Welcome to Dupont Dental. Dr. Christopher Banks and the team at our Dupont Circle area dental office are committed to helping patients find the best treatments for their smiles. Patient education is integral to our care; we want patients to understand the importance of routine treatment and examinations.
We’re also here to answer patients’ questions about our practice. Explore patient information from our dental office in Washington, DC, to learn more about our office and routine care.
Your First Visit and Routine Dental Care
Before your first visit to our office, we recommend that you contact us so we can take your medical history and insurance information. You can bring your insurance card and payment information when you visit our office. During your visit, you will spend one-on-one time with Dr. Banks and have time to ask questions or voice any current concerns.
Regular dental appointments consist of dental cleanings, dental X-rays, and examinations:
Cleanings
Our dental hygienists provide thorough cleanings. First, they will scale the teeth and gums with a stainless steel dental tool. A scaler removes plaque and tartar from hard to reach areas of the mouth that you may not get with brushing alone.
Then, our hygienists will perform a gritty toothpaste cleaning to remove harmful bacteria from the tooth’s surfaces. Finally, they floss between each tooth. Flossing will remove any leftover debris.
Fluoride treatments are popular following a cleaning. These treatments help remineralize the tooth enamel, or outer tooth layer, to protect against cavities.
X-rays
We will occasionally take radiographs of the smile to monitor emerging dental problems or changes in the teeth and gums. With modern X-rays, we can see more of the smile and diagnose problems early. Digital X-rays are safer than traditional X-rays because they emit less radiation. We will also provide you with a lead apron to wear as we take the X-rays for extra protection.
Examination
Dr. Banks will also provide a visual examination of your smile after your cleaning. He will look for signs of broken, worn, and infected teeth and gum problems. Dr. Banks will also screen for problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.
When looking for signs of gum disease, Dr. Banks will look for bleeding gums, deep gum pockets, and red gum tissue. He will also look for holes in the teeth, brown spots on the teeth, or gum inflammation. Signs of oral cancer include red and white patches in the mouth, jaw swelling, mouth bleeding, or mouth sores.
If Dr. Banks finds any dental problems, he will begin planning treatment. He may also create a treatment plan for you if you have a current dental concern when you visit our office.
Patient Information in Washington, DC
Access website links to learn more about Dr. Banks and his team, payment and insurance options, and answers to dental FAQs:
Our Office’s Location
In the heart of DC’s downtown business district and nearby residential neighborhoods, Dupont Dental Associates is located between M and N streets in the Dupont Medical Building at 1234 19th Street. Whether you’re traveling by foot, Metro, or car, it’s easy to find us. Detailed directions are provided below, but you can always call us at 202.296.7714 for further assistance.
Directions
By foot: From the south side of Dupont Circle, walk down 19th Street approximately two blocks. The Dupont Medical Building (1234) is on the right side of the Street.
By Metro [Red Line]: Ride the Red Line to the Dupont Circle station—exit from the “Dupont Circle South” escalators onto 19th Street, NW. Walk 1.5 blocks from the circle, and you’ll reach the Dupont Dental Medical Building (1234) on your right.
By Metro [Blue/Orange Line]: Ride the Blue/Orange line to the Farragut West station. Exit from the “18th Street” escalators and make an immediate left onto I Street NW. Proceed on I Street one block to 19th Street and turn right. Follow 19th Street 3 blocks to the Dupont Medical Building (1234) on your left.
By Car: There are several reasonably priced parking garages on 19th Street, M Street, and N Street.
Patient Information FAQs
Below, we answer questions that patients have about our office and our care:
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes, Dupont Dental is currently accepting new patients. Call our office or schedule a dental appointment with us online, and we will contact you shortly.
Do you accept dental insurance?
We accept dental insurance and payment plans to help patients budget their care and receive the proper treatment. Our dental office works with multiple insurance companies and helps file patient insurance. Our office accepts Aetna, Delta Dental, Cigna, Care First Blue Cross Blue Shield, and more.
Does your dental office treat dental emergencies?
Yes, we treat dental emergencies so you can get prompt dental care. Common dental emergencies we treat include a knocked-out tooth, tooth pain, and broken tooth. Call us as soon as you have a sudden, severe dental problem and we will provide care to relieve your discomfort and address your dental emergency.
How often should I visit the dentist?
Our office recommends that patients visit the dentist biannually or every six months. We can look for signs of developing dental health issues at routine visits and improve patients’ oral hygiene. Regular dental visits are essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy. These visits also help catch dental issues early.
If patients have chronic dental problems requiring more care, we recommend that they visit our office more frequently. For example, we may recommend that you visit more often for scaling and root planing if you have recurring gum infections.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Are you looking for a new Washington, DC, dentist? Call our dental office for care today at (202) 946-4720. You may also request a dental consultation with Dr. Banks on our website.
If you are a new patient of Dupont Dental and have questions, please let us know at your next visit. We’re here to help and patient education is our specialty.