North County’s Leading Otolaryngology Specialist
Stephen Dent M.D. is a board certified Otolaryngologist specializing in the medical and surgical treatment of child and adult ear, nose and throat disorders. He and his staff are dedicated to bringing you quality and compassionate medical care.
Allergy Treatments
Millions of Americans suffer from allergies. An allergy is a hypersensitivity disorder of the immune system. Symptoms of allergies include itchy and watery eyes. It can also produce sneezing, stuffy nose, runny nose, scratchy throat and hives, commonly known as hay fever.
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Custom Ear Plugs
Hearing loss affects more than 15% of adults in the United States age 18 and older. The loss may be caused by genetics, infections, autoimmune disorders, or ototoxic medications, but the most preventable cause of hearing loss is excessive noise exposure. By wearing earplugs for hearing protection outside sound can be reduced to safe levels.
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Hearing Aid Program
At Dent MD, we believe that your hearing is vital to your quality of life. Our role as members of your care team is to help you learn about your hearing ability, identify what interferes with you hearing as well as possible, and offer you the best medical, surgical, and rehabilitative options to improve your hearing health. Schedule a complimentary hearing aid consultation today!
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Thyroid & Neck In-Office Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a safe imaging tool used for diagnosing lumps or bumps under the skin or in the neck. The use of medical ultrasound began in United States in the early 1960’s. More recently the smaller size and reduced cost of ultrasound machines has allowed more widespread office based use.
Learn MoreSinus Pain? Get Relief Now with Balloon Sinuplasty
Latest News from the Office of Stephen Dent, MD
Dr. Dent Treats Sleep Apnea
As North County’s leading Otolaryngologist, Stephen Dent MD treats a wide range of conditions—including sleep apnea. Otolaryngologists have specialized training involving diseases and medical conditions […]
Spring Surfing Season and Surfer’s Ear
Spring is known to bring both North and South Pacific swells, which is great for beach-breaks. The season also brings some very powerful northwest wind […]
What Is Meniere’s Disease?
Meniere’s disease, also known as idiopathic endolymphatic hydrops, is one of the most common causes of dizziness originating in the inner ear. In most cases […]
Our Happy Patients
Kimberly C. Oceanside
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.
Greg Ward
Carol Butler, Dr. Dent's NP got me off to a good start to determine what may be causing issues with my hearing based on my sinuses. I'm looking forward to continuing with Dr. Dent and his staff to find a cause and appropriate treatment options.
t so
Dr Dent treated my surfer's ear. He was professional and educated me on how to prevent my condition from returning. I hope I never have to go through it again, but if I did I would definitely see Dr Dent.
Patrick L. San Marcos
Yelp ReviewIf you want to get rid of your allergies go to Dr. Dent. The testing was easy, the oral drops are easy, in a matter of weeks my allergy attacks were gone. I used to have terrible allergy attacks that lasted for hours. None of the over the counter stuff worked. I also had surfer's ear for over 40 years. Dr. Dent did my left ear and got me back out in the water in about 6 weeks. Amazing, I'm telling all my surfer friends. I get my right ear done when I get back from Cabo;)
T C. San Marcos
I've been to numerous ENTs in the past (and I mean A LOT!) and I have had the absolute best experience with Dr. Dent and his office. He really listens and takes time to get to know me and my personal symptoms and ear issues. He is thorough and extremely smart, investigating conditions and really working with me to help find a cure for my issue. I am so grateful I found Dr. Dent!
Carol B. Carlsbad
Dr. Dent is very thorough, considerate, and knowledgeable. This was my second visit and his entire staff is very understanding and complete in analyzing and correcting the problem. I am so happy I found this facility!
Ann G. Oceanside
I was referred to Dr. Dent, by another one of my doctors, for a surgical procedure. Like one reviewer states, (There just isn't enough good things to say about Dr. Dent.) I found him to be compassionate, a great listener, calming when you're feeling anxious, very thorough and simply an "Outstanding" doctor. Thank you doc. Dent, and thank you for going to med. school.
Our Team
Stephen Dent M.D.
Stephen Dent M.D.
Dr. Dent attended Texas A&M University and received a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering. He went on to obtain his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch. After completing General Surgery Internship at University of California Davis he finished his specialty residency training in Otolaryngology at the University of California San Diego. He then moved to Encinitas and opened a private otolaryngology practice. Dr. Dent is a board certified Otolaryngologist. He is a current member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, San Diego County Medical Society and the California Medical Society. Dr. Dent is Chief of Otolaryngology at Scripps Memorial Hospital of Encinitas. He is credentialed at Scripps La Jolla and several outpatient surgery centers: Carlsbad Surgery Center and Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center. Dr. Dent has been living in San Diego for eight years. He enjoys the atmosphere of coastal North County and is very happy to serve this community. In his free time he enjoys deep sea fishing, beach volleyball and spending time with family and friends.
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Jacob Husseman M.D.
Jacob Husseman M.D.
Dr. Husseman is transitioning from his position at UC San Diego Health where he maintained an exceptionally busy clinical practice since 2011. His role at UCSD also included a significant component of teaching. Dr. Husseman was the primary resource for the resident trainees to help guide them in the evaluation and management of many unusual and/or complicated patients at the Hillcrest campus, a tertiary referral hospital and level one trauma center. For his efforts, the residents awarded him the Terence Davidson Memorial Teaching Award in just his second year on the faculty. He was also an integral component of the medical school, serving as the director of three different clinical rotations for third and fourth year medical students. Dr. Husseman has been active in many scholarly activities with over 20 peer reviewed publications and multiple presentations at national academic meetings. Altogether, these efforts were recognized with a recent promotion to the level of Associate Professor.
Dr. Husseman completed his Otolaryngology residency at UC San Diego. This included a T32 award to complete a dedicated year of research during which he worked in Dr. Allen Ryan’s lab investigating growth factors of inner ear nerve cells. Upon graduation, he completed a fellowship in Neurotology at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, Australia. This busy program included training in skull base neurotology, cochlear implantation, and management of chronic ear disease. His undergraduate degree was completed at Stanford University, followed by medical school at the University of Washington.
His time at UC San Diego provided a tremendous breadth of clinical experience that Dr. Husseman is excited to bring to the practice. He continues to enjoy all aspects of Otolaryngology, from meticulous work under the microscope, to removing large thyroid goiters. However, Dr. Husseman has found that establishing enduring and meaningful patient relationships provides the greatest job satisfaction. Outside of work, he also finds great joy in staying active with his wife and three children in the Poway area.
Gail Hubbard, Au. D.
Audiologist
Gail Hubbard, Au. D.
Audiologist
Gail Hubbard has more than 40 years experience working with all ages and all types of hearing loss. She was a staff audiologist at Bexar County Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, before moving to California in 1970. Since then, Dr. Hubbard has taught hearing impaired children and adults in the public schools, provided clinical audiology services for physicians, was manager of Audiology at Children’s Hospital (now Rady’s) in San Diego, and owned and operated two hearing aid offices in San Diego and Imperial counties. She was appointed by the Governor to serve on two committees within the Department of Consumer Affairs—the Audiology Licensing Committee and the Hearing Aid Dispensers Committee. “Helping others improve their quality of life by finding the best solution for their hearing loss is my passion.”
Bret Noland
Physician Assistant
Bret Noland
Physician Assistant
Mr. Bret Noland is originally from the San Diego area. He started his medical career early on as a respiratory therapist. Gaining knowledge regarding the pulmonary system, and his drive to learn more, he eventually decided to further his career as a physician assistant He graduated from Riverside Community College in 2009 and is a nationally board-certified Physician Assistant He is also an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. Prior to working with Dr. Dent, Bret spent several years working for a private pain management practice. His interests in Otolaryngology include sleep medicine, sinus disease, allergy and diseases of the ear.
“Every individual is unique and so is your ENT problem. It is my personal goal to provide you with prompt service in a courteous and knowledgeable environment”.
Jennifer Price
Physician Assistant
Jennifer Price
Physician Assistant
Jennifer Price attended University of Iowa where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training. She then proceeded to attend Stanford University's physician assistant program and, in the meantime, received a Masters of Medical Science degree from Saint Francis University.
While pursuing her dreams of becoming a physician assistant, she gained her clinical experience by working at Dr. Dent's office as a medical assistant. Jenn enjoyed the practice so much she decided to return, now as a provider, and we are excited to have her back.
Jenn enjoys pretty much any outdoor activity. She and her husband, Nick, reside in San Diego and love to travel. They are proud owners of a goldendoodle puppy named Charley.
Jenn is a member of the San Diego Physician Assistant Society, California Academy of Physician Assistants, the Society of Physician Assistants in Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery and the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery.
Dr. Kristin Woods
Audiologist
Dr. Kristin Woods
Audiologist
Dr. Kristin Woods (aka Cowart) is fully licensed by the state of California to provide comprehensive audiological services. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Colorado State University (Cum Laude), and was awarded her Doctorate of Audiology by the joint doctoral program of University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University in 2007.
Dr. Woods' prior clinical experiences at the Veteran's Administration Hospital, San Diego, and in private practices with otolaryngologists in both Northern and Southern California, have equipped her with thorough knowledge in pediatric and adult audiology. She is also helping to educate the next generation of audiologists by supervising Audiology Doctoral students at the San Diego State University Communications Clinic. Kristin has always been interested in helping others, and has found the field of audiology to be the perfect combination of science, technology, counseling, and human services.
She has special interests in:
- Advanced diagnostics
- Auditory Evoked potentials
- Counseling
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Hearing Rehabilitation
Dr. Woods has previously contributed to original research in the field of audiology, and co-authored a publication in the International Journal of Audiology. She is a member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) and the California Academy of Audiology (CAA)