About Us

Committed to Patient Care

What Sets Us Apart

Comfort-Focused Care

We’re dedicated to easing dental anxiety in children and adults alike. We understand that visiting the dentist can be a stressful experience for many, so we go above and beyond to create a calming, welcoming environment. Our team uses gentle techniques, offers reassurance, and provides distractions to help nervous patients feel at ease during their appointments.

Compassionate, Gentle Team

Our practice is built on the foundation of compassionate care. We pride ourselves on our ability to connect with patients, especially children, by offering a gentle, patient-centered approach. Our staff is trained to make even the most hesitant patients feel comfortable and supported throughout their visit.

Precision-Focused Dentistry

We combine advanced dental techniques and the latest technology with personalized treatment plans designed to meet each patient’s unique needs. Our team is dedicated to staying at the forefront of the industry, ensuring that every patient receives the highest standard of care, from routine cleanings to specialized treatments. When you choose our office, you’re choosing quality, precision, and a true passion for dental health.

Quality Care For Your Entire Family

Our Team

At Uptown Dental, we strive to establish lasting relationships with all of our patients through open communication and mutual trust. Our team provides quality care for your whole family.

Dr. Joe Lenz

Dr. Lenz’s treatment philosophy is to provide the highest standard of dental care with minimally invasive techniques. His focus is on the prevention of future dental disease. He feels that each patient should be treated with honesty, respect, and compassion. Dr. Lenz offers and explains all your dental treatment options so you can make informed decisions about your personal care.

Dr. Matt Mueller

Dr. Matt received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry in 2018, and moved to Marion in 2019 to join Uptown Dental. Dr. Matt’s core treatment philosophy is to provide honest, minimally invasive dentistry of the highest quality to each patient that walks in the office door. Additionally, he strongly emphasizes prevention to help keep the oral health of his patients in good standing. Outside of work, Dr. Matt enjoys rooting for all Iowa sports (Go Hawks!), the Kansas City Chiefs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He and his wife Meghan are passionate about the outdoors, spending much of their free time walking their dog, Millie, biking, running, or playing pickleball. Other interests of his include watching movies, reading, cooking, traveling, and getting together with family and friends.

Karen

Receptionist

Karen had been in the medical field for more than 20 years as a transcriptionist before she switched her focus to the dental world around 15 years ago. Karen loves working with people and enjoys taking care of our patients’ needs at the front desk.

Karen’s organizational skills have improved our overall patient care. Karen is married to Ted and they have two adult children. They have lived in Marion for more than 30 years and really love the “small town” feel of the community. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, and volunteering at her family’s church.

Cassie

Receptionist

Cassie received her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Assisting from Kirkwood Community College in 2007. Cassie is a Registered Dental Assistant with radiography qualifications. Cassie started her dental career working as a receptionist in a dental office. After completing her education, she then worked as a dental assistant before transitioning back to a receptionist. Cassie has been working in the dental field for almost 17 years and over the years she has worked both clinically and reception. Cassie loves meeting and building relationships with our patients.

Cassie grew up in Marengo, IA, and currently lives in Marion with her husband and two daughters. Cassie enjoys listening to and playing music, spending time on the lake in the summer and spending time with her family.

Jeni

Registered Dental Assistant RDA, EFDA

Jeni graduated from the Kirkwood Community College dental assisting program in 2010, and then continued her education to work towards getting her expanded functions in 2015 through Kirkwood Community College as well. Jeni has been at Uptown Dental for 7 years.

Her favorite part about working at Uptown Dental is building lasting relationships with amazing patients. When she isn’t at work, she enjoys spending time with her three sons and husband.

Jane

Registered Dental Assistant

Jane is from Chicago and has been a Registered Dental Assistant for more than 20 years in our community. She enjoys the relationships she has created with our patients. She has the longest tenure in our office, having worked with Dr. Dan Trimble, the previous dentist.

In order to further her dental knowledge, Jane attends a number of continuing education courses including the yearly Iowa Dental Association. She is trained in medical emergencies and certified in CPR/AED and dental radiography. Jane is married to Todd and they have a son, Jordon. In her free time, Jane enjoys camping and spending time with her family and friends.

Katie

Registered Dental Hygienist

Katie graduated in 2001 with her Associate of Applied Science Degree in Dental Hygiene along with receiving her license to administer local anesthesia. Her favorite part of dental hygiene is interacting with patients and making their hygiene appointments as enjoyable as possible.

Katie grew up as a “farm kid” in rural Wyoming, lowa. She currently lives in Olin with her husband, Kahm. They have two sons, Zain and Grady. They enjoy spending as much time together as possible. Watching the boys’ successes is a great joy. Katie also loves the outdoors, spending time at the family cabin at Lake Delhi in the summer, and snowmobile trips up north in the winter.

Christy

Registered Dental Assistant

Christy has been in the dental field for 30 years. She attended the Kirkwood Dental Assisting Program and graduated in 1995. She returned to Kirkwood after 10 years as a dental assistant to attend their Dental Hygiene Program. She has been a hygienist for 18 years.

Christy taught with the Kirkwood Hygiene Program as a clinical and classroom instructor for 13 years. She is also involved with Public Health Free Clinic Programs. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 2018 along with Expanded Dental Hygiene Functions.

Leah

Registered Dental Hygienist

Leah graduated from the Dental Hygiene Program at Kirkwood Community College in 2021. While there she also received her license to administer local anesthesia and nitrous oxide. She is certified in both CPR and AED. Leah has been working for Uptown Dental since she graduated in 2021. She strives to provide patients with a comfortable and non-judgmental environment. Leah loves getting to know our patients and helping improve their overall health.

Leah was born and raised in Cedar Rapids. She lives with her husband, Josh, and toy poodle, Oakley. In her free time, Leah enjoys doing any activities that involve the outdoors, watching movies, and spending time with her family.

Sara

Registered Dental Hygienist

Sara received her Associate of Applied Science degrees in Dental Assisting and Dental Hygiene from Kirkwood Community College. She holds Iowa licenses in Dental hygiene and Local Anesthesia as well as certification in CPR/AED. She also received training at the University of Iowa dental school in Nitrous Oxide inhalation administration.

Sara is married to Ben and they have 2 sons, Grayson and Tate. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors with family and keeping busy with boys’ activities.

Alex

Registered Dental Assistant

Alex graduated from Kirkwood Community College with a degree in Dental Assisting in 2015. She joined Uptown Dental in 2019, and since then has enjoyed getting to know each patient individually and making them feel comfortable. Her favorite part about working at Uptown Dental is that every day is different.

Alex grew up in Vinton but now lives on a farm in Jones County with her husband Chris and two young daughters, Emersyn and Karsyn, and two chocolate labs, Gunner and Moose. In her free time, Alex enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, boating on Lake Delhi, and attending country music concerts.

Kaitlyn

Registered Dental Assistant

Kaitlyn got her degree through trainee status in 2022 and has worked at Uptown Dental for 3 years. Kaitlyn’s favorite part about working at Uptown Dental is getting to help transform smiles.

Kaitlyn grew up in Urbana and currently lives in Cedar Rapids with her boyfriend and their two dogs. In her free time, Kaitlyn enjoys spending time with her friends and family and playing with her dogs.

Visit Our Dental Office in Marion

Book Appointment

Frequently Asked Questions

Booking

Your Visit

Insurance/ Payment

Our Office

What is your cancellation policy?

To provide the best possible care for our patients, we kindly request at least a two-day notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling. This allows us to accommodate other patients who may need timely dental care. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us serve our patients efficiently.

Can my whole family come in for treatment on the same day?

Yes, we’d be happy to accommodate your whole family for treatment on the same day! Simply schedule in advance, and we’ll arrange appointments to ensure everyone receives the care they need during the same visit.

Do you provide service to dental patients with special needs?

Yes, we are committed to providing care for dental patients with special needs. To ensure we can meet their specific requirements, we recommend scheduling a consultation to determine how we can best accommodate them and provide the appropriate care.

Is your office accessible for patients with disabilities?

Yes, our office is fully accessible for patients with disabilities. Our building is ADA-compliant, and our treatment rooms are spacious enough to comfortably accommodate wheelchairs

What should I bring to my first dental appointment?

For your first dental appointment, please bring your insurance information, a list of any medications you’re currently taking, and your health history. We also encourage you to bring any questions or concerns you’d like to discuss with our team to ensure we provide the best care based on your needs.

How long does a typical first dental appointment last?

A typical first dental appointment lasts about an hour and a half. This allows us ample time for a thorough exam, reviewing your dental and health history, and discussing any questions or concerns you may have.

Do I need x-rays?

Yes, we typically take X-rays as part of your dental care, following ADA recommendations for radiographs. This helps us get a comprehensive view of your oral health and identify any issues that may not be visible during a routine exam.

Will you send me a dental appointment reminder?

Yes, we’ll send you a dental appointment reminder using your preferred contact method. We offer reminders by text, email, phone calls, and even mailed cards, so you can choose the option that works best for you.

Does your office accept my dental insurance?

Our office is in-network with Delta Dental and Blue Cross Blue Shield. For other insurance providers, we can still work with your plan, though there may be additional out-of-pocket costs. Please feel free to call our office, and we’ll be happy to help you check if your plan covers out-of-network providers.

Are there any out-of-pocket costs?

Yes, there may be out-of-pocket costs, particularly for cosmetic dentistry, as these services are generally not covered by insurance. However, we do offer treatment plans and submit prior authorizations to determine how much of the cost may be covered by your insurance, allowing us to provide you with an estimate of your expenses.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, we do offer payment plans to help make dental care more accessible. At the time of service, we typically collect the copay, and if you’re unable to pay the full amount, we request half of the payment upfront and can work out the remaining balance over the next three months. Additionally, patients have the option to pursue personal financing through Care Credit and Green State for added flexibility.

Do you accept flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA) payment?

Yes, we accept payments from both Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). For FSA transactions, we will provide an itemized receipt for your records. We also accept major credit cards, including MasterCard, Visa, and Discover, for your convenience.

Are you accepting new patients?

Yes, we are currently accepting new patients! We’d be happy to welcome you to our practice. Please feel free to contact our office to schedule your first appointment or if you have any questions.

What is family dentistry?

Family dentistry is for everyone, from young children to senior citizens. At Uptown Dental, we begin with family dentistry like cleanings and exams, which is the key to keeping smiles of all ages healthy. Our services will vary based on the individual needs of our patients, but we will give all ages specialized attention and care.

Why go to family dentists?

Family dentistry can help you simplify your life. We make your visit to the dentist as convenient as possible by offering a wide range of services for our patients. This saves you time by not having to visit multiple practices. At Uptown Dental, you’ll have the same friendly faces taking care of your family, no matter the time of your appointment.

What should you look for in a family dentist?

The most important qualification is an office where everyone in your family feels welcome. Our team is comfortable working with patients of all ages, which is why we have such long relationships with our patients. If you have school-age children, we’re located near several Marion and Cedar Rapids area schools.

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Wonderful staff and Dr. Joe is an awesome dentist. Cutting edge facilities and equipment in a new building.

James S.

Great place to go get various dental care done, with a great staff and dental workers that care about the needs of your mouth.

Robert C.

Dr. Joe and all of the staff at Uptown Dental are great!! Their communications and versatility with our 3 kids schedule is always helpful! Highly recommend to people with children!!

Tim H.

I love this place. Went here for the first time with my daughter and now myself. They are amazing. I’m so glad I switched to them.

Emily P.

I am always treated so well at Uptown Dental, would recommend them to anyone. Was ushered in right on time by the hygienist who did an excellent, careful procedure. Very pleased with my experience, as always.

Shirley B.

I am nervous when I have to go to the dentist, but the staff here was friendly and made me feel at ease! So glad I chose this office!

Sharon C.

I have a long standing fear of going to the dentist and Dr. Lenz and his entire staff are so sensitive to my irrational fear and take very good care of me and my teeth. Wouldn’t trust anyone else!

Suzanne W.

I would never go anywhere else, everyone that works at Uptown Dental is very caring and Dr. Matt is very considerate of your comfort when he has you in the chair working on your teeth.

Faith R.

New Patients

Looking for a dentist in Marion? Uptown Dental is the place to go. Our compassionate, experienced dental office is now accepting patients of all ages. Book your first appointment at our Marion office and take one step closer to long-term oral health.

Learn More

890 7th Ave

Marion, IA 52302

319-377-1300

Schedule Appointment

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday: Closed

Saturday: Closed

Sunday: Closed