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We are open to
serve you, answer questions, or schedule an appointment
during the following hours:
Monday - Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00pm
Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm
Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm
How are Appointments Scheduled?
The office attempts
to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is
available. We like to see preschool children in the morning because
they are fresher and we can work more slowly with them for their
comfort. School children with a lot of work to be done should be
seen in the morning for the same reason. Dental appointments are an
excused absence and we will be happy to provide a school excuse for
the appointment time. Missing school can be kept to a minimum when
regular dental care is continued.
Since appointed
times are reserved exclusively for each patient we ask that you
please notify our office 24 hours in advance of your scheduled
appointment time if you are unable to keep your appointment. Another
patient, who needs our care, could be scheduled if we have
sufficient time to notify them. We realize that unexpected things
can happen, but we ask for your assistance in this regard.
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Do I Stay with My Child During the Visit?
We invite and
encourage you to stay with your child or children during all of
their dental appointments. This is an exciting part of their
development and one in which we want you intimately involved.
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First Visit
Our office and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recommend
that children
should have their first dental appointment by one year of age. An
early check-up and consultation allows us to detect and treat dental
problems at an early stage, to teach good prevention, to build a
strong foundation for good oral health, as well as to build a good
relationship with our office.
There are many
great books that have been written about going to the dentist. We
have found that prior to your child’s first visit it is helpful to
read one or two of these with the child to introduce some of the
things he or she will be seeing. Please preview the book before
reading it to your child as some of them are not as “friendly” as
they should be.
At your child’s
first appointment, we will examine his or her teeth, gums, and bite.
With your permission, after the exam and if there is a need, we will
take x-rays to complete the dental evaluation. Your child’s teeth
may be cleaned and treated with a topical fluoride foam. Following
this, we will discuss our findings with you, propose a treatment
plan, explain the options available, and provide an estimate of cost
involved.
At the first visit
we will be able to answer your specific questions such as:
Does my
child have any cavities?
When will
my child’s first tooth get loose?
Is
thumbsucking causing a problem?
Will my
child need braces?
We strive to make each and every visit to our office
a fun one!
For your
convenience prior to visiting our office, please
click here to print the New Patient Health History Form,
complete the information and bring it with you to your first visit.
To print the form
you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Adobe
Acrobat, please
click here to download it for free to your computer.
What If My Child Has a Cavity That Needs To Be Fixed?
A pediatric
dentist is specially trained to treat your child’s cavities and
make the experience pleasant. Depending on the size and the
severity of the decay, many different techniques are employed to
insure a positive dental appointment.
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Nitrous Oxide
Some children are
given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to
relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a
blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen
is given through a small breathing mask that is placed over the
child’s nose and is used to help him relax without putting him to
sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes this
technique as a very safe and effective one to use for treating
children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with
normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is
non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child
remains fully conscious and keeps all of his or her natural
reflexes.
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Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation
is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and
children with special needs. The sedation given is usually a liquid
medication that your child will drink when he arrives at the office.
It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or
discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be
quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but he will not become
unconscious.
There are a variety
of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation.
The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your
child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will
be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the
specific drugs we plan to give to your child.
Prior to your
child’s dental appointment:
·
Please
notify us of any change in your child’s health and/or medical
condition. Do not bring your child for treatment with a fever, ear
infection or cold. Should your child become ill, contact us to see
if it is necessary to postpone the appointment.
You must tell the doctor of any drugs that your child is currently
taking and any drug reactions and/or change in his or her medical
history.
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What If My Child’s Teeth Are Crooked?
The American
Association for Orthodontists recommends that every child have an
orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7. Early detection and
treatment gives your child the edge: a much better chance for
natural and normal development. By working with the natural growth
instead of against it, we can prevent problems from becoming worse,
and give your child a lifetime of healthy smiles!
Early treatment
should be initiated for:
·
Habits such as thumb and finger sucking
·
Mouth
breathing or snoring problems
·
Bad
bites, narrow or underdeveloped jaws, and missing teeth
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Does the Office Accept My Dental Insurance?
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 are
happy to file your dental insurance if we have verified your
coverage prior to the appointment.
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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. We will be glad to send a refund to you if your
insurance pays us.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND that we file dental insurance as a courtesy
to our patients. We do not have a contract with your insurance
company, only you do. We are not responsible for how your insurance
company handles its claims or for what benefits they pay on a claim.
We can only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of
treatment. We at no time guarantee what your insurance will do with
each claim unless a written preauthorization has been filed.
Please understand
that no insurance company pays 100% of all procedures and the
benefits are not determined by our office. 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.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, please keep us informed of any insurance
changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change
of employment.
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