Practice Philosophy & Information
Practice Philosophy
We strongly advise that children have their first dental check-up at 3 years of age for routine cleaning, fluoride and preventive treatment. If your child is due for his/her first trip to the dentist, please feel free to ask any of our staff members for suggestions to make the initial visit a positive experience.
X-rays are necessary at least once a year for adults and every six months for children to detect bone loss and tooth decay. Without this important X-ray information, a complete or competent evaluation is not possible.
We believe in the importance of regular preventive dental health care. The responsibility of scheduling this treatment lies with you, the patient, but we will encourage you to schedule your next preventive appointment at the end of your present one. Making appointments several months in the future can be difficult, but we will give you several reminders to help you plan properly for these appointments. Of course, treatment for pain, swelling or fractured teeth will be scheduled at any age, whenever the problem occurs.
Our Mission
- To provide our patients with the highest quality dental service at a fair price.
- To offer everyone the option to retain their natural teeth throughout their lifetime.
- To continuously improve our dental care delivery through new concepts, technology and techniques.
- To deliver this dental service in a professional, personalized, caring, positive and respectful environment.
Office Hours
Our regular office hours are:
Monday-Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We are closed every day between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. for lunch.
The office is closed on weekends and major holidays. It is also closed at times when Dr. Mathews and the team are attending continuing education programs to keep abreast of the latest developments in dentistry. Our answering machine and this Web site are available twenty-four hours every day.
Telephone Calls
For Dr. Mathews to leave the treatment room to answer every telephone call would obviously be unfair to the patient being treated. The office staff has been trained to answer most of your questions. If they are unable to answer your questions, arrangements will be made to have your call returned.
Infection Control
Our dental office meets or exceeds all government-required standards for sterilization. This is yet another way we strive to assure your continued health.
Children
We enjoy seeing children in our office, and we strive to make their visits positive and enjoyable. We strongly advise that children have their first dental checkup at three years of age. If your child is due for his or her first visit to the dentist, please feel free to ask any of our staff members for suggestions to make the initial visit a positive experience.
Many parents wonder if it is best to accompany their children in the treatment rooms for their appointment. In our office we have found that children are less distracted and more cooperative when the parents remain in the reception area. We always ask the parents to join us for a short consultation at the completion of each visit.
Appointments
Our office operates on an appointment basis. We are open to schedule an appointment during the following hours:
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
The office is closed each day between 1 p.m.–2 p.m. for lunch.
Our answering machine is on 24/7 if you would like to leave a message, and our e-mail is available through this Web site 24/7 for your convenience.
Your scheduled appointment time has been reserved specifically for you. Please try to arrive a few minutes early for your appointments so we can assure all is in order for your treatment. We are aware that occasionally unforeseen events require missing an appointment; however, after missing your second appointment without notifying us in advance, you will be subject to an additional fee. We request that you contact our office at least two working days prior to your appointment if a change is necessary.
Emergency Care
We reserve a limited time each day for emergency patients. If you have a problem requiring emergency treatment, please call as early in the day as possible.
Nitrous Oxide
Our office does offer Nitrous Oxide, or laughing gas, to patients who request it. Nitrous Oxide is a clear, odorless gas which can facilitate in patient relaxation. It is most commonly used in conjunction with local anesthetic while doing procedures, but it can also be used alone for preventive appointments. The body systems are usually clear of nitrous oxide after five minutes of breathing pure oxygen; therefore, driving after receiving nitrous oxide is rarely a problem. Nitrous Oxide is frequently used on children because it is generally safe and helps reduce unnecessary movement. If you are interested in this additional relaxant, please call our office for more information.
