wrong. My husband and I even visited him to chat… Dr. Kim was as usual, rude, arrogant, chauvinistic, verbally abusive almost. As he stated I look for problems and I must have emotional issues. This might be fine behavior in his culture but it is not appropriate for most human beings who pay for a services by a professional in the healthcare field.
Since then, I have had 4 consultations by excellent dentists and everyone of them agree the margins are totally off. In addition the work is not excellent. They do acknowledge he has a terrible reputation not only with his patients but with his colleagues. Dr. Kim’s fees were quite excessive for the quality of work and his manners.
Years later, I am facing a big expense and hours and hours of treatment to replace this bridge.
I am asking anyone that takes the time to read this to think more than twice.

Dr. Kim was great. I brought my Grandfather in for a referral for his sleep apnea after a sleep study. Dr. Kim determined it was from his 25 + year old dentures that didn’t fit his gums properly any longer due to age. He fitted him for new dentures and temporarily adjusted his current dentures to fit better. When his new dentures arrived he made sure they fit correctly. This not only corrected his bite so he can breathe and sleep better, although he has to sleep with his teeth, but no big breathing machine. It even has made it easier to chew food to eat. It also improved his smile and profile due to the correct jaw position. The recommendations from Dr. Kim made a big improvement in my grandfather’s quality of life. Thank you!

Bait and Switch, male chauvinist pig, no dental exam for expensive sleep apnea mouth appliance, ignored inability to open file for full mouth x-​rays required by appliance mfg. Do I have your attention?
I arrived with my x-​rays on a disk from Kaiser which was required for the appointment.
The staff person couldn’t open the file and she mentioned that they could never open the Kaiser files.
The doctor came out and showed me the top of the line sleep apnea appliance from SomnoMed and explained in about three sentences in very broken English how it worked and left for the staff to take my impressions. After completing the digital pictures, impressions, etc. the staff showed me the mouth appliance I was getting and it was the lowest cheapest line SomnoMed makes. They’re a great company as far as I can tell, but Kaiser approves the entire line of their product and the doctor demonstrated and showed me the best they had to offer.
I told the staff that this wasn’t what the doctor showed me and not what he had demonstrated and I wanted to talk to the doctor. She said, oh this happens all the time. He shows one product and orders another. (Okay ladies this is the part you’re going to want to read)
He came back and responded to my question as to why he was switching the appliance discussed with the appliance now said to be the one to be ordered and he said:
«little for little mouth. Other one too bulky. For big mouth. I think ‘you’ husband say you have big mouth. This one I order for 90% of my patients. This good for you.» And, he left.
Please be aware that these are custom mouth appliances fr sleep apnea and the size of the person’s mouth is not an issue since they are made specifically for each person’s mouth.
When I called SomnoMed to complain, the customer service supervisor was appalled and I was quickly sent to another in Kaiser dentist. Dr. Chun Kim is a contracted dentist for Kaiser. I also notified my Kaiser Sleep MD who was also appalled. And they both are assisting me in getting proper care in dealing with my sleep apnea and in finding an appropriate appliance from a professional who is not a bully and who is going to find the right product for me, not based on (presumably) the one that offeres him/​her the most profit.
This doctor deserves zero stars, but I’m required to give it at least one.