Your Favorite Dentist in Santa Barbara and Montecito, CA
A NEW KIND OF DENTAL EXPERIENCE
You deserve to feel catered to and cared for at the dentist’s office from the moment you step through the doors to the moment you leave. At Hlavaty Dental Arts, that’s our mission and purpose: to provide high-quality dental care with exceptional patient experience. Dr. Shawn Hlavaty takes time to truly listen to each patient and address their unique dental needs, whether it’s a routine exam or more complicated restorative or cosmetic treatments. From the spacious, spa-like design of our office to the inviting and attentive attitude of our staff, Hlavaty Dental Arts puts you first.
Meet Dr. Shawn Hlavaty
For Dr. Shawn Hlavaty, dentistry is not simply a profession—it is an aesthetic discipline rooted in balance, craftsmanship, and human connection. Long before he founded Hlavaty Dental Arts, he spent more than a decade as a landscape architect, designing spaces defined by harmony, proportion, and a deep appreciation for the natural environment. That training shaped his eye in profound ways: the ability to see both the grand design and the smallest detail, and to understand how people feel as they move through a space. Today, those principles guide his work in creating confidently beautiful smiles. His journey to dentistry began much earlier, back in college working in an orthodontic lab where he first learned to build retainers and appliances by hand. The precision of the work—and the artistry embedded in such small pieces—sparked something far greater. He pursued formal training at New York University and later in the surgical clinics at Bellevue Hospital and NYU Medical Center, ultimately developing a rare ability to blend complex restorative expertise with aesthetic intuition. This combination has made him a trusted destination for discerning patients throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito.
Your First Visit with Us
At your first visit, you’ll be introduced to our spa-like office amenities and friendly front desk staff. Our team will help answer any questions you may have about your dental concerns and you’ll head back to see Dr. Shawn Hlavaty. You and Dr. Shawn Hlavaty will discuss the health of your smile and potential options for additional treatments. Prioritizing the patient experience over profits is one of our core values—so we never pressure you to pursue a path that isn’t in your best interest. New patients can also take advantage of our New Patient Special for a risk-free way to experience the Hlavaty Dental difference.
When Dr. Hlavaty began envisioning his own practice, he didn’t start with equipment lists or floor plans. He started with a question: What does it feel like to be truly cared for? From that question grew the philosophy behind Hlavaty Dental Arts—a concierge dental experience shaped by intention, stillness, and a sense of being genuinely known. Every element of the practice design is purposeful. He imagined the entire patient journey, moment by moment: How you arrive. How you’re greeted. How you settle into the space. How you feel before treatment. How you recover afterward. This level of thought is rare in dentistry, but essential in luxury hospitality—where emotional comfort is as important as physical comfort. The result is a setting that feels more like a boutique spa than a traditional practice. Natural textures, soft California light, and calming materials create a quiet refuge from the pace of daily life. Advanced technology lives behind the scenes—elevating precision while preserving the serene environment.
At Hlavaty Dental Arts, luxury is not a style—it is a standard of care. It means appointments that are never rushed, and a team that knows your preferences before you need to voice them. It means private, relaxing treatment suites, warm blankets if you’d like them, curated music, gentle transitions, and a pace that supports comfort rather than urgency. It means having a doctor who listens first, and designs every treatment plan with the same devotion he once brought to shaping landscapes—considering the whole environment, the long-term vision, and the subtle details that make a smile feel authentic to you. Patients often comment that the experience feels “simpler” and “lighter,” even during complex care. That is by design. Dr. Hlavaty believes that true luxury lies in removing friction, creating ease, and allowing patients to feel fully supported from beginning to end.
With deep family roots in Santa Barbara, Dr. Hlavaty feels a profound connection to the landscape and community that shaped him. When he is not in the practice, he can often be found outdoors with his family—snowboarding, mountain biking, exploring the backcountry, or discovering new music. These experiences continually influence his work, reinforcing his belief that the most beautiful outcomes are those that feel natural, balanced, and deeply personal. At Hlavaty Dental Arts, Dr. Hlavaty brings together artistry, science, and concierge-level hospitality—crafting smiles, experiences, and relationships that feel authentically, effortlessly Santa Barbara.
