Office Info

How are appointments scheduled?
Do I stay with my child during the visit?
What about finances?
Our Office Policy Regarding Dental Insurance

How are appointments scheduled?

Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience. Appointments for preschool children should be scheduled in the morning when they are alert and our staff can spend more time with them. School children that need restorative treatment should be seen in the morning for the same reason. Dental appointments are an excused absence from school. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when regular dental care is continued.

Our office is open during most school holidays and no-school days during the year.

Since appointed times are reserved exclusively for each patient we ask that you please notify our office 24 hours in advance of your appointment if you are unable to keep your appointment. We realize that unexpected things can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard.

Do I stay with my child during the visit?

We welcome parents to stay with their children for initial and routine exam and cleaning appointments. If your child does need to return to our office for dental treatment, we ask that parents remain in the waiting room during their child's procedure if your child is over the age of 3. We are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in children, so please try not to be concerned if your child exhibits some negative behavior. This is normal and will soon diminish. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an environment designed for children.

What about finances?

Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. Every effort will be made to provide a treatment plan which fits your timetable and budget, and gives your child the best possible care. We accept cash, personal checks, debit cards and most major credit cards. We do participate with Care Credit.

Our Office Policy Regarding Dental Insurance

If we have received all of your insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will be happy to file your claim for you. You must be familiar with your insurance benefits, as we will collect from you the estimated amount insurance is not expected to pay. By law your insurance company is required to pay each claim within 30 days of receipt. We file all insurance electronically, so your insurance company will receive each claim within days of the treatment. You are responsible for any balance on your account after 30 days, whether insurance has paid or not. If you have not paid your balance within 60 days a re-billing fee of $7 will be added to your account each month until paid. We will be glad to send a refund to you if your insurance pays us.

Fact 1 – INSURANCE USUALLY DOES NOT COVER 100% OF SERVICES
Dental insurance is meant to be an aid in receiving dental care. Many patients think that their insurance pays 90%-100% of all dental fees. This is not true! Most plans only pay between 50%-80% of the average total fee. Some pay more, some pay less. The percentage paid is usually determined by how much you or your employer has paid for coverage, or the type of contract your employer has set up with the insurance company. Unlike medical insurance there are annual allowances for services which will cap coverage.

Fact 2 - BENEFITS ARE NOT DETERMINED BY OUR OFFICE
Dental and medical insurance coverage is always confusing. We can assist you by filing pretreatment estimates. However, there is almost always fine print and pretreatment estimates are not a guarantee from the insurance company. Therefore we can assist but not guarantee the insurance company will cover services.

Fact 3 - DEDUCTIBLES & CO-PAYMENTS MUST BE CONSIDERED
Deductibles vary from policy to policy and must usually be paid on an annual basis. This fee is a must be met before any services are covered.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment.