How fees work
What a visit costs depends on your child's plan, the treatment and the dentist's exam. Here is how we handle each part, and what we put in writing.
Insurance we work with
We bill PPO dental plans and file the claim for you. Whether we are in network depends on your plan, so call us and we'll tell you before you book.
PPO and indemnity plans: we file the claim
DHMO plans: ask us, they work differently
Medicaid and CHIP: call us and we'll answer plainly
If you pay yourself
Without insurance you pay the fee for the visit, and we tell you the fee before treatment starts. Financing is offered by third-party lenders. Approval and terms are set by the lender.
Receipts for reimbursement
If you pay us and your plan reimburses you, we give you an itemized statement to send to the plan. What the plan pays back is the plan's decision.
An estimate in advance
We give a written estimate in advance to anyone paying without insurance, and to anyone who asks. It lists the treatment, the visits it takes and what it will cost.
Ask when you schedule or at the visit
In writing, before treatment starts
Checking your benefits
Before the first visit our front desk checks what your child's plan says it covers and tells you. If the plan's own estimate differs from ours, we show you both.
What the first visit includes
About 45 minutes: a look around the office, a gentle exam, X-rays only if the dentist decides your child needs them, and time to talk with you. Bring your insurance card, a photo ID and a list of your child's medicines.
A tour, then an exam
A written plan and estimate for any treatment
Time for your questions
A written estimate says what we expect to bill. If your plan's final payment is different, we explain the difference before you pay.
Questions about paying
How do I get a written estimate?
Ask when you schedule or at the visit. After the exam the dentist lists the treatment, the visits it takes and what it will cost, and our front desk goes through your benefits with you.
What if my plan pays less than the estimate?
A plan's estimate is the plan's, not ours. If its final payment is different, we explain the difference before you pay and go over your options.
Do you offer financing?
Financing is offered by third-party lenders. Approval and terms are set by the lender. Ask the front desk for the lender's own terms before you decide.
Ask for a written estimate
Tell us what your child needs and how you plan to pay. We'll tell you what to expect before you book.