Welcome to Supasmiles …

…home of Feilding Dental Centre

Cosmetic, Preventive & General Dentistry

We are open from 8.30 am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday. 

MAP 

We strive to offer quality, pain free treatment in a caring, supportive environment with an emphasis upon preventive dentistry. A healthy mouth leads to a healthier body, with improved wellbeing and self-confidence. We treat you as a person, not just as a collection of teeth. We also enjoy showing patients how affordable, quick and painless cosmetic dentistry can be - dentistry with a difference.

Routine examinations allow us not only to check teeth, but also the soft tissues (gums, cheeks, tongue) of the mouth for any abnormalities.

We realise that time is a precious commodity for all of us. For your convenience, we offer lunchtime appointments and after your initial visit, we are also able to offer extended appointment times. This enables us to complete as much treatment as possible in one session, and further saves you time.

With an increasing awareness of dental appearances, the demand for cosmetic dental treatment is also increasing. We offer a full range of treatments including:

• replacement of unsightly/stained white or silver fillings with the latest tooth coloured materials
• crowns (caps) and bridges
• veneers
• tooth-whitening (in-surgery or home)
• smile makeovers
• replacement dentures, for improved function and appearance

Your smile is one of your most important assets, and you have only one opportunity to create a first impression. An attractive smile increases self-confidence and has understandably, even been shown to enhance career prospects!

Please read through the following questions, and if you answer yes to any of them, why not ask about cosmetic treatment available to help improve your smile? Most patients are genuinely surprised by how affordable and quick such treatment can be. Before embarking upon any form of cosmetic dental treatment, your teeth and gums should be healthy and disease-free. A healthy smile is a pre-requisite for a Hollywood smile!

• Do you like the appearance of your teeth/smile?
• Are all of your teeth straight?
• Would you like your teeth to appear straight without the use of braces?
• Do you have spaces you would rather not have?
• Do you like the colour of your teeth or would you like lighter teeth?
• Do you like the shape of your teeth?
• Are your teeth chipped, protruding or hidden?
• Are any of your fillings stained or unsightly?
• If treatment were affordable, relatively painless and quick, would you invest money in your smile?
• Do you have any other concerns about your smile?

Bad breath is a common problem – especially if you have not had regular dental visits. We can help you to identify and treat the cause of your problem. A course of professional cleanings together with oral hygiene/dietary advice often helps resolve this embarrassing condition.

Time is made to treat you as an individual, to help you overcome any anxiety you may have about dental treatment.

We treat many patients who have had unpleasant dental experiences in the past. Some may initially require oral pre-medication (a tablet), others  merely extended appointment times to help regain your confidence in dentistry. We have an informal office available as a venue for your initial consultation, if you are anxious about the surgery environment.

You can request that sedation be used during treatment (we always confirm with your GP that this is suitable). It is safer than general anaesthetic. Furthermore, you will remember little or nothing about your treatment - the sedation medication erases short-term memory.

When you have regained your confidence in the dental chair, it is unlikely that you would require further treatment with sedation. It does however always remain an option.

With modern local anaesthetics, pain during dental procedures is a thing of the past. For certain procedures we may administer the local anaesthetic a short while before the actual appointment and leave you to read a book or watch TV in the waiting room - we never treat you unless you are fully numbed!

Soothing background music provides further relaxation. We have a virtual reality headset available, so that you can watch an interesting DVD to help you "escape" during treatment!

We offer a full range of dental treatment for children, from fillings to orthodontics (braces), on a private basis. We also offer treatment to secondary school age children on the dental benefits system.

This is an examination of the mouth around the age of ten or eleven (or sooner if parents wish), together with a scan x-ray.

It is during this period that many orthodontic problems of the permanent teeth often come to light, and it is therefore an excellent investment in your child’s dental health. If potential problems are identified early, it may make follow up treatment less complicated. Many orthodontic problems can be treated within the practice, but we work hand in hand with our orthodontic specialist colleagues and allow them to treat more complex cases.

Implants are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for treating gaps in the mouth. If you have a tooth/teeth missing, and would prefer not to wear a denture, then implants may be for you.

By using an intra-oral camera we are able to show you close up pictures of what is happening in your mouth!

This is creative dentistry at its best and most exciting! In a matter of hours (or less) it is possible to enhance your smile. Adhesive fillings, tooth-whitening or the painless reshaping of teeth can transform your smile instantly. Crooked teeth can sometimes be made to look straight without the need for braces. It is not always necessary to spend thousands of dollars for a million dollar smile! When you call, please request a cosmetic consultation, so that we can discuss your options with you.

We set aside time daily to deal with dental emergencies. To help us help you, we ask that you call as early as possible - toothache should be attended to sooner rather than later. Emergency patients may occasionally have to wait, particularly if the day-list is busy.

When you contact us to arrange an appointment please mention the Supasmiles website.

At your initial visit, we will take a detailed medical history followed by a thorough clinical examination. If you are anxious about the surgery environment please tell the receptionist - we have an informal office available as an alternative venue.

Outside the mouth, we examine your TMJ (jaw joint), lips and glands. Inside the mouth, we examine the soft tissues (including gums, cheeks and tongue) for gum disease or any suspicious ulcers, and the hard tissues (your teeth!). If small X-rays are deemed necessary, these will also be taken.

At the end of the appointment, we will discuss our findings with you and where appropriate,  the various treatment options available.

You can be given a written estimate of treatment fees. Should you have questions about anything, please ask - we are here to help you.

You are rightly concerned that the environment in which you are treated is as safe as possible. We follow all recommended guidelines on cross-infection control.

The dental materials we use are selected according to proven research data, and our laboratories have been evaluated over time. This combination produces a first-class service and product for our patients.

You may request the use of rubber (dental) dam if you so wish. For optimum results, we use optical magnification for certain procedures.

We treat patients on a time basis - we are all different, and you may require more or less time than another patient. In order to keep our fees affordable payment is required on the day of treatment. EFTPOS, credit card and cheques are accepted.

Feilding Dental Centre donates a percentage of monthly profits to various charities.

It is important to emphasise that regular attendance is cheaper  than attending only for emergency treatment - it also builds up self-confidence.

Here are some tips to help you care for your teeth and gums, but please remember - always seek professional advice before embarking upon treatment.

The best time of day for brushing is just before bedtime. Brushing after other meals is also advisable. Avoid scrubbing the outsides/necks of your teeth - gum recession may lead to sensitive teeth. Replace your toothbrush when the bristles start to flay – usually every 2-3 months. You can also wash your toothbrush in your dishwasher on a regular basis!

More and more patients are discovering the benefits of rechargeable electric toothbrushes. You simply hold the brush in place and it does the rest. Using removable brush-heads, means the whole family can use the same base unit.

Fluoride toothpaste is effective in reducing tooth decay. Avoid applying too much paste on the brushes of younger children – just a smear of paste is enough. To around 6/7 years of age, parents should ideally brush children's teeth for them.

Spread the toothpaste (on your brush) around your teeth before brushing, and try not to spit/rinse out the toothpaste in your mouth after brushing – this allows the fluoride to better protect teeth.

Disclosing tablets are excellent in showing up plaque remaining after brushing – it is easy to go back to clean those areas.

Flossing helps to dislodge debris in between teeth, where a brush cannot reach. Try to floss as regularly as possible, especially at night prior to brushing. An alternative to flossing is the small inter-dental brush.

Processed sugars contribute to tooth decay. Frequency of sugar intake is more important than amount, so avoid sweet snacks in between meal times.

Fizzy drinks and pure fruit juices contain sugars and acids. Even "diet" drinks contain acids. Rinsing the mouth with plain water after these drinks can help protect teeth. Sugar-free squash or plain water are the safest drinks for teeth. Also consider the amount of sugar you have in tea or coffee.

If you enjoy mints or chewing gum, try the sugar-free variety. Sugar-free gum actually stimulates your mouth to produce saliva – nature's protective "mouth-rinse".

Research indicates that smoking contributes to the development of gum/bone disease, and oral cancer is a risk associated with smoking and excessive alcohol intake.

Patients who suffer from diabetes are at risk of developing gum disease. The likely cause is a reduction in the body’s ability to fight bacterial infections in the gums. Furthermore, there may be a link between the concurrent existence of advanced gum disease and heart disease. This link is being vigorously researched.

These form the bedrock of preventive dentistry. We can help you maintain a healthy mouth, but we need your co-operation. It is impossible to secure a healthy mouth if patients attend only for emergencies or when in pain. If dental problems are left too late, either costly root canal treatment or (often) stressful extractions are the final frontier. The closest analogy is a car that is not regularly serviced or maintained, eventually breaking down - cost of a new engine easily exceeds annual service charges.

We hope that you find the following links of interest:

We welcome your feedback - without it we are unable to improve our service. If you are satisfied with your treatment, please tell your family and friends - we welcome all new patients. If you are not, please tell us so that we can address your concerns.

William (Billy) Cross was born in Scotland, completed his secondary schooling in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe and graduated from Edinburgh University Dental School. Together with his wife and three sons, he has relocated to New Zealand from Scotland, where for the last 11 years he operated his own dental surgery. Billy has nearly 25 years general dental practice experience. He joined the practice in 2006.

He has undertaken significant postgraduate study, as well as being involved in the training of dentists. His special interests include orthodontics, cosmetic and children’s dentistry. He and his wife Liz, have also spent time working with Mercy Ships international, a missionary agency that provides healthcare for those who ordinarily have no access to such treatment. He has been instrumental in introducing affordable quality dental solutions for patients at Feilding Dental Centre.

Frederik A Dean BDS PDD (Stell, SA) DipPDS (Bristol) MBA (OU UK)

Frederik was born in Holland (of English/German parents) and qualified as a dentist in 1989 at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Although not working as a specialist (general dentistry is too interesting), he has obtained postgraduate diploma qualifications in children’s dentistry, orthodontics and sedation techniques (Stellenbosch and Bristol Universities) and an MBA from the OU in the UK.

Together with his wife and two daughters, he arrived in New Zealand from England, in January 2004. In January 2005 he took over the dental practice previously owned by John Lawrie. Frederik enjoys showing people how easy (and inexpensive) it is to maintain a healthy mouth. In particular how cosmetic dentistry can be quick, painless and affordable.

Billy and Frederik (and their families!) love the New Zealand lifestyle, and they really do appreciate the warm welcome they have received from patients at the practice.

Fiona Spencer Aux.Hyg.

With over 20 years dental experience, Fiona heads up the oral hygiene department. Her "speciality" is ensuring that gums are healthy and disease-free. This is achieved through the use of specialised cleaning techniques with special instruments. She also advises patients how to best care for their mouths at home with a proper daily oral hygiene regime.  

Working as a TEAM (Together Each Achieves More), the above are supported by Alana, Charlotte, Natalie, Rosane and Shelley.

Feilding Dental Centre is located at 47 Manchester street, between Fergusson and Eyre streets (we are directly opposite the sale yards). For your convenience patient parking is located at the rear of the building.