We understand dental treatment represents a significant investment both emotionally as well as financially. We are committed to addressing both the emotional as well as the financial aspects of your dental treatment in our office.

It is important to understand that dental insurance isn't really insurance (a payment to cover the cost of a loss) at all. It is actually a money benefit, typically provided by an employer, to help their employees pay for routine dental treatment. The employer usually enrolls in a plan based on the amount of the benefit and how much the premium costs per month. Most benefit plans are only designed to cover a portion of the total cost of a person’s necessary dental treatment. For example, a dentist may recommend a crown for a tooth that has extensive decay, however, the dental plan may only cover the cost of a filling. This does not mean that the patient does not need a crown though, only that the benefit is limited to a filling. This happens quite frequently when your general dentist refers you to a specialty practice. Your “insurance” may cover a portion of a specialist’s treatment but more often than not your benefits are better utilized with your routine treatment in your general dentist’s office. This can result in more out of pocket expense with the specialist.

Dental insurance is also very different than medical insurance; It is much more limiting than medical insurance. With medical, the insurance will usually cover a certain percentage of the disease. With dental, the insurance will sometimes cover a certain percentage of the treatment...up to a limit of $1,000, or $1,500. Above and beyond that it doesn't matter if it's a covered expense, the dental insurance company is not going to pay. (Incidentally, this maximum amount has not increased substantially since 1965.)

Notwithstanding, whatever benefits you have coming, we will make sure you get them. We will work closely with your general dentist to maximize your benefits and minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. We will also never let the insurance companies tell us what we can, or cannot recommend to you as our patient based on your diagnosis. We will tell you exactly what you need in order to treat and/or control the diagnosed condition.

Our office has a full-time professional who works in our business office on behalf of our patients. We will spend the time necessary for you to understand what your insurance will (or will not) cover, financing options, as well as working around your schedule. Please remember though, that many insurance companies will not release to us how much they will actually cover on a procedure and will only do so to you, the patient. We will do our best to give you an accurate estimate but remember it is exactly that, an estimate. Rest assured that we’re on your side and will always do our best for you.