Dr. Tara Maria Johnston

Dr. Tara Maria Johnston is a general dentist in Half Moon Bay who takes Denti-Cal. The practice works out of a safety net clinic, so it is set up for patients on public coverage.

At a Glance

Denti-Cal: Yes, confirmed in the state program
Care: General dentist
Languages: English
Where: Half Moon Bay, Alameda County plus 2 other locations

Call (650) 726-2144 Office website Map and directions

Insurance and Coverage

Denti-Cal: Confirmed Yes. Confirmed in the state's fee for service provider listing
Medi-Cal plan type: Fee for service. Medi-Cal dental also runs through managed care plans in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties, and the state list we check does not cover those. If you are on a dental plan card rather than plain Medi-Cal, ask the office whether they take your plan.
Safety net clinic: Yes. Clinics like this usually see patients with Medi-Cal, with other public coverage, and with no coverage at all on a sliding scale. Ask what they charge if you are uninsured.
Other insurance: Not known. This list is built around Medi-Cal dental, so it does not track private plans. Ask the office which ones they take.

What Patients Said

4.8

4.8 out of 5 from 36 reviews.

Map and directions

My husband, I and our toddler all go to Sonrisas for our dental care and love it. The entire team, from the receptionist, to the dental hygienist to the dentists are friendly and helpful. We feel great about the expert dental care. And they did a fantastic job cleaning my teeth without hitting on any of the sensitive areas of my teeth so it was comfortable. I've also been impressed with their COVID-19 precautions and felt very safe. A fantastic experience through-and-through. I've recommended them to friends and, though I don't often write reviews, am recommending them to you all, too!
Corinna Liebowitz 5 out of 5 · 2021-08-26
My experience at Sonrisas yesterday was amazing. My appointment was early and after screening for Covid ( a couple of questions and temperature taken) I was led in for a full mouth ex ray exam that was as smooth as the best I have had in the sixty years I have been seeing dentists on a regular basis. Dr Brian did a complete exam including measuring for pockets in my gums, face and neck sensitivity, every tooth and the whole inside of my mouth. He also did the most thorough cleaning I have ever had. He was careful and considerate leaving my mouth feeling fresh and healthy. I recommend this team including the office staff for their effectiveness and professionalism.
Jack McKinnon 5 out of 5 · 2021-06-22
All my 60 plus years of experiences at different dental offices combine to prove that most are professionals and competent. At Sonrisas I received all that and a more personnel feeling of being talked to and being informed on what they were doing, they also assured me what my insurance would cover. Other offices had always just said they would bill them and I would be charged if it wasn’t covered. Much nicer feeling knowing they are great at their work and professional in their business.
Dan Hartin 5 out of 5 · 2022-03-17

Reviews are quoted word for word and belong to the people who wrote them. We do not edit them and we cannot remove them.

Sonrisas Community Dental Center in the News

Reporting about the organization that runs this office. The links go to the outlet that published it.

Sonrisas Dental Health Works with Puente for a New Pescadero Dental RV Clinic to Upgrade Obsolete (2008) Equipment, Expand Services and Train LocalsCoastside Buzz · 2025-02-12 · the clinic's own announcement
Sonrisas and Puente plan a two-chair dental RV in Pescadero to replace aging equipment, serve about 800 low-income South Coast residents and train local assistants.

Office Details

Address: 210 San Mateo Rd Ste 104
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
Phone: (650) 726-2144
Degree: DDS
Type of care: General dentist
Languages: English
County: Alameda County
Provider number: 1548620107

Other Addresses on File

We also have 2 more addresses on file for this provider besides the one above. Call first to find out which one to go to.

210 San Mateo Rd Ste 104, Half Moon Bay
430 North el Camino Real, San Mateo

What to Ask When You Call

Say you have Medi-Cal dental and ask if they are taking new patients. If the answer is yes, ask how soon you can be seen and what to bring. Take your Medi-Cal card and a photo ID.

If English is hard for you, Medi-Cal pays for an interpreter and the office can set one up. Ask for it when you book.

Need someone who speaks your language?

Medi-Cal pays for an interpreter, at no cost to you, in more than 250 languages, and for American Sign Language. You can ask for one yourself or let the dental office arrange it.

Interpreter line: (800) 322-6384
Free. Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
TTY line: (800) 735-2922
Outside those hours dial 711 for the California Relay Service.
Online: smilecalifornia.org
The state's own Medi-Cal dental site for members.

Ask This Office for an Appointment

Leave your name and number. If this office takes requests through this site, it goes straight to them and they call you. If not, our team calls the office for you and rings you back with what they said.

Please do not put health details here. The office will ask what you need when they call. Is this your office? Get patient requests sent to you.

Questions People Ask

Does Dr. Tara Maria Johnston take Denti-Cal?

Yes. This dentist appears in the state's published list of enrolled Denti-Cal providers. Taking the coverage and having an opening are two different things, so still call ahead.

How do I make an appointment?

Call (650) 726-2144 and say you have Medi-Cal dental. Or use the form on this page. Your request goes to the office if it takes requests here, and to our team if it does not. Nobody else gets it.

What will it cost me?

For most Denti-Cal covered treatment there is no copay. If the office suggests something the program does not cover, ask for the price in writing before you agree.