How do I become a new patient?
Simply call or e-mail our Winston-Salem office and we will make the whole process simple and easy. We will first ask you for information that will help us understand your specific needs. Then, we will schedule an appointment for you to have a comprehensive examination with one of our Board-certified doctors. We’ll assist you with insurance questions, have your past records transferred to our office and answer any other questions you may have. We do require a completed health history form prior to your first visit with us. All of the necessary forms are available to download online (see “Forms”), however, we will be happy to mail them to you if you’d prefer. Just ask!
Can a new patient schedule a cleaning?
Absolutely! However, we believe a comprehensive examination with a doctor first is most beneficial to determine not only the best cleaning regimen for you to achieve optimal dental health, but also to address any restorative needs and answer any of your questions. If you’d like, we can schedule your first cleaning immediately following the comprehensive exam.
What is involved in a comprehensive exam?
Our doctors and staff spend time getting to know you as an individual, always listening carefully to your concerns and answering any questions you may have. We then determine what care is needed to achieve and then maintain optimal dental health and discuss your recommended treatment. If you have had X-rays taken relatively recently, we will assist in having them transferred to our office. If not, we can take the appropriate films needed to properly evaluate your dental and oral health using digital imaging which significantly reduces the amount of radiation exposure compared to older methods and produces a more diagnostic image. We will also thoroughly screen for oral cancer and evaluate TMJ health. The whole process is gentle, informative, pain-free and relaxed. We will present you with a treatment plan at the conclusion of the visit for you to keep which will outline all recommended treatment, including the total cost, and will discuss any financing/payment options that may be available.
Are you a family practice?
Yes, we love families! You can rest assured that we will treat your children with the same quality of care with which we treat our own. In some cases we do refer children to a pediatric dentist if the child becomes frightened. We want to make their experience with the dentist a positive one so that he or she does not develop a negative attitude toward dental care. Be sure to ask about our “No Cavity Club” for children.
Does your office accept dental insurance?
We file all dental insurance plans except for Medicaid. Upon your first visit, we will ask for your insurance card so that we are able to file a claim on your behalf for all of your future appointments. We will also gather as much information as possible about your plan to assist in providing an estimate of the portion of the total cost your dental plan will cover. Please keep in mind that while we will certainly do all that we can to help, it is ultimately the patient’s responsibility to be thoroughly familiar with their specific policy prior to any rendered care. We do ask that you arrive for your appointment prepared to pay the total balance of the fees your plan does not cover.
Does your office provide financing options?
Yes. We do have options available to assist our patients. They include third party financing and all major credit cards are accepted. We also offer a 5% courtesy discount for payment in full on the day of service when the patient’s portion of the cost exceeds $500. Payment must be made using either cash or check.
What if I miss my appointment?
We understand that life throws us all a curveball from time to time causing us to miss scheduled meetings and appointments. If this occurs, we do require a cancellation call at least 24 hours prior to your appointment so that we may offer that time to another patient in need of care. Feel free to leave us a message on our 24-hour emergency phone or contact the office directly during normal working hours. The Practice does, however, reserve the right to charge a “broken appointment fee” following a reasonable assessment of the circumstances which will be proportional to the total cost of the scheduled treatment and subsequent time allotted.
What should I do if I need emergency care after hours?
Although the doors are locked and the lights are off, our doctors are still available to help you in a time of need. Simply call our main office phone number and it will direct you to our 24-hour emergency phone. Immediately following your conversation with a member of our clinical team, a doctor will be notified and you will receive a follow-up call shortly thereafter with instructions on how to proceed. In the rare case of an emergency requiring immediate attention in the office, a $195.00 “after hours fee” will be charged in addition to the normal cost of the treatment rendered.
What is the difference between a DDS and a DMD?
American Dental Association statement: “If you’re looking to find a dentist you may notice that while most are listed with a “DDS”, some may be listed as “DMD”. They both mean the same thing—your dentist graduated from an accredited dental school. The DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) and DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) are the same degrees. Dentists who have a DMD or DDS have the same education. The level of education and clinical training required to earn a dental degree, and the high academic standards of dental schools are on par with those of medical schools. Upon completion of their training, dentists must pass both a rigorous national written exam and a state or regional clinical licensing exam in order to practice. In order to keep their licenses, they must meet continuing education requirements for the remainder of their careers so that they may stay up to date on the latest scientific and clinical developments.”
