Choosing a dentist for the whole family is mostly a practical decision. The clinic has to be open when you can get there and bill your insurance without fuss. It has to see your kids and your parents, and fit you in when someone cracks a tooth on a Saturday. This guide covers what to check and gives you questions you can ask any clinic before you book.
We’re Deerfoot Dental Centre, a family dental clinic inside Deerfoot City, so we’ve also said where we stand on each point. Use it to compare us with any other clinic on your list.
Check the hours against your actual week
Most families need appointments outside school and work hours. “Open evenings” can mean anything from one late night a week to four, so check which days, how late, and whether Saturday is a real option.
Questions to ask:
- What time is the last appointment on a weekday evening? A clinic that closes at 7 pm may book its last cleaning earlier.
- Can you book any service on a Saturday, or only some?
- How far ahead do evening and Saturday times fill up?
Our hours are Monday 10 am to 7 pm, Tuesday to Thursday 9 am to 7 pm, Friday 9 am to 3 pm and Saturday 9 am to 4 pm. We’re closed on Sundays.
Think about getting there, not just distance
A clinic five minutes away doesn’t help much if parking is hard or the bus doesn’t go there. Ask about parking (free or paid, and how close), transit, and access if someone in your family uses a wheelchair, walker or stroller.
We’re at 971 64 Ave NE, Unit 225, inside Deerfoot City, above Booster Juice and next to Tim Hortons. Parking in the plaza is free. Our patients come from Huntington Hills, Beddington, Thorncliffe, Highland Park, Greenview and Skyline, and from workplaces around the Aurora Business Park. Because we’re in the mall, a lot of families fit a checkup around their shopping or errands.
Find out how billing works before your first visit
With direct billing, the clinic sends the claim to your insurer, so you pay only the part your plan doesn’t cover. Many clinics offer it, but the details differ. Ask:
- Do you bill my insurer directly? Some plans don’t allow payment to go straight to the dentist.
- Will you check my coverage before treatment starts?
- Do you accept the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)?
- Which fee guide do your fees follow?
Deerfoot Dental Centre bills most insurance plans directly and accepts patients covered by the CDCP. Our fees follow the Alberta Dental Association fee guide. If there’s a balance after insurance, you can pay by cash, Visa, Mastercard or debit. The details are on our direct billing page.
The Government of Canada sets who qualifies for the CDCP and what it covers. You can check your eligibility on canada.ca.
Make sure one clinic can see everyone
A family dentist should be comfortable treating young children, teenagers, adults and seniors. It also helps if the bigger treatments happen in the same office, so you aren’t sent somewhere new each time. Ask which treatments the clinic does itself and which it refers out.
For young children, the Canadian Dental Association recommends a first dental visit within six months of the first tooth coming in, or by age one.
We see patients of all ages. Treatments we do here include:
- exams and cleanings
- fillings and restorative dentistry
- root canals, crowns and bridges
- extractions
- dental implants, single-tooth and All-on-4, placed in our own office
- teeth whitening, veneers and Invisalign
- TMJ treatment
Ask what happens in a dental emergency
Toothaches and broken teeth rarely happen at a good time. Before you need it, find out whether the clinic keeps room for same-day emergencies, whether it takes walk-ins, and what to do when it’s closed.
We offer same-day emergency visits and accept walk-ins. Calling 403-275-9255 first helps us fit you in sooner. If we’re closed and you aren’t sure what to do, call Health Link at 811. Go to the emergency room or call 911 if swelling makes it hard to breathe or swallow, after a jaw injury, or if bleeding won’t stop. Our dental emergencies page explains what to do before you arrive.
Meet the people who will treat you
Look up who the dentists are and how long they’ve been practising. Ask whether the same team will see you from visit to visit. A front desk and hygienist who know your family make appointments easier, especially for children.
Dr. Dale Rapske has practised general family dentistry for more than 35 years. Dr. Hitesh Shoor has over 10 years of experience and trained in implant surgery in the United States. Tina, our receptionist, has been with the clinic for more than 20 years, and Franky, our hygienist, for 25. Our team can help you in English, Portuguese and Punjabi. You can read more about the team on our practice page.
If someone in your family is nervous
Plenty of adults and children feel anxious about the dentist. Ask the clinic how it handles that. Can you take breaks? Will they explain each step before they do it? Do they offer sedation, and what kind?
We offer oral sedation: a pill taken before your appointment that helps you relax while you stay awake and able to respond. You’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards. Learn more on our sedation dentistry page.
Questions to ask before you book
Keep this list handy when you call a clinic:
- What are your evening and Saturday hours, and when is the last appointment?
- Is parking free, and is the office easy to reach by transit or with a stroller?
- Do you bill my insurance directly? Will you check my coverage first?
- Do you accept CDCP?
- Which fee guide do you follow?
- What’s the youngest age you see? Can I book my family back to back?
- Which treatments do you do in-house, and which do you refer out?
- Can you see me the same day for an emergency? Do you take walk-ins?
- Will I see the same dentist and hygienist each time?
- What do you offer for patients who feel nervous?
Where Deerfoot Dental Centre stands
| What to check | Deerfoot Dental Centre |
|---|---|
| Weekday evenings | Open until 7 pm, Monday to Thursday |
| Saturdays | 9 am to 4 pm |
| Parking | Free, in the Deerfoot City plaza |
| Direct billing | Most insurance plans |
| CDCP | Accepted |
| Fees | Alberta Dental Association fee guide |
| Emergencies | Same-day visits; walk-ins welcome (call first if you can) |
| Ages | Children through seniors |
| Implants | Placed in-house (single-tooth and All-on-4) |
| Sedation | Oral sedation |
| Languages | English, Portuguese and Punjabi |
Book your first visit
New patients are welcome. Call 403-275-9255 or request an appointment online, and we’ll find a time that suits your family. Bring your insurance details, and we’ll confirm your coverage before any treatment.
To find out more about the clinic, see our family dentist in NE Calgary home page.
This guide is general information. Every patient’s situation is different, so please contact our team for advice specific to you.
Frequently asked questions about choosing a family dentist
How do I find a family dentist in NE Calgary who’s open evenings and Saturdays?
Check each clinic’s posted hours, then call and ask for the latest bookable time, because the last appointment is often earlier than closing. Deerfoot Dental Centre is open until 7 pm Monday to Thursday and 9 am to 4 pm on Saturdays.
Does Deerfoot Dental Centre direct bill insurance?
Yes. We bill most insurance plans directly, so you pay only the portion your plan doesn’t cover. Some plans don’t allow direct payment to the dentist, so we’ll check your coverage before treatment.
Can I use the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) at a family dentist?
Yes, at clinics that accept it. Deerfoot Dental Centre accepts CDCP patients, and our team will help you confirm what your plan covers before your visit. Eligibility is set by the Government of Canada.
When should my child have their first dental visit?
The Canadian Dental Association recommends a first visit within six months of the first tooth appearing, or by age one.
Can I get in the same day if I have a dental emergency?
Often, yes. Call 403-275-9255 and we’ll do our best to see you the same day. Walk-ins are welcome, but calling first helps us fit you in sooner.
Is parking free at Deerfoot Dental Centre?
Yes. We’re at 971 64 Ave NE, Unit 225, in Deerfoot City, and parking in the plaza is free.
Explore Our Dental Services
Our NE Calgary Location
You can find us on 64 Avenue in the Deerfoot City plaza, next to Tim Hortons and above the Booster Juice. There’s plenty of parking available in the Deerfoot City plaza around the clinic.
Our Address
- 971 64 Ave NE #225
- Calgary, AB T2E 7P4
Contact Information
- Phone: 403-275-9255
- Email: reception@deerfootdental.com
Hours of Operation
Read Our Reviews
Patients from across northeast Calgary review their visits to Deerfoot Dental Centre, the family dental clinic inside Deerfoot City. Here’s what they say about our dentists, hygienists and front desk team.
