You should visit your dentist at least every six months or more frequently to get your teeth cleaned. By seeing your dentist twice a year, your dentist can monitor your oral health and help you prevent any problems that may arise before they became uncomfortable or require more comprehensive or expensive treatment. The dentist may suggest more frequent visits, depending on the diagnosis.

While some dentists provide this courtesy to their long-term patients, others do not offer in-house financing. Instead, they rely on an outside patient financing program to make dentistry financially comfortable and convenient. Typically, you can begin treatment immediately with little or no money down and then make low monthly payments over time. The ADA exclusively endorses the CareCredit program.

Call or write your local or state dental society. Your local and state dental societies also may be listed in the telephone directory under "dentists" or "associations." You may want to call or visit more than one dentist before making your decision. Dental care is a very personalized service that requires a good relationship between the dentist and the patient.

If you are a member of Blue Cross, you should obtain a claim form ( PDF) from Blue Cross or from the Benefits Division, complete the form and submit the completed form directly to Blue Cross. If you are a member of First Commonwealth, you should contact the First Commonwealth directly.

Simply go to our online dentist directory to search for a conveniently located dentist near your home or office. You may also locate a specific dentist by entering his/her last name in the search form.

According to the American Dental Association, adults should schedule regular cleanings a minimum of every six months. Dr. Wooten believes this schedule should be modified to meet the specific needs of the patient. Consult Dr. Wooten to find out the best dental schedule for you.

The pediatric dentist has an extra two years of specialized training and is dedicated to the oral health of children from infancy through the teenage years. The very young, pre-teens, and teenagers all need different approaches in dealing with their behavior, guiding their dental growth and development, and helping them avoid future dental problems. The pediatric dentist is best qualified to meet these needs.

Soon after the first tooth comes in, and no later than the age of 1 year old. Please see the AAPD recommendation.

You may see the dentist as often as necessary to complete your treatment plan. It is important, however, to make an appointment to avoid unnecssary waiting.