If you live in East Clearwater, in Morningside, The Meadows, or anywhere between Belcher Rd and US-19 off Gulf to Bay Blvd, you have probably noticed the dental offices along US-19 are mostly chains, and getting an appointment at any of them can mean weeks of waiting. Our office at 1651 Rainbow Dr is about 10 to 15 minutes away in north Clearwater, and two things set it apart for East Clearwater patients: we hold time for same-day appointments, and Dr. Cannady is the only dentist here, so you see the same person at every visit. This post explains how both work, starting with the route. If you already know you want in, request a $99 new patient visit and our team will confirm within one business day.
Getting Here Without Touching US-19
From the Belcher Rd corridor, head west on Gulf to Bay Blvd or Drew St, then north to Sunset Point Rd; we sit just off Sunset Point in north Clearwater. Straight up Belcher Rd to Sunset Point Rd works too and skips US-19 entirely. From the 33764 zip it is about 10 to 15 minutes, and the same is true from Eagle Lake Park at the south end of the corridor. We also see plenty of patients a few minutes further south along US-19, around Ulmerton Rd and Feather Sound, where Belcher Rd north is still the easy run to our door. Parking is free and right at the entrance, with no medical-plaza maze. Our East Clearwater patient page has the full list of what we do for Belcher corridor neighbors.
How Same-Day Appointments Work
We are an appointment-based practice, not a walk-in clinic, and for anyone in pain that is the faster route. Here is the sequence:
- Call or text (727) 441-3523 as early in the day as you can. Describe what is going on: how much it hurts, how long it has been happening, what set it off. The earlier you reach us, the better the odds of a same-day slot.
- We assess urgency and give you an exact arrival time. Our team starts your paperwork over the phone so nothing slows you down when you arrive.
- A room is ready when you get here. Dr. Cannady examines the problem, explains your options with a written price, and treats it the same day whenever possible.
Because fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, and crown repairs are all done in-house, a same-day appointment is usually a same-day solution rather than a referral to a second office across town. Toothaches that keep you up at night, cracked molars, lost crowns, and swelling are the most common reasons East Clearwater patients call, and all four are covered on our emergency dentistry page, including what to do before you arrive. If you were about to drive to a walk-in clinic on US-19, call first; it takes two minutes and usually gets you treated sooner, by a dentist who will know your name at your next checkup. Our same-day dentist page lays the comparison out side by side.
Hours matter for planning: Monday through Wednesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday Dr. Cannady is in 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with phones answered until 5; Friday by appointment with phones answered until 2. Saturday and Sunday we are closed, but leave a message and we will call you back for the first available appointment.
What the First Visit Looks Like
For non-emergency new patients, the first visit is the $99 new patient special, and it is deliberately simple. It includes three things:
- A comprehensive exam. Dr. Cannady personally examines your teeth, gums, and bite, and screens for decay, gum disease, and oral cancer.
- A full set of digital X-rays. These show what the eye cannot: cavities between teeth, bone loss, infections at the root.
- A personalized written treatment plan. You leave knowing exactly what, if anything, you need and what each item costs.
Nothing else is done, or billed, until you have seen that plan. If your teeth are healthy, the plan is a cleaning and a six-month checkup. If something needs attention, you get an itemized price for each option and the chance to phase treatment, most urgent first. Your cleaning is scheduled as its own visit, with our hygienist, so the first appointment stays focused on diagnosis.
Plan on about an hour. Bring a photo ID, a list of medications, and your insurance card if you have one. If you are using a PPO plan rather than the $99 special, that works too; we file claims for all PPO plans, and most reimburse out-of-network benefits directly to you. The $99 fee itself is not submitted to insurance. Our insurance and financing page covers Cherry monthly payment plans for larger treatment and the $420-a-year membership plan for patients without insurance.
What Happens After
Most East Clearwater patients settle into a six-month rhythm of checkups and cleanings, and because the same dentist sees you each time, small changes get noticed early. When bigger work is needed, crowns, bridges, and dental implants are planned and placed here, with 3D imaging, rather than bounced between a surgeon and a restorative dentist. Families book back-to-back block appointments so kids, parents, and grandparents are seen in one trip. The 30-second form on the new patient page or a call to (727) 441-3523 gets the first visit on the calendar.
Questions East Clearwater Patients Ask Before Their First Visit
How far is Cannady Dental from East Clearwater?
About 10 to 15 minutes. From the Belcher Rd corridor, go west on Gulf to Bay Blvd or Drew St and north to Sunset Point Rd, or take Belcher Rd straight north to Sunset Point and skip US-19. We are at 1651 Rainbow Dr with free parking at the door.
Can I get a same-day dental appointment in East Clearwater?
Usually, yes. Call or text (727) 441-3523 as early in the day as possible; we reserve time for urgent cases, give you an exact arrival time, and treat the problem the same day whenever possible.
What does the $99 new patient visit include?
A comprehensive exam with Dr. Cannady, a full set of digital X-rays, and a personalized written treatment plan. Nothing else is done or billed until you have seen the plan. Cleanings are scheduled as a separate visit.
Do you take walk-ins?
We are an appointment-based practice rather than a walk-in clinic, which is usually faster for you: a two-minute call gets you a confirmed arrival time and a room ready when you arrive instead of an unknown wait.
Do I need dental insurance to be seen?
No. The $99 special is a flat self-pay price. If you have a PPO plan, we file claims for you and most plans reimburse out-of-network benefits directly. Cherry financing and a $420-a-year membership plan are available for patients without insurance.
About the Author
Dr. Christopher Cannady is a general dentist and a graduate of the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, with more than 500 hours of advanced training in implants, full-mouth rehabilitation, Invisalign, sedation, and occlusion therapy. He is active in the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry, and he personally sees every patient at every visit at Cannady Dental, 1651 Rainbow Dr, Clearwater. Questions? Call or text (727) 441-3523 or send us a message.