Sean Stephens, DDS

My family has used Stephens Dentistry (either Roy or son Sean) for many years. They and their staff are always professional but also courteous, friendly and caring. The quality of the dental work is top-​notch and I have complete trust in both of them for their skills, knowledge and honesty. They always keep in mind what’s necessary and prudent for the long run, and have never tried to up-​sell us. Sherry, the hygienist, is friendly, gentle, and does a great job. We are very happy with Stephens Dentistry and we would go to no one else.

Dr Sean Stephens, USC EDUCATION, and his staff are FABULOUS. We have been using this lovely dental practice for 14 years. My husband has dental issues that Dr Stephens prudently developed a dental treatment program that works great with our budget and our with our insurance.
Sherry Delsen the dental hygienist has been doing our cleanings and deep cleanings with GREAT results.
The staff and whole practice are FIVE STARS.

I’ve been going here for years. I went through a lot with them, almost as if we are family. My teeth has been neglected most of my young life. With their help I was able to reverse a lot of things that has gone wrong with the health of my teeth. I had my braces for a year and a half with them. Helped me through all the pain by giving me helpful information along with great moral support. Once that was taken off I had a perfect smile, no longer was I ashamed to smile in front of a camera.
About 3 months after I had my braces taken off, I had a terrible accident leaving HALF of my teeth broken, chipped, and badly damaged. I was devastated. After finally getting a smile to be proud off it was gone almost as quickly as I got it.
I went to Dr. Sean with a low spirit, they took me in as soon as I called for an emergency check in. He explained all the things I needed to get done, honestly I was not listening I just wanted to get whatever that needs to be done taken care of.
Que 80’s montage music
After a month of what I can call modern dental magic my smile was back. It was good as new. Nobody would even suspect I went through suck a traumatic teeth experience. Best part it didn’t destroy my wallet. It was fairly priced and most things were taken care by my insurance.
Also a shout out to my favorite hygienist in the world, Sherry, thanks for keeping my teeth cleaned and keeping my smile bright. And to the wonderful office staff of Sean Stephen, DDS. Thank you!

Great experience here! My orthodontist is located in Orange County and I had a wire poking issue but didn’t want to make the 1.5 hour drive up north. I decided to come here after a bit of research on Unilocal.I came in early in the morning and the staff was very friendly and helpful! They took care of the issue in a minute or two and I was out and on my way. I would definitely recommend this dental office!

Beware. He will try to up sell you on Periodontal Deep Cleaning without making you aware of all of the additional maintenance requirements. It was presented to me as a 1-​time procedure that would improve my dental health, but it in reality it is a large financial commitment for years to come.
Here is what I found out after having the procedure. If you have deep cleaning you will be required to have 3 visits per year instead of 2 visits. A 3^rd visit is not covered by most insurance. You will no longer receive the regular cleanings you will now need periodontal maintenance. The periodontal maintenance cleanings are more expensive and not fully covered by most insurance.

I have been going to Dr. Stephens for about 5 years. Dr. Stephens does a great job of explaining everything step by step. It is very convenient to only have one dental office for all my needs. From braces to crowns, Dr. Stephens has you covered. I love his friendly staff and look forward to my visits.

Great experience… Lovely staff and very thorough.

Very friendly staff that definitely do their best to put patients at ease and it was the most thorough dental exam I have ever had. Dr. Stephens definitely goes the extra mile and makes a point to fully answer every question. He noticed a couple of problems that I have apparently had for years, but no other dentist ever even mentioned them to me. The dental hygienist was superior and it was the best cleaning I have ever experienced, despite the fact that it had been way, way too long since I last visited a dentist. If you hate going to the dentist or you’re looking for a new dentist, this is the place to go.

!:-)
This guy is the real deal. He and his staff have even found problems that a previous dentist supposedly fixed… You truly don’t know what you have until you’ve had better.
I’ve got a new dentist an I’m very pleased. Friendly, knowledgeable staff, fast and accomodating. What more could you want? Oh yeah, a trustworthy, skilled dentist! Well you’ve got that too! I switched over, and I’m glad I did.
I continue to have great experiences with Dr. Stephens, Jay and the crew. Thank you!!!
5 Woofs! As good as it gets.

The staff is really friendly, the Dr. is really friendly, and the atmosphere is relaxing (Well, as relaxing as a dentist’s office can be!).
No complaints here. The Dr. actually spent a lot of time with me and talked to me about his concerns — like he really cared. It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

…now months later, I come to find out that Dr. Stephens also charged me for an exam in January. Once of his reception people said they try to make sure to use up the exams that are allowed on the insurance. I guess it doesn’t matter whether the exam happened or not… cuz I certainly don’t remember an exam in January. So unethical… I can’t believe they get away with it.

I was recommended this place & didn’t have any other hints for a dentist in SD. I read some of the reviews and figured I’d give them a try.
I hadn’t been to the dentist in 3.5 years, so if you imagine… I was a little hesitant in going. I have been a few times now & the staff is spectacular, the dentist and hygienist knows what they are talking about. I got laser cleaning done & was super impressed.
Both Dr. Sean & Dr. Roy explained everything that was going to happen in each process. They answered all the questions I had. I work shift work and they got me in the schedule quickly… even changed a day-​off to accommodate me. I got a welcome patient letter, text-​message and email reminders of appointments and great tips on keeping up on my teeth.
I have a great dental plan, so I don’t pay much; otherwise not sure what their pricing is like comparable to other places.

Great dentist! Every single person on their staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They all make me laugh constantly which helps keep my mind off the fact that I am at a Dentist’s office. The hygienists there take great care with every cleaning and never hurt me!
I am a customer for life for sure!

Thanks so much Unilocalers for the spot on reviews of Dr. Stephens’ office. I have finally found a trustworthy, gentle and dependable dentist in the SD area. After an awful experience at a dentist in PB I was literally scared to try someone else.
Today I went in and was blown away. All of the staff are very friendly and helpful. The dentist himself (I was the younger Dr. Stephens) was incredible. He sat down with me for ten minutes to discuss my concerns, any questions, etc. After looking at xrays and doing some additional poking around he sat with me for another ten minutes to tell me all about what as going on, my options. etc. He took a conservative approach (to save me money) and then reviewed our plan for the next three months.
His technician was extremely gentle, checking in with me a ton to be sure I was comfortable and joked around with me throughout.
I cannot say enough about how wonderful this office is and if you are looking for a dentist in SD– GO HERE FIRST!!!

After three years sans dental insurance living as a dirty hippy in nor cal followed by a year in Spain, my teeth were suffering some serious neglect.
Papa T was kind enough to foot the bill for my first dental cleaning in nearly 5 years. Unfortunately, along with that cleaning came the reality that my gums were not going to stop bleeding on their own and that all the various toothaches I suffered were also a result of cavities and decay.
At this time I still had no dental insurance and was astounded at the $ 7,500.00 estimate. I decided to forget about the whole experience and hope for the best for my poor teeth.
Fast forward two years, I finally have dental insurance, my dreams are haunted with images of a toothless mouth and I actually have holes in two of my teeth.
After checking Unilocal,I headed to Dr. Stephen’s office. Everyone is incredibly friendly and managed to alleviate my anxiety which is not an easy task. I had a routine cleaning and x-​rays taken, the experience was easy as pie. I wasn’t ridiculed for the horrible state of my teeth and they explained everything as they did it.
Equipment is all very high tech and everyone working on your mouth dons a purple mask. Now, purple is my favorite color so that alone was great.
After my cleaning, I got the news on all the work that would be required. Surprisingly, their estimate was much lower, around $ 4,500 for 7 cavities, a root canal and a crown. My insurance covered $ 1,500 of that and I applied for a care credit card to cover the rest.
I spread my work apart over two separate visits and everything went smoothly, even the dreaded root canal.
I would recommend these dental offices to anyone seeking friendly, affordable and efficient dentistry.

I hate to be the first guy on here to write a bad review, but I had to bring to light the issues I experienced with this office. First of all, one time when I went to get my teeth cleaned, the hygenist was coughing all over everything! She had the sniffles and was obviously ill, but yet still came into work and wanted to clean my teeth. I immediately got up out of the chair and went to the front desk and they apologized and re-​assured me that it would be ok for her to clean my teeth, but I told them hell no, I’m not letting someone who is obviously sick anywhere near my mouth. In general out of 3 teeth cleanings, I had 1 good experience and 2 bad ones.
Secondly, they billed my insurance company for a 4 quad deep cleaning when they only deep cleaned the area where the arestin was placed in my perio pocket (in the upper left quad), so if anything, they should have billed for 1, not 4 quads of deep cleaning. Now my insurance company refuses to pay for another one for 2 years.
In general, I just never got a good vibe. I really thought Dr. Steven’s was nice, thorough, etc. but he was very confusing when he was explaining all my treatment options for orthodontia. I ended up getting Invisalign from another dentist, Dr. Stephens told me 24 months, and Dr. George in UTC did it in only 13 months! Another friend of mine has had his braces for almost 3 years with Dr. Stephens! Now I know all ortho cases are unique, but I would strongly recommend getting another opinion if you do choose Dr. Stephens for your ortho needs.
In terms of everything else, I have moved on to a new dentist, and haven’t looked back.

Like most people I hate the dentist… but Dr Stephens has been great and his staff is always able to work around my schedule. Truc the hygienist is great! I still don’t love going to the dentist but Dr Stephens makes it bearable… he is a super nice guy too!
My only gripe is parking… one needs a PhD in parking to park in the small spaces…

So, I haven’t been to a dentist for a cleaning in years. When I say years, I mean decades. Or, should I say, 1 decade. I don’t know why. I have no dentist phobia (which is good, considering how many other phobias I DO have). I love flossing and brushing my teeth; I love the sensation of running my tongue across clean, smooth teeth; I love exhaling and practically seeing the minty plume smoke out of my mouth. So, why haven’t I been to a dentist, you ask? I would say a big reason is the monetary one, though I have had exams + x-​rays (a cool 80 bucks) in the interim. In fact, none of the dentists I have seen for the one-​day-​stand exam have believed that it’s been so long since my last cleaning, I guess because I am so obsessive about oral sterility. I don’t want you guys to think I am falling apart at the seams, so I have to self-​aggrandize a bit, you know?
So, I join Unilocal.So, I search for dentists. So, I find Dr. Stephens and whoa, there are 11 reviews. One more than the number of years it has been since I have had an official cleaning. I take it as a sign. I call Dr. Stephens’ office. And I get Joe.
Joe is the type of guy who you inherently trust. He is straight forward, funny, informal, and I could imagine sharing a bartop with him shooting the shit about kids and families and the frickin’ heat while having a couple of longnecks. He gives estimates. He is frank about cosmetic dentistry: who it can help and who it can’t. And he stays on the phone with me for more than 30 seconds answering questions. That’s Joe. I was in.
So, I go to my initial appointment (exam, x-​rays). The elevator opens right into the office and there is a waiting room with leather chairs (and fabric ones, if you are a veg, like me) plus a fish tank. The receptionists smile their gorgeous smiles (great advertisement there) and greet me by name.
Joe himself takes my x-​rays and then Dr. Stephens, Sr. looks them over. He is thorough with my medical history. He makes a few jokes and sonic-​cleans the hell out of my teeth. They felt smooth, no they FELT sparkly clean. Joe then goes over an estimate for replacing some cracked silver fillings, lots of options with cost, time, and urgency in mind. I go for it all.
And it’s great! I had my follow-​up visit yesterday with Joe and Dr. Stephens, Jr. The hygienist was super attentive. She had some kind of precognition and knew precisely when I needed to suck on that spit-​collecting tube (no double-​entendre intended). Dr. Stephens was exactly as described: soft-​spoken, detail-​oriented, kind. By the time I left, the sun was almost setting. I had almost moved in. I came home with a numb bottom lip that felt the size of an inner tube and woke up this morning with teeth that definitely had a positive HEALTHY makeover. They make me smile more. PLUS, I still have money in the bank.
I look forward to going back to Drs. Stephens. Both of them and their staff are so not-​California-​superficial and so-​California-​laid-​back. This, from me, who has had several «initial exams» and never have been satisfied enough to go back twice.
Great job and thanks.

Typically I don’t trust dentists. They’re usually a little shifty. They like to stick you with needles and drill on your teeth. When they’re really shifty, they start talking about crowns and root canals. Or, God forbid, adult braces. Their hygienists are normally sadists in the disguise of a cute chick… smiling at you while drawing blood during a cleaning.
I don’t feel that way at Dr. Stephens office. Yeah, he says the same things all dentists do, but he’s helpful. He tries to get you to understand what is happening in your mouth. He is patient and will explain it three or four different ways so you can understand.
Dr. Stephens’ office is a bit of a throwback to the Miami Vice days, (purple and green never went well together did they?) but he totally makes up for it in the fact that he has all kinds of high-​tech gadgets at his disposal… the computer monitors, cameras and cleaning implements all around me while lying in that dentist’s chair, makes me feel like I’m in the cockpit of an X-​Wing Fighter, trying to destroy the Dark Side by wiping out plaque and gingivitis.
May the Force be with You. Oh, and go check out Dr. Stephens, he’s a really good dentist.
Yoda would approve.

I’ve been going to Dr. Sean Stephens DDS lo these past 6 years I’ve lived in SD. Sean is a second-​generation dentist. In fact, if your appointment is on Friday, you will likely be taken care of by his father, Dr. Roy Stephens. (Roy’s office is in La Mesa, but he works in Hillcrest on Fridays.)
Disclaimer: I have straight teeth and nary a cavity. I’ve gotten cleaning services and 2-​year checkups, but nothing more major.
The office is tucked away on 4^th Avenue in the «medical district» of Hillcrest. Located on the third floor of a 80’s stuccoed building, the elevator opens directly into the office.
Receptionists welcome you upon arrival. The dental hygienists (who clean teeth before dentist inspects) are chatty in a good way, and always offer the right dose of guilt about how I don’t floss often enough (I was reminded of my mom).
Office is kept up to date technologically (e.g. LCD displays visible to patients, your history is displayed on modern software). Dr. Stephens is knowledgeable and clearly keeps up with the latest technology and techniques. Both his and his father’s chairside manner is impeccable. I felt in good hands with both of these great doctors.
Upon leaving, you fill out a 6-​month postcard which they will mail to your future self. They always give you a great dental kit (travel size floss, new brush, etc.) which I find handy to use when traveling.
I think the office accepts most forms of insurance.
Parking is limited (literally 3 spots in the extremely tight parking lot), so plan to park along 4^th and bring some quarters for the meter.
If you gotta go to the dentist, these are the guys to see!