1. North Macon Dental Associates
Sector: General and Cosmetic Dentistry with Oral Surgery
Service Areas: North Macon Dental Associates provides comprehensive dental services including full mouth dental implants, All-on-X implants, implant-supported dentures, single and multiple tooth implants, orthodontic solutions, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, extractions, 3D printing dental restorations, laser treatments, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans.
Year Founded: Established dental practice with over 40 years of service
Employee Count: Three dentists including Dr. J. Lee Stockslager (founder), Dr. John Kuo (oral surgeon), and Dr. Dana Stockslager, plus dental hygienists and support staff
About: North Macon Dental Associates was founded by Dr. J. Lee Stockslager, a Georgia native who received his doctorate from Emory University School of Dentistry. Dr. Stockslager has been in practice over 40 years, specializing in full arch implants. Dr. John Kuo, the practice’s oral surgery specialist, completed undergraduate studies at Duke University and earned his doctorate at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. Dr. Dana Stockslager continues the family tradition as a third dentist at the practice. The practice utilizes advanced technology including 3D printing, laser treatments, and CBCT imaging. Dr. Stockslager is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Georgia Dental Association, International Association for Orthodontists, and the International Team for Implantology.
Address: North Macon, GA (Forsyth Road area)
Contact: https://www.northmacondental.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday
2. Hartley Bridge Family Dentistry
Sector: Family Dentistry
Service Areas: Hartley Bridge Family Dentistry provides preventive care, dental examinations, cleanings, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and comprehensive dental services for patients of all ages from children to seniors.
Year Founded: Established family dental practice
Employee Count: Three dentists including Dr. Leigh Bennett, Dr. Jayne Labuda, and Dr. Amber Sillivent, plus dental hygienists and support staff
About: Hartley Bridge Family Dentistry serves families throughout the Macon, Fort Valley, and Byron areas of Middle Georgia. The practice focuses on comprehensive, personalized care for patients of all ages, from pediatric dentistry to geriatric care. The team emphasizes patient communication and works to understand each patient’s needs before developing treatment plans. The practice philosophy centers on making the office feel like a dental home rather than just a clinical environment.
Address: Hartley Bridge Road area, Macon, GA
Contact: https://www.hartleybridgefamilydentistry.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday
3. Walker Dental Group
Sector: General and Cosmetic Dentistry
Service Areas: Walker Dental Group offers preventive care, routine cleanings, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, smile makeovers, dental examinations, and comprehensive family dental services utilizing modern dental technology.
Year Founded: Established dental practice
Employee Count: Dr. Katz, Dr. Walker, dental hygienists including Beth, and support staff
About: Walker Dental Group operates a modern dental facility in Macon with advanced dental technology and equipment. The practice emphasizes patient comfort and pain-free dental experiences. The team provides personalized dental care tailored to individual patient needs with the goal of improving overall quality of life through oral health. The practice offers services ranging from routine cleanings to complete smile makeovers.
Address: Macon, GA
Contact: https://www.macondental.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday
4. Dental Care Center of Macon
Sector: Multi-Specialty Dental Practice
Service Areas: Dental Care Center of Macon provides general dentistry, dental specialty services including dental implants, root canals, periodontal grafting procedures, oral surgery including wisdom teeth extraction, IV dental sedation, routine examinations and cleanings, and in-office dental crown fabrication using Cerec CAD/CAM technology.
Year Founded: Established multi-specialty dental practice
Employee Count: General dentists and dental specialists including Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri and Dr. Ali Khan (both licensed for IV dental sedation in Georgia), plus support staff
About: Dental Care Center of Macon operates as a unique multi-specialty dental practice with both general dentists and dental specialists on staff. This structure allows the practice to provide routine care as well as specialty treatments without referring patients elsewhere. The practice features a dedicated oral surgery wing with modern surgical facilities. Dr. Shahrokh Bagheri and Dr. Ali Khan hold Georgia licensure to provide IV dental sedation. The office utilizes Cerec CAD/CAM technology for same-day dental crown fabrication, digital x-rays, and 3D cone beam radiographic computer imaging.
Address: 3432 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA (near Macon Mall)
Contact: https://www.dentalcarecentermacon.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday, Saturday appointments available by request
5. MaconSmiles
Sector: Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
Service Areas: MaconSmiles provides cosmetic dentistry, family dentistry, preventive care, comprehensive treatment planning, dental examinations, cleanings, and customized care plans for individual patient needs.
Year Founded: 1995 (current practice established)
Employee Count: Dr. Sheila K. Shah, Dr. Katie M. Garvin, dental hygienists, and support staff
About: MaconSmiles has served families in Macon and surrounding areas since 1995 under Dr. Sheila K. Shah and Dr. Katie M. Garvin. Dr. Shah has been in dentistry since 1985 and is committed to lifelong learning and practicing with current technology. Dr. Garvin grew up in dentistry under her father Dr. Kendrick Mathews of Fort Valley and graduated from the Dental College of Georgia in 2007. Dr. Garvin serves the Georgia Dental Association and the local community. The practice hosts an annual Halloween Candy Buy Back event where children sell trick-or-treat candy for cash, which is shipped to Operation Shoebox for care packages to troops serving abroad.
Address: 4929 Forsyth Road, Macon, GA 31210
Contact: New Patients (478) 845-1245 | Existing Patients (478) 757-8714 | https://www.maconsmiles.com
Operating Hours: Monday through Friday
About Macon, GA
Macon-Bibb County is served by a diverse dental community providing general, specialty, and cosmetic dental services to approximately 157,000 residents and the broader Middle Georgia region.
Dental Education Pipeline: The Dental College of Georgia (formerly Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry) in Augusta provides many dental graduates who practice in Middle Georgia. Central Georgia Technical College offers dental hygiene programs that supply trained dental hygienists to local practices.
Access to Care: Macon’s dental practices range from large multi-specialty group practices to solo practitioners, providing options for various patient preferences and needs. Many practices offer modern technologies including digital radiography, 3D imaging, laser dentistry, and same-day crown fabrication. Several practices provide sedation dentistry options for patients with dental anxiety.
Regional Oral Health Considerations: Middle Georgia’s climate and water sources influence local oral health patterns. Many practices emphasize preventive care and patient education to address common issues including periodontal disease and tooth decay. Fluoridated municipal water serves much of the Macon area, contributing to cavity prevention.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I visit the dentist in Macon?
Most dental professionals recommend examinations and cleanings every six months for patients with good oral health. Patients with periodontal disease, high cavity risk, or other conditions may need more frequent visits, sometimes every three to four months. Your dentist will recommend a schedule based on your individual oral health status. Regular visits allow for early detection of problems when treatment is typically simpler and less costly.
What should I look for when choosing a dentist in Macon?
Consider the dentist’s credentials, experience, range of services offered, office location and hours, accepted insurance plans, and payment options. Many patients value modern technology, comfortable office environment, and good communication style. Reading reviews from other patients can provide insight into the practice culture. Many Macon dental offices offer new patient specials or complimentary consultations. Ask about emergency availability and after-hours care options.
What is the difference between a general dentist and a dental specialist?
General dentists provide comprehensive care including examinations, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and extractions. Dental specialists complete additional training in specific areas: oral surgeons handle complex extractions and jaw surgery, periodontists treat gum disease, endodontists perform root canals, orthodontists straighten teeth, prosthodontists replace missing teeth, and pediatric dentists specialize in children. Some Macon practices have specialists on staff while others refer patients to specialty practices when needed.
Does dental insurance cover most procedures in Middle Georgia?
Most dental insurance plans cover preventive care (examinations, cleanings, x-rays) at 100% or with minimal copay. Basic procedures like fillings are often covered at 70-80%, while major procedures like crowns and root canals may be covered at 50%. Cosmetic procedures like teeth whitening are typically not covered. Annual maximums usually range from $1,000 to $2,000. Many Macon practices offer payment plans, membership programs for uninsured patients, or accept CareCredit and similar financing options.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency in Macon?
For dental emergencies during business hours, contact your regular dentist first as many practices reserve time for urgent cases. For after-hours emergencies involving severe pain, swelling, trauma, or knocked-out teeth, some Macon practices provide emergency contact numbers. Hospital emergency departments can address infections and trauma but typically do not provide definitive dental treatment. For a knocked-out permanent tooth, keep it moist (in milk or saliva) and seek care within 30 minutes for the best chance of saving the tooth.