Maintaining patient satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any dental practice, but it’s even more important for dentists that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. To maintain patient satisfaction, Landeros & Hammer Cosmetic & Family Dentistry takes a multifaceted approach to helping people feel welcomed and comfortable in its office. “We believe it’s important to earn every patient’s trust, so we’re always honest with them and treat them gently so they have a positive experience,” says owner Dr. Luke Landeros. “Providing a good value is also important to us—we make sure every person who visits our office gets exactly what they paid for.”

Landeros & Hammer Cosmetic & Family Dentistry has been providing general and cosmetic dental services for all types of patients (including children) at its Santa Rosa facility since 1979. In addition to handling regular checkups and cleanings, the practice has special expertise with implant restorations, tooth whitening, Invisalign orthodontics and more.

Unlike dental practices that limit their flexibility by only having one dentist on staff, Landeros & Hammer Cosmetic & Family Dentistry’s two-dentist approach allows it to offer its patients a wide range of treatment options. “The fact that Dr. Hammer and I work together means our patients get in quicker, especially if it’s an emergency,” says Dr. Landeros. “Also, if a patient has questions about the details of their treatment, we can immediately get a secondary professional opinion, which is really helpful.”

Another distinguishing feature of Landeros & Hammer Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is its friendly, skilled hygienists, all of whom are trained to use industry-best techniques to make sure patients are as comfortable as possible. “Our patients always tell us how happy they are with our hygienists,” affirms Office Manager Cheri Barrett. “They pay attention to each patient on an individual level, so their visit is less like going to the dentist and more like catching up with a friend they haven’t seen in a while.”

Avoiding sugary drinks goes a long way toward preventing dental decay.

“Most people don’t realize how much sugar is in many foods and drinks,” says Dr. Luke Landeros, owner of Landeros & Hammer Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Santa Rosa. “From soda, energy drinks and Starbucks coffee to candy and gum, people are consuming too much sugar in general…and they may not even know it.”

Dr. Landeros says a dentist’s job is to help patients understand the dangers of sugar and identify sources of excess sugar that they may be able to eliminate. “You can’t go back and heal cavities once they exist, but good dentists can help patients find ways to prevent cavities in the future. Some people think regular brushing and flossing is enough, but eliminating sugar is even better.”

Not all people are at the same risk when it comes to getting cavities caused by sugar, though. Dr. Landeros says that, in his opinion, avoiding cavities is a 50/50 split between proper dental hygiene and limiting sugars. “If someone isn’t a great brusher or flosser, they’ll always leave a little plaque behind. So, if they’re sipping soda, that sugar combines with the plaque and starts eating away at their teeth. The key to good dental hygiene is carefully brushing and flossing to remove all plaque. Better brushers and flossers can have more sugar because they don’t have the right conditions in their mouths to create cavities.”

Here are some simple ways to limit or eliminate sugar and prevent cavities:

• Swap sodas and juices for water or unsweetened tea.
• Choose less-sugary snacks.
• Rinse your mouth with water or brush after eating or drinking sugary substances.
• Limit between-meal snacks, especially sugary drinks and food.
• Don’t sip soda, juice or energy drinks all day. Sipping drinks brings a constant stream of sugar into your mouth. If you must drink sugary drinks, finish them in one sitting and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
• Limit fruit juice, especially for children. Dilute the juice or rinse your mouth with water after drinking.
• Carry a travel toothbrush so you can brush between meals, at work, or after indulging in sugary foods or drinks.

Q: Can you help me with my insurance?
A: Yes, we have a lot of experience with the ins and outs of dental insurance. We’ll let you know which policies we accept, and we can even recommend insurance that would work for your specific situation.

Q: Will Invisalign work for me?
A: Invisalign works for about 70 percent of people, so once we evaluate your teeth, we’ll be able to tell you if it will work for you. If it’s a complex case, we might refer you to an orthodontist because we want you to get the best possible results.

Q: When should I start bringing my child to the dentist?
A: We recommend bringing children to the dentist at age three or four, unless you notice something of concern when you’re brushing their teeth at home.

Q: What are my options for teeth whitening?
A: We have three different options: in-office whitening, at-home whitening and a touch-up system. Once we do the initial consultation, we’ll be able to determine which option will best meet your needs and preferences.

Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: You can call us and make an appointment with one of our three schedulers, or you can make an appointment on our website, www.mysantarosadentist.com.

Q: How soon can I get an appointment?
A: It depends on the urgency of your needs and your preferred appointment time. Some times are more popular than others, like late afternoon, so those appointments fill up faster. However, if you have a dental emergency, we can usually fit you in within 24 hours of your initial call.

Q: Is your office modern?
A: Yes. We recently remodeled our facilities, so we have new exam rooms, chairs and equipment. We also use modern methods like computerized records and digital x-rays, which make the visits more interactive. We can really show our patients what’s going on with their teeth and give them advice.