National Dental Hygiene Month
October is National Dental Hygiene Month – This is the time of the year where we celebrate the work our awesome dental hygienists LaSonia, Linda, and Terry do (which is way more than just “clean teeth”), and we help raise awareness on the importance of good oral health. Fresh breath, strong teeth and healthy gums are all part of good oral health. That’s why it’s important to brush for 2 minutes 2x a day, floss every day, and rinse with mouthwash. And don’t forget to come in for regular checkups and cleanings!
Collecting Co-Payments and Deposits…
To make sure we are running on schedule and to not have our patients waiting to check out, we will be collecting co-payments prior to being seen for your appointment. Once your appointment is complete, you can stop at the front desk to pick up your receipt. For anyone who has dental insurance, we will submit a pre-authorization to your insurance company, to find out what your co-payment will be prior to your scheduled appointment.
For patients scheduling their next restorative appointment with the doctor while they are in the office, we will collect a $200 deposit from you to reserve your appointment time. That deposit will go towards your co-payment responsibility for the procedure(s). If you need to reschedule your restorative appointment, you must give 48 hours’ notice in order to use your deposit towards another appointment.
Why We Take X-Rays…
The use of dental radiographs aids in diagnosing and treating dental problems at an early stage and can eventually save time, prevent more costly treatment, and reduce further discomfort. The dentist cannot see most diseases with the naked eye alone (clinical exam). A radiograph may expose infections in the bone, decay in between the teeth, overhang on fillings or open margins on crowns, periodontal disease (gum disease involving the bone), impacted teeth, abscesses, and certain tumors. Due to the low radiation exposure with digital radiographs, the benefits of taking them outweigh the risks. Click on the link below to see a dental x-ray radiation comparison chart.
Running Out of Time…
Before you know it, 2025 will be here and all of your unused dental insurance benefits for 2024 will be gone. If you have dental insurance that covers a hygiene visit or other dental procedures, why let those benefits go to waste? You pay for your benefits, so why not use them? Call us today to schedule your next dental hygiene or restorative appointment.
Fun Fact
The average American consumes about 3.4 pounds of sugar just from Halloween candy. That’s enough to send shivers down your dentist’s spine!