Convenient Access from Forked River
Most of the drive is pure Parkway, which is why patients from Lacey Road can reach Dental Arts Group in Manahawkin in around 21 minutes. If you are comparing options for a dentist near Forked River, our office offers two general dentists, a 6:00 AM start every Friday and Monday hours until 6:00 PM. Commuters, retirees and busy families from across Lacey Township already make the trip south.
From the Lacey Branch of the Ocean County Library on East Lacey Road, drive west on Lacey Road, County Route 614, for about 2.5 miles to Garden State Parkway Exit 74. Go south on the Parkway for close to 11 miles and leave at Exit 63. The ramp feeds Route 72 west, and the office is under a mile ahead at Barnacle Drive.
That works out to about 15 miles in all. Our address is 1322 NJ-72 Ste 1, Manahawkin, NJ 08050, Suite 1 of the office building on Route 72 West, and our Google Maps listing will route you from home. The same Parkway run passes the exits for Waretown and Barnegat.
Built for Busy Forked River Schedules
Forked River is the main community of Lacey Township, and many people use its name for the whole township, including Lanoka Harbor and Bamber. Locals say it with two syllables, "Fork-ed River," and can spot a newcomer in a second. The river itself empties into Barnegat Bay, and the Forked River State Marina, with 125 berths, gives boaters a way out to the bay.
Life here leans on the Parkway. Exit 74 is reached straight from Lacey Road, so heading south to Exit 63 is second nature for anyone who works, shops or visits family down the shore. About two-thirds of Lacey lies west of the Parkway, where the Pinelands Commission strictly controls development.
The town has changed in recent years. The Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station in southern Lacey closed in September 2018, while Route 9 and the Parkway remain the main ways in and out of Forked River. Landmarks such as the Lacey Schoolhouse Museum and the library branch on East Lacey Road keep the old village feel close at hand.
Our hours suit that pattern. A Friday visit at 6:00 AM can be finished before most offices open, and a Monday appointment late in the afternoon catches people on the way home. Tuesday through Thursday open at 8:00 AM, and the office is closed on weekends.
Dental Concerns We Often See from Lacey Township
Stress and long commutes show up in the mouth. Clenching and grinding wear enamel, crack fillings and leave jaw muscles sore by morning. A custom night guard is one of the simplest ways to protect your teeth while you sleep.
Patients who have put off care often come to us with a tooth that throbs or reacts to cold for a long time after a sip. Those are classic warning signs of infection inside the tooth. Root canal care usually saves it, and our dentists talk through that option alongside extraction so you can decide with clear information.
Gum health is the other big one for adults. Bleeding when you brush is not normal, and early gum disease often responds well to the right cleaning schedule. More advanced cases are treated with scaling and root planing, followed by maintenance visits.
Families with teenagers at Lacey Township High School often ask about straightening crooked teeth. Invisalign® clear aligners are well suited to older teens and adults, and an iTero digital scan replaces messy impressions at the start.
Older Forked River residents bring a different list: worn crowns, gaps from missing teeth and gums that have pulled back over the years. Our dentists handle those needs in the same office, so a parent and a grandparent can share one dental home. A thorough first exam sets priorities, and the plan moves at a pace that suits you.
Because the drive is a little longer than from towns next door, we try to make each visit count. When it makes sense, a cleaning, an exam and a small filling can be grouped into fewer trips, and Forked River patients leave with the next visit already on the calendar.
Popular Services for Patients Seeking a Dentist Near Forked River
Patients who make the drive from Lacey Township most often book these services. Every one is provided at our Route 72 office, and our dentists review the options and costs with you before treatment starts, so there are no surprises on the bill.
Night Guards and Sleep
Commuters who clench through the night, or partners kept awake by snoring, are the usual reason people book Night Health visits. A scanned, printed guard shields the teeth, and Dr. Strait fits oral appliances as a first-line therapy for many mild and moderate sleep apnea patients.
Root Canal Care
Endodontics at our office means root canal therapy and retreatment to save infected teeth, followed by a crown when the tooth needs protection.
Gum Treatment
Gum screenings, deep cleanings in two visits and periodontal maintenance make up our Healthy Gums program for adults with bleeding or receding gums.
Clear Aligners
Invisalign® aligners are changed about every two weeks and worn at least 22 hours a day, with check-ins every six to eight weeks. Treatment time depends on the case.
Cleanings and Checkups
Routine cleanings, digital x-rays, sealants and oral cancer screening are part of Cavity & Disease Prevention, the foundation for every age.
Your first visit is The DAG Comprehensive Exam, which also screens for sleep-disordered breathing, a natural fit for anyone with a snoring partner.
Meet Your Forked River Dental Team
Dr. Gregory Strait, DMD, is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the New Jersey Dental Association. Dr. Viktoriya Halkina, DDS, trained at NYU College of Dentistry after neuroscience research at Rockefeller University, and she values teamwork in long-term care.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Our dentists are in network with many PPO plans, such as Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna and Horizon BCBS; HMO, DMO, Medicaid and Medicare plans are not taken. DAG Prime Savings covers patients without insurance, and Sunbit even offers monthly Invisalign financing.
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 Forked River, and how do I get there?
It is about 15 miles from the Lacey Branch library, a drive of roughly 21 minutes. Take Lacey Road west to Parkway Exit 74, head south to Exit 63, and follow Route 72 west to Barnacle Drive. Patients looking for a dentist near Forked River often find the Parkway makes the trip quicker than expected.
Which PPO insurance plans are you in network with?
We are in network with many PPO plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, MetLife, Aetna and Horizon BCBS. Our team checks your specific plan and gives you a breakdown of expected coverage at the first exam. Patients without a PPO plan can consider DAG Prime Savings or CareCredit and Sunbit financing.
Can a night guard be made without a putty impression?
Yes, our night guards start with a simple three-minute digital scan of your teeth instead of a tray of putty. The guard is then 3D-printed to match your bite, which gives a close, comfortable fit. It protects enamel and fillings from grinding and helps ease pressure on the jaw joints overnight.
Is it better to save a tooth with a root canal or pull it?
Saving a natural tooth with a root canal is usually the first choice when the tooth can be restored. It keeps your bite intact and avoids the cost of replacing the tooth later. If a tooth is cracked too deeply or badly broken down, extraction followed by an implant may be the better plan.
Can I pay for treatment in monthly installments?
Yes, we work with CareCredit and Sunbit, two financing programs that let you spread the cost of care over monthly payments. The office also accepts cash, checks and most major credit cards. All costs are discussed before treatment begins, so you can choose a payment option that fits your budget.
Schedule Your Visit from Forked River
Ready to see a dentist near Forked River who works around your commute? Call 609-739-8975 or book online, and we will find a weekday time that fits. Learn more about our Manahawkin dentist team, view the Areas We Serve list, or check events at the Lacey Branch library.
