Essential Dental

Yes, however patients are fully responsible for payment of fees even if they belong to a Medical Scheme. In certain circumstances, such as the treatment of minors, it is your duty to inform your dentist of the name of the person responsible for the payment of the account.

You are advised to discuss all aspects of fees with your dentist and medical aid prior to commencement of treatment. Essential Dental does not offer payment plans and all accounts for private patients or medical aid short payments must be settled immediately.

Essential Dental is entitled to levy a charge for a missed appointment if not cancelled at least 24 hours in advance. This charge may vary according to the time which was set aside for that appointment.

Yes you may request a copy of your records and any treatment plan which your dentist has against your record. You may be levied a charge for copies. It is best to discuss this requirement with your dental team.

Yes you are. The laboratory will submit your account directly to the Medical Aid. Any short payments from the Medical Aid will be invoiced to you directly from the laboratory and is independent from Essential Dental accounts.

Infection control is of prime importance in any dental operatory and your dental team takes every precaution to maintain the sterility of equipment and instruments used. Gloves and masks are used for your protection as well as that of the dentist and staff. Infection control is charged as a nominal fee with a pre-determined ICD-10 coding on your account.

Sensitive teeth often come from the fact that your gums have slightly receded and allows water and food easier access to the sensitive nerve. To manage this, there are a number of toothpastes, gels and even some dental procedures that can be applied. Speak to us in more detail if you have sensitive teeth.

Brushing and flossing daily is the best way to take care of your teeth and gums on a continual basis. This will greatly reduce the risk of gingivitis or tooth decay. A 6 monthly visit to the oral hygienist to remove plaque and tartar build up is an integral part of healthy gums.

Gingivitis is a condition caused when bacteria surrounds the teeth and enters the gums resulting in irritated, inflamed and often bleeding gums. In order to prevent the condition from worsening, regular visits to the dentist and hygienist is recommended.

If Gingivitis remains untreated, the condition worsens and can cause severely receded gums or even mobility of teeth. Noticeable symptoms such as bad breath, gum recession, sensitivity, abscesses, pain and/or tooth loss will appear.