Sherwin Arman, DMD 26800 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA 92691

"It is impossible to get through to him or her a call back. Dr. Armand’s staff is stretched so thin because he refuses to hire more staff. One person is in charge of all of his appointments and also serves as his dental assistant. If you actually get a call back they try to end the call within 10 seconds or so. Cheaply run office"

"Dr. Arman really takes the time to listen to his patients and genuinely wants to help reduce pain and improve the quality of life. I was refered to him by Dr. Ahn (an outstanding Oral Surgeon and dentist in Mission Viejo). Dr. Ahn was the first doctor to request a CT scan to uncover the root cause of my pain. He even called me to review the results since I was out of town for a few weeks. I feel so fortunate to have found a competent and caring doctor."

"Wow! I called asking for a referral to an orthodontist who understands TMJ and the receptionist, Charlene, was unbelievably rude. She told me that I was asking for two different things, because they are different professions. However, there are orthodontists who specialize in TMJ cases. I know because I've been to two different ones!! She grilled me with a number of questions as to why I was calling them and who referred me. Her attitude was one of annoyance from the beginning. She wasn't trying to help, but was implying that I didn't know what I was talking about, and that I was an annoyance to her. I told her which doctor referred me, but all I wanted to know was whether Dr. Arman might know of an orthodontist who was familiar with TMJ. She told me that this isn't the way they do referrals. She argued with me for several exchanges instead of simply taking my name and number and giving my message to the doctor. When I said I didn't want to argue, she told me I was being rude! Unbelievable. She's defensive and condescending with me, and then tries to turn it around! I told her that I was feeling upset, and just wanted to leave a message for the doctor. Usually at this point, a professional will try to repair communication and engage differently in conversation, but she continued to be rude. I was asking for information that Dr. Arman might know about a good orthodontist who works with TMJ issues. I have called different doctors offices and dentists over the years and have never had someone tell me that they won't give out another professional's name/#. She said that this would be a "favor". Usually it is considered professional courtesy, which is obviously something that she isn't familiar with. So in addition to the rudeness and condescension, then she decided to turn things back on me again, implying that I shouldn't ask for such a thing. She simply didn't want to help and thought she could get away with being unprofessional. This receptionist continued in her rudeness even after I told her I didn't want to argue with her. I had several exchanges of the same rudeness-refusal-condescension pattern trying to put me in my place for asking a simple question. I kept repeating that I just wanted her to give the doctor my message. She was making a decision for the doctor instead of relaying the message, which was not her decision as the receptionist. It was the doctor's decision, not hers, to answer my question and give a referral if he knew of anyone. If he didn't know of anyone, that was his determination to make, not hers. He is the doctor, and he knows more about his field than the receptionist. I can't imagine trying to deal with the office staff on a bigger issue if this is how they treat people. Unfortunately this is a poor reflection on the doctor. The receptionist is an extension of how patients can expect to be treated, and the message is that they are beneath the staff. I'll be letting the doctor who referred me know about my experience, and urge her not to recommend this place. I hope that the doctor starts recording the phone calls in his front office so he can listen for himself to how his staff talks to others. After speaking with Dr. Arman, I have to say that I was very impressed with how he handled things. He apologized for his office staff, and recognized the unprofessional conduct of his receptionist, Charlene. He said that he knew of some orthodontists who specialize in TMJ, and acknowledged that they exist, and is even willing to speak with them about my situation and refer me. I was shocked at how different his response was from my previous experience with the receptionist. He was very personable, genuine, and friendly. He truly went out of his way for me, and even offered a free consultation due to my previous experience on the phone. I am very grateful and thankful at his response! Thank you, Dr. Arman!!"

"EDIT: I did eventually hear back from the doctor. He emailed me with a recommendation for someone close to where I live and offered to refund my consultation. -- For me, the cons outweighed the pros. He did nothing to help and since he was out-of-network, I believe this doctor was a supreme waste of two hours and $165. I have a lot of facial pain and a resorbing jaw joint accompanying TMJ and was referred to Dr Arman for his "great bedside manner and how he thoroughly gathers information about your history." I was excited to address my facial pain with a "facial pain specialist." I was disappointed for many reasons, initially because I had to wait for 45 minutes beyond my scheduled appt time to finally be taken back to see the doctor, though I arrived early and with all my new patient forms already filled out. From there, I was ultimately disappointed to be told he couldn't help me and to keep taking ibuprofen as I had been, and then he charged me $165. Also, I was at that point running late for a commitment which I mentioned a few times during the appt (scheduled two hours after the appt time, hoping to have been safe) and I had to leave. He said he would recommend other doctors closer to my area, and I haven't heard anything in about four days. During the appt he just asked questions about my pain and medication history, poked and prodded my jaw (which remains painfully sore in the days following my appointment), and then he said "keep doing what you're doing." I reminded him that I am trying to get pregnant and was surprised that he, a self-prescribed "pain specialist," didn't already know that ibuprofen shouldn't be taken with pregnancy, and that acetaminophen (Tylenol, Advil) is much preferred by doctors, though caution is still advised. I knew this, he had to search it in his phone. He does have a good bedside manner and he is almost too good a listener. In fact, if I had misremembered something about my headaches from years ago and later corrected myself, it was like an "Aha!" moment for him and I felt I'd done something wrong or perhaps lied. Anyway, I didn't waste $165 to be listened to, I was hoping that it would be an investment in a future of successful pain management. When I followed up with the person who recommended him to me, she told me that he listened to her and then referred her to a neurologist, which tells me he didn't help her either, he just listened. So, whether he is in-network or not, I can't recommend this doctor to anyone."

"I am a dentist in San Clemente. I took my dad to him for sleep appliance. Last time I checked with my dad, he was very happy. He wears his appliance every night. He doesn't snore as much and he is not tired throughout the day. He was given a C-PAP machine by his pulmonologist but apparently it was hard to wear and get used to it. I refer all my patients to Dr. Arman for TMJ and sleep apnea problems. He is very knowledgable and caring."