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For many years, advertising in the dental profession was considered unprofessional and was  actually frowned upon. Times have changed, and nowadays if you don’t advertise it can be difficult to build a successful dental practice. The problem for the public is that it is a very daunting, and overwhelming task. I will attempt to simplify the process for you.

I believe you have the right to interview the staff and the doctor. But  how do you chose what office to even make the appointment for? Start on the internet. Yes, even before you call the office. The website should be very complete and modern. Should have lots of info about the office, the team, the doctor for sure, and should make you feel like you will connect with them. All photos should be real live patient photos, not stock photos. It is a representation of the doctors work, and pride he has in it. It also shows the faith the patients have in the doctor to allow him/her to share their story with you.

The initial call should be pleasant, personal, and make you feel special, not like an insurance number. After you hang up from the call, you should be looking forward to meeting everyone and how good the experinece will be. There should be virtually no waiting and total attentiveness to you when you are there, You should feel listened to and cared for. The look of the office should be clean, modern, and a place you think is where the best care will be given.

It is unfortunate that everyone advertises that they are the “top” this, or voted “best ” that. First of all, do those lists hold any credense, and secondly, who advertises themslves as an “OK” dentist? Choose wisely, and carefully, and most of all, listen to your instinct. We set the bar very high in my office so i feel confident in saying, we will surpass your every expectation.

The newest buzzword in dentistry is  “sleep dentistry”. We are bombarded with numerous ads about it, but I have to believe many are confused about what it is really all about. I will attempt to explain this in a way that WON”T put you to sleep!

There are nearly 90 million Americans that have some level of anxiety or fear of going to the dentist. Many of them just bite the bullet and white-knuckle it out. Of that number, 30 million are so fearful that they completely avoid going to the dentist,sometimes for years until a disaster occurs, like an infection, or severe toothache. After speaking to many of these people at my consultations, I’ll be honest with you: If I had the same experience they had that brought this whole fear/anixiety on, I would feel the same way. That’s right, I would avoid the dentist as well. The problem with this, and I have seen 3 of these types of patients in the last week, is when they do finally come in, the condition of their mouth is very bad. The treatment plans become more comprehensive, and more emergency treatment takes place. This can ALL be avoided.

Sleep dentistry, AKA “sedation dentistry” ,has made  an amazing difference for all these people. It is now  possible to have no fear or anxiety throughout the entire appointment. Anxiolysis is the first level of sedation. For most people, this is all that is necessary. After a thorough health history screening, a pill is taken the night before the appointment to begin the relaxation process. The following morning, the patient arrives with additional medicine that has been prescribed, and is dispensed in the office. You relax in the office for approximately one hour as you begin to feel more calm and comfortable, and even somewhat sleepy. All of your vital signs are monitored for this very safe method. Then, the treatment begins. The patient can talk or answer questions if asked, but is really in a relaxed state as if you drank a few glasses of wine. The goal of this level of sedation is NOT to put you to sleep. It makes the time pass very quickly, and has excellent amnesic effects, so you do not remember much of the appointment at all. The patient is taken home by a spouse or friend, as driving is not allowed. Most people just nap the remainder of the afternoon. By evening, all is well, and your treatment is done!

If the patient has certain medical conditions , or perhaps  you simply want a deeper level of sedation, a board certified anesthesiologist is used to administer IV sedation where you are completely sleeping. You are breathing on your own, so this is considered “twilight” sedation, and have 100% amnesia,  and no time awareness. If extenuating circumstances arise in which the patient wants general anesthesia, that can be done as well. For this, like in ANY general surgical procedure in a hospital, you are not breathing on your own, but are intibated with a breathing tube. 

This is really one of the most exciting advances in dentistry. There is no longer ANY reason to avoid or put off your necessary treatment. Don’t let your past affect your future. I can help you . Your mouth will be healthy, and appear beautiful, the way it was intended to be.  So tell your family, friends, and co-workers to call us for a complimentary consultation to see if you or they are a candidate for any of these sedation options, and finally get back to great oral health.

Dental Insurance has been around for over 30 years. The typical maximum benefit then was about $1000 for a calender year. Some 30 years later, the maximum yearly limit is still $1000, yet premiums have risen over 400%!  If dental insurance companies kept up with the value of the dollar and inflation, they would be covering approximately $8,000 per year in treatment not just $1000! You read that correctly. As a result, insurance companies place limits on what they cover, and prolong the reimbursement process with unnecessary, and repetitive paperwork. Ultimately, it is the patient (the insurance company’s policy holder) that suffers from this. Remember, the insurance companies are a business, and are hoping that their clients never even use their benefits. Can you imagine being in a car accident, totaling your car, and the insurance company says “we’ll give you $1000 on that claim for the year”. That would be fraudulant, and unacceptable, yet the public has accepted that as standard practice from the insurance companies.

PPO’s-(Preferred Providers) does not mean you are required to go to a participating provider. They will lead you to believe this, but this is just not true. It allows you some power in deciding who in fact you would like to be YOUR doctor, not just a name from a list. If you go out of ‘network” you will still maintain ALL of your benefits. Their coverage is slightly less, but you make up for it in reduced premiums. It is a wash. So stop letting your employer decide which doctor you see with one of “their” contracted doctors. You can still come to me and maintain all of your due benefits. We file all of your claims on your behalf, so you do not have to do a thing.

Many insurance companies use  the “LAB” principle. It is short for “Least Alternative Benefit”. It basically means they will pay for the cheapest material or treatment they feel is adequate for you. This is very broad power given to someone behind a desk that has never examined you.

Consider insurance as a “pre-paid’ gift certificate that is good for $1000 or so, and it expires December 31 if not used. Insurance companies know people do not go to a dentist regularly, and sometimes for just two cleanings per year…the cost of a good haircut! Yet, they received full fee for the premiums.

BUT WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS?

The good news is that you have $1000 or so due to you for your treatment!!!! We gladly file for you, and as previously mentioned, you can still see me although I am not a “preferred provider”. We will do everything to maximize the benefits due to you.  So don’t procrastinate any longer. Get your mouth back to the healthy, beautiful condition it was meant to be in.