Two years ago, Market Street Dental opened its doors in Buckeye with one goal: to bring high-quality, compassionate dental care to a fast-growing corner of the West Valley.
In that short time, the practice has become a vital part of the community.
After more than 25 years serving patients and operating a dental practice on Estrella Parkway since 2004, Dr. Mark Wheeler opened Market Street Dental at Verrado Parkway and McDowell Road in the Verrado neighborhood.
“He jumped on the opportunity, since it was starting to grow out here,” said Anna Bristow, treatment coordinator at Market Street Dental. “He knew there was going to be a lot of housing and new people coming into the area, so we could be a local dentist.”
Wheeler earned his bachelor’s degree in molecular biology from Brigham Young University and completed his dental doctorate at Oregon Health Science University in Portland.
After dental school, he served in the United States Navy Dental Corps in Okinawa, Japan, where he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency. During his service, Wheeler performed emergency dental care in a field surgical unit in Australia and participated in a humanitarian mission in the Philippines. He received a Navy Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his service under hostile conditions.
That experience shaped his philosophy about dentistry.
“Dentistry is about more than teeth, it’s about people,” Wheeler said. “It’s never been about the money. It’s always been about the smiles.”
That outlook influences the rest of the team. Patients are encouraged to take an active role in their care, and the environment feels welcoming and low stress. A coffee station sits in one corner of the lobby, where patients can choose their own music before appointments.
Dr. Emily Tarr, Wheeler’s colleague, brings a complementary approach rooted in compassion, education and service. She began her career as a chairside dental assistant, gaining six years of hands-on experience before earning her doctorate at Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine in Arizona.
Her dedication to expanding access to care started early. During a 2013 outreach trip to Honduras, she helped establish pop-up dental clinics around the outskirts of Tela. She later became director of dental operations for One World Brigades in Oregon, supporting international service initiatives and volunteer programs.
“Dentistry has given me the opportunity to combine art, science and genuine care for people,” Tarr said. “There’s no better feeling than helping someone smile with confidence again.”
While in dental school, Tarr served as president of the American Student Dental Association chapter, where she organized outreach programs including an Oral Cancer Walk and hygiene kit drives for a local nonprofit.
Street Dental team
stands outside their
Buckeye office at
Verrado Parkway
and McDowell Road.
Left: Dental tools
rest on a metal tray
beside a treatment
chair inside. [Monica D. Spencer]
Together, Wheeler and Tarr provide a wide range of treatments, from general dentistry to advanced cosmetic and restorative procedures. Wheeler specializes in dental implants, oral conscious sedation and aesthetic restorations that enhance both form and function. Tarr’s focus on holistic health complements the team’s commitment to long-term wellness.
“Our goal is to make dentistry a comfortable interaction and experience,” Bristow said. “We want to be a common household name here in Buckeye, the place people trust and feel good about coming to.”
As the practice grows, the team remains focused on building relationships as much as healthy smiles.
“Honestly, the staff is my favorite part of working here,” Bristow said. “We’re all just very normal people that you’d see at the store. We care about each other, and we care about our patients.”
MOUSE ICON MarketStreetDentalAZ.com
PHONE ICON 623-777-3709.
