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Oral cancer screening.

At Nanaimo Dental Clinics, our Nanaimo dentists offer a comprehensive hygiene program that goes beyond traditional teeth cleaning. An appointment with our hygienists is a proactive step toward preventing oral health issues, including tooth decay. As your partners in dentistry, our mission is to help you maintain a lifetime of oral health through excellent diagnostic, prevention, and patient education.

Preventing tooth decay.

Our clinic uses award-winning oral screening and imaging technology to detect oral cancer in its earliest stages. The VELscope Vx helps us identify oral disease early while it’s still easy to treat. It is the most powerful tool available for assisting in the discovery of oral abnormalities. The VELscope uses a blue light (no radiation) to allow our dental professionals to see diseases not visible with the naked eye.

At your first hygiene appointment, we carefully examine your teeth and gums, looking for things such as plaque build-up and signs of gum disease, to allow us to tailor a personalized oral hygiene care plan that meets your specific needs. A thorough intraoral and extraoral exam will be performed at each appointment, as well as a visual screening of any lesions or changes to the oral structures.

During your appointment, we will discuss any concerns you have about your oral health, such as sensitive teeth, periodontal gum disease, or receding gums. Have any hygiene-related questions? No problem! Our hygienists are experts and will happily give you all the help you need to take the best care of your smile.

Depending on your specific situation, our Nanaimo dentists can do a check-up exam after your teeth cleaning to diagnose any changes to your teeth and gums. Early detection of tooth decay is extremely important to the longevity of your teeth, and we want to make sure that your oral health is closely monitored and maintained at all times.

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All FAQs
What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?

At Nanaimo Dental Clinic, we understand that many of our patients have questions and concerns about the proposed Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). With so much uncertainty and complexity surrounding the plan, we want to provide you with information to help shed light on what the CDCP entails and how it may affect you. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers to guide you through this new initiative.

What is the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is a government-proposed initiative aimed at providing dental care coverage to Canadians based on their income. While the plan is designed to increase accessibility to dental care, it has raised several concerns and complexities among dental professionals and patients alike.

How is the CDCP coverage determined?
CDCP coverage varies from 0% to 100% based on your most recent Income Tax return. In reality, many CDCP patients won’t have the full cost of their appointment covered. On average, the CDCP fees for the most frequently used procedure codes are set to cover approximately 0% to 80% of the provincial guide fees. Depending on your family’s income, you may need to pay a percentage of the cost. The federal government will cover only a portion of the CDCP fees, leaving you responsible for additional charges, known as co-payments. In addition to the co-payment requirements, many of the established fees covered by the federal government do not cover the full cost of treatment in a dental office. You will be responsible for paying the difference. Those who did not file an Income Tax return will be ineligible for coverage under this plan. For information on the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) dental procedure codes and pricing, please refer to the Fee Schedule from sunlife.ca.

What costs will I still be responsible for under the CDCP?
Patients will need to pay the difference between the BC Fee Guide and the CDCP Fee Guide. Additionally, certain common procedures may have significant limitations, and some services will require predetermination and may not be accessible until November 2024.

Why do I need to provide a credit card authorization for the CDCP?
A credit card authorization is necessary to cover potential clawbacks by the government. This means that if there are any discrepancies in coverage or payments, the government can retrieve the funds from the patient’s credit card.

Will most dentists accept the CDCP?
Currently, there is significant opposition among dentists regarding the CDCP in its current form. Many dentists are concerned about the administrative burden and financial implications, as the plan requires them to operate at a 20% discount despite high overhead costs. Adjustments to the plan are necessary to address these concerns.

Is the CDCP free for patients?
No, the CDCP is not free. Patients are still responsible for paying the difference between the BC Fee Guide and the CDCP Fee Guide, and for certain procedures that may not be fully covered.

Should I cancel my existing dental insurance plan in anticipation of the CDCP?
No, we advise against canceling your existing dental insurance plan. The CDCP has not yet been fully implemented, and there are still many uncertainties and potential limitations associated with the plan.

Where can I find more information about the CDCP?
For more details, you can visit the Government of Canada website. Additionally, here is a published Op Ed that emphasizes the misconceptions and shortcomings of the plan by Joel Antel, President of the CDA.

How will Nanaimo Dental Clinic keep patients updated about the CDCP?
As more information becomes available, we will continue to provide updates on our website. Our goal is to ensure our patients are well-informed and prepared for any changes that the CDCP may bring. By remaining transparent and keeping our patients informed, we are upholding the standards that we have worked so hard to develop with our community over the years. Politics has led to much confusion and misunderstanding regarding the facts of the plan. Despite what politicians are saying, the CDCP is not a standard dental plan. It is a subsidy program based on household incomes, with specific restrictions on procedures and fees. More efforts are needed to provide this clarity to patients. For this reason, Nanaimo Dental Clinic is not accepting the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) at this time. If appropriate changes are made that will not decrease the quality of care that we value so much, we will be open to reconsidering accepting this plan, but significant changes must first be made. We, as care providers, will continue to offer caring and dedicated diagnosis and treatment to everyone, regardless of their insurance coverage. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact our office.

How can cosmetic dentistry help improve the appearance of my smile?

Cosmetic dentistry is a type of dentistry that focuses on improving the appearance of your smile. If your teeth are broken, chipped, stained, worn, discoloured, or misaligned, cosmetic dentistry can give you a better smile. Whether you want teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, or are interested in dental implants, our Nanaimo dentists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs.

How often should I go to my dentist for a teeth cleaning?

A dental cleaning aids in the early detection of tooth decay and gum disease and is extremely important to the longevity of your teeth. Your Nanaimo dentist and hygienist can determine how often you should visit the dentist for a teeth cleaning based on your specific needs.

What is sedation dentistry and do you offer it?

Yes! Our Nanaimo Dental Clinic offers two sedation dentistry options to make your appointment more comfortable. Your sedation dentist can administer oral sedatives one hour before your dental appointment, which will make you feel more relaxed and calmer. If you take oral sedatives, you will be required to have a responsible adult accompany you to and from your appointment. We also administer nitrous oxide, known as “laughing gas,” for patients that prefer to go about their day immediately after their appointment with no after-effects.

I think I am having a dental emergency. What should I do?

At Nanaimo Dental Clinic, we understand that dental emergencies can happen at any time. Our Nanaimo Dental Clinic will make our best efforts to see dental emergencies on the same day. Although this cannot be guaranteed, we will see you to assess your dental emergencies as soon as we possibly can. Pain, swelling, bleeding, or redness may indicate a dental emergency.

Which methods of payment does your Nanaimo Dental Clinic accept?

Our Nanaimo dental specialists accept cash, cheque, VISA, Mastercard and AMEX. Have questions? Contact us today.

Family dentistry.

We tailor our services to the unique needs of every member of your family, no matter what age or stage of life. 

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Always welcoming new patients!

Our Nanaimo dentists provide dental care for all ages. Our clinic offers flexible hours and is open on Saturdays to accommodate your busy schedules. Book your appointment today!

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