Patient Information
Clark Dental Group is dedicated to providing you and your entire family with professional, quality dental care. Our staff is friendly, our dentists are gentle, and our entire team is highly skilled and experienced. We make the extra effort to educate and help you understand relevant procedures, policies, payments, and any choices you might have.
We get that visiting the dentist can cause anxiety. Whether you’re looking for a new dentist or just a second opinion, it is our goal to make you feel comfortable, informed, and confident.
What to expect during your first visit
At your first appointment in our office, we will take any necessary radiographs (x-rays) and an Oral Digital Scan of your entire mouth so you will see in detail what the doctor sees. This will allow you to understand what is required to keep you healthy and is an excellent baseline record to monitor changes such as shifting of teeth, crowding of teeth, changes in the gumline, etc.
The doctor will then perform a comprehensive examination including an oral cancer screening, assessment of periodontal (gum tissue) health, occlusal (bite) analysis, photographs, and then a tooth-by-tooth analysis with the dental microscope.
The microscope enables us to detect early decay, incomplete fractures, and other important findings. This helps us to provide care before teeth become devastated by deep decay or fractures.
CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY
At Clark Dental Group, we welcome parents to bring in their child as soon as their baby teeth emerge. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children visit the dentist by their first birthday.
We start early to familiarize the child to the dental environment, and to educate parents about fluoride and children's development and hygiene needs.
We love working with kids and teens. We always respect them and never talk down to them, taking care to use a gentle touch, to explain what’s going on and what’s expected of them—both during the visit and at home.
DENTAL EMERGENCIES
We are open during regular business hours for urgent dental repairs and oral surgeries. If you are experiencing an emergency outside of regular business hours, please visit your nearest Emergency Room.
Oral surgeries and procedures we offer include:
- Wisdom teeth and other extractions
- Sedation: nitrous oxide (gas), oral (pill)
- Final restorations for dental implants
SECOND OPINIONS
As a rule of thumb, if you think you might need a second opinion, you probably should get one.
If your dentist has recommended dental work that you are unsure of, or has presented a limited range of options, then getting a second opinion will broaden your understanding of your situation and your options. A second opinion will often reassure you that your dentist has presented you with the best possible option. In some cases however it may present you with other alternatives.
When should you get a second opinion?
- If you have received dental work that is not solving your problem or situation
- If you’ve been diagnosed with a serious condition such as oral cancer
- If you are unsure if the recommended treatment is necessary
- If you are concerned about the cost of the proposed treatment
- If you do not have confidence in or rapport with your current dentist
How to request a second opinion:
If you are comfortable doing so, ask your primary dentist to recommend a specialist for a second opinion. Your dentist will not be offended—this is part of their job, and part of their professional culture!
If you prefer not to ask your primary dentist, there are professional dental organizations that can provide referrals online or by phone. One such organization is Pierce County Dental Society.
Word of mouth is an excellent way to find a reputable dentist. Ask friends, relatives, and coworkers to recommend a doctor based on their personal experience.
Things to ask your second opinion dentist:
- Do you agree with my diagnosis?
- Do you agree with the treatment that was recommended to me?
- What are the benefits to this treatment, and will it enhance my health?
- Are there other treatment options? Which do you recommend?
- If I choose to not have the treatment what will happen?
- How long will the benefits last?
- Do you offer this treatment? What are your fees for it?