Our Services
Full Dental Makeover
We specialises in helping patients with who may have allowed deterioration of their oral health due to anxiety of seeing a dentist or financial issues
Chronic Illness
We specialise in management plans for patients with chronic illness
Seniors
We specialise in customised treatment for seniors. As we mature, our teeth tend to require more attention and care.
General Dental
Check Up’s & Cleaning – X-rays – Fissure Sealing – Gum Disease – Splints – grinding and clenching
Cosmetic Dental
Crowns – Porcelain bridges, Veneers, Fixed & Removable Dentures – Tooth coloured fillings – Tooth Whitening
Surgical Extraction
We specialise in surgical extraction & wisdom teeth removal
Children’s Dental
General checkup and clean – X-rays and fillings – Eligible children receive bulk-billed treatment through Medicare
Restorative Dentistry
Root Canal Treatment – Dental Crowns – Dental Bridges
Gentle by nature
Dr Uma is known to have gentle hands and it is quite common for our patients to mention the pain-free treatment.
Our Dental Assistants undergo a careful selection process to ensure they are not just skilled but empathetic in nature as well.
We listen
We make you feel at ease
You will appreciate the light filled interiors, soft touches and carefully selected fragrance that will take the ‘hospital’ feel away. Checkout our dental surgery room with soft upholstery dental chair, ceiling mounted TV, it will feel like a hotel lounge as you enjoy your favourite nextflix show. We can keep your little ones occupied with ipad, toys and books.
No surprises- ‘No shades of grey’
We understand that cost of dental treatment can be a concern for patients hence we will discuss various treatment options with you. We will explain the cost, expected outcomes and treatment timeframes with you first. Our patients have access to Denticare, an interest free payment solution. Our treatment plans will be tailored to suit your cash flow and lifestyle.
Teeth whitening – Philips Zoom & Take-Home Kits
As the name suggests, this treatment is all about lightening stained or discoloured teeth.
While you can buy over-the-counter, use-at-home toothpastes and strips, your dentist is best qualified to determine if you need teeth whitening. They can diagnose the reason for the discolouration and its type, and can then advise the most effective treatment for you.
You may be tempted to go to a shopping centre booth or a beautician to get your teeth whitened, but neither are staffed by suitably qualified personnel. Incorrect use of bleaching agents may cause irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. DIY bleaching comes with all sorts of risks, and anecdotal treatments such as rubbing strawberries, lemons, or even bicarbonate of soda on your teeth, can do a lot of damage to your teeth and gums for no real whitening gain.
At Withcott Dental, you will be assessed by a dentist first, who can then advice what treatment option is safe and can produce the best outcome. All tooth whitening procedures at the clinic are done by a qualified dentist using Philips Zoom technology. We have take home kits manufactured by Philips, which can be excellent value for money but may not suit all individuals.
Please be aware that crowns, veneers and fillings don’t change colour when you have your teeth whitened. We can help to resolve this by changing the colour of your existing crowns, veneers and fillings to match the whiter teeth.
Full dental health makeover
Dr Uma specialises in helping patients who may have allowed the deterioration of their oral health due to anxiety of seeing a dentist or financial issues. Dr Uma says, “To be able to work with patients requiring a full dental health makeover, the dentist should first break the barrier and establish trust.
It will be a unique journey for each patient and in many cases, the dentist may need to work collaboratively with the patient’s GP and various allied health professionals.
Management plans for patients with chronic illness
Chronic illness such as cancer, osteoporosis, joint and knee replacement, kidney failure and heart ailments can require certain procedures such as major surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, dialysis etc and certain long-term medication. It is important that certain dental procedures are undertaken prior to such treatments and commencing medication. We work with General Practitioners (GP), oncologists, nephrologists, orthopaedic surgeons, general surgeons etc to develop a suitable treatment plan to make you fit for the procedure from a dental aspect and issue dental clearance certificate which may be required.
Customised treatment for seniors
As we mature, our teeth tend to require more attention and care. Chips and cracks are common due to the wear and tear that occurs when we age.
For many, a lot of fillings have been present for 30-40 years which can leak or crack over this period. Your dentist can easily identify any tooth crack lines that may be coming and advise early care and treatment.
Please note that there are many medications, (such as for blood pressure) that can give a ‘dry-mouth’ side effect. This can cause tooth decay often in root of tooth cavities. We encourage mature and elderly members of our community to book in for regular dental care every 6 months for a general clean and checkups to ensure good oral health.
Dentures
If missing some, or all of our teeth, our oral health related quality of life can be compromised.
One alternative to replacing these lost or missing teeth is to have dentures manufactured and fitted by our dentist at Withcott Dental.
Dentures are a cost-effective replacement option for teeth lost due to tooth decay, gum disease, or trauma.
If you have experienced loss of some or all of your teeth, it is likely we will talk to you about dentures to replace these teeth.
Dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth. The dentist will take the measurements at our clinic and the denture gets manufactured at a laboratory, based on the custom measurements.
However, as with a new pair of shoes, even the best made denture/s will feel a little irritating at first as you adjust to how they fit and feel within your mouth. You may need to return to our clinic for minor adjustments.
General Dentistry
Gum Disease Management
Gum disease is usually caused by a build-up of plaque on teeth and along the gum line. Plaque is a sticky coating containing bacteria. The immune system tries to get rid of plaque with an inflammation response. This is seen by the redness and swelling of the gum around the tooth.
Periodontitis- Periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease that may occur if gingivitis is not treated. The structures affected by periodontitis include the covering of the tooth root (cementum), the bone and the fibres that connect the tooth root to the bone (periodontal ligament).
Early detection and intervention is critical to avoid early tooth loss.
Check Up’s & Cleaning
At a dental check-up, our dentists will examine you for early signs of gum disease, tooth decay, bone damage, oral cancer and other dental issues. Our dentist will clean your teeth and gums of plaque and tartar that may have built up in hard-to-reach places.
No matter how good your at-home oral care is, regular check-ups with a dentist are required to maintain good oral hygiene and health and to detect signs of gum disease or tooth decay. Even if you are not experiencing any symptoms of a dental issue, only a professional dentist can detect and treat oral problems. Dental check-ups are crucial for maintaining healthy teeth, gums and overall oral health.
In general, it is recommended to visit the dentist for a check-up every 6 months but this can vary from patient to patient. At Withcott Dental, our dentist will be able to recommend an optimal frequency for dental check-up.
Emergency Dental
We understand that a sudden onset of tooth pain or damaged tooth can make you and your loved ones anxious. We will endeavour to see patients with dental emergencies on the same day. Dental emergencies include accidents involving your teeth or mouth, toothache, bleeding, infections, and swelling.
Withcott Dental will endeavour to see patients experiencing dental emergencies on the same day. We have two dedicated time slots for dental emergencies, and we recommend patients to contact us as soon as we are open to secure the appointment.
X-Rays
Tooth decay can be sneaky – it doesn’t tend to show physical signs of its presence early on. X-rays are an important diagnostic tool that allows your dentist to confirm if you have tooth decay, or if you have any problems such as infection around the roots of the tooth, or bone loss. Spotting it early means your dentist can deal with the problem before it becomes significant.
Regardless of whether you’re a child or an adult, you can have X-rays safely taken of the inside and outside of your mouth. The amount of radiation involved is extremely low, and is equivalent to the sort of exposure you’d receive on a 1-2 hour flight. This means that even if you’re pregnant you can have X-rays taken, although they are generally kept to a minimum during this period.
At Withcott Dental, X Rays are taken using modern low dosage digital X Rays equipment.
Dental Fillings
Fillings may be required if tooth structure has been lost due to decay or trauma. During a regular check-up, your dentist will examine your teeth for these defects, and using X-rays to pinpoint the location and extent of decay, will then decide on the best method to restore the integrity of your tooth, which may include fillings.
At Withcott Dental, we use a wide range of materials for filling to achieve the best clinical outcome and close match to the natural colour of your teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Splints for Tooth Grinding and Clenching
Teeth grinding, or Bruxism as it’s officially known, is one of those tricky conditions that you could be suffering from Without even knowing it.
An involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth, it doesn’t always display its symptoms in ways that are immediately noticeable.
Most people aren’t even aware they are grinding their teeth until their partners tell them or advanced symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches and worn down, sensitive teeth start to emerge.
We specialise in- smile transformation
Wedding, anniversary, birthday or just a holiday. Whatever the occasion may be, smile is one thing we do not want to compromise. Dr Uma specialises in bringing the best smile in you. We plan the journey with the patients in accordance with their budget to get the best outcome. It is best to allow some time for the makeover as some procedures needs to be planned in advance, so you look the best on the big day.
Dental veneers
Wedding and Special Occasion Makeovers
We all have special occasions in life; it may be our wedding, graduation of our kids, anniversary, or anything that we consider important. We want to look great on the day and we carefully plan our clothing, hair style, photography and even venue. We want to be at your’ best smile’ and ‘best breath’ on the day and beyond.
It is important to make an appointment early with the dentist so that we can assess the concerns and have at your ‘best smile’ on time.
Surgical Extraction
We specialise in surgical extraction & wisdom teeth removal
Surgical extraction may be required to be performed on teeth that may be broken under the gum line or partially broken.
Wisdom teeth removal is also generally a surgical procedure as wisdom teeth are often removed whilst they are still below the gum.
Surgical extractions involve an incision made to the gum and may or may not require the removal of bone surrounding the tooth to provide access to the tooth. The tooth is then removed in a procedure similar to a simple extraction.
Sometimes the tooth may also need to be divided into parts to allow it to be removed more easily. Once the tooth is removed, the gum will require sutures to keep it in place as it heals.
At Withcott Dental, Dr Uma is trained and experienced with surgical teeth extraction including wisdom teeth. Treatment expense, risks and recovery period may vary from patient to patient. Dr Uma will prepare a treatment plan to achieve the best treatment outcome considering the clinical condition and cost effectiveness.
Wisdom Tooth Extraction
Wisdom teeth are the molars (back teeth) that come through last, usually in your late teens or early 20s. This is a normal part of mouth development.
There are normally four wisdom teeth – two in the upper jaw and two in the lower jaw – but some people have more, fewer, or even none at all.
Some wisdom teeth come through without causing any issues, but others are problematic and may need removal or other treatment.
If your wisdom teeth do need to be taken out, you may be given a local anaesthetic so you won’t feel it – this is the most common pain relief option. Sometimes, however, if your wisdom teeth are deeply impacted (blocked from coming through), or for other medical reasons, we may refer you to a trusted oral surgeon in Toowoomba.
Children’s Dentistry
“How do I know my child is ready for their first dental checkup?”
We often get asked, “How do I know my child is ready for their first dental checkup?” If a child is happy to sit and follow instructions and has no separation anxiety from their parent or carer, they are ready for their first dental experience.
The sooner that you can introduce a child to their time at the dentist, the better. This allows them to become familiar and comfortable in the environment. We keep it light and fun as much as possible so that they look forward to coming for a visit.
Children are most welcome to bring their favourite toy or blanket, enjoy a show on Netflix and they can also have an older sibling come along or cousin to show them that the dentist can be fun!.
We also reward all our little patients with a prize at the end of each consultation. After school appointments are available as well as on Saturday’s and during school holidays.
Child Dental Benefit Schedule (CDBS) is a government funded initiative for 2-18 years old through Medicare. We can check your eligibility for your child at our clinic.
Dental Trauma
“Accidents happen” is one of those phrases we casually throw around without thinking. But the reality is that accidents can have quite serious consequences for our teeth. The good news is that the trauma of dental injury can be minimised if you know what precautions to take and what to do in the unfortunate event you suffer damage to your teeth.
My child had a fall and I think there is damage to the teeth, what can I do?
Sometimes it can be hard for parents to assess if there is damage to the teeth due to bleeding and in some cases, swollen lips. In this case, it is important to make an appointment with the dentist so that the teeth can be assessed in a clinical setting. If you suspect any injuries to the head, you must take the child to the nearest emergency department without delay.
Knocked Out teeth:
What should I do?
In case your child knock out a ‘baby’ tooth, our (and ADA) advice is to follow the below steps:
- Find the tooth, and hold it by the crown only, not the root.
- If it is a baby tooth, do not reinsert back into the mouth. If you are unsure, place the tooth in milk or saliva to transport it to your dentist.
- Make an appointment straight away.
What shouldn’t I do?
- Do not wrap the tooth in paper towel or a serviette.
- Do not store the tooth in water when transporting it to the dentist.
- Do not scrub the root surface of the tooth when rinsing it.
- Do not delay seeing a dentist, the sooner you do, the better the long-term outcome may be.
Crooked teeth
When children lose their baby teeth and new teeth emerge, it is normal for the new teeth to be different in appearance to the baby teeth. If you have concerns that the child’s teeth formation, it is recommended to get assessed by the dentist at the early stages. The dentist will be able to advise if it requires intervention or will it correct itself as the child grows.
Fissure Seals
Fissure sealants are thin coatings of white or clear dental material applied to the grooves (fissures) and pits of teeth. Most fissure sealants are applied to chewing surfaces of molars (back teeth). They protect the tooth surface from tooth decay by keeping food and plaque out of the grooves. Not all fissures and pits require sealing. Our dentists will let you know which teeth are at risk of future tooth decay and therefore may need to be sealed.
If fissures and pits are deep, removing trapped food or plaque can be difficult. This can lead to tooth decay. Fissure sealants help prevent food or dental plaque getting trapped by ‘sealing off’ the fissures and pits.
The sealants therefore make it easier to keep the teeth clean with regular teeth brushing. The first permanent molar teeth come through around 6 years of age.
The ability of children at this age to effectively clean the fissures of these teeth is limited. Sealing these teeth can greatly reduce the risk of tooth decay.
Child Dental Benefit Schedule
The Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS) has been introduced by the federal government to make that task a little easier if you receive benefits such as Family Tax Benefit A payments. The CDBS helps you keep your kids’ teeth in great shape by providing you with up to $1013 that you can use over a two calendar year period on a range of dental services including examinations, routine cleaning, fillings, and root canals.
You can call our clinic on 07 3185 1713 to check your child’s eligibility for CDBS.
Mouth Guards
At Withcott Dental, we have the required technology to manufacture custom mouthguards at our clinic’s laboratory. A custom-fitted mouthguard works by absorbing and spreading the impact of the damaging blow, and is fabricated based on an impression of your teeth and jaw taken by the dentist.
A mouthguard that is custom-fitted by your dentist is far superior to an over-the-counter mouthguard because it’s specially designed to fit the exact contours of your mouth, is resilient, balances your bite and allows speech and normal breathing. If properly used, stored, and checked by your dentist every year, a custom-fitted mouthguard should last several seasons.
Custom-fitted mouthguards, by virtue of their exact fit, let you talk normally, don’t restrict your breathing and stay firmly in place, allowing you to concentrate on playing the sport you love. You should consider it a mandatory part of your sporting equipment, no matter your age or experience.
Restorative Dentistry
Root Canal Treatment
Root canal treatment is a dental procedure that replaces a tooth’s damaged or infected pulp with a filling. The pulp is the tooth’s lifeline – its vessels, tissue fibres and nerves in the central hollow of the tooth keep it alive. The procedure to replace this damaged or infected pulp is also known as endodontic treatment.
Complex cases of root canal therapy are referred to a trusted specialist endodontist in Toowoomba.
Dental Crowns
If your broken or decayed tooth needs to be rebuilt, it’s possible your dentist will use a crown to do the job. Crowns are generally made from materials such as porcelain, and porcelain/metal combinations. Not only do they make your teeth look more attractive, but they also give them added strength, durability and stability.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge replaces missing teeth with false teeth. The bridge is attached to the real teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing teeth. Bridges are usually made of porcelain or metal, or a mixture of the two. They are fixed in place and, for some people, are an alternative to dentures.
You might need a dental bridge if you have a missing tooth or teeth and have healthy teeth on either side of the gap left by the missing teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What constitutes a Dental Emergency?
In the event that you need to deal with a dental emergency, do you know what to do to increase the chance of saving your teeth? This guide from the ADA will help assist you in managing emergency dental care, just incase you ever need to use it. Remember we are here to assist you if this should occur.
What is holistic health dentistry?
We describe holistic dentistry as looking at our patients in their entirety, and not just a mouth (or teeth). Health means harmony between our body & mind. Our mouth is a mirror of our body & mind. When we examine someone’s mouth, if we see signs of other health issues, we will inform you of what we suspect & advise you to get it checked with your GP. It could be as simple as enlarged tonsils, sleep apnoea, undiagnosed diabetes or Vitamin deficiencies or even anxiety and other mental health issues.
These days there is a strong evidence in science about importance of gut health in our overall wellbeing. Our gut starts from our mouth, so keeping a healthy mouth is very important to our general health.
Dentists make me feel anxious, how do you assist me to overcome that?
Our Principle Dentist Dr Uma is well known for her gentle manner that puts her patients at ease and is used to dealing with highly anxious patients. We have longer appointment times so that our patients do not feel rushed and it allows us sufficient time to explain all options and perform treatment.
We have a dedicated private consultation room that is located away from our reception area and from our surgery room. This is to ensure that you can ask any questions that you have and be assured of patient confidentiality. We also have the option for you to choose what relaxing music you would like to listen to and have a roof mounted TV that has Netflix enabled.
Please let our friendly staff know when booking your appointment that you’re feeling anxious so that we can support you further. You can be assured that you are in a good, safe and nurturing hands.
Are you a child-friendly?
Yes. We have a dedicated children’s play area with toys, books, puzzles, games as well as an iPad to keep them entertained.
Do you have wheelchair access?
Yes. We are wheelchair friendly and accessible. We look forward to welcoming you to our clinic. Please feel free to call us before your appointment if we can provide further assistance to suit your needs.
I don’t like my smile, what can I do about it?
There are several options that we can talk you through however most often if you’re after an aesthetic solution, veneers can be a great option.
Veneers cover the surface of the tooth and a durable porcelain shells that help to overcome any embarrassment or discomfort from your smile. The help to conceal cracks, gaps, chips and discolouration.
We custom make the veneers so that they fit the natural shape of your teeth. This makes them very natural and hard to detect that you even have them.
Can you take X-rays at your clinic?
Yes. All x-rays can be performed at Withcott Dental. We have significantly invested in our equipment and machines so that our patients do not have to travel to Toowoomba for treatment.
Do you accept DVA card?
Withcott Dental welcomes patients who are eligible for dental treatment through Department of Veteran Affairs. Please present your valid DVA card at each visit to our friendly receptionist.
Do you have payment plans available?
Yes. We want everyone to receive the dental treatment that they deserve, no matter what.
We have a 0% interest free options available.
Are you a preferred provider?
Are you a preferred provider?
We are preferred provider for NIB (and affiliates), CBHS, and Westfund.
We are an approved provider for Smile dental cover. Customers with Smile dental cover can access dental treatment at reduced prices. Health fund partners include the following health insurance providers;
- GMHBA,
- Australian Unity,
- Peoplecare,
- health.com.au,
- frank health insurance,
- health care insurance,
- my own health insurance and
- AIA Health Insurance.