Leslie McGarvey DDS Inc

10/30/2025

Congrats! To Sofia and pumpkin #2 winner of of office decorating contest!!! Thanks to everyone who voted!! See you by the 5&10 tomorrow 3-5pm! Happy Halloween!!!

10/16/2025

The pumpkin decorating contest is getting fierce. Stop by and vote. No appointment necessary!

07/04/2025

Why see the dentist in Guerneville?
At The Guerneville Dentist, we believe great dentistry starts with kindness, honesty, and connection. We're a small, local team that knows your name and cares about your comfort. Our patients aren’t rushed through appointments—we take the time to listen, explain, and provide care that’s tailored to you.
Many of our patients are working locally, families living locally, retired, or folks who simply want thoughtful, no-pressure dental care. Whether you’re due for a cleaning or dealing with something more complex, we’ll meet you where you are—without judgment and without upselling.
We’re proud to be part of the Guerneville community and love serving neighbors with old-fashioned care backed by modern technology.

Come experience dental care that feels safe, calm, and human.
We think you’ll feel the difference the moment you walk in.
Stop by, call or text for an appointment!
14001 Old Cazadero Rd. Guerneville, CA
707-869-2623

Send a message to learn more

03/30/2025

🌟 Love Your Smile? Share the Love! 🌟

If you’ve had a great experience with us, why not share it with a friend? Our caring team is dedicated to providing gentle, patient-centered care — and we’d love to welcome more smiles from our amazing community!

🦷 Send a friend our way and help them feel right at home in the dental chair.

💙 We promise to take great care of them — just like we do for you!

📞 Call or text us to schedule!

Thank you for helping us grow our dental family!
707-869-2623

Need a dentist? Let's Talk Call: (707) 869-2623 Your local guerneville dentist. Our treatment philosophy is to recognize that every patient has unique needs and oral health goals. What We Do We offer a comprehensive oral care approach. Your teeth are part of an oral-facial complex. We look at the bi...

02/06/2025

Why I am not in-network- part 2
Patients often ask me why I’m not in-network with some dental insurance companies. The short answer? The math just doesn’t add up.
Last year (2024), I reviewed a particular insurance plan—you might have heard about them in the news—and their proposed fee schedule. One number stood out: $29.00 for a cleaning.
If you live in California, you probably know that’s a head-scratcher. Most practices in our area charge anywhere from $115 to $180 for a cleaning. Even at Santa Rosa Junior College, where dental hygiene students provide care as part of their training, the fee is $80 (which, by the way, is a great option if you are looking for affordable care while supporting students).
Now, let’s talk about costs. In states like Michigan, where I trained, dental hygienists earn around $25-$35 per hour. But in California—where the cost of living is significantly higher—the minimum wage for healthcare workers is $21/hour (SB-525). The average starting salary for a new dental hygienist in Sonoma County is $65-$73 per hour (Indeed.com).
So when an insurance company sets a cleaning fee at $29, it’s simply not realistic. That rate doesn’t even cover the cost of paying the hygienist—let alone the necessary equipment, sterilization, liability insurance and other expenses required to provide care.
If you ever have questions about your insurance coverage or alternative payment options, don’t hesitate to ask. My goal is always to prioritize your health while keeping things as transparent as possible.

Send a message to learn more

02/06/2025

Why I am Not "In Network"

Each year, I go through the long and tedious process of reviewing in-network opportunities with dental insurance plans. This year, I decided to try a popular "non-profit" dental insurance company and initiated the process. The steps involved obtaining their list of fees , learning about how many people in my area use their insurance, and reviewing a booklet/contract outlining their rules.

The administrator only provided me with the list of fees and reported that there were 7,000 people enrolled with their dental plan within 5-8 miles of my office. If you're a local reading this, you're probably laughing, because that number sounds a bit far-fetched. I expressed my skepticism to the administrator, but she stood by her numbers. She also told me she could provide additional information if I signed an agreement. I made it clear that it was impossible for me to make any decisions without first reviewing the contract.

She responded by saying, "But look at all these patients we can provide you!" I had to explain that I could not sign a contract without fully understanding the terms. She insisted, "This is what all the other offices do." That made me chuckle because, in reality, no offices in our area participate in-network with this particular insurance provider. So, I'm still not sure who she was referring to when she said, "all the other offices." Probably the same "very real" 7,000 people who are enrolled-lol

Despite the frustrations, I will continue to review dental insurance plans each year. I would love to be an in-network dentist but these companies sure can be bullies. I hope that things change for the better in the future. I'll keep trying. Hopefully, I'll find a good match!

Send a message to learn more

12/19/2024

Wishing everyone a happy holiday season!!!!

12/11/2024

What happens when your dentist can fix her own tooth? Well, I went to the Specialist who takes care of the "cracked teeth" I cant fix. Including my own cracked tooth! Dr. Grove, in Santa Rosa.

Send a message to learn more

12/10/2024

What will the dentist do if you think you broke a tooth? Here at the Guerneville Dentist we start by asking you what happened. And we take a photo (no x-rays yet). SOMETIMES broken teeth are simple and we polish the rough spot and you are on your way. SOMETIMES it can be more serious and needs and x-ray to rule out damage to the bone, damage to the root. Sometime a small crack in the tooth creates a superhighway for bacteria to slip into the bone or inside the tooth causing an infection.

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2024

I'll be honest, a lot of us dentist do our own dentistry on ourselves. Yes, we are that nuts. At least, I know I am! But my cracked tooth needs a microscope. So I am heading to see my colleague tomorrow for a root canal! Details to come!

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2024

Even your Guerneville dentist need dentists! I recently broke a tooth, and it all started with a quick zing that disappeared as fast as it came. Soon after, I noticed sensitivity to hot, cold, and pressure while chewing, so I avoided using that side—until the discomfort became constant. Now, it feels like I have a headache in my tooth!

Send a message to learn more