What happens during my initial visit?
What do I do if I have a dental emergency?
Are x-rays a required part of my treatment? Can they be dangerous?
Do I need to worry about any health risks?
How do I prepare my child for his or her first dental appointment?
Are there other recommendations for child patients?
Does my dental insurance coverage affect my level of treatment?
How much will my dental insurance cover?
How can I prevent future dental disease?
How can I pay for my dentistry?
Unless you have an immediate condition which requires immediate attention, the initial visit to our office usually consists of:
- A complete radiographic (x-ray) survey (including cavity detecting x-rays)
- A thorough cleaning (if indicated)
- Oral hygiene instruction
- An examination by the doctor
- The American Cancer Society oral examination
- Peridontal (gum tissue) evaluation
- Nutritional counseling for children (if indicated)
We appreciate that true dental emergencies do occasionally arise. If you experience a situation which requires immediate attention, please call the office as early in the day as possible. This will allow the appointment secretary an opportunity to work you into the schedule at a time which is convenient for you, our other scheduled patients, and the doctor. Please avoid the temptation to arrive at our office unannounced. This practice can result in unnecessary delays for you as well as others. Should you need help after hours the doctor maintains a 24 hour paging service. You may reach the doctor, or one of his associates, by calling the regular office phone number (630.665.5550) and following the instructions found there.
We appreciate your concerns about radiation. We have the same concerns for ourselves and our families.
We are pledged to seeing that every patient receives a complete and thorough examination which must necessarily include some x-rays. While we do everything possible to see that you receive only those x-rays dictated by the generally accepted standard of care, a request to be treated without the appropriate x-rays cannot be honored.
We are very proud of our committment to excellence and patient safety. We will continue to offer the latest in generally accepted and proven techniques and services. We will continue to meet or exceed all of the guidelines for sterilization and cleanliness that are recommended by OSHA, The Center for Disease Control, and the American Dental Association.
The best child patients are those who are introduced to the dental experience prior to the need for treatment. This gives them the opportunity to become acquainted with our staff and familiar with our dental office. Treating children gives us the opportunity to meet our patients of tomorrow, today! We believe that the doctor-patient relationship is one that can and should last a lifetime if there is mutual trust. Unless an obvious problem exists, we recommend that children receive an initial examination by age three.
In the case of minors, we request that parents approve our recommendations and the fees involved before we undertake treatment. In order to avoid any misunderstanding, we require that one parent be present at the initial visit and that the parent or guardian present bear financial responsibility.
Dental insurance has made quality dental care a reality for many patients. While dental insurance can be confusing, my office is committed to seeing that every patient has the opportunity to receive the higest level of care. With that in mind, we will take whatever action is required to see that your insurance benefits are maximized. Please bring your insurance information with you when you visit our office for the first time. Any questions regarding your dental insurance should be discussed with our business coordinator.
Most dental insurance is not intended to cover all costs. While we cannot possibly maintain detailed information about every policy, with your assistance we will be able to provide an estimate of your coverage and supply you with all the information needed for you to be reimbursed by your insurer. Please remember that while our treatment recommendations are based solely on the conditions present in your mouth, your eligibility and level of reimbursement will depend entirely on the quality of the product purchased by your employer.
We believe that one of the most important services we have to offer is a plan for the prevention of future dental disease. One of our primary responsibilities to you is to eliminate and help you control the disease in your mouth. This is the only way we can, in all good conscience, plan the restoration and/or replacement of diseased or missing teeth and predict that these restorations will be long lasting. We are convinced that every patient has the potential to control the disease in their own mouths and achieve optimum dental health. The only variable in this equation is the amount of time and effort required by each individial patient. We will assess your level of home care, offer instruction and encouragement, and then place you on an individualized recare (check-up) schedule which will match your particular level of cooperative ability and need.
Because your smile and dental health is important to us we offer a healthcare credit card specifically designed to pay for your treatment which is not covered by insurance. An investment in your dental health can be financed just like any other sizable investment. Few people are able to buy cars with cash. A major dental investment is no different. As the leader in patient financing, CareCredit® has made it easy for millions of patients nationwide to obtain the treatment they want and need. For treatment amounts of hundreds of dollars to over $25,000 CareCredit® has a variety of low minimum monthly payment plans, some with no or low interest. So you can start treatment today and pay over time with manageable monthly payments that fit your budget. Please call our Business Coordinator, Debbie, at 630-665-5550 to discuss your needs and apply for a CareCredit® card today. A great smile can make a difference! Why not start on yours today?