Convenient Access from Orem
About 7 minutes is all it takes to get from Orem City Hall to Matthews Smiles Dental. Our family-owned practice sits on University Avenue in north Provo, just across the city line from Orem's 800 South. UVU students, young professionals and busy parents looking for a dentist in Orem, UT can see two experienced doctors without fighting their way into downtown Provo or onto I-15.
From City Hall at 56 North State Street, take Center Street the short distance to State Street (US 89) and turn south. Ride State Street down to 800 South and swing east. At the Provo boundary the road passes through a roundabout and picks up a new name, 3700 North, then carries you across University Avenue (US 189). Our office at 3610 N University Ave #200, Provo, UT 84604 is just south of that crossing, reached by turning right onto 100 East.
The whole route is 2.9 miles with no tolls and no freeway. State Street is Orem's main commercial corridor and slows at rush hour, so a mid-morning slot is often the smoothest. Look up Matthews Smiles Dental on Google Maps before you go, and see our pages for Riverbottoms and North Timpview, the Provo neighborhoods closest to east Orem.
From Orchard Bench to Family City USA
Long before it was a city, this stretch of bench land north of Provo was known as Sharon and later as Provo Bench, a farming area covered in fruit orchards. It took its present name in 1914 from Walter C. Orem, president of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad, and incorporated in 1919. Today the city calls itself Family City USA, and with nearly 100,000 residents it ranks among the largest cities in the state.
It is also a young place. The median age sits in the late twenties, and many households are raising families or finishing degrees. Utah Valley University, the largest public university in Utah, anchors the west side of town, and a Utah State University education center is here as well.
Matthews Smiles Dental has been family owned and operated for more than 45 years, serving neighbors on both sides of the city line throughout Utah County. New patients are greeted by an office concierge, and the juice and snack bar is a favorite stop for students dashing in between classes.
The office is open 8 AM to 5 PM Monday through Thursday and 8 AM to 4 PM on Friday. For residents on the east side of town, getting here is often quicker than crossing their own city at rush hour.
Dental Priorities in a Young, Fast-Growing City
A population this young brings a particular set of dental needs. College students often juggle classes, jobs and tight budgets, and routine cleanings are the first thing to slip. Skipped checkups give small cavities time to grow into problems that cost far more to fix.
Young adults are also right at the age when wisdom teeth cause trouble. Third molars that come in crowded or sideways can press on neighboring teeth and trap food along the gums. An x-ray at a routine visit shows whether they have room or should come out before they cause damage.
Parents in their thirties and forties face a different list: worn fillings, the first crown, gums that bleed more than they used to, or crooked teeth they have wanted to straighten for years. Clear aligners give Orem adults, and teens too, a way to fix crowding discreetly.
Public schools here belong to Alpine School District today, though a voter-approved split will reorganize the district in the coming years. Dental care, on the other hand, can stay steady through every change, and an overview from the City of Orem shows just how much this community has grown.
Care Options From a Dentist in Orem, UT Families Can Reach Quickly
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
UVU students and other young adults often need third molars evaluated. Removal can be scheduled around semesters and work shifts, with sedation available.
Clear Braces
Clear aligners straighten teeth without brackets or wires, a discreet option for professionals and teens across town.
Preventative Dentistry
Twice-yearly visits keep students and parents ahead of decay. Uninsured newcomers with healthy gums qualify for our $89 new-patient package covering the essentials.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Brighter, more even smiles help with graduation photos, interviews and weddings. Cosmetic treatment can address stains, chips and uneven edges.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings and repairs rebuild teeth affected by decay, so a small problem found at a checkup never becomes an emergency.
Meet Your Provo Dentists
Dr. JD Ashman earned his biology degree at Utah Valley University, so he knows the campus well, and he completed his DMD at Western University of Health Sciences. Dr. Blake Matthews did research for Creighton University and Clinical Research Associates while in dental school and has practiced since 1994.
Insurance & Financing
Students and families without coverage can join our In-House Membership Plan, which includes two cleanings and exams a year plus 20% off restorative services. Insured patients get their claims filed and a cost breakdown in advance. Cherry and CareCredit offer financing for larger treatment.
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 Orem, and how do I get there?
Our office is 2.9 miles from Orem City Hall, about a 7-minute drive. Take State Street south to 800 South, head east as it becomes 3700 North, and cross University Avenue to 100 East. Anyone needing a dentist in Orem, UT can make the trip on city streets without merging onto I-15.
Is the office in Orem or in Provo?
The office is in Provo, a short way past the Orem city line. It sits on University Avenue in the north end of Provo, where Orem's 800 South continues east as 3700 North. For most east-side residents that makes it closer than many offices in their own city, and the drive never touches the freeway.
Can UVU students use the $89 new-patient cleaning offer?
Yes, as long as they qualify. The $89 visit covers a cleaning, exam, x-rays and a fluoride treatment for new patients who have no dental insurance and no periodontal disease. Students with insurance through a parent or employer can use that coverage instead. The front desk can confirm which option fits before you book.
Did one of your dentists study at Utah Valley University?
Yes, Dr. JD Ashman earned his bachelor's degree in biology at UVU. He grew up in Utah County, graduated from Timpanogos High School and went on to earn his DMD at Western University of Health Sciences. Current students and alumni will find plenty to talk about from the chair.
What time of day is State Street easiest to drive?
Mid-morning and early afternoon are usually the lightest. State Street carries much of the city's shopping and commuting traffic, so the stretch toward 800 South backs up at rush hour. A late-morning or early-afternoon appointment tends to make the drive quicker, while 8 AM slots suit people heading to work afterward.
Schedule Your Visit from Orem
When you want a dentist in Orem, UT residents can reach in minutes, our team is ready to help. Call 385-481-7562 to book. Neighbors in Lindon and Vineyard can find their communities on our areas we serve page, and the Dentist Provo, UT homepage has more about the practice.