Connect with Dr. Stephen Needle DDS Oral Surgeon in Santa Monica, CA

Dr. Stephen Needle DDS - Oral Surgeon

3.5 based on 12 reviews

1 Rating out of 5 stars

310-393-9266

Santa Monica, CA

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Read Reviews for Dr. Stephen Needle
Review 1 by Stars: 5.0 on Link
I went to Dr. Needles office very nervous. The doctor and the entire staff put me completely at ease. My experience was outstanding and very professional and on time. All post operation requirements were clearly stated. I would give this doctor the highest marks and recommend him to anyone who needs oral surgery.

I know this doctor: 6 months

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Review 2 by Stars: 5.0 on Link
Dr. Needle extracted my daughter's 4 fully impacted wisdom teeth. He was more flexible about anesthesia then the surgeon who took out my son's and did not require that she go under. She felt nothing and was very happy with the surgery.
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Review 3 by Stars: 5.0 on Link
Dr. Needle is the best. He has performed several surgeries for me. He is very caring and makes sure that you have all of the information needed to make the right decision. I would recommend him to anyone.
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Review 4 by Stars: 5.0 on Link
Dr .Needle was amazing. I was in extreme pain from a bad tooth and Dr. Needle took me in right away. He looked at my tooth and said it had to be removed and within 30 minutes it was out of my mouth with no pain at all. The people that work in the office are very caring and friendly. I would recommend anyone who is experiencing any problems with their teeth to go see Dr. Needle. He is the best. Thanks again.
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Review 5 by Stars: 1.0 on Link
I would strongly caution anyone considering Dr. Needle against choosing his services. While appearing comfortably self-assured and patient-friendly, my experience with Dr. Needle revealed him as inconsiderate, unskilled and non-patient safety oriented care provider. I had a wisdom tooth that needed to be taken out, which I had been told would be a complicated operation as it was big in absolute size and given my mouth's size, and inverted by 90 degrees. Dr. Needle failed to notice it's size, and argued that the infection around it's crown does not render antibiotics necessary. He also omitted to inform me how to take care of the resulting wound in addition to salt water rinses. As a result I developed an infection at the extraction site 3 days after the procedure, which spread to my eye and ear. Moreover, the second and third surgeons I consulted agreed that the wound was not properly stitched due to which it has not closed 5 months later. I was a cash patient by the way.

I know this doctor: 5 months

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Review 6 by Stars: 5.0 on Link
I had a Molar pulled last Friday, had to return to extract my wisdom today- the customer service is fantastic. They know how to deal with the insurance carriers, office is clean, comfortable. They explain everything they are going to do. Pain was minimal- next to nothing. I would highly recommend Dr. Needle in a heartbeat. Specially after what ive gone through while having an HMO dental plan! Thanks to Dr. Needle Im PAIN FREE! :O)
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Review 7 by Stars: 2.0 on Link
I went to Dr. Stephen Needle to have my wisdom teeth removed in 2004 the office was extremely nice, and seemed to have a good track record, I know accidents happen thats why they have you sign a hundred from saying if you have any problems we cant be accounted for them. After my surgery my face was extremely swollen and numb. I was given a stronger form of aspirin if needed, when I looked in the mirror on the way out of the office I still had blood on my face and in my mouth I looked like I had just gone through a major heavyweight fight. No problem I thought that it was to be expected as the days went on the swelling and pain seemed to greaten and the left side of my face was still numb. I seemed to be making no progress whats so ever and my mouth had a strange taste to it I called the office and they said that everything was normal and to call back in a week. As before nothing got better I was still swollen and numb and felt ill. I called the office again this is approx. 3 weeks after the surgery and they were like o here you should be taking antibiotics it looks like you have an infection and the numbness would go away. Cut to 3 years later and the left side of my lip and mouth are still numb. I feel alot of care was over look

I know this doctor: 3 yrs

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Review 8 by Stars: 2.5 on Link
I had to see this doctor years back to have my wisdom teeth removed. I had told them I had x-rays from my referring doctor, and they told me not to bother bringing them. They took their own and then tried to charge me for it. I ended up getting my insurance involved, and the office was forced to reimburse me because I had fully disclosed that I already had x-rays. Then surgery day rolls around. They seat me in the chair, get me completely hooked up, and (no joke) the girl at the front comes in and says I need to pay now, before the procedure even begins. I was so horrified I almost walked out, but this was impossible since I was 2.1 seconds away from counting backwards into dreamland. The woman literally went out to my mom and husband and got my check book so I could scribble a check for them immediately. The Dr was whatever...ZERO personality but I didn't have any post op problems (my wisdoms were NOT impacted) so I was happy about that. When I went back for a check up, I don't think he looked in my mouth. Oh, and on top of all of it the front desk tried to not reimburse when I found they overcharged for parts of the procedure. I got my money back, but gee..what a bad experience.
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Review 9 by Stars: 4.0 on Link
Dr. Needle did two implants for me some time ago as well as an additional extraction since then. The implant procedures which covered several months for all the steps required went very smoothly and the overall result has been excellent -- my implants have done well and accomplished what I'd hoped for. No complaints either about the extraction procedure. In all of these Dr. Needle was sensitive to my desire not to feel pain and used anasthetics in a way that I never worried about pain. From these I have confidence in the medical side of the practice. Dr. Needle is genial and upbeat in relating to the patient. On the other hand, the practice seems to put high (extreme?) emphasis on the financial dealings with the patient. Even with two different office staffs (over a period of years) there is a sense that the financial side is micro-managed by the owner of the practice (the doctor) in a way to put the patient under a looking glass, perhaps even with a presumption that the patient might wind up being a deadbeat. This has made me uncomfortable, at every single visit, and is unfortunant since the results otherwise were good (and since I have the ability to pay, both through insurance and personal resources).
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Review 10 by Stars: 2.0 on Link
I had a horrific experience with this dentist. He explained absolutely nothing, charged me for the procedure before it even took place, and did not give me the tools for proper aftercare. I ended up with twofold infection and prolonged, severe pain. Six hours after surgery, I experienced high fever and excrutiating pain, to which the painkillers were no match. I couldn't stand the pain and fever suggested infection, so I went back 24 hours later. He saw me for less than 3 minutes and said that everything was normal. I suggested that maybe I was sick with an infection, and he said no and wisked me out the door. My fever and pain contunued and the following day I went to urgent care out of desperation. The doctor prescribed me an antibiotic for a throat infection but said that I needed to see the dentist again. My fever broke the following day [from the antibiotic treatment, I'm sure] and I thought I would get better. I still had tremendous swelling on one side of my face and severe pain from my front teeth up to my ear on that side. I went back to Dr. Needle the following morning and he said, yes, your wound is infected. He prescribed an antibiotic and said it was a "bump in the road." More like a roadblock.
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