Dr. Wade is the periodontist and owner. The practice is limited to periodontics; her residency and board status are listed under her credentials.
Periodontics · Springfield, Missouri
Gum care, by referral or on your own
Dr. Etta Wade's practice is limited to periodontics: the gums and the bone around your teeth. Your general dentist stays your dentist, and you may book without a referral.
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Gum care
What the practice does
Five kinds of care, all for the gums and the bone around teeth. Everything else stays with your dentist.
An exam of the gums and bone, a deep cleaning under the gumline, and a plan for what comes next.
When gum has pulled back from a tooth, we can cover the root with your own tissue or a graft material.
We place implants and look after the gum and bone that hold them. Your dentist makes the crown.
Reshaping the gum edge so your dentist has enough tooth to hold a crown or a filling.
Longer cleanings every few months, with the gums measured each time, alternating with your dentist's visits if you like.
The referral path
From referral to back with your dentist
One path, and the same for the patient and for the office that sent them.
- 01
Step 1: The referral arrives
A dentist sends it through our secure form, or the patient calls. Health details don't go by email.
- 02
Step 2: A first visit is booked
About an hour. The patient is told what to bring and what to expect.
- 03
Step 3: Exam and plan
Dr. Wade measures and charts the gums, takes only the X-rays she needs, and writes a plan with an estimate.
- 04
Step 4: A report goes back
Your dentist gets a written summary of what we found and did. The patient returns to you for restorative care.
The first visit
Measured, explained, then decided
Dr. Wade starts with your questions and ends with a written plan.
She measures the space between each tooth and gum, shows you the numbers on a chart and a model, and tells you what she sees. If you need treatment, you hear the options, what happens if you wait and what each step involves. You decide, and your dentist hears about it.
In the visit
About an hour
X-rays only when they are needed
An estimate in writing before any treatment
The team
Five people, one small office
You see the same faces at each visit, and so does your dentist's office when it calls.
Hui Lam
Dental hygienist
- Dental hygienist license (RDH) · MO License no. 000000
Hui does the deep cleanings and the maintenance visits, and shows you how to clean under the gumline at home.
Wanda Bracken
Dental hygienist
- Dental hygienist license (RDH) · MO License no. 000000
Wanda sees maintenance patients and measures the gums each visit so changes show up on the chart.
Aura Sandoval
Dental assistant
Aura sets up each visit and works beside Dr. Wade at the chair.
Sheena Minter
Patient and referral coordinator
Sheena books visits, writes your estimate and sends each referring office its report.
Patients
What patients say
“Dr. Wade drew my gums on a chart and showed me where the trouble was before she said a word about treatment.”
Gale H.
“My dentist sent me, and she called me herself afterward to say what they had found. I knew what came next.”
Pankaj M.
“I got the estimate on paper before anything started, and nobody hurried me.”
Ivanna R.
Sample reviews.
Where patients come from
Springfield and the towns around it
Patients and referring offices are across Greene, Christian and Webster counties.
Greene County
- Springfield
- Republic
- Willard
- Strafford
- Battlefield
Christian County
- Nixa
- Ozark
- Clever
Webster County
- Marshfield
- Rogersville
Questions we hear first
Do I need a referral?
No. Many patients come because their dentist suggested it, and you may also book on your own. With your say-so, we send your dentist a summary.
Will I still see my own dentist?
Yes. We look after the gums and the bone. Your dentist keeps doing exams, fillings and crowns, and you can alternate gum maintenance visits with theirs if you both agree.
Will it hurt?
Most people feel pressure and some tenderness. We numb the area when treatment needs it, and we stop whenever you ask.
How do fees work?
We file claims for plans that cover gum care and give you a written estimate before treatment. The fees page goes through each part.
How does a dentist send a patient?
Through our secure referral form, or by calling the office. Please don't email health details.
Ask for a visit, or send a referral
Patients can book themselves. Dentists can use the referral form or call the office.