If you have a question about your dental journey with us, you’ll likely find the answer here—but we are always just a phone call away (604-273-9381) if you need more details!
A: To ensure your first visit with Dr. Wong is seamless and focused on your care, we ask that you complete the following steps prior to your arrival:
We kindly ask that you arrive ~10 minutes early for your first appointment. This allows our team to finalize your file and ensures we have ample time to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding your visit or treatment plan.
A: Absolutely. While our long-term goal is to transition you into a preventative routine that avoids emergencies, our immediate priority is getting you out of pain. After your emergency (Specific Exam) is resolved, we would be happy to discuss becoming your permanent dental home.
A: When you are in pain, our priority is to see you as quickly as possible. This means emergency visits (which we call a Specific Exam) that are fit into an already full clinical schedule can only be 10-20minutes long so Dr. Wong can diagnose the issue, provide immediate relief, or prescribe necessary medication.
Because these appointments are added to an existing schedule, Dr. Wong does not have the extended time required to perform complex procedures—such as restorations, root canal treatments, or extractions—with the precision and attention to detail she maintains for every patient. Furthermore, we strive to respect the scheduled time of patients who have booked their procedures in advance.
Once Dr. Wong has assessed the situation and stabilized your discomfort, our administrative team will help you book the next available dedicated time slot for your treatment.
A: Our care doesn't end when you walk out the door. For any major procedures, we provide clear aftercare instructions. If you experience any unexpected sensitivity or simply have a question about your treatment as it heals, you can call our office directly. Dr. Wong and our team are committed to your long-term wellness and are always here to provide guidance during your recovery.
A: Because we reserve a dedicated, non-rushed block of time specifically for you, we kindly ask for at least 2 business days/48 hours notice if you need to reschedule to avoid the $75 last minute no-show fee. This allows us to offer that time to another patient who may be waiting for care. We understand that emergencies happen, but consistent communication helps us keep our schedule running smoothly for everyone.
A: While we understand that family schedules can be busy, we generally cannot swap appointment slots between family members. Our scheduling is highly customized based on the specific clinical needs of each patient
If a family member can no longer make their time, please let us know as soon as possible, and we will do our best to find a new slot that fits your family’s needs.
A: Yes, we offer direct billing (assignment of benefits) to most insurance providers as a courtesy to our patients, meaning you only pay the portion not covered by your plan on the day of your visit. If you have secondary coverage (a spouse’s plan, for example), our administrative team will help you coordinate those benefits to minimize your out-of-pocket costs. Please bring the details for both plans to your first appointment so we can set this up for you.
A: Of course! If you choose to pay in full, our administrative team can electronically submit the claim to your insurance provider on your behalf. In most cases, your insurance company will then issue the reimbursement directly to you, typically within 3 to 5 business days. Please let our receptionist know your preference when you arrive, and we will ensure your account is set up accordingly. If you would like to submit the claim yourself, we can email / print a copy of the dental claim after your visit as well!
A: We choose to schedule with a "refined pace" to ensure that Dr. Wong and our hygienists have the time to provide the meticulous, high-standard care you deserve. We never want our patients to feel like they are on an assembly line. This extra time allows for thorough cleanings, precise clinical exams, and, most importantly, time for us to answer your questions and connect with you personally.
A: While these terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects of your clinical care. A Recall appointment is a comprehensive visit that includes a professional cleaning (scaling), polishing, and fluoride application, paired with a formal clinical examination by Dr. Wong. Once a year, we also update your x-rays on file with new ones.
A Hygiene-only appointment focuses specifically on preventative cleaning (scaling) and the maintenance of your gum health. It is important to note that most insurance plans provide coverage for more frequent "hygiene units" (cleanings) than they do for "recall exams." For this reason, Dr. Wong may still briefly visit your suite during a hygiene-only appointment to address any immediate concerns, but a formal exam, x-rays, polish, and fluoride treatment are not performed. This ensures that your care remains consistent with your clinical needs while remaining mindful of your insurance frequencies.
A: In dentistry, a scaling unit is a standardized measurement of time used to track the removal of plaque and tartar from the teeth; one unit is equivalent to 15 minutes of active clinical cleaning. It is important to note that scaling units only reflect the time the hygienist spends performing the cleaning itself, not the total length of your visit.
We intentionally schedule longer appointments to ensure that neither you nor your hygienist feels rushed. This additional time allows for a thorough review of your medical history, oral health updates, and personalized home-care coaching. For example, a child may only require 2 to 2.5 units (approximately 30–37 minutes) of scaling due to minimal buildup, whereas an adult typically requires 3.5 to 4 units (up to 60 minutes) or more to achieve a comprehensive result. Our priority is to provide a meticulous level of care that focuses on your long-term health rather than a "one-size-fits-all" timeframe.
A: Frequency depends entirely on your unique oral health profile! Following your initial New Patient Exam with Dr. Wong and your first cleaning with our hygiene team, we will recommend a personalized schedule—typically ranging from three to six months. While twice-yearly visits are standard for maintenance, more frequent cleanings are essential for treating active gum disease or managing fast-forming plaque. We are committed to your long-term wellness, and our hygienists are always happy to coach you on home-care habits that can lead to healthier gums and more stable intervals between appointments.
A: Your children’s safety is our highest priority. Our practice utilizes the latest digital imaging technology, which produces high-resolution, clear images using the least amount of radiation possible—significantly less than traditional film X-rays. As an added layer of protection, we provide lead aprons for every patient during the process.
Dr. Wong follows a systematic, evidence-based approach to diagnostics. We only recommend X-rays when clinically necessary to identify issues that are invisible to the naked eye, such as:
By coordinating with your previous dental office to retrieve your family’s historical records, we aim to minimize new imaging while ensuring we have the necessary baseline to monitor your oral health accurately.
Once a year is the standard for adults/children to ensure nothing is missed. Dental issues, such as decay between the teeth or bone loss, often develop silently without any pain or sensitivity until they have reached an advanced stage. Dr. Wong’s goal is to move away from "reactive" dentistry and toward preventative care.
By taking a localized set of X-rays (called bitewings) annually, we can:
A: To provide you with the most accurate financial picture possible, our administrative team proactively coordinates with your insurance provider prior to your appointment. A predetermination is a request we send to your insurer to estimate your coverage for scheduled procedures. This allows us to identify potential out-of-pocket costs before you arrive.
Please note that while we strive for transparency, not all insurance providers allow for electronic predeterminations. Ultimately, it is the patient’s responsibility to understand their specific plan coverage or to request a manual check from our team. We provide the most accurate estimates possible based on the information available to us. However, please be aware that clinical needs can change during an appointment; for instance, the necessity of an emergency exam or additional X-rays may result in charges that were not anticipated in the initial estimate. Because we prioritize your long-term health and immediate clinical needs, these adjustments may change the final cost of your visit.
We encourage you to discuss any coverage concerns with our receptionist so we can help you navigate your benefits effectively.
A: Yes, our practice is a participating provider for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Because the plan involves specific eligibility requirements and coverage structures that can be quite complex, we have dedicated a full section of our website to explaining how it works. We encourage you to visit our [CDCP Information Page] for a detailed breakdown of what to expect, or feel free to speak with our administrative team if you have specific questions regarding your coverage.
Dr. Katherine Wong
6091 Gilbert Road, Suite 680, Richmond, BC V7C 5L9
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