FAQs
Appointments
Patients are seen by appointments to minimize waiting. We make every effort to remain on time and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us and other patients.
If it is impossible to keep a scheduled appointment, we ask that you notify us 24 hours in advance so another person can use this time. A charge may be incurred if this policy is not followed.
Course of Treatment
In order to be as thorough as possible, your initial appointment will consist of an examination to develop an individualized treatment plan. This exam consists of hard tissue charting (teeth and bone), soft tissue charting (cheeks, lips, tongue, gingiva, etc.) and radiographs (x-rays).
A treatment plan consists of a step-by-step listing of the procedures needed to return your mouth to a state of health. A cleaning may also be accomplished at this initial appointment if your oral condition is determined to be relatively healthy. Subsequent appointments will be scheduled to continue with your treatment plan.
Referrals
Situations may arise during the course of your treatment that would require the aid of a specialist. A specialist may be required for reasons such as:
- Time involved with treatment
- Special circumstances with treatment
- Difficulty in treatment
If you need a referral and prefer a certain specialist, we will be happy to work with that doctor. Otherwise, we will refer you to specialists that we have previously worked with and have developed confidence in their treatment. We will do our best to have you referred in a quick and efficient manner so your treatment is not delayed.
Children
Kindness is the greatest factor in overcoming fear. We are not born with a fear of the dentist. Please do not use negative words such as “drill”, “needle”, or “hurt.” This will only suggest the possibility of pain.
Dentistry for children is an important health service. We will try to treat your child as thoroughly and carefully as we would our own.
Check-ups
“An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is certainly true in dental health. In the past, dentistry was mainly involved with repairing damages of dental disease. Today, many problems can be avoided. Regular cleaning is important to prevent and control cavities and gum disease. Exams can detect problems in the early stage while they are easiest and least costly to correct.
Children should begin check-ups at approximately age 3 and should continue every 6 months. With some exceptions, adults should be seen twice a year.
Fees and Payments
To help keep the cost of dental care down, payment is expected at the time of service. Payment by cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and CareCredit accepted.
For extensive treatment, you will be given an estimate and asked to make definitive financial arrangements with our office administrator prior to scheduling treatment.
Note: There will be a fee for any returned check. Billing/Interest charges will be assessed to any balance over 30 days.
Insurance
Although we do not participate with insurance programs, we will process and submit your insurance claims. Because of the number of insurance companies present today, we ask that you be responsible for understanding your insurance plan and the services which are/are not covered.
Remember that dental insurance is a contract between you and the insurance company. Most policies do not cover the entire cost of dental care and you will be responsible for any costs incurred at this office. We will do our best to answer any questions regarding your insurance plan.
In Closing
If you ever have any questions or concerns about your dental condition or our office policies, please convey them to us. We strive to provide modern dental care in a pleasant and effective manner. Comments or suggestions which will improve our services will be appreciated.
We welcome the referral of new patients and would be happy to include your family and friends in our practice. Thank you for the opportunity to provide dental care for you.