Dr. Kathy Maureen Patmore is the founder and owner of Santa Barbara Root Canal Specialists (formerly the Center for Microdentistry). A distinguished endodontist with decades of clinical leadership, she established her private practice in Santa Barbara, California, in 1992 and has since built a reputation for excellence, patient-centered care, and innovation in the field.
Dr. Patmore earned her DDS degree from Indiana University, where she received the prestigious Tillman and Miller Award for the highest clinical achievement among all graduates. She completed her certificate in Endodontics at the University of Louisville and holds a biology and chemistry double major, cum laude, from the University of Evansville. She is a member of the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Santa Barbara Ventura County Dental Society (SBVCDS).
Her philosophy of practice has always been simple yet profound: treat patients the way she herself would want to be treated. This principle guided her throughout a remarkable career in which she personally performed approximately 20,000 root canals, related surgeries, and implants. Dr. Patmore was a pioneer in adopting advanced technologies in Santa Barbara, becoming the first in the area to equip her operatories with digital X-rays (1994), the CompuDent II (formerly “The Wand”) computerized anesthetic delivery system, and Zeiss surgical operating microscopes (in use since 1992).
What truly set Dr. Patmore apart was her diagnostic approach rooted in deep listening. She personally conducted initial consultations, carefully hearing each patient’s chief complaint and full history rather than delegating to staff. This method allowed her to differentiate endodontic issues from other concerns efficiently and compassionately, avoiding unnecessary procedures or excessive imaging. Patients experienced prompt scheduling, efficient treatment, comprehensive fees (particularly for implants), and genuine kindness—qualities that built an exceptionally loyal patient base in a competitive field.
Today, while Dr. Patmore no longer performs clinical procedures herself, she remains the dedicated owner of the practice and actively leads the team of skilled clinicians who continue her legacy of compassionate, high-quality endodontic care. Her vision, standards, and patient-first philosophy endure as the foundation of Santa Barbara Root Canal Specialists.