Quick Answer

Who does a family dentist care for?

A family dentist provides care for every age in your household - from a child’s first tooth around age two through your grandparents’ senior care. Services typically include cleanings, exams, sealants, fillings, gum-disease care, and referrals for orthodontics or other specialty needs.

Chemung Family Dental in Elmira, NY has cared for three generations of families across the Twin Tiers for 37 years. Same dentist, same office, same continuity across your whole family’s history. Call (607) 734-2045 or request an appointment.

Family Dentistry in Elmira, New York

Keep your teeth healthy and bright with preventive care from a friendly team.

Regular dental exams and professional cleanings are the foundation of a lifetime of oral health. At Chemung Family Dental, we make preventive care comfortable and informative, focusing on early detection and personalized education. During your appointment, our Elmira team examines your teeth, gums and bite, screens for oral cancer, takes necessary X-rays and removes plaque and tartar buildup. We also share tips tailored to your unique needs. These visits not only keep your smile sparkling but can prevent small issues from becoming major problems.

Quick Answer

Family dentistry offers a wide range of services for people of all ages, from cleanings and sealants to braces and implants. By caring for your entire household in one location, we get to know your family’s dental history and can make personalized recommendations. We aim to make visits convenient and comfortable so that oral health remains a priority for your whole family.

Benefits of Family Dentistry:

Regular visits to a family dentist help catch small issues early and foster lifelong healthy habits.

Services for Every Stage of Life

From your child’s first checkup to dentures for grandparents, our family dentistry services are designed for every stage of life.

• Preventive care for children: checkups, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants
• Cosmetic and restorative treatments for teens and adults
• Orthodontic evaluations and aligner therapy
• Dentures, implants and periodontal maintenance for seniors

Overview

As a family dental practice, we believe in building long‑term relationships. Our preventive services include checkups, cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants for children. For teens and adults, we offer cosmetic and restorative treatments like whitening, aligners and tooth‑colored fillings. Seniors benefit from dentures, implants and periodontal maintenance. Because we understand that dental anxiety can affect patients of any age, we employ gentle techniques, clear communication and sedation options when needed. Keeping all of your records in one practice allows us to monitor changes over time and coordinate care across generations. We also offer flexible scheduling to accommodate busy family routines.

Who This Helps

Family dentistry benefits households seeking convenience and consistency in their dental care. Parents appreciate bringing children and teens to the same practice where they are treated, fostering familiarity and trust. Multigenerational families can coordinate appointments and receive tailored care without visiting multiple specialists. We welcome new families to our practice and treat existing patients like neighbors.

Your Family Dental Home

Simplify your family’s dental care by choosing Chemung Family Dental as your home for healthy smiles. Our Elmira dentists provide compassionate, comprehensive care for all ages. Call us today to schedule appointments for your family and experience the convenience of a dental practice that feels like part of your community.

607-734-2045 Request Appointment

The dentist who still knows your name

Quick Links

Services

Patient Forms

Contact

Ages We Care For

Your child’s first visit (around age 2-3)

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first "official" dental visit between ages 2 and 3. We take the pressure off - your child rides the chair, meets the team, gets a mirror to look inside their own mouth. If they’re nervous, we go slower. Nothing hurts, nothing surprises them.

What we look for at a child’s visit: early cavity signs, bite development, thumb-sucking effects, and sealants once the permanent molars come in (typically around age 6).

School-age kids and teens

Regular cleanings and exams every six months. Sealants on newly erupted molars. Orthodontic monitoring (we’ll tell you when it’s time to see an orthodontist). For teens, education about wisdom teeth and preventive habits that will carry into adulthood.

Adults

Preventive care, restorative work, cosmetic dentistry, gum disease care, dental implants, oral appliances for sleep apnea, and specialty referrals when appropriate. Most patients we see for routine work are adults building continuity with a dentist they trust.

Seniors

Dental care changes as you age - more focus on gum health, root sensitivity, denture and implant maintenance, and coordination with medications you may be taking. Dr. Dunn has been practicing long enough to have seen patients from childhood through retirement.

What Every Visit Includes

Comprehensive exam of teeth, gums, bite, and jaw joints
Professional cleaning (scaling and polish, or deep cleaning if periodontal maintenance is needed)
Oral cancer screening (visual + palpation)
Digital X-rays as needed - low radiation, no film
Fluoride treatment when recommended
Honest discussion of anything we see, and what we recommend doing about it - now or later

Anxious About the Dentist?

Many of our adult patients came to us after years of avoiding dental care - often because a past experience made them anxious. Dr. Dunn’s pace and demeanor make a difference. We move slowly, explain everything, and never move forward without your buy-in. You will not be rushed through a 15-minute slot.

Cost, Insurance, and Financing

We file claims with most dental insurance plans and are happy to verify your specific benefits before your visit. For out-of-pocket portions, we work with Cherry and CareCredit for monthly financing.

We do not accept Medicaid or Fidelis. For sleep apnea treatment, we accept Medicare Part B.

Frequently Asked Questions About Family Dentistry

At what age should my child first see the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth erupting, and definitely by age one. For most families, a first "official" cleaning and exam happens between ages two and three, once the child can sit still enough to enjoy it.

How often should our family come in for cleanings?

Every six months for most patients. Some patients with gum disease or specific medical conditions need three- or four-month intervals - we’ll tell you if that applies to you or a family member.

What insurance do you accept?

We file claims with most major dental insurance plans. We do not accept Medicaid, Fidelis, or Children’s Health Plus. For sleep apnea specifically, we accept Medicare Part B. Call for verification of your specific plan.

Do you handle dental emergencies?

Yes. Call (607) 734-2045 during office hours - we work same-day emergencies in whenever possible. Read more about emergency care.

My child (or I) is scared of the dentist. What do you do?

We slow down. We explain what we’re about to do before we do it. We show tools, let you hold a mirror, and stop the moment you say stop. For adults with severe dental anxiety, we can discuss sedation options at your consultation. Anxious patients tell us the difference is real.

Do you do same-day crowns and implants?

Yes to both. Same-day CEREC crowns (read more) and implants placed in-house (read more). Most general dentists refer this work out - we do it here, which means fewer trips and one care team.