Dr. Tara Hackney, DMD

Dr. Tara Hackney, DMD is a Preventive Dentistry practitioner dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive preventative dental care. She practices at her clinic in Macclenny, FL, and is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine, practicing under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). General Preventive Dentistry serves as your primary partner in lifelong oral health, creating personalized plans to prevent cavities and gum disease, coordinating necessary screenings, and managing your overall wellness to ensure optimal oral and systemic health. She is committed to collaborative, evidence-based medicine and creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. Dr. Tara DMD serves all ages and patients should call (904) 259-6291 to confirm if she is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Tara Hackney, DMD is a dentistry practitioner in Macclenny, FL, dedicated to the prevention of dental issues. Her approach emphasizes a proactive, comprehensive strategy to oral health, focusing on personalized plans and preventative measures. She prioritizes coordinating necessary screenings and managing overall wellness to maintain optimal oral and systemic health. This approach empowers patients to take an active role in their long-term well-being. Dr. Tara DMD provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Tara DMD is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Tara DMD can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Tara DMD provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Compulsive Cheek Biting: Repeatedly biting your cheek increases your risk of developing painful sores, infections, and even long-term damage to your teeth and gums, highlighting the need for early intervention.
• Gaps Between Teeth: Managing gaps between your teeth through proper brushing, flossing, and potentially dental intervention helps prevent the buildup of plaque and bacteria, reducing your risk of gum disease.
• Gingival Fibromatosis - Growth Hormone Deficiency: Early detection of gingival fibromatosis, a gum overgrowth potentially related to growth hormone issues, is crucial for preventing complications like gum disease and tooth loss, highlighting the significance of proactive preventive care.
• Dentin Dysplasia, Radicular: Managing radicular dentin dysplasia involves careful monitoring and preventative dentistry to reduce the risk of infections, tooth loss, and other oral health issues.
• Halitosis: Halitosis can be a warning sign of poor oral hygiene, prompting proactive steps to prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
• Jaw Tumor: Regular dental checkups are crucial for early detection of jaw tumors, allowing for timely intervention and minimizing the impact on your oral health and overall well-being.
• Loose Teeth: Loose teeth can be a sign of underlying gum disease or bone loss, highlighting the importance of regular dental checkups for early detection and preventive treatment.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Tara DMD offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Perio Protect Method™: Protect your gums and prevent serious dental problems by using the Perio Protect Method, a safe and effective treatment option.
• Tooth-Borne Denture: By distributing pressure evenly across your remaining teeth and gums, a tooth-borne denture helps prevent further damage and discomfort from missing teeth.
• Restorative Procedure: A restorative procedure repairs damaged teeth, preventing further decay and discomfort, helping you maintain a healthy smile.
• Preseason Dental Exam: A preseason dental exam is a proactive way to safeguard your oral health, allowing for early detection and treatment of cavities, gum disease, and other issues.
• Panoramic and Cephalometric Digital Dental X-Rays: Protect yourself from potential oral health problems with panoramic and cephalometric digital X-rays. These images give us a detailed look at your entire mouth, helping to identify and treat issues before they become serious.
• Ceramic Dental Crowns: A ceramic crown provides a long-lasting restoration, safeguarding your tooth from further decay or fracture and maintaining its function.
• Replacing Several Teeth: Replacing several teeth can restore your smile's function and appearance, preventing further oral health issues and improving your overall well-being.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Preventive Dentistry Services in Florida.

Dr. Tara DMD is dedicated to partnering with Dental Caregivers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Patient's life:

• By addressing compulsive cheek biting early, a patient significantly reduced the risk of painful sores and long-term oral health issues, gaining peace of mind and a healthier smile.
• By diligently practicing proper oral hygiene and attending regular checkups, a patient successfully managed the gaps between their teeth, significantly reducing their risk of gum disease and maintaining a healthy, confident smile.
• By attending regular dental checkups and following a proactive preventative plan, a patient successfully managed potential gum overgrowth, reducing the risk of future complications and ensuring a healthy smile for years to come.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. She will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Preventive Dental care with Dr. Tara DMD:

How often should I visit the dentist for a check-up and cleaning?

For most people, visiting Dr. Tara DMD and our dental hygienist every six months is recommended. This crucial preventive care helps remove tartar buildup that brushing can't, detects cavities early, and screens for gum disease and oral cancer.

Why are routine dental cleanings so important for prevention?

Even with excellent brushing and flossing, plaque hardens into tartar that only a professional cleaning can remove. This is crucial for preventing cavities and, importantly, gum disease, which has been linked to other health problems such as heart disease.

How is oral health connected to my overall health?

Oral health is intricately linked to overall health. Chronic gum inflammation, or periodontitis, has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and poorly controlled diabetes. Preventive dental care, including regular checkups and cleanings, is essential for maintaining optimal body health.

What is a root canal and why is it needed?

A root canal is a procedure to save a badly infected or damaged tooth. It involves removing the inflamed pulp, cleaning the inside of the tooth, and sealing it, relieving pain and preventing tooth extraction. This treatment is a crucial preventive measure.

What are dental sealants, and who should get them?

Dental sealants are a thin, protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They are a powerful preventive tool, primarily for children and teenagers, that seals out food and plaque to prevent cavities from forming in the deep grooves of the teeth.

What are veneers and how are they different from crowns?

Veneers are thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of teeth to enhance their appearance. Crowns, on the other hand, are caps that cover the entire tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength after significant damage or decay.

Are dental X-rays safe, and why do I need them?

Yes, modern digital dental X-rays are very safe, using extremely low levels of radiation. They allow Dr. Tara to see issues like cavities, bone loss, and impacted teeth that aren't visible to the naked eye, enabling early intervention and better treatment outcomes.

How can I whiten my teeth safely?

The safest and most effective way to whiten your teeth is under professional supervision. Dr. Tara DMD can assess your oral health to ensure you are a good candidate and offer professional-grade treatments, like custom trays or in-office procedures, for better and safer results than over-the-counter products.

480 W Lowder St
Macclenny FL 32063
Phone: (904) 259-6291

Dr. Tara Hackney, DMD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1710953765

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Preventive Dentistry Services like Dr. Tara DMD are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your preventive dentistry about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.