How often should I come in for a cleaning and exam?

Most adults benefit from a professional cleaning and exam every six months. Patients with a history of gum disease, who build tartar quickly, or who have active dental problems may need more frequent visits. Markham Family Dental gives each patient a specific recommendation based on their oral health.

Do you see children and seniors?

Yes. Markham Family Dental is a family practice and sees patients from their first dental visit through every stage of life, including children, adults, and seniors.

What is included in a dental exam?

A comprehensive dental exam at Markham Family Dental includes digital X-rays, a tooth-by-tooth clinical inspection, gum pocket measurements, an oral cancer screening, a bite and jaw evaluation, and a review of existing restorations.

Do you accept dental insurance?

Markham Family Dental accepts most major PPO dental insurance plans and files claims on behalf of patients. The office verifies benefits before appointments so patients know what is covered.

I have not been to the dentist in several years. Where do I start?

Patients who have not been to the dentist in several years can start with a new patient exam. This usually includes a full set of X-rays, a complete clinical review, and a conversation about current dental needs and next steps.

General and Preventive Dentistry in Harlan, Iowa

Routine dental care for every age and stage. From cleanings and exams to oral cancer screenings, sealants, fluoride, and family dentistry, our Harlan team helps you prevent problems before they become bigger treatment needs.

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(712) 755-5342

Dentist using a blue curing light on a woman's teeth during a dental visit

Comprehensive General Dentistry, Right Here in Harlan

General dentistry is the foundation of everything else. A cavity caught at a routine exam is a filling. The same cavity missed for a year becomes a crown, a root canal, or an extraction. Our team sees patients from Harlan, Avoca, Atlantic, Minden, and Shelby for routine care and treats whatever we find in the same office, without sending patients elsewhere for the straightforward things a general dentist should handle.

We see patients of all ages, from first dental visits for young children through ongoing care for adults and seniors. Whether you are coming in for the first time in years or keeping up with a regular schedule, this page covers what our general dentistry services include and how to get started. No referral needed.

Close-up of Dr. Roy Burkhalter treating a patient's upper teeth at Markham Family Dental

Why Preventive Care Pays for Itself

The cost of prevention is a fraction of the cost of treatment. Here is what routine care actually prevents.

A Cleaning Twice a Year Prevents a Deep Cleaning Later

Tartar removed at a routine cleaning takes minutes. Tartar that has been building for years hardens below the gumline and causes gum disease that requires scaling and root planing, more appointments, more cost, and damage that cannot be fully reversed.

An Exam Catches Problems Before They Hurt

Most dental problems are painless until they are advanced. A cavity in its early stages is invisible and silent. A failing crown looks fine from the outside. X-rays and a thorough clinical exam find these things at the stage where they are inexpensive to address.

Preventive Treatments Stop Decay Before It Starts

Sealants, fluoride, and professional cleaning remove the conditions that lead to cavities. For children and adults who are prone to decay, these measures reduce the likelihood of needing restorative treatment significantly. Prevention is the cheapest dentistry there is.

Our General Dentistry Services

Preventive care is the foundation of long-term oral health. From cleanings and exams to screenings, sealants, fluoride, and family dental care, these services help protect your teeth, catch problems early, and reduce the need for more complex treatment later. Many preventive visits may be covered by PPO dental insurance depending on your plan.

Patient with a cheek retractor receiving a dental cleaning with suction and a handpiece

Professional Teeth Cleaning

Removal of plaque, tartar, and surface stains from above and below the gumline. Recommended every six months for most patients. The single most effective thing you can do for your gum health between visits.

Dental team caring for a reclined patient in a modern treatment room

Family Dentistry

General dental care for every member of the family from the first tooth through adulthood. One practice, one relationship, and a team that knows each patient's history. We welcome patients of all ages and schedule families together whenever possible.

Smiling young man in the dental chair during a checkup with a mirror and explorer

Dental Exams and Checkups

A structured review of your teeth, gums, bite, and soft tissues including digital X-rays and an oral cancer screening. Recommended once a year for most adults. The exam is where problems are found and where your care plan is built.

Oral Cancer Screening

A two-minute soft tissue examination of the lips, tongue, cheeks, floor of the mouth, and throat performed at every exam. Oral cancer found early has a survival rate above 80 percent. Found late, the odds drop sharply.

Close-up of a dental sealant being brushed onto a patient's teeth with a lip retractor in place

Dental Sealants

A thin protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay in the deep grooves where a toothbrush cannot reach. Recommended for children and adults who are prone to cavities on their molars.

Close-up of a dentist applying preventive material to a patient's teeth with a handpiece

Fluoride Treatments

A professional-strength fluoride application that strengthens enamel and reduces the risk of decay. Applied in minutes at a cleaning or exam appointment. Appropriate for children, adults with a history of cavities, patients with dry mouth, and anyone wearing braces or orthodontic appliances.

Young boy reclined in a dental chair while the dentist applies liquid to his teeth with a long-handled brush

Silver Diamine Fluoride

A no-drill liquid treatment that stops cavities in seconds. The gentlest option for young children, seniors, and anxious patients.

Words From Our Patients

Frequently Asked Questions

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Exterior of the Markham Family Dental Associates office at 2105 Pine St, Harlan, Iowa

Prepare for Your Visit

Patient Forms

Download and complete your forms before your appointment to save time when you arrive. Plan to come in 10 to 15 minutes early so we can get you settled.

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Insurance and Financing

We work with many PPO dental insurance plans and can file claims on your behalf when insurance applies. Financing options may be available for patients who need flexible payment options. Ask our front desk what works best for your situation.

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