Your Trusted Dentist in Tempe, AZ
Our Tempe office on Apache Boulevard sits at the heart of the East Valley, just minutes from Arizona State University, Tempe Marketplace, and Tempe Town Lake. Whether you're a Sun Devil student, an ASU faculty member, a young professional in downtown Tempe, or a family in South Tempe or Ahwatukee, this location was designed with your schedule in mind.
What sets the Tempe office apart is our extended evening hours — we're open until 7:00 PM every weekday, the latest of any Summit Ridge Dental location. For students juggling class schedules and working professionals who can't leave the office during the day, evening appointments mean dental care fits your life instead of the other way around. Saturday hours from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM give you even more flexibility.
Dr. James Patel leads our Tempe team as the primary dentist. He's an Invisalign Diamond Provider with over 1,500 cases completed and a Phoenix native who understands the Tempe community. Dr. Sarah Chen also sees patients here on Wednesdays, providing access to her implant and prosthodontic expertise without a trip to Scottsdale. Together, they cover general dentistry, emergency care, cosmetic treatments, and pediatric dentistry for families across the area.
Tempe Office Details
Summit Ridge Dental — Tempe
1820 E Apache Blvd, Suite 200
Tempe, AZ 85281
Office Hours
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Friday | 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Parking & Directions
Free parking garage on the 2nd floor of the Apache Medical Center building. Take the elevator to the 2nd floor and follow signs to Suite 200. The building is located on the south side of Apache Blvd, east of Rural Road.
From ASU campus: Head south on Rural Road, turn east on Apache Blvd — we're less than a 5-minute drive or a short bike ride. From the Loop 202: Take the Apache Blvd/University Dr exit and head east. From Ahwatukee: Take I-10 to the Loop 202 east, exit at Rural Rd or Price Rd and head north on Apache.
Services at Our Tempe Office
Our Tempe location offers the full scope of Summit Ridge Dental services. Dr. Patel's Invisalign Diamond Provider status makes this office a top choice for clear aligner treatment in the East Valley.
Note: Same-day CEREC crowns are available at our Scottsdale and Gilbert locations. Full-mouth reconstruction is performed at our Scottsdale location by Dr. Chen.
Your Tempe Dentists
Dr. James Patel, DMD
Associate Dentist · Mon–Fri (Primary)
Dr. Patel is an Invisalign Diamond Provider with 1,500+ cases and a Phoenix native who built his career in the Tempe community. He handles general dentistry, Invisalign, emergency care, and pediatric dentistry with a calm, approachable demeanor patients love. He's also a youth soccer coach and ASU Sun Devil Athletics dental partner.
Full bio →
Dr. Sarah Chen, DDS, FAGD
Founder & Lead Dentist · Wednesdays
Dr. Chen sees patients at our Tempe office on Wednesdays, bringing her expertise in dental implants, veneers, and prosthodontics. If you need implant placement or complex restorative work but prefer the Tempe location, Wednesday is your day.
Full bio →Insurance Accepted at Tempe
We accept the same comprehensive list of insurance plans at all locations: Delta Dental Premier and PPO, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, United Healthcare, Guardian, Humana, GEHA, and select BCBS plans. ASU students and employees — check if your university health plan includes dental coverage. For patients without insurance, our Summit Savings Plan ($299/year) is a popular option. CareCredit and Lending Club financing are also available.
View All Insurance Details →Neighborhoods We Serve from Tempe
Our central Tempe location on Apache Blvd makes us an easy choice for residents throughout the central and south East Valley.
Tempe Office FAQ
Yes — our Tempe office stays open until 7:00 PM every weekday, making it easy to schedule after work or after class. This is the latest closing time of any Summit Ridge Dental location, specifically designed for busy students and professionals who need flexible scheduling.
We're right on Apache Boulevard, just east of Rural Road — about a 5-minute drive or a quick bike ride from the ASU Tempe campus. If you're using the Valley Metro light rail, get off at the Apache/Rural station and we're a short walk east. The building has a free parking garage on the 2nd floor if you're driving.
Dr. Patel is an Invisalign Diamond Provider — a designation earned by completing a high volume of Invisalign cases (1,500+). While all three of our doctors can provide Invisalign, Dr. Patel handles the most complex cases and is our go-to for challenging alignment issues. He uses iTero digital scanning to create your treatment plan, which means no uncomfortable impressions.
Coverage depends on your specific ASU student health plan. Many plans include dental benefits that we can bill directly. Call us at (480) 555-7200 and we'll verify your coverage before your first visit. If your plan doesn't include dental, our Summit Savings Plan ($299/year) is an affordable alternative that includes preventive care and discounts on all treatments.
Yes. Dr. Chen is available at our Tempe location on Wednesdays and performs implant consultations and placements here. She uses 3D CT imaging for precise implant planning. For complex cases like full-mouth reconstruction, she may recommend treatment at our Scottsdale office where additional technology is available, but standard single implants and implant-supported restorations are regularly performed in Tempe.
Ahwatukee to our Tempe office is typically 15-20 minutes via I-10 and the Loop 202. Take the 202 east to the Rural Rd or Price Rd exit, then head north to Apache Blvd. With our evening hours until 7 PM, many Ahwatukee patients find it convenient to stop in on their commute home from work.
Dental Care That Fits Your Tempe Schedule
Evening hours until 7 PM, Saturday availability, and same-day emergency appointments. New patients get a comprehensive exam, X-rays, and cleaning for just $79.