Meet Dr. Dan Knechtel
Dr. Dan Knechtel is a board-certified pediatric dentist and the founder of Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry in Asheville, North Carolina. He opened the practice in 2011 and built it from the ground up as a solo-dentist office, where children are seen from age one through their late teen years. For Dr. Dan Knechtel, the most rewarding part of the work is simple: helping children and their families restore damaged teeth and then keep those smiles cavity-free.
With more than two decades in dentistry and nearly 18 years focused entirely on children, Dr. Dan Knechtel brings a broad foundation to every visit. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002 and practiced as a general dentist for four years. That time treating patients of every age convinced him that children deserve a dentist trained specifically for them, so he completed a pediatric dentistry residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in 2008 and went on to earn certification from the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Education and Pediatric Dentistry Training
Dr. Dan Knechtel’s education combines a science background with hospital-based specialty training focused entirely on children.
- Undergraduate degree in chemistry
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2002
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Yale New Haven Hospital, 2008
- Certification, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Residency training in pediatric dentistry goes well beyond dental school. It covers the growth and development of children’s teeth and jaws, behavior guidance, sedation, care for children with special health care needs, and hospital dentistry, giving pediatric dentists the skills to treat young patients across a wide range of situations.
Board Certification and Professional Leadership
Board certification in pediatric dentistry is voluntary. It requires a pediatric dentist to pass additional written and oral examinations administered by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry after completing residency, and to maintain that certification over time. Dr. Dan Knechtel holds this certification and is licensed to practice dentistry in North Carolina.
He is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and he serves on the medical staff at Mission Hospital. Within the local dental community, he served as president of the Buncombe County Dental Society in 2013.
Dr. Dan Knechtel’s National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1376718742.
Clinical Experience From Routine Cleanings to Full-Mouth Restorations
Dr. Dan Knechtel enjoys every part of pediatric dentistry, from a toddler’s first cleaning to complex treatment for a child with extensive decay. His experience includes full-mouth restorations under general anesthesia, which allow all of a child’s needed dental work to be completed in a single visit when other approaches are not enough.
For those visits, he works with an anesthesiologist in the office. The anesthesiologist provides and monitors the anesthesia, while Dr. Dan Knechtel focuses on the dental treatment itself. Digital X-rays are used in the practice to support accurate diagnosis. Families can learn more about behavior guidance and comfort options and restorative care.
A Philosophy Built on Compassion and Partnership With Parents
Compassion for children and their families sits at the center of Dr. Dan Knechtel’s approach, and it is a big reason many families stay with the practice from the toddler years into the teen years. When a child needs treatment, he sits down with parents, explains the diagnosis in clear terms, and works with them to build a treatment plan aimed at restoring their child’s oral health. That same collaborative approach guides his care for children who feel nervous or fearful at the dentist.
Parents know their children better than anyone, so I want them in the conversation. When we talk through what I’m seeing and decide on the plan together, kids pick up on that trust, and it makes the whole experience easier for everyone.
— Dr. Dan Knechtel
Life in Asheville Outside the Office
Dr. Dan Knechtel and his wife have called Asheville home since 2008, where they are raising their three children. For the past 14 years, he has coached his children’s basketball and baseball teams, a role that keeps him connected to the same families and neighborhoods his practice serves. Away from work, he enjoys biking, golfing, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dr. Dan Knechtel
Yes. Dr. Dan Knechtel is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, which requires passing additional examinations after completing a pediatric dentistry residency.
He earned his DDS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2002 and completed his pediatric dentistry residency at Yale New Haven Hospital in 2008.
He has been practicing dentistry since 2002, more than two decades, and founded Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry in Asheville in 2011.
Pediatric dentists complete additional specialty training after dental school and focus only on infants, children, and teens. Read more about why to choose a pediatric dentist.
Yes. Dr. Dan Knechtel performs full-mouth restorations under general anesthesia with an anesthesiologist in the office, who administers and monitors the anesthesia while he completes the dental treatment.
He sees children starting at age one and continues their care through the late teen years. Plan ahead for your child’s first visit.
Schedule a Visit With Dr. Dan Knechtel in Asheville
Whether your child is due for a first checkup or needs care for a specific concern, Dr. Dan Knechtel looks forward to meeting your family and answering your questions. Schedule an appointment at Blue Ridge Pediatric Dentistry in North Asheville.
