Financial and Office Policies
Your mouth is a wise place to invest your hard earned dollars.
In dentistry, like any demanding profession, quality takes time. We work as long and as diligently on every patient until the best possible result has been achieved.
It is unavoidable that the time and energy this type of care requires is more costly to perform. Since quality endures over time, quality is the most cost effective method of dental care.
In addition, costs rise over the years and future replacements are considerably more expensive than the cost of doing a high quality job the first time. In addition, few patients enjoy sitting through dental procedures earlier than would otherwise be necessary. It is always cheaper to do it right the first time!
There are no bargains in dentistry. Beware of those who advertise and claim special dental fees. Their overhead is higher due to the advertising cost and this is added to the fee or the cost and results in less service for the patient. Advertising is expensive and many offices use a large portion of your dental dollar to attract new patients.
If you agree with our philosophy we welcome you. If you do not, please allow us to refer you to a health care practitioner who would be more in line with your needs.
If you like our service, tell a friend; if you don't, please tell us. We will do whatever is possible to help you with your health care needs.
Fees and Payment Plans
In order to control our costs and provide a better service for our patients there are specific finanical arrangments that we must adhere to.
- For one-appointment services under one hundred dollars (cleanings, simple fillings, sealants, etc.) please make payment in full at the time the services are provided.
- For one-treatment services over one hundred dollars payment may be made at the time the service is provided or in three monthly payments, the first being made at the time the services are provided.
- For two appointment services (crowns, porcelain veneers, etc.) half of the estimated fee is payable at the start of treatment and the balance is due on completion of treatment.
- We will be happy to assist you in handling your insurance claims. We prefer that you settle your account with us and allow your insurance carrier to reimburse you for the services provided.
- Interest will be charged on balances over 60 days.
The fees we quote are estimates. It is not uncommon for a treatment plan to be altered once the treatment has begun and the full nature of the existing restorations is discovered.
Insurance & Cosmetic Dentistry
Modern cosmetic dentistry is one of the most desired dental services. What it can do for a smile is hard to describe in words and the value is difficult to measure. To most people the effect on ones health, appearance, and self-esteem are priceless.
Most insurance companies consider cosmetic dental work a luxury and do not include it in their coverage of benefits. This is not unusual in the health care field. Few, if any, medical policies cover elective surgery. The rare exception to this rule is in an accident case where cosmetic work is in line with cor≠recting trauma.
Patients should be aware that even cosmetic dental procedures that are used to treat existing decay may not be covered under some dental plans. Many of these procedures (such as CMBRs), although used sucessfully for over a dozen years, are still considered "new" or "optional" by some insurance carriers and are not covered.
Fees charged for cosmetic procedures are generally higher than those for regular fillings and for maintenance care. These higher fees reflect the enormous amount of training and of time these procedures take to complete properly. In addition the materials and laboratory costs for cosmetic work are greater. Our primary concern is to provide you with the finest result possible. We feel your smile is worth the extra effort.
Many insurance companies that do claim to cover cosmetic procedures do so by allowing a very low reimbursement for such services. Though any assistance is welcome, the patient should not expect the major portion of these services to be covered by an insurance carrier.
As always, our staff will be happy to assist you in filing your dental claims. However, please remember, regardless of insurance coverage, the patient is fully responsible for the fees associated with their dental care.
Referrals to Specialists
No one person can know it all. We work as a team with other dentists who specialize in certain dental procedures. When we feel that another professional is more able or experienced in performing a service you will need, we will refer you to those† professionals.
Financing is available through the The Dental Fee Plan at very low rates to assist you.