We strive to meet all of your wellness needs, including dental care.

About our Dental Services

Routine dental care is an important part of wellness! Johnson Health Center strives to meet all of your wellness needs. Dental services are available to adults, children and expecting mothers. You do not have to be a primary care patient of Johnson Health Center to see one of our dentists. 

We recognize some children may be anxious about their dental exam or present with other concerns. In order to help pediatric patients remain calm so that the best service is available to them, we offer mild conscious sedation. This involves the utilization of nitrous oxide in combination with a pre-anesthesia oral sedation medication. The child will be partially awake and responsive but will have no memory of the procedures done, meaning no trauma is generated. There are special requirements so every case will be evaluated for whether sedation is appropriate.

SERVICES AVAILABLE

Some of the services provided are:
  • Routine cleanings
  • X-rays
  • Fluoride treatments
  • Extractions
  • Sealants
  • Fillings
  • Toothaches
  • Pediatric Sedation
  • Oral cancer screenings
  • Root Canal Therapy

SERVICE LOCATIONS

Dental services are offered at the locations below:

Walk-In Emergency Care

 

Johnson Health Center now has a mobile dental unit, located at Rustburg Community Health Center. Walk-in emergency dental appointments are available. 

 

Insurance Information

Our dental clinics accept all forms of dental insurance, including Medicaid. If you do not have dental insurance, we offer a sliding scale for dental services. 

Did you know? Medicaid covers dental services for both adults and children! Medicaid is accepted at each of our dental offices. 

Adults with Medicaid coverage will have a comprehensive dental benefit that covers cleanings, fillings, extractions, x-rays and root canals.

For children, Medicaid will cover regular dental check ups, x-rays, cleaning and fluoride, sealants, extractions, root canal treatment and crowns. 

If you have questions about your dental coverage, please call us at (434) 929-1400 ext. 1140. Our insurance counselors can help you determine what your insurance or Medicaid will cover. 

Dental Care While Pregnant

It is important for you to take good care of your teeth and gums while pregnant. Pregnancy causes hormonal changes that increase the risk of developing gum disease, which can affect the health of your developing baby. 

Below are some good tips to help you maintain good oral health throughout your pregnancy. 

Is Dental Care Safe While Pregnant?

Pregnancy and dental work questions are common for expecting moms. Preventive dental cleanings and annual exams during pregnancy are not only safe but are recommended. The rise in hormone levels during pregnancy causes the gums to swell, bleed, and trap food causing increased irritation to your gums.

Preventive dental work while pregnant is essential to avoid oral infections such as gum disease, which has been linked to preterm birth.

Toothaches and Other Dental Needs

Dental work while pregnant, such as cavity fillings and crowns, should be treated to reduce the chance of infection. If dental work is done during pregnancy, the second trimester is ideal. Once you reach the third trimester, it may be very difficult to lie on your back for an extended period of time.

However, sometimes emergency dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction, is necessary. Elective treatments, such as teeth whitening and other cosmetic procedures, should be postponed until after the birth. It is best to avoid this dental work while pregnant and avoid exposing the developing baby to any risks, even if they are minimal.

What About Medications?

If dental work is needed, the amount of anesthesia administered should be as little as possible, but still enough to make you comfortable. If you are experiencing pain, request additional numbing. When you are comfortable, the amount of stress on you and the baby is reduced. Also, the more comfortable you are, the easier it is for the anesthesia to work.

Dental work often requires antibiotics to prevent or treat infections. Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and clindamycin, which are labeled category B for safety in pregnancy, may be prescribed after your procedure.

Are Dental X-rays Safe?

Routine x-rays, typically taken during annual exams, can usually be postponed until after the birth. X-rays are necessary to perform many dental procedures, especially emergencies. According to the American College of Radiology, no single diagnostic x-ray has a radiation dose significant enough to cause adverse effects in a developing embryo or fetus. According to the ADA and ACOG, having dental X-rays during your pregnancy is considered safe with appropriate shielding.

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