Convenient Access from Barnegat
For families weighing a dentist in Barnegat, NJ against one a short hop down the Parkway, Dental Arts Group is about 11 minutes from the village center. Our office is on Route 72 West in Manahawkin, and our two general dentists see kids, teens and adults for prevention, fillings, Invisalign, cosmetic work and oral surgery services.
Starting from the Ocean County Library's Barnegat Branch on Burr Street, turn onto West Bay Avenue (County Route 554) and head west a little over a mile to the Garden State Parkway interchange at Exit 67. Ride the Parkway south about 3 miles to Exit 63, then follow Route 72 west for under a mile. A turn at Barnacle Drive brings you to 1322 NJ-72 Ste 1.
All told the trip runs about 6 miles, though Parkway traffic builds in summer, so give yourself a few extra minutes then. We share a multi-tenant office building and our entrance is marked Suite 1, which you can preview on Google Maps. Our patients from Ocean Acres, which straddles the Barnegat and Stafford line, and from Waretown to the north use the same Parkway exits.
A Dental Home for Growing Barnegat Families
Barnegat Township was once a busy sea port, and glassmaking and shipbuilding shaped the old village. That history still shows in the Historic District, with its parks, antique stores, boutiques and museums, and in the Barnegat Municipal Dock, where people fish and crab along Barnegat Bay. The township's 2020 census count was the highest in its history.
Newer neighborhoods include the Barnegat section of Ocean Acres, which filled in during the 2000s, and adult communities such as Heritage Point off Parkway Exit 67. The result is a township with two big groups: young families with kids in school and active older adults. Our office is set up to care for both.
For parents, the draw is simple. One office can handle a first cleaning for a young child, sealants for a second grader, aligners for a high schooler and a crown for mom or dad. Keeping everyone in one place makes it easier to stay on schedule.
Getting started is straightforward. New patients without insurance can begin with a $99 cleaning, exam and x-ray when there is no periodontal disease. If a toothache or a long gap since the last checkup is the reason for calling, the $69 exam and x-ray for new patients only is designed for that situation.
What Barnegat Parents Should Know About Teen Dental Care
Barnegat runs its own school district from pre-kindergarten through Barnegat High School, so most local kids stay in town from their first day of school to graduation. Those years bring a predictable set of dental milestones. Baby teeth give way to permanent ones, molars need sealing, and crowding often becomes obvious in middle school.
The teen years add their own risks. Sports bring hits to the mouth, late-night studying brings snacks, and wisdom teeth start to push in toward the end of high school. Regular checkups let our dentists catch early decay, monitor crowding and spot impacted wisdom teeth on digital x-rays.
Straightening is often on the list by then. Clear aligners appeal to teens who would rather not have brackets in their yearbook photos, but they only work when worn at least 22 hours a day. Check-ins typically happen every six to eight weeks, and the total length of treatment varies from one case to the next.
Prevention habits learned at home matter just as much. Our Patient Education pages cover brushing, flossing, sealants and bad breath, which helps when you want a teenager to hear the advice from someone other than a parent.
Free time fills up fast for Barnegat families, with the Barnegat Township bay beach, the dock and the Barnegat Branch Trail all close by. Weekday appointments are the answer, and Mondays stay open until 6:00 PM for an after-school visit.
Family Services From a Dentist in Barnegat, NJ
From first teeth to wisdom teeth, these five services cover the needs we see most in growing households.
Prevention for Every Age
Our Cavity & Disease Prevention visits include cleanings, digital x-rays, sealants, fluoride varnish for kids, teens and braces wearers, and an oral cancer screening.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign treatment begins with an iTero scan, uses aligners changed about every two weeks and suits older teens and adults.
Fillings and Crowns
Our Cavity Repair work uses white composite fillings and digital ceramic crowns, so repairs blend in with natural teeth.
Wisdom Teeth and Extractions
Our Oral Surgery services cover wisdom and impacted teeth, extractions and bone grafting, with dental sedation available during oral surgery and a driver home required.
Senior Portraits and Beyond
Chipped front teeth, uneven gumlines and old dark fillings can be updated through Cosmetic Dentistry, with options from tooth-colored fillings to porcelain veneers and laser gum contouring.
Meet Your Barnegat Dental Team
Dr. Viktoriya Halkina, DDS, came to dentistry through science. After a psychology degree at Hunter College and three published studies as a neuroscience researcher at Rockefeller University, she earned a master's in oral biology and her dental degree at NYU College of Dentistry. Her compassionate, team-oriented approach fits families who want every member, from the youngest to the oldest, treated with the same patience.
Dr. Gregory Strait, DMD, a Penn Dental Medicine graduate, completed his residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center and belongs to the Academy of General Dentistry and the New Jersey Dental Association. He is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Grandparents in the township's adult communities who snore, or who have been told they stop breathing at night, can talk with him about a custom oral appliance.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
We are in network with many PPO plans, such as Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna and Horizon BCBS, though we do not take HMO, DMO, Medicaid or Medicare. The DAG Prime Savings family plan gives uninsured households 20% off general treatment with no deductibles.
Monthly payments are possible through CareCredit and Sunbit, including monthly Invisalign financing through Sunbit. We also take cash, checks and most major credit cards, and every cost is reviewed with you before treatment so there are no surprises.
What Others Are Saying
Can’t thank the doctor and his team enough! Always very nice and welcoming. Top-notch! Will continue to always go back when needed!
Cody S.
My husband and I are new patients at Dental Arts Group! We are very happy with the doctor and the entire team! If we could we’d give them 10 stars! Thank you again!
Peggy J.
My husband and I have had the best experience with this office. The team is helpful and friendly, we are always greeted with a smile! The doctor is an amazing dentist. He always makes each visit a piece of cake! He listens to our concerns and explains what to expect and steps he will be taking. If we could, we would give this office 100 stars. Definitely recommend if you need a dentist. Could not thank them enough for making us smile again!
Mary H.
Excellent team and atmosphere. The front desk is helpful and friendly, as was the hygienist that took care of me. The doctor was amazing as well. I’m happy to say after many years of trying to find a new dentist, I’ve finally found where I’ll be visiting from now on.
Kristian F.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Dental Arts Group from Barnegat, and how do I get there?
From the Barnegat Branch library it is about 6 miles, normally an 11-minute drive. Take West Bay Avenue west to Parkway Exit 67, go south to Exit 63 and follow Route 72 west to Barnacle Drive. Families who want a dentist in Barnegat, NJ or close by will find the Parkway makes this an easy trip most of the year.
Should my teenager wear a mouthguard for sports?
Yes, for any sport with contact, falls or flying balls. A mouthguard cushions blows that could chip, crack or knock out teeth, and it protects braces and lips too. At checkups our dentists look for chips and worn edges from past hits and can talk with you about the best protection for your teen's sport.
Is my teenager a good candidate for Invisalign?
Often, yes, especially for older teens. Invisalign works best when a patient will wear the aligners at least 22 hours a day and switch to a new set about every two weeks. Treatment time varies by case. A free consultation with an iTero digital scan shows whether aligners can handle your teen's bite.
Does a cavity in a baby tooth need treatment?
Usually, yes. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, and untreated decay can cause pain, infection and early tooth loss. Small cavities can be filled, while deeper ones that reach the nerve may need a pulpotomy or pulpectomy to save the tooth. Our dentists will explain which option fits your child.
Do you have dental appointments after school?
Yes, on Mondays the office stays open until 6:00 PM, which leaves time after the school bell. Tuesday through Thursday hours run from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday runs from 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The office is closed on Saturday and Sunday, so weekday slots fill first.
Schedule Your Visit from Barnegat
If you are comparing options for a dentist in Barnegat, NJ, we would be glad to meet your family in our Ocean County office. Call 609-739-8975 or book online. Take a look at our Manahawkin dentist homepage, and check our Areas We Serve page for nearby towns.
