We are aware of school policies which make it more difficult for children to be out of school for any reason.  However, MEDICAL and DENTAL appointments are EXCUSED ABSENCES with a doctor’s school pass and signature stating the child was in the office.

We would like to see all school-age patients after school: however, this is not possible.  Therefore, to make certain everyone has an opportunity for an “after-school” appointment”, the following guidelines have been created to better serve our patients.  Please help us help your child and others by not asking for exceptions.

1.   Children under 6 years of age will only be scheduled between the hours of 8:00 am and 12:00 noon.  This schedule leaves after-school hours open for school-age children.  When your child turns 6 years old, he/she will have access to after-school appointments.

2.   All heavy restorative (fillings, crowns, etc.) procedures are scheduled in the morning.  Children, as well as adults, are more prepared and typically are more cooperative in the morning for those types of appointments.  As much work as possible will be completed during each appointment.  Light restorative procedures can be completed between2:00 pm and 4:00 pm. 

3.   Six month oral exam and prophylaxis appointments for school-age children will alternate between morning and after-school hours.  This means that you will be asked to bring your child in during school hours one time per year for re-care appointments. 

4.   Please plan to arrive 5 minutes before your scheduled appointment.  This will allow time for you to complete any necessary paperwork.  If you happen to arrive 10 minutes late for your appointment, you may be asked to re-schedule for the next available appointment time as a courtesy to the next scheduled patient/patients who have arrived on time.  If we are able to complete some of the scheduled treatment rather than all that was scheduled, we will make every effort to do so.

5.   If for any reason you are unable to keep an after-school appointment, the missed appointment will be re-scheduled during school hours so that we may maintain a pattern of every other appointment being after school. 

Your cooperation with these guidelines is greatly appreciated.  We appreciate that you have chosen our office for your child’s dental care.

Preschool children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with the child 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. 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 48 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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We welcome your child and family into our practice and we will strive to make your child's dental experience positive and pleasant. We are committed to providing your child with the highest standards of dental care.  In order to achieve these goals, and focus on caring for your child, we need your assistance and understanding of our financial policy.

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, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
 

If you have dental insurance, we will verify your policy and benefits. However, insurance companies do not always release specific information regarding coverage. Please understand that all insurance policies are different and contain various provisions and limitations. At your child's evaluation appointment, we will provide a written estimate of your out of pocket expense for services that exceed your estimated insurance coverage. We will outline your estimated portion due for each treatment appointment. Please remember that Insurance companies will not release the exact amount they will pay for a procedure until the treatment is completed and the claim is submitted. They will only state the percentage of their fee schedule that they will cover.
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Office policy regarding balances

If there is any under payment made by your insurance company the balance is your responsibility. You will receive a statement reflecting the balance, and we ask that you pay your remaining portion within 30 days of the statement date. If you have not paid your balance within 30 days of the statement date, we reserve the right to charge a re-billing fee of 1.5% that will be added to your account each month until paid. If we have not received payment from your insurance company within 45 days of the service being rendered, you will be responsible for the balance. If your account has been overpaid we will be glad to send a refund to you. Our office reserves the right to stop filing your insurance if at any time there is a problem with your account because of your carrier, or your unwillingness to cooperate.
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Facts you should know about Dental Insurance

In an effort to help you understand your insurance policy and maximize your insurance benefits, we would like to share some facts about dental insurance with you.

FACT #I - Dental insurance is a contract between you, your employer and the insurance company. We are not a party to that contract.

FACT #2 - Dental insurance is NOT meant to cover all fees. It is meant to be an aid to your investment in your child’s dental healthcare. Many routine dental services are not covered by dental insurance.

FACT #3 - NO INSURANCE PAYS 100% OF ALL PROCEDURES
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.

FACT #4 - Usual, Customary or Reasonable Fees, UCR, a term used by your insurance carrier, is an arbitrary amount which the insurance company chooses to pay for each procedure. It is not based on the average charge of practicing specialist in the area; it is merely the "allowable" amount they will reimburse so they can make a net 20%-30% profit. Our fees are within range of other pediatric dental offices in the area.

FACT #5 - Insurance companies will not release the exact amount they will pay for a procedure until the treatment is completed and the claim is submitted. They will only state the percentage of their fee schedule that they will cover.

We will make every effort to assure you receive maximum benefits. We will file your insurance at no charge. In order to provide this service, we ask that you please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment before each appointment.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about our financial policy. We want you to be comfortable in dealing with these matters. If you have any questions regarding your insurance, we ask that you contact your company regarding the specifics and details of your plan.