General and preventive dentistry

Cleanings and exams in Johnstown, NY.

Exams, cleanings, X-rays when needed, and maintenance that helps protect your teeth for the long run. Serving families across Johnstown, Gloversville, Amsterdam, and the surrounding Fulton and Montgomery Counties.

Call to schedule New patient details

Dr. D'Addio walking a patient through preventive care at Dunning Family Dental.

The backbone of oral health.

Most patients see Dr. D'Addio or one of the hygienists, Amber, Tracey, Robin, or Emma, twice a year.

Prepared, not rushed

Preventive care, matched to your mouth

Which one sounds like you?

Most patients need routine cleanings and exams. Some need more frequent periodontal maintenance. Some need a closer look because something has changed. We set the cadence based on your mouth, not a generic script.

I am due for a cleaning

A hygiene visit with Amber, Tracey, Robin, or Emma, plus a brief exam with Dr. D'Addio or Dr. Bauman so anything new is caught early.

I am new to the area

Bring records if you have them. We will catch up, set a baseline, and decide together what makes sense to schedule first.

Something has changed

New sensitivity, a rough edge, a filling that feels different, or bleeding at the gum. An exam sorts out whether it is preventive or something more.

For active pain

Active tooth pain, swelling, or a broken tooth is not a preventive visit. Head to the Emergency Dentistry page and call the office.

What this service includes

Calm, careful preventive care.

Standard preventive visits, with adjustments based on what your mouth actually needs.

Evaluation of teeth, gums, and bite

A thorough look, plus any concerns you bring.

Routine cleaning and polish

Hygienist-led cleaning and polish for teeth and gums in healthy or preventive-maintenance status.

Periodontal maintenance

For patients with a history of gum disease, a different, more thorough hygiene visit that goes below the gumline. Not the same as a routine cleaning.

X-rays when clinically needed

Only when there is a clinical reason, never on a fixed schedule.

Practical oral-health coaching

Honest, useful guidance without being preachy about it.

Treatment planning when needed

If something needs attention, you leave with options explained in plain language.

What to expect

From first call to a plan.

The path is short and unhurried. Most of the work happens in the conversation with Dr. D'Addio; the chair time exists to confirm what you have already talked through.

1

Call the office

Tell the team what you are experiencing and whether you are a new or returning patient.
2

A thoughtful visit

Bring photo ID, insurance card if applicable, medications, and your main concern.
3

Leave with next steps

Dr. D'Addio explains options clearly so you can make a confident decision before any treatment starts.

Insurance and cost

Using your benefits out of network.

Dunning is a fee-for-service practice. That does not mean you cannot use dental benefits here. Many patients do. You pay the practice at the visit, we submit the claim to most carriers as a courtesy, and your insurer sends reimbursement directly to you. Card, check, cash, HSA and FSA cards, and CareCredit are accepted. Medicaid and Fidelis are not.

See how insurance works here

Your plan, looked up first

Before work beyond a basic exam or cleaning, the front desk checks your plan and gives you a written estimate.

Claims filed as a courtesy

We submit the claim for you. Your insurer applies your plan's rules and makes the final benefit determination.

Questions patients often ask

Questions about cleanings and exams?

How often should I see the dentist?

The American Dental Association's guidance is that there is no one-size-fits-all interval; visit frequency should be based on individual oral health, disease risk, treatment history, and clinician judgment. Twice a year is a common baseline for many patients. Some benefit from more frequent visits (for example, patients with active gum disease, complex restorations, certain medical conditions, or a history of cavities). Some can safely stretch further. The right cadence is set with Dr. D'Addio and your hygienist after the first visit.

What is the difference between a cleaning and periodontal maintenance?

A routine cleaning is the standard preventive hygiene visit for teeth and gums in healthy or preventive-maintenance status. Periodontal maintenance is a different, more thorough hygiene visit for patients with a history of gum disease; it involves working below the gumline to keep periodontal pockets stable and typically follows a shorter recall interval. The right code is chosen based on your current periodontal status, not on preference.

What if I have active tooth pain?

Active tooth pain, swelling, or a broken tooth is not a preventive visit. Head to the Emergency Dentistry page and call 518-842-3220 so the front desk can triage the situation.

Do you accept CareCredit?

CareCredit is accepted for spreading larger treatment across months. Approval and terms are set by CareCredit.

What happens at a routine exam and cleaning?

A hygienist cleans and polishes your teeth and checks your gums. The dentist then examines your teeth, gums, and any existing work, and reviews X-rays when they are needed. If anything needs attention, it is explained in plain language before anything is scheduled.

It has been years since my last cleaning. Where do I start?

Here. It is more common than you think, and the first visit is about understanding where things stand, not judging how you got there. Expect a careful exam, X-rays as needed, and a conversation about what was found. If more than a routine cleaning is needed, you will hear why, and you decide the pace.

Do you take X-rays at every visit?

No. How often X-rays are taken depends on your history, your risk of decay or gum disease, and what the dentist needs to see. When X-rays are recommended, the reason is explained.

Will you submit to my insurance?

Dunning is out of network and submits claims to most carriers as a courtesy. The reimbursement check goes directly to you. Full billing detail is on the insurance and payment page.

Related services

Other paths from the same chair.

When preventive care reveals something that needs more attention, these are the most common next steps.

Restorative dentistry

Fillings, crowns, bridges, and repairs when prevention is not enough.

Cosmetic dentistry

Tasteful improvements for patients ready to refine the look of their smile.

Emergency dentistry

If something happens between visits, call. We triage by phone and find the soonest time.

Keep reading

Patient guides on this topic.

Patient guide

Ready to talk with the office?

A short phone call keeps the next step simple and gives the front desk the context they need.

Honest dentistry for families who want the long view.