About the practice
A practice built around the patient who avoided the dentist.
Not because they didn't care about their teeth. Because the experience itself was something to endure — and we were determined to fix that.
Dr. Sarah Clearwater opened this studio in 2011 after a decade at larger Austin dental groups. She kept noticing the same pattern: patients who hadn't seen a dentist in years — not because they didn't care about their teeth, but because the experience felt like something you scheduled only when the pain became unavoidable.
The question she kept asking: what would have to be different for those patients to want to come back? The answer turned into a practice. Quieter space. Longer appointments. Costs explained before anything started. Providers who narrated each step instead of working in silence.
Fourteen years later, Clearwater Dental Studio is a team of three providers in a 2,400-square-foot space on West 6th. The original premise holds: most of our patients come to us because something about the clinical dental experience wasn't working for them. Quite a few stay because we fixed it.
2011
Founded in Austin
14 yrs
Serving the community
3
Providers on staff
4.9 ★
212 Google reviews
The team
Three people who have probably seen your situation before.
Dr. Sarah Clearwater
DDS · Founder
Sarah opened the practice in 2011 after a decade at larger Austin dental groups. She trained at NYU College of Dentistry and is certified in CEREC same-day crown technology. Her focus is creating a practice where patients stop canceling.
- General dentistry
- CEREC same-day crowns
- Cosmetic cases
Dr. James Okonkwo
DMD · General Dentistry
James joined in 2018 after completing an advanced general dentistry residency at Dell Medical School. He is certified in oral sedation and specializes in patients who have avoided dental care due to anxiety. His approach: narrate every step before it happens.
- Oral sedation
- Anxiety management
- Restorative dentistry
Amy Chen
RDH · Lead Hygienist
Amy has been with Clearwater since 2016. She is known for gentle technique, patient listening, and catching things early. She pursues continuing education in periodontal therapy and holds a certificate in local anesthesia administration.
- Periodontal care
- Gentle cleanings
- Patient education
How we operate
Four things we will not compromise on.
Transparency
We quote every procedure before it starts. No treatment happens without your explicit go-ahead and a clear cost in hand.
Patience
Appointments aren't rushed. Anxious patients aren't unusual here — we're set up for you, not frustrated by you.
Education
We explain what we find and why it matters. You leave understanding your dental health, not just what you owe.
Access
Saturday hours, most major insurance accepted, same-week availability for new patients. Dental care that fits real life.
Come in and see what the difference looks like.
New patients start with the $99 exam and X-ray special. No commitment, no pressure — just a clear starting point.
Book your first visit →