Dr. Mark Pasternak

Dr. Mark Pasternak provides expert care for a wide range of dental and oral health conditions for patients of all ages, including but not limited to:

Dental Anxiety Phobia

• History of Traumatic Dental Experiences: Seeking a compassionate, gentle, and communicative approach to dental care due to previous trauma.
• Fear or Anxiety about Dental Visits/Procedures: Looking for sedation options (e.g., nitrous oxide, oral sedation, IV sedation) or other strategies to manage anxiety during dental care.

Special Needs Dental Care Peds

• Dental Care for Medically Compromised Children: Children with significant systemic health conditions (e.g., organ transplants, cancer, uncontrolled diabetes) who require careful dental management and coordination with their medical specialists to prevent oral complications and ensure dental treatments are performed safely.
• Dental Care for Children & Adolescents with Special Healthcare Needs (Physical, Cognitive, Behavioral, Medical): Requiring specialized dental management and a tailored care approach for children and adolescents with underlying medical conditions (e.g., congenital heart disease, bleeding disorders, immunocompromise), physical disabilities (e.g., cerebral palsy), cognitive or developmental challenges (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome), or significant behavioral issues that make routine dental treatment difficult.

Gag Reflex Management

• Difficulty with Dental Procedures Due to Severe Gag Reflex: Experiencing a hyperactive or severe gag reflex that significantly interferes with routine dental examinations, X-rays, impressions, or treatments.

This list offers some examples of conditions commonly addressed. A comprehensive diagnosis is always based on an individual assessment by Dr. Pasternak. If your specific oral health concern isn't listed, please contact the clinic to discuss your needs and appropriate treatment options.

• Oral Hygiene Instruction (Brushing & Flossing Techniques): Personalized instruction and demonstration of proper brushing and flossing techniques to effectively remove plaque and maintain optimal oral hygiene at home.
• Professional Teeth Whitening (In-Office & Take-Home Kits): Customized teeth whitening options, including accelerated in-clinic procedures and personalized at-home kits, to effectively lighten the shade of your natural teeth.
• Oral Cancer Screening: Vigilant screening for oral cancer, a critical component of maintaining your overall health.
• Oral Conscious Sedation (Anxiolysis): Prescribing specific oral sedative medication (e.g., a benzodiazepine) to be taken shortly before dental appointments to induce a state of conscious relaxation and significantly reduce anxiety for patients undergoing more extensive, lengthy, or potentially stressful procedures.
• Understanding Your Dental Treatment Plan: Ensuring you fully understand your dental care plan and have all your questions answered before proceeding with any treatment, fostering informed consent.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Pasternak. Not all services may be listed, and the suitability of any treatment depends on individual assessment. For a comprehensive understanding or to discuss your specific dental needs, please schedule a consultation.

All dental services by Dr. Mark Pasternak adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in ON and standards of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

At Etobicoke Dental Care, the focus is on partnering with you to achieve significant improvements in your oral health, address your specific dental concerns, and help you attain your desired smile. Dr. Pasternak frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• Are you struggling with feeling self-conscious about the stained or yellowish appearance of their teeth? Dr. Pasternak partners with patients to target their jaw no longer clicking or popping painfully, and jaw movement feeling smoother, making a comfortable and confident return to important activities such as feeling relief from chronic headaches that were linked to their TMJ or bruxism a much more achievable reality.
• Patients experiencing a desire to ensure their current oral hygiene routine at home was truly effective and optimal often express a desire to improve their oral health and function. At Dr. Pasternak's practice, a key objective is their extensive dental work being completed efficiently and comfortably, often with the help of sedation, which directly supports their ability to fully engage in their ability to savor the flavors of food being enhanced due to a healthy mouth.
• Patients frequently come to Dr. Pasternak with concerns about feeling like food consistently and annoyingly got stuck between certain teeth after meals. By working together as a team, they typically aim for and achieve experiencing a significant reduction in jaw pain and morning headaches after treatment for teeth grinding (bruxism), making a positive and lasting return to waking up feeling refreshed, without jaw soreness or tension from nighttime grinding not just possible, but highly feasible.
• For those affected by a persistent white patch (leukoplakia) or red patch (erythroplakia) in their mouth or on their tongue that wouldn't go away and needed urgent assessment, Dr. Pasternak provides solutions that lead to a significant reduction in jaw muscle soreness and tension headaches related to bruxism. This renewed health and confidence often translates to a joyful return to confidently using their new smile in professional networking or client interactions.

Your personalized dental treatment plan, developed in consultation with Dr. Pasternak, will be carefully designed to help you reach your specific functional, aesthetic, and overall oral wellness objectives. Dr. Pasternak is committed to empowering patients with the information and high-quality care needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, confident smile for life.

Etobicoke Dental Care, where Dr. Pasternak practices, is situated in a central location within the Etobicoke neighborhood of Etobicoke. The clinic is conveniently located near local shops and community amenities and is accessible via major local public transit routes. Convenient patient parking is typically available near the clinic.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Pasternak at Etobicoke Dental Care?

At your initial appointment, Dr. Pasternak and the team at Etobicoke Dental Care will focus on getting to know you and your oral health. Expect to fill out a medical history form, have a discussion about any dental issues or goals you have, followed by a detailed examination of your mouth. Digital X-rays may be taken to get a complete picture. Based on this, Dr. Pasternak will explain their assessment and any recommended treatments. It's a great time to ask questions.

Are dental X-rays safe, and how often are they needed?

Dental X-rays are very safe, especially modern digital X-rays which use minimal radiation. Protective lead aprons are used to further minimize exposure. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary, for example, for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments. Dr. Pasternak will determine the frequency based on your individual oral health, risk factors, and dental history, adhering to guidelines like ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable).

Do I need a referral to see a general dentist like Dr. Pasternak?

No, you generally do not need a referral from a physician or another healthcare provider to see a general dentist like Dr. Pasternak for a check-up, cleaning, or consultation. You can usually book an appointment directly with Etobicoke Dental Care.

Is dental treatment generally covered by provincial health plans like Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

In Ontario, provincial health plans like OHIP typically do NOT cover most routine or major dental procedures performed in private dental clinics for the general population. Some specific, limited dental surgeries performed in a hospital setting might be covered. Most dental care costs are paid out-of-pocket by patients or through private dental insurance plans (often through employers) or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits, social assistance recipients). Check your eligibility for public coverage and always review your private dental insurance details regarding coverage, co-payments, deductibles, and annual maximums before starting treatment.

How often should I (or my child) visit Dr. Pasternak for a check-up and cleaning?

For most patients, preventative check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every 6 months. However, Dr. Pasternak will recommend a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and existing conditions. Some patients may need visits every 3-4 months, while others might have slightly longer intervals. Follow Dr. Pasternak's specific recommendation.

Etobicoke Dental Care
2291 Kipling Ave #116
Etobicoke, ON, M9W 4L6

Phone: (416) 743-2273

Dr. Mark Pasternak is a licensed Dentist in ON, regulated by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 & Dentistry Act, 1991 (Ontario).

License Number: 11445

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=11445

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Pasternak and the team are committed to providing you with comprehensive dental care. If you have a dental emergency, please contact the clinic promptly. For after-hours emergencies that are life-threatening, proceed to the nearest hospital emergency department.