Convenient Access from Spencer
Crossing the county line for a dentist in Spencer, NC is easier than many families expect: Carolina Pines Dentistry in Lexington sits about 22 minutes up I-85 from Town Hall. Our three dentists see patients Monday through Thursday, starting at 7:30 AM, and the office has a therapy dog that helps nervous kids and adults relax. It is a short interstate drive for a practice built around families.
From Spencer Town Hall at 460 South Salisbury Avenue, head north on Salisbury Avenue (US 29 / US 70 / NC 150) and turn right on Long Ferry Road toward I-85. Merge onto I-85 north, where US 52 and then US 29 / US 70 join, and ride about 6 miles before bearing right onto I-285 / US 29 / US 52 / US 70 for roughly 3 more. Exit to Salisbury Road, which becomes South Main Street into Lexington, then take East 10th Avenue and Cotton Grove Road to South Talbert Boulevard (NC 8) and East Center Street. The drive ends at 1 Weaver Dr, Lexington, NC 27292, after 15.4 miles; rush hour can stretch it.
Our office is at the north end of Weaver Dr, where it meets North Carolina Avenue, and the office location on Google Maps is worth saving before the first trip. We also serve Churchland and the shoreline communities of High Rock Lake.
A Dental Home for a Railroad Town
This town wears its history openly. The town is named for Samuel Spencer, the first president of the Southern Railway, who is credited with establishing the Spencer Shops locomotive repair facility in 1896. The town incorporated in 1905 and still calls itself "Rowan's Original Gateway."
Those shops are now the North Carolina Transportation Museum, a state historic site on 60 acres that draws about 100,000 visitors a year. Its Bob Julian Roundhouse is billed as the largest remaining roundhouse in North America, and seasonal train rides keep the tracks busy. Nearby, the National Register historic district preserves 242 contributing buildings from the town's early 1900s boom.
The historic district is full of early railroad-era homes, and nearly a third of households include children. Spencer Town Park and the Stanback Educational Forest give those families green space close to home. A practice that works for this town has to work for parents juggling school, sports and jobs on both sides of the county line.
Outdoor history sits close by as well. The 1924 Wil-Cox Bridge over the Yadkin River is now a pedestrian bridge in Yadkin River Park. Nearby East Spencer and Salisbury round out the neighborhood, and I-85 ties all of them to Lexington in minutes.
What Spencer Parents and Grandparents Should Know About Family Dental Care
Children in town attend North Rowan Elementary, North Rowan Middle and North Rowan High. Each stage brings its own dental milestones: sealants on new molars in elementary school, mouthguards for middle school sports, and wisdom tooth checks by the end of high school. Keeping one dental office for every stage means fewer gaps in records and fewer surprises.
For some families, fear is a bigger barrier than distance. A child who had a rough first visit, or a grandparent who has avoided the dentist for decades, may need a gentler start. Our therapy dog, nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation give us several ways to make that start calmer.
Cost matters too. Families without dental insurance can join our in-house membership plan, which has a child plan for ages 0 to 13 at $264 a year. That plan includes an emergency exam and 20% off all procedures, which helps when a busy kid chips a tooth.
Services Worth the Drive for Anyone Seeking a Dentist in Spencer, NC
Preventative Dentistry
Cleanings, exams, digital x-rays, fluoride and sealants form the backbone of every child's care. Sports mouthguards round it out for North Rowan athletes. Booking siblings together keeps the I-85 trips to a minimum.
Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation and IV sedation help anxious patients get needed care. New patients can book a complimentary IV sedation consultation to talk through the options. Our office therapy dog is another source of comfort.
Emergency Dentistry
Toothaches and broken teeth do not keep a schedule. Our team strives to fit urgent problems in, and new patients can use the $29 Emergency Exam & X-Ray offer. Call first so we can plan for your arrival.
CandidPro® Clear Aligners
Clear aligners move teeth gradually without brackets or wires. They suit patients who want a discreet way to straighten their smile. For older teens, our wisdom tooth extractions page covers another common step.
Grandparents in Spencer have their own priorities: worn crowns, loose bridges and missing teeth. Our restorative team handles those repairs, and CEREC same-day crowns are custom-designed, made and placed in a single visit. For an older patient who would rather not make the interstate drive twice, that single appointment is a real convenience.
Meet Your Lexington Dental Team
Dr. Shane Wingler, DDS grew up in Ferguson, North Carolina, and trained in-state at UNC-Chapel Hill and the UNC School of Dentistry. He is a member of the Spear Study Club. Dr. Nick Cornwell, who earned his dental degree at East Carolina University, rounds out the care alongside Dr. Ashton Fioravanti.
Insurance & Financing
Our practice is in-network with Aetna, Cigna, Delta Premier, Humana and MetLife, and it works with many other insurers. Medicaid is not accepted. Cherry, CareCredit and Sunbit financing can spread out the cost of larger treatment.
Our patients love us!
See Why!
“I was listened to, heard, and treated with respect in regard to my concerns. I felt included in my treatment plan and the team made every effort to make me feel comfortable. The doctor was awesome and so was the entire team!”
Terrell K.
“They have a very friendly and clean environment! The hygienist is super sweet and gentle, and the doctor is very kind and informative. He always wants to help! I recommend Carolina Pines Dentistry. They always make you feel at home!”
Amy C.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Carolina Pines Dentistry from Spencer, and how do I get there?
Our office is 15.4 miles from Spencer Town Hall, roughly a 22-minute drive. Take Salisbury Avenue and Long Ferry Road to I-85 north, then I-285 / US 52 to Salisbury Road and South Main Street in Lexington. For families weighing a dentist in Spencer, NC against this drive, the interstate does most of the work.
Does living across the county line in Rowan County change anything about booking?
No. County lines do not affect scheduling with us, and patients from neighboring counties book the same way. What matters is your insurance plan or membership, so bring your card or plan details to the first visit. Our hours are the same for everyone: Monday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 4 PM.
Can Spencer students be seen early enough to make it to school?
Often, yes, with the first slot of the day. Appointments start at 7:30 AM, Monday through Thursday, and the drive back to Spencer takes about 22 minutes. Whether that works depends on the bell schedule, so book the earliest time a few weeks ahead to keep missed class time to a minimum.
Is there a membership option for Spencer kids and their parents?
Yes. The Carolina Pines Dentistry Membership Plan offers a child plan for ages 0 to 13 at $264 a year and an adult plan for ages 14 and up at $336 a year. Both include an emergency exam and 20% off all procedures, with no deductibles, yearly maximums or waiting periods.
Does the office therapy dog help children who are afraid of the dentist?
For many children, yes. Meeting our therapy dog gives a nervous child something friendly to focus on before treatment starts. If a calmer start is still needed, we offer nitrous oxide and other sedation options for appropriate patients. Letting us know ahead of time helps us plan a gentle first visit.
Schedule Your Visit from Spencer
Your search for a dentist in Spencer, NC can end with one short drive up I-85. Call 336-559-3597 to book a visit Monday through Thursday. Explore every community we serve on our Areas We Serve page, or learn more on our Dentist Lexington, NC homepage.