Dr. Michael Harris and Dr. Christopher Dumas work as a team, and take a personal interest in every patient who walks in. One practice on Post Road, for the whole family, for seventy years.
years on Post Road, and patients who now bring us their grandchildren.
Memberships and provider status held by this practice
Two dentists, eleven staff, one building on Post Road. Nobody here is passing through.
How this practice works
Our goal is to provide high-quality dental care in a friendly, caring and professional manner, and to act as your advocate rather than your salesman. In practice, that comes down to these.
The problem: one toothache turning into three appointments, in three buildings, with three sets of notes.
We can typically provide every type of dental service without sending you to another practice — examinations, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, root canals, extractions, gum treatment and the restorative side of implants. It saves you time, and it keeps one person responsible for the whole plan.
The problem: a rota of locums, and a different opinion about your mouth every time you sit down.
Dr. Harris has practised since 1987 and spent four years as a Dental Officer in the US Navy. Dr. Dumas has practised since 1997, after three years as a Dental Officer in the US Air Force. Between them, sixty-eight years of dentistry — and you will see the same one each visit.
The problem: an adult who is frightened of the dentist is usually a child who had a bad first visit.
The first tooth arrives between six and twelve months, and we would rather see it then than in ten years. Teething, sealants on the grooves too deep to brush, fluoride judged against your own tap water, and the permanent teeth watched as they come through.
Dentistry in East Greenwich, RI
Our emphasis is total preventive care, and a treatment plan built around what you actually need rather than what is on the price list. Every fee is explained before anything is started.
Examinations, cleanings, fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures and extractions. The practice can typically provide every type of dental service without referring you to another office, which keeps your whole record and your whole plan in one place.
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A titanium post replaces the root, a custom crown goes on top, and the result looks and works like the tooth that was there. We plan and restore implants with the oral surgeons and periodontists we have worked with for years.
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Whitening, bonding, veneers and tooth-coloured fillings. Every smile makeover starts with an examination, because a cosmetic problem is sometimes a health problem wearing a disguise.
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Bleeding gums are the first sign, and the one most people ignore. Probing depths measured and recorded, scaling and root planing where it is needed, then a maintenance interval set to your mouth rather than to a calendar.
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When decay or injury reaches the pulp, the tooth can usually still be saved. Most root canals here are finished in a single visit, and you can drive yourself home afterwards.
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From the first tooth at six to twelve months, through teething, sealants and the permanent teeth arriving. Get the first ten years right and a great deal of what usually follows never happens.
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A small sensor, an image on the screen beside you, and no chemical processing. Digital cuts radiation exposure by as much as 90% against traditional film, and we still only take one when it will change what we do.
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Two visits a year, fluoride judged against what comes out of your own tap, sealants on the grooves too deep to brush, and an honest conversation about diet. This is the appointment that prevents the other eight.
Ask about this →Dental emergencies
Call as soon as you know. During office hours we will work you into the schedule the same day wherever we can. After hours, at weekends and on holidays, call the office and you will be given the doctor's emergency contact number.
Meet your dentists
Dr. Harris and Dr. Dumas work together as a team and share one record for every patient, so a question asked on a Monday does not need asking again on a Thursday. Both served as military dental officers before they came here. Both are still here.
39 years in practice · since 1987
Practising dentistry since 1987. He participates in the Donated Dental Services Program and the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy. Originally from Baltimore, he and his wife Janice live in South Kingstown with their two daughters. He played lacrosse in college, still plays golf, and is a committed Red Sox and Patriots fan.
Memberships
29 years in practice · since 1997
Providing quality dental care since 1997, and committed to staying on the cutting edge of the field. He supports the Rhode Island Mission of Mercy and the Donated Dental Services Program. He and his wife Kim have two sons and live in Glocester. Outside the practice: family, golf, skiing and travelling.
Memberships
Six hygienists, two assistants, two receptionists and the office manager. Our team members hold specialised training and multiple certifications, and each has years of experience treating patients.
New patients
The objective is to get to know you, to understand what your past dental experiences have been like, and to agree a plan that fits your mouth and your budget. Good dental care begins with open communication, so we will speak candidly with you and we expect the same back.
Please bring your insurance card, if you have dental insurance, so we can estimate your costs — and any panoramic X-ray taken in the past six months. There are health and insurance forms to complete when you arrive, so allow a few minutes for those.
5.0 out of 5 · 2,866 Demandforce reviews
★★★★★Great staff — great dental practice — great DDS — great cleaning — all around GREAT!Christion B.Demandforce · verified patient
★★★★★Tracey is the best hygienist, I wouldn't go to anyone else. She is personable and efficient.Susan L.Demandforce · verified patient
★★★★★Had a new hygienist. Was very good, very professional. Dr. Dumas had a great manner as usual.Walter G.Demandforce · verified patient
★★★★★I love going to East Greenwich Dental! Everyone is so helpful and knowledgeable.Maureen M.Demandforce · verified patient
★★★★★Great experience every time I go. They are always very pleasant. Great staff.Lynn C.Demandforce · verified patient
Financial & insurance
Your treatment plan includes a breakdown of every applicable fee, and you are told what something costs before it is done. We are committed to helping you get the most out of the benefits you already pay for.
Because policies differ even within one carrier, we can estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee it. Tell us about any change to your cover and we will re-check it.
Time is reserved specifically for you, so please arrive on time. More than fifteen minutes late and we may have to reschedule, because the person after you is owed the same.
If you need to cancel, twenty-four hours' notice is all we ask. We know unforeseen things happen, and we appreciate the courtesy.
After hours, you can reach us through our answering service.
Common questions
The American Dental Association recommends at least twice a year for a check-up and a professional cleaning, and so do we. Two visits a year is the interval that catches things while they are still small and still cheap.
Call the office as soon as you know. During business hours we will work you into the schedule. After hours, at weekends and on holidays, call the office and you will be given the doctor's emergency contact number.
Allow about an hour. In most cases we clean your teeth and take X-rays, then the dentist examines you thoroughly and looks for decay, gum disease, jaw problems and any sign of oral cancer. You leave with a written summary of what was found and what we propose to do about it.
Your insurance card if you have dental insurance, so we can give you an estimate of your costs, and any panoramic X-ray taken in the past six months. Please be ready to complete the insurance and health history forms when you arrive.
We are a preferred provider for Delta Dental of Rhode Island, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island and United Health. We bill your insurer as a service to you, and we will estimate your coverage in good faith — though no practice can guarantee it, because the contract is between you and your carrier.
Yes. We take cash, cheques and Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover, and we offer CareCredit financing with no down payment, low monthly payments and several no-interest options.
As long as you do both thoroughly it does not matter much — but flossing first lets the fluoride in your toothpaste reach between the teeth, so that is the order we suggest.
Generally they are about as effective as each other. A powered brush is worth it if you find a manual one awkward to use, or if it is the thing that gets a child to brush at all.
Visit us
One of our team will contact you to arrange a time. We reply the same working day. If it is urgent, please phone instead.