Jerra Smiles Dentist Dr Atul Manani says the clinic's services have been well received since opening in Jerrabomberra earlier this year. Photo: Andrew Johnston
Getting regular dental check-ups need not be an unpleasant ordeal, even for those who live in fear of the dentist’s drill as Andrew Johnston discovers…
GOING to the dentist is a daunting experience for some but maintaining regular check-ups can prove vital in ensuring good general health and preventing a major hit to your hip pocket.
That’s according to Jerrabomberra Smiles dentist Atul Manani who has seen firsthand just how important preventative dental care can be.
“I think the message for people to take home is that good prevention is going to be the best thing to prevent costlier treatments later on,” Dr Manani explains.
“Most health funds cover check-ups and hygiene treatments so most people might only need to spend $50 every six months or so to keep everything healthy.
“If dental problems don’t get picked up and treated early, they can tend to escalate and snowball and then people are looking at something that’s a lot more serious to deal with.”
Jerra Smiles is a recent addition to the Jerrabomberra healthcare landscape after officially opening last month.
A Jerrabomberra local, Dr Manani is one of two partners at the fledgling operation along with Dr Sanjiv Pathak. Together, the pair boast a combined 26 years of experience in dental practice.
Jerra Smiles is an offshoot of Smiles Sensations in Manuka. But Dr Manani said when the opportunity came to expand, it made sense to pick Jerrabomberra given the suburb’s lack of pre-existing dental facilities.
“I live in Jerrabomberra and listening to the local doctors, and pharmacists and to the community, people were asking for a dentist in Jerrabomberra,” he said. “It’s a big area and there was no one here providing those services so we thought it would be somewhere in need of its own clinic.
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we opened but the response from the community has been very positive so far.”
Along with check-ups and cleanings, Jerra Smiles offers a full range of dentistry services including whitening, crown and bridge work, wisdom teeth removal, braces and invisalign.
Jerra Smiles’ dentistry team is also qualified to diagnose and treat sleep apnea and snoring, both of which are conditions linked to oral health.
And for those whose heart starts to beat that little bit faster at just the thought of taking a seat in the destist’s chair, Dr Manani said the clinic was equipped to cater for even the most anxious of patients.
“We actually have a qualified seditionist coming in once a month which can help take the fear out of dentistry for more nervous patients,” he said.
“The seditionist administers a sedative drug through an IV…the main benefit for the patient is they don’t remember the procedure and the dentist can get their teeth fixed.”
Jerra Smiles is open from 9-5, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday with extended opening hours of 10am-7pm on Thursdays. The clinic also offers Saturday morning appointments from 9am-2pm.