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Best General Dentists in Palo Alto, CA (2026)

73 clinics offering general dentistry, rankedUpdated 0 paid placementsHow we rank →

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for general dentistry: Crystal Chang, DDS, ranked #1 of 73 by service score; ranked on access and profile data; Google ratings not yet collected.

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

73 Palo Alto clinics list general dentistry and are ranked here by service score. 8 open Saturdays and 1 opens after 6pm. Google ratings are on file for 6 of them.

Top 10 general dentistry dentists in Palo Alto at a glance

The 73 best general dentistry dentists in Palo Alto, 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. #2 Gary Roberts, DDS - Stanford Medicine Children's Health

    750 Welch Rd Ste 118, Palo Alto, CA 94304, United States

    73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #2 for general dentistry in Palo Alto 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

  2. 73/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #3 for general dentistry in Palo Alto 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

    Palo Alto Pediatric Dentist Michelle Haghpanah specializes in pediatric dentistry, she treats children from infancy through adolescence, and those with special needs. Caring for your child is serious business, that’s why she treats each child as if they are her own. Dr. Haghpanah looks forward to partnering with you to help your child achieve a lifetime of healthy bytes!

    From Little Bytes Pediatric Dentistry Palo Alto's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 73 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #73, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

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Palo Alto, CA

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What is general dentistry?

General dentistry covers routine care: checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fillings and basic treatment of gum disease. A general dentist is usually the first stop for any dental problem and refers patients to specialists when a case needs it.

General dentistry: specialist or general dentist?

General dentists (DDS or DMD) provide this care themselves. There is no specialist for general dentistry; a general dentist may refer you to an endodontist, periodontist, orthodontist or oral surgeon for complex work.

How much does general dentistry cost in Palo Alto?

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

How much does general dentistry cost in Palo Alto?
TypeTypical range (USD)BasisAs of
Checkup exam$80–$230DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—
Exam, cleaning and x-rays$230–$540DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California—

Estimates, not quotes. Ask the clinic for a written estimate. Full general dentistry cost guide for Palo Alto

What to expect from general dentistry

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

General dentistry: visits, chair time and recovery
FactTypically
Typical visits1 visit for a checkup; follow-up visits if treatment is needed
Chair timeAbout 30–60 minutes for an exam and cleaning
RecoveryNone for a routine checkup
When to see a specialistWhen your dentist finds a problem outside routine care, such as a complex root canal, advanced gum disease or bite problems

How we ranked Palo Alto general dentistry dentists

We scored 73 Palo Alto clinics offering general dentistry on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. 11 were excluded (11 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 Palo Alto 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

General dentistry in Palo Alto: frequently asked questions

Who is the best general dentistry dentist in Palo Alto?

Crystal Chang, DDS ranks #1 of 73 Palo Alto clinics offering general dentistry by DentistsRanked service score. Gary Roberts, DDS - Stanford Medicine Children's Health ranks #2. The score weighs reputation, access, services and profile data.

How much does general dentistry cost in Palo Alto, CA?

General dentistry in Palo Alto typically costs $140–$420 USD. By type: checkup exam $80–$230; exam, cleaning and x-rays $230–$540. These are estimates, not quotes. Basis: DentistsRanked estimate from typical fees, adjusted for California. Ask the clinic for a written estimate.

Is general dentistry covered by insurance or Medicaid in California?

Most dental insurance plans cover preventive checkups and cleanings, often twice a year, with little or no cost share. Medicaid covers dental care for children in every state; adult dental benefits vary by state. Confirm your benefits before booking.

Does a dental checkup hurt?

A routine checkup is usually not painful. Most patients feel only mild pressure or scraping during the cleaning. People with sensitive teeth or gum inflammation may feel some discomfort, and dentists can often use numbing gel or adjust their technique if you tell them.

Which Palo Alto general dentistry dentists are open on Saturday?

8 of 73 Palo Alto clinics offering general dentistry list Saturday hours, including Sunrise Pediatric Dentistry Palo Alto, Palo Alto Dental Care and Gentle Dental Palo Alto. 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 general dentistry in Palo Alto?

73 Palo Alto clinics list general dentistry in our data. 8 are open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for 6 of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for Palo Alto

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 85 clinics.
  2. : 11 duplicate listings merged.