FAQs
Are you accepting new patients?
Absolutely! We would love to welcome you to our Saskatoon dentist’s office. Please stop by or call us at (306) 975-0103 to make an appointment.
Do you accept young patients/children?
Yes we do. At Boychuk Dental, we are pleased to provide dental services to you throughout your entire life. We have a welcoming environment for young children and do our best to make your child’s dental visit a fun and happy experience! Dr. Brown is a very patient and positive dentist for kids.
When should I take my child for his/her first dental visit?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends the first visit within 6 months of the eruption of the first tooth or by one year of age. The purpose of this visit is to evaluate oral health, identify patients at special risk for compromised oral health, and begin to familiarize your child with the dental office. It is important to make the first dental visit a positive experience for your child. This is just one reason it is better to visit the dentist before a problem develops. However, if you think there is a problem, take your child to the dentist right away, no matter how old they are. When you are talking with your child to prepare them for their first visit, don’t use negative words like ‘hurt’ or ‘scared’, even in the context of ‘it won’t hurt’ or ‘don’t be scared’.
How often should I get a dental check up and dental cleaning?
The ideal frequency varies based on each patient’s individual needs and state of oral health. We usually recommend a dental check up every year and a professional teeth cleaning every six months. However, this may vary patient to patient. Please talk with your family dentist and hygienist to find out what would be best for you.
Why do I need to see the dental hygienist if I’ve already seen the dentist?
A thorough dental cleaning is very important to the health of your mouth and your overall health. The more you see your dental hygienist, the less you may have to see your family dentist! Frequent dental cleanings means we can keep an eye on the health of your gums so we can hopefully catch a problem when it is small rather than leaving it to get bigger. Prevention is important! As well, if you have any concerns about your teeth while you are seeing your hygienist, please let her know and Dr. Brown can pop in to take a look.
What happens during a dental cleaning?
What is gum disease?
Gum disease starts when plaque sticks to your teeth. If this plaque is not removed daily by brushing and flossing, it hardens into tartar. Tartar can be visible (above the gumline), as well as below the gumline. Tartar is an excellent place for bacteria to live. This bacterial infection irritates your gums and is the early stage of gum disease, called gingivitis. You may not notice when you have gingivitis—your gums may be red, and as it gets more serious, your gums may become puffy and bleed when you brush or floss. If gingivitis is not treated, the bacterial infection will destroy gum tissue over time, as well as bone. When bone is involved, it is now called periodontitis.
How can I prevent gum disease?
Prevention is the most important factor to fight gum disease. Keep your teeth and gums clean and free of plaque. Brush your teeth properly at least twice a day, and floss at least once a day. See your dental hygienist regularly for a professional teeth cleaning and your dentist regularly for dental exams. Regular appointments at your dental clinic means we can detect gum disease in its early stages and provide treatment as well as give you tips and tricks to help you clean better at home.
What if I have an allergy to latex?
We use nitrile (non-latex) gloves and rubber dams. Please inform us of your allergy and the severity of it at your visit so we can best accommodate you.
Why do I need to fill out a complete medical history if you’re just looking at my teeth?
A complete medical history (including medications) is absolutely necessary before we do any work in your mouth. There are medications that can affect your oral health. Certain medications have a huge implication for dental treatment planning, especially for a tooth extraction. Some medical conditions or previous surgeries require antibiotics before dental treatments. Some medical conditions have oral manifestations. We need a complete medical history so that together we can make informed treatment choices.
Is my information confidential?
Yes. Your chart (including your medical history, dental history, and personal information) is kept strictly confidential. Our software program with this information is password protected for each staff member. We require an Authorization for the Release of Dental Records to be filled out by you before we will release your information to another dental clinic or other organization. A back up of our digital information is encrypted and stored in Canada. Our office is HIPA/PIPEDA compliant.
What do you use x-rays for?
X-rays are an excellent diagnostic tool and have many uses. They can show cavities, bone height, permanent teeth developing under baby teeth, and can even show when a tooth is infected. If you’re not sure why a particular type of x-ray is being taken, please ask and we will explain to you.
I’m concerned about radiation from dental x-rays.
We take many precautions to limit your exposure to radiation. You will wear a radiation-blocking apron, including a portion of the apron that covers your thyroid. We limit your exposure to radiation by taking the minimum amount of x-rays we need. We use digital, rather than film, x-rays at our dental office; this reduces the radiation as well.
I’m scared of the dentist.
Please let us know so we can help put you at ease. We do our best to make you as comfortable as possible. You are in control of what happens each appointment. We will explain what dental services we will be doing and why so you understand what is happening and there are no surprises. We will work with you to make your experience the best it can be. Sometimes this involves splitting dental treatments up into shorter appointments or you bringing a music player with earphones to your appointment.
How much will it cost?
We use the current Suggested Fee Guide for Saskatchewan. This is updated every year by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan.
Should I use fluoridated toothpaste on my child?
For children aged 0-3 years, the use of fluoridated toothpaste is determined by the level of risk of the child. Consult with your dentist and hygienist to determine your child’s risk. If your child is at risk, his/her teeth should be brushed by an adult using a grain of rice sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste.
For children aged 3-6 years, a pea-sized portion of fluoridated toothpaste may be used under adult supervision and assistance.
All children should be supervised and assisted with tooth brushing by an adult until they develop appropriate manual dexterity.
How do you clean the instruments between patients?
Instruments are pre-scrubbed as needed, then put through an ultrasonic cleaner, which cleans them. They are then dried and packaged. Each package is put through a hospital grade sterilizer. Each package has a chemical indicator that changes colour to let us know the sterilization process has been successfully completed. Each sterilizer load has an indicator as well to make sure the sterilizer is functioning correctly. The sterilizer undergoes an additional test each day to check function. As well, we do a biological spore test weekly to ensure our sterilizers are properly functioning.
How can I pay for my dental treatment?
If you choose, we will direct bill your insurance as a courtesy to you. It is your responsibility to know your insurance plan details. You are fully responsible for your account and compensation for all dental treatments received at Boychuk Dental. Payment is due the day of service. We accept most major credit cards, debit, and cash.