I'm a new patient - what should I expect?
Welcome! We’re so pleased you’re interested in more information about becoming a patient at Parkview Dental Clinic. For first-time patients, we recommend that you schedule a comprehensive oral examination with one of our dentists. This thorough exam will include x-rays to provide us with a full understanding of your dental condition and needs. This 1-hour comprehensive dental exam will allow the doctor to assess the overall health of your teeth and gums. They’ll also be better able to recommend any necessary treatment as well as an appropriate cleaning schedule for you. We value transparency and openness, so the dentist will take time to explain his or her rationale behind any and all treatment recommendations.
What if I recently had a comprehensive exam performed by my previous dentist?
Not a problem! But, as we haven’t seen you previously and we don’t have a history of your oral health, we would still need an initial exam to confirm any need, or not, for treatment. If you have dental insurance, we highly recommend checking with your provider if you’re covered for another new patient exam BEFORE your appointment.
What if my problem is only one specific tooth?
In the case of a specific dental issue, such as a sore or broken tooth, you can book an exam to address it directly. This exam will focus on the issue of concern and may require an x-ray to determine the tooth’s inner health or status below the gum line.
Is cleaning included in a new patient exam?
Unless you have scheduled a cleaning directly following your new patient exam, it’s not included in a new patient exam. Cleanings are performed by one of our hygienists and are booked separately. When you contact us for an appointment, our team strives to identify exactly what you need. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions of our administrators when you book to ensure you schedule the appropriate treatment for your needs.
Can I bring or forward x-rays from my previous clinic?
We welcome you to transfer previous x-rays prior to your first exam with Parkview Dental. Just note that x-rays older than 9 months may not be an accurate representation of the current condition of your teeth and bone, which for most of us, change over time. To ensure the most up-to-date perspective, our doctor may have to take new x-rays.
What if I'm scared to go to the dentist?
We certainly understand that for many people, a trip to the dentist can be a scary thing! We get it – that’s why we offer the friendliest and most empathetic dentists and staff around. We will do everything we can to make you as comfortable as possible with every aspect of your appointment.
If you feel anxious about coming in, we encourage you to join us for a free consultation first. This consultation gives you an opportunity before your appointment to discuss your treatment with the dentist – and ask questions about the office, our procedures and to get a better feel for our clinic.
For a little extra help, read our post on managing fears and anxiety.
Still hesitant to come in? Please take a look at our online reviews to explore which of our dentists might be the best fit for you.
If you have any questions at all, give us a call or send us a message through our website!
What does a Parkview Dental teeth cleaning look like?
Our dental cleanings tend to be 1 hour. Typically, a cleaning appointment includes scaling, polishing, and/or fluoride. If it’s been a while between cleanings (i.e. a year or more), a thorough cleaning may require more than one visit to the hygienist. As a new patient, cleaning appointments include the cleaning only – a check-up or examination is booked separately. If you’re already a patient of ours, the cleaning appointment might include a check-up or x-rays.
I have dental insurance - can you direct bill to my insurance company?
Yes! Parkview Dental is one of the few clinics in downtown Toronto that allow direct billing for your convenience.
If you have Canadian dental insurance, please inform our receptionists before your appointment so we can prepare to direct bill your insurance provider after your appointment.
If your plan allows the assignment of benefits, we can direct bill your insurance. Your provider will cover you at your eligible coverage amount – you pay the difference. If your insurance does not allow the assignment of benefits, you have to pay the total amount for your treatment on the day. Afterwards, we can help submit your claim so you get reimbursed by your insurance. To avoid any surprises, understand your dental coverage before your appointment!
For more detail, read about dental insurance here.
Can you submit a dental treatment estimate for me if I’m not your patient?
Due to privacy reasons, if you’re not a patient of Parkview Dental, we cannot submit a dental estimate. However, we can provide the procedure codes we use for certain dental treatments – new patient exams, x-rays, and cleanings, for example. You can then contact your insurance provider to see if you have coverage for those procedures.
Are you interested in becoming a patient of Parkview Dental but want to check your insurance coverage first? Give us a call, and we’ll give you a few procedure codes to get you started!
I have secondary dental insurance - what do I bring to you?
n addition to your primary dental plan, if you have secondary insurance, let our receptionists know when you check in for your appointment. To invoice your secondary provider successfully, we need the carrier name, group/plan number, ID/subscriber number, and the full name and date of birth of the secondary policyholder.
What is secondary dental insurance?
A secondary dental insurance plan typically covers the remaining amount not paid out by your own primary dental plan. For example, if your primary plan covers 80% of treatment, your secondary plan will cover the remaining 20%.
If you have secondary dental insurance, often you can get listed under a spouse or parent's insurance plan or even a second plan under your own name.
If you have any questions relating to your insurance plan and what it covers, we recommend you contact your insurance provider to confirm.
Can you direct bill to my health spending account or travel insurance?
We cannot direct bill to health spending accounts, travel insurance, or insurance companies based outside of Canada.
You will need to pay upfront in full on the day of treatment, and we will then provide a receipt for you to submit to get reimbursed.
Are there specialists in the Parkview Dental office?
Yes! Parkview Dental has an on-staff periodontal specialist – Dr. Michael Landzberg – who works select days of the month from our clinic. Our group of offices also has an oral surgeon working from our Waterview Dental location.
Our access to a range of specialists allows us to customize treatment to your needs, with your records stored in one place. This helps us better facilitate treatment and more effectively coordinate between your dentist and the specialist!
If, after assessing your dental needs, you require more specialized treatment, your dentist will organize a referral.
How do your prices compare with other clinics?
Parkview Dental follows the fee guide outlined by the Ontario Dental Association. We strive to provide our clients with the highest quality dental care at the most affordable rate.
But it’s important to know what you might expect in the future with regard to your dental needs and care. We recommend and encourage you to ask questions about your dental treatment and pricing.
Understand that looking for a bargain when it comes to something so important as your dental health can be downright dangerous. When it comes to your oral health, the most critical concern should always be your dentist’s level of knowledge, expertise, technological competency and capabilities – the quality of care over cost.
Don’t take any chances with your dental care. Visit our practice and experience firsthand what sets us apart from the rest!
Do you have a cancellation policy?
Yes, we do. In all aspects of our practice, we strive to not only meet but exceed your expectations when you come in for your appointments. We reserve times specifically for you.
In return, we ask that you respect our time and busy schedule, giving us at least two (2) business days’ notice if you have to make changes or if you need to cancel. This time lets us accommodate other patients in a timely manner. We appreciate your consideration and cooperation. We thank you for your understanding.
Do you offer any discounts?
Yes! We currently offer a discount for our patients aged 65 and over.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept a variety of forms of payment: Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
For those patients who need to pay outstanding balances, you can pay in person or over the phone. Please note you can only use a credit card for telephone payments.
Is whitening covered by my insurance?
As a whitening treatment is a cosmetic procedure, dental plans tend to exclude it from coverage. If you need confirmation, please contact your dental insurance provider.
How does tooth discolouration occur?
Tooth discolouration comes in two forms: extrinsic (stains on the exterior of the tooth) and intrinsic (stains that discolour a tooth from the inside).
Red wine, tobacco, tea, coffee, and other substances that come into contact with your teeth cause external staining. When discolouration comes from inside the tooth, it reflects the condition of the tooth. Intrinsic discolouration is often the result of treatment procedures or if the tooth was exposed to excessive amounts of fluoride (fluorosis) and certain antibiotics.
Various whitening methods are used to manage and resolve some types and states of discolouration. Other kinds of staining require more advanced procedures, such as veneers, bonding, or other restorative solutions. Make an appointment with us to learn what kind of staining you are experiencing. Our dentists will discuss the whitening option that is best for you.
Read more about tooth whitening.
How often should I visit the dentist?
To prevent dental problems and maintain healthy teeth and gums, regular dental exams and cleanings are essential. For the best oral health, we recommend you visit us at least twice a year for check-ups and cleaning. Depending on the condition of your teeth, your dentist or dental hygienist might suggest more frequent visits.
In addition to teeth cleaning and checking for cavities, our dentists perform other important steps to maintain your dental health, including:
Review of medical history: To properly care for your dental health, our dentists keep current records on the status of any medical conditions, new medications, and your overall health.
Examination of diagnostic x-rays: updated x-rays are critical to detect tooth decay, bone loss, tumours, and cysts and can help to identify tooth and root positions.
Examination of tooth decay: Using special dental instruments, we will check all of your tooth surfaces for decay
Gum disease evaluation: We check not only your gums but the bone around your teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.
Plaque removal: Nearly invisible, plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth. It develops from saliva, food debris, and living bacteria. Bacteria continually grow and produce toxins that inflame the gums and can eventually cause periodontal disease.
Tartar removal: Forming both above and below the gum line, tartar (or calculus) is plaque that has been left on a tooth’s surface so long as it firmly attaches and becomes hardened. The Tartar must be removed with special dental instruments.
Teeth polishing: Our dentists help to remove plaque and stains that couldn’t get removed during teeth brushing and scaling.
Oral hygiene recommendations: We will review oral hygiene options with you and recommend those that they consider most appropriate for your case (i.e. electric toothbrushes, special cleaning aids, fluorides, rinses, etc.)
Examination of existing restorations: We will check the status of your current fillings, crowns, etc.
Oral cancer screening: Parkview Dental dentists will check your face, neck, lips, tongue, throat, tissues, and gums for any signs of oral cancer.
Review of dietary habits: Eating habits and dental health are strongly connected. We will help you to make the best dietary choices to support your dental health.
As you can see, our dental practice offers much more during your visit than simply checking for cavities and cleaning your teeth. We recommend that you schedule regular check-ups to ensure we provide you with the best care possible!
What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
If left untreated, dental problems can cause a lot of pain, discomfort, or worse. We try to accommodate our patients as best we can with extended evening and Saturday office hours. This extended schedule often means we can see you for a dental emergency – usually within an hour of your call!
No matter if you are a patient of ours, a new patient, or visiting from out of town – give us a call or message us if you experience an emergency during office hours. We will do our best to address dental emergencies on the same day as you call and, in most cases, within an hour. If, for some reason, we cannot see you at our location on a specific day, we will triage you to one of our sister locations at Waterview Dental, Urbanview Dental, Cityview Dental, or The Richmond Dental Centre.
Don’t have time to talk? Message us through our website instead! Click the little blue button on the bottom right of your screen. Send us a text message that is instantly received by our dental receptionists during our office hours.
If you are a patient of record and have an emergency after office hours, leave a message on our emergency hotline, and the dentist on call will typically return your call within 30 minutes.
We are committed to serving you in an emergency – our office will take care of you!
Click HERE to learn more about what to do if you have a dental emergency.