Tooth decay, known formally as dental caries, has been a serious health problem for all nations since time immemorial. For centuries, tooth decay was thought to be the handiwork of an elusive and, in some cultures, evil tooth worm that gnawed holes into the white, highly mineralized enamel and left all those in its wake in pain. But superstition has yielded to science and its explanation that certain oral bacteria discharge mineral-eroding acid onto the enamel, starting the gradual process of decay. Over the last several decades, dental researchers have made tremendous progress in defining and learning to thwart the decay process. This work has involved the three-pronged strategy of discovery, innovation, and prevention - and produced one of the major public health success stories of the 20th century.
Tooth decay was considered an irreversible disease process — once a cavity started, the only remedy was to drill out the decay and fill the tooth with a restorative material.
Tooth decay is no longer the national epidemic it was a few generations ago. Millions of American children now have little or no decay, and total tooth loss or edentulism is now much less common. Without research progress in the fight against dental caries and periodontal diseases, there would be an additional 18.6 million Americans age 45 and older with none of their natural teeth.
Prevention is now the mantra in American dentistry. In addition to improved products to fight tooth decay, more people benefit from preventive dentistry, including the use of fluorides and dental sealants to prevent decay. Compared to previous years, these techniques have made it possible for millions more people to keep their natural teeth for a lifetime. It is estimated that from 1979 through 1989 alone, the American public saved more than $39 billion in dental expenditures due to the power of prevention. Since the 1950s, the total federal investment in NIH-funded oral health research has saved the American public at least $3 for every $1 invested.
Bay Parkway Dental Associates
8502 Bay Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11214
(718) 373-5000
Monday: | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
Tuesday: | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
Wednesday: | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
Thursday: | 9:00am - 6:00pm |
Friday: | 10:00am - 3:00pm |
Saturday: | 9:00am - 4:00pm |
Sunday: | Closed |
To request an appointment, you can call us or fill out our contact form and a member of our staff will be in touch with you.
Below are the Medical History and Privacy Policy forms you'll need to complete on your first visit. You can expedite matters by downloading these forms, completing them at home and handing them to our staff when you arrive for your initial visit to our office.
Patient History Form
HIPPA Form
In order to view or print these forms you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. Click here to download it.
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Care Credit along with personal checks for payment. If you have any questions regarding the financing of your treatment, please speak to our helpful office staff. We also accept most major insurance plans, including CIGNA, GHI, Aetna, Liberty Mutual and Northeast Dental Plan, as well as many others. To find out if we accept your plan, please call our office.