A Shadyside practice built on clear answers

Since 2004, Northstar has grown from two chairs to four dentists without losing the habit of explaining everything.

Dr. Maren Kowalczyk, founder of Northstar Dental Care

From two chairs to a four-doctor practice

Dr. Maren Kowalczyk opened Northstar above a Walnut Street boutique in 2004 with two chairs, one hygienist and a simple rule: patients should understand their mouths as well as their dentist does.

As Shadyside and Squirrel Hill families grew with us, the practice added Dr. Andre Whitfield for restorative and root canal care, Dr. Grace Liu for cosmetic dentistry and aligners, and Dr. Elena Duarte for children and families. In 2018 we moved into the full third floor, added a 3D imaging suite and began milling crowns in the office.

The rule has not changed. It is why we turn the screen toward you, put prices in writing and tell you when something can wait.

What we hold ourselves to

Four promises that shape every appointment, from a cleaning to a full-arch implant case.

1
Show, then treat
Every x-ray, scan and photo goes on a screen you can see before we recommend anything.
2
Prices before procedures
Written estimates with your insurance portion come before treatment, never after.
3
Fix what matters first
Plans are ranked by urgency, so you know what can safely wait a year.
4
One chart, four doctors
Complex cases are reviewed together every Wednesday, so you get more than one opinion.

2004

Opened on Walnut Street

11,400+

Patients cared for

4.9

Average from 1,186 reviews

Emergency slots held daily