Did you know that the quality of your smile has a more direct effect on your life than any other part of your appearance?`

In fact, in one survey carried out by the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, 75% of people agreed that an unattractive smile can seriously impact the chances for financial success.

88% of people said that they always remember someone with an especially attractive smile. And  94% thought a nice smile would make them more appealing to the opposite sex.

The presence of a dazzling smile has always carried great importance. It is a reliable indication of a person’s well-being, and has an enormous impact on a person’s health, self-esteem… and both personal and professional relationships.

Perhaps, that’s why more than half of the adults in Australia wish they could improve their smile.

The facial muscles involved in smiling are hard-wired to receptors in the human brain. Every time you smile, your brain releases chemicals responsible for putting you in a better mood.

Not only that, those chemicals are carried through your bloodstream to every organ in your body and gives you a sense of well-being.

Therefore… it’s literally impossible to smile without elevating your mood.

So if a smile is so important, why don’t more people smile. And why don’t they smile more often?

There are many reasons people don’t like the appearance of their teeth. Some adults want to correct problems they have had since childhood, like discolored, crooked or irregular shaped teeth.

Others want to fix conditions that have developed over time, like worn-down or decayed teeth.

The one thing that all these conditions have in common is that a regular visit to the dentist would have corrected them.

A report carried out by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare found almost one-third of people are putting off or avoiding going to the dentist altogether due to the cost.

Of the people who had visited a dentist in the previous 12 months, more than 20% chose not go ahead with the recommended treatment because of the cost.

Further data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website indicate that a similar number of people that avoid going to the dentist also suffer from gum disease.

More than one-quarter of men have gum disease while the number is slightly less for women.

And the older you are the greater the risk.

People are at higher risk of gum disease as they get older with 53.4% of people that are 65 years or over, suffer from gum disease.

Gum disease is usually painless in the early stages, but if left untreated it can result in bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums and eventually tooth loss.

It’s caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on the crown and root surfaces of the tooth. If the plaque is not removed it will continue to accumulate and create toxins that will damage gum tissues.

The disease forms just below and establishes small pockets containing the bacteria, plaque, and tartar that begin to separate the gums from the teeth. The first signs may be blood on your toothbrush after brushing.

Moreover, gum disease can result in the release of harmful bacteria into the bloodstream and is linked to an increased risk of other serious diseases, including cardiovascular disease. So by improving gum disease, you could lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.

The good news is that oral health is rated best amongst the younger generations.

This can be linked to a report that found 79% of children aged 5-14, had visited a dentist in the past year, and 91 percent in the past two years.

This means that the younger generation has the best chance of avoiding major dental work later in life thanks to better dental care.

And this is supported by a recent study in Finland. The study found that the more time that passed between dental examinations, the greater the treatment needs grew.

When dental visit intervals are too long, there is a greater risk of needing dental treatments.

Excellent dental care is one of the wisest investments you can make in your family’s future, however, we recognize that visiting the dentist can be costly.

That’s why we provide a range of payment initiatives to help our patients comfortably manage the cost of the care they need.

Unlike most dental practices, we don’t charge any fees for booking an appointment. So, whatever your reason for seeing a dentist, when you book with us you only pay if you decide to go ahead with your treatment.

During your free consultation, we will examine your mouth, assess the correct course of treatment and explain what the cost will be.

After that, it’s your choice.

There are no obligations to have the treatment.  Rest assured, we will provide you with all the options so that you can evaluate what works for you.

You can go ahead as recommended, or decline the treatment and you don’t pay anything.

Not only that, there are more ways to save money too.

We have put together a ‘First Time Patient’ package that offers a comprehensive examination and clean of your teeth. The package includes:

• A comprehensive oral examination
• Professional teeth cleaning treatment
• Fluoride treatment
• An updated diagnostic panoramic radiograph – full mouth OPG/Bitewing X Rays
• Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss in the oral hygiene kit

For patients without health funds, the total cost is just $245 (normally $415). If your health fund benefit is more than 60% of the package value, we will waive the gap.

What happens at a dental examination?

Your visit will kick off with a review of your medical and dental health history. Here you can discuss any concerns regarding your teeth and gums.

The dentist will closely examine your mouth and decide if any diagnostic imaging is necessary which is included in the cost.

Your gums might show signs of inflammation and you might need a special gum examination.

It’s really important that we detect it now because gum disease is usually painless in the early stages. If it goes undetected it can develop into more severe problems later on.

The dentist uses special diagnostic tools to determine the soundness of your teeth and gums. X-rays help to indicate both the early development or long-term tooth decay.

After the initial examination and we on the state of your oral health, we can start cleaning your teeth.

This stage is what many of our patients enjoy most.

Our method combines the use of a delicate scaling tool and miniature power tools to allow us to get into the tiniest of spaces.

Our powerful cleaning method is effective at removing the soft bacterial plaque deposits, and hard tartar buildup from your teeth.

Finally, your teeth are polished and flossed to complete your comprehensive clean.

If you’ve been postponing the dentist because of immediate payment concerns, make an appointment to see us and we will work with you to develop an customized payment plan that fits your budget.

Imagine the care you or your family needs, on your terms. Now you can afford it because our flexible payment plans help make healthy and beautiful smiles possible for almost any budget.

At Acacia Dental Group, we are committed to the dental health of children.

Children under the age of 18 who are eligible for Medicare can access child dental bulk billing.

If your child is not eligible for the child benefit scheme, we bulk bill routine dental treatment for all children 12 years old and under.

Veterans Affairs Gold Health Card holders and Permanently Incapacitated are eligible to bulk bill most clinically required dental services. If you are a White Health Card holder you may be eligible for clinically required dental services, some treatment requires prior approval.

Whether you are a student or a pensioner, at Acacia Dental Group we want to help ease the financial burden. You are entitled to discounts of up to 15%.

If you have a health fund then you will be covered for your treatment, providing your health fund covers you for dentistry.

You should also note, that we are the preferred providers for Medibank private, Hcf, Cbhs and Smile (Australian Unity, Frank health Insurance, GMHBA, People Care, Defence Health, Budget Direct, health.com.au).

As our existing patients already know, we’re committed to taking the stress out of dental care by offering a relaxing dental experience in the Woden area.

These payment initiatives are designed to help relieve the financial burden associated with visiting the dentist.

Many of our patients have a budget to meet. Our goal is to ensure that the cost of appropriate dental treatment does not prevent you from receiving the care you need.

At Acacia Dental Group, our philosophy of compassionate care and commitment to our patients extends to making non-insured dentistry affordable.

We understand that nobody likes to be surprised when it comes to cost. That’s why, once we’ve completed your free dental consultation and your optimal treatment plan, we’ll review its projected cost and discuss a payment option that works for your budget.

Your payment plan will allow you to receive the treatment immediately and ensure you get the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve.

If you’re in need of restorative or cosmetic dentistry, now’s the time to do something about it. The benefits of a beautiful, healthy smile are profound.  And the improvements in your confidence are significant and long-lasting.

Beautifully crafted, long-lasting dentistry is truly a worthwhile investment in your overall well-being. At Acacia Dental Group we do this kind of work every day.

If you are interested call us today to book an appointment on (02) 6281 2222.

Alternatively, enter your details below and one of our treatment coordinators will call you back to schedule an appointment.