A plain look at what actually happens when you visit our dental clinic in Geelong, from the first phone call to your treatment options and follow up.
A dental clinic in Geelong is where you go for a check up, a clean, a filling or advice about a tooth that has started to bother you. Our dental clinic sits in East Geelong and we see locals of every age, from toddlers in for their first look to grandparents who have been coming for years. This page is a simple map of what a visit with us is actually like.
No jargon. Just what happens, in the order it happens.
Before you arrive
Most people start with a phone call or an online booking. We ask a few questions so we know roughly what you need. A routine check up and clean is different to a sore tooth that kept you up last night. The time we set aside reflects that.
If you have a health fund we can usually process the rebate on the spot with HICAPS, so you only pay the gap. New here? Bring any recent scans or details of past treatment if you have them handy. It helps us pick up where your last dentist left off.
Your first appointment
A first visit is mostly listening and looking. We go through your medical history, ask what you have noticed and check any specific worry you came in with. Then a proper exam of your teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissues in your mouth. Scans sometimes, only when they will actually tell us something we cannot see by eye.
After that we talk. You will hear what is going on in plain words and what your options are, including the option of doing nothing yet and keeping an eye on it. Any treatment gets explained before it starts and you get a written estimate so there are no surprises later.
What we look after
We are a general practice, so most of what a family needs sits under one roof. Here is the everyday work we handle.
- Check ups, cleans and gum care
- Fillings, root canal treatment and extractions
- Crowns, bridges and dental implants to replace missing teeth
- Cosmetic work such as dental veneers
- Sedation options for anxious patients
If you need something we do not provide, we will tell you and point you to someone who does. Dr Sunny is a general dentist, so anything that calls for a specialist gets a proper referral.
Nervous patients are welcome
Plenty of people put off the dentist for years. We get it. Tell us at booking or when you sit down and we will slow the pace, explain each step and stop whenever you need a break. There is no lecture about the gap since your last visit. We just start from where you are.
Costs and how we handle them
Cost depends on what you need. A simple check up is one thing, a crown or implant is another and the only honest way to quote you is after an exam. What drives the figure is the type of treatment, how many teeth are involved, materials and whether any lab work is needed.
You get a written estimate before we begin. Health fund rebates may reduce what you pay and payment plans can help with larger treatment. For a fuller breakdown, read our guide to dental check up cost in Geelong.
Care for the whole family
Booking several people in one trip saves everyone time. We see kids, teens and adults. Often we can line up appointments back to back. More on that in our page about choosing a family dentist in Geelong. If work or school makes daytime hard, have a look at our after hours and evening appointments in Geelong.
Want the full picture of what we offer? See our main page for the dentist in Geelong.
Common questions
How often should I have a check up?
For many people every six months works well, but the right interval varies between individuals. We will suggest a timeframe based on your own mouth and risk of decay or gum problems.
Do I need a referral to visit your dental clinic?
No. You can book directly with us for any general dental care. A referral is only needed if we send you to a specialist for something outside general practice.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring your health fund card if you have one, a list of any medications and any recent scans or notes from a previous dentist. That is enough to get started.
Can I be seen quickly if I have a sore tooth?
We keep room for urgent problems and will try to see you the same day where we can. Call us and describe what is happening so we can prioritise.
To book at our East Geelong dental clinic, call (03) 9111 3553 and we will find a time that suits you.
Dr Sunny M Singh
Dr Sunny M Singh is the principal dentist at East Geelong Dental Practice and has spent 17 years caring for patients in private practices around Australia. He holds a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and a Fellowship in Implantology from the University of Miami and is a certified Invisalign provider. His everyday work covers dental implants, smile makeovers, cosmetic dentistry, root canals and Invisalign. He speaks English, Hindi and Punjabi. He writes these guides to help Geelong locals make calm, clear decisions about their teeth.
