Family Dentist in Port Alberni, B.C.
Patient & Compassionate Dental Care for Families with Kids, Teens & Adults
Compassionate Care
Our dentists care about your family dental experience. We give patient and caring dental treatments that helps your family feel calm and comfortable with coming to the dentist. Many of our patients have resolved their dental anxiety after coming to Valley Dental.
Easy Appointment Bookings
At Valley Dental, we make it easy to get an appointment by booking online or contacting us. If you’re in pain, we also offer family emergency dental. Often times we have same day availability.
Comfortable Payment Options
At Valley Dental we accept most extended dental healthcare plans that your average Port Alberni resident might hold. If you don’t have dental healthcare coverage, we are happy to discreetly discuss our flexible payment options we can offer.
Establish Healthy Dental Habits That Last
At Valley Dental we have growing and grown families of our own, and we understand the challenges that families might face with coming to the dentist. It can be hard with your busy schedule, and your little ones might have some dental anxiety. It’s absolutely important that you start a good dental hygiene habit early, so that it leaves a strong impression that lasts for a life time.
This is why at Valley Dental we try our best to accommodate a busy schedule with our online booking so that you can see first hand if we have any availability that fits your schedule, and for the little ones with anxiety we take extra care and patience with a few tricks up our sleeves to make them more comfortable when coming to the dentist.
Dental Services for Your Whole Family
At Valley Dental of Port Alberni, we pride ourselves on offering a blend of general and specialty dental services tailored for every family member. From routine check-ups to specialized treatments, our dedicated team ensures that every smile, young or old, receives unparalleled care and attention.
Our adult and children patients enjoy the relaxing T.V. shows we have to entertain during their appointments, as well as various soft sensory items that patients can hold to help with dental anxiety.
New Patients 7 and Under: First Appointment Free!
At Valley Dental of Port Alberni, we warmly welcome our youngest patients! For all new patients aged 7 and under, their initial dental appointment is on us. It’s our way of ensuring a bright and healthy start for their budding smiles.
Did you know:
Most dental insurance plans cover routine procedures such as exams, tooth cleaning, and X-rays at 100%. For our dental patients without insurance, check out our page that outlines the British Columbia dental resources or get in touch with our front desk and contact us to discuss your options.
Cavity Fillings & Treatments
Protective Sealants for All Ages
At Valley Dental of Port Alberni, we are strong believers in preventive care, and our protective sealants are a testament to that. Suitable for all ages, these sealants act as a shield against decay, particularly in the hard-to-reach crevices of molars. By forming a protective layer, they reduce the risk of cavities, ensuring teeth remain strong and healthy. Opting for sealants is a proactive step in safeguarding one’s oral health and minimizing future dental complications.
Did you know:
It is important to get routine dental checkups as early as 12 months old, the general rule is “First visit by the first Birthday”. This will enable a healthy dental hygiene routine started at a young age, and it will last for a life time.
Questions & Answers About Family Dentistry
We Are Happy To Answer Any Questions You Have
At what age should my child have their first dental visit?
It is important to get routine dental checkups as early as 12 months old, the general rule is “First visit by the first Birthday”. This will enable a healthy dental habit to have good dental hygiene started at a young age.
What to do if my child has a tooth ache?
For immediate care and comfort, you can try rinsing your child’s mouth with warm salt water. If it’s swollen, you can also try applying a wrapped ice pack. Do not put heat, ibuProfen or Aspirin on the sore area – you can consult with your local Pharmacist for appropriate use of Acetaminophen and using the correct dosage. The use of non-abrasive fluoride tooth paste can also give temporary relief as well.
During our business hours, please contact us as soon as possible as it may be a case for emergency dental care to get this treated before it gets worse.
When should my child start brushing teeth with tooth paste?
As soon as you see teeth, you should start brushing with age-approved toothpaste with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Do not use fluoridated toothpaste until after age 3. Use no more than a pea-sized amount under parental supervision while making sure your children do not swallow the tooth paste with an appropriate warm water rinse afterwards.
My child has a space between their teeth, is this a cause for concern?
Usually the space will close within the next few years that this issue arises as the other teeth come in. To determine if it’s a cause for concern, we will examine this during your scheduled routine cleaning and exam appointments.
What causes children's tooth decay?
Four factors are responsible for cavities to form:
- A tooth
- Bacteria
- Sugars
- Carbohydrates
- And time
Dental plaque is thin and sticky so it sticks to your teeth, basically it’s a colourless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on everyone’s teeth.
When you eat food, the sugars from that food causes bacteria in plaque which produces acids and the acids attack your children’s tooth enamel.
Eventually, your children’s tooth enamel breaks down and a cavity forms. This is why it is absolutely crucial that you help your children brush their teeth two times a day, so that the plaque doesn’t have as much of a chance to break down your children’s enamel.
I think my child's baby teeth have a cavity, should it be filled?
Absolutely. Leaving a cavity untreated will cause long term issues that will last and effect their adult teeth.
Some baby teeth are nescessary until a child is 12 or even longer some times.
Pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health, loss of teeth, more cavities on other teeth are all problems that can happen if a baby tooth cavity is not treated.
The cavity itself is an infection of the tooth, and it will spread and cause more cavities in areas of your child’s teeth where the enamel is worn down.
Hear from
our patients
I’ve had a lot of dental anxiety my entire life and recently decided to try changing dental offices. I am so happy I chose Valley Dental!
Dr. McCracken is so kind, funny and gentle. I was not shamed in any way for not coming in soon enough. The front desk staff and all the dental assistants are also so kind. It’s such a nice, calming atmosphere. I am no longer scared to go to the dentist! Thank you!
– Monika
Only the Best for Your Kids & Family
Valley Dental is different than the other chain clinics in that it is owner operated by Dr.Kenneth McCracken – he applies his patience and care to every appointment, and it is evident with how many patients have claimed to be relieved of previous dental anxiety.
The team at Valley Dental goes the extra mile to not only provide excellent treatments – they truly care about the experience they provide and how your family feels about coming to their dentist appointments at Valley Dental of Port Alberni. This attention to detail and effort directly translates to our credit of multiple patients being relieved of dental anxiety – feeling calm and content with coming to the dentist to take care of their teeth.
Our approach with patience and care combined with cutting edge technology provides a calming and re-assuring experience that we are the best choice for family dentistry in Port Alberni.
Be confident when coming to Valley Dental that we will take care of you patiently and calm with thoughtful treatment to your experience with coming to our dental clinic. Make use of our state of the art technology that cuts many of our procedure times down from 2-3 weeks to only 1 day.
