Family and General Dentistry in Cilfton Hill, VIC
Patients of different ages require various types of dental care. At Clifton Hill Dental, we proudly offer dentistry to meet the needs of every member of your family—from toddlers to your most senior relatives. Dr Nick Malamas and our associate dentists customise treatment to support optimal oral health at every life stage.
We hear many of the same questions from patients of our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic, so we’ve compiled some of them below. We hope you’ll take a look at these, as well as the rest of our website, to learn more about our family dentistry. We look forward to seeing your smile.
- Do you offer children’s dentistry?
- What kind of preventive dentistry do you recommend?
- What types of restorative dentistry do you offer?
- What are my options if I have missing teeth?
- What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
- What is an oral health therapist?
- Why should I see an oral health therapist for certain treatment as opposed to a dentist?
- I am ready to get started; what should my next step be to make an appointment?
Do you offer children’s dentistry?
Yes, we see children because good oral health starts at a young age.
Paediatric dentistry at our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic is essential to form a healthy foundation for your child’s adult smile. Baby (primary or milk) teeth are the blueprint for their permanent teeth. One of the most common childhood oral disease is dental caries, or decay. Tooth decay, while preventable, is common and most adults we see at our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic will have at least one instance of decay throughout their lifetimes and will need to have a cavity filled.
We work in partnership with parents to prevent decay and gum disease and to ensure that children have normal oral maxillofacial development. Fluoride application and fissure sealants are common treatments to keep your family’s littlest smiles healthy. We create a fun and easy-going atmosphere for kids so they never feel anxious or stressed because of their dental visits. Children who go to the dentist regularly from a young age tend to grow up to be adults who continue to go to the dentist regularly.
Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) - Bullk Billing for Kids!
At Clifton Hill Dental, our dental hygiene services are designed to promote a lifetime of healthy smiles for patients of all ages. We now proudly offer bulk billing for eligible children under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). This means your child can receive comprehensive dental hygiene care, including regular check-ups, professional teeth cleaning, and preventative treatments, without any out-of-pocket costs. Our experienced oral health therapists focus on preventative care, ensuring your child’s oral health remains top-notch. Keep your child's smile healthy and protected with our professional care at Clifton Hill Dental.
What kind of preventive dentistry to you recommend?
Children are not the only ones susceptible to oral conditions that can impact dental health and overall health. The risk of periodontal (gum) disease increases with age. Recent studies show links between gum disease and heart health.
Our Clifton Hill, VIC dentists closely monitor both teeth and gums at regular check-up and clean visits to head off oral conditions before tooth loss occurs.
Digital dental x-rays promote early detection of dental conditions and help our dentists make an accurate diagnosis.
What type of restorative dentistry do you offer?
When teeth develop infection or decay or suffer from trauma, bringing them back to good health and function is often the most conservative approach to your care. We offer the following dental treatments at our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic.
- Tooth-coloured fillings, crowns and bonding
- Root canal treatment
- Cosmetic veneers
- Inlays and onlays
What are my options if I have missing teeth?
When patients of our Clifton Hill, VIC face getting a tooth pulled or already have missing teeth, dental bridges, implants, All-on-4® dentures, partial dentures and traditional complete dentures provide a solution to complete the smile and restore healthy speaking and chewing function. When replacing teeth, the family dentists at our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic will help you choose the most aesthetic and practical options that meet your goals.
What should I do if I have a dental emergency?
When you have a dental emergency, our team at Clifton Hill Dental is here as your emergency dentist. We offer evening and weekend bookings to help you feel comfortable and in good health again as quickly as possible. We welcome you to contact us right away if you experience toothache, swelling or trauma to your teeth or dentistry. If you are unsure about whether or not your situation constitutes an emergency, we welcome you to give us a call to ask.
What is an oral health therapist?
Our oral health therapists are an essential part of our Clifton Hill, VIC family dental team.
Oral health therapists are dental professionals who have completed training at university and are qualified in dental therapy and dental hygiene. They are able to provide a wide range of dental care to children, adolescents and adults. Because of their training, oral health therapists are equipped to work in collaboration with dentists on preventive, restorative and certain cosmetic procedures.
Oral health therapists also provide valuable advice and resources to help patients achieve optimal oral health.
- Nutritional counseling
- Smoking cessation
- Home dental hygiene practices
- Scale and clean frequency
- Gum therapies
- Children's dentistry
Our oral health therapists also have an extended scope of practice that enables them to provide minor restorative services to patients of all ages and also provide both in-chair and at-home teeth whitening systems for a brighter, more youthful smile.
At Clifton Hill Dental, we recommend adults have a thorough examination with a dentist before seeing one of the oral health therapists for teeth cleaning or further treatment. Your oral health therapist is your partner in oral health and is available to answer any questions or address any concerns you have about the health and appearance of your teeth and gums.
Why should I see an oral health therapist for certain treatment as opposed to a dentist?
Oral health therapists at our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic are specially trained at university in the general maintenance of the mouth, teeth and gums, and also in gum disease therapy. A dentist will refer a patient to an oral health therapist for more specialised preventive oral care, whilst the dentist will continue to provide complex treatment and most restorative and cosmetic treatment with the exception of teeth whitening. Oral therapists are prevention-oriented, and their scope of care is highly personalised to meet the changing needs of patients over every life stage and throughout medical and dental changes.
Some dentists will see you for hygiene appointments; however, many people realise that oral health therapists have been specially trained to carry out hygiene therapies. They can spend a more extended amount of time demonstrating a maintenance program for you to continue at home to ensure keeping your teeth and gums healthy all year around.
If gum disease develops, your oral health therapist will customise a hygiene protocol and follow-up on your progress regularly, acting as an educator and provider as your gums heal.
We hope that you will develop a long-term relationship with every member of our team so that we can get to know your goals for your smile and provide you with the dentistry you need for a healthy mouth.
I am ready to get started; what should my next step be to make an appointment?
We warmly welcome new patients of all ages to our Clifton Hill, VIC dental clinic and invite you to contact us with any questions you have regarding the services we offer or about our next available appointment. You can request an appointment here on our website, or simply pick up the phone and call us on (03) 9482 6263. We proudly serve patients from Clifton Hill, Thornbury, and Northcote.
Family and General Dentistry Specials
-
Bulk Billing for Eligible Children under CDBS (Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule)
At Clifton Hill Dental, we are excited to offer bulk billing for children eligible under the Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS). For a limited time, eligible kids can receive essential dental care—including check-ups, teeth cleaning, fillings, and more—completely covered with no out-of-pocket costs. Keep your child's smile healthy and bright with no additional expense to you. Take advantage of this special offer and book your child’s appointment today!
Eligibility for bulk billing through CDBS is determined by the relevant government schemes. Terms, conditions, and annual limits apply. Please check your eligibility with Medicare before treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ensure you have a healthy diet limited in sticky, acidic or high sugar contact foods, brushing towards your gums gently twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing between your teeth, ensuring to clean under your gums gently at least once daily.
Schedule Your Routine Dental Exams
Regular dental examinations will help catch caries early and allow the dental professional in Clifton Hill, VIC to educate and give skill tips on how to prevent it from spreading.
We Welcome Your Call Or Email
Do you think you need some further tips on how to prevent dental caries? No problem. We invite you to call or email our friendly dental clinic with any further questions you may have.
Generally, we recommend a professional scale and clean every six months. However, the time between visits may change based on your gum health and the additional risk factors of each individual. Some cases may require three monthly cleans rather than six-monthly.
When you visit our Clifton Hill practice, we will examine your dental situation and assess your oral health before suggesting a customised programme for your dental cleans.
Our Goal Is To Help You Achieve Optimal Oral Health
Our goal is to help you achieve the best oral health possible. If we notice signs of developing gum disease, we will likely recommend more frequent cleans to help you get to a better place with your oral health. Similarly, if we find that your teeth and gums are healthy and strong, we likely will stick to six-month cleans.
However, as mentioned above, we will consider other risk factors as well when making our recommendation. If you have any questions about the cleaning schedule we recommend, please let our team know. We are always happy to answer questions and provide patient education.
We hope you leave our practice after every visit with a clear path for achieving excellent oral health and feeling fully confident in your dental care.
Call Your Dentist Near Northcote
As a cosmetic dentist in Northcote, we provide outstanding dental care to patients, including routine dental cleans and exams. At Clifton Hill Dental, we love helping patients keep their smiles bright and healthy, and regular dental cleans are a vital part of that!
We invite you to call our practice to book your next dental clean with our skilled and friendly team.
In terms of electric versus manual toothbrushes, we generally recommend an electric toothbrush for the best results. When used correctly, both electric and manual toothbrushes do the job, but most people have better results when using an electric toothbrush as it is smaller and does a lot of the work for you.
What Is The Best Toothbrush?
Either way, it is best to use a soft toothbrush or toothbrush head without rubber wings. Hard or medium brushes can be too abrasive and wear the enamel off the teeth, which may give you sensitivity. Additionally, abrasive toothbrushes may cause the gums to recede.
If you have questions about our recommendations for your specific situation, let us know. We are happy to provide you with information on the best toothbrushing methods, so you get the most out of your oral hygiene routine.
Visit Your Dentist Near Me for Dental Cleans
Regularly scheduled dental cleans offer you the best path toward exceptional oral health, so don’t forget to include regular cleans in your oral hygiene routine. It’s important to have a dental professional remove any tartar or plaque from hard-to-reach areas, and we can provide you with tips and advice on home care during your visit.
We provide excellent dental cleans in our Northcote dental practice to help our patients keep their teeth and gums strong and healthy. For a dental clean in the Northcote area, we invite you to contact Clifton Hill Dental.
An oral health therapist is a specialised dental professional who collaborates with dentists and other dental professionals to deliver comprehensive care and promote optimal oral health for patients of all ages. Oral health therapists draw on training in both dental hygiene and dental therapy to help patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health through education, preventive care and treatment.
An oral health therapist's main responsibilities typically include:
- Dental hygiene. Oral health therapists perform thorough dental cleanings to remove plaque, tartar, and stains from teeth. They also educate patients on oral hygiene practices like proper brushing and flossing techniques and diet optimisation to prevent dental issues like cavities and gum disease.
- Dental therapy. Oral health therapists are also trained to perform basic dental treatments like fillings, sealants, and fluoride applications.
- Patient education. Oral health therapists play a vital role in educating patients about the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being. They offer guidance on healthy habits, oral health management, and informed decision-making.
Discover Oral Health Therapy in Clifton Hill, Victoria
If you're in Clifton Hill, VIC, and would like to learn more about how oral health therapy can help you and everyone in your family achieve and maintain optimal oral health, contact me, Dr Nick Malamas, BDSc., and the friendly and helpful Clifton Hill Street Dental team to arrange a consultation.
After a warm welcome to the clinic, the Oral Health Therapist will assess your gum health, keeping you involved in the presentation of your gum health and provide reassurance or education on how to achieve optimal health of your gums which are the foundations for your teeth.
Gum Disease Prevention
After the gum health check, your teeth will be cleaned using an ultrasonic scaler, hand instruments, and floss, followed by a polish. This is done to remove the calculus (tartar) buildups from around your teeth and sometimes under your gums that may be causing gingivitis (gum disease). We invite you to contact our Clifton Hill clinic if you have any questions.
Meet Our Doctors:
Eve Sutedja BOH
Oral Health Therapist - DEN0002065027
Eve Sutedja earned her Bachelor of Science in Oral Health Therapy in 2016. Six years later, she attained her Graduate Certificate in Dental Therapy (Advanced Clinical Practice). These qualify her ...
Mayank Patel BSc, BOH, PGDipSci
Oral Health Therapist - DEN0002035232
Mayank Patel is an oral health therapist who has worked on and off with Clifton Hill Dental for almost a decade and we are so lucky to have him available ...
Serdar Bilal
Prosthetist - DEN0001018404
Serdar Bilal is the on-site prosthetist at Clifton Hill Dental, bringing a wealth of unique expertise to our team. While now an "official" member of our team, he has been ...
Featured Blog Posts - Family and General Dentistry
How SuperCare Financing Makes Dental Care Affordable for Clifton Hill Patients
At Clifton Hill Dental, we aim to make dentistry as affordable and accessible as possible, which is why we work with or participate in:
- Periodic dental specials
- SuperCare
In this blog, we explore SuperCare and its role in enhancing affordability, particularly when dental care is needed but funds are limited.
SuperCare and Affordability: ...
What Melbourne’s Healthiest Suburbs Know About Preventive Dentistry (And Why It Pays Off)
Do you live in Clifton Hill, Northcote or Thornbury? If so, chances are you’re already pretty health-conscious. From Saturday morning yoga in the park to fresh produce at the local farmer’s market, this corner of Melbourne knows the value of taking care of your body. But here’s the thing: your ...
Is Your Child Due for a Dental Visit? Book Before the School Holidays Start
The school holidays are coming in hot, and we all know how quickly those calendars fill up with beach days, road trips, movie marathons and playdates galore. If your child’s due for a dental check-up, now’s the time to beat the rush and lock in that appointment before life gets ...