Welcome to Red Oak Dentistry

‍Meet Dr. Michael King and the story behind Red Oak Dentistry

I’m Dr. Michael King, DMD, and Red Oak Dentistry grew out of a very simple belief: dentistry should feel personal, honest, and carefully done.

My path here has been anything but linear. I was born in London, England, and grew up across very different parts of the world— Alaska, where my father was a bush pilot, and the coastlines of Northern and Southern California. Each place shaped me in its own way, but it was my time in the U.S. Navy that most deeply influenced the way I practice dentistry today. After studying at the University of New Hampshire and the University of Memphis, I entered the Navy, completed Officer Candidate School, and went on to receive advanced training through a Navy AEGD program. I served 10 years on active duty, followed by another 3.5 years in the Naval Reserves. That experience taught me discipline, precision, and accountability— not as abstract values, but as daily habits. In dentistry, those habits matter. The small details are often what determine whether treatment simply works today or truly lasts.

After leaving the Navy, I spent time in corporate dentistry. I’m grateful for what I learned there, but I quickly realized it wasn’t the environment where I could do my best work. The pace was often too fast, the relationships too brief, and the standard of care too easily shaped by volume. I wanted to build a practice where patients are known by name, where recommendations are made with honesty, and where every decision is guided by quality, longevity, and the person sitting in the chair. That vision became Red Oak Dentistry.

A team and office built around the patient experience

Red Oak Dentistry is not just my practice. It is a small, close-knit team of people who care deeply about how patients feel when they are here. Our team includes Terri Bell, our Office Manager; Bianca Carlucci, our Dental Hygienist; and Emily Lujan, our Dental Assistant. Each of them brings warmth, skill, and a genuine desire to make dentistry feel less intimidating and more human. From the first phone call to the final few minutes of an appointment, our hope is that patients feel listened to, respected, and never rushed through the process.

We designed the office with that same intention. I wanted Red Oak Dentistry to feel refined, but not cold. Comfortable, but still highly clinical where it matters. Patients will find large TVs in every operatory, a beverage station, soft blankets upon request, neck pillows, and stress balls for those who need a little extra comfort during care. We also made choices that are not always visible at first glance, but matter deeply. Our treatment rooms have doors that close. We use filtration throughout the office and operatories, along with a specialized HVAC filtration system. N-95 protocols are available for high-risk patients or upon request. These details reflect the larger philosophy of the practice: care should be thoughtful all the way through, not just in the moments when someone is actively receiving treatment.

Explore the services Red Oak Dentistry is known for

At Red Oak Dentistry, we provide a wide range of services, but the heart of the practice is not any single procedure. It is the way care is planned and delivered. Patients often come to us for crowns and bridges, cleanings and exams, clear aligner therapy with Invisalign and Spark, dental implants, fillings, extractions, oral surgery, periodontal care, night guards, and same-day appointments when available. But before any treatment begins, we take time to understand the full picture— your health, your concerns, your goals, and what matters most to you.

I believe good dentistry should be evidence-based, technologically current, and deeply personal. It should solve problems without creating unnecessary ones. It should be explained clearly. It should be performed with care. And whenever possible, it should be designed to last. For patients in Raleigh, North Raleigh, Cary, and the surrounding communities, Red Oak Dentistry offers a different kind of dental experience — one that combines advanced care with personal attention. When you are here, you have our focus. You have our honesty. And you have a team that takes pride in doing things the right way.

Ready to schedule your visit with Red Oak Dentistry?

If you are looking for a dentist in Raleigh or North Raleigh who values quality, comfort, and a more personal approach to care, my team and I would be honored to meet you.

Red Oak Dentistry was built for patients and families who want to feel known, cared for, and confident in the treatment they receive. We are proud to offer dentistry that is relaxed, refined, and rooted in lasting relationships. To schedule an appointment, call (919) 781-8984.