Our office, along with The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), recommends establishing a “Dental Home” for your child by one year of age. Children with a dental home are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care.
You can help make your child’s first visit enjoyable and positive. If they are old enough, let them know about the visit in a way that emphasizes the friendly and caring nature of our team. Avoid using words like “needle,” “shot,” “pull,” “drill,” or “hurt,” as these can create unnecessary anxiety. Our team uses child-friendly language to explain procedures in a pleasant and reassuring way.
To ensure everyone’s safety and privacy, only one parent or guardian may accompany their child in the clinical area. Exceptions to this policy include sedation appointments, frenectomies, or surgical procedures. Some children feel more confident with a parent present, while others perform better with parents waiting in the reception area. We invite you to decide which option works best for your family.
During your child’s treatment, our focus is on building their confidence and reducing any apprehension. We kindly ask parents in the operatory to let our team communicate directly with your child. For the safety and privacy of all, siblings or other children not receiving treatment must remain in the reception area with a supervising adult.
The office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience and when time is available. Please recognize the fact that there are only so many after-school appointments and we try to be open when school is out to better accommodate our patients, but sometimes school may need to be missed. We don’t reserve certain times for certain ages, as every child is different and we want to cater to what works best for you and your child! 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 exclusively for each patient we ask that you please notify our office 24 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. There will be a $50 fee if we are not notified.
We invite you to stay with your child during their entire dental experience. Some children perform better with the parents present in the operatory, and some are better with the parents in the waiting room. We let you make the choice as to which scenario works best for your family!!! Our purpose is to gain your child’s confidence and overcome apprehension, so we do ask that you refrain from talking and let us do the communicating with your child! For the safety and privacy of all patients, other children who are not being treated should remain in the reception room with a supervising adult.
Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. Every effort will be made to provide a treatment plan that fits your timetable and budget and gives your child the best possible care. We accept cash, personal checks, debit cards, and most major credit cards. Additionally, we offer payment plan options through CareCredit and Cherry third-party financing.
How familiar are you with your dental insurance coverage? It’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company before your child’s appointment so you’ll have a good understanding of what services are covered by your plan. We accept ALL PPO dental insurance but are considered “in-network” providers with BCBS and Delta Dental. For patients with any other type of traditional dental insurance, we will be happy to file claims on your behalf. Contact your provider to learn more about the specifics of your coverage.
When planning for your appointment it may be helpful to keep in mind that 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. This is not true! Most plans only pay between 50%-80% of the average total fee. Some pay more, some pay less. The percentage paid is usually determined by how much you or your employer has paid for coverage or the type of contract your employer has set up with the insurance company.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment. We are here to help, but we need all the information to make it as seamless as possible!
Join our exclusive Oral Wellness Membership Program, designed for existing patients without dental insurance or those seeking an alternative to TennCare. With this plan, members enjoy comprehensive dental coverage including 2 exams, 2 cleanings, 2 fluoride treatments, and 1 set of bitewing x-rays annually. Plus, any additional treatments needed are available at a 15% discount.
This program ensures you and your family receive top-tier dental care at predictable costs, with a selection of plans tailored to meet your specific needs.
