...giving you even more reasons to smile!
FAMILY CARE CENTRE
DR DEAN STELMASCHUK
Radius is a full service dental clinic with the focus on your health! We perform most basic and major services in our office, be it dental hygiene, implant surgery, fillings and bondings, crowns and bridges, root canals and extractions.
Dr. Stelmaschuk and his staff work hard to make your experience at the dentist easy and comfortable. He enjoys taking dental counrses to stay current on techniques, material, and equipment.
Dr. Stelmaschuk moved his practice to the James Bay area in 1988, relocating to his current office in 2009. Having a beautiful office and modern facility doesn't mean higher prices - at Radius Dental we charge the current BC Dental Association Fee Guide for most basic services.
DR DAVID JOHNSON
Victoria native Dr. Johnson is now practicing dentistry at Radius Dental. His skill, confidence, and relaxed manor serve him well in his practice of general and surgical dentistry.
Current on all the latest techniques and materials, David gets great satisfaction from making a visit to the dentist a good experience. He works hard to make his patients as comfortable as possible.
A graduate of UBC dental school, David moved back to Victoria when his formal education was complete. He recently returned from a humanitarian visit to Cambodia. Dr. Johnson found his experience very rewarding and would like to go on more similar trips in the near future.
DR ATHAR BUTT
Dr. Butt is a valued member of our team, a dentist with military background.
Proficient with general dentistry and oral surgery, Dr. Butt offers later hours, making Radius even more convenient for our patients.
Athar enjoys family dentistry, and he enjoys working with patients of all ages. He has travelled and lived aroung the country while in the military, but we are glad he and his family decided to relocate here from Edmonton last year, and we welcome them to the island!
DR JEROME BERGERMAN
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Bergerman is now doing a locum at our dental clinic. He offers his skills in dentistry to the James Bay community. Dr. Bergerman has years of experience in family dentistry, and is known not only for his clinical skills, but for his pleasant chairside manner.
DENTAL SERVICES - We can protect you further with custom sports guards or night guards. And if there is any service we don’t do in house, our team will recommend the services of one of our associated professional that specialize in that area. All ages, and all walks of life, we offer the dental care that’s right for you.
CHILDREN’S DENTISTRY - Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be before age 2, or earlier if you have any specific concerns. We will carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth, and advise about tooth irritations, gums, fluoride, prolonged thumb sucking, and baby bottle tooth decay. We advise setting up a morning appointment when your child is alert and fresh, and to explain that the dentist will be having a look at their teeth. Children should visit their dentist every 6 months to ensure good development of teeth and gums.
FILLINGS & BONDINGS - We exclusively use tooth coloured composite resin materials, light cured, they are strong and you can eat right after your restoration if you so wish.
Our office uses only composite resin materials for all fillings and restorations. These are not only more aesthetic, but do not contain mercury. Silver (amalgam) fillings actually contain more mercury than silver. According to some studies this element can leach into your system over time. Composite restorations can be stronger and don't fracture or separate from your tooth, which can happen with an amalgam filling. Composites are actually 'bonded' to the tooth and matched in colour to your natural teeth.
Composite restorations require more training (our dentists are well trained in these procedures) and are more expensive to place than amalgams. Our office has made an informed decision not to use amalgam material. Although most insurance companies are on board with coverage for composite restorations, some plans will pay only a lesser amount (the equivalent of the mercury containing amalgam filling) for restorations on molar or back teeth. This is the policy of the insurance company, not our office. We thank you for understanding.
MISSING TEETH – when a tooth is lost (other than a wisdom tooth or an extraction for orthodontic purposes) the bone can degenerate and teeth on either side can migrate into this space, as can the tooth from the opposing jaw. This is not always immediate, but the movement can become noticeable after three to five years. These movements can create gum problems and lead to decay in other teeth, and as well can cause jaw joint problems or lead to tooth fracture from overloading other teeth. The best solution is to replace a missing tooth. A dental bridge, partial denture, or implant can be used in this instance – ask your dentist to advise what is best for your situation.
ORAL SURGERY - Wisdom teeth or other teeth may need to be removed due to health conditions. We do these procedures in office, or may refer you to an oral surgeon for some situations. At the time of your surgical procedures, we will advise you of any special care instructions that you may need to follow. We have provided a Post Surgical Care Sheet that you can consult or easily print up.
Dental surgery may sometimes be performed while an IV sedation is administered to the patient. We work together with a team of Anaestheologists who assist in this procedure. This may be recommended for patients with severe gagging reflex, clinical phobia, or for large surgical cases. In most cases part or all of the cost is covered by your B.C. Medical Services Plan. We have provided IV Sedation Consent forms that need to be filled out in advance for this procedure. To schedule or for more information, contact our office.
ROOT CANAL THERAPY - In order to save a tooth, your dentist may recommend Root Canal Therapy, in which the infected or diseased portion of the tooth is removed, cleaned out, and then sealed and filled. This may be required for a tooth that has has trauma, infection, a cracked tooth, or to restore a tooth with a large filling. We may recommend a Crown to be placed over tooth that has had the Root Canal. This may be necessary in order to protect the tooth and minimize risk of future breaking.
NIGHT GUARDS & SPORTS GUARDS - Many people grind or clench their teeth while sleeping without being aware of this habit. Over the years this can cause considerable damage to teeth as well as the bones that hold them in place. We can make a custom appliance that is worn at night, or even during the day, to protect the teeth and help prevent the damage caused by this condition. If you play sports, either as a professional or for the occasional family game, protect your teeth - they are the only ones you have! We can fabricate a mouthguard to custom fit your teeth, offering you and your smile great protection.
SEALANTS - Your dentist or hygienist may recommend sealants, a thin plastic coating applied to the tooth’s biting surface, to help prevent the onset of decay in deeper grooves, usually in back teeth.
DENTAL IMPLANTS - We do everything from a single implant to a full mouth restoration, please go to our Dental Implant page for more information on this procedure.
DENTURES - We work together with a number of qualified Denturists in Victoria to provide full and partial dentures. Our office provides the expertise and knowledge required to help design these, and the denturists fabricate, insert, and maintain the dentures. Many reputable denturists are in our area, and we welcome you to find the one that works for you. We recommend Chris Nordell at James Bay Square Denturists located close to our office in James Bay, and Ian Lam at Royal Jubilee Denture Clinic.
APPOINTMENT REMINDERS - We understand lives and schedules are busy and appointments are sometimes booked well in advance. We will mail a reminder postcard for your next Dental Hygiene appointment approximately 3-4 weeks before the appointment. We will also phone or email you, usually 2 business days in advance; we appreciate you keeping your contact information current. We require 48 hour notice for appointment cancellations and changes as this allows us time to schedule appointments from our waiting list. Short notice cancellations may be subject to a fee if we are unable to reschedule your reserved time.
MAKING APPOINTMENTS - It's never been easier to schedule your dental treatment. You can now request your appointment online, simply go to our Appointment Request form, complete and submit, and a member of the Radius Dental Team will get back to you shortly. Or if you prefer, phone us at 250-380-6655. Or drop by in person - we are always happy to see our patients.
INDIVIDUALIZED TREATMENT - While our goal is to help you achieve the best oral health and most beautiful smile possible, we never lose sight of you, the patient, and what is best for you. Our team of professionals work with you from beginning to end. We will help you set up appointments, assist with understanding your insurance or with securing financing, and we will take the time to explain each step along the way. Our service doesn't stop when you walk out of the office - we will provide after care instructions and if you have any questions, we welcome your call and will do our best to give you the information you need.