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1. Who are Bay Area House Call Dentists’ most frequent patients?

While we are of course happy to provide at-home dental services for anyone, we most frequently make house call visits to the homes and/or residential care communities of elderly, infirm, home-bound or phobic patients who might otherwise be unable to receive dental care.  We are expert at working with both family and professional caregivers to arrange dental care programs specifically designed for the particular needs of each caregiver and patient.

Busy professionals who want to save time can arrange for a dental examination, diagnosis and consultation in the privacy of their own home, workplace or hotel.

Bay Area House Call Dentists are dedicated to being a trusted resource for case managers, social workers, assisted living communities, skilled nursing facilities, Alzheimer’s/memory care centers, adult day care facilities, residential board and care homes, home care agencies, hospital patients and those who are homebound with special needs or medical complications.

2. What treatment will I receive during my initial BAHCD house call?

For your initial house call, our dentist will arrive with a registered dental assistant. We’ll get to know you by reviewing your medical and dental history, listening carefully to your concerns and answering all of your questions.  If you are a caregiver, naturally, we will go through the same process with you on behalf of your loved one or charge. The bottom line is that we don’t start working until you’re absolutely comfortable that we fully understand the needs of everyone concerned.

The dentist will then conduct a visual examination, and the assistant will take photographs of your mouth for your records. Next they will take a full-mouth set of dental x-rays, focusing in on areas of particular concern, which the dentist can interpret immediately.

Based on what we learn from the examination and x-rays, we will consult with you regarding our diagnoses and review your treatment options.  Shortly after our initial visit, a BAHCD patient care coordinator will contact you to schedule cleanings and any further treatment necessary.

Finally, a Patient Care Coordinator from our office will follow-up with you to make arrangements for any dental treatment, including cleanings. Whenever possible, these services will be arranged at your (or your charge’s) residence.

3. Do you take dental x-rays during a house call?

Yes.  Dental x-rays are a standard diagnostic tool for dentists.  Our state-of-the-art portable x-ray machine and lead x-ray shield ensure minimal exposure to radiation (equal to or less than in-office x-rays).  The x-ray images are digital, and can be immediately viewed and interpreted by the dentist on a laptop computer.

4. Will I have a cleaning or advanced dental procedures during my initial house call?

Generally speaking, we do not perform cleanings or procedures such as fillings or extractions, other than in emergency situations, during your initial house call visit.

The primary purposes of our initial house call is to resolve emergencies, make the initial examinations that will allow us to fully understand your dental needs, and listen to your questions and concerns.  During this first visit, our dentist will complete an examination, including x-rays and photos, diagnose your dental condition and plan further treatment.

A Patient Care Coordinator from our office will contact you following this visit to schedule an appointment for any other services you and your BAHCD determine to be necessary, including cleanings and dental treatment.  Whenever possible, these services will be arranged at your location.  Cleanings, in particular, are frequently performed at a patient’s place of residence.

5. How long will my housecall take?

The average initial house call appointment, including examination and x-rays, takes approximately one hour.  But your dentist will spend as much time with you as necessary to ensure that all your questions are answered and all your concerns are addressed.

You will also receive a follow-up call from your Patient Care Coordinator after your appointment to arrange any additional care and ensure that you’re fully satisfied with the services we’ve provided.  You’ll also have quick telephone access to your dentist after your initial house call visit and throughout your association with Bay Area House Call Dentists.

6. What does my Patient Care Coordinator do?

Your Patient Care Coordinator will be your dedicated single point of contact with our office. She is your personal advocate for dental care.  She will help you with all of your arrangements, including scheduling, financial considerations, treatment planning, coordination of specialists and communication with your dentist.

Your first contact with your Patient Care Coordinator will take place shortly after our initial house call visit.  Your Coordinator will arrange your full course of dental care, as needed, and ensure that you’re fully satisfied with the services we’ve provided.

7. How do I schedule a housecall?

Call 800-395-1152 to speak to a Patient Care Coordinator who will schedule your Bay Area House Call Dentists visit.  We provide same day response for all matters. Appointments will be scheduled at the time and place most convenient for you.

8. Can I tell you my problem and receive a diagnosis over the phone?

A dentist must conduct an in-person examination before offering any diagnoses.  That examination is part of your initial house call appointment.

9. What if I need treatment that cannot be provided in my home?

Some dental procedures cannot be completed in the home, due to complexity of treatment or patient safety considerations.  If necessary, we will help you arrange these procedures, either at our dental offices or at one of the many hospitals with which we work.  Our entire dental team will coordinate with you to ensure you receive the best possible care. We can also help you get to your treatment location.

In addition, if you have a disability, physical limitation, complex medical condition or a severe fear of the dentist, you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry which can be provided in our office or at your local hospital.

10. What is sleep dentistry?

“Sleep Dentistry” is a receiving your dental care under I.V. sedation or general anesthesia.  This means you will be asleep and completely unaware while you dental work is completed.  Sleep dentistry is often advantageous for people who have difficulty physically, emotionally or cognitively cooperating with a dentist.  This includes people with special needs or medical conditions that place them at risk.

The doctors and practitioners of Bay Area House Call Dentists are experts at this form of dentistry. Both I.V sedation and general anesthesia can be controlled to increase or decrease your level of sedation safely and precisely. Sleep dentistry can also be the ideal method when multiple procedures need to be accomplished in one visit, or for those who are highly anxious or phobic.

To learn more, download a FREE copy of the “Consumer’s Guide to Sedation and Sleep Dentistry.”

11. What if I need to see a dental specialist?

Our team includes experienced dentists, endodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, physicians, nurses and anesthesiologists.  This multi-disciplinary team approach is key to managing the complexities of treating patients who are medically at-risk or emotionally compromised.  At no additional charge, your Bay Area House Call Dentist will facilitate referrals on your behalf.  This means that he/she will contact other doctors or dental specialists for you, discuss your case in detail and coordinate treatment with the specialist.

12. What if I need a prescription?

After your dentist has reviewed your medical history and completed your examination, any necessary prescriptions can be written or called in to your pharmacy during your initial house call or during any subsequent treatment.

13. Will you talk to my doctor?

Bay Area House Call Dentists will speak to your regular or primary care doctor about your diagnosis and recommended treatment at your request or if you elect to have treatment utilizing sleep dentistry.  As appropriate, we will also communicate with your other healthcare providers, medical specialists, assisted living community care providers or home health care service providers.

14. Will you talk to my family / caregiver?

With your permission, we will involve anyone you request in your care decisions, including family members, caregivers or healthcare providers.  We also routinely work with conservators, guardians and those with Power of Attorney (POA).

We strongly encourage all family members, caregivers or representatives who will be involved in the decisions regarding treatment to be present for the initial house call visit.

15. What geographic areas do you serve?

Bay Area House Call Dentists serve the greater San Francisco Bay Area, within a 50 mile radius of San Francisco, including the following counties: Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Marin County, Napa County, San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Solano County, and Sonoma County.

If we are not currently serving your area, we may be able to offer you a referral for a House Call Dentist that does.

16. Do you have any age limitation on the people you treat?

We have no age limits. Bay Area House Call Dentists treats people of all ages, including pediatric, children, teens, adults and the elderly.

17. Do you have an office?

Yes.  Bay Area House Call Dentists is a division of the Blende Dental Group, which has an office at 390 Laurel Street in the Laurel Heights area of San Francisco.

18. What if I have a dental emergency?

Bay Area House Call Dentists is qualified to treat many forms of dental emergencies at the patient’s residence. You may be able to avoid an unnecessary trip to a hospital emergency room if you call us first.

Bay Area House Call Dentists are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, providing same day response to dental emergencies.  Call 800-395-1152 and a dentist will respond to you within an hour.

For medical emergencies, call 911 immediately.