Dental Office San Antonio, TX
A dental office is a business owned or run by a dental professional, offering services to promote oral health, treat dental issues, alter the appearance of teeth, restore a smile, and more.. Whether you need a visit with a periodontist, dentist, or other oral health professional, it helps to understand the appointment process and overall purpose of a dental office.
The office team and dental professionals all work in tandem to make sure your appointment and treatment get handled appropriately. Complete dental services are available at AD Perio & Implants in San Antonio and the surrounding area. Call us at (210) 805-8400 to schedule an appointment.
What is a Dental Office
A dental office is a building or suite of rooms dedicated to dental health. The office staff consists of multiple members from receptionists and dental hygienists, to dentists, periodontists, and more. This team will work together to ensure they address patients' oral health needs.
A typical dental office can be a stand-alone building or a suite located inside a larger complex. The patient will check-in at a reception area consisting of chairs, tables, and sometimes a TV. The treatment will take place in an exam room outfitted with an adjustable dental chair and light. Often, there are separate areas dedicated to X-rays.
“A dental office is a building or suite of rooms dedicated to dental health.”
The Difference in a Periodontal Office
While dentists and periodontists work in similar office settings, there are differences in the types of services both professionals offer. In some cases, a dentist and periodontist will work in the same dental office, which allows them to collaborate easily on patient treatment plans.
In addition to standard equipment such as probes, periodontists often use advanced imaging technology such as digital X-rays and dental lasers designed to make procedures more comfortable. A periodontal office will also have scaling and root planing tools designed to remove plaque and tartar from below the gum line. In many cases, the patient can call the office and ask questions about the available services to learn if it is the right choice for their needs.
Since they do surgical procedures such as dental implants, a periodontal office may have a designated surgery room. This room will often include sterile drapes, surgical blades, and types of machinery, such as an implant machine or implant drill kit. In addition, safety tools, equipment, and medications are available for patients requiring surgery.
“In some cases, a dentist and periodontist will work in the same dental office, which allows them to collaborate easily on patient treatment plans.”
Dental Office Staff
It can take several staff members and the dentist to make a dental office run efficiently and successfully. The dental hygienist takes the patient's medical and dental history, cleans their teeth, takes X-rays, and can apply fluoride treatments or dental sealants when necessary. They also will let you know if their oral hygiene is lacking and how to correct it.
The dental assistant handles several duties related to patient care. They prepare the exam room and dental instruments for each patient, assist the dentist during procedures, clean the rooms, and sterilize the instruments after each patient leaves. Office staff greet patients, check that personal and insurance information is correct, schedule appointments, handle billing and payments, and answer the phone. The treatment coordinator helps patients understand their treatment plan, explains why the procedures are necessary, and handles the insurance details.
A dental office gets broken into many different sections. The reception or waiting room is the first room seen by patients when they walk in. Past the waiting areas are the exam and treatment rooms and with imaging areas. Since a dental office is a business establishment, frequent areas get dedicated to patient records, insurance claims, and accounting. Private staff areas are also part of the overall dental office layout.
“It can take several staff members and to the dentist to make a dental office run efficiently and successfully.”
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Procedures Done
A dental office covers many basic procedures, including regular exams and cleanings. During a routine exam, the dental hygienist will look for any problems, including cavities, inspect the teeth and gums for signs of gum disease, and perform a thorough cleaning. The results will get reported to the dentist before the patient's evaluation.
Additional procedures done in a dental office include dental fillings, root canals, tooth whitening, bonding, veneers, and extractions. Some periodontal procedures may also be done in a dental office. They include scaling and root planing to deep clean the teeth and remove plaque and tartar below the gum line.
“A dental office covers many basic procedures, including regular exams and cleanings.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is a dental office? What does a typical dental office look like?
Q. What tools are often found in a periodontal office?
Q. Who makes up a dental office staff? What are the sections of a dental office?
Q. What procedures get done in a dental office? What periodontal procedures can get done?
People Also Ask
Q. What is a periodontal cleaning?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often should I visit a dental office?
A. It is recommended you visit a dental office every six months for a cleaning and exam. Sometimes the dentist may suggest you come more frequently depending on the condition of your oral health. Regular exams help with the early diagnosis of issues that can lead to more serious problems if ignored.
Q. What does a dentist do?
A. A dentist evaluates the overall oral health of their patients. That includes an exam and procedures ranging from fillings to cosmetic procedures. They also can identify, diagnose and treat any dental conditions.
Q. Who makes up a dental office team?
A. Several types of dental professionals work in a dental office. They include the dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistant, receptionist, and office manager. All of these staff members help the office run smoothly.
Q. What is the difference between a dental office and a periodontal office?
A. A dental office is designed to treat your overall oral health. A periodontal office focuses on the structures and tissues that surround and hold your teeth in place. You would not visit a periodontal office for a regular exam and cleaning. However, your dentist can refer you to a periodontal office for treatment.
Q. What does a standard dental office typically look like?
A. A dental office typically has a reception or waiting room, a front desk, and exam rooms. Some dental offices have other special rooms, such as a lab room or X-ray room. Others may use the same exam room to take images with an X-ray arm that comes out of a cupboard. Each exam room has its own set of tools and equipment needed to perform any procedure.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
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Definitions
Visit a Dental Office Today
A dental office provides the services needed to keep your smile healthy and looking great. Our staff is available to answer any questions or concerns you may have about your dental health. Call AD Perio & Implants at (210) 805-8400 to schedule an appointment.
Helpful Related Links
- American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). 2023
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Periodontal Disease Page. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Periodontal Disease Page. 2023
- WebMD, What Is a Periodontist?. WebMD, What Is a Periodontist?. 2023
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