FIRST VISIT
You can help prevent tooth decay by starting your child’s dental checkups at an early age. It’s beneficial for the first dental visit to occur within six months of eruption of the first tooth and no later than the child’s first birthday. Consider your child’s first visit as a “well baby checkup” for his or her teeth.
During the visit, Dr. Oliver can show you how to properly clean your child’s teeth, discuss fluoride needs, and recommend oral care products. And he will check for problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay, and can evaluate any adverse habits such as thumbsucking.
If you have a toddler who has not had a dental checkup, explain to the child that Dr. Oliver is a friendly doctor who helps take care of teeth. Talk about the visit in a positive, matter-of-fact way, as you would about any important new experience. Our intention is always to provide a safe and fun environment in order to establish and maintain a trusting relationship.
“ Our intention is always to provide a safe and fun environment in order to establish and maintain a trusting relationship. ”
Dr. Oliver will gently examine their teeth and gums, checking for decay and other problems. If necessary, your child’s teeth are cleaned, or a follow-up appointment may be scheduled.
Parents are an essential part in maintaining their child’s good oral health, and are encouraged to participate in their dental visits with Dr. Oliver. Regular exams, a balanced diet, and proper care at home will help your children enjoy a lifetime of smiles.
We strive to make each and every visit to our office a fun one!
Scheduling Appointments
How we schedule appointments
Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Preschool children should be seen in the morning because they are fresher and we can work more slowly with them for their comfort. All children needing restorative work will 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 exclusive for each patient, we ask that you please notify our office at least 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.
Do I stay with my child during the visit?
We invite you to stay with your child during the initial examination and EVERY visit after that, including treatment visits!
During general anesthesia cases, we do require that the parents wait outside in the waiting room.
Finances
Payment for professional services in 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, personal checks, major credit cards, and CareCredit financing. We also accept payment from most insurance plans. If you are covered by an appropriate dental plan, we will gladly file your insurance claims and do our best to help you determine your benefits. If you are responsible for a co-payment or deductible, we require payment for your estimated portion at the time of treatment.
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. If you have not paid your balance within 60 days, a re-billing fee of 1.5% will be added to your account each month until paid. 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 only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of treatment. We at no time guarantee what your insurance will or will not do with each claim. We also cannot be responsible for any errors in filing your insurance. Once again, we file claims as a courtesy to you.
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. Actually, most plans only pay between 50%-80% of the average total fee. The percentage paid is usually determined by how much you or your employer has paid for coverage, or the type of contract you have with the insurance company.
YOUR BENEFITS ARE NOT DETERMINED BY OUR OFFICE. On some procedures, your dental insurer reimburses you or the dentist at a lower rate than the dentist’s actual fee. Frequently, insurance companies state that the reimbursement was reduced because your dentist’s fee has exceeded the usual, customary, or reasonable fee used by the company. This gives the impression that any fee greater than the amount paid by the insurance company is unreasonable, or well above what most dentists in the area charge for a certain service. This can be very misleading and simply is not accurate. Insurance companies set their own schedules, and each company uses a different set of fees they consider “allowable” to insure a net profit to them of 20%-30%.
Patient Forms
For your convenience and information, please click here to print the New Patient Health History form and view our Financial Policies and our Notice of Privacy Policies. Complete the Health History and bring it with you to your child's first visit.