Family dentistry in Johnstown, NY.

The American Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, and no later than the first birthday. The early visit is short and simple: a look at the erupted teeth, a conversation with the parent about home care and diet, and a chance for the child to get familiar with the office. Whether that first visit belongs at Dunning or at a pediatric dental home depends on the specific child and situation. Call 518-842-3220 to talk it through before scheduling.

Dunning is a family practice and sees children as part of family care. There is a practical minimum age at which routine care is offered here, and there are cases where a pediatric dental home is the better fit, for example when the child has extensive needs, requires sedation, or has a medical situation that a pediatric dentist is better equipped to handle. Call the office to talk through a specific child's situation before scheduling; if a pediatric referral is the right call, the front desk will point you to a local pediatric dentist.

Often, yes. Call and tell us who is coming. Sara, Kasey, Francine, or Maggie will find a window. Some families like everyone at once; others stagger so the kids are not waiting. Both work.

Each family member is billed for the work they receive; claims are submitted on each patient's behalf, and reimbursement checks come back individually. A single CareCredit account can cover treatment for multiple family members if that is helpful. See the insurance and payment page for how courtesy claims work.

We slow down. Visits are paced to what the patient can tolerate, broken into multiple appointments if needed, and explained at each step. If a particular treatment is causing more stress than benefit, we say so, and we look at alternatives, including doing less.

Call us, tell us your prior dentist's name, and the front desk will request your records on your behalf. Most offices send them within a week. You do not need them in hand to schedule a first visit. Bring whatever you have.

Photo ID for adults, insurance cards if applicable, and a current medication list for each person. The Dental Intel forms arrive by email or text after you call, one set per family member.

Yes, as a courtesy. Dunning is fee-for-service and out of network, so you pay the practice at the visit and we submit the claim to most carriers for you. Your insurer applies your plan's rules and sends any reimbursement directly to you. Before treatment beyond a basic exam or cleaning, the front desk gives you a written estimate. It is a good-faith approximation; your insurer makes the final benefit determination. Medicaid and Fidelis are not accepted.