Your Best Dental Health is Right Around the Corner

Everyone knows it’s important to take care of their teeth, but you may still have questions about the best way to go about it. 

How often should you visit the dentist? 

Is it safe to do so during Covid? 

How will you pay for it? 

Fortunately, Harbor Community Health Centers have both the answers to your questions and the resources to help you follow through.

Regular visits to the dentist are important because they allow your dentist to spot potential problems, which may be harder to treat if discovered later.  The American Dental Association recommends one to two dental visits per year.  (For some people, it may be necessary to go more often – the only way to know is to ask your dentist!)  These visits should start when young children are six months old.  You can also protect your family’s dental health by setting an example of good habits like regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.

Getting a dental checkup? Do it in style! 

HCHC has a brand-new dental suite at our Pacific Avenue location.  Visit us to check out our new digital x-ray machine and six new exam rooms, each featuring the latest in dental technology.  We’re fully staffed with caring, experienced providers, and they’re excited to see you!

HCHC’s dental clinic is ready with services for every condition and every member of the family.  To help with prevention, we provide complete exams including x-rays; cleanings, and fluoride treatments, all paired with oral health education.  We’re equipped to apply sealants to children’s permanent teeth to protect against cavities, or install space maintainers that allow room for further growth.  But any family member can get cavities, so we offer both amalgam (silver) and composite (tooth-colored) fillings.  And if the worst happens, we can treat gum disease, perform an extraction or emergency exam, and provide dentures or partials. 

Protecting you and your teeth

You may be wondering if the spread of Covid-19 variants makes visiting the dentist unsafe.  HCHC follows CDC guidelines so we can maintain your dental health together: 

• The staff at the clinic all wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including masks and gloves.
• Each exam room is equipped with new air filtration units, and each gets disinfected between patients.
• Upon arrival, all patients are asked to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and submit to screening questions and a temperature check using a touchless thermometer.
• We now schedule fewer appointments with more time between them to ensure social distancing in both the office and the reception area. (Bonus: this also reduces wait times!) 
• We also ask for only one parent or guardian to accompany pediatric patients and for adults to come alone, or for their guests to wait outside.

And then there’s the big question: How much will dental services cost?  HCHC accepts insurance from these providers:

• Access Dental
• Covered California
• Denti-Cal Fee-for-Service
• Health Net Dental
• Liberty Dental Plan
• Medi-Cal
• Medicare
• My Health LA
• Premier Dental

Not insured?  HCHC also has a sliding fee discount program based on household size and income.  No one should have to sacrifice their dental health because of personal finances.

HCHC is exceptionally proud of our new dental clinic and services.  Bring your family to see them for yourselves, and to let us make you equally proud of your smile.

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Call us today to make an appointment at (310) 547-0202. 

The new Pacific Avenue Dental Clinic facility is fully equipped and the team is ready to help you keep a healthy smile.