CJ Henley, DMD, PA / Jacksonville, Florida
A comprehensive dental exam in Jacksonville.
The whole picture, explained clearly.
A comprehensive dental exam is a complete evaluation of your teeth, gums, bite, jaw joints, and the soft tissues of your mouth, head, and neck, read alongside your medical history and medications. At our Hendricks Avenue office, a new-patient visit is scheduled for about two hours: normally an hour with Dr. Henley and an hour with our hygienist.
At a glance
Your comprehensive exam in brief.
A routine checkup looks at what has changed since your last visit. A comprehensive exam starts from the beginning. It is the visit where we learn your mouth, your health, and your goals well enough to give you a plan you can trust, and it becomes the baseline every future visit is compared against.
- Time
- About two hours for a new patient. Normally an hour with Dr. Henley and an hour in hygiene.
- Who you see
- Dr. CJ Henley personally, plus one of our hygienists.
- What we check
- Teeth, existing dental work, full gum measurements, bite and jaw joints, soft tissues, and an oral cancer screening.
- X-rays
- Only when they will answer a real question. Recent images from your last dentist are reviewed first.
- What you leave with
- A clear explanation of what we found, your options, and what can wait.
- Where
- 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207, near Emerson Street. Parking on site.
What a comprehensive dental exam includes
Eight things we look at, and why each one matters.
The American Dental Association defines a comprehensive oral evaluation as a thorough evaluation and recording of the hard and soft tissues inside and outside the mouth, together with your dental and medical history. Here is what that means in practice.
1. Your health history and medications
Many medications change what is safe or wise in the dental chair. Bone medications, blood thinners, diabetes treatment, and drugs that dry the mouth all affect how we plan care. We review the list with you rather than just filing the form.
2. Head, neck, and oral cancer screening
We examine the lips, cheeks, tongue, floor of the mouth, palate, and throat, then feel the jaw and neck for lumps or tenderness. An oral cancer screening is part of every comprehensive exam in our office.
3. Every tooth and every existing restoration
We look for decay, cracks, wear, and failing fillings, and we check crowns, bridges, veneers, and implants for fit and health. If a tooth has been bothering you, we work out why. Our guides to when a tooth needs a crown and tooth pain after a filling explain some of what we look for.
4. Gums and supporting bone
Gum disease is usually painless until it is advanced. In a national survey, about 42% of U.S. adults age 30 and older had periodontitis. At every comprehensive exam we measure and record the gum pockets around every tooth. That is how gum disease is found early, and how we decide whether you need a routine cleaning or gum treatment.
5. Bite, jaw joints, and grinding
We check how your teeth meet, how your jaw opens and moves, and whether there are signs of clenching or tooth grinding. Bite forces explain a lot of broken teeth and failed dental work. Read how we approach TMJ/TMD care and bite adjustment.
6. Saliva and the soft tissues of the mouth
Changes in the lining of the mouth can reflect conditions such as dry mouth, oral lichen planus, or burning mouth syndrome. Most bumps are harmless, like a torus palatinus. When something needs a closer look, our oral medicine and diagnosis approach takes over.
7. Imaging, when it is needed
There is no fixed X-ray schedule here. We take images when they will answer a clinical question, use the smallest field that answers it, and review any recent images from your previous dentist first. See our digital and 3D imaging page for equipment and radiation doses.
8. Your goals for your smile
If you would like whiter, straighter, or more even teeth, or you are unhappy with past cosmetic work, tell us. We consider appearance together with health and function, and can talk through cosmetic dentistry, veneers, or clear aligners when they fit.
Your first visit, step by step
Two hours, so nothing is rushed.
New-patient appointments are scheduled for approximately two hours. That time is for listening and explaining as much as for examining.
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Before you arrive
Complete your health history online or in the office. Bring a current list of medications and supplements, your insurance information if you have coverage, and any recent X-rays or records. We can help arrange a records transfer from your last dentist.
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A conversation with Dr. Henley
You will meet directly with Dr. Henley. Tell him what brought you in, what has worked or failed before, and anything that makes dental visits hard for you.
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The examination
Dr. Henley completes the exam described above, including the oral cancer screening and any imaging that is actually needed.
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Time with our hygienist
Your cleaning is planned around what the exam shows. If your gums need treatment beyond a routine cleaning, we will explain why and schedule it separately.
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Findings, options, and next steps
We show you what we found, explain what is urgent and what can be watched, and walk through reasonable alternatives. You decide what happens next, without pressure.
Comprehensive, periodic, limited
Which dental exam do you need?
Dental offices and insurance plans describe exams using American Dental Association procedure codes. Knowing the difference helps you understand your appointment and your benefits statement.
| Exam | ADA code | When it is used | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive oral evaluation | D0150 | New patients, patients returning after three or more years, or after a significant change in health | A complete baseline: history, teeth, restorations, gums, bite, soft tissues, and oral cancer evaluation |
| Periodic oral evaluation | D0120 | Established patients at regular recall visits | Changes in your teeth, gums, and health since the last exam |
| Limited, problem-focused evaluation | D0140 | A specific problem, such as pain, swelling, or a broken tooth | Diagnosis of that one concern. See emergency dental care |
| Comprehensive periodontal evaluation | D0180 | Patients with signs of gum disease or risk factors such as smoking or diabetes | Everything in a comprehensive exam, plus full charting of gum pockets, recession, and bone support |
Insurance plans set their own rules for how often each code is covered. Which evaluation is appropriate depends on your history and what the exam finds.
Your health is part of the exam
When your medical history changes the dental plan.
Dr. Henley serves on the Head and Neck Tumor Board at Baptist MD Anderson and has served as faculty in the University of Florida Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. That experience shapes how he reads a medical history.
Tell us at your exam if any of these apply. Each one can change what we recommend, how we time it, or who we coordinate with.
- Upcoming radiation or chemotherapy for head and neck cancer. A dental evaluation before treatment starts matters. See head and neck cancer dental care, and physicians can use our referral process.
- Past radiation to the head and neck, including any change in how wide you can open. See radiation-induced trismus.
- Osteoporosis medications such as alendronate (Fosamax) or denosumab (Prolia). See osteoporosis medications and your dental health.
- GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. See GLP-1 medications and your teeth.
- Blood thinners, diabetes, heart conditions, joint replacements, or a transplant.
- Several medications that leave your mouth dry, which raises the risk of decay.
Patients with more involved histories can read about our complex and medically involved care.
Second-opinion exams
Not sure about a treatment plan, or about work already done?
Some patients come to us with a treatment plan from another office and want to understand it before they commit. Others have veneers, crowns, or bonding that never looked or felt right. A comprehensive exam is the right starting point for both.
We evaluate the teeth, gums, bite, and existing restorations before giving an opinion, and we review your records and images where they are available. Depending on what we find, the options may include monitoring, adjustment, repair, or replacement. Sometimes the honest answer is that the original plan is sound.
See the reasoning behind real treatment decisions in our case studies and before-and-after gallery.
After your first exam
How often do you need a dental exam?
It depends on your risk, not on a one-size calendar. Clinical guidance supports recall intervals for adults anywhere from three months to two years, set by the dentist after looking at your decay risk, gum health, medical history, and habits. Many patients do well with visits every six months. People with gum disease, dry mouth, a history of head and neck radiation, or frequent new decay usually need to be seen more often.
Your periodic exams build on the comprehensive baseline. We repeat a full comprehensive exam when you have been away for several years or your health has changed significantly.
Do not wait for your next routine visit if you have a sore that has not healed in two weeks, swelling, a tooth that hurts to bite on, gums that bleed easily, a loose adult tooth, or a broken filling or crown. Call 904.398.1549. When you are in pain, we try to see you the same day when we can.
Insurance & payment
Clear answers about cost before you come in.
We are an out-of-network practice. We can help you understand how to use your benefits. You are responsible for amounts your plan does not pay.
Before scheduling, call our team with your plan details and ask about the comprehensive exam fee and payment arrangements. We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and CareCredit.
If your plan resets in January, a fall exam can help you use this year’s benefits. Read using dental benefits before the end of the year, what to know about out-of-network dental insurance, and dental insurance after retirement.
Serving patients across Northeast Florida
Getting to your exam from around Jacksonville.
Our office is on Hendricks Avenue near Emerson Street, south of San Marco Square. Patients come to us from across Duval, Clay, and St. Johns counties for a thorough exam. Mileage below is approximate and measured to our door.
From Orange Park and Fleming Island
About 15 miles from Kingsley Avenue · about 21 miles from Fleming Island
Take US 17 north to I-295 east, cross the Buckman Bridge, and exit at San Jose Boulevard heading north. San Jose Boulevard becomes Hendricks Avenue, and our office is on the way. No downtown traffic, and you never get on I-95.
From Ponte Vedra, Nocatee, and the Beaches
About 20 miles from Ponte Vedra Beach or Jacksonville Beach · about 23 miles from Nocatee
Take J. Turner Butler Boulevard west to I-95 north and exit at Emerson Street. Head west on Emerson to Hendricks Avenue. From Nocatee, the Nocatee Parkway connects to US 1 and I-95.
From Riverside, Avondale, and Ortega
About 4 miles from Riverside and Avondale · about 9 miles from Ortega
Cross the St. Johns River into San Marco and follow San Marco Boulevard south to Hendricks Avenue. From Ortega, Roosevelt Boulevard to I-95 south across the Fuller Warren Bridge is usually quickest.
From Mandarin, San Jose, and St. Johns
About 10 miles from Mandarin · about 3 miles from San Jose · about 20 miles from St. Johns
Drive north on San Jose Boulevard, which becomes Hendricks Avenue. From St. Johns, I-95 north to the Emerson Street exit is the simplest route.
From San Marco, Miramar, and the Southbank
Under 3 miles
We are a few minutes south of San Marco Square on Hendricks Avenue. Read more on our San Marco dentist page.
Our office
CJ Henley, DMD, PA3675 Hendricks Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Parking is available at the front, side, and back of the building.
| Monday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Tuesday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| Thursday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday | 8:00 a.m. to noon |
Call to confirm appointment availability and holiday hours.
Before you schedule
Questions about comprehensive dental exams.
What is a comprehensive dental exam?
A comprehensive dental exam is a complete evaluation of your teeth, existing dental work, gums and supporting bone, bite and jaw joints, and the soft tissues of the mouth, head, and neck, including an oral cancer screening. It is reviewed together with your medical history and medications, and it sets the baseline that future checkups are compared against.
How long does a comprehensive dental exam take?
At our office, a new-patient visit is scheduled for about two hours. That is normally an hour with Dr. Henley for the conversation and examination and an hour with a hygienist. Our team will confirm the timing when you schedule.
What is the difference between a comprehensive exam and a regular checkup?
A comprehensive exam (ADA code D0150) is a complete baseline evaluation for new patients, patients returning after several years, or after a major change in health. A regular checkup, or periodic exam (D0120), looks at what has changed since your last visit. A limited exam (D0140) focuses on one problem, such as a toothache.
Is a dental exam the same as a cleaning?
No. The exam is the diagnosis, done by the dentist. The cleaning is preventive care, done by a hygienist. At a new-patient visit we usually do both, but the type of cleaning depends on what the exam shows. If your gums need treatment beyond a routine cleaning, we will explain why and plan a separate appointment.
Will I need new X-rays?
Not automatically. We take images only when they will answer a specific clinical question. If you have recent X-rays from your previous dentist, we review them first and use them when they are suitable. Our digital and 3D imaging page explains our approach and radiation doses.
How often should I have a dental exam?
It depends on your risk. Clinical guidance supports recall intervals for adults from three months to two years. Many people do well with a periodic exam every six months, while people with gum disease, dry mouth, frequent decay, or a history of head and neck radiation usually need to be seen more often.
Does insurance cover a comprehensive dental exam?
Many dental plans include benefits for exams, but coverage and frequency limits vary by plan. We are an out-of-network practice. We can help you understand how to use your benefits, and you are responsible for amounts your plan does not pay. Call us with your plan details to ask about the exam fee before you schedule.
Can I come in just for a second opinion?
Yes. If you are uncertain about a proposed treatment plan or unhappy with existing veneers, crowns, or bonding, a comprehensive exam is the right starting point. We examine your teeth, gums, bite, and restorations and review your records before giving an opinion.
Do you see patients from Orange Park, Ponte Vedra, and other areas outside San Marco?
Yes. Our office at 3675 Hendricks Avenue sees patients from across Northeast Florida, including Orange Park, Fleming Island, Ponte Vedra Beach, Nocatee, the Beaches, Mandarin, Riverside, Avondale, and Ortega. Orange Park is about 15 miles away by I-295 and San Jose Boulevard, and Ponte Vedra Beach is about 20 miles away by J. Turner Butler Boulevard and I-95.
What if I am nervous about the dentist?
Tell us when you schedule. We can explain each step, plan breaks, and go at your pace. Some patients also enjoy a visit from Snapper, our dental therapy dog, when scheduling allows and a visit is welcome. Please mention allergies or a preference not to be around dogs.
More questions? Read our dental FAQ. · Meet Snapper · Our imaging approach
Your next step
Start with a careful look and a real conversation.
Whether you are new to Jacksonville, overdue for a checkup, or looking for answers about something that has not been resolved, a comprehensive exam is where good dental care begins.
Prefer a nonurgent text? 904.762.5616 is our practice on-call and text line. Please don’t send sensitive health information by text, and call for anything urgent.
Related pages
Sources
- American Dental Association. CDT: Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (D0120, D0140, D0150, D0180).
- Eke PI, et al. Periodontitis in US adults: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2014. J Am Dent Assoc. 2018;149(7):576-588.
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Dental checks: intervals between oral health reviews (CG19).
- American Dental Association. Oral Health Topics: X-rays/radiographs, including the ADA and FDA recommendations on patient selection for dental radiographs.