Dr. Shawna Shanshan Gao – Dentist | Waterloo, ON

Dr. Shawna Shanshan Gao is a Dentist. Practicing at Laurelwood Family Dentistry in Waterloo, ON, Dr. Gao is committed to delivering high-quality, patient-focused dental care. Dr. Gao is licensed by The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) and adheres to the highest professional and ethical standards of the dental profession in ON. Dr. Gao provides a wide range of dental services for patients of all ages, including preventative care, routine check-ups, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, root canal treatments (non-specialist), and basic extractions, focused on maintaining overall oral health. Dr. Gao serves patients of all ages, from newborns and infants through to children, adolescents, adults, and seniors. For patient convenience, direct billing to many major dental insurance plans may be available at Laurelwood Family Dentistry.

Dr. Shawna Shanshan Gao earned a Dental Degree from University Of Toronto, graduating in 2016. With over 9 years of practice since 2016, Dr. Gao has cultivated a wealth of clinical experience. Dr. Gao is dedicated to ongoing continuing education to provide up-to-date dental care. This commitment ensures that Dr. Gao remains at the forefront of advancements in dental technology and techniques, allowing them to offer patients the most effective and comfortable treatments available.

Key aspects of Dr. Gao's dental practice philosophy include: a dedication to creating beautiful, healthy smiles that enhance both confidence and overall well-being; fostering open communication and collaborative decision-making, ensuring patients are fully informed and involved in their treatment plans; believing in conservative dentistry, aiming to preserve natural tooth structure whenever possible. Dr. Gao provides consultations in English.

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

Dental Pain Emergency

• Dental Trauma (e.g., Knocked-out or Dislodged Tooth - Emergency Care): Emergency management of traumatic dental injuries to maximize the chances of successful reimplantation or repair.
• Lost Filling or Crown: Addressing situations where a dental filling or crown has become dislodged or fallen out, requiring temporary or permanent replacement.
• Dental Abscess (Localized Infection): A pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection, often at the root of a tooth or in the gums, causing pain, swelling, and requiring drainage and/or antibiotic treatment.

Common Dental Issues

• Toothache & Dental Pain (General): General discomfort or aching in the teeth or jaws needing professional assessment to determine the cause.
• Bad Breath (Halitosis) - Dental Causes: Investigating and managing bad breath by addressing its underlying dental causes and providing hygiene recommendations.
• Chipped, Cracked, or Broken Teeth: Minor to moderate fractures or chips in teeth due to injury or wear, requiring restorative repair.

Tooth Decay Cavities

• Early Childhood Caries (ECC) / Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: Managing cavities in baby teeth to prevent pain, infection, and ensure proper development of permanent teeth.
• Dental Caries (Cavities / Tooth Decay): Restoring teeth affected by decay with appropriate filling materials to maintain oral health.

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

• Consultation & Treatment Planning: Comprehensive discussions to ensure you are fully informed and comfortable with your proposed dental treatment.
• Education on Gum Disease Prevention & Management: Educating patients on the importance of gum health and the steps they can take to maintain healthy periodontal tissues for life.
• Dental Crowns (Caps): Durable and aesthetic crowns designed to restore the form, function, and integrity of significantly damaged or endodontically treated teeth.
• Dietary Counseling for Oral Health: Educating patients on the link between diet and oral health for long-term prevention.
• Surgical Extractions (Less Complex Cases - e.g., Sectioning, Erupted Wisdom Teeth): Removal of some erupted or partially erupted teeth, including some erupted wisdom teeth, that may require minor surgical techniques such as sectioning the tooth or minimal bone removal for access, depending on the dentist's training, experience, and case complexity.

Note: This list highlights some of the key services offered by Dr. Gao. 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. Shawna Shanshan Gao adhere to scope of practice for Dentists in ON and standards of The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO).

At Laurelwood Family Dentistry, 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. Gao frequently works with patients towards outcomes such as:

• At Dr. Gao's clinic, addressing their child frequently complaining of a sore tooth or dental discomfort means focusing on patient goals. Achieving their child stopping their thumb-sucking habit with supportive guidance, protecting their dental development helps them get back to enjoying life, including being able to biting into sandwiches or other challenging foods with complete confidence.
• With Dr. Gao's compassionate and skilled dental care, managing the area around one of their existing dental implants feeling persistently sore, inflamed, or showing signs of bleeding is focused on achieving their previously dark, non-vital tooth being internally bleached or restored to a natural shade. This empowers patients to get back to what they love, such as being able to their child showing pride in their healthy smile and good brushing habits without dental concerns.
• A key objective when treating recognizing the need for a deep cleaning (scaling and root planing) because it had been a significant time since their last professional hygiene visit at Dr. Gao's welcoming dental clinic is achieving their toothache being completely resolved, allowing them to eat and sleep comfortably again. This directly supports a comfortable, confident, and lasting return to important activities like their child being able to eat nutritious crunchy fruits and vegetables without discomfort.
• For patients where their smile not looking as bright, white, or vibrant as it used to, prompting interest in whitening is a primary concern, Dr. Gao focuses on creating personalized treatment plans that culminate in achieving their desired level of teeth whiteness safely and effectively under professional supervision. This directly supports and enhances their ability to fully enjoying a cold ice cream or a hot cup of coffee without wincing from tooth sensitivity.

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

Laurelwood Family Dentistry, where Dr. Gao practices, is situated in the Waterloo West (Columbia Forest, Clair Hills) neighborhood of Waterloo. The clinic is conveniently located near Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and is accessible via Grand River Transit (GRT) (Bus and ION Light Rail). Street parking and nearby lots offer accessible options for your visit.

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

Typically, a referral is not required to schedule an appointment with a general dentist. Patients are welcome to contact Laurelwood Family Dentistry directly to arrange their visit with Dr. Gao.

What should I expect during my first dental visit with Dr. Gao at Laurelwood Family Dentistry?

Your first visit with Dr. Gao will typically involve a comprehensive dental examination. This includes a review of your medical and dental history, a thorough check of your teeth, gums, jaw, and soft tissues (including an oral cancer screening), and any necessary X-rays. Dr. Gao will discuss their findings, address your concerns, and work with you to create a personalized treatment plan if any care is needed. Often, a professional cleaning will also be performed or scheduled during this visit or a subsequent one.

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

For most adults and children, check-ups and cleanings are generally recommended every six months for preventative care. However, Dr. Gao will recommend a personalized schedule based on your individual oral health needs, risk factors for cavities or gum disease, and any existing conditions. For example, some patients may need visits every 3-4 months if managing active gum disease or at high caries risk, while others with excellent long-term oral health might have slightly longer intervals. It is crucial to follow Dr. Gao's specific recommendation for optimal oral health.

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 any potential exposure. X-rays are taken only when diagnostically necessary, such as for new patients, to check for decay between teeth, assess bone health, or plan complex treatments. Dr. Gao 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).

What services does a General Dentist (Dentist) like Dr. Gao typically provide?

A General Dentist like Dr. Gao is the primary dental care provider for patients of all ages, offering a wide range of services. These include preventative care (check-ups, cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants), restorative treatments (fillings, crowns, bridges), basic endodontics (root canals on less complex teeth), simple extractions, initial management of gum disease, and may also offer cosmetic procedures like whitening or bonding. Dr. Gao also provides education on oral hygiene and refers patients to specialists for more complex needs.

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. 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 provided by employers), or government assistance programs for eligible groups (e.g., children from low-income families, seniors on specific benefits). It's essential to verify any potential public coverage you may be eligible for and to always check the details of your private dental insurance before starting treatment at Laurelwood Family Dentistry.

Laurelwood Family Dentistry
450 Columbia St W #10
Waterloo, ON, N2T 2W1

Phone: (519) 746-6447

Dr. Shawna Shanshan Gao 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: 109258

Verify registration with The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO): https://www.rcdso.org/find-a-dentist/search-results/dentist?id=109258

Regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene are essential for maintaining overall health. Dr. Gao 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.