BELMONT DENTAL
FAQ
Let Belmont Dental help answer your dental questions
Why dental x-rays are necessary?
Your dentist will determine whether you need an x-ray based on a combination of things including the symptoms you present with, your age, and your dental history. If you have good oral health and a low rate of tooth decay you will generally need less x-rays.
Dental x-rays, particularly the digital x-rays in use here at Belmont Dental Surgery confer minimal radiation risk. Your dentist will only take x-rays when they feel that the benefits outweigh any risk. If you have had x-rays done at another dental practice it is good to obtain copies of them. If you chose to visit another dental practice and have had x-rays done here at Belmont Dental we are always happy to forward them for you.
X-rays can help diagnose the following
- Decay
- Infection
- Impacted teeth
- Bone loss due to gum disease
- Cysts
- Oral Cancer
Why do I need to fill in a medical history form?
As a new patient and annually for regular patients we will ask you to fill out a medical history form supplied by the Australian Dental Association. This form includes your contact details and some detailed questions about your general health. It is important for the dentist to have a full picture of your overall health, particularly if you are taking medications, as some may have a significant impact on the dental treatment they provide. Of particular concern are Bisphosphonates, Warfarin and Anti-Depressant medications but you should include information about all prescription and non-prescription drugs. If you have an up to date medications list provided by your GP it is helpful to bring it to your appointment. Also please note that we will ask for your height and weight, these questions relate to the prescription of medication and to the fact that our dental chairs have an upper weight limit stipulated by the manufacturers. If your weight is above 130kg please contact us for further information.
There is a link below which will allow you to create an account and fill in a Personal and Medical History Form. If you have problems with the online version the form can be completed at the practice when you attend. If you are a new patient, and have dental records elsewhere, please complete the Records Request form too, this allows us to request x-rays and notes from another dental practice.
How much will it cost?
It is very difficult to make any assessment of the cost of dental treatment until the dentist has seen the patient. We can give prices over the telephone for routine check-ups, consultations, and x-rays for instance but the price of treatment needs to be determined after you have seen by the dentist. At your check-up or consultation visit your dentist will normally prepare a treatment plan for you if further work is required and this will be as close as possible to what they expect to do. It is important to bear in mind that changes may be necessary after treatment is commenced for example although we can tell if decay is present from an x-ray its true extent may not be apparent until the dentist begins to treat the tooth.
Can I use my private health insurance?
We accept all major Australian health funds and have the HICAPS claiming system in operation meaning you should only have to pay the gap amount. We also currently have provider agreements in place with HBF and BUPA to maximize your rebate should you be a member of either of these funds.
Are you open on Saturdays and Sundays?
Currently we are not open on Saturdays or Sundays, however, if you do have a dental emergency we suggest that you contact Perth Central Dental Clinic on (08) 9222 5900. They are open 8am – 8pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays and will be happy to forward any notes and x-rays to us to add to your records or to enable us to complete your treatment if required.
Why do I need to see a specialist?
Our dentists carry out a broad range of dental procedures, however, they may decide in discussion with you that your dental condition or treatment is best attended to by a dental specialist. Examples include complex wisdom tooth extractions, some endodontic (root canal) treatments and severe gum disease.
We also regularly refer children to a paediatric dental specialist, this is particularly the case where a significant amount of work is required or where a child is particularly anxious about visiting the dentist. In general we would hope to avoid this by seeing your child regularly from a young age for preventative maintenance appointments. This allows us to address issues in a timely manner and allows them to get used to the idea that their oral health is important and that a visit to the dentist is not something to be afraid of.
Where can I find out more about my oral health?
Suggestions & Feedback
An important part of providing a good service is listening to our patients so please tell us how you find your experience here at Belmont Dental Surgery. If you feel there is something we could be doing better we would love to hear from you.
There are links below to both an online suggestion box, which offers the option to provide anonymous feedback, and a downloadable feedback form which you may wish to complete and return to us.
If you have had a positive experience at Belmont Dental Surgery we would love you to spread the word. Your contribution to growing and improving our business is appreciated.
Accredited Dental Practice
In line with our status as an Accredited Dental practice we are committed to providing a high standard of care. Follow the link below to find out what practice accreditation means for you the patient.
