New Patients Welcome — Your First Visit Made Easy
Accepting new patients with same-week availability. Book online in 60 seconds or call us — no referral needed.
The only dentist in South Carolina who is also a Certified Dental Technician, with a full in-house dental lab on Rosewood Drive.
Same-Week Availability • Most Insurance Accepted • Book Online 24/7
Why New Patients Choose Complete Dental Care
We're not a corporate chain — we're a family practice where you'll see the same dentist every visit, build a real relationship, and get care that's genuinely personalized.
Dr. Meader is both a dentist (DMD) and a Certified Dental Technician (CDT) — the only one in South Carolina. When you need a crown, bridge, or denture, the same person who diagnoses the problem hand-crafts your restoration in our on-site lab. Result: better fit, fewer appointments, no 2–4 week outside-lab wait.
You won't see a different provider every visit like corporate chains. Dr. Meader knows your history, your concerns, and your goals because he's the one seeing you every time. That continuity means better care and fewer things falling through cracks.
We present your options with clear costs and let you decide. No same-day pressure to commit to treatment, no corporate quotas. Take your treatment plan home, think about it, and schedule when you're ready.
From routine cleanings to implants, crowns, root canals, and full-mouth restorations — we handle it all in-house. No referrals to specialists for most procedures, no bouncing between offices.
Your First Visit, Step by Step
Your first appointment takes about 60–75 minutes. Here's exactly what happens so nothing is a surprise.
Before You Arrive
- We verify your insurance benefits (if applicable) before your visit
- Gather: photo ID, insurance card, medication list, previous records/X-rays
- Write down any questions or concerns — we'll address every one
- Arrive 10–15 minutes early to complete intake paperwork
During Your Visit (60–75 min)
- Welcomed by name at reception — you're a person here, not a number
- Comprehensive oral exam with digital X-rays (low radiation, instant results)
- Oral cancer screening (included at every new patient exam)
- One-on-one consultation with Dr. Meader — review findings, discuss concerns
- Professional cleaning (if time allows and no pre-treatment is needed)
Before You Leave
- Personalized treatment plan with clear costs — no jargon, no mystery
- Discussion of options, priorities, and timeline (you decide the pace)
- Schedule follow-up if needed — or take the plan home and call when ready
- No same-day pressure to commit to treatment
Whatever Brought You Here, We're Ready
Every new patient has a different story. Here's how we handle yours:
Welcome to the Midlands. We're on Rosewood Drive with easy access from I-77, I-26, and I-20. We'll handle your records transfer from your previous dentist — just give us their name and number. No gap in care.
Thank you — and thank them for us. Referrals are our highest compliment. You'll get the same personal attention that made them recommend us in the first place.
No judgment — ever. We see patients returning after 5, 10, even 20+ years away from the dentist every single week. No lectures, no guilt. Just a fresh start and a plan to get your oral health where you want it, at whatever pace you're comfortable with.
We make the transition seamless. We handle records transfer, start fresh with a thorough exam, and never assume we know what your previous dentist did or didn't explain. Clean slate.
Nervous About the Dentist? You're Not Alone.
More than a third of Americans experience some level of dental anxiety. If that's you, we want you to know: we get it, and we're built for this.
“I hadn't been to a dentist in over 8 years because of anxiety. Dr. Meader made me feel completely at ease from the moment I walked in. He explained everything clearly, never rushed me, and I actually look forward to my next visit. I only wish I'd come sooner.”
— Returning patient after 8-year gap
Insurance & Payment
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans and file claims on your behalf. No insurance? No problem — we offer multiple payment options.
Meet Dr. Daniel Meader, DMD, CDT
Dr. Meader founded Complete Dental Care with a simple premise: a dentist who can also fabricate restorations delivers better results with fewer appointments. After earning his DMD from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry and his CDT board certification, he built the only in-house dental lab in any general practice in Columbia.
With 30+ years of experience and a Healthgrades Patient Favorite Award, he brings both technical mastery and the kind of patient care you can only get from someone who's built their career around long-term relationships — not volume.
Read Dr. Meader's full bio →New Patient — Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! We welcome new patients and typically have same-week availability. Book online at completedentalcarecolumbia.com/book or call (803) 771-7695. No referral needed — PPO plans let you choose your own dentist.
How long will my first visit take?
Plan for about 60–75 minutes. This gives us time for a thorough comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, oral cancer screening, and a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Meader to discuss findings and options. You won't feel rushed.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your photo ID, insurance card (if applicable), a list of current medications, and any recent dental X-rays or records from a previous dentist. If you have specific questions or concerns, write them down — we'll address every one.
Do you accept my dental insurance?
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans including Delta Dental, BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, United Healthcare, and many others. We verify your benefits before your visit and file claims on your behalf.
What if I don't have dental insurance?
No insurance doesn't mean no care. We offer CareCredit financing (0% interest promotional periods), in-office payment plans, and accept HSA/FSA cards. We also provide written cost estimates before any treatment so there are no surprises.
I haven't been to the dentist in years. Will you judge me?
Absolutely not. We see patients returning after long breaks every week — 5 years, 10 years, sometimes longer. There are no lectures here. Our only goal is to understand where you are now and help you get to where you want to be, at your own pace.
What is a CDT, and why does it matter for my care?
CDT stands for Certified Dental Technician — the credential for professionals who design and fabricate dental restorations (crowns, bridges, dentures, implant parts). Dr. Meader is both a DMD (dentist) and a CDT, and he's the only one in South Carolina. This means the same person who diagnoses your problem also hand-crafts your restoration in our on-site lab — better fit, fewer visits, faster results.
Can I transfer my records from another dentist?
Yes. Just provide your previous dentist's name and phone number, and we'll handle the records transfer. Having your previous X-rays can help us compare and may reduce the imaging needed at your first visit.
Will I get a cleaning at my first visit?
If time allows and no significant issues are found, yes — we can often include a cleaning at your first visit. If Dr. Meader identifies conditions that need treatment first (like gum disease or infection), we'll schedule the cleaning for a follow-up visit once those are addressed.
What happens if I need treatment beyond a cleaning?
We'll present a complete treatment plan with clear costs before any work begins. No same-day pressure — take the plan home and decide on your own time. We discuss all options including alternatives, priorities, and timeline so you can make informed decisions.
Ready to Get Started?
Book your new patient exam online in 60 seconds — or call us to ask questions first. Same-week availability.
3727 Rosewood Dr, Columbia, SC 29205
Mon–Wed 8 AM – 5 PM | Thu 8 AM – 3 PM
No referral needed