Skip to content

Best Emergency Dentists in El Cajon, CA (2026)

91 clinics offering emergency dental care, rankedUpdated 0 paid placementsHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for emergency dental care: Emergency Dental Care, ranked #1 of 91 by service score; emergency visits and evening hours.

Rankings can't be bought. Booking through us earns you a $60 gift card and doesn’t affect order. How we rank

91 El Cajon clinics list emergency dental care and are ranked here by service score. 1 offers same-day or emergency visits and 15 open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 60 of them.

Top 10 emergency care dentists in El Cajon at a glance

Top 10 emergency care dentists in El Cajon at a glance
RankClinicService scoreRating (reviews)Same-day
1Emergency Dental Care78—Yes
2Dental Arts San Diego744.6★ (685)—
3Dr. Shatha Mechael, DDS73——
4El Cajon Dentistry73——
5Emergency Dentistry73——
6Grace Children's Dentistry73——
7Griffith Morgan DDS73——
8Prime Emergency Dental73——
9Rieland Kenneth DDS73——
10San Diego Healthy Smiles Dr. Ana Cluff & Associates73——

The 91 best emergency care dentists in El Cajon, ranked

Ordered by service score: the DR Score plus bonuses for a specialist on staff, reviews that mention the service and same-day care where it applies.

  1. Ranked #1 for emergency care in El Cajon

    #1 Emergency Dental Care

    161 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92020

    78/10030% of factors measured

    Ranked #1 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: emergency visits and evening hours.

    Based on access, services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    • Emergency care
    Hours
    Mon–Sun 12 AM–12 AM

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

  2. #2 Dental Arts San Diego

    707 Arnele Ave, El Cajon, CA 92020, United States

    74/100

    Ranked #2 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.6★ from 685 Google reviews; evening hours and Saturday hours.

    • 4.6from 685 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 11 AM–8 PM · Tue 11 AM–5 PM · Wed 11 AM–8 PM · Thu closed · Fri 8:30 AM–4:30 PM · Sat 9 AM–2 PM · Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

  3. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #4 for emergency dental care in El Cajon on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    At El Cajon Dentistry, our dental team of Waseem Alpatty, DDS & Ronda Alpatty, DDS is committed to providing advanced and compassionate care. With experienced general dentists dedicated to excellence, you can rest assured your family's smiles are in the best of hands.

    From El Cajon Dentistry's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  4. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #10 for emergency dental care in El Cajon on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

    Based on services and profile completeness; Google ratings not yet collected.

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Dr. Ana and Diana Cluff are dentists committed to providing the most outstanding level of dentistry to patients. Serving the Chula Vista and Lakeside area, Dr. Cluff assures that as a patient, you can expect the highest quality care in a comforting, gentle environment. She works together with her team to create a personalized treatment vision and helps patients achieve their dental health goals. Her treatment specialities consist of dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, teeth…

    From San Diego Healthy Smiles Dr. Ana Cluff & Associates's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  5. #13 Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics

    480 Magnolia Ave Ste 103, El Cajon, CA 92020

    73/100

    Ranked #13 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.7★ from 125 Google reviews.

    • 4.7from 125 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jack Harouni prides himself on providing exceptional patient care. He is the founder of Sacramento Spa Dentistry, one of the most elite and favorably reviewed dental offices in the Sacramento region. Dr. Harouni and his team are excited to bring his expertise and high regards for quality patient care to his new offices in three San Diego locations! SmilePlus Dentistry offers and specializes in a variety of dental services, including: -…

    From Smile Plus Dentistry & Orthodontics's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  6. #15 Jamacha Dental

    767 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, CA 92019

    72/100

    Ranked #15 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.6★ from 473 Google reviews; Saturday hours.

    • 4.6from 473 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Sat 8 AM–5 PM · Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Jamacha Dental is a family-owned and operated practice in El Cajon, providing the finest in general and cosmetic dentistry. We want you to feel great about your oral health, so we stay up to date with the latest technology. Our mission is to provide fantastic care in a warm, friendly environment. We can handle routine preventive care, while also offering cosmetic procedures like fillings, teeth whitening and veneers. We even offer short-term orthodontics and Invisalign. We…

    From Jamacha Dental's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  7. #18 Granite Hills Dental Team

    810 Jamacha Road Suite 104, El Cajon, CA 92019

    71/100

    Ranked #18 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 5.0★ from 302 Google reviews.

    • 5.0from 302 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 10 AM–6 PM · Tue 8 AM–5 PM · Wed–Thu 7 AM–3 PM · Fri–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    As a dentist in El Cajon, our commitment to excellence has earned us a reputation as a leading practice in the community. Our entire team is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, gentle care that you deserve. When you visit Granite Hills Dental Team, your smile is our top priority. At Granite Hills Dental Team, we pride ourselves on providing patients with exceptional customer service and a unique dental experience. At the end of each appointment we send patients…

    From Granite Hills Dental Team's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  8. #19 Sun Valley Dental Care

    1209 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021, United States

    71/100

    Ranked #19 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.8★ from 129 Google reviews.

    • 4.8from 129 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 9 AM–6 PM · Fri 9 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Looking to find a dentist in El Cajon? When looking for a El Cajon dentist, we hope that you will consider scheduling an appointment with us. Cesar Jimenez, DDS and our staff at Sun Valley Dental Care are dedicated to patients, creating an atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home. We understand that you have several local dentists to choose from, and our goal is to provide the best patient experience in the greater El Cajon area. Sun Valley Dental…

    From Sun Valley Dental Care's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  9. #21 Renae Wilson, DDS - El Cajon Dentist

    275 W Madison Ave #B, El Cajon, CA 92020, United States

    70/100

    Ranked #21 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.9★ from 423 Google reviews.

    • 4.9from 423 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 9 AM–6 PM · Tue 7 AM–2 PM · Wed 9 AM–6 PM · Thu 7 AM–2 PM · Fri–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Our professional and fun team provides each patient a positive and relaxing experience. We pride ourselves on possessing the state-of-the-art dental technology, techniques, and experience you can trust. Above all, new patients can expect what our life-long patients return for: outstanding dental care in an intimate practice where your time and concerns are respected. Plus, we have fun. We're glad you found us!

    From Renae Wilson, DDS - El Cajon Dentist's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  10. #22 Cesar Jimenez, DDS

    1209 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021

    70/100

    Ranked #22 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.9★ from 372 Google reviews.

    • 4.9from 372 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Fri 9 AM–6 PM · Sat–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Looking to find a dentist in El Cajon? When looking for a El Cajon dentist, we hope that you will consider scheduling an appointment with us. Cesar Jimenez, DDS and our staff at Sun Valley Dental Care are dedicated to patients, creating an atmosphere where everyone can feel comfortable, relaxed, and at home. We understand that you have several local dentists to choose from, and our goal is to provide the best patient experience in the greater El Cajon area. Sun Valley Dental…

    From Cesar Jimenez, DDS's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  11. #23 RSD Dental Group and Orthodontics

    2907 Jamacha Road Ste B, El Cajon, CA 92019, United States

    69/100

    Ranked #23 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.5★ from 269 Google reviews; evening hours.

    • 4.5from 269 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon 8 AM–7 PM · Tue–Thu 8 AM–6 PM · Fri 7:30 AM–4 PM · Sat–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    As a Smile Generation Trusted office, we welcome you to RSD Dental Group and Orthodontics! With state-of-the-art infection control procedures in place, our #1 goal is to keep you and your family safe. We provide comprehensive specialty services with advanced, proven technology and offer customized financial solutions for you. We are proud to be your complete El Cajon dental provider with services including Teledentistry, Same-Day Dental Crowns, Boost Whitening, Oral Surgery,…

    From RSD Dental Group and Orthodontics's own description. Not part of the ranking.
  12. #25 San Diego Smiles

    895 Jackman St, El Cajon, CA 92020

    69/100

    Ranked #25 for emergency dental care in El Cajon: 4.9★ from 211 Google reviews.

    • 4.9from 211 Google reviews
    Hours
    Mon–Thu 8 AM–5 PM · Fri–Sun closed

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    Dr. Kurt Christensen at San Diego Smiles, in El Cajon CA 92020, are pleased to offer their patients a full range of compassionate, professional dental care services in El Cajon, Santee and Lakeside. Our dental treatment and services include: cosmetic, children's, family, sedation, preventive, orthodontic and implant dentistry; dental crowns, dental veneers, white dental fillings, teeth whitening, dental sedation, clear dental braces, short term dental braces, traditional…

    From San Diego Smiles's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 91 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #91, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

RankClinicDR ScoreRating (reviews)Evenings / weekends
26Avocado Family Dentistry694.9★ (407)
27East County Family Dental Center684.2★ (441)Evenings
28Urgent Dental Assistance673.7★ (3)Evenings · Sat · Sun
29El Cajon Dental & Orthodontics674.1★ (228)Sat
30Professional Family Dental674.7★ (175)
31Simhairy Dental674.3★ (105)Sat
32Dr. Ana I. Cluff, DDS67
33Dr. Kevin C. Osborn, DDS67
34Dr. Yeukkei Cheung67
35Family & Cosmetic Dentistry67
36Hillside Family Dental Center67
37Mina Abdullah67
38Rancho Dental Group67
39Singing Hills Family Dentistry67
40Dr. Selma Y. Younan, DDS673.3★ (12)
41Dental Arts: Alena Nawrocki Emergency Dentist664.9★ (144)Evenings · Sat
42East County Dental Associates664.6★ (100)Evenings
43Western Dental & Orthodontics663.9★ (798)Sat
44Fletcher Hills Dental Arts664.8★ (90)
45Steele Canyon Smiles Dental & Orthodontics654.3★ (263)
46Bright Now! Dental & Orthodontics653.9★ (464)Sat
47Orthodontics Unlimited by Dr. Kuruvadi & Associates655.0★ (80)
48Emergency Dentist Rancho San Diego655.0★ (61)
49Sycuan Medical Dental Center644.6★ (96)
50Laurel M. Morello. DDS645.0★ (59)
51San Diego Children's Dentistry645.0★ (1)
52Bella Dental Group645.0★ (49)
53Immediate Dental Help642.3★ (3)
54Korel Family Dentistry644.6★ (64)
55CITIDental Rancho644.9★ (54)
56Dr. Tao D. Nguyen, DDS633.7★ (6)Evenings · Sat
57Dr. David B. Joseph, DDS635.0★ (1)
58Dr. Hemant Sachdeva635.0★ (1)
59Family Dentistry633.7★ (3)
60Rancho Dental Arts634.7★ (40)
61Kaiser Permanente Bostonia Medical Offices634.0★ (144)
62CITIDental El Cajon634.8★ (128)
63Keen Dentistry624.7★ (15)Evenings
64Tower Dentistry614.7★ (15)
65Dr. Maribel A. Celebrado, DDS614.3★ (17)Sat
66Magnolia Dental604.9★ (203)
67Dr. Gary A. Olen, DDS594.9★ (16)
68Brenda Evans Louka DDS - El Cajon, CA593.5★ (32)
69Instant Dental Care: S.T. Sawa & Associates D.D.S.594.0★ (12)
70Samar Atto DDS.595.0★ (11)
71Dr. Maria Elda Alsayeh584.1★ (14)
72Graham R Freer Inc575.0★ (5)
73Jared George C DDS562.1★ (14)Evenings
74Horizon Dental Group563.3★ (110)
75J R Gassman DDS565.0★ (4)
76Uriarte Dental Practice Inc562.8★ (10)
77Wokuluk Gary J DDS564.8★ (13)
78Washington Dentistry523.7★ (45)
79Bright Smile Dental Care513.0★ (22)
80STEPHAN FAMILY DENTAL47Sat
81Parcel Gary V DDS47Sat
8240/30 DENTAL47Sat
834030 DENTAL47Sat
84Duran Frank DDS37
85Michael J Maurer DDS,MS, Inc. and Associates37
86Rancho San Diego Dental37
87Dr. H Hermes, DDS37
88La Maestra Dental - El Cajon33
89La Maestra Family Clinic33
90Santee Cottonwood Dental33
91Mansour Raymond N DDS33

Find the right dentist in El Cajon

Answer 2 quick questions and we'll help you find a dentist that fits your needs, location and availability.

El Cajon, CA

Book through DentistsRanked and get a $60 Amazon gift card. Terms

Step 1 of 2

What service are you looking for?

  • 100% free for patients
  • No commitment

Emergency and weekend dentists in El Cajon

Clinics that list same-day or emergency care, or post Saturday, Sunday or after-6 PM hours. Severe swelling or bleeding: go to a hospital.

What is emergency dental care?

Emergency dental care treats urgent problems such as severe toothache, a knocked-out or broken tooth, swelling, or bleeding that will not stop. The first goal is to relieve pain and control infection; full treatment may follow at a later visit.

Emergency dental care: specialist or general dentist?

Most dental emergencies are handled by general dentists who keep same-day or after-hours slots. You may be referred to an endodontist or oral surgeon afterward. Facial swelling with fever, trouble breathing or swallowing, or a jaw injury needs a hospital emergency department.

How much does emergency dental care cost in El Cajon?

Typical ranges in USD for El Cajon, CA. Your price depends on the tooth, the case and the clinic.

How much does emergency dental care cost in El Cajon?
TypeTypical range (USD)BasisAs of
Emergency exam and x-ray$170–$420DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
After-hours or weekend visit$250–$670DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
Emergency extraction$250–$670DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—

Estimates, not quotes. Ask the clinic for a written estimate. Full emergency dental care cost guide for El Cajon

What to expect from emergency dental care

Typical ranges for most patients. Your dentist's plan may differ.

Emergency dental care: visits, chair time and recovery
FactTypically
Typical visits1 urgent visit; often a follow-up for definitive treatment
Chair timeAbout 30–90 minutes depending on the problem
RecoveryDepends on the treatment given; pain often eases within a day or two
When to see a specialistWhen the tooth needs a complex root canal or surgical extraction, or after facial trauma

How we ranked El Cajon emergency care dentists

We scored 91 El Cajon clinics offering emergency dental care on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. 29 were excluded (2 closed and 27 duplicate listings). Data from Google listings and clinic websites, refreshed October 21, 2026.

Paid placement never changes a rank or score. Featured clinics are paid, labelled, limited to 3 and shown above the ranking, outside it.

Read the full method: formula, sources and exclusions

DR Score factors and weights
FactorWeightComputed fromIn El Cajon data
Reputation45%Bayesian-adjusted Google star ratingMeasured
Review volume15%log10(review count) against the city maximumMeasured
Recency10%Share of reviews in the last 12 monthsMeasured
Access15%Evenings, Saturday, Sunday, same-day/emergency, accepting new patientsMeasured
Services10%Services offered out of 17Measured
Profile completeness5%Named dentists, years open, languages, insurance, photosMeasured

Emergency dental care in El Cajon: frequently asked questions

Who is the best emergency dental care dentist in El Cajon?

Emergency Dental Care ranks #1 of 91 El Cajon clinics offering emergency dental care by DentistsRanked service score. It has emergency visits and evening hours. Dental Arts San Diego ranks #2 (4.6★ from 685 Google reviews). The score weighs reputation, access, services and profile data.

How much does emergency dental care cost in El Cajon, CA?

Emergency dental care in El Cajon typically costs $140–$700 USD. By type: emergency exam and x-ray $170–$420; after-hours or weekend visit $250–$670; emergency extraction $250–$670. These are estimates, not quotes. Basis: DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California. Ask the clinic for a written estimate.

Which El Cajon clinics offer same-day emergency dental care?

1 of 91 El Cajon clinics offering emergency dental care lists same-day or emergency appointments, led by Emergency Dental Care. Same-day treatment depends on the diagnosis and the schedule, so call ahead to confirm before you go.

Is emergency dental care covered by insurance or Medicaid in California?

Many dental insurance plans cover emergency exams and palliative treatment, though the follow-up work is covered at its own rate. Medicaid often covers emergency dental care for adults even in states with limited adult benefits. Check your plan.

Does emergency dental treatment hurt?

The problem that brings you in usually hurts more than the treatment. Dentists typically numb the area with local anesthetic before any procedure. Some soreness afterward is common and is usually managed with over-the-counter pain relief, but follow your dentist's advice.

Which El Cajon emergency dental care dentists are open on Saturday?

15 of 91 El Cajon clinics offering emergency dental care list Saturday hours, including Emergency Dental Care, Dental Arts San Diego and Jamacha Dental. Hours come from each clinic's listing; check with the clinic before you go, since holiday and summer hours can change.

How many dentists offer emergency dental care in El Cajon?

91 El Cajon clinics list emergency dental care in our data. 15 are open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 60 of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for El Cajon

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 92 clinics.
  2. : 27 duplicate listings merged.
  3. : 2 closed clinics removed.