Growing up in the Yakima Valley, I understand what it means to drive a ways for good healthcare. In a lot of rural communities, getting quality care means getting in the car and making a trip. That is just the reality.
We see a lot of patients who make the drive from Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ronald, Easton, Snoqualmie Pass, and Vantage down to our Ellensburg office. I do not take that for granted. When someone drives 30 or 40 minutes to see you, you want to make sure it is worth it.
Why people from the upper valley come to us
The upper Kittitas Valley is a special part of Washington. It is also a part of the state where comprehensive dental care can be hard to find locally. Some patients have a family dentist closer to home for cleanings, but they come to us for specific procedures their regular office does not offer. Others have just decided to consolidate everything under one roof.
What we hear most often:
We offer a wider range of services than smaller offices. Implants, Invisalign, veneers, and other treatments often require referrals at smaller practices. We do most of it in-house.
Our scheduling is flexible. Patients driving in from Cle Elum or Roslyn often appreciate longer appointment blocks so they can get more done in a single trip. We try to accommodate that.
We are bilingual. Our team speaks both English and Spanish, which matters for a lot of families in this part of Washington.
We take the time. I do not run a high-volume practice where you are in and out in 20 minutes. I want to actually look at your mouth, talk through what I am seeing, and answer your questions.
What we offer that makes the drive worthwhile
We offer a full range of dental services under one roof:
Routine care. Cleanings, exams, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants for kids.
Restorative work. Fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, partial dentures.
Implant dentistry. Single tooth implants, multiple implants, and full-arch solutions. (You can read more about the implant process in our post on dental implants in Ellensburg.)
Cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers, professional whitening, and bonding.
Orthodontics. Invisalign clear aligner treatment for adults and teens.
Periodontal care. Treatment for gum disease, including scaling and root planing.
Emergency dental care. Same-day appointments for urgent issues whenever possible.
Care for kids. We see patients of all ages, from first dental visits through high school and beyond.
For most patients, this means you do not need to be referred somewhere else for specialty work. We handle it here, and we know your case from start to finish.
Planning your visit from the upper valley
I-90 makes the drive from Cle Elum to Ellensburg straightforward. From most parts of the upper valley, you are looking at 25 to 40 minutes depending on weather and traffic.
A few things to consider when you are scheduling:
Combine appointments when you can. If you are due for a cleaning and also want to talk about a cosmetic concern, we can do both in one visit. Just let us know when you call so we book the right amount of time.
Bring your records. If you are coming from another dentist, having your previous X-rays and records on hand speeds up your first visit. Most offices will email them to us if you call ahead.
Plan for the season. Winter driving over and around the passes can be unpredictable. We have flexible rescheduling for weather. Just give us a call.
Bring family members. We see entire families. If you are making the drive from Roslyn or Cle Elum, bringing kids in for their cleanings on the same day makes the trip more efficient.
Insurance and payment
We work with most major insurance plans. If you are not sure whether we are in-network with your insurance, call us before your appointment and we will check.
For patients without insurance, we have payment options. We can also prioritize treatment, doing the most urgent work first and spreading less urgent work over multiple visits to make it more affordable.
We are transparent about costs. Before any treatment beyond a routine cleaning and exam, we will go over what it costs, what insurance covers, and what your out-of-pocket will be. No surprises at checkout.
What to expect at your first visit
If you are new to our practice, your first visit usually involves:
Paperwork or online forms. We will email you intake forms ahead of time so you can fill them out at home and not lose time at the office.
A comprehensive exam. I look at your teeth, gums, bite, and oral tissues. I check existing dental work to see if anything needs attention. I screen for oral cancer.
X-rays. Usually a full set if it has been a while since your last X-rays, or just bitewings if you have recent ones.
A cleaning. Either a regular prophylactic cleaning or, if there is significant buildup or gum issues, a more thorough deep cleaning.
A discussion of findings. We will go through what I see, what is healthy, what needs attention, and what your options are. You will leave with a clear understanding of where things stand.
Most first visits run about 90 minutes. Follow-up visits, like routine cleanings, are typically 45 minutes to an hour.
Joining our practice
If you are in the upper Kittitas Valley and looking for a dentist you can count on, give us a call at (509) 933-3300. We would be glad to get you set up as a new patient. We schedule weeks ahead, but for new patients we usually have flexibility within two to three weeks.
Bring your insurance card and a list of any medications you are taking. Otherwise, just show up and we will take care of the rest.
Related reading: A dentist who grew up here, Thinking about dental implants in Ellensburg, How often should you actually get your teeth cleaned.