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Dental Arts Group - South Philadelphia

Packer Avenue family practice with a board-certified endodontist working in-house

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(215) 618-9070WebsiteUpdated Aug 22, 2026

About Dental Arts Group - South Philadelphia

Packer Avenue sits in the part of South Philadelphia where the row-home grid gives way to the stadium complex, and the office at 1517 works the way a neighborhood practice should: whole households on the same chart, a child's checkup slotted next to a grandparent's denture adjustment. Dr. Kenneth Donahue has been treating patients in South Philadelphia for thirty-four years. Dr. Kelsey Lehrer and Dr. Kara Sanford, both Temple-trained, carry the general caseload alongside him. What makes the office unusual for its size is Dr. Chiara Y. Quick, a board-certified endodontist working in-house.

That matters most when a tooth needs a root canal. Ordinarily a general dentist finds the problem, then refers you across the city to a specialist you have never met, and you wait for that appointment while the tooth throbs. Here the referral is down the hall. The procedure itself is far less dramatic than its reputation: the tooth is numbed, an opening is made through the crown, the inflamed nerve tissue inside the canals is removed, the canals are cleaned, shaped and disinfected, then sealed with a rubber-like filling material. Most of the pain people associate with root canals belongs to the infection beforehand, not the treatment. Afterward the tooth is brittle and usually needs a crown to stop it splitting, and that crown is not optional, so it belongs in your cost planning from day one.

Around that sit cleanings and periodontal care, fillings, implants, dentures, Invisalign, whitening, extractions and oral surgery. Payment is handled several ways: the DAG Prime Savings Plan for patients without insurance, monthly financing quoted from $99 for Invisalign and $149 for implants, and direct help working through existing benefits.

The opening times assume most patients have a job to get back to. Wednesday opens at 7am, Tuesday and Thursday run until 6pm, and Friday finishes at 2pm. Emergencies get a free exam and X-ray, which is a reasonable way to find out whether the pain you woke up with is a cracked filling or something that needs the endodontist the same week. Parking around Packer Avenue is far easier than anywhere in Center City, and access from I-76 and Broad Street makes the office reachable from most of the south end of the city.

A neighborhood practice at 1517 Packer Avenue in South Philadelphia West, where Dr. Kenneth Donahue has treated patients for thirty-four years alongside Dr. Kelsey Lehrer and Dr. Kara Sanford. Dr. Chiara Y. Quick, a board-certified endodontist, handles root canals in-house rather than by outside referral. Implants, dentures, Invisalign, whitening, periodontal care and oral surgery are all offered. Emergencies get a free exam and X-ray. Early Wednesday opening, evening hours Tuesday and Thursday, financing from $99 a month.

Clinic Details

Parking

Free parking lot, Free street parking, Free garage parking

Best Known For

Root Canal Treatment, Family Dental Care, Dental Implants, Invisalign

Business Hours

Monday
9:00 AM5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM6:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM6:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM6:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM2:00 PM
SaturdayClosed
Sunday(Today)Closed

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does having an endodontist in the same office matter?
Root canal treatment is the procedure most often referred out of a general practice. This South Philadelphia office has Dr. Chiara Y. Quick, a board-certified endodontist, working on site, so a diagnosis made in one chair can be treated a few steps away instead of after a wait for an outside appointment. That shortens the gap between the pain starting and the infection being cleared, and the dentist who will restore the tooth stays involved throughout.
Do I really need a crown after a root canal?
On back teeth, almost always. Removing the nerve and shaping the canals leaves the tooth structurally weaker, and molars carry heavy chewing load, so an unprotected root-treated tooth can split along a line that often cannot be repaired. A crown wraps the remaining structure and spreads that load across it. Front teeth with minimal damage are sometimes an exception. Budget for the crown when you plan the root canal, not months later.
What happens at an emergency visit here?
Emergencies get a free exam and X-ray, which is usually enough to tell whether you are dealing with a lost filling, a cracked cusp, an abscess or a gum infection. From there the office will either treat it in the same visit or stabilize the tooth and book the definitive work. Wednesday appointments start at 7am and Tuesday and Thursday run into the evening, which is often the easiest way to be seen without losing a work day.

Location

Services Offered

Dental ImplantsBone GraftingOral SurgeryFull Mouth RehabilitationDental CrownsInvisalignDentures

Reviews

1,264 reviews

Smyleee Rating reflects verified profile signals, reviews, and overall care quality.

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Recent Reviews

J
J***1 week ago
J
J***1 week ago

I’m so happy to have stumbled across this practice. Everyone here is so friendly, professional and I couldn’t be happier to have found my new dental practice!

J
J***1 week ago

They treat you like family. Very professional and courteous. A dentist you actually look forward to visiting!

A
A***1 week ago

Always a great experience.

T
T***1 week ago

I had a root canal procedure with Dr. Quick this morning and couldn't be more impressed with the entire experience. Her bedside manner was absolutely superb – she made me feel comfortable and at ease throughout the entire process. What really stood out was that I didn't feel a thing during the procedure. Dr. Quick's skill and gentle approach made what could have been an uncomfortable experience completely painless. Additionally, she took the time to address another matter and personally handed me the proper paperwork so I could take care of it myself. This level of personal attention and professionalism is rare to find. I'm extremely pleased with both her professional expertise and caring bedside manner. I would highly recommend Dr. Quick to anyone needing dental work. Five stars without hesitation!

c
c***1 month ago

I’m a returning patient I called for an appointment and I was seen immediately by dr Sanford, the exam was thorough and not rushed, expecting to schedule a cleaning I was surprised that it was done immediately and done by dr Sanford. I was also impressed by the front desk, friendly and helpful. I strongly recommend DAG of south philly. The scheduling, assistants, doctors, second to none.

S
S***1 month ago

My experience was fantastic! Starting with intake, the receptionist and check-in process was very smooth and efficient. Though waiting is typically expected, there was no wait, in fact they brought me in a few minutes early. Doctor Sanford was very thorough when conveying the steps she would be taking. I felt no pain whatsoever, as the doctor applied the appropriate amount of numbing agent prior to administering the PDL (most dentists do not explain procedure), but doctor Sanford’s explanation was even better than Copilot had stated. Further, the temporary crown was made with precision, the assistant formed and polished it as if I were royalty. Overall, I was very impressed with the cordial, professional atmosphere and pain free results. I highly recommend Dental Arts Group to those in need of quality care.

J
J***4 months ago

If you’re like most people, going to the dentist is usually the last thing you look forward to, but this team completely flips that narrative. From the moment you walk in, you’re treated with a level of professionalism, care, and attention that feels more like a true concierge experience than a routine dental visit. The staff is not only accommodating and organized, but genuinely welcoming. They make everything seamless, from scheduling to treatment, and you can tell you’re in the hands of seasoned professionals who know exactly what they’re doing. There’s a confidence and experience here that immediately puts you at ease. What really sets this office apart is the environment they create. They take something most people dread and turn it into a comfortable, smooth, and even enjoyable experience. That’s not easy to do, but they do it consistently. Top-tier service, top-tier people, and truly second to none. If you’re looking for a dental team that delivers excellence across the board, this is it.

F
F***4 months ago

I had an excellent experience with Keisha, my dental hygienist. She was extremely professional, knowledgeable, and took the time to explain everything she was doing throughout the appointment. Her attention to detail and gentle approach made the entire cleaning process comfortable and stress-free. Keisha clearly takes pride in her work and genuinely cares about her patients. She also provided helpful tips for maintaining my oral health between visits, which I really appreciated. If you’re looking for a hygienist who is thorough, personable, and highly skilled, I highly recommend her. She made what is usually a routine visit a truly positive experience.

C
C***5 months ago

First of all, I was very happy with the dental practice that I had been with for 20+ years. Alas, I moved and the distance was too far. Today, I’m thrilled to be a patient at the Dental Arts Group. The dentists, hygienists, and support staff are top notch. I’m impressed with the technical systems they use to organize their operations. And each and every employee is knowledgeable and kind.

Reviews are aggregated from public sources.

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