Preventive dentistry in Leichhardt, NSW, can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums while identifying potential concerns early.

Preventive Dentistry in Leichhardt, NSW

Preventive dentistry forms the foundation of long-term oral health. Rather than waiting for problems to develop, we focus on:

Dr Dianne Proctor of Radiance Dentistry with a patient in Leichhardt, NSW

Identifying risks early
Maintaining healthy teeth and gums
Helping you build habits that support lifelong well-being

Preventive care is not one-size-fits-all. Led by Dr Dianne Proctor, we take a thoughtful, personalised approach. At every visit, we take the time to understand your health history, lifestyle and goals so we can tailor your care specifically to you.

Our staff speaks English, Spanish, Thai, Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.

Comprehensive Exams and Professional Cleans

Routine dental exams and professional cleans play an essential role in maintaining oral health. During your visit, Dr Proctor carefully assesses:

The health of your teeth, gums, jaw and surrounding tissues
Existing restorations
Changes in your oral health over time
Potential concerns at an early stage

Professional cleans aim to remove plaque and hardened deposits that brushing and flossing alone cannot eliminate. As part of your appointment, you also receive personalised oral hygiene guidance to help you care for your teeth effectively at home.

Preventive dental visits also include screening for abnormalities in, on or around:

The mouth
Lips
Tongue
Surrounding tissues

These assessments form an important part of routine dental care and allow Dr Proctor to identify changes that may require further evaluation.

Benefits of Preventive Dentistry

Preventive dental care plays an important role in protecting both oral and overall health. Regular visits can help identify concerns early while helping patients maintain healthy habits.

Early Detection of Dental Concerns

Routine examinations aim to identify dental issues early, including tooth decay, gum disease and enamel wear. Early detection can help allow for simpler treatment and help prevent problems from progressing.

Long-Term Oral Health Maintenance

Professional cleans, fluoride treatments and hygiene guidance support the ongoing health of teeth and gums. Preventive care helps reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease while stabilising existing dental work.

Support for Overall Wellbeing

Oral health is closely connected to overall health. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums supports everyday functions, such as eating, speaking and smiling comfortably. Preventive dental care also provides an opportunity to monitor changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Regular dental visits are considered to be a key part of preventive dentistry. Even if your teeth feel healthy, small issues such as early cavities, gum inflammation or enamel wear can develop unnoticed. Routine check-ups allow your dentist to catch problems early, provide treatment before they become serious and give you guidance on maintaining a healthy smile.

Everyone's Dental Schedule Varies

For most patients, we recommend a dental check-up and professional cleaning every six months. This schedule can help prevent decay, gum disease and other oral health issues. Some patients may need more frequent visits depending on their individual risk factors, such as a history of cavities, gum disease or certain medical conditions. Your dentist will tailor the timing to your specific needs.

What to Expect at Your Dental Check-Up in Sydney

During your visit, your dentist will carefully clean each tooth, paying special attention to hard-to-reach areas between teeth and along the gumline. Polishing is often done to remove surface stains.

In addition to cleaning, your dentist will examine your gums, bite and overall oral health. This check allows early detection of issues, such as gum inflammation, cavities, enamel wear or bite irregularities. Any concerns can be addressed promptly. Your dental professional may also provide personalised advice on brushing techniques, flossing, diet and preventive care tailored to your oral health needs.

Our Dentist in West Sydney Welcomes You

We invite you to book your next preventive dental visit at Radiance Dentistry today.

The Australian Dental Association guidelines on fluoride (updated in 2020) states that regular fluoride treatment during maintenance appointments at the dentist is not necessary for people with low risk of decay.

Dr Proctor will make an assessment of your caries risk during maintenance appointments; taking into account your diet, lifestyle, oral hygiene habits, sensory needs and current dental conditions, to decide what is the best way to maintain good oral health for you.

Professionally applied fluoride treatment options are fluoride varnish (22,600ppm F), fluoride gel (1500 - 12300ppm F) and silver diamine fluoride (38%). Which one you need and how often you need them depends on your decay risk. In some cases, your toothpaste alone is sufficient.

Gum Health and Periodontal Care

graphic showing a healthy tooth and a tooth with gum disease in Leichhardt Healthy gums are important to maintaining strong teeth. For patients with early signs of gum disease, treatment may include:

Professional scaling and cleaning
Hygiene instruction
Recommendations for home care products

We typically perform periodontal charting every six months to monitor gum health, and we may recommend maintenance appointments every three months for patients who require additional support. In some cases, we may use specific antimicrobial solutions or medications as part of ongoing gum care.

Fluoride and Dental Sealants

Fluoride treatments and dental sealants can provide an additional layer of protection against tooth decay.

Fluoride — Fluoride can strengthen enamel and support the natural remineralisation process.
Sealants — Sealants are protective coatings placed on the chewing surfaces of teeth to help prevent bacteria from accumulating in deep grooves.

Preventive dental care can begin early in life. Dr Proctor generally recommends that children attend their first dental visit around the time the first tooth appears. Many families visit when children are between one and two years of age, allowing early guidance on oral hygiene, diet and preventive strategies.

Simple Tooth Extractions

While prevention is always the goal, there are situations where removing a tooth may be the most appropriate option. Dr Proctor provides simple extractions, including some wisdom teeth when clinically suitable. We may refer to a specialist for more complex surgical procedures or where appropriate.

Our Team

Meet More of Our Team

Dr Dianne Proctor

Dentist

Dr Dianne Proctor (DDS Melb) is a dentist at Radiance Dentistry, having completed her training at the University of Melbourne Dental School. She brings a patient-focused approach to care, with an emphasis on communication, education and supporting patients in maintaining their oral health.

Dr Proctor is passionate about building meaningful connections with her patients and believes in providing care with kindness and compassion. She values education highly and approaches dentistry as a lifelong learner, continually developing her knowledge while learning from both her patients and her team.

Her interest in …

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Personalised Preventive Care for All Ages

Preventive dentistry means recognising that each patient’s experience with dental care is different. Dr Proctor takes time to speak with patients, review their medical history and understand any concerns they may have.

We tailor care with particular attention to comfort, including for patients with:

Dental anxiety
Trauma history
Sensory sensitivities
Neurodivergence

This may include discussing sensitivities to taste, sound or materials used in dentistry, as well as understanding any medications or daily challenges that may influence care. By learning what works best for each patient, we can adapt appointments to create a more supportive experience.

We Invite You to Book Your Dental Visit

Dedicated appointment slots are also reserved throughout the week for dental emergencies, and where possible, we aim to accommodate urgent concerns on the same day. Preventive dentistry is an ongoing partnership between the patient and the dentist, and we take this partnership very seriously. Your smile and overall health are our priorities!

At Radiance Dentistry, our goal is to provide the guidance, care and support needed to help you maintain a healthy smile for years to come.

We welcome your call on (02) 9569 4274.

Blogs

Young man smiling confidently, representing a patient satisfied with in-office nightguard treatment.

October 13, 2026

Why Your Next Nightguard Might Be Made Just Down the Hall

Ever woken up with a sore jaw, sensitive teeth or a headache that makes your morning coffee less enjoyable? You might be grinding your teeth while you sleep! Known as 'bruxism', this common habit can contribute to tooth wear, jaw discomfort and damaged dental restorations.

Radiance Dentistry brings modern dental technology closer to home. With an in-house 3D printer, our team can create certain dental appliances on-site, such as oral appliances and nightguards for TMD and bruxism treatment, as well as clear aligners and custom whitening trays in Leichhardt.