Appointments   |   Infants   |   The Middle Years   |   Teens   |   Special Needs Patients
Do I Stay with My Child During the Visit?   |   What About Finances?  
Our Office Policy   |   Our Services   |   Sedation's

Our Office Hours
Monday -Thursday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

How are Appointments Scheduled?
The 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 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. If you like, you can let us know your preferences in advance by telephone or by e-mail. Please, refer to the form below.

Infants
From the time your child is first tooth erupts, we will provide the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for the dental challenges that may arise. Routine dental visits ensure that any problems are detected and treated early - or even avoided altogether.

Top of Page

The Middle Years
Children are, by nature, extremely active. And during all this activity, they may fall and damage their teeth or gums. Pediatric dentists are trained to minimize the damage that can result from injuries to the mouth; they can even save a tooth that is been completely knocked out!

Teens
As your child enters the teenage years, appearance becomes extremely important. Also, a teen's diet may consist of frequent sweets, snacks and sodas, and a busy schedule may make regular brushing a challenge. As pediatric dentists, we have learned techniques that help us treat the unique problems sometimes encountered with teens. We design treatment programs to specifically address the unique set of circumstances associated with this wonderful but challenging phase of your child's life!

The Special Needs Patient
An important part of a pediatric dentist's education centers on the treatment of patients with medical, physical or mental disabilities. Our training provides us with techniques to effectively and compassionately handle the challenges that may arise during treatment of the special needs patient, so that they may receive the same optimum level of dental care.

Return to Top of Page

Do I Stay with My Child During the Visit?
We encourage you to be present during the initial visit.  However, for subsequent appointments we ask that you allow your child to accompany our staff through the dental experience. We are all highly experienced in helping children overcome anxiety. Separation anxiety is not uncommon in children, so please try not to be concerned if your child exhibits some negative behavior. This is normal and soon diminish. Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of 3 react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an environment designed for children.

Please discuss the positive aspects of dentistry with your child. Convey good feelings about dental visits as being part of growing up. Rather than, "The dentist will not hurt you," say, "The dentist will be very gentle." Expect your child to react well and enjoy the first visit to our office and chances are he/she will do exactly that.

Return to Top of Page

What About Finances?
Payment for professional services are due ar the time dental treatment is provided. We file dental insurance as a courtesy to our patients and we will be happy to file your claim for you. We also accept most dental insurances, cash, personal checks, and most major credit cards. But most importantly, we will make every effort to provide a treatment plan which fits your timetable and budget, and gives your child the best possible care.

For separated or divorced parents, the parent who brings the child to the office is responsible for payment of fees charged for that child's care. If another agrees to payment responsibility, that person must provide an acknowledgement in writing of their desire to pay for care. It is the responsibility of the person bringing the child to the office to obtain a written agreement and to inform the other person of care being provided.

Return to Top of Page

Our Office Policy
If you have not paid your balance within 60 days a finance charge of 1.5% will be added to your account each month until paid. 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 can 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.

Fact #1: NO INSURANCE PAY 100% OF ALL PROCEDURES
Dental insurance is meant to be an aid in receiving dental care. Most dental plans only pay between 50%-80% of the average total fee.

Fact #2: BENEFITS ARE NOT DETERMINED BY OUR OFFICE
You may have noticed that sometimes 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.

Unfortunately, insurance companies imply that your dentist is "overcharging" rather than say that they are "underpaying" or that their benefits are low. In general, the less expensive insurance policy will use a lower usual, customary, or reasonable figure.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment.

Our Services
We offer the latest materials, techniques and equipment in pediatric dentistry.

Some of the Services We Provide:

• All aspects of Pediatric Dentistry

• Preventive Dentistry

• Infant Oral Health

• Special Needs Children's Dentistry

• Sealants

• Space Maintainers

• Preventive Orthodontics

• Oral Sedation

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) Sedation

• Minor Dental Surgery

• Athletic Mouth Guards

• Night Guards and Splints

• Endodontic (Root Canal) Treatment

• Tooth-Colored Fillings

• Hospital Dentistry

• Emergencies Seen Promtly

Care of the Mouth after Local Anesthetic
Your child has had local anesthetic for their dental procedure:

• If the procedure was in the lower jaw.. the tongue, teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

• If the procedure was in the upper jaw.. the teeth, lip and surrounding tissue will be numb or asleep.

Often, children do not understand the effects of local anesthesia, and may chew, scratch, suck, or play with the numb lip, tongue, or cheek. These actions can cause minor irritations or they can be severe enough to cause swelling and abrasions to the tissue. Please monitor your child closely for approximately two hours following the appointment. It is often wise to keep your child on a liquid or soft diet until the anesthetic has worn off.

Care of the Mouth after Extractions

Do not scratch , chew, suck, or rub the lips, tongue, or cheek while they feel numb or asleep.  The child should be watched closely so he/she does not injure his/her lip, tongue, or cheek before the anesthesia wears off. 

Do not rinse the mouth for several hours.

Do not spit excessively.

Do not drink a carbonated beverage (Coke, Sprite, etc.) for the remainder of the day.

Do not drink through a straw.

Keep fingers and tongue away from the extraction area.

Bleeding - Some bleeding is to be expected.  If unusual or sustained bleeding occurs, place cotton gauze firmly over the extraction area and bite down or hold in place for fifteen minutes.  This can also be accomplished with a tea bag.  Repeat if necessary.

Maintain a soft diet for a day or two, or until the child feels comfortable eating normally again.

Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for several hours after the extraction.

Pain - For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as directed for the age of the child.  If a medicine was prescribed, then follow the directions on the bottle.

Oral Discomfort after a Cleaning

A thorough cleaning unavoidably produces some bleeding and swelling and may cause some tenderness or discomfort.  This is not due to a "rough cleaning" but, to tender and inflamed gums from insufficient oral hygiene.  We recommend the following for 2-3 days after cleaning was performed:

1)  A warm salt water rinse 2 - 3 times per day 
    (1 teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water)

2)  For discomfort use Children's Tylenol, Advil, or Motrin as
     directed for the age of the child.

Sedation

Nitrous Oxide

Some children are given nitrous oxide/oxygen, or what you may know as laughing gas, to relax them for their dental treatment. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is a blend of two gases, oxygen and nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide/oxygen is given through a small breathing mask which is placed over the child’s nose, allowing them to relax, but without putting them to sleep. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, recognizes this technique as a very safe, effective technique to use for treating children’s dental needs. The gas is mild, easily taken, then with normal breathing, it is quickly eliminated from the body. It is non-addictive. While inhaling nitrous oxide/oxygen, your child remains fully conscious and keeps all natural reflexes.

Conscious Sedation
Conscious Sedation is recommended for apprehensive children, very young children, and children with special needs. It is used to calm your child and to reduce the anxiety or discomfort associated with dental treatments. Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but they will not become unconscious.

There are a variety of different medications, which can be used for conscious sedation. The doctor will prescribe the medication best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment recommendations. We will be happy to answer any questions you might have concerning the specific drugs we plan to give to your child.

Return to Top of Page