Stephen Dent, MD ENT

Dr. Dent is such an amazing Doctor. He is so gentle and kind and loves caring for his patients. I recommend him to all of my friends and family, when they are in need of an ENT. It’s such a great practice with an amazing staff.

Dr. Dent knew that I was hearing impaired. I asked him several times to up his volumn, but instead, he just said, «I always talk in a low voice». as with the hearing impaired, (who should know better than an ENT) it is customary to look toward that person. He would not do that, either, & offered no effort in communicating with me. There was also a situation where he proposed a procedure, telling me that this would alleviate a nasal problem that I was having, only to later find out from other ENT’s that this procedure would be harmful. I don’t trust him. There are many other ENT’s in the area.

So far ok

I am happy to say that overall I was very pleased with my visit to this doctor that I kind of accidentally stumbled across here on Unilocal.I was originally referred (by an urgent care) to a neighboring doctor who wasn’t available. After reading these reviews I thought I better just book something before the weekend was over. I booked an appt for a Monday on a Friday 10 minutes before the office closed. As expected the receptionist was just slightly annoyed by the last minute call, but it was an emergency. My voice was extremely hoarse and quite frankly I wondered after 3 weeks if my voice would ever return to normal. Monday morning I sat in the waiting room watching the office manager speak so articulately and intelligently. I could see how she could rub some reviewers the wrong way but she was nothing but nice to me. When I met Stephen I was shocked by his sweet and soft-​spoken demeanor. He didn’t appear to be anything like most of the arrogant doctors I’ve seen, but just a very intelligent kinda handsome guy in his early forties. Long story short, great visit, answered my questions, calmed my worries. Even the thin scope that he pushed into my nose and then down into my throat was surprisingly not bad. Waited until bill came to post this review. High bill! But my insurance paid for most of it. So I would say, as long as he’s in your insurance network, I would recommend him to all of my family and friends.

Just called Dr. Dent’s office to make an appoint for vertigo. Apparently vertigo is not a «priority» and neither are new patients. I was told that he is taking appointments into October. Zero compassion, quite a crappy attitude via phone and didn’t even ask if I wanted to be on the waiting list. WOW! Sorry to have bothered you — given this level of service, I can’t believe his schedule is booked through September! This has my head spinning even more than the vertigo. Better to know now than to waste time and money on poor service.

I admire a doctor’s office with compassion and empathy, Dr. Stephen Dent’s office is exactly that. My visit ran late today, but when I realized why, I was more than understandable. Working with insurance companies, for a doctor to make ends meet, means little time to spend with patients. Dr. Dent took the time to hear and meet the concerns for every patient he came in contact with. I can wait to know to be heard and cared for, and am grateful he spent time to truly listen and care for me.
While we waited, his staff continually checked and updated me, apologizing for the wait. We were given coffee cards for our inconvenience, perfect for on our way out as we were parched from the built up anxiety and we’re so relieved after our appointment. Every member of the staff smiled, took investment in their patients and showed true care. That’s so rare these days.
Dr. Dent made sure I was comfortable for my biopsy, being incredibly gentle and compassionate while infusing medication and taking samples of the thyroid. He was sure to educate and reeducate my husband on the possible outcomes, how to manage expectations and follow up. I’m grateful for all the time he took to speak to me, and how comfortable he made my husband feel! I walked in anxious, walked out smiling and at ease.
Thank you, Dr. Dent and staff, for your kindness, your compassion, your empathy you showed my husband and I today. We both said, wow, that’s the kind of guy you want to be friends with!

Breathing problem+ infection.
HORRIBLE STORY
Scheduled visit and saw Brent the assistant– no x-​ray, no tests, no doctor and no scope.
3 days later got a call to schedule me for surgery! Wow, really. This is crazy!
Told need them that they need to run an x-​ray and scope my nose and the doctor should see me before surgery to see if it is necessary, they reluctantly said they would call me back.
Believe it or not they call me back to again schedule surgery and still no doctor has seen me, no x-​ray, no tests and no scope-​nothing!
For the second time I had to tell them they cant perform surgery nor schedule surgery until they perform their due diligence. Wow– very dumb.
Ok, finally got a scheduled visit with the Dr.- however, only the assistant
saw me, however, he did schedule me for a CT scan x-​ray.
After this was scheduled there followed 4 attempts to actually get the x– ray appointment– joke, no I am serious.
X-​ray happened and 4 weeks later Dr. Dents office hasn’t called to review results, so I called TWICE during the 5^th week and TWICE during the 6^th week to schedule an appointment to review results.
X-​ray Results were blockage and infection existed but they didn’t know what it was… so they took a culture and sent it out.
OK, now you know the debacle about getting test results– it happened again as 5 weeks went by w/​o a call, so you guessed it… I called and went thru the same song and dance.
Well they FINALLY scheduled an appointment for me to come back and they couldn’t get the infection identified nor stopped, so they took another sample and sent it out to a DNA lab… and have again failed to call me with results… so I called them 3 times so far and no response as to the results, however, they do want me to schedule a 4^th Dr. visit and pay for the 4^th time… hum is this Dr.‘s office running some kind of a mess or what?

Very pleased with my experience here. The staff are really friendly and thoughtful. The office and examination rooms are well appointed and spotless. The vibe throughout is very good. I had a medical procedure which wasn’t all that pleasant to undergo but Dr. Dent made it as stress free and painless as possible, all the while patiently explaining everything ahead of time so I knew what to expect, no surprises. He took his time and did not rush. I could tell he was really knowledgable… and that he enjoyed his work. He is personable, asked a lot of questions, was a good listener and also explained things well. A consummate professional.

I went to see Dr Dent for a deviated septum and other problems with my sinuses. I have been plagued with sinus problems for years and suffered with infections, allergies and inability to breath correctly. I was impressed with Dr. Dent from the moment we started communicating. He made excellent eye contact and he asked me questions based the answers I had given him. In other words he actually listened to what I was saying to him. I also felt he genuinely cared about helping me gets some relief from the sinus problems I had been dealing with for years. He is very soft spoken and has a gentle manner. He went over my CT Scan and explained what the issues were with my sinus area. It turned out I had more than just a deviated septum. I felt very comfortable with Dr. Dent and confident I was at the right place with the correct surgeon. The day of the surgery at Surgical Center of Encinitas I was treated with complete professionalism and respect. The staff at the center helped me to feel very confident and comfortable. Dr. Dent talked with me before the procedure and was very reassuring. I really liked his soft confidence. I had a physician tell me once «if your am going to have surgery make sure the surgeon has good hands.» Well Dr. Dent does, I never had any bruising, swelling and I followed Dr. Dents instructions he gave me before the surgery and I had no pain. The recovery was not to bad and it is so wonderful to be able to breath through my nose the way I am suppose to. I have nothing but gratitude for Dr. Dent. His office is run very well. I live 2 plus hours away and the ladies in the office went out of their way to give me appointments to accommodate my driving distance. Again greatly appreciated. I was treated very professionally. The scheduling of the surgery was very easy and they took care of all the insurance communications and gave me the exact figures of the costs. The entire staff from the front office to the Nurses Assistant, everyone was kind, friendly, professional, considerate and respectful. Thank you Dr. Dent and your staff. I will recommend you any time.

This past December I got a sore throat that turned into a pretty bad sinus infection that would not clear up on its own. I haven’t needed an ENT for over 25 years since I had a tonsillectomy. But the issue I was having eventually caused me to loose my voice completely. I am an RN and I work at an outpatient facility that Dr. Dent has privileges at. He is known in North County has THE best ENT doctor. I called over to his office and explained to his staff what was going on with me — the staff was wonderful! They knew I needed to be seen quickly and got me an appointment the very next day with his physician assistant, Bret Noland. I wanted to see Dr. Dent but I was unable to wait for a new patient appointment. I was grateful that they fit me in at all with the PA on such short notice. I was very happy with Bret. He really helped me. Bret spent a good deal of time with me diagnosing my problem. He gave me the right medication, the right advice and within two days my voice returned.
The office scheduled me to follow up with Dr. Dent in a couple of weeks but I didn’t need to because within a week — I was 100% back to myself.
I ran into Dr. Dent at my work the following week and told him how happy I was!
I also have to tell you that his office is sparkling clean and his staff were wonderful to me.
His patients love him. Many patients that I meet tell me how much he has helped them. I also have noticed how far some of his surgery patients travel to have him has their doctor — that speaks volumes to me.
The nurses at my work really like working with him. They have told me he is their favorite doctor to work with in the operating room. In nurse world, that’s a big compliment.

This review is strictly based on my recent experience with Dr. Dent’s Physicians Assistant. I had been sick for several weeks. I had swollen tonsils, and swollen glands in my neck. I was already a patient of Dr Dent’s, so I called and they got me in the next day, which was great. The PA acted like everything was a joke. He didn’t take a culture of my throat, or do any tests. He gave me antibiotics and sent me on my way. I ended up having a reaction, so I called him and he prescribed another drug over the phone. I expressed some concern, and he gave me a very rude remark. After a few more days of feeling poorly, I ended up going to a new Dr. and found out I had the Epstein Barr Virus. If the PA would’ve just run some tests he could have helped. I really feel like he wasted my time. I would give Dr. Dent himself 5 stars for his previous care, but will never go back and see the Physicians Assistant.

This whole Ent practice is a JOKE! I made an appointment with KATHY to see Dr. dent. I attended, spoke to a nurse assistant and they said I was good to go. No one ever checked my ear, I was asked a few questions and let go, I was not given a prescription or a diagnostic. I never got to speak or see Dr. Dent (as I was told I was) I was already feeling very disappointed as I walked out with my ear ache. I asked the manager «Kathy» who happens to have the worst attitude, extremely defensive for no reason I only asked her how much are you going to charge my insurance for my visit? She responded $ 200 no more and I said are you sure? she said yes I am sure, you can leave now! she is so rude and likes to raise her voice) anyway so I left.
A few weeks later I received a bill for $ 349 and $ 50 on top! I call this lady back, Kathy who also happens to be the manager (really) and as usual she was rude. I told her I did not see Dr. Dent why am I getting charged $ 349 also before I walked out of the office I asked how much will you be charging me and you said $ 200 and she just said: Are you done now?! I told her no I am not done you are charging me $ 349 plus $ 50 on top And I did not even get to see Dr. Dent, no one checked my ear and you also lied about my visit charge. She said «I have to go, pay your bill to us and go see another Doctor».
This place is ridiculous unprofessional and very expensive and they do not provide any service to their customers. I had never made an appointment to the doctor, then go in for the appointment and not see the doctor… Is this even possible?! is this serious please do not go to this place unless you want to be charged for NOTHING at all. Oh!, and on top of all the rudeness you will not see the doctor!
I wish I could give this place ZERO stars. Don’t be fooled by the receptionist either. Watch out for KATHY!!!
I also told her this is the worst customer experience I’ve ever had I will make sure I will make a Unilocal review on your practice and you and she just said. that’s okay go ahead I don’t care we are still going to charge you $ 349 and the $ 50 on top. And she proceeded to hang up on me.
I hope this review saves somebody from going in to see these rude and unprofessional people who just want your money and don’t deliver proper service and/​or care. But if you do decide to call and make an appointment make sure you ask to speak to Kathy and talk to her and you will see that what I’m saying is not a lie.

I choose Dr. Dent based on Unilocal reviews… And was quite disappointed.
My primary frustration was the waiting time. It was the absolute worst I’ve ever experienced at a Dr office. I arrived a few minutes before my appoint only to spend 45 minutes in the waiting room, then another 40 minutes in the patient room. It was mid afternoon and I was there for a very basic concern. I’m also self employed and had a client meeting schedule for two hours from my appt — more than ample time for a quick check. I eventually said something to the assistant, who was extremely understanding and let me reschedule to a day where there were no patients. (or, so he said).
I then arrived on that day for my mid morning appointment and had to wait another 70 minutes. The Dr eventually came in– he seemed nice enough, but I wasn’t impressed at all. I’ve seen a number of ENTs throughout my life and just didn’t feel he was either knowledgeable or personable. I also felt he was a tad too into pushing more advanced procedures which I clearly don’t need. I had sinus surgery years ago and rarely have issues. I was there for a throat thing. But, this guy actually started pushing a sinus procedure!
I was also astounded at what he billed to my insurance!
Needless to say, this Dr. was SO NOT worth the 2.5 plus hours of my life I WASTED waiting in his office. To me, repeated wait times like this are incredibly disrespectful to a patient. He didn’t even apologize or acknowledge it!
I ended up finding a great ENT in a not so spiffy building in Oceanside who was amazing and clealy up on research.
Lesson learned– fancy office and equipment aren’t equated with a great Dr.

Avoid Dr. Dent’s office at all costs! Dr. Dent and his staff are grossly negligent and deceptive in their work. I went to his office on a referral from my normal Dr. When I called to make the first appointment with Dent, the staff asked if I had an «Obamacare» plan (which does not exist). After explaining that I had purchased insurance on my own, privately and not through covered California, they took my information and saw me for two appointments.
Only after this second appointment, which included an expensive allergy test, Dent’s office called to inform me that my insurance would not cover my visits to his office. They have now stuck me with a giant bill, because no one in Dent’s office bothered to check/​verify that my insurance would not cover this. No one even checked after the first office visit! All the office staff could talk about was «Obamacare.»
I just wanted to get my ear problem fixed. But all I got was a mountain of stress, time wasted contacting various insurance entities, and I am still sick. I think Dr. Dent has an agenda against Obamacare and punishing patients for it.

I wish I had a better experience, especially after reading these reviews!
I showed up to my first appointment (scheduled for 3pm) a few minutes early and was informed Dr. Dent was running 15 minutes late. Although, a call informing me of this would have been nice, I went next door to run a few errands and came back to the office at 3:15pm.
The doctor still wasn’t ready for me so I took a seat. At 3:30pm I asked approximately how much longer and the receptionist told me she would find out. 5 minutes later she said, «five minutes». I wasn’t seen by Dr. Dent’s PA until 3:55pm (for my 10 minute procedure) and didn’t see Dr. Dent at all.
Either Dr. Dent and staff are on Hawaiian time or they don’t value their patient’s time nearly as much as their own.

I am so grateful to Dr. Dent. I had plastic pieces stuck in my ears [1 in each from my new hearing aides], didn’t know it and was in pain like an ear ache. I had been at an appointment with my hearing aide provider who looked and found them. She called and Dr. Dent kindly made room in his schedule to accommodate my problem the same afternoon.
He has a gentle touch, a very kind nature and calm manner. Plus, I love the camera to see just what’s happening when he looks in. He is now our ENT of choice and we feel lucky to have his help. Also, his staff is excellent and attentive.

Dr Dent is Excellant. I am a retired Dentist, and am very aware of Head and Neck anatomy. I had sinus issues and first went to Dr. Dent in 2010. I had sinus surgery as a result of his exam and diagnosis and radiology reports. It went very well, and my problem of many years was resolved.
I recently returned to Dr. Dent because of another sinus infection I got traveling overseas. I was unable to resolve it myself with sinus rinses. Dr Dent was already prepared when I came in; he had looked at all my previous records and the videos of my sinus etc. I am now using antibiotics for the next month in a sinus rinse and hope to eliminate the sinus infection. He told me if that does not work I will get a CAT SCAN and return to hime.
Excellent staff, courteous, prompt, and follow through. I am very pleased.

Dr. Dent is the best. At first I found it hard to get on the schedule as a new patient but after working with him I realize why. He is an incredible doctor helped me through a sinus surgery and getting my tonsils out and recently with a blown ear drum. after surgery if i left a message he always responded very promptly. I would never hesitate to go back to Dr. Dent!

I CANNOT say enough good things about Dr. Dent and his staff.
I went to Dr. Dent for some tissue on my tongue that would not heal. He kept on eye on it for a while before ultimately deciding that we needed to biopsy it. The pathology came back cancerous and my whole world fell out from under me the moment he told me. However, he is so calm and so confident and laid out his plan while I sat there, completely speechless. I left scared, but confident in his approach and in his care. He also supported the fact that I wanted to get a second opinion with an oncologist and even consulted with her when she recommended I get a PET scan.
He removed the tumor at Scripps La Jolla and luckily the lymph nodes that he sampled were clean. After my surgery, my family was super impressed with not only his professionalism and sensitivity but also the way he was able to communicate how the procedure had gone.
He and Jennifer (his assistant) were so helpful and answered any and all questions (day and night) that my husband and I had during one of the scariest times we’ve ever gone through. I cannot emphasize enough how much their professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care for their patients is part of every single thing that they do.

What an awesome experience! The ladies and Gentlemen who greeted me and took my paperwork were sweet and helpful. I was impressed with the décor of the office and the punctuality of the team. I don’t have insurance and they discounted my services significantly.
I am so grateful for the services that C. Butler the NP provided me today. I came in for an ear problem, but before she did anything she explained everything she would do and made sure that I was comfortable. When I told her I was in pain she stopped and did what she could to alleviate the hurt. I sensed the compassion she had and it made me feel good to know she cared. I feel as though these qualities are rare in healthcare and something to be valued. Thank you Nurse Butler!