D Cardale in Lakewood, CA

Pros

• Candlewood Smiles is described as the best dental care, meeting all dental needs 100%.
• The staff are magnificent, friendly, professional, and courteous.
• The office is clean and on-time, with attentive care from check-in to checkout.
• Dr. Boutros is praised for being thorough, patient, and exceptionally skilled, making patients feel at ease.
• The team explains treatment options clearly and answers questions with care.
• Front desk staff and management are commended for excellent customer service and help with scheduling and pricing.
• The environment is welcoming, stress-free, and the staff take patient concerns seriously.
• They would highly recommend Candlewood Smiles and would return for future dental work.

Cons

• Terrible service with patients waiting for hours.
• The office is overpriced; equipment keeps breaking and appointments are rescheduled multiple times.
• The office is incompetent with a high turnover rate, causing missed or delayed orthodontic appointments.
• It's poorly run, with frequent cancellations and long waits.
• The dentist is charging for services not received.
• The hygienist was the worst: painful injections and rough handling.
• Some dentists are good, but some are barbaric.

Review

This Cardale location in Lakewood is best suited for adults and families who prize exceptionally skilled clinicians, clear communication, and a warm, patient-centered experience. The standout here is a team that consistently earns praise for thorough explanations, gentle care, and treatment plans that respect the patient's goals. For anxious patients or those with special needs, the combination of patient-first clinicians (notably Dr. Boutros) and supportive front-desk staff creates an environment where visits feel manageable rather than dreaded. The facility's emphasis on a clean, welcoming office further reinforces a sense of trust from the moment the door opens.

Those who should consider alternatives include anyone whose priority is unflinching scheduling reliability, price transparency, and minimal administrative friction. A pattern in the reviews shows several patients wrestling with cancellations, repeated rescheduling, or inconsistent front-office handling. Some notes point to higher costs or unclear warranty terms around crowns, and a few patients report long wait times or turnover that disrupts continuity of care. If predictability in appointments or a consistently streamlined billing process is non-negotiable, exploring other local options may be prudent.

The main advantages here - exceptional clinical skill, patient education, and a genuinely compassionate staff - often compensate for the notable administrative rough edges. The dentists and hygienists are repeatedly described as thorough, gentle, and patient-centered, with others highlighting how questions are welcomed and explained in plain terms. The team's ability to calm anxiety, walk patients through treatment choices, and deliver measurable results - whether via whitening, alignment work, or complex restorative procedures - creates a strong value proposition for long-term relationships. For many families, this translates into firmer trust and steadiness across visits.

Conversely, the cons carry real weight for decision-making. Scheduling glitches and at times opaque pricing can undermine the experience, especially for those juggling work, school, or multiple family members. A few patients report miscommunications about specific procedures or warranty coverage, with one episode leading to frustration over a crown issue that was later resolved after escalation. These incidents suggest a real risk of frustration if administrative processes aren't navigated carefully. Still, the overall tone across reviews is that the clinical team remains capable and responsive when concerns are raised.

From a practical standpoint, prospective patients can optimize their experience by pursuing a targeted plan. Start with a thorough new-patient consult to confirm the primary clinician, ideally Dr. Boutros, and to lay out a transparent treatment roadmap with costs and insurance handling. Request a dedicated care coordinator or single point of contact to minimize miscommunication, and ask upfront about wait times, appointment cadence, and policies on late cancellations. If orthodontic or cosmetic work is a goal, discuss timelines, warranty terms, and what constitutes coverage versus out-of-pocket costs. For anxious or special-needs patients, request seating accommodations and clear explanations of each step in advance.

In the end, this Cardale dental office represents a strong, decision-worthy option for those who value high-caliber clinical care and a genuinely supportive staff. The combination of Dr. Boutros's patient, meticulous approach and the friendly, attentive team makes it a standout for comprehensive treatment and positive patient experiences. The caveats - administrative friction, occasional delays, and pricing ambiguities - aren't disqualifying but do tilt the calculus toward those who can tolerate some scheduling variability in exchange for exceptional clinical outcomes. For families weighing options, this practice earns serious consideration, provided a plan is in place to manage the administrative side and ensure clear, written expectations from the outset.

This part of Lakewood, California offers convenient access to essential amenities such as pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS, as well as healthcare facilities like Kaiser Permanente Hospital and VA Long Beach Healthcare System. There are also a variety of dining options for residents to enjoy, including In-N-Out Burger and Chick-Fil-A. Additionally, the area features recreational spaces such as Cerritos Regional County Park and Bixby Park, providing opportunities for outdoor activities. With a mix of healthcare services, dining options, and recreational areas nearby, this neighborhood offers a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle in Lakewood.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Costco Vision Center (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Bopomofo Cafe (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7.8 miles)
• Lees Sandwiches - Gard (8.5 miles)
• Donut King 2 (9.2 miles)

Physicians

• Paramount Physicians (2.2 miles)
• Dostzada, Ghulam Dr - Los Alamitos Cardiovascular (7.5 miles)
• Harbor Ucla Medical Center - David Durkovich Do (8.1 miles)
• Monica B Espiritu M.D. | Kaiser Permanente (9.1 miles)

Transportation

• Komar Aviation Group (2.5 miles)
• Long Beach Airport (LGB) (2.5 miles)
• Metro - Willow Street Station (3.7 miles)
• Port Of Long Beach (8.3 miles)
• Metro La Mirada & Alondra Bus Stop (9.4 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (3.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.7 miles)
• McDonald's (5.8 miles)
• Falcon (6 miles)
• McDonald's (6.4 miles)
• Hooters (6.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• Harkins Theatres Cerritos 16 (3.6 miles)
• AMC Norwalk 2 (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Hospital (4.8 miles)
• Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center (5.2 miles)
• VA Long Beach Healthcare System (5.7 miles)
• PIH Health Hospital (5.8 miles)
• Martin Luther King Jr / Drew Medical Center (6.8 miles)
• Department of State Hospitals (7.2 miles)
• Del Rio Convalescent Center (8.3 miles)

Parks

• Cerritos Regional County Park (5.5 miles)
• Shadow Park Hoa (5.7 miles)
• Rossmoor Park (5.9 miles)
• Bixby Park (6.1 miles)
• Temple Park (6.1 miles)
• Bluff Park (6.3 miles)
• Rainbow Lagoon Park (6.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Saint Hedwig Catholic Church (6.3 miles)
• Cottonwood Church (6.8 miles)