Programs and Services
Dental
Dental health is just as important to our well-being as the health of any other part of the body. Hurtt Family Health Clinic provides restorative, preventative, diagnostic and emergency dentistry focused on preserving patients’ natural permanent teeth whenever possible. Our dental care services include:
TUSTIN CLINIC:
- Dental examinations
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Dentures (Tustin only, some exceptions may apply)
- Education
SANTA ANA CLINIC:
- Dental examinations
- X-rays
- Cleanings
- Fillings
- Extractions
- Crowns (Santa Ana only, some exceptions may apply)
- Education
We do not provide sedation dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and other specialty care.
The importance of dental health
A great smile has been proven to have significant effects in our daily life. Socially, it can help us gain more friends, develop more self-confidence, and get positive reactions from others. It can even be a factor in getting a good job or a promotion. But a great smile is not the only thing that makes dental health important. Our oral health also plays a major role in our overall health.
Oral health aids digestion
The body’s digestive process starts with the mouth. Chewing breaks down the food we eat, making it easy for our body to digest. A good, strong set of teeth and saliva production are essential to the process. Conversely, poor oral health can reduce our ability to chew our food properly, leading to digestive problems.
Oral health reveals symptoms of medical conditions
Our mouth can indicate systemic diseases, or conditions that affect the entire body. HIV/AIDS and diabetes are two systemic diseases that typically first manifest as lesions or other problems in the mouth. Saliva testing can also reveal the presence of several diseases, including HIV infection, bone loss, hepatitis and some cancers.
Oral health and infection
Our saliva contains antibodies and proteins that help protect us from certain diseases like the common cold and HIV, as well as from harmful bacteria and viruses. When we’re sick, these helpful substances in the saliva can weaken and make us vulnerable to infections and other diseases.
Saliva production may significantly decrease when we take certain medications and treatments, making us more prone to infections and diseases. Even with healthy saliva production, we may still get gum infections from extensive bacteria accumulation in the mouth due to poor oral hygiene.
Prolonged gum infection can lead to loss of teeth. More than this, recent studies have revealed a connection between gum diseases and conditions like poorly controlled diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and preterm birth.
Oral health in children
Dental decay is the leading chronic disease among children today – a fact that has to be taken seriously. The condition of the milk teeth can have permanent and lasting effects on the child’s gums and permanent teeth. Oral health also has significant effects on children’s development, including their social abilities, speech and growth.
Affordable dental services
A major reason many people neglect oral health is the cost associated with dental services. Hurtt Family Health Clinic’s low income dental clinic provides affordable dental services to patients covered by:
- Denti-Cal
- Medi-Cal (Cal Optima)
- Medicare
- Patients who are eligible for our sliding fee scale program
If you need the services of an Anaheim dentist, a Tustin dentist or a dentist in Santa Ana, Hurtt Family Health Clinic can help you easily access the care you need.