Dentists in Mesquite

Mesquite offices set their own fees, so start with Delta Dental's national averages for patients paying without dental benefits:

Ask a Mesquite office for its cash price and a written treatment estimate before the appointment; treat the range above as a reference point. Cost figures here are general information, not dental advice. The Texas dentist guide covers more procedures.

TSBDE licenses dentists, hygienists, registered dental assistants and dental labs. Its Public License Search shows a dentist's current status and every public disciplinary action or remedial plan, and the board says it updates the data daily.

Specialist claims at Mesquite dental offices

Texas recognizes 12 dental specialties, from endodontics and orthodontics to pediatric dentistry and oral surgery. A dentist may advertise as a specialist only after an accredited specialty program of two years or more, or after board certification in one of those areas. The practice owner also has to avoid implying that its general dentists are specialists. If an ad says "implant specialist" or "cosmetic specialist", ask which recognized specialty and which program; neither phrase is one of the 12.

Specialty training isn't printed on the license certificate, so the TSBDE record or the dentist's residency certificate is the place to confirm it.

What you should see in a Mesquite dental office

Texas dental offices must post TSBDE's consumer information sign where patients can see it. It tells you how to reach the board.

Who cleans your teeth at a Mesquite dental office

Your cleaning is often done by a dental hygienist. Texas lets a hygienist remove tartar, polish teeth, apply fluoride, take X-rays and give a local anesthetic under a dentist's authorization, as long as the dentist has examined you within the previous 12 months. A hygienist can't diagnose, prescribe or do any procedure that cuts tissue, so a new cavity or a crown plan should come from the dentist.

Texas A&M dental clinic in Dallas

Texas A&M's College of Dentistry in Dallas sees adults 18 and over after a screening. The $120 fee covers registration, the screening appointment and X-rays, and there's no fee if you aren't accepted. Its adult clinics don't take dental insurance but charge much less than private offices, and visits often run longer because students do the work under licensed faculty. Call (214) 828-8981.

Medicaid, CHIP and other options in Dallas County

Most Texans 20 and under with Medicaid or CHIP get dental care through one of three managed care dental plans, and Texas Health Steps (1-877-847-8377) helps families find a dentist. DSHS also points people to 2-1-1 and to federally qualified health centers, some of which offer dental care.

TSBDE investigates quality of care, sanitation, professional conduct and patient abandonment. It does not handle fee disputes, and it can order restitution only in limited cases, capped at your out-of-pocket treatment costs. Complaints go on the board's form by email to complaints@tsbde.texas.gov, by fax or by mail, and anonymous complaints aren't accepted.

None of this is medical or dental advice; ask a licensed dentist about your own treatment. For other Mesquite services see the Mesquite local services page, or compare dentists in Garland.