Dr. Walter Claude Dukes

Our goal here is to set the standard for 21st-century dental care in Santa Barbara by placing an extra emphasis on high-quality, high-tech dentistry and total patient comfort. Once you experience our comfortable amenities and uncompromising care, you'll never want to visit an ordinary dental office again.
History

Mesa Dental began in 1978 with a vision. Dr. Walter Dukes wanted to start a dentistry practice to meet the needs of clientele in the Santa Barbara area. It would have a boutique feel, oceanfront vistas, and unmatched service.

It has taken twenty years to make that vision a reality at Lighthouse Court, the mixed-use building right on the water that would be the site of Dr. Dukes' offices. Add to the perfect location massage chairs, neck pillows, heated blankets, silent drills, and pina colada flavored novocaine. It feels more like a spa than the dentist's office!

The atmosphere was only part of the equation. Dr. Dukes felt it was important to provide a personal …touch, to take the time to talk to each patient and address his or her questions and concerns. In language that you don't have to be a dentist to understand, Dr. Dukes explains each procedure and gives patients a thorough, realistic explanation of their options.


Dr. Dukes' dedication to his profession did not stop at receiving his DDS. He spent two decades teaching at the UCLA School of Dentistry in his specialty field of TMD. He has earned board certification by passing the rigorous exams set forth by the American Board of Orofacial Pain. Additionally, he is a fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Orofacial Pain.

Since 1987, Dr. Dukes has been both a member and the director of the Santa Barbara Periodontal Study Club. The SBPSC has been instrumental in bringing some of the finest educators in the fields of periodontics and implantology to Santa Barbara to provide postgraduate training to area dentists.

This high level of training has raised the level of care in our local community and has allowed Dr. Dukes to provide services to his patients that more commonly would have to be referred out. Dr. Dukes is able to more closely coordinate treatment in office to achieve a more perfect outcome for his patients' smiles.