Dr. Robert Rutner received his undergraduate and graduate degrees with Honors in Biochemistry from the University of California, Davis. He graduated Cum Laude from Georgetown University School of Dentistry.
Dr. Rutner was the CEO of Serra Park Dental Group, the premier multispecialty practice in the San Francisco Bay Area. He pioneered dental marketing in the 1980s and 90sconsulting and becoming an owner of 1-800-DENTIST (The most successful dental marketing company of all time).
He mentors emerging entrepreneurs and funds technology based companies largely in healthcare and social media. Dr. Rutner funded Schick Technology, the first digital radiography company that developed sensors for intraoral dental imaging.
He has lectured internationally in restorative, implantology, orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Rutner was President of Invisalign, Asia and Australia, from inception where he trained and certified doctors in the US, Asia and Australia.
He is a speaker for Dentsply (the worlds largest dental company) and the Dean of Education of the FADE RDAEF2 program. He has been recognized as one of Americas Top Dentists by Consumers Research Council of America. Dr. Rutner was the Chief Clinical Officer for One Smile Silicon Valley and the President of Biodent, the makers of the Ultratooth tooth replacement system.
Dr. Rutner finished the Oregon Maxi course in implantology certified by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and is a Diplomat of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. His practice consists of surgery, advanced implant therapies and treatment. Dr. Rutner trains and mentors doctors in private practice settings internationally on practice management, surgical techniques, beginning and advanced implant therapies.
A visionary in medical and dental delivery systems. For over 30 years, he has brought the needs of the patients, insurers, and health care providers together for better care in technology driven environments. His expertise stretches beyond the doors of his office and into the minds of those who learn from him through his captivating speaking events and training courses.
Born and raised in Evanston and Wilmette, IL (near Chicago). Degrees received are a Bachelor of Science from St. Bonaventure University in Olean, NY (near Buffalo, NY) and my DDS degree from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, IL.
I practiced dentistry for 4 years in the U.S. Navy at Camp Pendleton California, Taipei in Taiwan and Newport, RI. I then moved to South Lake Tahoe in 1970. In 1990 I moved to my present office location on Ski Run Blvd. After leaving active duty in the Navy I remained in the Naval Reserves for another 21 years. I was promoted to a Navy Captain and was a Commanding Officer for 3 Reserve Units.
I particularly like treating our military service members who are giving so much to our country. While in the Navy Reserves I met my future wife, Patience, at a Tri-Service Medical Meeting in San Antonio, TX. Patience was an Army Nurse. She became a Colonel in the Army and retired after 28 years and serving as commander of a Combat Support Hospital in Vancouver Washington.
Patience and I recently celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Between us, we have 7 children and 10 grandchildren. Patience works as a Nurse Practitioner at Emerald Bay Center for Womens Health in South Lake Tahoe. I was elected to the founding Board of Trustees of Lake Tahoe Community College in 1974. I have been re-elected 8 times to the Board. I have been President of the Board 5 times and served 9 years on the statewide Board including a year as its president.
I participated in 5 separate accreditation teams for other California Community Colleges. I am active in the community in the South Tahoe Optimist Club where I was president twice. Also, I remain active in St. Theresa Church. My other interests include bicycling, hiking, reading and traveling. In the summer, you can see me bicycling to work.
Reviews
Rating 4.6 out of 5 based on 37 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestStepheny Gupta
a year ago
DONT GO HERE! I had my wisdom teeth removed in April. I started feeling new tooth growing in around August where they had removed my teeth. When I called them to tell them that I feel tooth growing in the spots that my wisdom teeth were removed, they had me come back in to check. The Dentist said it was just my "jaw relocating back" they never did xrays to double check, and pushed on my tooth that was growing and it was hurting and swollen for weeks. They gave me something called a "sock it"cream to put on it and said my mouth would take awhile for skin to go over my exposed "jaw bone". Two weeks later, after I had ate. My mouth was hurting so bad and it was swollen, and the tooth actually came out when i reached back there. They had left a piece of wisdom tooth in my mouth, and when I called them to let them know, all I got was a Oh sorry about that, and that they would leave a note. I never got my money back or was compensated. Won't be going back ever. Go somewhere else where they do a better job and double check their work when something does go wrong instead of being lazy.
Jessica Ramos
2 years ago
I am so happy to have a dentist who cares.
Jade Brown
2 years ago
I had an emergency and the let me in the same day very nice people I recommend it
Ashley A
2 years ago
The dental hygienists here are fantastic. My teeth are well taken care of every time I go here. Reason for three stars: The problem is with financial/reception. I was surprised to find out during my most recent visit for a follow up cleaning that I owed $800 some odd dollars from 2019. When I asked why this amount was never told to me during my second or third visit she told me that I told her that my insurance paid up to 100%. I do not work for the insurance company. It's not really my job to follow up with insurance. I don't understand why they wouldn't have looked further into it like most every office does. She then told me that they mailed me a notice. A notice to an address that doesn't even receive mail. (We don't have a mailbox at that address) The letter would have been returned to sender. So why I never received a phone call about the amount I owed baffles me. Oh but wait... they did send me ONE email about it. ONE! Now I am stuck with a bill that is almost a thousand dollars that I had no idea about until now. Almost three years later!!! So yeah, I'm not very trusting of this office with figuring out logistics- which is honestly one of the most important parts about going to the dentist.
Jim B
2 years ago
I was on vacation in South Lake Tahoe, and had a tooth ache that required lots of Advil to sooth pain. Contacted Dr Ruther's office, and they got me in that afternoon. He found an old silver filling that had some decay near it, cleaned it up, put in a temporary filling, and the pain was fixed. Thanks for letting me finish my ski vacation, and for a very helpful and caring staff,
John Thornock
2 years ago
Great dentist and staff !! Highly recommend, overall great experience with kind caring people
Katie Alvord
2 years ago
Awesome staff, and excellent dentist! Dr Rutner is extremely experienced, and well able to explain each procedure you need--not just the how but the why. My dental hygienist is also excellent- you may well hear the old refrain to floss more (who doesn't?), but she is very gentle and makes sure to get every bit that needs it. Even the front desk manager is wonderful- she is able to help schedule appointments to work best with your insurance, and explain your treatment plan so you aren't surprised by any bills. A++!
Josh Warren
2 years ago
Outstanding results with veneers and general teeth care, positive and professional staff, and dentist who really cares about his patients. I love this place and appreciate the efforts they have made to transform my smile.
Golden Leaf
2 years ago
Wow! What a wonderful experience! Laura and Maggie at the Front Office are warm and welcoming. My hygienist Audrey is amazing! Dr.Rutner is friendly, professional, and awesome too!
Lindy Wade
3 years ago
Wonderful front desk. Hygentist and Doctor. Wonderful experience. Highly recommended
Golden Leaf
3 years ago
Wow! What a wonderful experience! Laura and Maggie at the Front Office are warm and welcoming. My hygienist Audrey is amazing! Dr.Rutner is friendly, professional, and awesome too!
Josh Warren
3 years ago
Outstanding results with veneers and general teeth care, positive and professional staff, and dentist who really cares about his patients. I love this place and appreciate the efforts they have made to transform my smile.
Katie Alvord
3 years ago
Awesome staff, and excellent dentist! Dr Rutner is extremely experienced, and well able to explain each procedure you need--not just the how but the why. My dental hygienist is also excellent- you may well hear the old refrain to floss more (who doesn't?), but she is very gentle and makes sure to get every bit that needs it. Even the front desk manager is wonderful- she is able to help schedule appointments to work best with your insurance, and explain your treatment plan so you aren't surprised by any bills. A++!
Rachel Rench
3 years ago
I called Sierra Tahoe Dental to report a tooth infection last week while traveling and was pleasantly surprised they could get me in on Monday. I was in severe pain, and they immediately took a 3D scan to determine I had an old failed root canal, plus the tooth right next to it had an infected nerve. The Dentist , Dr. Robert Rutner offered to do the root canal and extraction the same day , and I took them up on the offer because my pain was so severe. I'm really happy with that decision because I'm feeling almost myself again the very next day. 5 Stars to Dr. Rutner and his staff for treating me so quickly so that I can continue on with my vacation!
Toby Mason
3 years ago
Very helpful and friendly. Got to be seen straight away with emergency tooth ache thank you
Courtney Njuguna
3 years ago
Unprofessional
Lindy Wade
3 years ago
Wonderful front desk. Hygentist and Doctor. Wonderful experience. Highly recommended
Rachel Rench
4 years ago
I called Sierra Tahoe Dental to report a tooth infection last week while traveling and was pleasantly surprised they could get me in on Monday. I was in severe pain, and they immediately took a 3D scan to determine I had an old failed root canal, plus the tooth right next to it had an infected nerve. The Dentist , Dr. Robert Rutner offered to do the root canal and extraction the same day , and I took them up on the offer because my pain was so severe. I'm really happy with that decision because I'm feeling almost myself again the very next day. 5 Stars to Dr. Rutner and his staff for treating me so quickly so that I can continue on with my vacation!
Toby Mason
4 years ago
Very helpful and friendly. Got to be seen straight away with emergency tooth ache thank you
Courtney Njuguna
4 years ago
Unprofessional
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