We understand that selecting a dentist is an important choice, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Naturally, you may have some questions for us. Here are a few common questions we get asked by new patients. If you don’t see yours below, please feel free to call us directly and we’ll be happy to help get you the information you need.
How do I get emergency dental care?
The first step in getting emergency dental care is to give us a call and let one of our staff members assist you. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Most hospital emergency rooms, mobile clinics, and urgent care facilities are not equipped to handle dental emergencies, and if you go there first you are unlikely to be treated.
In most cases, you can expect to get a same-day appointment with Dr. Puskas, but please give us a call as soon as possible so we can assist you.
Dental emergencies are often an indicator of bigger dental problems, and an important sign that it’s time to get back into the habit of regularly visiting Dr. Puskas for preventive dental care. Regular visits can help you prevent future emergencies, which will save you time, money, and your natural teeth!
How many dentists are there in Atlanta?
There are approximately 250 dentists practicing in Atlanta, Georgia. Since 1994 Dr. Jane Puskas has earned a stellar reputation as being a caring, gentle, and skilled dentist. Throughout her career, Dr. Puskas has earned numerous professional accolades and serves on the board of several prestigious organizations. In 2013, she became the first female president and program chairwoman of the Hinman Dental Society, and is an active member in the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists, as well as the a member of the Board of Governors of the Student Clinicians of the American Dental Association.
How much does a dental check-up & cleaning cost in Atlanta?
The average cost of a dental check-up and cleaning can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the oral health of the individual patient.
A check-up and cleaning should always begin with a patient health history and discussion of any oral health concerns you may have. It should also include a thorough examination completed by Dr. Puskas, a professional cleaning, X-rays, and an oral cancer screening.
The average cost in markets across the United States is between $200 and $350. If you have dental insurance, the fees for your check-up and cleaning (including any co-pays) are negotiated with us by your dental insurance company.
How can I find a female dentist?
Currently, about one-third of all dentists currently working in the United States are women.
To locate a female dentist, the best place to start is Google. Searching the keywords “female dentist near me” should yield accurate, useful results.
Once you have located a female dentist, the “Meet the dentist” section of the practice’s website is often the best place to learn more about your new dentist, including her educational background and any specialties or board affiliations she may have.
What level of education is required to be a dentist?
All dentists in the United States must earn either their Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) or Doctor of Dental Sciences (DDS) degrees from one of the nation’s 67 accredited dental schools.
Acceptance into a dental school requires a bachelor's degree, and very high grades in a major that is heavy in both math and science.
Dental school is a three-year program which combines both hands-on and classroom learning.
Following dental school, some dentists choose to continue their education by earning one of twelve specializations recognized by the American Dental Association (ADA). These require an additional three or more years of dental school training.
All dentists in the United States are required to complete a certain number of continuing education hours to maintain their dental license. These vary by state. Here in Georgia, dentists must complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years, 30 of which must be in clinical science.