Updates to Clinic Information

I have new information, as follows:

• Clinic hours are:
• Tuesday           8:30am to 12pm
• Wednesday      8:30am to 12pm
• Thursday          2pm to 5:30pm

• For the first time, whitening services and sportsguard/mouthguards are being offered:
• Whitening services, $75
• Sportsguard/mouthguard, $25

• (Note that there is no additional fee for appliances to prevent damage from grinding teeth)

• It is recommended that children be at least 5 yrs old.  Younger children would likely not have the ability to tolerate longer appointments.

Appointment Reminder for Prospective Clients

After contacting me for a screening appointment, you may find this reminder handy to ensure you are prepared for the your screening.  A successful screening will permit treatment to continue.  Absence of any required information will require returning to the Clinic at a later date.

What to Bring to Your First Appointment

Please bring with you:

• Your family doctor's name, address, and phone number
• The date of your last doctor's visit
• The date of your last complete physical (must be within the past 2 years)

•  If you are seeing a specialist, your specialist's name, address, and phone number

• All prescription medications that you are currently taking

• The date of your last dental cleaning (must not be within the past 6 months)
• The date you were last seen by a dentist

• The name and phone number of your emergency contact

• Annual registration fee, $30 for adult, or $15 for child (under 16 yrs old) (payable in cash please)
• Your daytimer/schedule (in order to arrange subsequent appointments)

What to Expect During Your First Appointment

Your first appointment at the Clinic is a screening appointment.  Your dental and medical histories will be asked, vital signs taken, and preliminary intraoral assessments, such as plaque index scores, are made.  This screening will determine your medical and dental suitability as a client.

If you are deemed to be a good client candidate and you consent to treatment, you will be requested to pay the registration fee and a new client file is made-up.

Pictures of the Clinic

These pictures were from http://oxfordedu.ca.

What to Expect

The Clinic is an important part of the education of a dental hygiene student.  Student have first learned their skills on mannequins (typodents) and working on each other.  Also, we have taken and continue to take a wide variety of theory courses on all aspects of dental hygiene such as periodontology, radiology, pharmacology, dental materials, oral pathology, and professional practice.  At the beginning of Clinic, the student has all the technical skills but is lacking in experience working with a diversity of clients.

Clients should expect a high quality of dental hygiene care, albeit at a slower pace than in private practice, as each step completed by the student is monitored and reviewed by the instructor and/or dentist.  Students are expected to take meticulous documentation during appointments.  There may be many occasions during the appointment when the student is completing their notes; I would advise that clients bring a good book to fill-in these periods.

Some Information About the College

The Dental Hygiene program at Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology has been accredited since 2004.  On the most recent National Dental Hygiene Certification Board (NDHCB) exam in May 2010, college graduates have excelled with 31 of 34 achieving their certification.  Oxford College has one of the largest Dental Hygiene programs in Canada, attracting students from across the country.

Please visit http://oxfordedu.ca/ for more information on the College.

Client Requirements

It is important to understand that clinical work provides experience for dental hygiene students.  Although it is ideal for me to see clients with all types of oral condition, there are several minimum requirements enforced for the safety of both the student and client.

Prospective clients must:

• Be willing and able to attend for three, four or more appointments, each of which will last up to 3 hours, depending on his/her oral condition;
• Be in relatively good health.  Existing medical conditions should be under control;
• Provide a list of prescription medications currently being taking;
•  Have had a (medical) physical within the past 2 years;
• Have not had a dental cleaning within the last 6 months;
• Be free of oral pain and/or large cavities;
• Have at least 10 natural teeth;
• It is recommended that children be at least 5 yrs old; and
• Be able to communicate in English, or else have an accompanying person who can translate.

Clinic Fees

The College charges a modest administrative fee of $30 for adult, and $15 for child.  This fee covers dental hygiene services rendered at the College for one year (from time of payment).

Additional fees:

• Any combination of four radiographs are free.  For additional radiographs (over four), there is a fee of $4 per radiograph, up to a maximum of $20 regardless of the number of additional radiographs taken.

• Whitening services, $75

• Sportsguard/mouthguard, $25
  (Note that there is no additional fee for appliances to prevent damage from grinding teeth)
  
  

All these fees represent the total amount.

Comparatively, a 30min dental cleaning only at a private dental practice costs approximately $125.  Dental hygiene services at the College offer great value.

Services Provided

Dental hygiene treatment is tailored to your individual condition.  The services provided at the clinic include:

• Extraoral and intraoral assessment, including oral cancer screening
• Cleaning, scaling and polishing
• Fluoride treatments
• Pit and fissure sealants
• Appliances to prevent damage caused by grinding teeth
• Desensitization treatments
• Oral hygiene assessment and education
• Local and topical anesthesia for pain-free treatment
• Dental radiographs (x-rays)

Services not provided include:

• Fillings, crowns, orthodontics, dentures, root canals, or other similar dental procedures
• Emergency care

Clients will receive dental referrals from the Clinic dentist if dental work is required.

Taking the TTC to the Clinic

Both the McCowan and Scarborough Town Center RT stations are within walking distance to the College.  The McCowan station is a little closer.  There is a bus station at Scarborough Town Center and many buses stop very near to the College.  Please go to http://www3.ttc.ca/Trip_planner/index.jsp for specific route information.

This map is part of the system map at www.ttc.ca.

Parking at the Clinic

You can park for free in the large parking area on the south side of the college building.  Park your car and obtain a free parking pass from the receptionist at the main office.

Clinic Location

The clinic is located at Oxford College of Arts, Business and Technology.

Address: 670 Progress Ave, Scarborough, Ontario, near to Scarborough Town Center

Directions: From westbound 401, exit south on McCowan Road. You will see Scarborough Town Center on your right side.  You will also see a sign for "Progress Ave" on your right.  Exit this way and stay in your leftmost lane and turn left onto Progress Ave.  Proceed on the overpass over McCowan Road.  At the first set of lights (Progress Ave and Corporate Dr) you will see Oxford College ahead of you, on the left side of the intersection.

From eastbound 401, exit at Progress Ave.  Turn left (east) on Progress Ave.  Continue over the overpass over McCowan Road.  At the first set of lights (Progress Ave and Corporate Dr) you will see Oxford College ahead of you, on the left side of the intersection.

This map image was generated using Google maps.

Clinic Hours

My first day of clinic will be 12 October 2010. (With few exceptions,) I will have the following clinic hours available to see clients:

Tuesday 8:30am to 12pm


Wednesday 8:30am to 12pm

Thursday 2pm to 5:30pm



Please contact me to book your screening appointment.