I’ve practiced general dentistry in Seattle for over two decades, and I opened Keystone Dental in University District because I wanted a practice that reflects how I think dental care should work: straightforward, patient-centered, and built around long-term relationships rather than treatment quotas.
University District has a particular rhythm. It’s residential but not quiet. People here tend to walk or bike more than drive. Families share blocks with graduate students. Schedules are full but not always rigid. That influences how we run the practice. We don’t overbook. We don’t rush. And we don’t assume everyone’s situation is the same.
I’m a general dentist, which means I handle the full scope of everyday dental needs—cleanings, fillings, crowns, extractions, root canals, and preventive care. I also treat families, so I see patients from age three to ninety-three. That range matters because it keeps me thinking about dentistry across a lifetime, not just one appointment at a time.
My clinical approach is conservative. If a tooth doesn’t need treatment, I don’t treat it. If there are multiple ways to solve a problem, I explain the options and let you decide what makes sense for your situation. I’m not interested in selling dentistry. I’m interested in helping people keep their teeth healthy and functional for as long as possible.
That doesn’t mean I avoid necessary work. It means I don’t recommend things I wouldn’t do for myself or my own family.
As a family dentist in University District, we provide general dentistry services that cover most of what people need over the course of their lives:
We don’t do cosmetic-focused procedures like veneers or Invisalign. We refer those cases to specialists we trust. Our focus is clinical dentistry—diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental disease.
New patients start with a comprehensive exam. I look at your teeth, gums, bite, and jaw. We take necessary X-rays. I ask about your health history, medications, and any concerns you’ve noticed. Then we talk through what I found and what, if anything, needs attention.
If treatment is needed, we discuss timing, cost, and options. I don’t pressure anyone into same-day decisions, especially for larger cases. Some patients want to think it over. Some want to check their insurance details. That’s normal and expected.
For routine cleanings and checkups, most appointments run about an hour. We’re not running late because we don’t stack appointments back-to-back. If something takes longer than planned, we adjust rather than cut corners.
Our office is small. You won’t see a rotating cast of associate dentists. You’ll see me. Continuity matters in dental care. I remember your history, your concerns, and what we talked about last time. That makes every visit more efficient and more personalized.
We’re located within walking distance of the UW campus, along the Ave, and near residential streets that run toward Ravenna and Wallingford. If you’re coming by car, there’s street parking nearby. If you bike, we have space to lock up.
We see patients Monday through Thursday. I don’t practice on Fridays because I think both patients and staff benefit from a predictable schedule that allows time to recharge. It also means we’re never overbooked or scrambling to fit people in.
Scheduling is flexible. We have morning, midday, and late-afternoon slots. If you need to come in during a work break or after picking up kids from school, we can usually make that work.
We accept most major dental insurance plans and will verify your benefits before you come in. If you don’t have insurance, we’re upfront about costs before any work begins. No surprises.
I built Keystone Dental to be a place where people can receive consistent dental care over years, not just show up when something hurts. Preventive care works. Regular exams catch problems early. And small fixes are easier, cheaper, and less invasive than large ones.
That said, I understand that not everyone has the same access to care or the same health priorities. I don’t lecture patients who’ve gone years without seeing a dentist in University District. I just focus on what we can do now and how to move forward.
Good dentistry is about partnership. I bring clinical skill and experience. You bring honesty about your symptoms, your goals, and your limitations. Together, we figure out a plan that works.
If you’re looking for a general dentist in University District who practices medicine—not marketing—and values clarity over salesmanship, I’d be glad to meet you. Call our office or request an appointment online. We’ll get you scheduled and go from there.
