Compare 184 dentists in Chattanooga, TN. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
184
Dentists
100%
Accepting patients
82%
Most common: DDS
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Chattanooga is the healthcare anchor for the tri-state corner where Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama meet. Erlanger Medical Center is the academic trauma center, while CHI Memorial (now part of CommonSpirit Health) provides the largest community hospital network. The city is smaller than Nashville or Knoxville, but it serves a regional population that extends well beyond Hamilton County.
Chattanooga has 184 dentists. The most common credential is DDS (82%). 100% are currently accepting new patients.
Chattanooga sits in a river valley between ridges, so geography shapes how people get to care. Erlanger and Parkridge are clustered near downtown along I-24. CHI Memorial's main campus is on the east side along Gunbarrel Road, with a second campus in Hixson to the north. Most travel is by car, and the compact city means most appointments are within a 20-minute drive. Patients from northwest Georgia and northeast Alabama regularly cross state lines for care here.
Providers practice throughout Chattanooga. North Shore is a walkable neighborhood across the river from downtown with growing wellness-oriented practices and proximity to Erlanger. Southside is a revitalized area near downtown Chattanooga with new medical offices and community health services. St. Elmo is a historic neighborhood at the base of Lookout Mountain with established family practices. Red Bank is a suburban community served by CHI Memorial and several primary care offices along Dayton Boulevard.
Nearby hospitals include CHI Memorial Hospital, Erlanger Medical Center, and Parkridge Medical Center. Local training programs run through University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Erlanger Medical Center is a Level I trauma center and the primary teaching hospital for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga.
A first visit typically includes a full set of X-rays, a comprehensive exam of your teeth and gums, and an oral cancer screening. The dentist will review your medical history, discuss any concerns, and create a treatment plan. A professional cleaning is usually done the same day or scheduled shortly after.
Chattanooga has a solid mix of private dental practices concentrated along Gunbarrel Road and in Hixson. For lower-cost options, the Chattanooga Community Health Center offers dental services on a sliding-scale basis.
Schedule a visit if you have tooth pain, bleeding gums, sensitivity to hot or cold, or a chipped or broken tooth. Even without symptoms, routine checkups every six months help catch cavities, gum disease, and oral cancer early when treatment is simpler and cheaper.
Cleaning: $75-200 · Filling: $150-400 · Crown: $800-1,500 · Root canal: $700-1,200
The Tennessee River valley traps humidity and allergens, contributing to sinus congestion and mouth breathing that can affect oral health. Dentists in Chattanooga commonly screen for allergy-related dental issues.
Sharp or lingering pain when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods usually means a cavity, cracked tooth, or worn enamel. Your dentist can identify the source with an exam and X-rays and recommend the simplest treatment that solves the problem.
Cavities are areas of permanent damage in the hard surface of your teeth. Caught early, they require a simple filling. Waiting until pain appears usually means the decay has reached deeper layers and treatment becomes more involved.
Red, swollen gums that bleed when you brush or floss signal early gum disease. A professional cleaning and better home care often reverse it, but advanced cases need deeper treatment.
A chipped tooth can range from a minor cosmetic issue to a dental emergency depending on the severity. Your dentist will assess whether bonding, a crown, or a referral to a specialist is the best path forward.
Chronic bad breath (halitosis) is often caused by bacteria buildup, gum disease, or dry mouth rather than what you ate for lunch. A dental exam can identify the underlying cause and get you to a solution.
Chattanooga, TN has 184 licensed dentists. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of dentists in Chattanooga, TN are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is the dominant carrier. TennCare is accepted at Erlanger and most CHI Memorial facilities. Patients crossing from Georgia should verify whether their Georgia insurance plans cover Tennessee providers.
A routine cleaning typically costs $75 to $200, fillings run $150 to $400, and crowns cost $800 to $1,500. Root canals range from $700 to $1,200 depending on the tooth. Actual costs in Chattanooga, TN depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Many dental plans have annual maximums between $1,000 and $2,000. Preventive visits are usually covered at 100%, while major procedures are covered at 50%.
Chattanooga has two main hospital systems: Erlanger Health System (academic, trauma) and CHI Memorial (CommonSpirit Health, community). Parkridge Medical Center (HCA) provides additional capacity. Start with your insurance network to narrow your options.
DDS stands for Doctor of Dental Surgery and DMD stands for Doctor of Dental Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Chattanooga, TN, 82% hold the DDS credential and 16% hold DMD. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
Some dentists in Chattanooga, TN accept TennCare, the state's Medicaid program. Medicaid dental coverage for adults varies significantly by state. Most states cover emergency dental services, but routine and preventive care coverage ranges from comprehensive to very limited. Contact the provider's office directly to confirm TennCare participation before scheduling.
Yes. Erlanger and CHI Memorial both serve patients from Catoosa County (GA), Dade County (GA), and DeKalb County (AL). However, state Medicaid programs don't always transfer across borders, so verify your coverage before scheduling.
Chattanooga handles most routine and specialty care well. For highly specialized procedures or rare conditions, patients are typically referred to Vanderbilt in Nashville (about 2 hours) or Emory in Atlanta (about 2 hours). The city is well-positioned between both referral centers.
Top accepted carriers in Chattanooga, TN include qhp-87571, qhp-33602, qhp-30751, unitedhealthcare, and humana.
Most dental plans cover two preventive visits per year at 100%. Basic procedures like fillings are typically covered at 70-80%, while major work like crowns may be 50%. Check your plan's annual maximum. Many plans cap at $1,000 to $2,000 per year. Confirm your dentist is in-network before your visit.