Office Information

Office Information

How are appointments scheduled?

It is our goal to schedule appointments at a time that is most convenient for you.  It is usually best to schedule preschool children in the morning because they are fresher and we have more time to work with them.  School children who need a lot of treatment should be scheduled in the morning for the same reason.  Dental appointments are considered an excused absence and we will always provide a school excuse for the appointment time.  When children have regular dental visits missing school due to dental visits is kept to a minimum.

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Am I able to stay with my child?

We invite and encourage you to stay with your child or children during all of their dental visits.  It is important for you to be a part of the dental development of your child.  This is a very exciting part of their life and one that we want you to be intimately involved.

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What if my child has a cavity?

We, as pediatric dentists, are specially trained to treat cavities in children while making the experience pleasant.  We will assess the decay and make recommendations based on the size and extent of decay.  The goal of our office is to insure a positive dental appointment for you and your child.

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Is nitrous oxide used?

Nitrous oxide is also known as laughing gas, and it is used in some cases to relax a child for dental treatment.  The nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and delivered through a small breathing mask that is placed over the child’s nose.  The gas will allow the child to relax but will not put the child to sleep.  The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recognizes the use of nitrous oxide/ oxygen as a safe and effective technique for treating the dental needs of children.  The gas combination is very mild and is inhaled with normal breathing.  After treatment is completed, the child is given 100% oxygen to flush out the nitrous oxide from the lungs and it quickly eliminated from the body.

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Will my child need conscious sedation?

Conscious sedation is recommended for an apprehensive child, very young children, and those with special needs.  The medicine given is usually a liquid medication that your child will drink at the office.  The medicine given is used to calm your child and reduce anxiety associated with dental treatment.  Your child may be quite drowsy, and may even fall asleep, but will not become unconscious.  All the doses given are based on weight.  We will also assess your child’s health on the day of treatment and may decide to reschedule if your child is ill on the day of treatment.

There are several medications that can be used for conscious sedation.  Dr. Lewis & Dr. Longoria will prescribe the medicine that is best suited for your child’s overall health and dental treatment.  We are always happy to answer any questions you may have about the specific drugs we have recommended to give to your child.

PRIOR TO TREATMENT:
It is very important that you notify us of any changes in your child’s health and/or medical condition.  You should reschedule your appointment if your child has a fever, ear infection, or cold.

You must notify us of any drugs that your child is currently taking and let us know of any drug reactions and/or change in his or her medical history.

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My child has crooked teeth, what should I do?

The American Association for Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7.  Early detection and treatment of dental problems can allow your child a more normal and natural development.  We will work with the natural growth of your child to prevent problems from getting worse and correct problems that have already begun.

Early treatment can be indicated for the following:

  • Habits such as thumb and finger sucking
  • Mouth breathing and snoring
  • Bad bites, narrow upper jaw, and missing teeth

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Do you take my dental insurance?

Our office strives to provide a treatment plan which fits your timetable and budget, and most importantly, gives your child the best possible care.  We accept cash, checks, debit cards, and most major credit cards.  We will be happy to file your dental insurance if we have verified your coverage prior to the appointment.

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Our office policy regarding dental insurance

If we have received all of your insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will file your claim for you.  It is important that you are familiar with your insurance benefits, as we will collect the estimated amount that your 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 will be responsible for any balance on your account after 30 days, whether insurance has paid or not.  We will be happy to send a refund 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 can only assist you in estimating your portion of the cost of treatment.  We at no time guarantee what your insurance will do with each claim unless a written preauthorization has been filed.

No insurance company pays 100% of all procedures and the benefits are not determined by our office.  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.  Some plans may pay more and some plans may 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.

IMPORTANT Please keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, insurance company address, or a change of employment.