Santa Monica Bay Dental

I just switched dentists to Santa Monica Bay Dental and I can’t say enough good things about the staff and facilities. This place is fantastic.

I don’t write Unilocal reviews… I always intend to and then don’t get around to it. Not this time.
A bit of background:
I moved to Santa Monica a few years back and was in search of a new dentist. I have veneers and needed to ensure that whoever my new dentist would be, they would take care of my investment. My wife and I started going to Dr. Feist and her team (I think she was a referral).
They are EXTREMELY professional, courteous and punctual. We’re going on year 4 with them with no plans to change. The office is IMMACULATE and tastefully (no pun intended) decorated.
The reasons I am writing this:
1) I broke a veneer yesterday mindlessly chomping on an olive. Not fun. I called first thing this morning. They are able to see me tomorrow morning even though Dr. Feist has jury duty. I TRULY appreciate their willingness to accommodate.
2) The online /​digital /​personal appointment reminders they provide are top notch. I can always count on the office to connect with me to ensure that I am aware of an upcoming appointment.
3) Personality goes a long way. The office culture is exceptional. From ownership across to front desk. Superb and truly appreciated.

Getting my teeth cleaned at Santa Monica Bay Dental is great. They have always been on time, so there is not waiting and the hygienist is fast and effective.

This is kind of SUPER SERVICE you can imagine. It was a pleasure to b patient at this dentistry. Dr. Feist is professional and great communicator. 5+++

OK, let’s be real here: no one ever says «I LOVE THE DENTIST!» the way that they say they love pizza, love a day spa, love a nice hotel. But imagine that you had a dentist who was really nice, who remembered your name and things about your life every 6 months when you saw him, and who took away that usual «dentist panic» that you’ve had your whole life. Not through any kind of magic or hypnosis or trickery, just by being pleasant, telling you what he’s doing, and explaining how stuff works. That’s Dr. Lent & the hygienists in this office.
My intro to Dr Lent was in 2011: I was new to L.A., lived nearby, and suddenly needed 3 crowns all at once. I was dreading it, figuring it was going to be torturous and painful… but you know what? It wasn’t at all. He explained what each phase was, takes pics along the way so you can see what he did, and he said several times that there’s no reason to feel any pain when you see a dentist. And who doesn’t love pain-​free dentistry? So I’ve been back every 6 months and I love that I always have the same hygienist (who remembers everything you talked about 6 months ago) and that it’s just a really easy, pain-​free, panic-​free checkup or filling. And I did see Dr. Feist once a couple years ago and she was great as well. This isn’t the scary dentistry you remember from your childhood: these are really nice, engaged, and conscientious people who like what they do. And it shows.
So while they’re not as awesome as pizza or nice hotels or dayspas, they’re a close 2^nd. I don’t get scared before going to the dentist anymore and that’s kind of a miracle.

I had a fantastic first visit experience at Santa Monica Bay Dental. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. I had Dr. Feist for my dentist, and she did a great job explaining everything to me. Most dentists will tell you just enough (in response to your questions) to get you out of the chair, but it’s clear to me that Dr. Feist is passionate about dentistry… she could barely contain it and if I wanted, I feel like she would have given me a half hour lesson on whatever questions I had. She’s a great dentist and I’m thankful to Unilocal for alerting me to it.
Scott is there at the end for the check out process, and he helped explain the insurance situation in a way that made more sense to me. He also gave some great advice in how to get the most bang for the buck in terms of the timing of my dental care.
In short, they are friendly, professional, and good at what they do. I’ll definitely be back.

I’ve been going to Dr. Roger Lent for 20+ years and he has never let me down. He is a genius. He always communicates my options in a clear and concise manner and whatever I choose he’s always on point. His office is contemporary, friendly, and professional. And I really love how he’s always kept up with the latest technology. This is a first class pro dentist office!

Pleasant, professional, informative and state of the art. Best dentist I’ve ever been to.

I have suffered from a 28 year long full on phobia of going to the dentist stemming from a horrific Marathon Man type experience in my teens during a tooth extraction In London.
But then, I found the amazing and beautiful Dr. Shafi and she drugged me up to the eyeballs, sweetly probed me, drilled me with kindness and eventually made me her (very willing) dental patient bitch.
I love this woman. And it’s not just the halcion talking…
Santa Monica bay dental is the best place ever for anyone with a dislike or fear of dentists, it’s filled with the kindnesses, sweetest, most gentle and amazing dentists, nurses and reception staff. Special shout out to Dr Feist too – she rocks my world and was totally non-​judgemental about the fact I hadnt set foot inside a dentist’s office in over ten years…
In summary, I want to marry Santa Monica Bay Dental – they are that damn good…

Just had my first visit with Santa Monica Bay Dental. I met with Dr. Brett Lent. He has a positive attitude, didn’t push anything on me that wasn’t immediately necessary. He did explain the possibilities that exist to enhance the state of my teeth. He seems to be very knowledgable of new developments and new research in dentistry. I had not been to the dentist in 3 years. Hygienist Kelly was very meticulous and patient, worked on me for an hour, gave me a top notch cleaning and discussed new developments in ongoing care. Scott and the front desk team seem very happy to be there. Everyone works together well. Scott even fed my meter for me since I was there 2 ½ hours. I’m so glad to have found a great dentist in Santa Monica!

To enter the dental office is to become a part of a wonderful team. Everyone I spoke with was warm and welcoming. Dr. Lent is an outstanding dentist, very knowledgable and kind. I’ve found my dentist of life thanks to Dr. Lent and his remarkable staff.

Beware of Dr. Brett Lent. Run, do NOT walk, to get a second opinion! By this dentist’s recommendation, I was told I need over $ 12,000.00 in dental services. Not only did he want me to get SEVEN unnecessary crowns, but, with a straight face told me I may need braces! I am well into adulthood and have never been told I need braces. He does’t do braces but will happily refer you to an orthodontist who does, with all the kickbacks that come with this of course, at costs of more than $ 6,000 on the low end. I did get a second opinion and only needed one crown for a total of $ 767.00 and an opinion that getting braces was ludicrous. By going elsewhere I saved more than $ 20,000. If you have money to burn, by all means put your trust in Dr. Brett Lent but I do hope you second guess anything he tells you.

I have been a patient of Dr. Sahar Shafi, who recently began working out of this office. The staff is simply amazing to work with. Dr. Shafi is an incredible surgeon. Before the actual work started with me, she was thorough and clear in communicating the process and managing my expectations. During the procedure, she kept me in the loop about what she was working through at the time, while training and educating her dental assistant. Dr. Shafi did an incredible job during and after the surgery. I salute her and the team at SMBD!

Sadistic and Incompetent Dentistry
Short Story:
Obvious symptoms of a root canal issue escaped the attention of these two dentists for 3 weeks. Dr. Lent went ahead and crowned a molar that was giving me extreme agony.
Dr. Bret Lent refused a simple RX for Tylenol & codeine after 3 weeks of mind blowing pain. I didn’t ask for painkillers until I was in constant pain for 2 weeks. Why refuse to relieve the pain of a patient you’ve had for years? Bret Lent is a sadist.
You’ve been warned.
The Details:
I inherited Dr. Bret Lent when he purchased the practice of Dr. Dorr, my wonderful dentist who finally retired. I had several procedures over the years with Dr. Lent and I was completely satisfied all around with everything. No issues ever. Until now.
I decided to go to Dr. Lent for a check-​up before leaving the country for 2 years. I didn’t have any pain or other concerns, it was just a check up before leaving for 2 years. (I got a job in the South Pacific.)
He recommended replacing two large fillings with crowns (Upper and Lower back left molars.) We proceeded with drilling, etc.
I had a huge amount of pain right away. The inside of my cheek was absolutely torn apart and the upper temporary was rough and sharp, aggravating the ulcerated tissue. I went back (they could only get me in 4 days later) and Dr. Lent’s dad fixed the rough, sharp temporary crown.
There was massive pain on the lower tooth, so bad that I could not eat at all for days, and when I finally had to eat something it was scrambled eggs that I could only suck down, not chew. I was in tears constantly from the pain. They knew this at the office. They all apologized a lot and asked me if I had tried Advil. Dr. Lent was on vacation (Staycation, he was at home.) and his partner, Dr. Feist attempted to numb me to place the crowns. No issue with the upper crown — done — but she couldn’t get my jaw numb and the crown didn’t fit anyway. She took a new impression and I was left in level 9 — 10 pain for another 10 days (it had already been 8 days.)
I was a wreck from so much pain for so long. Many more apologies and suggestions to take some Advil. Finally I asked for some Vicodin. Dr. Feist said okay, but then I got a call back that they don’t have the right kind of prescription pads. What dentist doesn’t have a prescription pad? Dr. Feist called me back, more apologies, and said she could call in Tylenol & codeine. Finally, I could eat something — this process had given me good 2+ weeks of pain, hunger and tears.
I went back a week later and Dr. Lent placed the bottom crown. It really hurt, even while I was numb. I asked for another Rx to keep on hand just in case things flared up again. Dr. Lent refused, telling me that this was different, try some Advil and Tylenol. Fine. I’m reasonable, sounds plausible.
I waited 2 full days after the placement of that crown and was still in excruciating pain. I called the office, left a message and the front desk people gave me a message from DRs. Lent & Feist that came down to: «No way, no how, you’re not getting any Tylenol with codeine again.» I cried. I begged. They got back to me telling me to go to an Endodontist.
I have an Endodontist who scheduled me for the following day. I called Dr. Lent’s office to get an RX to get me through the next 2 days. He said no. Take some Advil. I finally lost it, told the front office that Lent was a sadist and I hung up on them.
Today I had my root canal. My Endodontist, Dr. Mahrouz Cohen, is awesome and she wrote me an Rx for pain killers until my appointment with her. She couldn’t understand why Lent wouldn’t help me out of my pain, either. She asked several times what his name was and where his practice was, so I’ll let her warn others about him. (Dr. Cohen authored a scholarly paper on how not to crack porcelain when drilling through a crown to do a root canal. So my brand new crown wasn’t destroyed.)
How can such obvious symptoms of a root canal issue escape the attention of these two dentist for 3 weeks?
What is up with refusing a simple RX for Tylenol & codeine? I’m not asking for crack, heroin or Oxy. Why refuse to relieve the pain of a patient you’ve had for years?
The Better Business Bureau will be copied on this.
Consider yourselves warned.
PS: During my first visit Dr. Lent tried to shake me down for an extra $ 100, telling me there would be a «Rush Charge» from the lab to do the crowns. I said, «Don’t rush it then. I’ll wait.» A few minutes later he said, «I was wrong. The rush charge is $ 50.» I said, «That’s okay. I can wait.» The he said, «Oh, forget it. I’ll just eat it! I’ll just eat it!»
That’s when I should have walked out the door…

This place makes it less crappy to have to go to the dentist. Dr. Feist is super pleasant and is always smiling. The office is super nice and they always offer you water upon arrival and send you off with a care package of stuff. They’re also extremely organized and I never have to wait more than a minute to see the hygienist. Can’t recommend enough!

Outstanding Work. Caring Team.
The entire crew at Santa Monica Bay Dental is consistently professional, thorough, and friendly, and the office atmosphere is beautiful and calm. I’ve had considerable restorative work done here and I could not be more pleased with the top-​quality craft, and a truly caring Team.

I’ve been going to this dental group for 15 years. Always great care, modern and professional with no up-​selling. I use them for regular cleanings and they have done two crowns for me. Minimal discomfort and no problems. I trust them 100%.

Best dental office in town! Office was bright, clean and had great views. Staff was energetic and warm. Dr Lent was patient and answers all my questions after his checkup and left me in the hands of Mackenzie — the best hygienist ever.
Thanks!!!

The best! Legit the best… I’m from Ohio and this dentist has the home town feel. You can trust these people, always go a conservative route with their procedures. Just awesome

Whether you are orally gifted and never get cavities or you’re like me and require magicians just to keep your smile from falling out, Dr. Feist is the solution. Its been 6 years with Dr. Feist and I can say with sincerity that it has been a pleasure!
Best work I’ve ever had done, and I’ve had everyone and their sister in my mouth. But more importantly, its an incredibly fun atmosphere which I daresay you have never heard before with regards to a dentist.
Do your mouth a favor and switch your bi-​yearly checkups to Dr. Feist.