Comprehensive Dental Examinations

Your first visit to Central Dental Group begins with a conversation, not a drill. Our dentists take the time to understand your oral and general health history, any concerns you may have had since your last dental visit, and the medications or conditions that could influence your care. If dental anxiety is something you experience, please let us know. Many of our patients have found that simply talking through their concerns in a relaxed, judgement free environment helps to ease their worries and build confidence in the chair.

Once you are settled, your dentist will proceed with a thorough scaling and polishing. Your first comprehensive check up involves:

• A full set of clinical photos to give us a visual baseline of your dental health, which we can refer back to at future visits
• Digital X rays where clinically indicated. Both our Frankston and Elsternwick practices are equipped with in house OPG machines, saving you the inconvenience of an external referral
• An oral cancer screening, because we care about your health beyond your teeth and gums
• Assessment of your jaw muscles and joints to identify signs of clenching, grinding, or TMJ concerns that may otherwise go unnoticed
• An oral hygiene assessment based on plaque levels to guide your at home care routine
• A full record of your current gum and tooth conditions, including pocket depths, recession, and any areas of concern
• Discussion of broader health factors that can affect your mouth, including mouth breathing, snoring, obstructive sleep apnoea, and chronic bad breath
• A professional scale and polish using ultrasonic instruments to remove tartar build up above and below the gum line, followed by polishing to lift surface stains and leave your teeth feeling smooth
• Biofilm Airflow technology, a gentle yet powerful combination of fine powder and warm water that reaches areas traditional cleaning tools may miss, leaving your teeth polished and refreshed

X rays are not automatically taken at every appointment. Your dentist will consider your exam findings, dental history, and individual risk profile before recommending them. When X rays are needed, they provide valuable information that simply cannot be gathered from a visual examination alone, including early decay between teeth, bone levels, the position of unerupted or impacted teeth, and signs of cysts or abscesses. Having our OPG machines in house at both Central Dental Frankston and Central Dental Elsternwick means this step is straightforward and convenient.

If our examination identifies any areas of concern, we will walk you through our findings clearly and without pressure. We believe in informed decision making, which means you will always understand your options before any treatment proceeds. Where more complex care is required, we will prepare a written treatment plan outlining each step and the associated costs. In cases where a specialist is the most appropriate path forward, we are happy to coordinate a referral on your behalf.

Our dentists recommend six monthly preventive visits. Regular care helps us identify and address concerns early, while a consistent home care routine between visits keeps your gums healthy and your smile bright.