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Best General Dentists in South Lake Tahoe, CA (2026)

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

The short answer

  1. 1

    Best overall for general dentistry: Dr. Chris Cerceo, DDS, MDS, FAGD, ranked #1 of 40 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

40 South Lake Tahoe clinics list general dentistry and are ranked here by service score. 1 opens Saturdays. Google ratings are not yet collected for these clinics.

Top 10 general dentistry dentists in South Lake Tahoe at a glance

The 40 best general dentistry dentists in South Lake Tahoe, 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. #11 Emerald Bay Dentistry: Bratton William R DDS

    1201 Emerald Bay Rd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #11 for general dentistry in South Lake Tahoe 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. #21 Tahoe Family Physicians: Rosso Judith G DO

    1090 3rd St #1, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, United States

    67/10015% of factors measured

    Ranked #21 for general dentistry in South Lake Tahoe 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

  3. #25 High Sierra Dental Care - Dr. Mireya Ortega, DDS

    1060 Ski Run Blvd, South Lake Tahoe, CA 96150, United States

    40/10030% of factors measured

    Ranked #25 for general dentistry in South Lake Tahoe on access and profile data; Google ratings are not yet collected.

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

    Hours
    Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM · Sat–Sun closed
    Dentists
    Dr. Ortega

    General dentistryCleaningEmergency careRoot canalExtractionWisdom teethImplantsInvisalign+9 more

    In their words

    We Are Committed to Your Oral Health! At High Sierra Dental Care you will spend ninety percent of your appointment time with the doctor to ensure a thorough evaluation of your dental conditions and the appropriate treatment’s are provided. Our goal is to enhance your dental health. We are proud to offer you a full range of dental services and procedures, from cosmetic dentistry, pediatric dentistry, non-surgical periodontal services, oral surgery, orthodontics and minimally…

    From High Sierra Dental Care - Dr. Mireya Ortega, DDS's own description. Not part of the ranking.

All 40 clinics

#1 to #25 are shown in full above. Here are #26 to #40, in DR Score order; each links to its full profile.

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South Lake Tahoe, 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 South Lake Tahoe?

Typical ranges in USD for South Lake Tahoe, CA. Your price depends on the tooth, the case and the clinic.

How much does general dentistry cost in South Lake Tahoe?
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 South Lake Tahoe

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 South Lake Tahoe general dentistry dentists

We scored 40 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering general dentistry on 6 factors: reputation 45%, review volume 15%, recency 10%, access 15%, services 10%, profile completeness 5%. 1 was excluded (1 duplicate listing). Google ratings are not yet collected, so each score is renormalised over the factors we measured. 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 South Lake Tahoe data
Reputation45%Bayesian-adjusted Google star ratingNot yet collected
Review volume15%log10(review count) against the city maximumNot yet collected
Recency10%Share of reviews in the last 12 monthsNot yet collected
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 South Lake Tahoe: frequently asked questions

Who is the best general dentistry dentist in South Lake Tahoe?

Dr. Chris Cerceo, DDS, MDS, FAGD ranks #1 of 40 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering general dentistry by DentistsRanked service score. Reid Dental Arts ranks #2. The score weighs reputation, access, services and profile data.

How much does general dentistry cost in South Lake Tahoe, CA?

General dentistry in South Lake Tahoe 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 South Lake Tahoe general dentistry dentists are open on Saturday?

1 of 40 South Lake Tahoe clinics offering general dentistry lists Saturday hours, including Barton Community Health Center. 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 South Lake Tahoe?

40 South Lake Tahoe clinics list general dentistry in our data. 1 is open Saturdays. Google ratings are on file for none of them. Counts update when clinics change their profiles.

Update log for South Lake Tahoe

  1. : DR Scores recalculated for 40 clinics.
  2. : 1 duplicate listing merged.