Convenient Access from Gray's Woods
Families searching for a dentist near Gray's Woods will find one just past the city line. Veranda Dentistry in Pleasant Hill is about a 6-minute drive from the neighborhood's recreation center, close enough that a checkup barely dents the morning. Our dentist grew up on this edge of the metro, and Gray's Woods sits right next door to the town where he was raised.
A handy starting point is the Fourmile Community Recreation Center at 3711 Easton Boulevard, where the Gray's Woods neighborhood association meets. Head east on Easton Boulevard, turn south on East 42nd Street and keep going straight as it becomes Williams Street. Turn left onto East University Avenue (IA 163), cross the city limit into Pleasant Hill and turn onto Copper Creek Drive. From the rec center the whole trip runs about 2.2 miles and usually takes 6 minutes.
Our office is at 1225 Copper Creek Dr Ste K, Pleasant Hill, IA 50327, a short way north of the East University Avenue corner and near Copper Creek Lake Park. Open our office in Google Maps to save the route on your phone. Neighbors in Fairground and Fairmont Park also reach us by way of East University Avenue.
Close to Home for Gray's Woods Families
Gray's Woods is one of the greenest corners of east Des Moines. Four Mile Creek winds through the middle, wooded hills rise on both sides, and the Strasser Woods State Preserve, managed by Polk County Conservation, sits entirely inside the neighborhood. Bungalows, ranch homes and split-levels line the long blocks between Easton Boulevard and East University Avenue.
Much of the neighborhood took shape in three historic plats. The Gray's Woods Plat was marketed and built by Fred F. Frost, Broadacre offered acre-size lots around 1910, and Sunrise Park put nearly 300 lots on the market in 1924. The Oakwood Estate, an 1890s mansion on Kinsey Avenue, stands near the west edge as a local historic landmark.
The neighborhood's eastern boundary is the Des Moines city limit itself, and the Copper Creek area of Pleasant Hill begins right beyond it. That makes Gray's Woods our nearest Des Moines neighbor, with Sheridan Gardens to the north and Valley High Manor across East University Avenue.
The city's action plan for Gray's Woods noted that many residents come from families with long roots on the East Side. That idea of staying close to home is part of our own story. Dr. Chad was raised in Pleasant Hill and chose to open his practice in the town where he grew up.
Short drives also make it easier to keep up with care. A 7:00 AM start Monday through Thursday lets many Gray's Woods parents come in before work, and Friday mornings until noon help round out the week. When an appointment is this close, it is simpler to stay on schedule with cleanings instead of putting them off.
Dental Priorities in Gray's Woods Homes
Homes in Gray's Woods often hold more than one stage of life. A young family with kids at McKee or Stowe Elementary may live a few doors from longtime residents who have watched the neighborhood grow. That mix shapes the questions we hear most from Gray's Woods patients.
For school-age children, the focus is on routine cleanings, fluoride, sealants on the chewing surfaces of back teeth, and brushing habits that last. For working adults, it is often an aging filling, a tooth that twinges with cold drinks, or a chipped edge that catches the tongue. For older residents, a missing tooth can make chewing harder and shift the teeth around it.
Each of these needs has a home in our office. Dr. Chad looks at the whole mouth, explains what he sees on the x-rays, and walks you through the choices before any treatment begins. Uninsured families can pair their visits with our in-house membership program, described further down this page.
The wooded trails and creek paths around the neighborhood also mean plenty of outdoor play. Kids who bike, climb or play ball can chip or loosen a tooth, so it helps to know that an urgent problem can be seen quickly, only minutes from home.
Care From a Dentist Near Gray's Woods
General Dentistry
Checkups, cleanings, fluoride and sealants keep Gray's Woods kids and adults ahead of small problems. Our laser-trained hygienists handle the cleaning, and Dr. Chad checks each tooth, the gums and the bite at every exam.
Emergency Dentistry
A cracked tooth, a knocked-loose tooth or sudden swelling should not wait for a routine visit. We see emergencies as quickly as possible, and in many cases a damaged tooth can be repaired the same day.
Restorative Dentistry
Worn fillings, broken teeth and crowns are handled right in our office. When several teeth need work at once, Dr. Chad can map out a staged plan through full-mouth rehabilitation.
Dental Implants
A lost tooth does not have to leave a permanent gap. Dr. Chad is a Diplomate of the International Dental Implant Association, and implants are a regular part of the care he provides for patients from the neighborhood.
Sedation Dentistry
Some neighbors have stayed away from the dentist for years because of nerves. Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation can help you stay relaxed through longer visits, and our approach is judgment-free from the first hello.
Getting started does not have to be complicated. For a new patient without dental insurance and without periodontal (gum) disease, our $79 first visit bundles a full cleaning, an oral health exam and standard x-rays. It gives a Gray's Woods household an easy way to meet Dr. Chad and get a clear picture of where everyone's teeth stand.
Meet Your Pleasant Hill Dental Team
Our dentist, Dr. Chad Johnson, DDS, FAGD, is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry and a past President of the Iowa Academy of General Dentistry. Both roles reflect a long commitment to general dentistry, the everyday care a busy household relies on. Laser-trained hygienists Melissa Logue, Heather Cox and Shanda Riggins round out the chairside team.
Membership & Financing
Households without dental insurance can join the Veranda Inclusive Program (VIP), an in-house discount plan that is not insurance. There are no maximums, deductibles, waiting periods or claim forms to track. Bigger projects can be spread out through Cherry, CareCredit or Proceed Finance, subject to credit approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Veranda Dentistry from Gray's Woods, and how do I get there?
Veranda Dentistry is about 2.2 miles from the Fourmile Community Recreation Center, a drive of roughly 6 minutes. Take Easton Boulevard east, East 42nd Street and Williams Street south, then East University Avenue (IA 163) east to Copper Creek Drive. For anyone who needs a dentist near Gray's Woods, the trip is short, though East University Avenue does slow down at weekday rush hours.
Can my child have a dental checkup before school?
Yes. The office opens at 7:00 AM Monday through Thursday, so an early checkup can fit before the school day for many families. A child's visit typically covers a cleaning, an exam and fluoride, with sealants added when the back teeth need protection. Friday appointments run from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM if a different morning works better.
Should a cavity in a baby tooth be filled if the tooth will fall out anyway?
Often, yes. Baby teeth hold space for the adult teeth and help children chew and speak, and an untreated cavity can lead to pain or infection. Dr. Chad weighs how long the tooth is likely to stay before recommending treatment. Some early cavities can be managed with Curodont, a non-drill treatment, instead of a traditional filling.
Why does my tooth hurt when I drink something cold?
Cold sensitivity usually means the layer under the enamel, called dentin, is exposed or irritated. Common causes include worn enamel, a receding gumline, a crack or a cavity close to the nerve. A brief twinge may ease with a sensitivity toothpaste, but pain that lingers after the cold is gone deserves an exam and x-rays so Dr. Chad can find the cause.
Is there a way to make the numbness wear off faster after a filling?
Yes. OraVerse is a numbing reversal agent that helps your lips and tongue regain feeling sooner after many routine treatments. It is useful if you need to talk at work or eat lunch soon after your visit. We also use OnSet and compounded topical anesthetics, so injections feel gentler and the rest of your day is easier to plan.
Schedule Your Visit from Gray's Woods
Whether it is a child's first cleaning or a tooth that has been nagging you for weeks, a dentist near Gray's Woods is only a few minutes away. Call 515-882-6057 to book with Dr. Chad and our team. You can explore every community we welcome on our areas we serve page, or learn more about the office on our Dentist Pleasant Hill, IA page.