Convenient Access from Fairground
Up East 30th Street and out East University Avenue, Veranda Dentistry in Pleasant Hill is roughly 6 minutes from Willard Elementary in the Fairground neighborhood. That short hop makes our office a practical choice for parents who want a dentist near the Fairground neighborhood without a long drive across the metro. One dentist, one familiar team and early weekday hours keep family care simple.
Willard Elementary, at 2941 Dean Avenue, makes an easy starting point. Follow Dean Avenue briefly to East 30th Street and turn north, passing along the west edge of the Iowa State Fairgrounds. At East University Avenue (IA 163), turn right and head east past the city limit into Pleasant Hill, then turn onto Copper Creek Drive. Plan on about 6 minutes for the 2.6-mile trip from the school.
You will find us at 1225 Copper Creek Dr Ste K, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, just north of East University Avenue with Copper Creek Lake Park nearby. Pull up Veranda Dentistry on Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions. Fairmont Park to the north and Capitol East to the west are close by as well.
A Neighborhood Practice for Fairground Families
The Fairground neighborhood covers roughly a square mile of east-central Des Moines, in Polk County. Union Pacific rail lines frame its west and south sides, East University Avenue runs along the north, and East 30th Street marks the east edge, with the State Fairgrounds just beyond it. Inside those lines, a traditional street grid of modest bungalows and cottages stretches along East Grand Avenue, East Walnut Street and Dean Avenue.
The city's Fairground Neighborhood Plan describes a cohesive, family-oriented pocket that it says epitomizes the city's east side. The homes went up shortly after 1900 for working families, and early residents rode streetcar lines on Walker and Walnut streets to reach shops and jobs.
The neighborhood grew out of several early plats, including Sunnyside Addition, Farwell Place, Grant Park and Timmons Place. Bungalows and cottages filled in those lots over the years, which is why the streets feel consistent from block to block. Willard Elementary sits on Dean Avenue inside the neighborhood, and the neighborhood association meets at the city fire training facility on Dean Avenue.
That is exactly the kind of household our office is set up for. A 7:00 AM start Monday through Thursday lets a parent bring a child in, finish the visit and still make the start of the school day or the workday. Friday mornings from 8:00 AM to noon add one more option at the end of the week.
Being this close also helps when something goes wrong. A cracked tooth after dinner or a swollen jaw on a Tuesday morning is a short drive away, not an all-day project. ACCENT, just north across East University Avenue, is a close neighbor too.
Family Dental Habits Worth Building in Fairground
Children in Fairground grow up with the State Fair practically next door. Every August brings corn dogs, lemonade, cotton candy and late snacks, and kids' teeth feel the difference. A summer checkup before school starts again is a smart way to catch any soft spots in the enamel early.
Prevention is where a family dental budget goes furthest. Regular cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants on the back teeth help stop cavities before they need a drill. When a small cavity does show up, Dr. Chad can sometimes treat it with Curodont, a non-drill option for early decay.
Parents tend to put their own care last, keeping up with every school form and sports schedule except their own checkups. A cracked molar, a lost filling or a tooth that throbs with cold water usually tells us it is time to catch up.
When a back tooth finally breaks, many parents worry about time away from work for multiple visits. With CEREC, Dr. Chad can often design and place a crown in a single appointment, so one morning visit takes care of it. Our hygienists are all laser-trained, and a parent's own cleaning is a good place to restart routine care.
Cost is part of that conversation for many Fairground households. Our in-house membership plan and three financing options are described below, and the front desk is glad to walk through either one before treatment begins. Patients with insurance questions can call the office directly.
Services From Your Dentist Near Fairground
General Dentistry
Checkups and cleanings for kids and adults, plus fluoride, sealants and lessons on brushing at home. Routine visits are the natural starting point, and they keep small problems small.
Restorative Dentistry
Fillings, crowns, inlays and onlays repair teeth weakened by decay or cracks. With CEREC, Dr. Chad can design and mill same-day crowns in our office, so a broken tooth often needs only a single visit.
Clear Orthodontic Aligners
Crowding and gaps can be straightened with clear, removable trays instead of brackets and wires. Teens and parents alike can take them out to eat, brush and floss.
Emergency Dentistry
A knocked tooth, a sharp break or sudden swelling gets seen as quickly as possible. In many cases, a damaged tooth can be repaired the same day, which spares a Fairground family a second trip.
Not sure where to begin? New patients without dental insurance and without periodontal (gum) disease can book our $79 cleaning, exam and x-ray visit, which covers a full cleaning, an oral health exam and standard x-rays. If a tooth hurts first, a $39 emergency exam with any needed x-rays gives a new patient a clear diagnosis and treatment recommendations.
Meet Your Pleasant Hill Dental Team
Dr. Chad Johnson, DDS, FAGD studied at the University of Iowa and earned his DDS from its College of Dentistry in 2005. He later completed 270 hours of advanced education to graduate from the Kois Center. At home, Dr. Chad and his wife, Sarah, are raising three children, so he understands a busy family calendar.
Membership & Financing
The Veranda Inclusive Program gives each member two exams, two cleanings, two fluoride treatments and any necessary x-rays, plus 50% off sealants for adults or children. VIP is not insurance; it is our own discount plan for people without coverage. For larger work, financing through Cherry, CareCredit or Proceed Finance is available, subject to credit approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Veranda Dentistry from the Fairground neighborhood, and how do I get there?
It is about 2.6 miles from Willard Elementary to our office, usually a 6-minute drive. Go north on East 30th Street past the fairgrounds, then east on East University Avenue (IA 163) to Copper Creek Drive. That makes us a close dentist near Fairground, though traffic on East University Avenue grows heavy at rush hours and during the August State Fair.
How often should children have their teeth cleaned?
For most children, every six months is the right rhythm. Twice-yearly cleanings and exams let Dr. Chad spot early decay, check how adult teeth are coming in and reapply fluoride. Some kids with a higher cavity risk benefit from closer follow-up, and he will say so after the exam. Our VIP plan includes two cleanings for each member.
What can I do if my child is scared of the dentist?
Start with a simple, low-pressure visit. Our team takes a judgment-free approach, and a first visit can stay simple, with a quick exam and a gentle cleaning. Compounded topical anesthetics and OnSet make any needed shots gentler. Talking about the visit calmly at home, without words like hurt, also helps a nervous child feel more at ease.
Can a broken back tooth get a crown in one appointment?
Often, yes. With CEREC, Dr. Chad designs the crown and makes it right in our office, so many patients leave with a same-day crown. There is no temporary crown and no second appointment to schedule. A severely damaged tooth may need other treatment first, which the exam will show.
Can adults get dental sealants too?
Yes. Sealants are most common on children's molars, but adults with deep grooves in healthy back teeth can benefit as well. The thin coating flows into the grooves where food and bacteria collect and makes those surfaces easier to keep clean. VIP members receive 50% off sealants for adults or children, which keeps the cost down for the whole household.
Schedule Your Visit from Fairground
A trusted dentist near Fairground is just up East 30th Street and a few minutes east. Call 515-882-6057 to set up checkups for the whole family. Neighbors from across the east side are listed on our areas we serve page, and our Dentist Pleasant Hill, IA page has more about the practice.