Warren Dotz, MD

Our whole family has been seeing Dr. Dotz for 25 years or more. He’s a fascinating individual but he is about doing a great job, not being «warm and fuzzy.». If you are fortunate enough to get into his practice, I highly recommend doing so.

Thanks Dr. Dotz, for being thorough, patient, and respectful! Your staff is great too.

Dr. Dotz saved my life. He found a mole, got it biopsied, found it was the bad kind (the kind that kills if you let it go). He referred me to Dr. Chow who saw me _​very_​quickly and took a divot out of my arm (no kidding around w/​melanoma). Came back saying they had gotten it all.
Bottom line is that Dr. Dotz fanatical attention to detail made the difference.

Pardon my gushiness.
With fair skin and some moles, I get annual checks or go if things look weird to me. I esp. like that:
* Dr. Dotz is very knowledgeable, and passionate about explaining things;
* he uses one of those hand-​held lights (Optical Coherence Tomography?) to help tell when something is just a routine cherry mole and reduce unnecessary biopsies;
* all the staff members are highly capable/​professional and have been there a good while.
I had a small (¹⁄₈ of pencil eraser?) thing that looked like a pimple with a bit of a scab on it. I didn’t remember well, but thought it was there for a while, not healing at the rate I expected and possibly rescabbing. It didn’t look like the scary «what to look for» photos, but I decided it was best to get it checked.
Dr. Dotz said the pattern of blood vessels he saw through his device looked suspicious. Since I wasn’t sure how long it was there, we reserved a biopsy date in case it didn’t go away quickly. I went back for biopsy and later for the results.
When it turned out to be cancerous, Dr. Dotz went well above the excellent level of care I would have even thought to expect. As usual, at every step, he thoroughly explained the possibilities, my options, his recommendations and his reasoning.
The following all happened on the day I went back for the biopsy results:
* I had basal cell carcinoma on my forehead, infiltrative type with possible perineural involvement indicating that it might be growing along a nerve (hopefully not reaching body parts I may someday have use for, such as my brain or eyes).
* He recommended Mohs type surgery (helps minimize how much extra skin has to be removed, and I think also better checks borders to hopefully get it all). He described the process so I’d have an idea of what to expect.
* He and his staff checked insurance possibilities for me (SFSU vs. Alta Bates). Dr. Dotz provided recommendations for a specific surgeon at each organization. He seems like a «tough grader» about what labs he sends to and who he recommends, so I highly value a recommendation from Dr. Dotz.
* He also gave recommendations about how quickly I should get the surgery in case one was scheduling too far out. Although the SFSU scheduling machinery was outside his control, he said he’d reach out to the non-​SFSU doc about expediting a consultation (Dr. Dotz called me personally, I believe that same evening or possibly the next day, to confirm that the doc he called could expedite a consult as early as the following weekday, and Dr. Dotz again checked in and asked if I have any questions).
Getting a skin cancer diagnosis is, um, stressful. Esp. not knowing how far the «roots» branch out underneath. But getting all this helpful information right away, and the quick consult with the surgeon, helped a lot.
I liked both surgeons after doing a consultation with each and getting their opinion. I opted for SFSU due primarily to insurance considerations and was happy with the decision (I suspect I would have been happy with either surgeon).
Dr. Dotz suggested I schedule a visit several weeks after. The stitch line/​scar runs vertically down the middle of my forehead, about 2 inches long, from hairline near widow’s peak to the space between the top of my eyebrows (they couldn’t give me a lightning bolt; I asked). I had asked the SFSU resident who removed my stitches (the doctor in charge of the surgery was out during Xmas week) about whether there is anything I could do to minimize scarring; the resident said no most confidently. When I visited Dr. Dotz, he summarized some research on silicone scar sheets and ointment (I believe vitaminE-​based) – he had a file folder of articles. I opted to try a silicone scar sheet (mostly at night) and occasionally used coconut oil. You can only see the scar if you look for it, and Dr. Dotz mentioned that the healing turned out better than he would have expected given my type of skin. I would have been fine if the scar was more visible, but it’s great that it healed so well.
My experience further highlighted that Dr. Dotz is committed to providing great care for his patients and puts in effort he really doesn’t have to. I appreciate his expertise in catching this early, his helpful recommendations and his thorough follow-​up.
I was also reminded that skin cancer on the face, aside from the cosmetic aspects, is especially bad because it’s close to brain and eyes and can travel (I was lucky that it hadn’t traveled further, given the complications if it reaches eyes or brain and the scary chemo/​radiation words I heard while we didn’t know how far it extended under the surface).
My takeaways:
* check out anything odd early – search on basal cell carcinoma pics and you’ll see that some really look like nothing
* sun protection is esp. important for the face
* I feel very lucky to have had help from Dr. Dotz and the folks at his office.

I’ve been seeing Dr. Dotz for over 30 years. He knows his stuff better than anyone else I’ve ever talked to. From plantars warts to possible cancers, I’ve not seen anything get past his eye. I always know I’m in good hands.

All my friends said I should get this thing on my back checked out, and they made an appointment for me with Dr Dotz. Once he saw what it was (some kind of basal-​mela –carci-​noma, or did he say it was squeamish), he acted pretty quickly to cut it out of me. He said something like, it’s maligned (I never spoke ill of it, but perhaps my friends did), but whatever, he’s the doctor and if he says it has to go, then it has to go.
He got out all kinds of tools, went to work on it, and I feel better. My friends who referred me said they saved me.
I’m not sure about that. Anyway I recommend this doctor.

I had been seeing Dr. Dotz for years until I recently changed dermatologists.
I could deal with Dr. Dotz’s direct and business-​like bedside manner. That was not truly an issue for me. My biggest complaint with Dr. Dotz was that he never viewed my skin as one complete system. He compartmentalized everything! If I was there for a cancer check, I had better not direct his attention to flaky toe fungus — that would require a separate appointment! Nevertheless, I kept seeing Doctor Dotz until the day my ophthalmologist said, «Well, people like you who have Roseacea often have eye involvement.» I had long suspected that I had Roseacea. Even as a child people always commented on my rosy cheeks. (Come on, we’ve all seen the commercials and read Wikipedia!!!) You would think that a «great» dermatologist like Dr. Dotz would have brought that up in one of my many, many, many regular skin checks, even if I had to come back in a separate appointment to discuss it further.

Dr. Dotz is the best dermatologist. He has caught potential trouble growths early. I have had growths removed. I recommend him highly.

As someone who has many risk factors for skin cancer, I wouldn’t go to anyone else. He took pictures of all my moles and then every 6 months checks my moles against the pictures for changes. He is very focused and I totally trust him when it comes cancer prevention and treatment.

Dr. Dotz has taken care of my entire family for years. He is knowledgeable, attentive and has taken good care of us. I like his staff as well; they are friendly and helpful.
For people who seek a doctor who is a hand holder, Dr. Dotz may not be a five star for that. But I like his quiet way and I do not need everyone I work with to ask after my pets and remember my birthday. He is personable and takes the time to be thorough. Dermatologists who rush risk overlooking problems. He does the job right. I give him five stars because of the quality of his work and the quality of the entire office.

Dr. Dotz,
Checks my dots,
Then burns them off
With liquid Ox!
Not warm and fuzzy
Not a romancer,
But keeps my dermis,
free of cancer!
Gives me tips
and good advice,
Is never mean
but always nice.
Been seeing him,
for ’bout 20 years
but he’s my Doctor
we don’t meet for beers.
What I’m tryin’ to say,
is I don’t get the haters,
perhaps they’re seeking…
A Doc who’s a dater!
Too bad you think
he’s let you down,
He happens to be
the best Dermo in town!
Yet there is one thing
thank makes me cranky,
It’s that he is
a fan of the Yankee.

Fantastic; thorough; great rapport; professional.

I believe Dotz to be thorough and capable, have used him for years and will continue to do so.
As reported, he is quirky and a bit awkward but, in his way, a warm guy who is on top of it. He believes he is good at what he does. That is fine with me.
He has ground rules that need to be reviewed to make the experience understandable. So what. The guy is trying to manage a health care business. Not an easy thing to do.
Obtaining health care is a mine field. Health care is expensive. Dotz’s explanations can frustrating (or a chuckle depending on your state of mind) but in the midst of it all is the information I need. Dotz is a good doc. He takes good care of his patients.
There are plenty of alternatives, I will continue to see Dotz and be glad to have him as an ongoing care provider.
B.D.

My husband and I have both been to Dr. Dotz. We were looking for a true dermatologist, not someone who wants to shoot Botox all day. I found him to be pleasant and that he takes his time with each patient. You do have to be an assertive patient to be heard sometimes.
My complaint is that Dr. Dotz requires two office visits for things that should take one visit. For instance, if you want a skin tag or mole removed, he requires one visit for a consult, and another visit for the procedure. Totally unnecessary. I’ve never had another derm require two visits for this. Additionally, he will only see you for one «issue» per visit. If you ask a question about something unrelated to the reason for your appointment, he will tell you to schedule another appointment. That’s twice the hassle (taking time off from work, etc) and twice the cost (co-​pays and office visit charges to insurance).
So while I have no complaints about him as a physician and quality of care, I don’t appreciate being milked for appointments.

A friend read my review of Dr. Dotz and sent me her own addendum:
Warren Dotz is a terrific advocate for his patients. As he navigates the increasingly complex maze of insurance, and he manages the «business «of practicing medicine, Dr. Dotz is never confused. He puts his patients’ health, well being, and peace of mind ahead of everything else.

I still don’t understand why there are any negative reviews for Dr. Dotz. I have now been coming to Dr. Dotz for over 22 years, I believe. I don’t go to doctors for their «bedside manner;» I am looking for their medical expertise. Dr. Dotz and I have a very good rapport. I even live in San Francisco with all my other doctors in the City; however, I’m not willing to give up Dr. Dotz even though an appointment takes me about 3 hours with all the driving, etc.
A negative review by someone who didn’t schedule an appointment correctly, yet complains, makes no sense to me; or came to the appointment with more problems that were scheduled to be seen by the Doctor. Patients like that are causing problems for not only the Doctor and his staff, but for the patients as well.
Dr. Dotz always lays out the different options concerning each issue at every visit. Due to constant skin issues, I am examined every 4 months. Our goal is to get it down to every 6 months. He has the best medical assistant I’ve ever run into (Maritas). Kelly at the front desk is always on top of things too.
Thank you all for the great care you provide to me.

After 2 years and reading through other reviews (both + and -) I felt it was time to make a real-​time update of my actual experiences with Dr. Dotz & his clinic.
He really is quite excellent in the way he has been treating me and my various skin-​specific issues since becoming his patient. I find him to be an excellent listener and he always seems to have time for my sometimes stupid questions; never rushing me out of his office but rather willing to spend the necessary time to address my concerns. He always gives me «my options» when dealing with a condition — whether «wait & see», immediate biopsy, or referral to another surgeon, or the optimum solution to nail something ASAP. I am a bit vein when it comes to scarring and he has always suggested the right solution to make sure I am happy with the outcome. His staff is really very efficient and wonderful to work with. I’ve had no problems getting appts. that fit MY schedule (as long as I can make them 2 weeks in advance)
I continue to highly recommend Dr. Dotz’s clinic if you’re in need of a regular Dermatologist. And take advantage of the free parking along the street just a block away.

I’m not going to lie, Dr. Dotz is socially awkward but compared to other dermatologists I’ve met recently, at least he isn’t condescending and is actually willing to spend the time talking to his patients when they have questions. The most I interacted with him was for my post-​college-​acne. He laid out all my options (from cheapest to most expensive… i.e., topical creams to Accutane) and fully answered all my questions. While at times it did seem like he was pushing Accutane on me, once he saw that hormonal contraceptives worked just fine, he seemed happy for me and didn’t pressure me to try other methods. When I told him I was moving to San Diego for grad school, he also seemed genuinely happy for me (I’ve had doctors react a little negatively because they feel they are losing a patient). He actually spent time talking to me about his favorite places in SD – it was actually the first ‘normal’ conversation we had. Maybe he just needs to NOT be discussing skin in order to be less awkward ;)
In terms of laser procedures, I definitely recommend him. When I was in high school, he got rid of a large red blemish on my skin (popped capillary? I don’t remember… but it was large and in charge). No scars, no pain. My father has also had a large facial mole removed by him several years ago and has never had any problems since.

I’ve seen Dr. Dotz for many years, and he has always been an exceptionally attentive Physician. His knowledge of Dermotological information is vast, as is his knowledge of my case.
I recommend him as highly as a dermatologist in the Oakland-​Berkeley area.

The One and Only time I saw Dr Dotz, it was because of some ugly growth on my chest. He walked in and starting lecturing me about he expects me to be a good patient and then asked «are you going to be a good patient?» (He never explained what a good patient was!).
He sat down and asked what the problem was I lifted up my shirt to show him. He just glanced at it (never examined it) and told me it was a third nipple and there was nothing I could do about it.
I then tried to ask him other questions and he dismissed me.
I went to the drug store bought some cortisone cream, rubbed it in and THE GROWTH WAS GONE IN A WEEK!
As a African American I am used to rude dismissive treatment by white doctors but this one was the worse.