Dr. Leah Larson
DDS · Highland Dental Center
Dr. Leah Larson has over 10 years of dental experience. She graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2010 and completed a two-year residency and fellowship at the University of Mississippi.
Dr. Larson is a member of the American Dental Association and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Outside the office, she enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family.
Dr. Kris Fernandez
DDS · Highland Dental Center
Dr. Kris Fernandez has over 30 years of dental experience. He graduated from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry and has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive, compassionate dental care for patients of all ages.
Dr. Fernandez is a member of the American Dental Association. Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his two daughters, Charlie and Presley, and values building lasting relationships with his patients and their families.
Dr. William P. Welch Jr.
DDS · Founder · Highland Dental Center
Dr. William P. Welch Jr. was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Baton Rouge High School, Louisiana State University, and LSU School of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Welch has proudly practiced general dentistry in Baton Rouge since 1981.
Throughout his career, Dr. Welch has completed extensive postgraduate education in cosmetic dentistry, studying under many of the nation's leading cosmetic dentists. Outside the office, he is a private pilot, enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with his family.
Ready to meet your dental team?
Contact Highland Dental Center to schedule your next appointment.
Friendly Faces.
Exceptional Care.
Our experienced team is committed to making every visit comfortable, welcoming, and tailored to your individual needs.
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Dedicated to helping patients maintain healthy, confident smiles through comfortable and personalized care.
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Focused on creating a relaxed and supportive experience for every patient throughout their appointment.
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Here to help make scheduling, insurance, and each step of your visit simple and stress-free.
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Passionate about patient education and helping every patient feel confident about their oral health.
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Committed to providing attentive care and helping patients feel at ease from beginning to end.
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Helping patients feel welcomed while keeping every visit organized, efficient, and enjoyable.
Our Promise
Three commitments guide every visit.
Expertise
Constantly learning. Always advancing. We invest in training and technology so you get the best care—every time.
Care
Every patient is treated like family, with transparent plans and comfort‑first appointments.
Innovation
Modern tools—from digital scans to guided surgery—for precise, efficient, and beautiful outcomes.
Everything You Need Before Your Visit.
We want your experience at Highland Dental Center to feel comfortable and straightforward from the moment you schedule. Find helpful information about your first appointment, office hours, insurance, payments, and emergency care.
Come Prepared. We’ll Take Care of the Rest.
A little preparation helps us get to know you, understand your dental needs, and make your first appointment as efficient and comfortable as possible.
Photo Identification
Please bring a current driver’s license or another form of government-issued photo identification.
Insurance Card
Bring your current dental insurance card and policy information so our team can help review your available benefits.
Medication Information
Prepare a list of medications, supplements, allergies, and relevant medical conditions for your patient record.
Recent Dental X-Rays
Bring or arrange to transfer any recent dental X-rays or records from your previous dental provider when available.
This provides time to complete or review your patient forms without feeling rushed before your appointment.
Convenient Care Throughout the Week.
Our office is open Monday through Friday, with appointment times designed to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Regular Office Hours
- Monday
- 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Thursday
- 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Friday
- 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM Occasional Fridays
Office hours may vary. Please call to confirm appointment availability.
Clear Information. Convenient Options.
Our team will help you understand your payment options and make the most of your available dental insurance benefits.
Insurance Information
Highland Dental Center accepts most major dental insurance plans. Coverage and benefits vary by policy, so we recommend contacting our office before your appointment.
- Bring your current insurance card.
- Provide the policyholder’s information.
- Tell us about any recent insurance changes.
Payment Methods
Payment is requested at the time services are provided unless other arrangements have been made with our office.
- Cash and personal checks
- Major credit cards
- Debit cards
- Eligible HSA or FSA cards
Online Bill Payment
Secure online payments through Liquid Payments are planned for the website. Once activated, patients will be able to review statements and pay eligible balances online.
- Secure online account access
- Credit, debit, or eligible HSA cards
- Convenient access from any device
Please contact our office before treatment if you would like to discuss estimated patient responsibility, insurance coverage, or available payment arrangements.
Call (225) 769-7640Dental Emergency or After-Hours Concern?
Dental emergencies are never convenient. If you are a current Highland Dental Center patient experiencing an urgent dental issue after regular office hours, call our office and leave a detailed message.
Call the office at (225) 769-7640.
Leave your name, telephone number, and a brief description of the dental problem.
Follow the after-hours instructions provided by the office.
Helpful Answers Before You Arrive.
Find quick answers to common questions about becoming a patient, appointments, services, insurance, and payments.
Our team will be happy to help.
Call (225) 769-764001 Are you accepting new patients?
Yes. Highland Dental Center welcomes new patients. Call (225) 769-7640 to speak with our team and request an appointment.
02 What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring a photo ID, your current dental insurance card when applicable, a medication list, and any recent dental X-rays or records you have available.
03 How early should I arrive?
New patients should plan to arrive approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled appointment to complete or review necessary patient forms.
04 Do you accept dental insurance?
The office accepts most major dental insurance plans. Because coverage varies, call our team before your appointment to discuss your specific plan and available benefits.
05 Which payment methods do you accept?
The office accepts cash, personal checks, major credit cards, debit cards, and eligible HSA or FSA cards. Contact the office for questions about payment arrangements.
06 Do you provide dental implants?
Yes. Highland Dental Center provides implant dentistry. Following an examination and consultation, your dentist will explain whether implants are appropriate for your needs and develop a personalized treatment plan.
07 Do you offer clear aligner treatment?
Yes. Clear aligner treatment may be available depending on your dental and orthodontic needs. A consultation is required to determine whether aligner therapy is suitable for you.
08 What should I do after hours?
Current patients experiencing an urgent dental issue after regular hours should call (225) 769-7640 and leave a message with their name, telephone number, and a brief description of the concern.
Let’s Plan Your Next Visit.
Whether you are a new patient or returning for continued care, our team is ready to help you schedule your appointment.
Payment Options
Comming Soon:
You’ll be able to conveniently pay your bill online through our secure payment partner, Liquid Pay, directly on our website.
In Office Payments:
You can pay for your office visits and any treatments by cash, check, credit, or debit card at the time of service. We also accept most major dental insurance plans.
To discuss your payment options or insurance coverage, please call us at (225) 769-0031.
Click on the Care Credit icon for more information about this option.
Dr. Leah Larson
Dr. Leah Larson has over 10 years of dental experience. She graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in Omaha, Nebraska in 2010 and completed a two-year residency and fellowship at the University of Mississippi. She is an American Dental Association member and a fellow in the International Congress of Oral international Implantologists. internoral She likes to play tennis and spend time with her family in her spare time.
Dr. Kris Fernandez
Dr. Kris Fernandez has over 30 years of dental experience. He graduated from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry. He is a member of the American Dental Association. He loves spending his time with his two daughters, Charlie and Presley.
Dr. William Welch
Dr. William P. Welch Jr. DDS was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He attended Baton Rouge High School, Louisiana State University, and L.S.U. School of Dentistry where he received his DDS degree. Dr. Welch has practiced general dentistry in Baton Rouge since 1981. He has done extensive postgraduate study in cosmetic dentistry, completing several programs while studying under the most respected cosmetic dentists in the country. He is a private pilot and enjoys spending time in the air when he is not practicing dentistry. He is an avid reader, and enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
