How to find the right dentist in Lower Hutt: A practical guide

How to choose a dentist in Lower Hutt 

If you’re looking for a new dentist, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re new to Lower Hutt or looking for a provider closer to your home or workplace, finding a dentist that works with your needs can make a huge difference to your oral health. Here are some things you should consider when looking for a new dentist. 

Where to start 

Before choosing a dentist, you should take some time to figure out what’s important to you. Some things to consider before choosing a dentist are: 

A focus on patient care 

If you want to get better at seeing the dentist regularly, choosing a provider that makes you feel comfortable can help. A dentist that focuses on patient care should make you feel relaxed, heard and make the whole experience as stress-free as possible. 

At Gentle Dental, we go to great lengths to make sure our patients feel at ease. Here’s what you can expect at our Lower Hutt clinic: 

A judgement free consultation – we won’t tell you off if it’s been a while since you’ve been to the dentist. We’re just glad you’re here. 

Transparent advice – if you need work done, we’ll talk you through the price and any additional costs associated with it so that nothing comes as a surprise. 

A gentle approach – we offer a range of pain relief options including numbing gel that can make local anesthesia more manageable or IV sleep sedation for some surgical treatments.  

Help with dental anxiety – we can work with your dental anxiety to make your appointment as stress-free as possible. We’re literally here to hold your hand.  

Flexible opening hours 

If you work a 9-to-5 squeezing in a dental appointment can sometimes be difficult. Choosing a practice that operates beyond these hours can make it easier to not only make an appointment but commit to it. 

We know that between work life and family commitments it can be hard to get to an appointment in the middle of the day. To help, Gentle Dental’s Lower Hutt clinic opens at 8.30am on weekdays and has late night bookings on Thursdays until 7pm. 

A clinic that’s easy to get to 

Whether you take public transport, drive or walk, choosing a dental practice that’s easy to get to can make a big difference. If convenience is important to you, look for dental providers that are close to bus stops, the train or have ample parking available. 

If you’re looking for a Lower Hutt dentist that’s easy to get to Gentle Dental have got you covered. We’re located at 1/131 Queens Drive in the heart of Lower Hutt. You’ll find two-hour parking right outside our doors. What’s more our practice is a 10-minute walk to Melling Railway Station. You’ll also find Queensgate Shopping Centre and its bus stops just a few minutes away, making it easy to run errands before or after your appointment.  

A range of services under one roof 

Choosing a dentist that can provide a range of services under one roof means you won't have to go to a specialist for certain services – like getting a dental implant or seeing a dental hygienist.   

Gentle Dental’s Lower Hutt clinic provides a wide range of services including: 

• Preventative services like exams and x-rays 
• Restorative services including fillings, root canals, implants and crowns 
• Cosmetic services such as Invisalign, teeth whitening and veneers 
• Protective services like hygiene and periodontal treatments, and 
• Emergency appointments for when you require urgent dental care 

Digital dentistry 

While the type of technology your dentist uses may not be top of mind, choosing a dentist that invests in their equipment has a lot of benefits to you as a patient. Dentistry has come a long way over the past twenty years. Digital equipment helps dentists work more efficiently and accurately. This often results in shorter recovery times and a more comfortable experience.  

At Gentle Dental’s Lower Hutt clinic, we use a range of modern dental technology to improve the patient experience. 

CEREC – We can fit your dental crown in around two hours thanks to CEREC technology. This eliminates the need for messy impressions or wearing a temporary crown while you wait for your permanent fitting. The experience is faster, more streamlined, and more comfortable than traditional crowns. 

Intra-oral cameras – These help us identify signs of hidden decay. Our chair mounted monitors allow you to see what’s going on (if you wish) and ask any questions during your appointment.  

Soft tissue laser – We use state-of-the-art lasers for more precise results during oral surgery. It’s more comfortable for you and means faster healing times.  

Digital X-rays – We use digital x-rays to capture details 2D and 3D images of your teeth with less radiation than traditional x-rays and instant results.  

Intra-oral scanning – We can create a highly accurate model of your teeth without having to take a messy mould of your teeth. These scanners are also the most precise way of placing an implant into the jawbone resulting in faster healing times. 

Multiple locations in Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt and Wellington 

You only need one dentist, but there are advantages to choosing a dentist that has clinics in multiple locations. If it's no longer convenient to visit a clinic in Lower Hutt, you won’t need to find an entirely new dental provider. Ditto if you change your workplace and find it easier to visit a clinic in the city. 

At Gentle Dental, we have four locations throughout Greater Wellington. With two clinics in the city (on Ghuznee and Lambton Quay) and another in Upper Hutt, we’ve got you covered. Should you find it more convenient to visit one of these locations in the future let us know. We can easily help you make the switch.  

If you’re looking for a dentist in Lower Hutt that proiritises patient care and has a wide range of services, book an appointment now at Gentle Dental.