What to Expect at Your First Visit
All patients receive a thorough examination and a full evaluation of their current dental health. We take the time to recommend and explain the best treatment and any appropriate options. We fully understand that going to the dentist can be an anxious and fearful event for many patients, especially when changing practices. Be assured that we’ll do everything possible to ensure you a pleasant and comfortable visit.
Comprehensive review
When we meet, together we’ll review your current dental condition with an emphasis on addressing your concerns.This will include a review of your medical history, current medications and a blood pressure screening. If your treatment plan is complex, there may recommend a second visit to review additional concerns – but there will not be an additional fee if this visit is required.
X-ray Policy
We require current x-rays before any treatment can begin for adult patients. The State Board of Dental Examiners considers an examination to be incomplete without current x-rays. We require bite wing x-rays, taken by us or furnished by your previous dentist, that are no more than 1 1/2 years old. We require a full-mouth series or panoramic x-ray that is no more than three years old. We will be happy to furnish you a copy of the American Dental Association guidelines on x-rays. All x-rays taken in our office are digital. This means you receive less than 1/2 the radiation required to obtain an image compared to film based x-rays.
Pediatric Care
We see children in our office as young as age 2 1/2 yrs old. We do not expose children to x-rays unless a problem is noted – requiring further visualization. First bite wing x-rays for kids with no problems may be recommended at age 6. A panoramic x-ray may be recommended for children age 10 to monitor tooth development. If an orthodontic referral is made, we will let the orthodontic specialist determine x-ray requirements for your child.
Dental Insurance
For patients with dental insurance, we ask that you bring your benefit information and booklet to your first visit. Your insurance plan will often pay a portion of the costs of your treatment. Our front office staff are experts at understanding and maximizing the benefits that your insurance provides and explaining them to you. You will receive a written estimate of your treatment options. We handle all the paperwork for you, submit your claims and collect the benefits directly from the insurance company. For that portion of the costs not covered by your insurance, we offer several options:
- Patients can pay their estimated out-of-pocket costs on a per visit basis.
- We accept VISA, MasterCard, MAC and personal checks.
- A 12 month, 0% financing plan is also available.
- We accept many of PPO and traditional dental plans.
Health Forms
In compliance with patient confidentiality regulations, we invite you to print and complete your Health History Form prior to your first visit in our office. Please read other information for your understanding (we will have rest of the forms ready for you to sign when you come to the office). This will allow us to attend to your dental needs more quickly when you arrive.