South Tampa's Dental Home Since 1979 45+ Years Serving Tampa Bay
📞 813-259-9000
South Tampa's Dental Home Since 1979

45 Years of Trusted
South Tampa Dental Care

And now with Copper too! Serving South Tampa families with expert dentistry, a therapy dog on staff, and a team that truly feels like family.

45+ Years in South Tampa
Therapy Dog on Staff
Botox & Juvederm Available
Zoom Whitening Provider

South Tampa's Dental Home Since 1979

Dr. Terry Buckenheimer founded this practice 45 years ago. Dr. Christopher Bulnes, DMD, has continued that legacy since 2001 — and he brought a very special team member along for the journey.

🐶

Meet Copper Bulnes — Therapy Dog-tor

Copper is Dr. Bulnes' beloved therapy dog and one of South Tampa Dental's most popular team members. He visits the office to help anxious patients feel calm, comfortable, and right at home. There's only one dental office in South Tampa where you can get a crown — and a puppy cuddle.

🐾 Copper Bulnes, DMD — Therapy Dog-tor, Anxiety Specialist

Complete Dental & Cosmetic Services

From routine cleanings to Botox and Juvederm — a full-service practice for your smile and beyond.

Dental Implants

Permanent, natural-looking tooth replacement. Dr. Bulnes performs implants with precision and exceptional care for long-lasting results.

Porcelain Crowns

Custom-crafted porcelain crowns that blend seamlessly with your natural teeth — durable, beautiful, and built to last.

ZOOM

Zoom Teeth Whitening

Hollywood-level whitening in one visit. We're an authorized Zoom provider — get dramatically whiter teeth in about an hour.

COSMETIC

Botox & Juvederm

Licensed cosmetic facial treatments available alongside your dental care. Refresh your appearance at the same appointment.

Root Canals

Modern root canal therapy to save your natural tooth and eliminate pain — comfortable and efficient with Dr. Bulnes' expert care.

Cleanings & Preventive Care

Routine cleanings and comprehensive exams with our experienced hygiene team — Diana, Jenna, and Lisa are the best in South Tampa.

Cosmetic Bonding

Quick, affordable cosmetic repairs — chip repairs, gap closing, and minor reshaping done in a single visit.

Dentures

Full and partial dentures crafted for comfort and a natural appearance — restore your smile and your confidence.

Extractions

Comfortable tooth extractions performed with care and precision — including wisdom teeth — in a relaxed environment.

45+
Years Serving South Tampa
1979
Year Practice Was Founded
Copper
Therapy Dog-tor on Staff
Zoom
Authorized Whitening Provider

10+ Years of Happy Patients

★★★★★

"Been coming to this dental office for more than 10 years; always a pleasure to return."

— M.M.
★★★★★

"Excellent visit. I think Kaitlin and Dr. Bulnes went above and beyond to ensure that I was comfortable and understood the procedure/next steps. I have already recommended the practice to my office."

— K.M.
★★★★★

"All of my interactions with team members of Dr. Bulnes were very positive. From Dr. Bulnes and Jenna, I received a warm welcome and excellent care. Very excited that I have found my new dentist!"

— D.N.
★★★★★

"Diana is awesome!! Have been having my teeth cleaned by her for years and she is a keeper!!"

— O.L.
★★★★★

"The Dental Assistant, Kaitlin, and the Dentist, Dr. Buckenheimer, were 'super' nice and explained everything well. I really appreciated it."

— S.S.
45 Years
Trusted in South Tampa
Call 813-259-9000
Dr. Christopher Bulnes, DMD

Dr. Christopher Bulnes, DMD

DMD — Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, 2000

Dr. Bulnes earned his DMD from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2000 and has been caring for South Tampa patients since 2001. He took over a practice founded in 1979 by Dr. Terry Buckenheimer — and has continued that legacy of trusted, personal dental care for over two decades.

Dr. Bulnes believes in treating every patient like family — a philosophy he literally brings to life with Copper, his therapy dog, who visits the office to help anxious patients feel at ease.

  • DMD — Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, 2000
  • Practicing in South Tampa since 2001
  • Authorized Zoom Whitening Provider
  • Licensed Botox & Juvederm administrator
  • Spacious treatment rooms with large bay windows

The South Tampa Dental Team

A team so warm, patients have been coming back for 10+ years — and one very special four-legged member.

Dr. Christopher Bulnes

Lead Dentist, DMD

Diana

Dental Hygienist

Jenna

Dental Hygienist

Lisa

Dental Hygienist

Jelyitsa

Patient Coordinator

Teresa

Financial & Treatment Planning

Yeiced, Jessica & Quyen

Expanded Functions Dental Assistants

🐶

Copper Bulnes, DMD

Therapy Dog-tor, Anxiety Specialist

Office Hours

Monday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Half Day)
Saturday – SundayClosed

Note: We close at noon on Fridays. Please plan accordingly!

Call 813-259-9000

Our Location

3906 W. Neptune Street
Tampa, FL 33629
South Tampa

813-259-9000

Fax: 813-259-9923

Payment & Financing:

CareCredit Zoom Whitening Botox & Juvederm Bay Window Rooms

10 Improvements We Made

Plain-English explanations of exactly what was wrong with the old site — and what your practice gains from this redesign.

Improvement 01

45 Years of Tampa History Deserves to Be the Headline

The Problem: Your practice has been serving South Tampa for over 45 years — an extraordinary legacy. But the old website mentioned this in one sentence buried in the middle of the page.

What You Gain: Leading with "South Tampa's Dental Home Since 1979" instantly differentiates you from newer, corporate practices.

Improvement 02

Your Map Used OpenStreetMap Instead of Google Maps

The Problem: Your website showed an OpenStreetMap (a technical open-source map) instead of Google Maps. Most patients don't recognize it, and it can't give them voice-guided directions.

What You Gain: A Google Maps embed is what patients expect. They can tap it on their phone and get instant directions — fewer "where are you located?" calls.

Improvement 03

Copper the Therapy Dog Is Your Most Unique Differentiator!

The Problem: You have a therapy dog (Copper Bulnes, DMD — "Therapy Dog-tor") listed on your staff page, but most people will never discover him! This is a viral marketing goldmine.

What You Gain: "Meet Copper, our certified therapy dog" is the kind of detail that goes viral on social media and makes patients choose you over every other dentist in South Tampa.

Improvement 04

Botox and Juvederm Services Weren't Promoted

The Problem: You offer facial Botox and Juvederm — services that attract an entirely different audience than typical dental patients. But it was mentioned only in a logo at the bottom.

What You Gain: A dedicated section for cosmetic facial services attracts patients from Tampa's Botox market who will also become your regular dental patients.

Improvement 05

Your PagesOnly.com Template Looked Basic

The Problem: Your website was built on a basic dental template by PagesOnly.com. While functional, it doesn't reflect the quality of a 45-year-old, well-established South Tampa practice.

What You Gain: A premium design signals premium care — and South Tampa's demographic expects both.

Improvement 06

Bay Windows and Modern Treatment Rooms Weren't Shown

The Problem: You mention "spacious treatment rooms with large bay windows" — a distinct comfort feature — but there were no photos or visual emphasis.

What You Gain: Patients who are anxious about the dentist choose offices that look bright, open, and comfortable. Show them what awaits.

Improvement 07

Friday Half-Day Wasn't Clearly Communicated

The Problem: You close at noon on Fridays, but patients who come to your site on a Thursday night and see hours displayed incorrectly may show up and find you closed.

What You Gain: Clear, accurate hours displayed prominently prevent frustration and loss of trust.

Improvement 08

Your Zoom Whitening Service Wasn't a Selling Point

The Problem: Zoom is the gold standard in teeth whitening and you're an authorized provider — but it was just a small logo at the bottom of your page.

What You Gain: "Zoom Whitening — get a Hollywood smile in one visit" is a high-conversion headline that attracts cosmetic patients.

Improvement 09

No Digital Appointment Booking

The Problem: Patients must call or use a basic form to request appointments. After business hours, there's no way to schedule.

What You Gain: An online booking option captures patients who decide they want an appointment at 9pm on a Tuesday.

Improvement 10

Team Photos and Bios Make Patients Feel Connected

The Problem: Jenna, Diana, and the team are mentioned but their personalities and faces aren't part of the patient journey. Patients who know the hygienist's name before they come are less anxious.

What You Gain: A friendly team section makes first-time patients feel like they're visiting friends, not strangers.