- How do I become a patient?
- Who can become a patient?
- I'm pregnant; can I still receive dental care?
- Do I need to bring a letter from my doctor? Why?
- I have a dental emergency, can you see me?
- My child was seen on the mobile clinic and has a dental emergency or unfinished treatment. What should I do?
If you want to become a patient, you may call us or stop by to find out how.
Patients will need to arrive promptly for their first appointment to allow time to review our paperwork, policies, and procedures. Our friendly front office team will gladly answer any questions you may have.
Anyone can become a patient at Wilkes Public Health Dental Clinic! We are truly a public clinic dedicated to serving the diverse needs of our community. We are dedicated to serving the unserved and underserved. We are accepting new patients and we accept NC Medicaid. We do accept private insurance and self-pay patients, and you need not be low-income to qualify. Contact us to find out about our new patient appointment availability.
- uncontrolled diabetes
- uncontrolled high blood pressure
- previous radiation therapy
- certain heart problems
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certain medications.
You should visit the dentist at least twice a year. A dental exam can reveal early signs of decay and disease that you may not see or feel. Catching these conditions early can help control them before them get worse and harder to treat. Additionally, getting a cleaning by a trained professional will remove plaque in areas you may have missed or cannot reach.
You should brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes, once in the morning and once before going to bed. You should floss once a day as well.
The following guidelines are important to brushing correctly.
1. Make sure to use a soft bristled brush. Hard bristled brushes can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
2. Place your brush at a 45 degree angle to your gumline. Bristles should contact both the tooth surface and the gumline.
3. Use short back and forth strokes or tiny circular movements to brush your teeth. Each movement should be no bigger than the size of each tooth.
4. Make sure to use gentle strokes while brushing. Gentle strokes are effective in removing plaque, while too much pressure can wear down the enamel of your teeth.
5. Brush all surfaces of each tooth, including the outer, inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
6. Finally, don't cut your brushing short! Make sure to brush for at least 2 minutes.
The following guidelines are important to flossing correctly.
1. Take 18" of floss and wind it around the middle finger of each hand .You can use these fingers to take up floss as it becomes dirty. Using your thumb and forefinger, pinch the floss leaving 1- 2 inches in between for cleaning.
2. Gently move the floss up and down the spaces of your teeth. Never snap the floss down onto your gums, as it can cause damage.
3. As you move the floss down into the space between two teeth, slide it up and down against the surface of one tooth. Gently clean at the gumline as well. Repeat this for the other tooth.
4. Repeat this process for all of your teeth.
- gums that bleed while brushing
- red, swollen or tender gums
- gums that have pulled away from the teeth
- bad breath that doesn't go away
- pus between your teeth and gums
- loose teeth
- a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite
- a change in the fit of partial dentures
Below are the two most popular teeth whitening options available today.
Professionally Dispensed Take-Home Whitening Kits
These whitening kits are purchased from your doctor for use at home. Usually the trays are worn a couple hours a day or overnight for a few days or weeks depending on the product.
Over the counter whitening
Over the counter teeth whitening kits are store-bought and use a lower concentration of gel than both in-office whitening and take-home kits purchased from your doctor. While they are cheaper, they typically are less effective than methods that can be performed by your dentist because of the low concentration gel. Additionally, over the counter trays are not custom fit for your teeth, which can result in irritation to your gums while wearing the trays.
Regardless of the cause of your bad breath, good oral hygiene and regular checkups to the dentist will help reduce it. Brushing and flossing will eliminate particles of food stuck between your teeth which emit odors. It will also help prevent or treat periodontal disease (gum disease), caused by plaque buildup on your teeth, which can lead to bad breath. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by your dentist). Finally, make sure to brush your tongue regularly to eliminate any residue.
Yes, we are. We have highly skilled dentists available to make dentures and partials.
Parents and guardians may bring their child to their dental appointments or designate in writing specific individuals who may escort their child to the clinic. Some limitations on treatment may apply or require additional parent/guardian signatures. When escorting their child, designated adults must provide picture identification, such as a driver's license, in order for the child to be treated. We are striving to keep our patients safe and their parents/guardians informed and responsible for their treatment.
