The oral health practitioners provide the following care:
Referrals to specialists, as needed
Being a federally funded entity, we are dedicated to providing basic oral health care. We do not offer any cosmetic procedures; for example: bleaching of teeth, implant-supported dental appliance and gold restorations (this applies also to adding gold tooth in dentures).
Even for the healthiest individuals, coming to the dentist once every 6 months is recommended. That way we can monitor if there is any new cavity or gum disease and can intervene early enough to bring the condition under control. We can also monitor certain diet habit along with the oral hygiene practice to determine the deficiencies and advise improvements accordingly. According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, all children must have their 1st dental visit by their 1st birthday. We also abide by that recommendation and encourage the parents to bring in their children, so that we can proactively minimize dental problems in children. All the necessary dental clearance forms are issued for admission to school at the same time.
It is very easy to get plaque buildup even after getting a professional cleaning done, if the oral hygiene is not impeccable. Once the plaque hardens to form calculus (aka tartar), it cannot be removed with regular brushing and flossing. Such buildup harbors more germs and if untreated, leads to gradual destruction of the bone and surrounding tissue and later, results in full-blown gum disease. That is why maintenance once every 6 months is recommended. Individuals with already established gum disease may require more frequent maintenance schedule (e.g., once every 3-4 months). Usually, Diabetes Mellitus and smoking too have been associated with gum disease and, therefore, requires routine maintenance. In many cases, early detection of caries can eliminate unnecessary discomfort and dental abscess. Such teeth can easily be restored with fillings to avoid tooth extraction.
On the first visit, we dedicate the time to get to know you and for establishing your records. That is why you can expect to fill out a series of forms. A significant amount of time is also dedicated for identity and insurance verification. On the clinical side, we take x-rays and perform a thorough evaluation to come up with a treatment plan. The doctor then gets you scheduled for additional appointment for the recommended procedures. All of these steps are time-consuming. So, it is advisable that you come at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. You should schedule two (2) appointment for the first day – one (1) with the dentist for the exam and x-rays and one (1) with the hygienist for the cleaning, if you are coming in for the first time and would also like to get your teeth cleaned.