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Checkups & hygiene · Vernon, BC
Dental checkups and cleanings in Vernon.
The unglamorous work that keeps everything else optional. Checkups and hygiene visits at Tandem Dental Studio on 32nd Avenue, booked at your rhythm and explained as we go.
Why it's worth the hour
Most dental problems are quiet at the start. A small cavity, early gum disease or a cracked filling usually doesn't hurt until it's bigger and more involved to fix. A regular checkup is the chance to find those things while the choices are still small, and a cleaning removes the hardened buildup (tartar, or calculus) that brushing and flossing at home can't reach.
What happens at a checkup and cleaning
You start sitting up. We ask what has changed since last time, with your teeth, your health or your medications, and whether anything is bothering you. Then the visit usually includes:
- An exam. Your dentist checks your teeth, fillings, gums and the soft tissues of your mouth, and talks you through what they see on the screen between you.
- X-rays when they're due. Bitewing x-rays show the spaces between back teeth, where cavities often start. They aren't taken at every visit; how often depends on your own history.
- Scaling. Removing buildup from above and below the gumline. This is the part most people call "the cleaning".
- Polishing, and fluoride varnish where it's useful.
Anything we find is explained as we go, in plain English. If something needs treatment, it comes back as a written plan with every fee on it. Nothing extra happens on the day without your say-so.
How cleaning time is billed
Under the BC Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide, which the practice follows, scaling is billed in units of time, and one unit is 15 minutes. A cleaning is usually one to three units, depending on how long it has been and how much there is to do. We tell you which before we start, not after. The suggested fees for exams, x-rays, scaling, polishing and fluoride are all published on our fees page, and where your plan allows it we bill your insurance directly.
How often should you come in?
There isn't one right answer. Some people do well on a longer interval; others, for example with gum disease, a dry mouth or a lot of past dental work, may need to come more often. Your recall interval is set from what we actually see in your mouth, and you have the final say. The visits are booked at your rhythm.
If it's been a while
That's fine, and you won't get a lecture. A first cleaning after a long gap can take more time than usual, and we'll tell you up front if it's likely to need more than one visit. To book, call (250) 545-2169, Monday to Thursday, 8:00 to 5:00. New to the practice? Here's what the first visit is like.
Straight Answers
The things you'd actually like to ask.
How much is a dental cleaning at Tandem Dental Studio?
The practice follows the BC Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide. Scaling is billed in 15-minute units, and a cleaning is usually one to three units; polishing, fluoride and x-rays are separate items. All of these suggested fees are published on our fees page, and we tell you how many units before we start.
Do you bill my insurance for checkups?
Where your plan allows it, yes. We submit directly and you pay only your portion. Bring your insurance card.
Do I need x-rays at every checkup?
No. How often x-rays are taken depends on your own history. Your dentist explains why before any are taken.
I haven't had a cleaning in years. Can I still book?
Yes. Call (250) 545-2169. A first cleaning after a long gap can take longer, and we'll tell you up front if it's likely to need more than one visit.
Also at Tandem
The rest of the dentistry.
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Take the second seat.
The practice is open and taking new patients today. Call, or leave a number and a window that works and we'll call you back inside one business day to put you in the book.
In pain today? Don't wait for us to call: (250) 545-2169, and say it's pain.
Common questions
What should I expect if I'm coming in for my first cleaning after not visiting the dentist for a long time?
If it's been a while since your last visit, our team at Tandem Dental Studio in Vernon, BC won't judge—it's more common than you might think. Your first cleaning after a longer gap may take more time than a routine visit, and we'll let you know upfront if it's likely to need more than one appointment to complete the work.
Does Tandem Dental Studio in Vernon, BC accept new patients for dental checkups and cleanings?
Yes, Tandem Dental Studio in Vernon, BC welcomes new patients for routine checkups and cleanings. During your visit, our dentist will examine your teeth, gums and soft tissues, take X-rays as needed, and our team will remove buildup (tartar) through scaling and polishing. We follow the BC Dental Association Suggested Fee Guide, and where your insurance plan allows it, we bill directly. To book your appointment, contact our team today.