Frequently Asked Questions
Costs, comfort, kids and insurance — in that order.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the Questions You Were Going to Ask Anyway
Still unsure about something? Call the practice — a dentist answers, not a script.
How much will the first visit cost?
The new-patient examination is $95 and takes ninety minutes. That includes X-rays where they are needed, a full charting of your teeth and gums, and a printed plan with prices before you leave. If we find nothing, you pay $95 and go home.
I am genuinely frightened of dentists. What do I do?
Say so when you book — there is a box on the form and the receptionist will ask anyway. We double the appointment length, agree a hand signal that stops everything immediately, and the first visit can be nothing but talking if that is what you need.
Do you take my insurance?
We bill most major plans directly. Bring the card to the first appointment; we check the cover before we write the estimate, so the number you take home is what you actually pay, not what the treatment lists at.
How often should I actually come in?
Six months is the default, not the rule. Healthy gums and no fillings in five years might mean nine or twelve months. Gum disease, diabetes or a heavy grinding habit might mean three. We set the interval per person and tell you why.
At what age should my child first come?
At one year, or within six months of the first tooth. That visit is almost entirely a ride in the chair and a conversation with you about bottles and brushing. It costs nothing and it makes every later visit easier.
Is whitening safe, and how long does it last?
Safe when a dentist checks first that the enamel and gums can take it, and when the gel strength matches the mouth. Expect two to three years from an in-chair session, longer if you avoid the obvious culprits. Sensitivity, if it happens, fades within days.
What if something breaks at the weekend?
Leave a message on the practice line. It is checked on Saturday and again on Sunday evening, and two emergency slots are held open every weekday morning specifically for what came in overnight.
Can I keep the same dentist every time?
Yes, and it is the default. You are assigned a clinician at the first visit and stay with them unless you ask to move or the case needs a specialist, in which case they stay involved anyway.
Do you do anything about grinding?
A digital scan and a hard acrylic guard, made to fit rather than boiled at home. We also look for the cause, because a guard protects enamel but does not explain why your jaw is busy at three in the morning.
Is the practice accessible?
Step-free from the pavement, a lift to our floor, an accessible bathroom and one surgery with a wheelchair-transfer chair. Tell us when you book and we put you in that room.
Ready When You Are
Your Next Appointment Can Be This Week
Pick a time online, or call and we will find one around your day. New patients always get the longer first slot.
