What to expect: Your checkup and clean appointment

When you book a "checkup and clean" at Grange Road Dental, it might feel like one seamless appointment. In practice, you are actually receiving two distinct services that work together to give you a complete picture of your oral health.

Two services, one appointment

Your checkup and clean combines:

• Teeth cleaning (scale and clean) performed by one of our dental hygienists, Casey Bonner or Michelle Keepers-Heath
• Dental checkup (examination) performed by one of our dentists, Dr Andrew Zischke or Dr Yi-Lin (James) Yang

This team approach means two professionals review your care, each bringing their own expertise to your appointment.

What happens during your appointment

Here is a typical flow so you know what to expect:

1. Welcome and history review - Your hygienist greets you and goes through your medical and dental history, noting any changes or concerns.
2. X-rays if needed - If it is time for updated images, your hygienist takes the required x-rays.
3. Professional clean - Your hygienist performs a thorough clean using our EMS Airflow technology, which is available in every surgery. This removes plaque, tartar and surface staining more gently and effectively than traditional scaling alone.
4. Notes for the dentist - Your hygienist documents any areas of concern they have noticed during the clean.
5. Dental examination - Your dentist comes in to examine your teeth, gums and soft tissues.
6. X-ray review and discussion - Your dentist reviews any x-rays taken and explains what they see, answering your questions along the way.
7. Treatment planning - If any treatment is needed, your dentist creates or updates your plan and talks through your options.
8. You leave with clarity - You head home with a freshly cleaned mouth and a clear understanding of where your oral health stands.

Why we use a team approach

Having both a hygienist and a dentist involved in your care means you benefit from two sets of eyes and two areas of expertise. Our hygienists specialise in preventive care and cleaning, while our dentists focus on diagnosis and treatment planning. Together, they ensure nothing is missed and you receive thorough, coordinated care.

How often should you have a checkup and clean?

For most patients, we recommend a checkup and clean every six months. Some people may benefit from more frequent visits depending on their oral health needs. Your dentist or hygienist will let you know what schedule suits you best.

If it has been a while since your last visit, or you are simply due for your next appointment, our team is here to help. Give us a call on (07) 3281 6666 to book your checkup and clean.