Dental Cleaning Near Cleveland, TN

Cleveland has plenty of dentists. We are not the closest, the cheapest, or the easiest option for most Cleveland residents. We are the right option for a specific kind of Cleveland patient — the one who already commutes I-75 South for work, the one who wants the same dentist every visit instead of whoever is on shift, or the one who had a bad experience with their current dentist and is looking for an honest second opinion. If that is you, the drive south is about 25 minutes down the freeway.

About 25 Minutes Down I-75 from Cleveland

Our office is at 9325 Apison Pike Suite 119, Ooltewah, TN. From the I-75 / Cleveland city center, take I-75 South. Exit at Exit 9 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd). Head east, then turn left onto Apison Pike. We are on the right after about a mile. Free parking out front, ground-level entrance. About 25 minutes total outside of rush hour, 30 if you hit afternoon traffic between Cleveland and Chattanooga.

When Driving to Ooltewah Makes Sense

You already commute the I-75 corridor

If you drive I-75 South for work — to Volkswagen, Erlanger, BlueCross, downtown Chattanooga, or any of the other major employers that pull workers from Bradley County — a cleaning at our office is barely a detour. Park, get cleaned, and you are on I-75 again in under 90 minutes.

You want the same dentist every visit

Cleveland's larger group practices rotate dentists. You can have your cleaning with one dentist, your filling with a different one, your crown with a third. That is fine if you do not care; it is frustrating if you do. At Peterson Family Dentistry, you see Dr. Peterson. Period. Same chair, same person, every visit. He is a Loma Linda-trained DDS with 21 years in private practice and roughly 25,000 patients treated. In 2025 BusinessRate named him a Top Dentist in Chattanooga.

Your current Cleveland dentist did not feel right

If you have been told you need a lot of work and you are not sure why, a second opinion is sometimes worth a drive. We offer a flat-rate $125 new-patient exam with full digital X-rays. We will tell you what we see — and if your current dentist is right, we will tell you that too. We do not need a reason to take work away from another practice.

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What Happens at a Cleaning Visit

Step 1: Hygienist exam, X-rays, and gum check

A hygienist takes you back, looks at your gums, and takes a small bitewing X-ray series if it has been about a year. Most adults at low cavity risk only need bitewings annually.

Step 2: Scaling, polish, fluoride

The hygienist scales away plaque and tartar from above and below the gumline, then polishes the surface. Fluoride is offered after — we will tell you whether it is worth doing for your specific cavity-risk profile.

Step 3: Doctor exam with Dr. Peterson

Dr. Peterson does the exam himself at the end of every cleaning. He looks at every tooth, checks for soft-tissue concerns, and tells you what he sees in plain English. If something needs work, he names it, prices it, and tells you what happens if you wait. No upselling.

Cost, Insurance, and the New Patient Specials

If you have insurance: most major PPO plans are in-network, including the ones most Whirlpool, Amazon, McKee Foods, and Bradley Memorial employees carry. Bring your card and we will verify benefits before treatment.

If you do not have insurance: $125 for a comprehensive new-patient exam and X-rays, $199 if you add a healthy-mouth cleaning. Both flat-rate, new patients only. CareCredit is available for larger treatment plans.

Driving from Cleveland to Apison Pike

From central Cleveland (Inman / Keith St area): take Inman to I-75 South. Exit 9 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd). Head east, turn left on Apison Pike. We are on the right after about a mile. About 25 minutes.

From the south side of Cleveland (Spring Place / Georgetown): I-75 South is the obvious route. Same exit. About 22 minutes.

From the Charleston / Riceville side: take Hwy 11 south or US-64 south to I-75 South. Exit 9. About 30 minutes.

Coming back: reverse the route. From the Apison Pike office, head west to Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd, north on the road to I-75, then I-75 North back to Cleveland.

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FAQs for Cleveland Patients

How long is the drive from Cleveland to your Apison Pike office?

A: About 25–30 minutes via I-75 South. Exit 9 (Ooltewah-Ringgold Rd) is the closest exit, then 7 minutes east on Apison Pike. Traffic on I-75 between Cleveland and Chattanooga can slow things down between 4 and 6 p.m. on weekdays.

Why would a Cleveland patient drive past local dentists to come to you?

A: Three common reasons. First: they already commute I-75 South for work and a cleaning fits naturally into the trip. Second: they want the same dentist every visit, which is harder to get at Cleveland's larger group practices. Third: they had a bad experience with their current dentist and want an honest second opinion. If none of these apply, the drive probably is not worth it.

Do you take Cleveland-area employers' insurance plans?

A: We are in-network with most major PPO plans, including the ones Whirlpool, Amazon, McKee Foods, and Bradley Memorial employees typically have. Bring your card to the first visit and we will verify benefits.

Can I do the round trip on a lunch break?

A: It is tight. Drive plus appointment plus drive back is about two hours. Most Cleveland patients schedule cleanings before work, after work, or on a half-day. Family blocks for multiple cleanings in one trip work well to make the drive worthwhile.

What does a cleaning cost without insurance?

A: $125 for a comprehensive new-patient exam and X-rays. $199 if you add a healthy-mouth cleaning. Both flat-rate, new patients only. Deeper cleanings for gum disease are quoted separately before booking.

What if I cannot make the drive?

A: Cleveland has plenty of established dental practices. If the drive south does not make sense for you, stay local. We are happy to recommend Cleveland names if you tell us what you are looking for. Driving 25 miles for a cleaning only makes sense for specific reasons.

Are family appointments worth the drive?

A: Often yes. Doing all three or four family cleanings in one trip makes the drive efficient. Tuesday through Thursday afternoons are easiest for back-to-back family blocks. Call ahead and ask.

Schedule a Cleaning From Cleveland

Call 423-396-4222 to book a cleaning at our Apison Pike office. New patients without insurance should mention the $125 or $199 package when they call. Family blocks for back-to-back cleanings work well to make the drive south worth it for a household — Tuesday through Thursday afternoons are easiest. If the drive does not make sense for you, stay local — Cleveland has good dentists and we are happy to suggest names if you ask.