Frequently Asked Questions about our office |
Question: Dr. Stokes explained about the different filling material available. Can I find out more about the materials available? Answer: The Dental Board of California has a Dental Materials Fact Sheet that provides an overview of the types of materials currently used in dental procedures, the benefits and risks and the durability/cost analysis of the materials. You can ask our staff for a copy of this fact sheet or download the information from the following website: www.dbc.ca.gov |
Question: Why is my first comprehensive checkup appointment so long? I'm used to getting in/out in less than 30 minutes. Answer: For your first comprehensive appointment, we will be taking necessary digital x-rays. Dr. Stokes will: 1. Review your medical health. 2. Examine your dental health needs: soft tissue, temporamandibular joint, orthodontic, periodontal, restorative and prosthodontic needs (this will also include an oral cancer examination.). 3. Provide you with a treatment plan based on his evaluation. When applicable, our hygienist will also be completing a professional dental cleaning (prophylaxis) and providing oral hygiene instructions. Because each patient has different needs, we want to make sure to address all your dental concerns. |
Question: Why do I need to take x-rays? Answer: X-rays provide a very valuable tool that provides us with important information, such as diagnosing cavities, evaluating any evidence of cysts or other growths, evaluating your bone level, etc. The level of radiation, using digital x-rays, is minimal. Digital x-rays are computer generated images that use much less radiation .You can find more information on digital x-rays on the following website: American Dental Association |
Question: Why did you take my blood pressure on my last visit? Answer: Your blood pressure provides us with a important key to your current cardiovascular health. Because certain types of anesthesia may influence your blood pressure reading, we must make sure that your blood pressure is within normal limits, as recommended by the American Heart Association. If it is not within normal limits, we will refer you to your physician for evaluation. Your health is what is important to us! |
Question: Your staff asked if I ever had taken any weight reduction medication. Why? Answer: According to the American Heart and Medical Associations, certain types of weight reduction medication may have an affect on your cardiovascular health. |
Question: If I have an after-hour dental emergency, who should I contact? Answer: Dr. Stokes is on-call for all established patients 24 hours a day/7 days a week. If he is out of the area, Dr. Stokes may refer you to one of his trusted dental colleagues. The American Dental Association has emergency tips that are also very helpful. |
Question: What type of sterilization control do you have in your office? Answer: We follow stringent OSHA guidelines in disinfecting and sterilizing our instruments and operatories. Our handpieces and instruments are autoclaved after every patient use. Our sterilizers are spore-tested every week and cultured by an independent agency. We will be happy to show you our sterilization procedures and spore-testing documentation. |
Question: Do you see children in your practice? Answer: Yes, we do. Your toddler-aged child's first visit may involve a "Happy Visit" where we introduce he/she to the dental office, complete an initial examination and pediatric cleaning. If required, we may refer your child to a pedodontist (a child dental specialist) if Dr. Stokes feels that your child's dental needs are better managed by the specialist. Of course, it is our goal to make sure your child is comfortable at each and every visit so that they will think positively about their dental health! |
Question: The confidentiality of my dental information is very important to me. How can I be assured that my dental information is not being shared with others? Answer: It is vitally important that you feel your dental records are kept strictly confidential. Our staff are required to follow the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and is also required to sign a confidentiality statement as part of their employment. Our HIPAA statement is provided to every patient. For more information on HIPAA, you can download it from: www.HIPAA.org |
Question: Why do I need to be "pre-medicated with antibiotics if I have a heart murmur condition? Answer: Certain cardiac abnormalities may cause you to be at higher risk in developing a serious bacterial infection when undergoing dental treatment. The American Dental Association has detailed information concerning the importance of preventive antibiotics. |
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