Searching for a "dentist near me" is about more than convenience — it's about finding someone you can trust, someone who knows your name, and a team that becomes a familiar part of your life over time. The Local Dentist, located at 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 110 in Bellingham, WA, is exactly that kind of practice. From routine checkups to advanced whole-health dental care, we offer comprehensive services under one roof, rooted in a genuine commitment to the people of this community.
Choosing a local dentist means building a relationship that supports your health for years, not just a single appointment. At The Local Dentist, Dr. Chaz Vittitow and Dr. Seth Swanson take time to get to know every patient — your concerns, your goals, and your history — before recommending any treatment. Whether you're looking for a new dental home for your family, need to address a specific health concern, or are simply overdue for a cleaning, we're here and we're close.
Great dental health starts long before there's a problem to fix. Preventive care is the cornerstone of what we do at The Local Dentist, and it includes everything from professional cleanings and hygiene visits to dental sealants, oral cancer screenings, and comprehensive oral exams. These visits do more than keep your teeth clean — they allow us to catch small concerns before they become large ones and give us a full picture of your oral health over time.
Having a trusted preventive care provider nearby makes all the difference in whether patients actually follow through with regular visits. When your dentist is close to home, school, or work, it's easier to keep appointments, stay consistent, and build the kind of long-term relationship that leads to better outcomes. For Bellingham families, seniors, and busy professionals alike, The Local Dentist offers accessible, thorough preventive care that prioritizes your wellbeing from the very first visit.
If you've been told you snore, wake up exhausted no matter how long you sleep, or struggle to tolerate a CPAP machine, a dentist near you may hold the solution. Sleep apnea treatment at The Local Dentist uses custom oral appliance therapy to keep your airway open during sleep — comfortably, quietly, and without the bulk of a CPAP. Dr. Chaz has a particular focus on dental sleep medicine and has helped many Bellingham patients finally get the rest they need.
Sleep apnea is more than a sleep problem. Left untreated, it's linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes complications, and cognitive decline. Addressing it through your local dentist is not only convenient — it may be one of the most impactful health decisions you make. Teresa, our dedicated Sleep and TMJ Coordinator, works closely with every sleep patient from consultation through treatment, making the process smooth and well-supported. If you or someone you love suspects sleep apnea, we're right here in Bellingham and ready to help.
Missing teeth affect far more than your smile — they impact how you eat, speak, and feel about yourself. Dental implants are the gold standard for tooth replacement, offering a permanent, natural-looking solution that functions just like your own teeth. At The Local Dentist, Dr. Chaz and Dr. Seth bring advanced training in restorative care to every implant case, ensuring precise placement and a result built to last for decades.
For Bellingham patients considering implants, having a skilled provider nearby makes the multi-stage process far more manageable. Rather than traveling to a specialist in another city, you can complete your consultations, imaging, placement, and restoration all in one familiar, comfortable office. Our team walks you through every phase of the process and is always available to answer questions between visits. If you've been living with a gap in your smile, a dentist near you in Bellingham can help you restore it for good.
At The Local Dentist, we practice whole health dentistry — a philosophy that treats your oral health as a direct reflection of your overall wellbeing. Research has established links between oral bacteria and serious systemic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. That's why our approach goes beyond fixing teeth and focuses on understanding the full picture of your health, including nutrition, airway function, and the bacterial environment of your mouth.
Services like microbiome testing, ozone therapy, and Laser Bacterial Reduction (LBR) are part of how we put whole-health dentistry into practice every day. These aren't common offerings — they reflect a genuine commitment to doing dentistry differently. For Bellingham patients who want care that considers the whole person, not just the tooth in front of them, The Local Dentist offers something truly distinctive right in your own backyard.
When a tooth is damaged, decayed, or in need of restoration, waiting weeks for a crown used to mean multiple appointments, temporary restorations, and a lot of inconvenience. With same-day crowns at The Local Dentist, that's no longer the case. Using advanced CAD/CAM technology, Dr. Chaz can design, mill, and place a custom ceramic crown in a single visit — no temporaries, no second appointment, no waiting.
For busy Bellingham patients, same-day crowns mean one less time out of work or away from family. The result is a precise, natural-looking restoration crafted from high-quality ceramic that blends seamlessly with your surrounding teeth. Whether you've broken a tooth, have significant decay, or need to replace an old crown, having this technology available at your local dentist means you can walk in with a problem and walk out with a solution — the same day.
Bellingham is more than a place to set up a practice — it's a community Dr. Chaz has chosen to invest in for the long term. The Local Dentist partners with Renew Northwest to provide dental services and proceeds to refugees and immigrants building new lives in Whatcom County. As a veteran, Dr. Chaz also provides accessible care for unhoused veterans. During Alzheimer's Awareness Month, the practice donates services and proceeds to the Alzheimer's Association and local long-term care communities. This is a practice where your neighbors work, and where the people who care for you also care about this town.
Dr. Seth Swanson grew up right here in Lynden, Washington, and returned to Bellingham after completing his General Practice Residency. He's invested in ensuring the community has access to quality dental care and has partnered with Concrete Community Connect to serve underserved patients. Together, Dr. Chaz and Dr. Seth bring deep roots, diverse expertise, and a shared commitment to people-first dentistry. When you choose The Local Dentist, you're choosing a practice that sees you as a neighbor — not just a patient.
Your oral health is inseparable from your overall health. Untreated gum disease, tooth decay, and oral infections don't stay in your mouth — they have documented effects on your heart, lungs, blood sugar, and brain. Access to a trusted dentist near you means you're more likely to seek care when something feels off, keep up with preventive visits, and address problems before they become serious. Proximity lowers the barrier to consistent care, and consistent care changes health outcomes.
For families with children, patients managing chronic health conditions, seniors who may not drive long distances, and anyone who lives with dental anxiety, having a compassionate, skilled dental team close by in Bellingham is genuinely valuable. At The Local Dentist, located at 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 110, we are here for all of it — the routine visits, the unexpected emergencies, the long-term treatment plans, and the moments in between. Comprehensive dental care, close to home.
Coming from Ferndale, head south on I-5 and take Exit 256B toward Sunset Drive. Turn right onto Sunset Drive, then left onto Cordata Parkway. Turn right onto Rimland Drive and look for Suite 110 on your right — the entire drive takes about 10 minutes. From Lynden, head south on Guide Meridian (SR-539) through Ferndale and into Bellingham. Continue south on Meridian Street, turn right onto Sunset Drive, then right onto Rimland Drive. Suite 110 will be on your right.
Patients traveling from Burlington or Mount Vernon should take I-5 North toward Bellingham and exit at Exit 256B for Sunset Drive. Turn left off the exit ramp onto Sunset Drive, then right onto Cordata Parkway, followed by a right onto Rimland Drive. The Local Dentist is in the Rimland Center complex — Suite 110. The drive from Burlington is about 15 minutes in normal traffic, and from Mount Vernon roughly 20 minutes. Parking is available on-site at no charge.
When you search for a "dentist near me," you're looking for more than a close address — you're looking for a team you can trust, a practice that takes your health seriously, and an experience that doesn't feel like a chore. At The Local Dentist, that's exactly what we've built. We offer preventive cleanings, sleep apnea treatment, dental implants, whole-health dentistry, same-day crowns, and much more — all in one warm, welcoming office in the heart of Bellingham.
We are located at 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 110, Bellingham, WA 98226, and we see patients Tuesday through Friday. We serve Bellingham and the surrounding communities of Ferndale, Lynden, Burlington, Mount Vernon, Birch Bay, and beyond. Whether you're brand new to the area, overdue for care, or simply looking for a dental home that treats you like a person — The Local Dentist is your dentist near me in Bellingham.
Yes! We are welcoming new patients and would love to be your dental home in Bellingham. You can request an appointment online or give us a call at (360) 543-8488. Our team will reach out to confirm your visit and walk you through what to expect at your first appointment.
Please bring a valid photo ID, your insurance card if you have one, and any relevant medical or dental history you'd like to share. If you have records from a previous dentist — including X-rays — we're happy to have those transferred over in advance. Arrive a few minutes early to get settled and enjoy our beverage station before your appointment begins.
Yes, we work with many dental insurance plans and will help you understand and maximize your benefits before treatment begins. If you're unsure whether we're in-network with your plan, give us a call and our team will look into it. We also offer an in-house membership plan for patients without insurance — ask us about it when you schedule.
Our membership plan is designed for patients who don't have dental insurance or whose insurance doesn't cover everything they need. For a straightforward annual fee, members receive preventive care and discounts on other services — no deductibles, no waiting periods, and no claim forms. Visit our membership plan page or call us for current details and pricing.
Yes. When you call with a dental emergency, we do our best to get you in the same day. Our team will assess your situation over the phone, advise you on immediate self-care steps, and prioritize your visit. For life-threatening situations such as swelling affecting your airway, please go directly to the nearest emergency room.
We are open Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We are closed on Monday, Saturday, and Sunday. If you need to reach us outside of office hours, you can submit an appointment request through our website and a team member will follow up with you promptly.
We are located at 2219 Rimland Drive, Suite 110, Bellingham, WA 98226, in the Rimland Center on the north side of Bellingham near Sunset Drive. Free on-site parking is available. We're easily accessible from Ferndale, Lynden, Burlington, and Mount Vernon via I-5 or Guide Meridian.
Absolutely. We've designed our office to feel more like a coffee shop than a dental clinic — with a beverage station, blankets, pillows, aromatherapy, TVs, and sensory tools available to help you feel comfortable. We also offer sedation options for patients who need extra support. Dr. Chaz takes time to get to know every patient before beginning any treatment, so you'll never feel rushed or pressured.
Yes. Our cosmetic services include teeth whitening, dental bonding, clear aligner therapy, Enameloplasty, and ceramic restorations. Whether you want a subtle refresh or a more significant smile transformation, Dr. Chaz will help you understand your options and recommend an approach that fits your goals and your budget.
A few things set us apart. We practice whole-health dentistry — which means we look at your oral health as part of your overall wellbeing, not in isolation. We offer specialized services like sleep apnea treatment, microbiome testing, ozone therapy, and laser bacterial reduction that most general dental practices don't provide. Dr. Chaz spent five years as a commissioned Navy officer before opening this practice, and both he and Dr. Seth are deeply invested in the Bellingham community. And from the moment you walk in, our entire team is focused on making you feel genuinely welcome.
Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?
Our friendly team is here to help you with scheduling, treatment questions, and anything else on your mind. Give us a call, send an email, or fill out the form — we'd love to hear from you.
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