Early Detection Saves Lives

Free Oral Cancer Screening Exams

April is DentalHealth Month and Daffodil Days for the Canadian Cancer Society.

To support both of these campaigns, promoting dental health and cancer awareness, Acreview Dental Clinic will be providing an opportunity for the public to receive free Oral Cancer Screening Exams.

With oral cancer on the rise, screenings to discover any potentially dangerous conditions in your mouth are of the utmost importance.  One person every hour of the day dies in the US alone from Oral Cancer.  In its early stages it may not produce symptoms that you notice so a thorough screening by a trained professional is essential.  When found early, this disease is highly survivable.  Many times it can even be found as precancerous tissue changes, the best of all possible situations.  Oral cancer screenings involve both a visual and tactile screening and are totally painless.  Our office also utilizes a new adjunctive tool, the Velscope, which uses a special wavelength of blue light to help us identify suspicious tissues in your mouth.  With it we are able to enhance the early detection of oral cancer.

Who should get screened?

Every adult. Oral cancer can often be caught early, even as a pre-cancer. With early detection, survival rates are high and the side effects are from treatment are at their lowest. Like other screenings you engage in such as cervical, skin, prostate, colon and breast examinations, oral cancer screenings are an effective means of finding cancer at its early, highly curable stages. Make them part of your annual health check-ups.

What are the risk factors?

There are two distinct pathways by which most people come to oral cancer. One is through the use of tobacco and alcohol, a long term historic problem and cause, and the other is through exposure to the HPV16 virus (human papilloma virus version 16), which is now the leading cause of oral cancers in the US, and the same one, which is responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers in women. The quickest growing segment of the oral cancer population are young, healthy, non-smokers due to the connection to this virus.

Dr. Karamanis, Dr. Burry and our entire dental team are looking forward to being able to offer those that attend our event, the highest quality of care with regard to oral cancer screening, and on this date, three and a half hours have been set aside to see individuals who need screenings.  It is not necessary that you have been a previous patient in our practice as this event is open to the public.  HOWEVER, the number of screening time slots is limited so register with us early to ensure a spot in the schedule.

For complete details, or to answer any questions that you may have, we urge you to contact us at the number or email below.  We look forward to seeing you for your annual exam. 

Cost:          Free, Donations will be accepted on behalf of the Canadian Cancer Society
                               in support of Daffodil Days

When:         Friday, April 20, 2012 from 12:30 – 4:00 pm

Where:       116 – 750 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC V9N 3P6

Contact:     Gillian or Louise (250) 338-9085

                      Email: acreviewdental@shaw.ca

For more information about our clinic, visit our website at http://acreviewdental.com/

WELCOME SPRING!

Spring is Here and it is time for Spring Cleaning...

Spring is finally here!  It is time to dust off and brighten up all those dark corners... including your teeth!  Spring is a great time to book your recall cleaning at the dental office.

With teeth and gums in good shape, a hygienist or dentist can examine and clean your teeth in the same appointment.  If periodontal disease is present, it may require more than one appointment for our hygienist to thoroughly clean and polish all exposed tooth and root surfaces.  

Potential problems can be detected and contributing factors can be addressed.  Your teeth will receive a thorough cleaning, removing all debris, plaque and calculus that have accumulated around your teeth and early signs of decay can be noted.  Fluoride is recommended and a radiograph or two may be required to see those hard to get at places between your teeth.

Brushing Technique Review

 You may even get a refresher on how to care for your teeth at home!

Regular maintenance of your teeth, as with most other things, is the best way to avoid major repairs.  So when you set out your plan for spring cleaning, remember to include your teeth.

If you have had your spring dental cleaning and are thinking of brightening your smile further, call our office at (250) 338-9085 or visit our web site www.acreviewdental.com

 for more information on the options for whitening that we offer.

Good For Your Waistline, But Not Your Teeth!

If your new year’s resolution is to trim your waistline, be sure you are not affecting your teeth!  You may think that if you are drinking diet soda that your teeth are safe from the dangers of sugar.  We all know that sugar contributes to the development of tooth decay.  What you may not realize is diet pop can do almost as much damage to your teeth.  Diet sodas don’t have any sugar, but they do contain larger amounts of phosphoric and citric acid to enhance flavour.

These acids attack the enamel that protects your teeth which means you’re much more likely to get cavities and to develop irritations, cracks and sensitivity to cold.  People with orthodontic appliances (braces)) may be even more prone to decay, especially if they do not practice excellent oral hygiene. 

Any highly acidic drink can spell trouble including pineapple, orange and other fruit juices and sodas.

A tall glass of water following the consumption of highly acidic drinks will help, but the best way to reduce your risk is to brush your teeth.  Better yet, why not choose the very best thirst quencher?  Water has no fat, no caffeine, and no acid!

Dentists treat you, not your dental plan

According to the 2010 Canadian Health Measures Survey, 62% of Canadians have a dental plan, but many don't realize that group plans aren't designed to meet individual health needs.  "Dental plans are a valuable component of extended health benefits and are designed to offset the cost of dental treatment," says President of the BCDA.  "Understanding how dental insurance plans work can help patients make informed choices in partnership with their dentist or dental specialist.

Dentist's Responsibility

Just like your physician, your dentist is highly trained.  Treatment recommendations are based on your dental health needs, not dictated by your dental coverage.  A dental plan is a contract between a third party (such as your employer), and the insurance company.  The procedures and percentages covered are determined by the contract, not your dentist.

Your dentist can help you understand your coverage and assist you in getting pre-authorizations for treatment.  This will provide you with a good estimate, before treatment begins, of what will be covered by your plan, and what you will have to pay. 

Coverage Varies

Your dental coverage is part of your benefits plan, not based on your (or your family's) dental care needs.  Every dental plan is different.  Coverage varies based on what services are covered in the contract; percentage of fees covered for each service; and yearly maximums.  It is the plan purchaser, such as your union or employer, who determines what is covered when they purchase your plan -- not your dentist.

Patient's Responsibility

Dental office staff are not experts on your plan.  It is your responsibility to know your plan coverage, including any changes.  Ask your benefits manager or insurance provider for a plan booklet or information on your specific coverage.

The Co-Payment 

Regardless of the actual costs, most dental plans cover between 50% to 80% of the cost of dental care.  Any portion of the price not covered by your plan must be paid by you, and is referred to as the co-payment.  The claim form submitted to your insurance company is a contract.  Your dentist has an ethical and legal obligation to collect the co-payment from you.

As a service to you, at Acreview Dental Clinic, we bill the insurance company directly for the covered portion of treatment.  Dentists are not required to do this.  The full cost of the procedure, including the co-payment or the cost of any services not covered by the plan must be collected from the patient at the time the treatment is provided. 

How are dental costs determined?

The BCDA produces an annual suggested fee guide for dentists and dental specialists in BC. the majority of insurance plans base coverage percentages on this guide.

Dentists in Canada do not follow a fee schedule and set their prices to cover: lab costs and quality of materials required for your procedure paid for directly by the dentist; salaries; rent; mandatory continuing education; equipment; and all related costs in running their dental practice.

Source: British Columbia Dental Association

For more information visit the British Columbia Dental Association web site.

Brighter, Whiter, Holiday Smiles

Chic-Flic ToGo and Whiter Image Pens for Premium Cosmetic Teeth Whitening 

They're here!  Have a look at the You Tube video to see what it's all about...  We have a limited supply here in the office so call to reserve yours or stop by.  Finish off your holiday shopping with these perfect stocking stuffers!

Our Dental Spaaaahhh Menu

This is just a sample of the services we provide. If there is something you don’t see – please contact us to ask!  If there is something you would like more information about, please ask!

Cosmetic Services Tooth-colored fillings Tooth-colored inlays and onlays Metal-free crowns and bridges made of porcelain and/or ceramic. Ask us which is best for you! Porcelain veneers Smile makeovers without braces Cosmetic bonding Cosmetic tooth reshaping Laser Dentistry with Odyssey Diode Lasers Scalpel-free gum surgery Preventive Services Brushing and flossing instruction Preventive cleanings, stain removal Oral cancer screening using VELscope Sealants to prevent cavities Fluoride treatments for children and adults Athletic mouth guards Dental photography Implant Dentistry Placement of implants, including “mini-implants” Implant-anchored dentures Implant-anchored crowns and bridges Digital X-rays using SIEMENS 90% less radiation to see your teeth   and surrounding structures more accurately

Tooth Whitening ·         In office treatment ·         Take home custom-made trays ·         “Chic Flic” to-go whitening and lip gloss Periodontal (gum) Services ·         Non-surgical gum treatment ·         Antibiotic gum therapy ·         Scalpel-free laser gum surgery ·         Traditional gum therapy Treatment of Migraines and TMJ Pain ·         Night guards and therapeutic splints Sleep Apnea Appliances Endodontics ·         Traditional root canal therapy and re- treatment Dentures ·         Full dentures ·         Partial dentures ·         Metal-free partial dentures ·         Denture repairs/relines/adjustments Children’s Dentistry ·         Complete dental treatment for all ages ·         Special children’s play area – we love children! Dental Surgery Seven Day Emergency Care Smile Club Monthly Movie Pass Draw

The Best Stocking Stuffer Ever!

Chic-Flic TOGO pen
and
Whiter Image pen

Only two more days until this brand new product arrives!  our favorite stocking stuffers this year are the "Chic Flic" and Whiter Image pens... a whitening pen on one side and a lip plumping lip gloss on the other (gotta have those plump lips for the holidays) and to put it simply - it has the coolest packaging we have ever seen in a dental product!  it looks like a lipstick case and has small lit mirrors on each side.


Stop in to pick up one for yourself or for someone on your list!
$25 for the Chic-Flic and $20 for the Whiter Image (without gloss).