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David Richards, DDS, PhD
San Diego Periodontics
(619) 543-0905
4060 Fourth Avenue
Suite 303
San Diego, CA 92103
dwrichards@adamember.net
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All you need to know about our office!
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Introducing the staff....
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Christine, Terry, Kathy and Chi
Christine Haws is our Marketing, Dental Benefits and Patient Accounts Manager.
Terry LaRock is our Registered Dental (surgical) Assistant.
Kathy Binger is our Plaque Control Therapist, Implant Coordinator and Front Office Assistant.
Chi Le is our Registered Dental Hygienist. Chi will take care of all your non-surgical periodontal needs!
This is the greatest staff in the world!
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Our Philosophy
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Our practice is committed to providing the best service possible for you in the areas of periodontics, dental implants, and oral medicine. We aim to understand and treat your periodontal needs and help you achieve and maintain good oral health. To do this, we will help you understand and appreciate your present dental conditions; learn about possible solutions to your dental problems; and decide which treatment option is the most appropriate for you. Your treatment will be performed utilizing the best care periodontal science has to offer in a friendly, safe and comfortable environment. Whilst in our care we will coordinate and optimise your periodontal treatment through open communication with your dentist and upon completion of your treatment, we will work with your dentist to develop a plan for maintaining you in good dental health.
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Office hours
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8.00am-12.00am, 1.00pm-5.00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
8.00am-2.30pm
Friday.
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Making an appointment
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Call (619) 543- 0905
Welcome!
Thank you for selecting Dr. Richards as your periodontist. The following information should assist you in making your first appointment.
There are several reasons why you are calling our office to make an appointment:
- You have been referred to Dr. Richards by your general dentist.
- You have been referred to a periodontist and have selected Dr. Richards from a list provided by your benefits provider or from the yellow pages.
- Dr. Richards and his staff have been recommended to you by a friend.
To make an appointment:
If you are referred to us by your general dentist's office ask one of their staff to schedule your apointment. In that way we know what your needs are, can be sent any X-rays or other necessary materials and your dentist is satisfied that you'll be getting the care that you need.
If you are making the call yourself you will need to provide us with the following information:
- the name of your general dentist
- details about your benefits provider
- your name, address, telephone number and social security number.
We will schedule your appointment at a time that is convenient for you and then contact your dentist to get all the information we will need to provide you with the best periodontal treatment possible. Three-4 days before your appointment one of our staff will call to confirm your appointment.
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We look forward to helping you meet your periodontal needs!
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What should I expect?
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Below is a general outline of the course your periodontal treatment will take. For further information click on the underlined text. Use your browser's "BACK" button to return to this page.
- Your first appointment will last about 1 hour. First you will be asked to fill out your personal information and medical history on the computer. Our office is no longer using paper files so all your information is stored electronically. We will provide you with a copy our HIPAA privacy pratices so you need not be concerned about the safety of your personal data. You will then be introduced to our specially-trained dental assistant, Terry LaRock, who will be dedicated to your care whenever you visit our office. Dr. Richards will do a thorough examination of your mouth and gums. He will check the color and firmness of your gums, whether you have loose teeth and the depth of your periodontal pockets. After determining the extent of your periodontal disease he will talk with you about your periodontal health needs and treatment options and then help you decide which course of treatment is best for you.
- For most patients he will recommend oral hygiene instruction - homecare instructions to help you maintain your gums and teeth in good health, very important for patients prone to periodontal disease.
- The first phase of treatment for most patients with periodontal disease is the non-surgical procedure scaling and root planing (SCRP, also called deep cleaning).
- Once the initial phase of therapy has been completed and an appropriate time of healing has elapsed (usually about one month), Dr. Richards will re-evaluate the health of your gums. Milder forms of periodontal disease may be completely resolved, but patients with moderate to advanced forms may require additional treatment. At the re-evaluation visit, Dr. Richards will discuss your treatment options which may include periodontal surgery.
- For ALL patients with periodontal disease, whether mild, moderate or severe, regular supportive periodontal therapy (SPT) visits with a dental hygienist are very important. These visits are generally a follow-up to periodontal treatment (either SCRP or surgery) and prevent periodontal disease from recurring. The frequency of these visits is dependent on the severity of your disease, but may range from every few weeks to four times per year. Dr. Richards and your general dentist will work together to tailor a schedule that will optimise your oral health.
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