Convenient Access from Galena
How do you keep a round of family checkups from swallowing an entire day when home is up in Galena? Pure Smiles in Westerville is about 17 minutes from the village, and nearly all of the trip is one straight run south on Sunbury Road. Parents comparing options for a dentist in Galena, OH tend to want the same thing: an easy drive with no interstate merges and one office that can look after the whole household.
From the Galena Village Offices at 109 Harrison Street, head out on Columbus Street, which turns into South Old 3C Highway. Pick up Tussic Street Road, continue west on Big Walnut Road through the roundabout, then turn south on Sunbury Road for roughly 5.5 miles. Plan on about 17 minutes for the 10-mile drive, which ends at 1245 S Sunbury Rd #201, Westerville, OH 43081, near the Dempsey Road junction and about half a mile north of Big Walnut Creek. Tap our map listing to load turn-by-turn directions on your phone.
Families from neighboring Genoa Township and Uptown Westerville visit us too. Sunbury, which shares Berkshire Township with the village, lies to the east.
A Steady Dental Home for Busy Galena Households
Galena is a small incorporated village in Berkshire Township, Delaware County, set where Big Walnut and Little Walnut creeks meet at the mouth of Hoover Reservoir. It was first platted in 1816 under the name Zoar, and a post office has carried the Galena name since 1834. Today the village has its own offices on Harrison Street, two neighborhood parks and a stretch of the Ohio to Erie Trail. You can read more about local services on the Village of Galena resident resources page.
Children here attend Big Walnut Local Schools, and Hylen Souders Elementary has a Galena address on Miller-Paul Road. School calendars, practices and work shifts all compete for the same few hours, so a dental office that is simple to reach makes a real difference. Because the drive skips the interstate, there is no merge onto I-71 or I-270 to plan around.
Our weekday hours start early. The office opens at 8 AM Monday through Thursday, closes at 5 PM Monday through Wednesday and at 4 PM on Thursday, and sees patients on Fridays by appointment. Summer break, teacher workdays and holiday weeks are natural windows for a child's cleaning, and our front desk can help you find openings that line up with them.
A family dental home works best when everyone's records live in one place. A child's x-rays, a parent's crown history and a grandparent's denture notes stay together, so the dentist can notice patterns that run in the family, from crowding to gum trouble. It also means one set of forms, one front desk and one phone number to remember. For a busy household, that simplicity can save more time than any shortcut on the road.
Everyday Dental Care Galena Parents Ask About
Many parents' questions come down to prevention: how to stop small cavities from becoming big ones. Regular cleanings and exams do most of that work. When decay is caught very early, Curodont can help the enamel repair itself without drilling, which is welcome news for children and adults who dread the sound of the handpiece. Digital x-rays help us spot those early changes between teeth.
Active families also run into the occasional chipped or knocked tooth. Ruffner Park on Harrison Street has a ball diamond and volleyball court, Miller Park on North Walnut Street has a basketball court, and the Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail invites plenty of bike rides. When a tooth is hurt, a prompt exam gives the best chance of saving it, and new patients can use our $29 Limited Emergency Exam & X-Ray, which cannot be combined with other offers.
Teenagers bring their own set of dental questions. Crowding can show up as adult teeth finish coming in, wisdom teeth start to make themselves felt, and sports drinks and late-night snacks test even good brushing habits. Regular checkups give us a chance to spot these issues early and talk with your teen directly. Habits built at that age tend to carry into college and beyond.
Parents often notice their own dental needs only after the kids are taken care of. A tooth lost years ago, a loose bridge or a worn denture can all be addressed at the same office. Our dental implants overview explains how an implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up, and new patients can request a free implant consultation.
Family Treatments for Anyone Seeking a Dentist in Galena, OH
General Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings and fillings are the backbone of family care. Booking household members close together means one drive down Sunbury Road can cover more than one person's visit.
Orthodontics
Crowded or crooked teeth often become obvious as children grow. Dr. Stephanie Ollom has completed Comprehensive Orthodontics training, and we can explain when treatment makes sense for your child.
Invisalign
Teens and adults who want straighter teeth without brackets can use clear aligners instead. The trays come out for sports practice and meals, which suits busy Big Walnut schedules.
Sedation Dentistry
Some patients feel anxious in the chair no matter their age. Nitrous oxide and conscious sedation help nervous patients relax, and we talk through which option is appropriate before any treatment begins.
Extractions
A tooth that is badly damaged or crowding others sometimes needs to come out. Dr. Alia Yossef performs extractions and bone grafting, which can prepare the area if an implant is planned later.
Grandparents in the family often have different needs, such as missing teeth or a denture that no longer fits well. Dr. Chad Ollom completed a Midwest Implant Institute fellowship and places implants, implant dentures and full-arch bridges, with bone grafting when the jaw needs extra support. New patients can start with a free dental implant consultation to learn what is possible before committing to anything.
Meet Your Westerville Dentists
Dr. Meghan O'Shaughnessy grew up in Youngstown, studied at Miami University and earned her DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. She is Invisalign certified and volunteers with Give Kids A Smile, so working with young patients is familiar ground. Dr. Alia Yossef, a cum laude Ohio State graduate, focuses on preventive and restorative care for families of every size.
Insurance & Financing
Most PPO plans are welcome here, including Delta Dental, Guardian, Ameritas and Tricare. We estimate costs before treatment begins and file claims on your behalf. Households without coverage can look at the Healthy Smiles Plan, and Cherry financing is available for larger treatment.
What Our Customers Say
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Pure Smiles from Galena, and how do I get there?
From the village offices on Harrison Street, our practice is roughly 10 miles away, or about 17 minutes by car. You take Columbus Street, South Old 3C Highway, Tussic Street Road and Big Walnut Road, then follow Sunbury Road south. Families searching for a dentist in Galena, OH get a simple drive with no interstate driving at all.
Can Galena patients save an infected tooth instead of having it pulled?
Often, yes, because a root canal can remove the infected pulp and keep the natural tooth working. Dr. TJ Strong has advanced training in selective endodontics, and digital x-rays help show how far the infection has spread. When a tooth cannot be saved, the dentist discusses extraction and a replacement such as an implant crown.
Is Galena close enough for regular orthodontic visits?
Yes, about 17 minutes each way makes regular orthodontic checks manageable. Braces and aligners both involve periodic visits over many months, so a predictable route along Sunbury Road matters. Clear aligners are another option for teens and adults, and the trays come out for meals and sports.
What should Galena parents do if a baby tooth is knocked out?
Do not try to put a baby tooth back, because replanting it can damage the adult tooth forming underneath. Press clean gauze on the area to stop bleeding and keep any broken pieces. Then call the office so the dentist can check for other injuries and make sure the gums and nearby teeth heal well.
Do you offer anything for Galena families without dental insurance?
Yes, two Pure Smiles plans are built for patients without coverage. The Healthy Smiles Plan is our membership option for uninsured patients, and the Perio Care Plan supports people managing gum disease. Larger treatment can be financed through Cherry, CareCredit, Sunbit or Proceed Finance, and we accept Visa and MasterCard.
Schedule Your Visit from Galena
If you have been searching for a dentist in Galena, OH, our Sunbury Road office in Westerville is a 17-minute drive away and ready to help. Call 614-721-6398 to set up visits for one or several family members. You can also see the other towns on our areas we serve page or visit the Dentist Westerville, OH homepage.