We follow the fee guidelines set out by the Ontario Dental Association. These guidelines are updated annually and followed by the majority of Dental offices in Ontario. For more information, please refer to the ODA website at http://www.oda.on.ca/you-your-dentist/dental-be…
What do you mean by “Direct billing”?
We are able to receive payment directly from your insurance company, without asking you to pay upfront. The only reason you would have to pay out of pocket is if your expenses exceed your insurance company’s limit (I.e. extensive dental work) or if your insurance company only pays a certain percentage (I.e. your company may only pay 80%, in which case you would be responsible for the remaining 20%)
Of course! Thank you for choosing us. All you need to do is sign a release form, allowing us to contact your previous dental office to obtain your files. We are also able to contact your insurance company to find out what benefits you have remaining for the year (with your consent).
The bleaching treatments used at a Dental office are usually much stronger, and therefore, more effective. Any bleaching treatment can have side effects, so it is much safer to receive these treatments from a dental professional to ensure any side effects are properly managed and the entire procedure is done right.
When should I take my child to the Dentist?
The CDA recommends that a child sees the Dentist for the first time between 6 months and 1 year, or after the first tooth erupts. Let us know if it is your child’s first visit, and we will do everything to ensure a happy, relaxed visit. It is important to you remain calm as well. This first visit is very important and we don’t want your child to experience any stress at their first trip to the Dentist!
Why do young children need to be assisted or supervised with tooth brushing?
Young children often swallow toothpaste when brushing, so it is important to supervise and teach them to spit out the toothpaste. This can take some time but with patience they will get it! It is also important to show them the proper way to brush. These are important skills they will use for their entire lives.
Should I be using fluoridated toothpaste with my child?
For children from birth to 3 years of age, the use of fluoridated toothpaste is determined by the level of risk of tooth decay. Parents should consult a health professional to determine whether their child up to 3 years of age is at risk of developing tooth decay. If such a risk exists, the child’s teeth should be brushed by an adult using a minimal amount (a portion the size of a grain of rice) of fluoridated toothpaste. Use of fluoridated toothpaste in a small amount has been determined to achieve a balance between the benefits of fluoride and the risk of developing fluorosis. If the child is not considered to be at risk, the teeth should be brushed by an adult using a toothbrush moistened only with water. For children from 3 to 6 years of age, only a small amount (a portion the size of a green pea) of fluoridated toothpaste should be used. Children in this age group should be assisted by an adult in brushing their teeth.
What if I am already in the early stages of gum disease?
If you have gum disease, getting rid of plaque and tartar gives your gums a chance to get better. That’s why in the early stages of gum disease, the best treatment is: Cleaning by your dentist or dental hygienist to remove built-up tartar, brushing twice a day to remove plaque and flossing once a day to remove plaque. When gum disease is more serious, your dentist may refer you to a dental specialist called a periodontist. A periodontist has a least three years of extra university training in treating gum disease, and in restoring (or regenerating) bone and gum tissue that have been lost because of gum disease. A periodontist also treats serious forms of gum disease that do not get better with normal dental care. When serious gum disease is found, brushing and flossing become even more important.
How can I tell if I’m brushing and flossing properly?
Brushing: Brush your teeth gently, paying special attention to the areas where your teeth and gums meet. Clean every surface of every tooth. Use the tip of your brush to clean behind your upper and lower front teeth. Flossing: Take a piece of floss about 18 inches long and wrap it around your middle fingers. Using a clean section of floss each time, wrap the floss into a C shape around a tooth. Wipe it over the tooth, from base to tip, a couple of times. Repeat on each tooth.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Prevention is the most important factor in the fight against gum disease. It is essential to keep your teeth and gums clean. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day and floss at least once every 24 hours. Using proper brushing and flossing techniques is equally important. Be sure to see your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and checkups, so that he or she can detect any early signs of gum disease, and provide appropriate treatment.
Very. Seven out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives. It is the most common dental problem, and it can progress quite painlessly until you have a real problem. That’s why it is so important to prevent gum disease before it becomes serious.
My dentist is recommending treatment (I know nothing about). What should I do?
Ask questions. It sounds simple enough, but sometimes we feel embarrassed to ask simple questions. There is no need to feel that way. You will feel much better, and be able to make a better decision, if you understand the dental procedure that is recommended to you. If you don’t say anything, your dentist may think that you already understand. Here are some tips when asking questions. Ask: If you can see any pictures of the procedure or what it looks like when it is done; How many times your dentist has done this procedure in the past; How much it will cost; How long it will take; If it will need to be redone in the future; If there are alternatives to the procedure and if so, what are the pros and cons of each option. The final decision about how and when to proceed with any treatment is yours. To help you understand what is involved in the treatment, your dentist may give you some printed material to read. If you have already left the dental office without asking questions, call back later. Be careful about getting information from unknown sources, including sources on the Internet. Some of this information may not be reliable. If, after all of your questions have been answered you are still uncertain, you may wish to get a second opinion from another dentist. Often, a second opinion will give you confidence that your dentist has planned the right treatment for you.
How do I find a new Dentist, and how do I have my records transferred?
The first step in choosing a new dentist is to list your needs, which might include: Location Hours of practice Language(s) spoken Generalist or specialist practice Ask your family and friends if they can recommend a dentist. Other members of your community, such as your doctor, may be able to offer suggestions. Some provincial dental associations have Web sites that allow you to search for a dentist in your area (see “Other Resources” below). Yellow Pages advertising may also prove helpful. It will list each dentist’s location, and may include other details that will help you in your search. Once you have narrowed your list to two or three names, call the dentists to see if they are accepting new patients. This initial call may also give you some sense of the office environment, but there’s nothing like the first visit to help you decide if it’s a good match for you. How can I get my records transferred? Original dental records belong to the dentist who provided the treatment, and not the patient, because dentists have to keep all of their records for a period of time, as set out by their provincial dental regulatory body. Once you have selected a new dentist, you can request that a copy of your records be transferred from your former dentist. You may be required to sign a release form from your former dental office and you may also be charged an administrative fee for having your records copied and sent to another dental office. If you have questions about the records transfer process in your province, ask your dentist or contact the provincial dental regulatory body.
Do I really have to go to the dentist every six months? Do I need x-rays at each visit?
How often you need to visit the Dentist will really depend on you. How often do you brush? Floss? Have you had a lot of previous dental work? Do you have any conditions such as gum disease, or have you had in the past? Your Dentist can advise how often you should be seeing them. X-rays will depend on you as well. Keep in mind that there is very little radiation used in a dental x-ray, and the potential risks of undetected tooth decay can far outweigh the risks of the x-ray.
