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Dental Office Responsibilities

A dental office is primarily responsible for promoting and exhibiting excellent patient care. In order for a dental office to attract and keep loyal patients, vital responsibilities include providing an excellent clerical staff, a clean and inviting environment, highly skilled hygienists and dentists, and patient-centered care.

First of all, it is imperative to have an excellent clerical staff to be the face of the dental office. From the moment a patient walks into the building and speaks to the person at the desk, a first impression has been established. It is necessary to have a clerical staff who pays attention to details, especially when it comes to appointment setting and billing. It is also extremely important to have people with superb phone skills for confirming appointments and following up with various concerns. When the clerical staff performs its duties with competence and efficiency, patients notice the smooth, organized environment and want to revisit.

In addition, a dental office has the responsibility to maintain a clean and inviting environment. As with any medical office, patients are concerned about hygiene and need assurance that their surroundings are sterile. From the dental instruments, to the floors, to the bathrooms, the office needs to be cleaned and sanitized daily. It is also important to maintain an inviting atmosphere as well. This can be accomplished by soothing interior design, artwork, water features, and other unique displays that create a calming ambiance.

Of even greater importance, it is necessary to offer patients highly skilled hygienists and dentists. Providing the highest level of care requires the best individuals in the field. A dental office must seek out the most qualified workers, taking into consideration their education, certification, and proper licensing. Displaying the qualifications of the dental staff also instills confidence among the clientele as well.

Finally, above all else, the biggest responsibility of a dental office is to provide patient-centered care. Although dental offices tend to be filled with rather scientific people, it is critical to extend beyond studied knowledge and reach the patients on a personal level. Many dental patients are fearful of dental work and need a compassionate, friendly face more than scientific lingo. In other cases, a dental office may be confronted with caring for patients with special needs. For example, if a parent brings a child with Autism to the office for a cleaning or filling, the staff needs to be knowledgeable and helpful in dealing with the particular issues that may arise. In many cases, these children are highly sensitive to noise, pain, and light, and they may be extremely fearful. Taking special circumstances into consideration to focus on the needs of individual patients is essential for every dental office. Being able to climb out of the scientific box and is undoubtedly the most important responsibility of all.

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How To Choose The Best Dentist For Your Kids

At Dundas Family Dental, we know that establishing a healthy dental routine is vital for children. Getting them started on good oral health early on will become a lifelong habit. A good dentist will be training your kids to feel relaxed and unstressed during their regular check-ups, as well as providing essential preventative advice on good dental hygiene habits. They will also be able to provide a full range of dental services for the whole family, and recognize the importance of a healthy smile to confidence and well-being. 

When choosing a dentist for your children, here are some key things to look out for:

Is the practice local and easy to reach?
Does it offer convenient appointments, perhaps at evenings and weekends?
Are the staff welcoming and friendly?
Do you get a quick response when you contact them?
Is the dentist a parent themselves, able to relate to how kids think?
Do they have a strong education program which emphasizes preventative care?
Are they currently welcoming new patients?
Do they offer a full range of services, including wisdom teeth extraction and cosmetic dentistry?
Do they use the latest digital technology for x-rays and imaging?
Can they provide emergency dental care? 

How You Can Help As A Parent

One of the simplest and best ways to help your children is to model healthy dental care yourself: keeping up your own regular checkups, maintaining a healthy oral care routine, being aware of the foods and drinks that can be a danger to teeth. We all know that prevention is better than cure, but remember to practice what you preach!

If you are anxious about dentists, try not to pass it on to your kids. For example, there’s no need to say “it won’t hurt” – it just could give them an unnecessary worry they hadn’t thought of! A good dentist will understand and be sympathetic to any worries a patient has, and be happy to discuss any questions with you.

Learn how to help your kids care for their teeth at each stage of development – from helping little ones learn to brush, providing healthy food and drink choices, encouraging them to use floss and mouthwash, to taking older kids to be fitted for a sports mouth guard for athletic activities.

A great dentist will be there with you every step of the way along the journey of a lifetime – to put a happy, healthy smile on your kid’s faces! So if you’re currently searching for a dentist for your kids, use the checklist above as a guide.

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The Benefits of a Dental Bridge

A person missing between one and three teeth may choose to have a dental bridge to solve the problem. A false tooth, known as a Pontiac, fills in the gap and dental crowns are attached to the surrounding teeth to keep the false tooth in place. But with various dental options available to a patient, what are the benefits of choosing a dental bridge?

Improve Your Appearance

Most people become very self-conscious about gaps in their teeth, often leading to them smiling less frequently. The gap might not be the only problem, with some people experiencing a changed facial appearance due to pressures being placed on your other teeth during chewing. A dental bridge can easily resolve this problem, and the quality of the false teeth make it very difficult for others to notice. Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, so it is worth looking after.

Fixed in Place

In certain circumstances, removable dentures may be a good option, but a dental bridge does not require the same level of cleaning. The bridge stays fixed in your mouth and just requires regular cleaning along with a special type of floss. As long as you are following correct oral hygiene procedures, you can avoid any additional maintenance issues.

Affordable

Dental care can often be very expensive, but a bridge is actually a more affordable option. It is a simple answer to a problem that afflicts many people, but should be affordable to most people looking to replace a missing tooth. Prices will vary depending on the complexity of the procedure, so it is a good idea to discuss exactly what you need with your dentist.

Enables Easier Chewing

Chewing with a missing tooth can put a lot of pressure on the adjacent teeth, and the longer you go with a gap, the more strain these other teeth experience. This can lead to possible issues with the way you bite, the position of the surrounding teeth and possible gum disease due to trapped food. Filling in the gap will help avoid the gradual degradation of your other teeth.

High Level of Durability

A dental bridge is a strong and secure way of replacing a missing tooth. This is a tested process, and you can be fairly sure that the work will last a long time. By choosing a dental bridge you are choosing a tested and proven procedure.

While a dental bridge is not right for every circumstance, where it is appropriate it can radically improve the look, feel and condition of your mouth. A thorough mouth examination by your dentist will help guide you further on making the correct decision.


How Dental Crowns Can Revolutionize Your Life

As you age, you may find yourself with teeth that are no longer structurally sound. Lost fillings, decay, chipped or cracked enamel, and root canals can all cause defects in the surface of your teeth. When these defects compromise the strength and stability of your teeth, your dentist may advise you to cover them with crowns.

What are crowns?

Crowns are artificial restorations that fit over your teeth. When cemented in place, they fully encase the entire visible portion of your damaged teeth, making them strong and giving them a natural appearance.

Crowns can be made from a range of materials, including:

Porcelain

These crowns are thin and require less tooth preparation, making them suitable for tighter spaces in the mouth. Their translucency renders them an esthetically pleasing choice.

Porcelain bonded to metal

Porcelain bonded to metal crowns offer the next most esthetically pleasing choice after all-porcelain crowns. The metal interior of these crowns provides support and durability. However, if your gum line recedes, the metal may show.

Gold

These crowns are extremely hard wearing, making them the ideal option if you grind or clench your teeth. However, as they lack the esthetic appeal of other types of crowns, they are best suited to covering the teeth at the back of your mouth.

What benefits do crowns offer?

Crowns offer a range of benefits, including:

Improved appearance

Crowns made from porcelain or porcelain fused to metal can improve the appearance of broken, misshapen or severely discolored teeth. These crowns mimic the luster and translucency of your natural teeth, helping you to give the illusion of a healthy smile.

Restored ability to speak and chew properly

When attached to implants or dental bridges, crowns can replace missing teeth. Restoring your missing teeth in this way can help you to speak more confidently and chew foods properly.

Stability

Unlike dentures, which can shift and slide, crowns stay in place because your dentist cements them over your damaged teeth, attaches them to implants or anchors them in place with dental bridges. They therefore allow you to go about your life without worrying about the prospect of your replacement teeth shifting around in your mouth.

Protection

When used to cover decayed or damaged teeth, crowns also protect your teeth from plaque accumulation and further damage and decay.

How long do crowns last?

Crowns should last between five and 15 years, depending on the amount of wear and tear they are exposed to. If you grind or clench your teeth, you will put excessive pressure on your crowns, shortening their lifespan.


All About Flossing!

Dental Anxiety

According to the Canadian Dental Association about 10 to 20 percent of Canadians admit avoiding the dentists because they are afraid. Dental phobia can be far more severe than regular anxiety and leave sufferers feeling panicked and terrified. While most people understand this fear is irrational, they have trouble overcoming it. Some will even avoid going to the dentists until they are in extreme pain. People who have trouble sleeping before a dental exam, feel nervous when in a dental office, cry at the thought of going to the dentists or have difficulty breathing before a dental exam suffer from dental phobia.

Causes
Below is a list of reasons many individuals are afraid to visit their dentists.

Pain
Many people avoid the dentist because they are afraid they will experience pain. Some have also heard horror stories from other people about the dentists that contributes to this fear. However, advances in the medical field has allowed a dentist visit to be far less painful.

Injections
Many individuals are afraid of injections especially in their mouth. Others worry anesthesia won’t work, and they will feel all the pain. However, most people will still be conscious during a dental treatment and will be able to tell the doctor if they feel pain. Some also fear anesthetic side affects such as a fat lip; however, these are generally uncommon.

Loss of Control
Many people are afraid of the dentists because they don’t want to lose control. Something about sitting in a dental chair and having a mouth closely inspected can feel emasculating for some. Understanding that it’s just a service visit can help overcome this fear.

The key to overcoming dental anxiety is to discuss the fears with the doctor in question. Dentists are used to patients who are afraid of them, and they may be able to find ways to relax a person’s nerves, so they feel more comfortable.


5 Things You’re Eating That Are Staining Your Teeth

Most of us know about the traditional foods that can leave our teeth not-so pearly white (coffee, wine). But did you know that there are other foods that may be staining your teeth?

Many of experience teeth staining but don’t always think about the other foods that may be causing this problem. To keep your teeth pearly white we put a list of foods that can stain your teeth that you may not know about:

 1.    Berries:

Berries? Yes! Berries are very healthy but they also have the ability to stain our teeth. This is due to their intensely pigmented molecules that then stick to dental enamel. Juices, smoothies, cakes, pies, or other treats made from berries can also cause stains. Fruits with less pigmentation (i.e., grapes, cantaloupe) don’t have the same staining abilities so try to eat a combo of everything. Don’t stop eating berries just because they may stain your teeth, but prevent stains by brushing and flossing right after you eat.

 2.    Carbonated Drinks/Pop

Tea, coffee, and wine aren’t the only drinks that have teeth staining abilities – most carbonated drinks and pop do too! The acid and chromogens in these beverages are what can leave your teeth stained. In addition to stains, these drinks tend to be very acidic and in turn can be very erosive to our teeth. Yikes!

3.    Sauces

It has recently been found that darker coloured sauces such as tomato or curry can actually stain your teeth. We all know how tasty these kind of sauces can be but when possible try to opt for lighter coloured sauces to avoid staining your teeth. You don’t need to cook without dark sauces ever again, but try to alternate which sauces you’re cooking with and if you are eating darker sauces brush your teeth afterwards.

4.    Slushies, freezes, popsicles

Nothing beats a cold treat on a hot summer’s day! But if you ever have a look at the colour of your tongue after you indulge in one of these treats, the same thing is happening to your teeth. Try to avoid overly colour cold treats to avoid staining or opt for colourless flavours.

5.    Balsamic Vinegar:

Balsamic vinegar is a great flavour to add to any meal, but it comes with a price! With its dark colour, it’s a big tooth stainer. Try to eat lighter coloured vinegar on your meals to avoid staining.

We want you feeling confident and feeling good about your smile. If your smile has lost its pearly appearance, we can help. Diet, aging, lifestyle and many other factors cause teeth to yellow and dull.

We have a variety of teeth whitening options that will leave you smiling confidently all day long.


Help Your Kids Develop Good Dental Hygiene Habits

Good oral health is essential to total health and well being at any age. However, in the early stages of a child’s dental development, it’s important that they are taught and encouraged to keep their teeth clean and healthy. After all – they have to last them a long time!

Helping your children to develop good dental hygiene habits is the best place to start.

Not matter how young your children are – it’s never too early to teach them about smart dental care. Here are some of our tips on how to do this successfully:

For children ages 3–6:

Help your little ones to brush their teeth twice a day, using a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Show them how to brush every tooth surface and their tongue, and make sure that they spit out the toothpaste when they are done.

For children ages 6‒13:

Encourage them to begin flossing once a day, in addition to brushing twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.  Help children to make healthy food choices, avoiding sweets and sugars. Have them fitted for a sports mouthguard to be worn during athletic activity.

For teenagers:

Remind them to brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and clean in between the teeth at least once a day.  Help your teenager to eliminate tobacco use and eat nutritious foods that are low in sugar. Teens should also remember to wear a sports mouthguard during active play too!

At our practice, we emphasize prevention. The best defence to dental issues is prevention by removing plaque every day with brushing and flossing before it can build up and harden into tartar. Regular checkups are also a proactive way to prevent dental health problems – before they even become a problem!

Regular checkups and excellent daily oral hygiene are the best defence against serious problems with your teeth and gums.

Education is a vital part of preventive care. During your regular visits, we will discuss best practices and answer any questions you might have, all with the goal of helping you maintain excellent oral health for life.

For more information on preventative care or to book an appointment, call the Dundas Family Dental team today.


Put More Bite Into Orofacial Injury Prevention

Participating in sports is a great thing! However it’s important that before we take part that we understand the risks associated with the sport we’re playing and prevent injuries where possible. Orofacial sport injuries are very common and something the team at Dundas Family Dental sees often.

Our team has seen our fair share of dental emergencies that could have been prevented if the patient had been wearing a mouth guard. The use of mouth guards in all high-risk sports has been proven to reduce the risk of orofacial injury substantially. In fact, the chances of injury are 1.5 to 2 times greater when a mouth guard is not worn during athletic activity. Why take the risk when you can prevent it so easily?

If decreasing the risk for injury wasn’t enough to convince you to wear one; mouth guards are also a cost-effective investment in protection. The estimated cost to treat a lost front tooth over a lifetime can range from $5,000 to $10,000, yet the average cost of a custom-fitted sports mouth guard can be as low as $50.

Our team sees the impact of orofacial sport injuries first hand. Not only are orofacial injuries expensive, but they can also significantly affect your teeth, gums, and jaws.

If you’re participating in sports, it’s important that you have a custom mouth guard fitted to avoid the negative effects of an orofacial injury.

Getting a custom-fitted mouth guard is easy! You can either have one made during your regular dental visit or make a separate appointment to have one made. Our dental hygienists are experts in protecting your teeth so you can rest assured that you’ll be enjoying your sports without worrying about damaging your pearly whites!

If you play hockey, soccer, football, rugby, martial arts, lacrosse, boxing, basketball, baseball, or if you enjoy BMX, skateboarding, skiing, and snowboarding, find out if your sports organization requires mandatory mouth guard protection. If it doesn’t, ask why and have one made for yourself regardless.

If you have incurred an orofacial injury and require emergency dental care our team is here to help you recover successfully.

For more information or to make an appointment please call us at 905-315-9898 or visit our website at dundasfamilydental.com.


April 6-12 Is National Dental Hygienists Week!

April is Oral Health Month in Canada, and an important part of the celebrations is National Dental Hygienists Week, which takes place from April 6–12.

Sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), a national organization serving as the collective voice for more than 26,800 dental hygienists across the country, the National Dental Hygienists Week is a perfect opportunity to take up the challenge of making oral hygiene a priority in your daily life.

At the Dundas Family Dental office, we understand that our dental hygienists play an important role in every patient’s life. Our dental hygienists are valuable partners in prevention. They are trained professionals who work in a variety of settings, including independent practice, with people of all ages. Responsible for more than just cleaning teeth, the dental hygienist is a primary health care provider with a goal to educate and guide their patients to embrace oral health as an essential component of overall well-being.

Whether it’s calming down toddlers at their first cleaning, or providing care to adults with periodontal disease, the dental hygienist aims to help you build a foundation for a healthy, happy smile for life.

This month, you can support these objectives by setting new dental health goals for yourself, starting with six simple steps:

  1. Brush
  2. Floss
  3. Use an oral rinse,
  4. Eat a healthy diet
  5. Eliminate tobacco use
  6. See our dental hygienists regularly

Dundas Family Dental is currently welcoming new patients. We invite you and your family to contact us to discuss your dental care needs, or to schedule your next appointment with one of our amazing dental hygienists!