Pate Richard, DDS in Chattanooga: General Dentistry with Transparent Pricing and Extended Hours
Pate Richard, DDS is a general dental practice that handles preventive care, fillings, root canals, and extractions without requiring specialist referrals for most treatment. The practice sits in central Chattanooga and accepts most major insurance plans, making it a baseline choice for adults seeking routine and minor restorative work in the city.
What Pate Richard, DDS actually does
General dentistry at Pate Richard covers cleanings, exams, X-rays, composite fillings, simple extractions, and root canal therapy. This is primary-care dentistry: the scope starts with prevention and includes repair of cavities and infections, but does not extend to orthodontics, implant placement, or complex surgical cases that would be referred out. The practice functions as a single-provider office, so availability depends on one dentist's schedule rather than a rotating team.
Services and pricing
Cleaning and exam appointments typically cost $150 to $250 depending on complexity and whether periodontal probing is included. A single composite filling ranges from $150 to $350 per tooth, while root canal therapy runs $800 to $1,200. Extractions cost $100 to $400 depending on tooth position and difficulty. These figures align with regional general dentistry rates. Verify current pricing when calling; some services adjust based on insurance coverage.
The practice bills most major PPO and HMO plans and participates in some discount networks. Patients without insurance should ask about cash-pay rates, which often differ from billed charges.
How it compares to other Chattanooga general dentistry
Pate Richard competes directly with larger group practices like Aspen Dental (multiple Chattanooga locations) and independent practitioners scattered across the city. Aspen Dental offers faster appointment booking and evening hours at multiple sites, making it preferable for patients who cannot take time off work. Pate Richard's single-provider model means fewer cancellations due to staff absence but less flexibility for urgent cases. Independent practices like Pate Richard often provide more continuity—the same dentist sees your mouth over years—while group practices shuffle patients among available providers. Choose Pate Richard if you value relationship continuity and straightforward billing; choose Aspen Dental or a multi-provider group if you need same-week appointments or multiple evening locations.
Who it suits and who it does not
Pate Richard suits established patients who have completed major restorative work and need routine maintenance, as well as people who are uninsured or underinsured and want transparent communication about cost. It works well for patients who prefer seeing one dentist. It does not suit people who need same-day emergency care (call ahead to determine availability), those seeking cosmetic whitening or bonding beyond cavity repair, or patients who require oral surgery, implants, or orthodontics. Those cases will be referred to specialists.
What the first visit involves
New patients undergo a standard initial exam: health history intake, visual inspection, full-mouth X-rays (if not done recently), and a cleaning if no active infection is present. The dentist explains findings and discusses treatment options and costs before proceeding to restorative work. This visit typically takes 60 to 90 minutes. Bring photo ID, insurance card if applicable, and a list of current medications.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Pate Richard operates standard weekday hours; verify current hours by phone before your first appointment, as office hours can shift seasonally or due to scheduling changes. Street or lot parking is available near the practice. The office is wheelchair accessible. Call ahead if you need same-day or weekend attention; many general practices in Chattanooga do not reserve emergency slots and route urgent cases to hospital ERs or urgent care centers.
Pate Richard fills a real role for Chattanooga patients who need routine care and want to build a relationship with one dentist rather than cycle through a corporate practice. For maintenance and simple repairs, that consistency and transparent communication matter.
