Finding a dentist you trust matters whether you have lived in Salmon Arm for years, recently moved to the Shuswap, or suddenly need help with a broken tooth. While our city is much smaller than Kelowna or Kamloops, there is a surprisingly good selection of dental offices offering everything from regular checkups and cleanings to crowns, root canals, implants, dentures, and emergency dental care.
To help narrow down the options, we have put together this local guide to some of the best dentists in Salmon Arm. We looked at the services each practice provides, location, convenience, emergency care, restorative options, and the type of patient each office may suit.
There is no single dentist who will be the right choice for everyone. A family looking for one office for parents and children may have different priorities from someone who has cracked a tooth in an accident or needs extensive restorative work. For that reason, the dentists below are not ranked strictly from best to worst. Instead, this is a detailed look at five well-established Salmon Arm dental practices worth considering.
Quick List: Best Dentists in Salmon Arm
If you want a fast comparison before reading the detailed reviews below, here is a quick look at the five Salmon Arm dental clinics featured in this guide.
| # | Dental Clinic | Address | Phone | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry | 320 Ross Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2T3 | (250) 832-2202 | Emergency dentistry, family care, damaged teeth, crowns, root canals |
| 2 | Salmon Arm Dental Group | 101-571 6th Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1R6 | (250) 832-3633 | Families, larger dental team, X-rays, general and restorative care |
| 3 | Acorn Dental | Suite 201, 20 Hudson Avenue NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4R9 | (250) 833-1828 | Downtown location, fillings, crowns, new patients |
| 4 | Uptown Dental | Unit 101, 2110 11th Avenue NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2V5 | (778) 300-9935 | Families, emergency dentistry, implants, root canals, sedation |
| 5 | Montebello Dental Clinic | Unit 203, 320 Alexander Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4H7 | (250) 832-9915 | Restorative dentistry, implants, dentures, missing teeth |
The table gives a quick overview, but the detailed list below looks more closely at each practice, including its services, location, strengths, and the type of patient it may suit best.
1. Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry
Best for: Family dentistry, dental emergencies, damaged teeth and restorative care
NAP
Name: Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry
Address: 320 Ross Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2T3
Phone: (250) 832-2202
Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry is a familiar name for many people in Salmon Arm. The practice has deep roots in the community and provides a good mix of preventive, general and restorative dental care from its Ross Street location.
Dr. Jonathan Low grew up in Salmon Arm and eventually joined the dental practice established by his father, Dr. Cedric Low. He took over the practice in 2014, continuing a local dental history that goes back decades.
For people searching for a dentist in Salmon Arm, one of the main advantages of the practice is the range of care available in the same office.
Services include:
- Dental examinations
- Professional cleanings
- Fillings
- Crowns and bridges
- Root canal treatment
- Tooth extractions
- Dentures
- Implant restoration
- Sports guards
- Emergency dental care
The restorative side of the practice is particularly useful if a tooth has been damaged rather than simply affected by decay. According to the clinic, restorations may be used to repair teeth affected by trauma, and its emergency dentistry services cover concerns such as chipped or broken teeth, dislodged teeth, swelling and injuries involving the mouth or jaw.
That makes the office worth knowing about if you are dealing with an unexpected injury. A fall on an icy Salmon Arm sidewalk, a cycling crash, a sports injury or a vehicle collision can all result in tooth damage that needs to be assessed quickly.
Not every damaged tooth requires complicated treatment. A relatively small chip may need a straightforward filling or restoration. A more significant fracture might eventually require a crown or root canal. Having several restorative options available in one practice can make follow-up care easier.
Why Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry Makes Our List
One thing we like about this office is that it does not focus on only one type of dental patient. A person can visit for regular preventive care but still have access to more involved treatment if something changes later.
The combination of family dentistry and emergency services is also practical. Nobody plans to break a tooth on a Friday morning or wake up with sudden swelling, so knowing your regular dental office can also handle urgent concerns can be reassuring.
Its central location is another plus. Ross Street is right in the heart of Salmon Arm, making the clinic convenient for people working downtown or coming from neighbourhoods on either side of the Trans-Canada Highway.
Consider Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry if you want:
- A locally established family dentist
- Emergency dental care
- Treatment for chipped or damaged teeth
- Crowns or bridges
- Root canal treatment
- Dental extractions
- Implant restoration
- Preventive care for the whole family
2. Salmon Arm Dental Group
Best for: Families, people who prefer a larger dental team and comprehensive general care
NAP
Name: Salmon Arm Dental Group
Address: 101-571 6th Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 1R6
Phone: (250) 832-3633
Salmon Arm Dental Group is one of the larger dental practices in the city and is a good option for people who like the flexibility of having several dentists working from one location.
The clinic describes itself as providing a broad range of care, from preventive appointments to restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Its current services include routine cleanings and digital dental X-rays along with other general and restorative treatments.
For a family, the size of the team can be a practical advantage. Parents may prefer to have multiple members of the household cared for at the same practice rather than travelling to different clinics around town.
The clinic is located on 6th Street NE, northeast of downtown Salmon Arm. It is relatively easy to reach from residential areas around the northeast part of the city while still being only a short drive from the downtown core.
A Good Option When Dental X-Rays Matter
Digital X-rays are a normal part of modern dentistry, but they can become particularly useful when there has been an accident.
A tooth can appear normal above the gumline while still having damage that is difficult to see during a basic visual inspection. After an impact, a dentist may need to look more closely at the tooth, its root or the structures around it.
Salmon Arm Dental Group notes that its digital X-ray technology is used to detect hidden dental issues and help with treatment planning.
The practice also offers an after-hours emergency phone line. According to its current contact information, this line is available outside regular weekday hours and on weekends and holidays, although additional charges may apply for on-call service.
Why Salmon Arm Dental Group Makes Our List
The biggest advantage is choice. With multiple dentists and a broad range of services in one practice, the clinic works well for people looking for ongoing dental care rather than a one-time appointment.
The office also currently states that it is accepting new patients, which is important in a smaller community where finding a new healthcare provider can sometimes take time.
Consider Salmon Arm Dental Group if you want:
- A larger dental team
- Family dental care
- Routine cleanings
- Digital dental X-rays
- General restorative treatment
- New-patient availability
- An after-hours emergency contact
- Direct billing and help with dental insurance
3. Acorn Dental
Best for: Downtown convenience, new patients, crowns and fillings
NAP
Name: Acorn Dental
Address: Suite 201, 20 Hudson Avenue NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4R9
Phone: (250) 833-1828
If you know downtown Salmon Arm, Acorn Dental is easy to place. The dental office is located on the second floor of the Old Courthouse on Hudson Avenue, only a short distance from many downtown shops, restaurants and businesses.
For someone who works downtown, being able to fit an appointment into the workday without driving across town can be a real advantage.
Acorn Dental is a general dental practice currently led by Dr. Ryan Bigelow and Dr. Tyler Wowk. The office welcomes new patients and provides several treatments commonly needed for both routine dental problems and damaged teeth.
Its services and equipment include:
- White composite fillings
- Porcelain crowns
- Gold crowns
- Dental bridges
- Digital X-rays
- Periodontal treatment
- General preventive dentistry
If you crack or chip a tooth, fillings and crowns are two of the restorative options a dentist may consider depending on how much of the tooth remains and where the damage occurred.
A small damaged area may sometimes be repaired relatively simply. A tooth that has lost a larger portion of its structure may require more coverage and protection.
Emergency Dental Contact
One useful detail about Acorn Dental is that the office publishes a separate after-hours emergency number.
The regular appointment number is 250-833-1828, while the practice currently directs after-hours dental emergencies to 250-804-9140.
Knowing this before an emergency occurs can save time. Dental pain has an unfortunate habit of becoming worse during evenings and weekends when regular offices are closed.
Why Acorn Dental Makes Our List
Location is a big factor here. Among the practices on our list, Acorn is one of the most convenient for anyone who spends a lot of time in downtown Salmon Arm.
It is also worth considering for patients looking for restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns and bridges.
The practice specifically advertises that new patients are welcome, with a separate new-patient telephone line available for booking a first visit.
Consider Acorn Dental if you want:
- A downtown Salmon Arm dentist
- A practice accepting new patients
- Composite fillings
- Crowns and bridges
- Digital X-rays
- Periodontal care
- An after-hours emergency number
- A convenient location near the centre of town
4. Uptown Dental
Best for: Families, northeast Salmon Arm, emergency dentistry and more complex restorative needs
NAP
Name: Uptown Dental
Address: Unit 101, 2110 11th Avenue NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 2V5
Phone: (778) 300-9935
Uptown Dental is a newer-feeling alternative to some of the long-established downtown practices.
As the name suggests, the clinic is located in northeast Salmon Arm, making it particularly convenient for residents on that side of the city.
Dr. Chad Peterson is the principal dentist. He has lived and worked in the Salmon Arm area for several years and opened Uptown Dental with the goal of creating a family-oriented dental clinic.
The practice offers a notably broad list of services:
- Family dentistry
- Dental cleanings
- Emergency dentistry
- Root canal therapy
- Dental implants
- Dental sedation
- Dental extractions
- Cosmetic dentistry
- Crowns and bridges
That combination makes Uptown Dental worth considering if you know from the outset that you may need more than a cleaning or small filling.
Family-Friendly Dental Care
One of the features that makes Uptown different is its focus on the experience inside the clinic.
The office includes a play area for children, entertainment at the dental chairs and other features designed to make the environment feel less clinical.
That may sound like a minor detail until you are bringing in a nervous child after a biking accident or sports injury.
Salmon Arm families spend a lot of time outdoors. Hockey, skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, baseball and other activities are part of life around the Shuswap. Unfortunately, they also provide plenty of opportunities to chip a front tooth or take an unexpected hit to the mouth.
A child who is already upset about an injury may appreciate an office that feels less intimidating.
Restoring Damaged or Missing Teeth
Uptown Dental specifically discusses treating chipped and heavily restored teeth with crowns or veneers and provides other restorative options including bridges and implants.
Of course, the right treatment depends on an examination. Not every chip needs a crown, and not every broken tooth needs to be removed.
The advantage is having several possible treatments available if the problem turns out to be more involved than expected.
Why Uptown Dental Makes Our List
Uptown Dental stands out for the breadth of its services and its family-focused environment.
It is also one of the strongest geographical choices for people who live or work in northeast Salmon Arm and would rather not head downtown for every dental appointment.
Consider Uptown Dental if you want:
- Family dental care
- Emergency dentistry
- Root canal treatment
- Dental implants
- Tooth extractions
- Crowns and bridges
- Sedation options
- A child-friendly clinic
- A dentist in northeast Salmon Arm
5. Montebello Dental Clinic
Best for: Restorative dentistry, implants, dentures and replacing missing teeth
NAP
Name: Montebello Dental Clinic
Address: Unit 203, 320 Alexander Street NE, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4H7
Phone: (250) 832-9915
Montebello Dental Clinic is another central Salmon Arm practice, located on Alexander Street NE.
The clinic provides general dentistry but has an especially interesting mix of restorative services for people who have damaged or missing teeth.
Current services include:
- Dental checkups and cleanings
- Dental fillings
- Crowns
- Root canal treatment
- Extractions
- Dental implants
- Dentures
- Invisalign orthodontic treatment
- Teeth whitening
Dr. Siavash Alam has a particular interest in restorative, aesthetic and implant dentistry. The clinic also has Dr. Robert Johnson, whose areas of interest include complete and partial dentures and implant-supported restorations.
That gives Montebello a somewhat different strength from a clinic focused mainly on routine family dentistry.
A Strong Option When a Tooth Cannot Be Saved
Dentists generally try to preserve natural teeth when doing so is practical, but sometimes a tooth is too badly damaged.
This can happen because of advanced decay, infection or significant trauma.
If a tooth eventually needs to be removed, the next question becomes how to replace it. Depending on the patient’s situation, options may include:
- A dental implant
- A bridge
- A partial denture
- A complete denture
- An implant-supported restoration
Montebello offers several of these services directly, making it useful for people who need a longer-term restorative plan rather than only immediate treatment.
The practice also discusses helping patients with dental anxiety, which can matter for people who have avoided the dentist for a long time or are nervous after a painful dental experience.
Why Montebello Dental Clinic Makes Our List
Montebello earns a place on this list because of its focus on restorative care.
It can be particularly useful to compare if you have missing teeth, need dentures or implants, or are facing treatment that goes beyond preventive dentistry.
Its Alexander Street location is also convenient for anyone who works or lives close to central Salmon Arm.
Consider Montebello Dental Clinic if you want:
- Restorative dentistry
- Dental fillings
- Crowns
- Root canal treatment
- Dental implants
- Tooth extractions
- Dentures
- Treatment for missing teeth
- Invisalign
- A central Salmon Arm location
Quick Comparison of Our 5 Salmon Arm Dentists
| Dental Practice | Area | Particularly Worth Considering For |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry | Ross Street NE | Emergency care, family dentistry, damaged teeth and restorative treatment |
| Salmon Arm Dental Group | 6th Street NE | Larger dental team, families, X-rays and ongoing general care |
| Acorn Dental | Hudson Avenue NE | Downtown convenience, fillings, crowns and new patients |
| Uptown Dental | 11th Avenue NE | Families, emergency care, implants, root canals and northeast Salmon Arm |
| Montebello Dental Clinic | Alexander Street NE | Restorative dentistry, implants, dentures and missing teeth |
How We Chose Dentists for This Salmon Arm List
Calling an office one of the “best” dentists is always subjective. We did not want to simply copy online star ratings and declare whichever clinic had the highest number the winner.
That does not tell you much about whether the dentist is right for your needs.
Instead, we considered several practical factors.
Range of Dental Services
A clinic that can provide preventive care as well as restorative treatment may be more convenient over the long term.
You might begin with cleanings and checkups but later need a filling, crown or root canal.
Emergency Options
Emergency dentistry is particularly relevant when a tooth has been broken in an accident, starts causing severe pain or develops swelling.
Several practices on this list provide specific emergency options or emergency contact information.
Location in Salmon Arm
Salmon Arm is not a huge city, but location still matters when you have to attend several appointments.
Someone working downtown may prefer Ross Street, Hudson Avenue or Alexander Street. A family living farther northeast may find Uptown Dental or Salmon Arm Dental Group more convenient.
Restorative Treatment
We gave particular consideration to treatment for broken, damaged and missing teeth because these services can become important after an accident.
Crowns, root canals, extractions, bridges, implants and dentures are not services everyone will need, but they are worth considering when selecting a dental practice for long-term care.
Local Presence
All five practices have an established physical presence in Salmon Arm. These are actual local dental offices, not directories or clinics located an hour away that happen to target “Salmon Arm dentist” in their advertising.
Choosing a Dentist After an Accident
If you are searching for a dentist because of an accident rather than for a routine checkup, your priorities should change a little.
Speed matters.
A tooth that has been knocked out, badly fractured or moved from its normal position should not be treated like a routine cleaning appointment.
When you call a dental office, explain exactly what happened.
Tell them if:
- Your tooth was struck
- Part of the tooth broke off
- The tooth feels loose
- Your bite suddenly feels different
- You have bleeding around the tooth
- Your jaw hurts
- Swelling is developing
- A filling or crown broke during the accident
This gives the office more information than simply saying that you have a toothache.
Dental Injuries Are Not Always Obvious
One important thing to remember after a fall, car accident or sports collision is that dental damage does not always look dramatic.
A tooth can still be sitting where it belongs and yet have suffered trauma.
Watch for changes such as:
- New sensitivity to hot or cold
- Pain when biting
- A tooth feeling slightly loose
- Discolouration
- Swelling
- Increasing pain
- A different feeling when your upper and lower teeth meet
If something in your mouth feels different after an impact, tell the dentist that the symptoms started after an accident.
That context matters.
Keep Your Dental Records After an Injury
If your dental treatment is related to a car accident, fall or another incident that could involve an insurance or injury claim, keep your paperwork.
Useful records may include:
- Dental invoices
- Treatment plans
- X-rays
- Prescriptions
- Appointment records
- Specialist referrals
- Receipts for treatment
- Notes about follow-up appointments
Clinical records establish what the dentist observed and what treatment was recommended.
That information is useful for your continuing dental care, and it can also become important if questions later arise about the extent or cost of the injury.
Which Salmon Arm Dentist Is Right for You?
There is no universal answer.
If emergency dentistry and repairing a damaged tooth are your main concerns, Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry is a strong local option to consider.
If you prefer a larger practice with several dentists, Salmon Arm Dental Group may suit you better.
For downtown convenience and restorative services, Acorn Dental is worth a look.
Families living in northeast Salmon Arm may appreciate the location and child-friendly approach at Uptown Dental.
And if your main concerns involve implants, dentures or replacing missing teeth, Montebello Dental Clinic has a particularly relevant mix of services.
The best approach is to think about what you actually need rather than choosing a clinic solely because it has a high review score or appears first in a search.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dentists in Salmon Arm
How many dentists are there in Salmon Arm?
Salmon Arm has a number of general dental practices as well as providers focused on orthodontics, dentures and other areas of dental care. Patients therefore have several local options without necessarily needing to travel to Vernon, Kelowna or Kamloops for routine dentistry.
Which Salmon Arm dentist is best for a dental emergency?
Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry specifically provides emergency dentistry and identifies broken teeth, chipped teeth, dislodged teeth and mouth injuries among the urgent concerns it treats. Salmon Arm Dental Group has an after-hours emergency line, Acorn Dental publishes an after-hours emergency contact, and Uptown Dental also offers emergency dentistry.
Availability can change, so call the office directly if you need urgent treatment.
Are there dentists accepting new patients in Salmon Arm?
Yes. At the time this guide was prepared, Salmon Arm Dental Group and Acorn Dental both stated that they were accepting new patients. Availability can change, so it is still worth calling before planning your first appointment.
Where can I find a dentist in downtown Salmon Arm?
Several options on this list are close to downtown. Dr. Jonathan Low Family Dentistry is on Ross Street NE, Acorn Dental is on Hudson Avenue NE, and Montebello Dental Clinic is on Alexander Street NE.
What should I look for in a family dentist?
Consider location, appointment availability, preventive services, restorative care, emergency procedures, how comfortable your children feel in the office and whether the practice offers treatments you may need in the future.
Should I see a dentist after hitting my teeth in an accident?
If a tooth is broken, loose, displaced, painful or feels different after an impact, it is sensible to contact a dentist. Dental injuries are not always visible immediately, and symptoms can develop after the initial accident.
Final Thoughts
Living in Salmon Arm means we are fortunate enough to have several dental practices within a relatively small area. You do not have to automatically head to a larger Okanagan city to find general, restorative or emergency dental care.
The best dentist for you comes down to what you need.
For a family, convenient scheduling and preventive care may matter most. If you have cracked a tooth, the ability to provide emergency and restorative treatment moves higher up the list. If you are dealing with missing teeth, you may want to focus more heavily on implants, bridges or dentures.
Use the NAP details above to contact the offices directly, ask about the treatment you need and confirm current appointment availability.
And if your dental problems started after a vehicle collision, cycling crash, fall or another accident, do not overlook them simply because another injury seems more serious. Teeth, gums and the jaw can all be affected by trauma, and dealing with dental problems early is usually easier than waiting for them to become more complicated.