I am posting this communication I had via text between myself, the potential patient and Doctor Sean Sunyoto, the dentist and proprietor of Cal Dental Group of Pasadena. I received a request via text to rate his services, which I gave him a one star out of five. the following starts with his query as to why I gave him such a low rating and my response's following... To me from Dr Sean, Hi, Thank you for your feedback. I am reaching out to see if there is any questions or concerns I can clear up to why you felt that way about our practice? I noticed you had a missed followup appointment right after we saw you. Let me know, happy to help or talk. Thank you -Dr. Sean To Dr Sean from me, I interviewed more than a few dentist and yes you were very friendly and nice and seem very confident and had a very spiffy office. What concerned me deeply was when you asked me to pay the $829 upfront for the root canal because you didn't want to wait the length of time it would take for you to be reimbursed by Medicare. I found that to be questionably ethical and I believe it's against the standard of practice set by the state and Medicare department. You may want to research that and see that you were actually seriously breaking their law. Another dentist was perfectly willing to go ahead with the procedure and wait for the reimbursement and another dentist said they had to wait until they got the okay from Medicare, stating it could take up to 10 days which it took 4 days. I would also like to say that the dentist I settled with was very confident the office is extremely clean and the staff work together like a well-oiled machine. I'm hoping this will be the last time you reach out to me I've made my point and I wish you the best of life. Oh I forgot to mention your price was out of control. The dentist I chose was 1/3 the price you charge, and the job was done excellently. To me from Dr Sean, Hi, thank you for your feedback. It was not about not wanting to wait but rather wanting to take care of you promptly. I have always reimbursed every patient when the insurance pays off but thank you for letting me know and I am glad you were taken care of. I value your input and I will definitely look into that matter. Take care and stay safe. From me to Dr Sean, I'm responding to you again only because it really concerns me that you seem to completely miss the point. I never thought that you would not reimburse me for the $829 you required me to pay upfront. However, it was the culture of greed, you're concern only that you be financially taken care of first before you render care for a patient in pain and needing a root canal, stating that it would take up to six months before you would be reimbursed by Medicare. Yes, you guaranteed me that you would then reimburse me the $829, but to be clear I would be out $829 for 6 months before you reimbursed me, and I'm the one that's on Medicare. That six months to me would be a financial hardship not to mention the additional $1663 you required for the crown, a total of $2,492 I would have to pay you before you even suggested prescribing an antibiotic for the infection. Frankly, you may be a good dentist but I fear that you are greedy and unethical. I suggest that if you don't like the system of payment by Medicare you cease to use their services. read more

It's a New Year, 2026 and Dr. Sean Sunyoto and his Awesome team are back at making his patients feel good about their smile! Dr. Sean is very knowledgeable, very kind, a Master in his field and caring!! His team are also, very professional, knowledgeable, attentive to your needs, and experienced. Recently, I needed Dr. Sean's services on short notice, and he squeezed me in! I had a tooth pulled and he made sure that I had a temporary partial ready so I wouldn't walk around embarrassed of my appearance! I really APPRECIATE how Dr. Sean and his team Go above and beyond for his patients! January 7-8, 2025 my family lost our Generational home in the Eaton Fire. During that time I was receiving Chemo treatment for Hodgkin's Lymphoma Cancer. I had a PICC Line attached to my arm and I normally would have my in-hone care RN nurse come to our home and change the dressing and flush the two line ports. Since we were displaced I needed a middle ground to meet my nurse to have this service done and Dr. Sean allowed me to use his office to get that taken care of until we were able to move in a hotel in Pasadena. Very kind gesture that made my life a little more easier during that time. I am now cancer free . Legacy Dental Pasadena, uses the State the arts Technology, Equipment and the office is very clean!! I love the background music played through the speakers throughout the office! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Legacy Dental Pasadena for all your dental needs!! read more

UPDATE: here's the office's canned reply sent privately "Hi... We stand by our recommendations and treatment plan 100%. We are sorry you felt that way. Dr. Sean has your best interests at heart and wishes to help you achieve your dental goals. If you need clarification on your treatment plan you can contact us anytime. We understand you may not feel inclined to anymore and we wish you the best of luck but will always be here if you need a second opinion. Thank you." ------ He's dishonest. Look elsewhere! I was set to make recommendations to others based on my experience. However, I absolutely do NOT recommend this dental practice. Sean asked me about my insurance and said, oh you don't have a job or you're unemployed. Something to that effect. Doc, you're make assumptions. He barely checked my teeth and was dishonest with his recommendations. I was VERY uncomfortable with my visit. Do yourself a favor... LOOK somewhere else. Also, I DON'T need a response from the Dr.'s office with a fake canned apology. Save it! read more

I had a fantastic experience at Legacy Dental from start to finish! My dental cleaning was incredibly thorough, and Lucian, the hygienist, was exceptional. He was meticulous, gentle, and highly knowledgeable, taking the time to explain everything while making me feel completely comfortable throughout the appointment. His friendly, personable approach made what is usually a routine visit genuinely pleasant. I also had a resin infiltration procedure performed by Dr. Sean, and I couldn't be happier with the results. Dr. Sean was professional, skilled, and attentive, ensuring I understood the process and felt confident every step of the way. The outcome exceeded my expectations. The entire team was welcoming, accommodating, and committed to providing outstanding patient care. It's clear that everyone in the office genuinely cares about their patients' comfort and overall experience. I highly recommend this practice to anyone seeking exceptional dental care. read more

I can't say enough wonderful things about Dr. Sean and the entire team. I hadn't been to the dentist in years because of my anxiety and nervousness about dental visits (and yes, I sure paid the price for years of dental neglect). Still, from the moment I walked in, everyone made me feel comfortable, welcomed, and completely free of judgment. Dr. Sean is incredibly gentle, patient, and compassionate. He took the time to explain every step of the process thoroughly and answered all my questions without ever making me feel rushed. The entire staff is knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely caring. They went above and beyond to make sure I felt at ease throughout my visit and even followed up afterward to check on me. Dr. Sean and his team have turned an experience I had been dreading for years into a positive one, and I am so grateful to have found this dental office. read more

First impressions count so stepping into Dr. Sean Sunyoto's office began with a warm welcome by his front staff and a clean and immaculate waiting room. This immediately helped calm my nerves. I had been with the same dentist most of my adult life, so anxious and apprehensive only begins to describe my worry. However, Dr. Sunyoto alleviated much of that anxiety through his clear communication relating to my case. He told me things that I should be aware of and how "we" could address it in a particular time-frame. There was never any pressure to do anything immediately. He told me what he was capable of doing and what he would recommend to an endodontist. He exudes zest and excitement and a continued yearning to learn. read more

This is the first time I have written a review for anyone but it is deserving. I had nothing but great experiences while going to see Dr. Sean. His team was very professional and friendly and made me feel at home when they offered me coffee or water; they even have Netflix for their patients which I haven't seen at any other dentist office before. Doctor Sean did a great job explaining my dental treatment thoroughly and showed me based on the x-ray what was causing discomfort. I would be highly recommending friends and family to this dentist and I'll sure be coming back. read more

Both my husband and I were very much impressed with the service that we received from Dr. Sean Sunyoto. I was having some problem with my tooth and he immediately was able to find the cause and relieved me of the problem. I can't thank him enough for easing my frustration about my tooth problem. I also want to thank his staff for an excellent service provided to us during our recent visit. We will definitely be his future patients and will refer him to our relatives and friends. read more

I am grateful to have found Cal Dental. I have been living a nightmare with my previous Dental Office. The moment of my first call I was treated with dignity and compassion. From the front office staff, dental assistant to the amazing Dentist. I finally know that I will get the help I needed for so many months. I am originally from Pasadena but I drove here from Monrovia So very glad I did. So worth it. Thank you so much Cal Dental. Danielle Conner read more

Just had an amazing experience at Legacy Dental! Dr. Sean is a fantastic dentist--professional, knowledgeable, and really takes the time to make you feel comfortable. Lucian did my cleaning today and did an incredible job--thorough, gentle, and super friendly. The entire team is welcoming and makes the whole visit easy and stress-free. You can tell they truly care about their patients. Highly recommend if you're looking for a great dental office! read more

I thoroughly appreciated my recent experience. Lucien's gentle touch and friendly demeanor made the cleaning and exam seem effortless. His efficiency, along with his informative tips for oral care, truly sets him apart. And David, always been a reassuring presence, ensures everything runs smoothly. For those in the Pasadena area, Dr. Sunyoto is certainly the premier choice for dental implants and cosmetic smiles makeovers. You won't regret it! read more

I consistently get my cleaning done with the Legacy Dental Team, and they have been incredibly friendly, professional, and always handle my teeth with the utmost care. I'm excited to start my Invisalign journey with them. Lucia is fantastic at explaining all options and David creates such a welcoming environment. If you are looking for a cosmetic dentist specializing in smile makeovers, look no further. This team has everything you need! read more

I just wanted to share my wonderful experience at this clinic. I received my dental exam recently with Lucian and I couldn't be happier. The attention to detail was remarkable. He was thoroughly explaining each step and it was comforting to see the love and care he puts into his work. The atmosphere was so lovely and inviting. If you need a kind and gentle dental care provider, look no further. Lucian truly cares about his patients! read more

What a wonderful dental practice! I truly appreciate how welcoming the staff is. Lucian took such care during the cleaning and exam, which helped ease my anxiety tremendously. Dr. Sunyoto is a real gem, and his expertise in cosmetic smile makeovers shines through. David helped coordinate everything seamlessly, making my visits delightful. I highly recommend this place for anyone wanting a smile makeover in Pasadena. read more

I recently started my Invisalign treatment and honestly, the service I received was above my expectations. Dr. Sean used a 3D scanner to give me a detailed look at my teeth, which made everything so clear. Trustworthy and effective. He's not just a dentist; he's truly passionate about his work. His approach made me feel comfortable and confident in my treatment decision. Extremely grateful for the care I received. read more

Felt nervous before, but as soon as I arrived, the staff were kind and welcoming making me feel at ease. Dr. Sean answered all my questions. He demonstrates concern and care in his patients' well-being. I am grateful to him and his staff. Recommend them 100%. They helped me with my cleaning, exam, and dental filling, and I'm so pleased with the results. Looking forward to starting my Invisalign soon! read more

My experience was surprisingly pleasant. I usually dread appointments, but cleaning and exam went better than expected. The staff is skilled and genuinely cares, making sure everything is smooth. The dental filling I had was done precise and it looks so natural. It's nice when the clinic is ethical and you feel you are in good hands. Highly recommend if you are in the San Marino area! read more

I've been a patient of Dr. Sean's dental office for a while now, and I've always had a great experience. The staff is welcoming, professional, and makes every visit comfortable. Dr. Sean takes time to explain everything clearly, is always happy to answer any questions - even responding through messages whenever I'm having trouble with a tooth. Highly recommend this office! read more

I had a great experience getting my dental filling here. Staff members are very welcoming and comforting. I didn't feel any pain at all, which was a huge relief. Alejandra was especially helpful with my insurance and made sure I understood everything. Highly recommend this place for anyone needing dental care in Pasadena. They really know how to treat their patients well. read more