Services
Dental Exam
We check your teeth, gums, and bite thoroughly, catching small issues early for patients of all ages.
Why choose us
Benefits of Dental Exam
Catch Problems Early
We look for decay, cracks, and gum changes while they're still small and simple to treat.
Oral Cancer Screening
Every exam includes a careful check of your mouth, tongue, and soft tissues.
Care For All Ages
We examine children and adults alike, so your whole family can be seen in one place.
One Office, Many Options
If treatment is needed, we handle fillings, crowns, implants, and more right here.
Flexible Payment Options
We accept all major PPO plans and self-pay, with flexible payment plans available.
Maybe it's been a few years since anyone looked inside your mouth, or maybe you're right on schedule and just want to keep things that way. Either way, a dental exam is the appointment that tells you where you actually stand — which teeth are solid, which ones are showing early wear, how your gums are holding up, and whether anything needs attention before it turns into pain or expense. We've been examining smiles in Ocala for over 30 years, and the goal every time is the same: give you a clear, honest picture and a plan you can act on.
A dental exam is a structured evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, and the soft tissues of your mouth and throat. We look at each tooth for decay, cracks, worn edges, and failing older fillings or crowns. We check the health of the gum tissue and the bone that supports your teeth, since gum disease often progresses quietly before it causes discomfort. We evaluate how your upper and lower teeth meet, because an uneven bite can explain chipping, sensitivity, or jaw soreness. Digital records and imaging help us see between teeth and below the gumline, where problems begin long before they are visible.
An oral cancer screening is part of a thorough exam as well — a careful look and feel of the lips, tongue, cheeks, palate, and neck. If anything looks unusual, we can perform an oral biopsy here rather than sending you elsewhere. For children, we also watch how permanent teeth are coming in and whether space maintainers, sealants, or fluoride treatment would help. We see patients of all ages, from toddlers through adults, and families often book back-to-back visits.
Almost everyone benefits from a routine exam, but some situations make one especially worthwhile. Patients who have put off dental care for years often worry about judgment — we'd rather simply get started. People living with diabetes, dry mouth, or a history of gum disease need closer monitoring. Patients who grind their teeth, wake with jaw tightness, or notice clicking and limited jaw movement can be evaluated for TMJ/TMD therapy or a night guard. Athletes may want a sports mouth guard fitted.
You should also know what an exam is not: it isn't a commitment to treatment. We explain what we find, show you the images, describe the options, and let you decide. If you're in pain or something just broke, we offer emergency appointments and same-day evaluation rather than making you wait weeks. You don't need a referral to see us for root canal treatment, implants, gum care, oral surgery consultations, orthodontics, or prosthodontic work — we handle those areas in-house under one roof.
- Early detection of decay, cracked teeth, and failing restorations
- Gum and bone health assessment, including periodontal needs
- Oral cancer screening and soft-tissue evaluation
- Bite, jaw, and grinding evaluation
- A written plan with priorities, so you know what's urgent and what can wait
What Happens After Your Exam
Most exams pair naturally with a dental cleaning by our hygienist, so you leave with a fresh start the same day. After that, aftercare is mostly about habits: brushing twice daily, cleaning between teeth, and keeping sugary and acidic drinks in check. If we found early gum inflammation, we may recommend scaling and root planing followed by periodontal maintenance visits on a shorter interval than the standard six months.
When restorative work is needed, our on-site dental lab changes the timeline considerably. Crowns, dentures, and denture repairs that normally require multiple appointments and weeks of waiting can often be completed the same day. That matters if you're traveling in from The Villages, Dunnellon, Fort McCoy, or Weirsdale and would rather not make the trip twice. Results from an exam are cumulative — patients who keep regular intervals typically catch issues while they're still small and simple to address.
Insurance, Payment, and Scheduling
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file claims as a general practice, including for endodontic, periodontal, orthodontic, surgical, and prosthodontic services. Self-pay and cash patients are welcome, and we're glad to go over costs before anything begins. For larger treatment plans, flexible payment plans are available so care can be phased in a way that works for your budget.
Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients from Ocala, Belleview, Silver Springs, Lady Lake, Summerfield, Marion Oaks, Oxford, McIntosh, Reddick, and the surrounding communities. If it's been six months — or sixteen years — we'd be glad to take a look. Call our office to schedule your dental exam, and we'll take it from there together.
The process
What to expect
- 1
Health History Review
We start by talking through your concerns, symptoms, and medical and dental history.
- 2
Thorough Examination
We check your teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissues to understand your current oral health.
- 3
Personalized Plan
We explain what we found and outline any recommended treatment and a cleaning schedule that fits you.