Dental Exams

Having regular Dental Examinations is best for prevention of dental disease and vital to your ongoing health. It will mean you’re less likely to end up needing emergency treatment and will save you money in the long-term.



A dental check-up with our Christchurch based dentists, Sally Woods and Chris Richmond, includes examination of your face, jaw, tissues inside your mouth (including cheeks, palate and tongue), gums, teeth and existing dental work (such as fillings, crowns, veneers, bridges or implants).

Standard dental x-rays are taken to help with the diagnosis and prevention of decay and gum disease. Standard dental x-rays are known as ‘bitewing’ x-rays. You’ll usually have one bitewing x-ray taken on each side of your mouth.

If required we may take additional x-rays to help diagnose other dental problems such as impacted teeth, jaw bone abnormalities, benign cysts, tumours, infections, abscesses and fractures. These x-rays are called panoramic x-rays or orthopantomograph (OPG) which show a whole view of your mouth.



Occasionally some patients may require a CBCT scan. This is a 3D x-ray of your jaw and we can refer to have this taken if required.

Everyone should be getting their mouth examined regularly. 

Children from two years old until secondary school age are entitled to free dental care through Community Dental Services. If you wish for your child to be seen privately, Sally is happy to see this age group with a private fee.

Our dentists, Sally and Chris offer free annual dental exams for Christchurch based secondary school aged adolescents until they are 18 years of age. You do not have to be enrolled in school to access this service.

Even with the best effort to look after your teeth, gums and mouth, sometimes dental treatment may still be required. A range of different options may be appropriate and we can discuss these with you to develop a customised treatment plan.