Convenient Access from University of Findlay
On a weekday afternoon the walkways between Old Main and Shafer Library fill with backpacks, and somewhere in that crowd is a student with a chipped tooth or a cleaning that is two semesters overdue. For anyone who needs a dentist near University of Findlay, Pure Smiles sits just south of campus in downtown Findlay, about 4 minutes away by car. Students, professors and campus staff can fit a visit between commitments and still be back on College Street before the next lecture begins.
From Shafer Library, follow Frazer Street to N Cory Street and head south toward downtown. A short jog east on W Front Street brings you to S Main Street, which carries I-75 Business, SR 12 and SR 37 through the center of town, and from there you turn right onto W Crawford Street. The whole trip covers about 1.3 miles and usually takes 4 minutes, ending within a couple of blocks of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts and the Hancock County Courthouse on Dorney Plaza. Our office is at 223 W Crawford St, Findlay, OH 45840 (open it in Google Maps), and it also welcomes neighbors from Van Buren and Benton Ridge.
A Campus-Close Dental Home for University of Findlay Students and Staff
College is often the first season of life when nobody books your checkups for you. Plenty of University of Findlay students arrive from elsewhere in Ohio, from other states and from more than 35 countries, which can leave the family dentist hours or an ocean away. Pure Smiles gives Oilers a dental home closer than the drive to most practices back home. Our team treats students, professors, coaches and campus employees alongside local families, so nobody here feels out of place.
The office schedule lines up well with academic life. We are open Monday through Wednesday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Thursday from 8 AM to 4 PM, so an early slot before a late-morning class or a mid-afternoon visit after labs is easy to arrange. Because the drive is so short, you can leave the Croy Physical Education Center, see us and return without losing your whole afternoon. Faculty with a full teaching load can claim the first appointment of the day for the same reason.
Campus life also has its quieter corners, like the Mazza Museum and its collection of original children's book illustrations. If you are still learning your way around, the university's Fast Facts page is a handy primer on the school. Add our downtown office to your mental map at the same time, so you know exactly where to go when a tooth starts to bother you.
What University of Findlay Students Should Know About Dental Care Away from Home
Late nights, coffee refills and irregular meals are tough on teeth, and small cavities rarely announce themselves early. A year without cleanings gives a minor problem time to grow into something that interrupts finals week. Keeping one checkup on the calendar each semester keeps your care steady no matter where you spend the summer. Our oral hygiene care focuses on professional cleanings and the daily habits that protect gums when your routine changes every few months.
Exam season brings stress, and many people clench or grind without realizing it. Sore jaw muscles in the morning or a tooth that suddenly feels sensitive are worth mentioning at your visit. Pure Smiles uses digital x-rays to spot trouble between teeth that a quick look in the mirror will never show. Catching these issues while you are still at the University of Findlay is far easier than scrambling for care over break.
Insurance often shapes when students book. Many stay on a parent's dental plan through their college years, so bring that card from home to your first appointment. Our front desk handles the insurance paperwork for you, which means no chasing claim forms between exams. That frees you to focus on coursework while we sort out the details.
Services Students Use Most from a Dentist Near University of Findlay
Emergency Care
A cracked molar during finals or a swollen gum after an intramural game cannot wait for winter break. Emergency care at Pure Smiles focuses on relieving discomfort and protecting the tooth. With the office only minutes from campus, getting seen is simple.
General Dentistry
Exams, cleanings and fillings form the core of care for University of Findlay students. A fall or spring visit fits neatly around midterms. Regular checkups also give you a local dental record if something urgent comes up later in the year.
Invisalign®
Clear aligners appeal to students heading into internships, clinical rotations and job interviews. Our iTero® scanner captures a digital impression instead of traditional putty trays. Aligners come out for meals, so dining-hall food stays on the menu.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Graduation photos and first professional headshots put smiles in the spotlight. Cosmetic options can brighten or reshape teeth that have bothered you for years. A comprehensive smile exam is a relaxed first step to see what fits your goals.
Future pharmacists from the College of Pharmacy and students in every other major get the same straightforward approach. You are welcome to ask questions at each step, and nothing moves forward until you understand the plan.
Meet Your Findlay Dentists
Dr. Joseph Van Oss knows the student side of dentistry well: he earned his DDS at The Ohio State University, served on its dental admissions committee and joined Pure Smiles in August 2024. He practices alongside Dr. Chad Ollom, Dr. Stephanie Ollom and Dr. Emma Bergman, all Ohio State dental graduates. Together they cover everything from routine fillings to implant surgery and IV sedation.
Insurance & Financing
We are a preferred provider with Delta Dental, Medical Mutual and Superior Dental, and we also accept cash, checks and major credit cards. Students paying their own way can spread larger costs through Cherry or CareCredit. Without insurance, the in-house Healthy Smiles Plan keeps routine care within reach.
What Our Customers Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Pure Smiles from University of Findlay, and how do I get there?
Pure Smiles is about 1.3 miles from Shafer Library, a drive of roughly 4 minutes. Take Frazer Street to N Cory Street, jog east on W Front Street to S Main Street, then turn right onto W Crawford Street. Anyone who wants a dentist near University of Findlay will find the office at 223 W Crawford St, close to the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.
Can I keep my hometown dentist and still get care in Findlay during the semester?
Yes, splitting care that way works well. Many students book cleanings and handle urgent problems here during the school year, then see their usual dentist over long breaks. Keeping an exam on the calendar while you live on campus means a small problem gets found early in Findlay instead of turning into a bigger repair back home.
How soon should a student athlete's injured tooth be checked?
Right away, even if the tooth only looks a little loose or chipped. A hard hit can damage the nerve or root without visible signs, and quick care often decides whether the tooth can be saved. Bring any broken piece and call the office, since emergency care is part of what the doctors provide.
Does a parent's dental insurance plan work for a college student at Pure Smiles?
In many cases, yes. Pure Smiles is a preferred provider with Delta Dental, Medical Mutual and Superior Dental, and the front desk files the claim paperwork for you. Bring your insurance card, or a photo of it, to your first visit. Out-of-state students can confirm their plan details with our team before treatment starts.
Can University of Findlay faculty and their families become patients too?
Absolutely. Pure Smiles cares for patients of every age, so professors, coaches, administrators and their kids are welcome alongside students. The office opens at 8 AM Monday through Thursday, which lets many employees fit a cleaning in before their first meeting. Parents of young children can book with Dr. Emma Bergman, who brings experience caring for kids.
Schedule Your Visit from University of Findlay
Whether it is your first checkup since orientation or a tooth that started aching in the middle of a lab, students and staff who need a dentist near University of Findlay can call 419-664-3283 to book. Neighbors in other communities can browse our Areas We Serve page, and the full practice overview lives on our Dentist Findlay, OH homepage.