Dr. Bernard Slota completed his both his undergraduate and his dental studies at Marquette University, graduating in 1977 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He has been named one of Americans Top Dentists by the Consumers Research Council of America. He has practiced in the Lakewood area for 36 years, spending the first 32 years in downtown Denver before moving to his current location. He continues his dental education and training regularly through daily journals and monthly meetings, and has received advanced training in implant dentistry. He also completed a mini residency in 2014-2015.
Since I was nine years old, I have known that I wanted to be a dentist. I had extreme dental anxiety as a child and as a result felt compelled to help patients who also have the fear of going to the dentist.
I am a native Coloradan. I attended the University of Colorado in Boulder for my undergraduate degree in Integrative Physiology and Regis University for a masters degree in Biomedical sciences. From there, I attended the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. Upon graduating I received the Academy of Dental Materials Award and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant Award. I am a member of American Dental Association, Metro Denver Dental Society, Colorado Dental Association, Alpha Omega International Dental Society.
I love every aspect of dentistry. My favorite part is getting to know my patients and developing relationships with them. I strive to create a welcoming and positive environment for all my patients. I will work with you to develop a custom treatment plan that meets your dental needs and provides you with a healthy and confident smile. One of my dental passions is helping underserved communities by providing dental care. I have volunteered at Colorado Mission of Mercy for 2 years and have gone on dental mission Trips to Guatemala and Brazil
I am an avid skier who has been skiing since I was 18 months old. My favorite place to ski is Vail. I also love to go up to my cabin with my family which is outside of Estes Park and go hiking. I recently got married in March and we have a 1 1/2 year old cocker spaniel named Lola.
Denver Smiles is a team of caring, experienced dental professionals who use only the most advanced technologies, material and procedures, and whose primary focus is on comfortable, health-centered dentistry. At our community-focused practice, your comfort and satisfaction come first. Our friendly team works hard to make sure that each patient gets the dental care they need in Lakewood, Colorado. We care about cultivating good relationships with our patients. Let us know how we can best serve you and give us a call at 303-623-4444. Our team looks forward to meeting with you!
Heather has been with our team since 2014. She has a degree in public health from the University of Colorado-Denver, and enjoys making life-long friends with her patients and transforming smiles and lives. Heather helps with insurance and treatment planning as well as smile makeovers. Heather is the youngest of three siblings and has five nieces and nephews. Outside of our office she loves to travel, hike, explore new mountain towns and spend time with friends and family.
Nyah joined our team in 2018. She graduated from Emily Griffith Technical College in summer of 2018 with her dental assisting certification. She enjoys meeting new people and being able to build relationships with them. Nyah also loves seeing the results of treatment and our patients reactions to their new smiles. Nyah is the youngest of three siblings, and is very close with her brother and sister. In her spare time, she loves hanging out with her family, going to the gym, and going on random adventures with her boyfriend. She also has three dogs that she loves to play with.
Rhonda grew up in dentistry and has been in the field for over 30 years. She appreciates the science and aesthetics behind dentistry and loves making people smile! Outside of the office, she enjoys being outdoors and hiking, and she has one beautiful daughter.
Jessica has been with our team since the Fall of 2020. She is kind, compassionate and caring and loves helping her patients achieve better health. Jess is originally from Indiana but has been practicing dental hygiene in Kentucky for the last few years prior to moving to Colorado. In her spare time, Jess loves to be outdoors. She also enjoys playing the guitar and singing, quoting movies, good food and spending time with friends and family.
Julissa graduated from Front Range Community College and has been with our office since Fall 2020. She has 3 brothers whom she is very close with. Julissa is new to the dental field and is learning new things every day and she loves it! She also loves getting to know our patients and making them smile with the work our team does. Outside of work, she likes to spend time with family and friends, watching sports and her brother's basketball games.
Reviews
Rating 4.8 out of 5 based on 97 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJoan-Marie Dyer
a year ago
I have been going to Dr. Slota for many years, and would recommend him to anyone who wants the best. He is competent, knowledgeable and personable. I trust him completely with my complicated dental issues. Over the holiday weekend, I broke a veneer. I called the office and left a message for Heather. Heather called me back on Monday morning and was able to get me in immediately. Rhonda and Dr. Slota not only addressed the problem, but agreed with me that we replace the broken veneer and three others that had shifted to improve my smile. I was delighted to walk out with four new temporary crowns. Thank you all for your kindness, professionalism, and immediate repair for an alarming issue. I continue to trust my dental health to Dr. Slota and his magnificent team! My husband experienced dental pain on a 28-day cruise; ship's doctor gave him antibiotics and pain meds until we could get home. Husband's dentist wouldn't schedule appointment soon enough, so I convinced him to see Dr. Slota. My husband was very surprised to report that he felt very little discomfort when Dr. Slota extracted his infected and broken tooth!
Rebecca Stephenson
a year ago
Everyone there is always so nice and friendly and remembers who I am when I walk in even after years!
Joseph Lujan
a year ago
Took my Mom in to have them make her some new dentures. The experience was very positive. The staff give you the sense of Family!! Would definitely recommend them to anyone for sure !!
Gloria Rogozik
a year ago
Always the BEST experience when going to Denver Smiles. Dr. Slota is the best dentist! My mouth is worth a bunch and I couldn't be happier with the results. My mouth is beautiful and it is because of Dr Slota and Dr Honaman! If you are looking for the best go no further! You will not be disappointed! LOVE DENVER SMILES!!!!!!
Julie Hankins
2 years ago
Started coming in a few months ago. Haven't been to the dentist is over a decade and needed a decent amount of fillings and a couple crowns. I have extreme fear around dental work. Denver Smiles has been wonderful with compassion around my needs. Every single person I have worked with has been kind and I've felt truly respected and trust they have my best interest in mind. I never thought I'd say this about a dentist, but I have absolutely 0 complaints about my experience so far. They are great and I would recommend them to anyone, especially those with dentophobia and anxiety!
Lindsay Shillinglaw
2 years ago
This was the best experience I have ever had in a dentist office. Dr Slota and his staff were kind, welcoming and very professional. Every person on staff treated me with respect and made sure I was comfortable and all of my questions answered. You can really tell Dr Slota loves his work and takes pride in his outcomes. If there were 6 stars they would get it!!
Per Linquist
2 years ago
((())) all good
Bill Utasi
2 years ago
Highly, highly recommend Denver Smiles for any of your dental needs, big or small! Recently came in for a standard check-up but ended up getting two rounds of gum improvement treatment as well. While I've had only limited interaction with the practicing dentists so far, the true standout was all-star hygienist, Jess! Her positivity and clear explanations made what could've been two unpleasant procedures seem like a walk in the park!
Lauren K
2 years ago
The show Cheers comes to mind when thinking about Dr. Slota's practice...everybody knows your name. Everyone is very friendly and professional.
Britt Chester
2 years ago
Have you heard all of those horror stories from friends or family about root canals being the worst thing on the planet? Well, they obviously didn't get to talk to Heather at the front desk of Denver Smiles, and then also get a root canal from Dr. Slota. It was like I slipped into an ethereal state of utter bliss for 2 hours while he gently, calmly, and collectedly removed all the nerves from my not three, but four nerve canals in my number 19 molar. And that was without anesthesia. I was scared at first. I once watched an episode of "Doug" (if you know you know, if you don't, Google "Doug's Dental Disaster" and thank me later) where protagonist Doug Funny has to get a filling in his tooth. Doug is scared of the dentist and the episode bounces between his nightmare of a dentist, Dr. Decay, and the reality that he needs to get a cavity filled. That reference has nothing to do with my experience, but it's important you know that I've seen and can clearly recall shows from my childhood. I have a great memory, which is why I can recall my own experience so well. I did have a little bit of fear once it started, though. That drill gets going and suddenly your entire life flashes before your eyes. Every milk-soaked sugar blasted breakfast cereal; every jawbreaker and jolly rancher won by tickets in the arcade; every cold soda; and every martini olive you didn't know actually had a pit in it suddenly become so menial and useless, and all that matters is surviving this ordeal just to be able to once again eat something without shocking pain in your jaw. Death by root canal. The first of its kind. Take me now. But actually what I got was a few painless hours of delightful conversation and some drilling on my teeth. Not the worst way to spend a Friday morning in light of how this year has gone (pandemic, election, general civil unrest, climate crisis) so I really can't complain. Dr. Slota gets five stars. The whole staff gets five stars. Best root canal and crown I've ever had. 10/10 would recommend to anyone needing a root canal, or simply interested in experiencing one for the first time. (I doubt the staff at Denver Smiles will perform a root canal on you just because you want one, but if you happen to crack a tooth on an olive pit while sipping cocktails on a patio, just don't do anything about it for a few months and you'll earn the right to get your own root canal and you can say I sent you.) Thanks to whole staff for laughing at my jokes when they didn't have to, and thanks for letting me take home my temporary crown. Best Christmas ornament I'll own.
Rashed A
2 years ago
I just wanted to say that dr.Slota transforms my smile to look in the best way between 2013-2018. Thank you very much for everything Dr.Slota. If you are in Denver you should visit him. Best regards to all the staff, Rashed Alshamsi
Tara VanWanzeele
2 years ago
Cannot say enough about my appreciation for this place! Was in from Indianapolis and broke the bonding on my front tooth in half. They got me in at a moment's notice, and genuinely made my smile better than it was before ... Heather and Julissa made me feel comfortable as soon as I came in, and Rhonda and Dr Slota were AMAZING! Jess Dyer, legit, the best hygienist and person in the world!! Thank you, Denver Smiles!!
Naomi Lopez
2 years ago
Incredibly welcoming, professional and thorough. I'm excited to be a new patient here and move all of my dental care to Denver Smiles.
Patricia Carretta
2 years ago
I have been a patient of Dr. Slota's for over 20 years. Over the years I have presented him with a complex, array of dental problems and issues. Dr. Slota Is a gifted general practitioner as well as a skilled, oral surgeon. Dr. Slota and his team are the best. For this reason I am giving Denver Smiles a 5 star rating as I highly recommend him and his team. Sincerely, Patricia C.
Terry OLeary-Hunter
2 years ago
Awesome people, awesome care, awesome teeth! A top notch professional practice
Ryan Thompson
2 years ago
Great people and great services!
Annie Simboski
2 years ago
Great experience! I met the whole staff on my visit. Heather, manager, and Julissa, front desk were very welcoming when I walked in. Dr. Honaman introduced me to her assistants Nyah and Rhonda who would be assisting her with my crown. Then, I had my teeth cleaned by Jess. She was so thorough. My teeth felt great. Everyone was so professional and kind to each other. I recommend this dental practice!
Lilith Zoe
2 years ago
I recommend Denver Smiles to everyone I meet who needs a dentist. Everyone in the office is wonderful and all work together to make sure everything works for the patient.
Tae Lamar
2 years ago
I really appreciated the kindness and professionalism of the employees of this dentist. Both of the women at the front desk were exceptionally nice and concerned about my visit. Gave great insight and additional information that I needed. Even allowed me to come in a hour early due to the pain I was experiencing. Dr Slota was great and truly made my visit as least painful as possible. Offered other alternatives to help make the extraction process a lot smoother. 30 minutes after extraction I felt as if I had a brand new jawline. They even called me later to make sure everything was ok with the healing process. I'm from the south where we're big on hospitality and I honestly felt at home with these guys. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Julianne Scherer
2 years ago
Great experience. Very knowledgeable, takes time with patient and explains everything, not pushy, very good patient manners. The front desk, the hygienists, the dentists and everyone in between make the whole experience wonderful. thank you.
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