Your questions answered.
Here are some of the questions we most frequently get asked. Don’t see your question here? Contact us—and we’ll probably add it to the site as others may be curious, too.
General Questions
What are your office hours?
Our office hours are:
Monday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Friday: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm (every other Friday)
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: Closed
Is your office wheelchair accessible?
Yes, our spacious office and parking lot are wheelchair accessible.
I’m a new patient. Will I have to wait a long time to see you?
Whether you are a new patient or an existing one, you can usually call us and get a non-emergency appointment promptly.
Do you offer family appointments?
We understand it can be tough to get the whole family to the dentist at once! We can book families in the same time period, but we do recommend booking well in advance.
My tooth really hurts. Do you offer emergency appointments?
If you’re having a dental emergency, we can usually offer you a same-day appointment. Pain is often a sign of infection, and the sooner we can get that under control, the better. Call us and we’ll do our very best to see you as soon as possible.
Billing & Insurance
Can you tell me more about the new federal dental care program?
The federal government has announced its commitment to implementing a dental care program for households with incomes under $90,000 by 2025. The first phase of the Canada Dental Benefit plan is slated to begin in December 2022 and will apply to children under 12 years old.
Families with adjusted net income under $90,000 per year and without dental coverage will be eligible for direct, up-front tax-free payments of up to $650 per child per year to cover dental care.
More information about how to apply (via the CRA) will be made public soon. Read more here.
I’m on a tight budget. Are you able to accommodate that by keeping my treatments to a minimum?
Our policy is never to upsell our patients on unnecessary services. We try to give options and estimates and do things in stages so you can manage your cash flow. In the end, while we may strongly recommend treatments that will help keep your mouth healthy, we respect that they are your teeth, and you make the ultimate decision as to what treatment you can pursue.
Can you access my records from my previous dentist?
Let us know where you previously received dental care and we’ll happily put in a request for your records.
Which insurance companies do you work with?
We work with most (all?) major insurance companies, and we offer direct billing for your convenience.
What kind of payments do you accept?
We accept cash, Visa, Mastercard, Interac / debit, cheques and e-transfers.
Is it expensive to get a crown or bridge?
Crowns and bridges are more involved restorative dentistry than fillings as they require both a dental office and dental lab technicians to make the final prosthesis. Many insurance companies offer at least partial coverage for crowns and bridges, and we do our best to get their pre-approval in place so you know what they will cover.
Your Appointment
Will getting a filling hurt?
We use a local anaesthetic and make sure it’s taken effect before we begin removing the damaged part of the tooth. You should not feel pain during the procedure but should be aware of vibration and pressure. Afterwards, there usually is no discomfort when the anaesthetic wears off. If there is, Advil or Tylenol are often enough to settle any symptoms.
Silver fillings – are they safe?
While we rarely use them, amalgam (silver) fillings are safe to use. Health Canada recognizes that some mercury does end up in an individual’s body, but the level is well below what is considered toxic.
If you have these fillings already in place, it’s fine to leave them there, although we will remove them if you really want to have them taken out. Note that the tooth where the filling is removed must be a suitable candidate for another restorative material.
Will a dental cleaning and checkup hurt?
They may be a little uncomfortable, but regular cleanings should not cause pain. Although our hygienists work as gently as possible, if it’s been a long time since your last cleaning, your gums may feel sensitive and may bleed as the hygienist removes plaque and tartar.
Will I be offered fluoride? I’m worried it might be bad for me.
We do recommend fluoride! Every time you eat, the inside of your mouth is an acid environment that tends to dissolve tooth enamel. Fluoride makes your enamel harder to dissolve in this harsh environment. “The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) supports the appropriate use of fluoride. More than 50 years of extensive research demonstrates that fluoride is safe and effective in preventing dental caries (i.e., tooth decay).”
As part of our commitment to you and your teeth, we stay up to date on the latest materials and treatments to reduce the number and severity of procedures you need. In particular, for children and patients with chronic decay, we offer silver fluoride treatments. This material can’t fix everything, but it can treat some decay without the need for more involved procedures.