Convenient Access from Okaloosa Island
About 7 minutes over the sound is all that separates the beach from Shoreline Dental Studio. Islanders who need a dentist near Okaloosa Island will find us on the mainland in Fort Walton Beach, just across the bridge from the sand. Dr. Ashley Dubois handles everything from Okaloosa Island residents' routine cleanings to a tooth chipped on a surfboard, with appointments Monday through Thursday.
From John Beasley Park at 1550 Miracle Strip Parkway, turn left onto Miracle Strip Parkway (US 98) and head west along the island. Cross Santa Rosa Sound on the Brooks Bridge, then turn right onto Perry Avenue SE (SR 145) and go north about half a mile. Continue north on Eglin Parkway (SR 85) for roughly 0.6 mile and turn left onto Walter Martin Rd NE, where the office at 34 Walter Martin Rd NE is about a tenth of a mile along. The full trip is 2.8 miles, and Google Maps will guide you to the door.
The Brooks Bridge is under construction while it is being replaced, so allow extra time for the crossing. Once you are over the sound, the drive passes through Downtown Fort Walton Beach, and our neighbors in Cinco Bayou sit just beyond the office. We are close to the post office and Uptown Station, on the stretch of Walter Martin Rd NE between Eglin Parkway and Beal Parkway.
A Mainland Dental Home for Island Residents and Workers
Okaloosa Island is the Okaloosa County stretch of Santa Rosa Island, with Santa Rosa Sound on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It is unincorporated, and its mailing addresses read Fort Walton Beach. Across the East Pass to the east lies Destin, a separate city with its own harbor.
Life on Okaloosa Island revolves around the water. John Beasley Park offers two pavilions, swimming, fishing and boardwalk access to the beach.
Nearby, Newman C. Brackin Wayside Park, known locally as The Boardwalk, sits beside the Okaloosa Island Fishing Pier with volleyball nets and dune walkovers. The Emerald Coast Convention Center also sits along Miracle Strip Parkway, and it brings meetings and events to Okaloosa Island.
Okaloosa Island has a longer story than many visitors realize. Through the efforts of Congressman Bob Sikes, Okaloosa County acquired an 875-acre parcel of Santa Rosa Island with 3 miles of Gulf frontage in 1950, paying $4,000. Before that, the area was known as Tower Beach, with an amusement park, a boardwalk and a hotel from the mid-1930s.
Whether you live near the Gulf or work on Okaloosa Island, having a dentist just across the bridge means you don't have to wait for a trip home to deal with a problem. That matters most when a tooth breaks on a Thursday morning in July.
Beach Life and Your Teeth: Notes for Okaloosa Island Locals
Water sports are hard on teeth. A fall from a paddleboard, a stray volleyball or a surfboard that bounces back can chip or crack a front tooth in a split second. A properly fitted mouthguard reduces that risk for anyone who spends long hours on the water or the sand.
Long, hot days can also leave your mouth dry. Saliva is your natural defense against decay, and dehydration reduces it. Sipping water through the day works better than sports drinks or sweet iced tea, which bathe teeth in sugar and acid.
Sun exposure affects more than skin. Lips get a lot of sun at the beach, and lip balm with sunscreen is worth keeping in your bag. Shoreline Dental Studio offers oral cancer screenings, a quick look at the lips, tongue and soft tissues that can catch changes early.
If summer is your busiest season, spring and fall are good windows for cleanings, crowns or cosmetic work. A Thursday 7 AM appointment is another way to finish early and get back to the island.
Care From a Dentist Near Okaloosa Island
Emergency Dentistry
Broken teeth, sudden toothaches and swollen gums can't wait for the end of beach season. The practice provides same-day evaluation for dental emergencies. New and uninsured patients can start with the $59 Emergency Exam & X-Ray.
Restorative Dentistry
A chipped or cracked tooth often needs more than a smoothing. Fillings, bridges and dental crowns rebuild strength so you can bite into a grouper sandwich without worry. Dr. Dubois explains the options and the cost before any work begins.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Island residents spend a lot of time in vacation photos, theirs and everyone else's. Whitening, veneers and smile makeovers can brighten teeth dulled by coffee or repair a smile after an accident. Each plan starts with what you want to change.
Family Dentistry
Families living near the Gulf can keep everyone's cleanings and exams in one place. Children, parents and grandparents all see the same dentist. A quick hop over the sound makes back-to-school checkups easy to fit in.
Meet Your Dentist, Dr. Ashley Dubois
Dr. Ashley Dubois is a Fort Walton Beach native who is proud to call the Emerald Coast home, and she opened Shoreline Dental Studio in 2022. She is a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, which the practice describes as the largest dental implant education organization worldwide. That training is a plus when a beach accident costs someone a tooth.
Insurance, Membership & Financing
New and uninsured patients with a dental emergency can book the $59 Emergency Exam & X-Ray, which covers a focused exam, any necessary x-rays and treatment recommendations. For care beyond that visit, Cherry financing is available. The office also accepts major credit cards and cash and files claims with many insurance providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Shoreline Dental Studio from Okaloosa Island, and how do I get there?
From John Beasley Park, the drive is 2.8 miles and takes about 7 minutes. Take US 98 west over the Brooks Bridge, then Perry Avenue SE and Eglin Parkway north to Walter Martin Rd NE. It is a quick crossing for anyone wanting a dentist near Okaloosa Island without a long trip inland.
Can I be seen for a dental emergency if I'm not already a patient?
Yes, new patients can call for a same-day evaluation of a dental emergency. If you are new or uninsured, the $59 Emergency Exam & X-Ray includes a focused emergency exam, any necessary x-rays and treatment recommendations. Calling as early as possible gives the team the best chance of fitting you in quickly.
What problems can a dental crown fix?
A crown repairs a tooth that is cracked, badly broken, heavily filled or weakened by decay. It covers the whole visible part of the tooth, restoring its shape and strength. Crowns also top dental implants that replace missing teeth. Dr. Dubois will tell you whether a crown or a smaller filling is the better fit.
Can too much sun affect my lips and mouth?
Yes, prolonged or repeated sun exposure on the lips is a known risk factor for oral cancer. Lip balm with sunscreen and some shade on long beach days help protect them. Shoreline Dental Studio offers oral cancer screenings, a quick check of the lips, tongue and soft tissues, so point out any sore or patch on your lip that does not heal.
How much extra time should I allow while the Brooks Bridge is under construction?
Leave a cushion beyond the usual 7-minute drive, especially at rush hour or on busy summer days. Construction on the Brooks Bridge can slow traffic on US 98 between the island and downtown. Arriving a few minutes early also gives you time to settle in before your appointment, which keeps the whole schedule running smoothly.
Schedule Your Visit from Okaloosa Island
For cleanings, repairs or an urgent visit with a dentist near Okaloosa Island, call 850-318-3823. Our areas we serve page lists every community we welcome, and our Dentist Fort Walton Beach, FL homepage has more about the practice. Planning a beach day first? John Beasley Park details are on the county site.