Convenient Access from Joaquin
Joaquin residents can walk to class, the BYU Duck Pond or a neighborhood park, and reaching Matthews Smiles Dental takes only about 9 minutes by car. Our office sits on University Avenue in north Provo, one long, simple road away from the grid of numbered streets south of campus. Renters finishing a degree and homeowners raising families both count on us when they need a dentist near Joaquin who keeps things straightforward.
From Joaquin Park at 400 North and 400 East, go one block north on 400 East, turn west on 400 North and follow it to University Avenue (US 189). Turn north and stay on University Avenue for roughly three miles, passing Amanda Knight Hall at 800 North and the west side of campus, then turn east on 3700 North to arrive at 3610 N University Ave #200, Provo, UT 84604. Door to door, the drive is about 3.6 miles. Pull up Matthews Smiles Dental on Google Maps before you leave, and see our notes for neighbors in Downtown Provo and BYU.
Why Joaquin Households Choose Our Family-Run Office
Joaquin is really two neighborhoods sharing one name. Provo's neighborhood plan describes a walkable center for student living at the north end, near campus, and a steadier mix of single-family homes and older multi-family buildings farther south. Our patients from the neighborhood reflect both halves, and the schedule is built to handle a 20-year-old's first crown and a grandparent's routine cleaning in the same morning.
The practice has been family owned and operated for more than 45 years. That long history shows up in small ways: an office concierge who helps you settle in, and warm blankets for anyone who gets chilly in the chair. For a neighborhood where many residents rent and move every year or two, having one dental office that stays put is a quiet advantage.
New patients can make the first visit smoother by bringing an insurance card, a list of current medications and the name of any previous dentist. That information helps the doctors plan your exam and avoid repeating work without a reason.
Hours run 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday. Joaquin residents who work downtown, on campus or up in Orem often find an early appointment is the easiest fit, since University Avenue is quick before the morning class rush builds.
Dental Questions That Come Up Often South of Campus
Older rental homes, shared kitchens and roommates with conflicting schedules are part of everyday life in north Joaquin. That routine makes it easy to skip flossing, snack late and push checkups to "next semester." Those habits are a common path to cavities in young adults, and a cleaning every six months is the simplest way to catch them while repairs are still small.
Students who grew up with a family dentist back home sometimes keep that dentist for summer checkups and only look for local help in an emergency. That plan works until travel changes, and six months between cleanings quietly becomes a year. A home base in Provo means a cleaning, a sore tooth or a loose filling can be handled during the semester instead of waiting for a break.
Families in the southern half of Joaquin face a different set of needs. Parents who have owned a home here for years may have older fillings or crowns that are due for a look, along with gum health that tends to need more attention with age. Periodontal care and well-timed restorations protect the teeth you already have rather than replacing them later.
Recent work around the neighborhood, including three intersections along 400 East and 500 East that were rebuilt in summer 2025, reflects how much foot and car traffic these blocks carry. With so many people on the move, a chipped tooth from a bike spill or a lost filling is bound to happen to someone. Our team strives to fit urgent cases in as soon as possible, and new patients can book a $69 emergency exam with a periapical x-ray.
What a Dentist Near Joaquin Can Handle for You
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings and other repairs rebuild teeth damaged by decay or wear. Homeowners with decades-old dental work and students with their first cavity both benefit from fixing small problems before they spread.
Preventative Dentistry
Exams, cleanings and x-rays form the foundation of care for every age. Booking them twice a year keeps busy renters and families ahead of most surprises.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation is offered for any procedure the office performs. Patients who have postponed care because of nerves can complete treatment in a calmer, more relaxed state.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
Plenty of students on the north blocks are right at the age when third molars cause trouble. We evaluate crowding or pain and schedule removal around class and work commitments.
Periodontics
Gum disease often develops quietly in adults. Periodontal treatment addresses bleeding, inflamed or receding gums so longtime homeowners can keep their natural teeth healthy.
Meet Your Provo Dentists
During dental school, Dr. Blake Matthews conducted research for Creighton University and Clinical Research Associates, and he later served as President of the Utah Valley Dental Association. Dr. JD Ashman earned his DMD at Western University of Health Sciences after completing his undergraduate work at Utah Valley University. Both doctors see patients from every corner of Utah County.
Insurance & Financing
Patients without insurance often choose our In-House Membership Plan, which bundles two exams, two cleanings, two sets of bitewing x-rays and fluoride twice a year with 20% off restorative services. If you do carry coverage, we work with a multitude of providers and handle the claim paperwork. CareCredit, Cherry, major credit cards, cash and checks are all accepted.
What Our Patients Say
Our patients are some of our biggest advocates, and we could not be more grateful for their kind words and support. Hereโs what some of them have to say about their experiences at our dental office:
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Matthews Smiles Dental from Joaquin, and how do I get there?
Joaquin Park is about 3.6 miles from the office, a drive of roughly 9 minutes. Head west on 400 North to University Avenue, then go straight north to 3700 North. Because the route needs only one main road, it is an easy trip for anyone in the neighborhood who wants a dentist near Joaquin.
Is the drive from Joaquin slower when classes are changing?
Sometimes, yes. University Avenue runs right along campus, so traffic and crosswalks get busier around class changes and at rush hour. An 8 AM appointment or a midafternoon slot usually avoids the heaviest stretch. Leaving a few extra minutes is a good habit during the first weeks of a new semester.
Which landmarks help me find University Avenue from the Duck Pond area?
Amanda Knight Hall is the easiest one. It stands at the corner of University Avenue and 800 North, a few blocks west of the BYU Duck Pond. Turn north there and you are already on the road that leads straight to our office, with no further turns until 3700 North.
Can renters who move often still keep one dentist?
Yes, and it is worth doing. Moving between apartments anywhere in Provo does not change your dental records with us, so your x-rays and treatment notes stay in one place. A consistent history makes it easier to notice slow changes, and our office location stays the same no matter where your lease takes you.
Is the Provo City Library close to the start of the route?
Yes. The Provo City Library at Academy Square, at 550 N University Ave, is nearby and sits right along the stretch of University Avenue you use to head north. Library visitors can combine errands with an appointment, since the office is a straight shot up the same road.
Schedule Your Visit from Joaquin
Whether you live in a student rental near the Duck Pond or a family home on the quieter southern blocks, our team is ready to be your dentist near Joaquin. Call 385-481-7562 to set up a visit, explore other communities on our areas we serve list, or return to the Dentist Provo, UT homepage for the full picture of our practice.