ABOUT US
Yarra Valley Dental aims to be a source of education, support and treatment for the little people right through to the grandparents.
At Yarra Valley Dental, we empower the patient to make their own treatment decisions through education and advice and provide treatment that is efficient, cost effective and long lasting. Moreover, it aspires to treatment that is pain free and comfortable. Maybe even allowing a little snoring…
ABOUT DR.KATHLEEN
Dr Kathleen de Castella has 20 years of general practice experience in the private and public sector since graduating from the University of Melbourne in 1996.
Kathleen’s interests include pain management, root canal therapy, preventive and cosmetic dentistry.
She is also great with children-not surprising as she has five of her own!
During these years, she desired to open her own surgery but put her family’s health and that of her own before her dream. Her youngest child Michael has now turned 8 years and so it seems a great time to realise this life-long ambition.
While raising her young children, Dr Kathleen took periods of maternity leave of 6 months after each child and then returned to work part-time. This enabled her to retain her sharp clinical skills and stay sane! So, she has great empathy and understanding in dealing with parents of young children and the demands that this brings.
Now her five children attend Donvale Christian College: Louis 16yrs, Isabella 14yrs, Peter 13yrs, Christopher 12yrs and Michael 8 yrs.
MEET THE TEAM
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Contact UsOUR PRACTICE
There are two dental surgeries on-site, one with wheelchair access. Any patient who is disabled and required special assistance from their car can notify the surgery in advance. There are toilets on site that are also accommodating to patients who are disabled.
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are always welcome.
Patients who have a medical emergency as well as a dental emergency are best treated first at Maroondah Hospital Emergency Department.
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CLICK HEREPHILOSOPHY OF YARRA VALLEY DENTAL
Prevention of Dental Disease
Yarra Valley Dental aims to support patients in preventing dental disease through education and support. Most dental disease such as gum disease and dental decay are preventable. However, clear and calm guidance is needed.
Parents particularly are in a unique position to influence the future of their children’s dental health. As a mother of 5 children, I sincerely do understand the trials that we face in striving to achieve this aim. My philosophy is not to criticise but to inspire and lead like the “head coach” on the winning team.
First Visit
Yarra Valley Dental is committed to having a return clientele! We don’t wish to see you just once, but for the rest of your life. We want to be your family dentist and pride ourselves in being calm, considerate, fair, pain free and relaxed. We like to take the time to chat and get to know the person not just a set of teeth.
The aim of your first visit is to treat your presenting complaint whether that is: a broken tooth, tooth ache or just a check-up.
General Examination
Quoting for all procedures before treatment begins and especially for subsequent visits enables patients to take charge of the costs involved. This is particularly important as payment is required on the day. All patients are welcome to come in for an exam and receive a quote.
An examination fee is the lowest fee that can be charged and will empower the patient with knowledge of what is happening in their mouth as well as the costs to treat any dental disease. Everybody needs to budget and hence a treatment plan organises the treatment from the most urgent to the least urgent with all the costs involved.
Sometimes a second visit is required to finalise the treatment plan- that is the treatment chosen after discussing the pros and cons. It is better to take two visits than to rush into treatment with regret later. Just like building a house or doing a renovation- sometimes it takes a while to decide what to do, but when you have decided, you feel content.
PAYMENT
We accept the following types of payments: Cash, EFTPOS and Credit Card.
Any patient who wishes for their account to be settled by a third party must be prepared to pay on the day and have their account reimbursed. Children over 16 years of age who wish their parent to settle their account must be able to provide a contact for this parent for financial consent before the commencement of treatment. In addition, the parent must settle the account on the day. Credit card payment over the phone is fine.