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"I visited Dr. Tong on the advice of a friend. The office staff was SUPER HELPFUL and very flexible in terms of scheduling. I'd chipped a tooth and they got me in ASAP. I waited no more than 5 minutes in the waiting room - and they offered me bottled water and fresh coffee while I was waiting. It's a very modern facility with a nice view - you're not staring at a wall! I knew I needed some work done but Dr. Tong talked me through what 'needed' to be done and what 'wasn't pressing at the moment.' I NEVER FELT PRESSURED into a treatment that I wasn't familiar with. Everyone was kind and funny and seemed to be genuinely enjoying the day. It was about AS GOOD AS YOU CAN GET when it comes to visiting the dentist!"
Garrett Hauenstein's 5-Star review via Facebook
Sure, dental care can seem to be pretty much the same at the root of it (Get it!?). So, does it really matter who does the cleanings, fillings, veneers, whitenings and check ups?
Yup. And here's why.
The key component to dental care goes well beyond what happens while you're in the chair; in fact, a great deal of the work happens prior.
"Dental procedures are regularly ranked as some of the most fear inducing and most put-off medical procedures out there," says Dr. Marvin Tong, DDS. "My goal has always been to get patients 'in,' because once they're here, we're able to immediately reduce that tension and make it a very pleasant experience so they won't be so hesitant to get booked the next time."
Dr. Tong's Valencia practice makes getting "in" easy - and front-office staff makes sure every patient feels right at home from the moment they step through the doors of the new, state-of-the-art office. "We're often told that we're the friendliest office in the SCV - and that makes me so proud!" says Office Manager Becky Short. "Our team is warm, accommodating and flexible. We know our patients live busy lives, so we have convenient weekday and weekend appointments - and we don't overbook, so patients are in and out on time. When parents bring in multiple children, we work it out so that Mom or Dad isn't sitting in the waiting room for hours waiting for everyone to be done - not that they'd mind! Our couches our cozy, our wi-fi is free, our coffee bar is delicious and there's always a Disney movie playing!"
But it's not just fear of dental work that might stall an appointment-making phone call - there's also the issue of price. "Our practice philosophy is grounded in trust and honesty," says Dr. Tong. "We do not upsell unnecessary services or over-state the need of treatments. We've worked hard for three decades to establish a stellar reputation in Santa Clarita; patients trust us... and we never take that for granted."
"We also take most insurance plans and offer highly-competitive cash pricing," says Back Office Manager Autumn Hathaway, who personally answers patient questions and assures their comfort. "Our team is always happy to call your insurance plan on your behalf to check in on coverage and let you know exactly what's covered, what's not and what accommodations can be made. We don't like surprises and neither do our patients - so we always do our due diligence and are transparent on pricing. It's the right thing to do!"
About Dr. Tong
Rarely without his signature grin, Dr. Marvin Tong is that dentist who instantly puts you at ease - the one who makes a lighthearted joke with an elderly patient and then a silly face at a 5 year old who's a little nervous about his upcoming dental cleaning.
But when it comes to his patients' oral health and wellness, Dr. Tong takes his profession very seriously. He fast tracked his education at a young age, first studying bio-chemistry at UCLA, then earning his doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of the Pacific, San Francisco. One of the youngest to achieve his "DDS" letters from the NoCal program, Dr. Tong returned to his roots - Los Angeles - and began earning his reputation for high-quality dental care at a Saugus practice.
In 2018, with the help of his longtime dental-superstar team, he opened his own practice in Valencia. The new office is sparkling clean and bright, with relaxing views and complimentary beverages that make every patient feel like they're home.
When he's not treating patients, calming dental fears or attending professional-development seminars to stay on the cutting edge of his field, you'll find him on the golf course, at Disneyland or adventuring with his treasured nieces and nephews.