Dental services | Multnomah County Community Health Center

Learn more about our dental care services

Feeling comfortable at a dental visit starts with understanding the care you are getting. The list below explains some words you may hear when you visit.

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Dental terms and services

Comprehensive exam

A full exam that is usually done at your first visit. The dentist will check your mouth, teeth, gums, lips, face, and neck.

They may ask you about your dental health, overall health, diet, and if you use tobacco.

Dental cleaning/prophy visit

A member of your dental team will use dental tools to clean your teeth. They will remove plaque and tartar that can be hard to clean by brushing.

They may also ask you about your dental health, overall health, diet, and if you use tobacco.

Dentures

False teeth to replace any teeth you may be missing. You may need full or partial dentures, depending on how many teeth you are missing.

Dentures are placed in your mouth and can be removed.

Extraction/Oral surgery

A procedure to remove a tooth from your mouth. You will get medication before the procedure so you don’t feel any pain.

Full mouth debridement

A quick cleaning to remove heavy plaque and tartar from your teeth. This helps the dentist see your teeth and gums clearly for an exam.

You will get a dental cleaning after this visit.

Molars

The large teeth in the back of your mouth that help with chewing food. Molars usually grow when children are between the ages of 6 and 14.

Plaque

A soft, whitish-yellow layer of food debris and bacteria that sticks to the surface of your teeth. It may take several dental visits to remove it.

Radiographs

This is another term for X-rays. A dental assistant will give you equipment to place in your mouth so they can take pictures of your teeth and bone.

It is painless and safe.

Recall exam

The dentist will check your teeth, gums, lips, face, and neck. This is usually done once a year after your visit. This visit may include X-rays.

Root canal/Endodontic visit

The dentist will use special tools to remove infection and the nerve from an infected tooth.

Before the procedure, they will numb your mouth so you don’t feel any pain.

Scaling and root planing

A deep cleaning below the gum line to treat gum disease (also known as periodontal disease).

This process often takes more than one visit to complete.

Sealant

A coating painted on the surface of your back teeth (molars) to prevent cavities.

Ready to schedule a dental care visit?

Learn how to become a new patient or schedule a visit for dental care.

Do you need urgent dental care?

Call us if you need help with:

• Severe tooth pain or bleeding

• A cracked tooth

• A knocked-out tooth

• Swelling in your jaw

• A lost or broken crown or bridge

503-988-5558

Learn more about our dental care services

Jump to section

Comprehensive exam

Dental cleaning/prophy visit

Dentures

Extraction/Oral surgery

Full mouth debridement

Molars

Plaque

Radiographs

Recall exam

Root canal/Endodontic visit

Scaling and root planing

Sealant

Ready to schedule a dental care visit?

New patients

Current patients

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Do you need urgent dental care?

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