Tacoma General Dentist
People first. Teeth second.
Nothing you don't need.
260+ 5-star reviews
At Dentistry NW in Tacoma, Dr. Karl Smith, DDS, provides general dentistry, including cleanings, exams, fillings, crowns, and root canals. Serving Tacoma, Fircrest, and University Place since 2002, with weekday appointments from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
You see the x-rays,
then you decide
Dr. Smith tells you what needs attention now and what can wait, and he shows you the x-rays either way. Dentistry NW has followed a no-upsell policy since the beginning, so your plan holds only what your teeth need.
Careful work and no add-ons you didn't ask for are how Dentistry NW offers premium dentistry at an affordable cost.
Since 2002: Dentistry NW has cared for Tacoma families for more than 20 years, and patients who started here now bring their kids.
60 to 90 minutes: your first visit opens with about 20 minutes of conversation before the exam, x-rays, and cleaning begin.
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.: the office is open Monday through Friday, so checkups fit before or after work.
General dentistry services at Dentistry NW
Dentistry NW handles your everyday dental care in one Tacoma office, from your six-month cleaning to a crown. You can see every treatment the practice offers on the services page.
Your first visit, start to finish
Your first appointment at Dentistry NW is a comprehensive visit, not a rushed intake, and it takes about 60 to 90 minutes. Here's what happens, in order:
Every new patient also takes home a Smilebox Welcome Kit with a Dentistry NW mug and dental care essentials. You'll find patient forms and what to bring on the New Patients page.
- 1
A conversation about what you've noticed and what you want for your teeth
- 2
A comprehensive exam with Dr. Smith
- 3
Full-mouth x-rays with low-radiation handheld units
- 4
A professional cleaning
- 5
A summary of what needs attention now and what can wait
Comfortable visits, at your pace
Dentistry NW offers nitrous oxide, which wears off quickly, and oral sedation options that Dr. Smith discusses with you first. The team paces your appointment around your comfort, with neck and leg pillows and warm blankets on hand.
Nitrous oxide that wears off quickly
Oral sedation options, discussed with Dr. Smith first
Neck and leg pillows
Warm blankets on hand
Appointments paced around your comfort
Haven't seen a dentist in years? Gaps in care are common, and nobody here will make you feel bad about yours.
Your dentist, Dr. Karl Smith
Dr. Karl Smith, DDS, has practiced dentistry for more than 20 years and has led Dentistry NW since 2012. He's a past President of the Pierce County Dental Society and keeps training through the Spear Study Club. You can meet Dr. Smith and the team before your visit.
Paying for your care
Dentistry NW works on a fee-for-service model, so the clinical conversation stays between you and Dr. Smith, about what your teeth need. Dr. Smith walks you through your plan before any treatment starts.
CareCredit and Cherry let you spread your cost over time. See the financing options for details.
In network
What Dentistry NW patients say
260+
5-star reviews
"Very kind and compassionate. They emphasize pain and anxiety management, take their time, and explain the plan, cost, and potential complications thoroughly."
"Dentistry NW is hands-down the best dental care I've had. They are professional, friendly, and make me feel like family."
"The entire experience was top notch and redefined what going to the dentist should feel like. I felt welcome, cared for, and much less nervous about my next visit."
Tacoma general dentist
FAQs
What does a general dentist do?
A general dentist provides the everyday care that keeps your teeth and gums healthy: cleanings, exams, x-rays, fillings, crowns, root canals, and extractions. As a Tacoma general dentist, Dr. Karl Smith, DDS, provides that care for children and adults at Dentistry NW. For cases that need a specialist, he coordinates directly with Tacoma-area specialists he's worked with for years.
How much does a dental visit cost at Dentistry NW?
Your cost depends on the care your teeth need, and Dr. Smith walks you through your plan before any treatment starts. Dentistry NW works on a fee-for-service model and is in network with Delta Dental. The office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards, and offers CareCredit and Cherry financing.
How long does the first appointment take?
Your first appointment at Dentistry NW takes about 60 to 90 minutes. That time covers a conversation about your goals, a comprehensive exam with Dr. Smith, full-mouth x-rays, and a professional cleaning.
How often should I see the dentist?
Most patients see Dr. Smith every six months. If you have active gum disease, a cracked tooth he's monitoring, or treatment in progress, he recommends a schedule that fits your situation.
I haven't been to a dentist in years. Is that a problem?
No. Gaps in care are common, and the Dentistry NW team focuses on where your teeth are today and the plan from here. The only thing that makes a long gap worse is extending it.
Do you help patients with dental anxiety?
Yes. Dentistry NW offers nitrous oxide and oral sedation, and the team paces appointments around your comfort. Tell the office about your anxiety before your visit so the team can plan for it.
Can Dentistry NW see me the same day for a dental emergency?
Call (253) 460-1800 for an urgent problem, and Dentistry NW will try to see you the same day. The office is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Do you see children?
Yes. Dentistry NW provides children's dentistry alongside adult care, so the whole family can see the same dentist. Patients who started at Dentistry NW now bring their kids, which is why the practice calls itself the Tacoma dentist families grow up with.
Will I be pushed into treatment I don't need?
No. Dentistry NW has followed a no-upsell policy since the beginning. Dr. Smith tells you what needs attention now and what can wait, and he shows you the x-rays either way.
Ready for a dentist
who listens first?
Book your first visit at Dentistry NW in Tacoma. Get an exam, x-rays, and cleaning, plus clear answers about what needs attention and what can wait.
Our Tacoma
Dental Office
Looking for a trusted Tacoma dentist who's been part of the community for decades? Our office sits on South Mildred Street in West Tacoma, easily reached from University Place, Fircrest, and the North End. We're open early and stay here late, so appointments fit around work, school, and everything else a week throws at you.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
