Comfort and style with general dentistry start in the chair, where a relaxed patient makes every cleaning and exam easier and better. At Southern York Smile Care in Shrewsbury, PA, we pair modern comfort with careful general dentistry so routine visits feel calm and catch problems early.
A seat designed just for you
Did you know dental chairs do not come from the local furniture store? They are built for one job: keeping you comfortable while giving your dentist a clear, steady view of your mouth. Every part of the chair adjusts. The seat tilts back, the headrest moves to support your neck, and the height changes at the touch of a button.
That design helps both sides of the chair. You can lie back with your head and back supported, rather than straining your neck. Your dentist can work at the right angle without leaning or twisting. That matters for short visits like exams and cleanings, and even more for longer work like porcelain veneers or dental implants.
If you have a sore back, a stiff neck or trouble lying flat, just say so. The chair can be set more upright, and short breaks can be built into longer visits.
Small comforts that add up
Comfort is about more than the chair. It is also about time, communication and choice. A few things that help:
- Unhurried visits. Our cleanings are a full 60 minutes, so you are not rushed in and out.
- Knowing what is happening. The intraoral camera shows you what the dentist sees, on a screen, so nothing feels mysterious.
- Breaks when you need them. Raise a hand at any time, and the work pauses.
- Gentler tools. Air abrasion can remove small areas of decay without the drill in some cases, and the Picasso laser is used for some gum treatments.
- Less radiation. Digital X-rays use up to 90% less exposure than older film.
See our dental technology page for more on these tools.
What general dentistry covers
General dentistry is the everyday care that keeps your mouth healthy. It is the foundation that cosmetic and restorative work is built on. At Southern York Smile Care, general dentistry includes:
- Exams and cleanings twice a year, or more often if your gums need it
- Digital X-rays when they are needed, not at every visit
- Tooth-colored, BPA-free white fillings in a mercury-free office
- Gum disease treatment, from deep cleanings to laser care
- Oral cancer screening with ViziLite, a blue dye rinse and OralCDX when a closer look is needed
- Night guards for grinding and clenching
- Care for children, so the whole family can be seen in one place
- Emergency visits for toothaches and broken teeth
Our preventive dentistry and dental cleanings pages explain more.
Why every six months?
We recommend you relax in one of our chairs about every six months. With regular cleanings and checkups, most cavities can be prevented, and the ones that do appear can be caught while they are small.
Catching problems early
Catching problems early is what general dentistry is all about. A small cavity found at a checkup can be fixed with a simple white filling. The same cavity found a year later, after it starts to hurt, may need a crown or a root canal. Early gum disease can often be reversed. Advanced gum disease can lead to bone loss and loose teeth.
Keeping tartar under control
Even great brushers miss a little plaque. Over time, it hardens into tartar, which only a professional cleaning can remove. Regular cleanings keep tartar from building up below the gumline, where it does the most harm.
Some people need visits more often, such as those with a history of gum disease, diabetes or dry mouth. Dr. Steven Haywood, DDS, will suggest the schedule that fits you. Our article Check Out the Checkup! walks through each step of a routine visit.
Comfort for nervous patients
Even the most comfortable chair cannot fix dental fear on its own. If visits make you anxious, you are far from alone, and there are good options. Let the team know when you book so your visit can be planned around your comfort.
Southern York Smile Care offers oral sedation, a pill taken before your visit to help with moderate to severe anxiety. Many people find they can get more done in fewer visits with sedation. Learn more on our sedation dentistry page, or read our article on dental anxiety.
Tell us what helps you
Small details can make a big difference, so speak up about what you need:
- A neck pillow or blanket if you get cold or stiff
- Extra time to numb fully before work begins
- A hand signal to pause at any moment
- A step-by-step explanation, or none at all if you would rather not know
- An early morning visit, so you are not worrying about it all day
There is no wrong answer. The goal is a visit that feels manageable for you.
Style: when you want more than healthy
Once your teeth and gums are healthy, you may want to improve how your smile looks. General dentistry and cosmetic dentistry work hand in hand. Healthy gums and sound teeth make cosmetic results last longer, and cosmetic work is planned around the health of each tooth.
Popular options include professional whitening, cosmetic bonding for chips and small gaps, porcelain veneers and Invisalign clear aligners. Dr. Haywood completed the NYU Aesthetic Continuum cosmetic training and is an Elite Invisalign Provider. See our cosmetic dentistry page for the full range.
Your care team
Dr. Haywood earned a DDS cum laude from the University of Detroit in 1987, completed a US Air Force advanced residency and has 35+ years in practice. Madi Backel, our Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, helps make each visit smooth. Kelley Fisher, our Patient Care and Treatment Coordinator, helps with treatment plans, insurance questions and financing. Scott Hittie, our Business Manager, keeps the office running.
Southern York Smile Care is out of network with every insurer. You pay at the visit, and the office files your claim so you can be reimbursed. Payment plans through CareCredit and Cherry are available. See our financing page for details.
Book your next visit in Shrewsbury
If it has been more than six months since your last cleaning, now is a great time to come in, sit back and relax. Call Southern York Smile Care at (717) 235-3871 or request an appointment. We are at 4 S. Main St in Shrewsbury, PA, and welcome patients from York, southern York County and northern Baltimore County, MD.
DDS cum laude 1987, US Air Force residency, NYU cosmetic training and Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, with 35+ years in practice.
Meet Dr. Haywood →
Coronation: Dental Crowns in Shrewsbury PA
Mouthwash Facts and Dental Health in Shrewsbury PA
Three Reasons for Checkups: Dental Health in Shrewsbury PA