FAQS
Appointments
What are your office hours?
Rachelle T. Flores, DMD is open:
- Mon - Thurs: 7am - 4pm
- Friday By Appointment
Please note that our office will be closed in observance of the following holidays:
New Year's Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day & Friday after Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Winter Break December 25-January 1
How do I schedule an appointment?
For your convenience, we offer the following methods to schedule your appointments:
- To schedule online, please click here.
- Call our office at 619-234-6349
How often should I schedule regular check-ups?
What do I need to bring to my first appointment?
- Completed new patient forms (click here to download)
- Insurance card/information
- List of current medications and medical conditions
- X-rays taken in the last 6 months (if available)
What if I need to reschedule?
We schedule appointments so that each patient gets the right amount of time to be seen by our staff. That is why it is very important that you keep your appointment with us. We will send a reminder 5 days, 2 days, and 2 hours before your appointment. If something changes and you cannot keep your appointment, please contact us so we can reschedule you for another time.
What is your cancellation policy?
As a courtesy to us, please give our office at least 48 hours' notice before you come for your appointment. If you don't cancel or reschedule with at least 48 hours' notice, we might charge you $75. This money is not covered by insurance. After three consecutive no-shows to your appointment, our practice may decide to terminate its relationship with you.
What if I need emergency dental care?
If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you within 24 hours.
Treatments
What services do you provide?
Rachelle T. Flores, DMD provides general, pediatric, cosmetic, and restorative dental services. Please click on our Services tab for more details.
What happens during my first visit?
We will conduct a thorough examination during your first visit to determine the best course of action to achieve dental health and your goals. We will:
- Take full mouth x-rays to identify any current problems and to use it as a baseline on future visits to detect early signs of problems.
- Assess gum condition and health.
- Examine teeth for cavities and condition of old dental restorations.
- Perform a head and neck exam, including salivary glands and lymph nodes, for swelling or other abnormalities.
- Screen for oral cancer and TMJ (jaw joint).
- Clean and polish your teeth.
Why do I need to discuss my medical conditions with the dentist?
Many health conditions are indicated in the mouth and can affect oral health, so your medical information is very important in diagnosing issues with your teeth, gums and mouth.
How often do fillings need to be replaced?
Fillings can last for many years, but over time they wear down, discolor, crack and sometimes fall out. Early detection of problems with fillings can help you avoid getting cavities under the filling and causing more serious decay. Let us know if you’re experiencing any pain. We’ll check your fillings at every visit to determine if any need to be replaced.
Are X-rays necessary?
Absolutely. Dental X-rays are essential, preventative, diagnostic tools. Many oral conditions occur between teeth or under the gums or bones, undetectable by the human eye, and may have no early signs or symptoms. Left untreated, these conditions can create serious dental and general health problems, including loss of teeth and heart problems. Early detection with X-rays can make treatment much less painful, faster, and less expensive. The American Dental Association recommends getting a full series every three years.
Sedation
What types of sedation do you use?
Many dental procedures can be completed under local anesthesia.
What is Novocaine?
The most common anesthesia, Novocaine works by blocking the nerve that supplies sensation to the teeth in a specific area. You feel no pain during the procedure and are totally alert, aware, and able to function normally. The effect wears off fairly quickly with no side effects.
What is Oral Sedation?
This general anesthetic allows you to be conscious but feel nothing during treatment. We provide you with medication to be taken before your appointment, allowing you to be fully relaxed by the time we begin your dental treatment. You may not be safe to drive, so you should expect to have someone bring you to our office and take you home after your appointment.
Children
When should I start cleaning and brushing my child’s teeth?
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, you should begin cleaning your child’s gums with a soft cloth soon after birth. As soon as the first tooth appears, start brushing twice daily with a soft infant toothbrush and just a smear of toothpaste. When you come in for your child’s first visit, we’ll show you how to brush properly.
At what age should I schedule my child’s first visit?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visiting the dentist as soon as the first tooth appears, or by the child’s first birthday. We can look for potential problems and help your child get to know us as their friend. These early visits can make your child’s experience with a dentist a positive one.
Can my teenager come alone to the appointment?
Please note that patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all visits. We want to meet with both of you to discuss findings and treatments, and to address your questions and concerns.
Schedule Online Today!
We make it convenient for you to plan your visit to the practice. Click the link to schedule an appointment time that best fits your busy schedule. We can't wait to see you!