Your Friendly Dentists at

Gentle Dental Vista

Convenient Hours
Experienced Dentists
Insurances Accepted
Savings Plan for New Patients

1680 South Melrose Dr. Suite 108
Vista, CA 92081

Evening and weekend hours available
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Hours

Monday 9:00-6:00
Tuesday 8:00-5:00
Wednesday 8:00-5:00
Thursday 8:00-5:00
Friday 8:00-5:00
Saturday 8:00-3:00 (By Appt)

Service representatives standing by

Monday – Thursday: 7:15am – 8pm PST
Friday: 7:15am – 6pm PST
Saturday: 7:30am – 4pm PST

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FRIENDLY, CONVENIENT & FLEXIBLE

Gentle in So Many Ways

Gentle on Your Mind

Our experienced Dental Professionals use the latest techniques to be as gentle as possible.

Gentle on Your Wallet

We accept most insurance plans, have a discount plan for those without, and offer flexible payment options.

Gentle on Your Schedule

We make your life easier with convenient hours including evenings and weekends.

New Patients

$50 Exam & X-Rays

Includes new patient exam and full mouth X-Rays.

Get coupon for details.

Other Resources:

General Dentistry

Our general dentistry services take care of the daily dental needs of you and your family.
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Preventative Services
Restorative Services

Pediatric Dentistry
Emergency Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Our cosmetic services include a variety of treatments for patients looking to enhance their smiles.
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Teeth Whitening
Dentures & Partials
Veneers
Inlays & Onlays

Crowns & Bridges
Implants
Bone Augmentation

Specialty Dentistry

Our extensive network of neighborhood practitioners make it easy to find dental specialists.
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Orthodontists
Endodontists
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons

Periodontists
Prosthodontists

Pediatric Dentistry

Our pediatric services include a variety of treatments and specialties for patients looking to enhance their smiles.
Learn More

Insurances We Accept

Gentle Dental accepts most dental insurance plans and options. If you do not see your insurance plan below, contact us and we will be happy to assist in confirming your existing insurance provider.

View More Insurance Plans

DELTACARE PMI HMO
DELTA CA-PPO
MET SAFEGUARD HMO
METLIFE PPO
UHC-DBP HMO
DHS HMO
CA DENTAL NET HMO
MDG-MDC GUARDIAN HMO
CIGNA PPO
HEALTHCOMP
UCCI CONCORD PLUS HMO
ANTHEM B/C CA HMO
AETNA DMO
LIBERTY DENTAL HMO

...and many more.
Call to see if your insurance is covered!

(442) 224-3027

Questions about Insurance?

If you have dental insurance and are concerned about coverage do not hesitate to reach out to our friendly staff. Our team here at Gentle Dental will help you with any payment or insurance questions you may have and will work closely with you to help you get the most out of your dental plan.

About Payment

Gentle Dental aims to be as gentle on your wallet as our dentists are when providing treatment. Our professional staff will help you get the most from your dental insurance benefits and explain any deductibles and co-pays to you.

Payment options include cash, major credit cards, discount plans, and private financing.

The Dedicated Dental Plan

The Dedicated Dental Plan is perfect if you don’t currently have dental insurance and offers significant savings.

You can enroll as an individual, couple or family and receive significant discounts on preventative services including exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and x-rays, as well as a host of other dental services. All other services including specialty care such as extractions, root canals, and orthodontics are available at significant discounts.

The Dedicated Dental Plan is effective immediately and there are no claim forms to fill out and no maximums. Our goal is to make it as easy as possible for everyone to obtain quality dental care at an affordable price.

To sign up or for questions, please call us at 800-277-1112.
You can also enroll at one of our locations.

Flexible Financing

We understand that you don’t always have the cash at hand, that’s why we accept most major credit cards and offer flexible financing options which can be helpful if you require more extensive work, orthodontics, or cosmetic procedures that aren’t covered by insurance. These plans can offer:

Low down payment and no interest¹
No money down and no interest²
Extended terms up to 48 months at 14.9% promotional interest rates³

We want to make paying for dental services as easy as possible. For more information, call us toll-free at 1-800-GENTLE1 to get in touch with the Gentle Dental Office in your neighborhood.

Valid photo ID and checking account, credit card or debit card required.
On approved credit. For promotional purchases over $300 if paid in full within promotional period. If promotional purchase is not paid in full within promotional period, interest will be imposed from the date of purchase at 26.99% APR.
On approved credit. For promotional purchases over $1,000. Fixed monthly payments based on repayment over 24, 36, or 48 month period.

New Patients

$500 Off Zirconia Crowns

Metal free with superior strength and durability.

Get coupon for details.

New Patients

$100 Off

New patients only. On services of $300 or greater not covered by insurance.

Get coupon for details.

New Patients

$50 Exam & X-Rays

Includes new patient exam and full mouth X-Rays.

Get coupon for details.

Don’t see the service you need? Give us a call!

(442) 224-3027

To Know Us Is To Love Us

LEARN ABOUT US

The Vista Gentle Dental is conveniently located on S. Melrose Drive near Live Oak Road, behind Pacific Western Bank.

We offer flexible hours, including evenings for your convenience, and accept most insurance plans. For those without dental insurance, we offer our Gentle Dental Smile Plan that provides low-cost preventive and diagnostic care, as well as discounts of 20 percent or more on most dental treatments. We also have payment plans available as needed.

Our friendly team of dental professionals is eager to put a smile on your face by providing sincere and compassionate care. We offer gentle, personalized family dentistry for patients of all ages. We specialize in cosmetic dentistry to suit your aesthetic needs. Our skilled team of dentists can also help you with all types of general dentistry, orthodontics, dental implants, oral surgery, teeth whitening, and much more.

We pride ourselves on building relationships for life with our patients by providing a great patient experience, excellent service for all your dental needs, and education to help maintain good oral health and overall well-being. We promise to make you feel valued, respected, and as important as family.

Stop in and see us on S. Melrose Drive. We offer convenient, handicapped-accessible parking. To set up an appointment or for further assistance, please call us at 442-224-3027. One of our friendly staff members will be happy to speak with you.

Meet The Team

WHO WE ARE

Gary Altenburg

D.D.S., Endodontist

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Gary Altenburg

D.D.S., Endodontist

ABOUT ME
Dr. Altenburg is dedicated and passionate about his work as an Endodontist. He thrives to provide the best care for all his patients. He is proud of his work, knowing that it provides healthy, functional smiles for his patients and its satisfying for him to witness the improvement of his patients’ self-esteem as their courses of treatment progress.

After graduating from California State University, Dr. Altenburg earned his dental degree from Northwestern University Dental School and received his
Endodontic Certificate from the Temple University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the California State Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the Tri-County Dental Society.

Dr. Altenburg is also the endodontic consultant and mentor for the Pala Mesa Dental Study Club and the Temecula ITI Dental Study Club and serves the community as an elected trustee for the Escondido Union School District.

Dr. Altenburg is a native Southern Californian and was raised in Vista, California. He enjoys outdoor activities, including fly fishing, salt-water fishing and off-roading with his wife and three children.

EDUCATION
B.S., Economics–California State University, Long Beach
D.D.S.–Northwestern University Dental School
Endodontic Certificate–Temple University School of Dentistry

AFFILIATIONS
American Association of Endodontists
California State Association of Endodontists
American Dental Association
California Dental Association
Tri-County Dental Society

Ofelia Rivera

D.D.S. General Dentist

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Ofelia Rivera

D.D.S. General Dentist

Dr. Rivera says, “Being a dentist allows me to provide patients with pain relief, restore their teeth and create the beautiful smile they have always wanted! With gentle care, patients will have the most comfortable and the best dental visit experience.”

After graduating from Southwestern University, Dr. Rivera received her Dental Degree from the Southwestern University College of Dentistry. To keep up with evolving technology, she’s a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and the San Diego Dental Society.

Dr. Rivera says, “I love listening to music, bike riding and reading. I enjoy watching my son play baseball and spending time with my family and our Abyssinian cat.” Dr. Rivera grew up in the Philippines and also speaks Tagalog and Visayan.

Education

B.S., Pre-Dental–Southwestern University
D.D.S.– Southwestern University College of Dentistry

Affiliations

American Dental Association California
Dental Association San Diego Dental Society

Reviews

SEE WHAT OUR PATIENTS HAVE TO SAY!

Jun 21, 2018

Facebook • Gentle Dental Vista

Dr. Rivera and her team were awesome! They were very professional, they did great work on my teeth, and the referral process to get my wisdom teeth pulled was very quick and easy. The receptionist was extremely helpful through the referral process.

May 26, 2018

Google • Gentle Dental Vista

Friendly staff great service and even better prices. Maria up at the front desk makes everything that much better. She needs a raise NOW! Will definitely make this my new office for any dental work that I need.

May 3, 2018

Google • Gentle Dental Vista

The staff at Gentle Dental are awesome! Check in was quick, my dentist gave a thorough examination and made sure I understood the condition of my teeth by going over detailed snapshots of some trouble areas. I was very satisfied with the dental work performed and the customer friendly atmosphere.

Gentle Dental Vista replied on May 10, 2018:

Damiso Lamb, thank you for sharing your positive experience!

Mar 7, 2018

Facebook • Gentle Dental Vista

Having received dental care at Gentle Dental in West Linn, Oregon, where the best care was provided, I looked for the nearest GD here in Vista, CA and I found it. Received a thorough exam and I look forward to continue my follow up are here. Everyone in the office make you feel comfortable. I am very satisfied.

Gentle Dental Vista replied on Mar 14, 2018:

Dear Martha Carrera Infante, Thank you for taking the time to post your kind words. At, Gentle Dental Vista, it means a lot to us to know you had a great experience and we look forward to seeing you on your next visit.

Oct 6, 2017

Google • Gentle Dental Vista

When I first called, the message asked if I was a new patient press 2 and much to my surprise a real person answered right away. She asked a few questions and told me exactly how to contact my insurance carrier. I did what she told me and I got the insurance set up right away. I saw the dentist the next day and she was great. She spent a lot of time explaining everything. I'm very pleased to have found a new dentist that I feel comfortable with.

Gentle Dental Vista replied on Oct 10, 2017:

Dear John Crow, Thank you for taking the time to post your kind words. At, Gentle Dental Vista, it means a lot to us to know you had a great experience and we look forward to seeing you on your next visit.

Sep 6, 2017

Facebook • Gentle Dental Vista

Gentle Dental Vista. Dr Rivera, Carmen , Maria and the whole group (I only met those 3 so far). What a great dentist office. They make you feel welcome. super friendly, and these Dental professionals know their business ! As much work as needed and as rough as any visit to any dentist office may be, this group kept me at ease, and relaxed thru each procedure. a great group of folks and i would highly recommend this office Gentle Dental Vista to anyone searching for a dentist. 5 stars !

Gentle Dental Vista replied on Sep 7, 2017:

Dear Christopher Capobianco, Thank you for taking the time to post your kind words about our staff. We are excited to share this with the team. At, Gentle Dental Vista, it means a lot to us to know you had a great experience and we look forward to seeing you on your next visit.

Apr 11, 2017

Google • Gentle Dental Vista

Friendly, kind, and understanding. Gave our family a good understanding of what care we all needed. Was very straightforward and not pushy. Glad they are our local dentist.

Gentle Dental Vista replied on Apr 17, 2017:

Dear Christy Decker Goodson, Thank you for the delightful feedback. At the Gentle Dental Vista, we are glad that the team has put you at ease and taken great care of you during your visit. Your review means a lot to us and we look forward to seeing you at your next visit.

Gentle Dental Vista

Hours

Request an Appointment

Gentle in So Many Ways

Gentle on Your Mind

Gentle on Your Wallet

Gentle on Your Schedule

New Patients

$50 Exam & X-Rays

Please enter your information and we will email you this coupon!

Other Resources:

General Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Specialty Dentistry

Pediatric Dentistry

Insurances We Accept

Questions about Insurance?

About Payment

The Dedicated Dental Plan

Flexible Financing

New Patients

$500 Off Zirconia Crowns

Please enter your information and we will email you this coupon!

New Patients

$100 Off

Please enter your information and we will email you this coupon!

New Patients

$50 Exam & X-Rays

Please enter your information and we will email you this coupon!

To Know Us Is To Love Us

Meet The Team

Gary Altenburg

Gary Altenburg

Ofelia Rivera

Ofelia Rivera

Education

Affiliations

Reviews