Yes! We are always excited to welcome new patients to our family of care ☺
Please phone the clinic at 902-539-6577 to ask for assistance. We can likely book you in same-day!
We follow the Nova Scotia Dental Association’s recommended fee guide.
At your new patient exam, our team will provide you with a personalized estimate for any recommended treatment and alternatives, making it easy for you to plan ahead.
We can direct bill to MOST dental benefit plans.
We recommend you e-mail a copy of your insurance card to sydneyfamilydental@bellaliant.com BEFORE your appointment, and then call the clinic at 902-539-6577 to discuss the needs of your specific plan.
Most of the time you won’t experience any pain from a dental cavity until it’s gotten deep enough that it’s close to the nerve of the tooth. By that time, the tooth usually requires a root canal or an extraction to relieve pain and infection.
By scheduling regular dental checkups and X-rays, small cavities can be diagnosed early, and treated with simple fillings instead!
Yes, you need an appointment. We do not offer walk in services.
Dental emergencies can be accommodated with same day appointments.
The fastest way to get an appointment is to phone the clinic at 902-539-6577.
The average person with a healthy mouth should have their teeth professionally cleaned every 6 months to remove tartar build up and maintain healthy gums. People with periodontal gum disease or heavy tartar build up should have their cleanings more frequently.
Please talk to your dental team for your personalized care recommendations.
The Canadian Dental Association recommends bringing your child to the dentist within 6 months of eruption of their first tooth, or by 1 year of age.
At your baby’s first appointment, the dentist will examine their jaws and teeth for proper development, provide advice for starting tooth-healthy habits early in life, and check for early signs of tooth decay. At this young age, catching tooth decay before it becomes a cavity can prevent your baby from needing dental work ☺
By starting early, our goal is to build relationships with your family over time, and to help your child become comfortable in the dental office long before they ever require restorative work.
*Please note – Most children’s dentistry is covered by MSI in Nova Scotia until the child’s 15th birthday.
One of our friendly team members will welcome you in and escort you to your treatment room. Our atmosphere is warm and light hearted. We hope you’ll feel very comfortable here!
First you’ll be asked to complete a comprehensive medical questionnaire – this is important to help our team understand how any underlying medical conditions or medications may be impacting your oral health.
Next the appointment then begins with thoughtful conversation. We’ll invite you to share any concerns you have with your teeth, gums, or jaw; and the dentist will ask questions to help her understand what you’ve been experiencing.
Finally, the initial exam is quick and painless ☺
You will hear the dentist and her assistant using professional language to communicate throughout the exam, but she’ll always take time at the end of the appointment to review her findings with you in a way that is easy to understand.
Yes! We think dental implants are a really exciting treatment option for patients hoping to replace missing teeth. For more information on implant therapy and other services we provide, visit our services page.
Yes! With a few exceptions. For complicated impactions, we recommend your wisdom teeth be removed by one of our local oral surgeons. But we would be happy to send a referral for you!
For some people, regular cleanings that remove plaque, stains, gingivitis is all they need to look and feel great. Beyond that, there are many different options available – braces, Invisalign, whitening, veneers, etc. Our dentists would love to chat about your specific concerns and how we can help!
That said, it’s our dental philosophy that a commitment to optimal oral health MUST come first. Most cosmetic procedures will fail if oral health is not meticulously maintained. Luckily, we’ve got an amazing team of dental care professionals ready to help you learn how to do that ☺
While most of our young patients are able to have their treatment right in our office without sedation, Dr. Hillier also sees children requiring sedation in the OR at the Glace Bay Hospital. If you are interested in more information, please book a consult with Dr. Hillier to find out what the best treatment options are for your child.
Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that can be found in many different places in nature.
Fluoride is added to most commercially available toothpastes, and even our community drinking water, because it’s been found to dramatically decrease tooth decay – both on a population level, and on a personal level. When used in safe quantities, it protects the teeth in two ways: limiting the number of cavity-causing bacteria present in the mouth, and strengthening the enamel.
Some people are not comfortable using fluoride, and that’s okay too. It can be harmful to your bones if swallowed in large quantities – that’s why we always encourage you to spit your toothpaste and supervise your children when brushing their teeth.
If you are interested in chatting about using fluoride safely, or about alternative toothpastes you can use to prevent tooth decay, please call us to book an appointment with the dentist! We can work with you to develop an oral care routine you are comfortable with! 902-539-6577 ☺