Why do I need a Check-up?

When was the last time you had a check-up and clean?  Has it been more than 6 months?  The best interval for regular check-ups is SIX MONTHS.  A lot can happen in this time.  Most problems in dentistry usually start as something quite small.  These problems at this stage are SO SMALL that they do not cause any pain or obvious issues.  THIS is the time to do something about it!  By the time problems get big enough to cause you problems, they are already substantially bigger - and much more costly to fix!  It is far better to come for a regular check-up and clean than come for the occasional root canal therapy and a crown (or worse, an extraction)!

Additionally, you must also keep in mind, that just because you came in with a broken tooth or something repaired, it is not likely that the dentist was able to complete a thorough check-up OR clean during that visit.

If you have not had a check-up in the last six months, what are you waiting for?

Give us a call today and we will schedule a time to let you know exactly what is happening in your mouth!

We LOVE your Faces!

Stanhope Dental Centre (SDC) is running a Selfie competition which is open to ALL patients of SDC (existing patients and new patients) for a chance to win $100 treatment voucher/credit at SDC.

To enter, just send us a selfie image of your smiling face! If you don't know how to take a selfie or how to email a photo, that is OK...simply come into the clinic and one of our friendly staff can take an image for you at the front desk and add it to your patient file.

Instructions on how to enter and T&C’s

Take a selfie and send it in to SDC for your chance to win a $100 “in-surgery” voucher for you to put towards any aspect of your dental treatment.

1. Take a selfie on your phone.
2. Send your photo by Email or text to us (small image size is OK with email).  We can take your photo for you if you prefer.
3. Email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - or text to: 0488 853 806
4. Entry must also include your name as we have it recorded on your patient file. 
5. Entry will only be valid to persons who have a PATIENT FILE at SDC.
6. One entry per patient per twelve month period. Multiple family members may enter using the same text number or email address provided each selfie can be identified as to each patient.
7. Valid Selfie entries must be of the person named, and must show their whole face.
8. Winner will be selected at RANDOM from entries received during the competition period.
9. All information and images received will be treated in strictest confidence and stored on your patient file. Details will not be shared to any third party. 
10. Competition duration: competition will  be seasonal. See below for the date of the draw.
11. Winner will be notified by text message or email.
12. Prize ($100 in surgery credit) to be used on any service item within the practice and is valid for 12 months from win/draw date.
13. $100 credit will be applied to GAP fees giving you better "value"!
14. Prize is not transferable
15. Prize money is not redeemable for cash.
16. Prize can not be used for Oral Hygiene Products or "Stock" purchases.
17. Can not be used in conjunction with any other offer.

This is a very easy "competition" that ANY patient of Stanhope Dental Centre can win. Take a selfie and send.

Get started now using the email link below:

Send us your selfie - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Entries close 31-11-2024 and draw will take place on 1-12-2024 - Good luck to EVERYONE.

**Conditions of Entry apply**:

if you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please call the surgery IN ADVANCE of your dental appointment.**

• Wear a Mask: It is HIGHLY RECCOMENDED that all patients and support persons wear masks whilst inside our premises. Full mask policy document available here.
• Be Free of any any flu like symptoms please cancel appointments if you are unwell.
• You must NOT have tested positive to COVID-19 in the preceding TEN (10) Days: Although you may be free to move about the community, in the medical setting, it is best to avoid this until after day 10.
• You must NOT BE a close contact of a person with COVID-19: Additionally, you must NOT have had contact with any known cases in the preceding 7 days nor directed to isolate. Again, NSW Health recommends avoiding the medical setting as a close contact of a person with COVID-19
• ONLY persons with a dental appointment should attend unless patient is under 18 and is accompanied by ONE parent or guardian or is ELDERLY or infirm and again has ONE care person.
• It is no longer a requirement to sign in using the service NSW QR code etc.

Additional COVID-19 Information

• Stanhope Dental Centre is a family-centred practice however in this current environment, only persons who have an appointment with the dentist should arrive at the practice (exceptions include ONE parent or guardian, or ONE carer/translator IF REQUIRED);
• Please arrive to your appointment ON TIME.  Do not arrive early or late.  This minimizes the numbers of people in the waiting room area - consider waiting in your car.
• If you have an appointment and the surgery appears closed or unattended, please just wait in your car. We will call you in when we are ready.  If the door is open, you may wait in the waiting area provided that you practice all social distancing guidelines.
• Be prepared with your own electronic devices and reading material in case you need to wait - especially if you have children with you (WiFi details available at the desk);
• Please pay for your treatment using contactless payment wherever possible.
• Stay reliably informed by experts from the World Health Organisation (who.int), NSW Department of Health  or the Australian Government's UPDATE.  (DO NOT act on advice from your neighbours, your friends, hearsay, the media, FaceBook and other social media platforms!)
• Visit our HOME PAGE and stay up to date with Stanhope Dental Centre's current policies.

Staff as close contacts:

If a staff member is considered to be a "close contact" of a person with COVID-19, according to NSW health, they are permitted to work providing the following conditions are met:

• They must test DAILY (RAT) and must report a NEGATIVE test prior to commencement of their shift
• They must be SYMPTOM FREE and report any changes
• They must wear a mask AT ALL TIMES that they are indoors at the practice
• They must eat all meals in an outdoor area

These requirements are in place for the safety of all staff and patients. This remains in place for SEVEN days from their associated "close contact".  This is NOT a double standard in respect to "patients as close contacts", as a patient is not able to remain MASKED AT ALL TIMES whilst in the practice. If you have any questions about this policy or wish to enquire about the status of all staff members for the day of your appointment, please do not hesitate to contact the surgery.

In addition to our already high standards of infection control, Stanhope Dental Centre has:

• Provided hand sanitizer at the front desk for patients to access and use;
• Disinfected door knobs and counter surfaces after patient contact;
• Removed magazines and display books from the waiting room area (very difficult to disinfect effectively).
• Removed children’s toys from the Toy corner of the waiting room.

We have always...

• Sterilised all instruments after every single patient; 
• Thoroughly disinfected all surfaces and equipment within the surgery room, including the dental chair, after every single patient; 
• Swept and mopped all floors and bathrooms are regularly; 
• Thoroughly washed hands with soap and water or approved Alcohol Based Hand Rub (ABHR) before and after each patient as well as wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including masks, gloves and protective eye-wear at all times when treating patients; 
• Disposable PPE are thrown away after each patient.

Other things you can do...

• Practise good personal hygiene principles including:

1. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water.  Hand sanitizer alone is not always enough.
2. Use disposable tissues or your elbow when coughing or sneezing
3. Instruct the children and young people in your care on these principles

• Brush and floss your teeth twice per day to ensure that your mouth, teeth and gums stay healthy – the mouth is one of the main entry points for infection;

COVID-19 continues to be an evolving international health concern and we will be guided by health professionals and relevant guidelines and update our policies as needed.