Convenient Access from South San Francisco
An 18-minute freeway drive, or a BART or Caltrain ride, links South San Francisco with the office of Swati Agarwal, DDS in San Francisco's Union Square. South City is its own city on the Peninsula, and residents who look for a dentist in South San Francisco, CA can reach Union Square by freeway or rail. Dr. Swati Agarwal sees one patient at a time, which keeps each visit calm and thorough.
Begin at City Hall at 400 Grand Ave and head east on Grand Avenue to Airport Boulevard, then join US 101 north for about 5 miles. Switch to I-280 north for roughly 2.8 miles until it ends at King Street. From there, take 3rd Street north through SoMa, turn onto Kearny Street, go west on Pine Street and turn left on Powell Street to Sutter. Expect about 11.4 miles in all, longer during the morning rush on US 101.
The office is at 500 Sutter St #615, San Francisco, CA 94102, at the corner of Sutter and Powell, and you can pull up directions on Google Maps. Drivers can use the public Sutter-Stockton Garage at 444 Stockton St or the Union Square Garage at 333 Post St. Rail riders have two choices: BART from South San Francisco station on Mission Road to Powell St. station with no transfer, or Caltrain to San Francisco station at 4th and King, then the Muni T Third to Union Square/Market Street station.
Neighbors in Daly City share part of the same commute, and BART also stops in the Mission District on its way downtown.
Why South City Residents Choose a Union Square Office
South San Francisco is a separate city in San Mateo County, not a part of San Francisco, and it doesn't even touch the city line; Daly City, Colma and Brisbane sit in between. It lies in the Colma Creek valley, south of San Bruno Mountain and north of San Bruno and the airport, with 66,105 residents in the 2020 census. Incorporated in 1908, it grew around meat packing and industry, which is why giant letters on Sign Hill still read "South San Francisco The Industrial City."
The city later became known as the birthplace of biotechnology. A majority of homes are owner-occupied. US 101, I-280, BART and Caltrain all run north toward San Francisco.
Getting started is simple. You can call or book online, and the first visit centers on your health history, your questions and an exam with any digital x-rays Dr. Agarwal needs. From there, she lays out the options in plain language and lets you decide the pace.
For commuters, an early start matters. Our first appointments begin at 8:00 AM, Tuesday through Friday, so a cleaning or consultation can happen before the workday rather than in place of it. Because there are no double bookings, the time on your calendar is time spent with Dr. Agarwal.
Dental Topics That Come Up for Peninsula Families
Long, focused workdays can leave anyone with a clenched jaw and tight shoulders. Jaw muscles that work overtime can cause morning soreness, headaches or clicking near the ear. If that sounds familiar, an exam of the joint and muscles is a sensible first step.
Families have their own priorities. Children who play ball or swim at Orange Memorial Park, with its baseball and soccer fields and indoor pool, can chip a front tooth in a single tumble. Keeping their regular check-ups on the calendar, and knowing what to do in an emergency, makes those moments far less stressful.
Students in the South San Francisco Unified School District, including teens at El Camino High School beside the BART station, are at the age when many start thinking about the look of their smile. Cosmetic questions are welcome at any age, and the answer often starts with a simple whitening or bonding discussion rather than major work.
Cleanings themselves have changed, too. The practice offers Guided Biofilm Therapy, which uses a fluorescence-guided detection step to reveal plaque and EMS Airflow to remove it. For patients with braces in their past, crowded teeth or areas that are hard to reach, seeing exactly where biofilm collects makes home care easier to improve.
Nervous patients are welcome too. If past visits left you anxious, you can ask about comfort options, including nitrous oxide, at your first appointment.
Treatments for Those Searching for a Dentist in South San Francisco, CA
Dental Veneers
Custom porcelain or composite shells cover chipped, stained, gapped or uneven teeth. A small amount of enamel is removed from the front surface, impressions are taken and the finished veneers are bonded at a second visit. Each is matched to your natural tooth color and shape.
Emergency Dentistry
Throbbing toothaches, broken teeth, inflamed or bleeding gums and lost crowns all call for prompt care. The office strives to fit urgent patients into the schedule. Calling from the train or the freeway gives the team a head start.
Sedation Dentistry
Nitrous oxide, given through a small mask over the nose, eases anxiety during treatment. It wears off soon after, so you can drive yourself home down US 101. Other sedation options are listed on the sedation page.
TMJ Treatment
Pain where the lower jaw meets the skull, just in front of the ear, can make chewing and speaking uncomfortable. The practice treats muscle-related TMJ pain with facial rejuvenation injections that relax the overworked jaw muscles.
Dental Check-Ups
An exam for decay, gum disease and signs of oral cancer comes with a professional cleaning. High-definition digital x-rays are taken when needed. Twice-yearly visits suit most patients.
The office also offers cosmetic Facial Rejuvenation treatments, which use injectables to add volume and smooth wrinkles and fine lines.
Meet Dr. Swati Agarwal
Before dental school, Dr. Swati Agarwal earned a BS in neurobiology, physiology, and behavior at UC Davis, a fitting start for a dentist who treats jaw pain as well as smiles. She went on to her DDS at USC and is certified in Invisalign clear aligners. As a general dentist, she handles everything from check-ups to cosmetic plans.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
Families without insurance can enroll children ages 0 to 13 in the In-House Membership Plan's Child Complete level for $49 a month or $468 a year. Parents with insurance should know the office is in network with the Cigna Total Network PPO only and files claims with other traditional plans. Cherry and CareCredit are available for larger treatment.
Testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Swati Agarwal, DDS from South San Francisco, and how do I get there?
From City Hall on Grand Avenue, the office is about 11.4 miles away, around 18 minutes by car in light traffic. Drive Grand Avenue and Airport Boulevard to US 101 north, then I-280 to King Street and 3rd, Kearny, Pine and Powell. Commuters seeking a dentist in South San Francisco, CA can also ride BART or Caltrain.
Can I take Caltrain to my appointment?
Yes, Caltrain runs from South San Francisco station on Dubuque Avenue to San Francisco station at 4th and King. There, you can transfer to the Muni T Third, which runs north through the Central Subway to Union Square/Market Street station near the office. BART from Mission Road is the one-seat alternative.
How many visits does it take to get veneers?
Veneers usually take two visits. At the first, Dr. Agarwal prepares the teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel and takes impressions so the veneers can be custom-made. At the second, the finished veneers are bonded in place and checked for color, shape and bite.
Do you offer facial rejuvenation injectables?
Yes, the office offers facial rejuvenation injectables, which can add volume and soften wrinkles, folds and fine lines in areas such as the lips and cheeks. Treatment is customized to the specific concerns you want to address. A consultation covers your goals and facial features before any treatment plan is made.
Can I complete my new-patient paperwork before I arrive?
Yes, you can fill out your forms online before the first visit. That way, you can relax in the reception area instead of filling in paperwork, and the front office only needs to confirm your health history. Bring your insurance details if you have a plan so the team can file the claim.
Schedule Your Visit from South San Francisco
From a twice-yearly cleaning to a sore jaw or a new smile, our team will help you find a time that matches your commute. Call 415-599-7268 or book online if you have been searching for a dentist in South San Francisco, CA and would like a one-on-one visit near your BART or Caltrain stop. View every community we serve on our Areas We Serve page, or start at our Dentist San Francisco, CA homepage. Parking and entrance details for your departure point are on the Caltrain station page.