Patient Info
BEFORE YOUR VISIT
If you are ready to experience dentistry differently, give us a call or request an appointment on our website and we will get you started. One of our fabulous coordinators will gather the information needed to schedule your first visit with us and answer any questions you may have.
We will send you a follow up email to fill out your new patient forms online so we can receive and review them before your appointment. For your convenience, we will send you appointment reminders and confirmations via text and/or email. We do kindly require that you confirm your appointment to maintain the reservation.
your first visit
Most people that walk into Smile Today comment that it does not smell at all like a typical dental office. It might sound like a strange observation but we actually purposely make our practice smell amazing and have a comfortable vibe to give our patients a better experience.
Your first appointment will include a discussion about what your overall and dental health goals are. We will complete a comprehensive exam that includes an oral cancer screening, periodontal assessment for gum disease, radiographs, intraoral photos and a tooth by tooth structural and disease analysis.
Our hygienist will perform a professional cleaning or start periodontal therapy if deemed more appropriate in the presence of gum (periodontal) disease. We will also spend time reviewing and demonstrating proper home hygiene techniques specific to your dental needs so you can learn to maintain optimal health when not seeing us.
We will give you a complete picture of your dental health, how it can impact your overall health and answer any questions or concerns you may have about your dental needs, smile needs, or even just life needs!
You will leave Smile Today having been presented with an individualized treatment plan that takes into account your specific goals, finances, and lifestyle.
Insurance
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans.
Financial policy
We understand that every patient has different financial needs.
Membership Plan
Our membership plan offers discounts and benefits with just one yearly fee.
Insurance
We participate with and accept most major PPO dental insurances. Give us a call and we will verify if we are in-network with your specific insurance plan. If you have a plan that we are not in-network with but would still like to be a part of our practice, we will gladly still complete and submit claims on your behalf to your insurance.
Dental insurance differs greatly from medical insurance and can be very confusing to understand which is why we are here to help you make sense of it. Below is some basic information and terminology to help you understand how dental insurance works:
First off, your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company and unfortunately, we are not a party to that contract. Your dental benefits are actually not even determined by the insurance company or by our office but by the plan your employer negotiates with the insurance company. Even having a dental insurance plan does not guarantee payment or coverage for all procedures.
As a courtesy to you, our office always attempts to collect any coverage information your insurance will tell us, submit pre-treatment estimates, and even submit appeals and narrative on your behalf. Any information that your insurance company provides us is subject to change at any moment if something changes on your employers end. It is physically impossible for us to have knowledge and keep track of every aspect of your insurance but we promise we will try our best. It is also strongly advisable to contact your insurance carrier or your employer for any specific details because as the contract holder, they will often provide you with a better breakdown of benefits than they do us.
Most plans have a deductible (typically ranging from $50 to $100) which the policy holder must pay before the insurance will make any payments. Each plan pays a specific percentage based on preventive (hygiene, sealants), basic (fillings) and major (crowns, bridges, etc) treatment. Each plan has a specific maximum limit and once you reach this limit, the insurance does not pay towards any more dental treatment until the policy renews. However, if you delay treatment until your policy renews you risk having your dental condition and treatment become more complicated and perhaps more expensive.
We will provide you with an estimate of your patient portion (copay) that is expected at the time of service and submit insurance claims on your behalf. It typically takes 3-6 weeks to receive payment. Your insurance company will send you an Explanation of Benefit (“EOB”) that provides all of the details on how they have processed the claim. Note that in some cases, they may not pay anything based on the specific limitations in your contract. Once we have received payment from your insurance company we will provide you with a statement summarizing any remaining balance that you are responsible to pay. In the event your insurance company denies payment for any reason, we will help you figure out why and see if we can request an appeal but you will be responsible for all charges incurred for your care in the event they decline.
As frustrating as the dental insurance world can be, remember that we are always available and happy to help you better understand and optimize it.
Financial and office policies
We understand that every one has different financial needs. We will work with you to find a solution that enables you to get the dental care you need, with or without insurance.
Before treatment is performed, we will discuss treatment and financial options. This will help you to fully understand your dental treatment, what to anticipate in fees and allow you time to make the necessary financial arrangements.
We accept cash, check, all major credit cards and also CareCredit, a healthcare credit card that can offer zero interest payments.
A $50 deposit is required to reserve appointments for treatment. It is very important that we hear from you if you are not able to make your appointment for any reason. You will receive multiple requests to confirm your appointment via text and email. In the event we do not get a confirmation from you, we may assume that you are unable to keep the appointment and give your appointment time to another patient in need.
If you do not provide us with at least 48 hours notice to cancel your appointment or do not show up for a scheduled appointment, you will be responsible for a $50 cancellation charge. If you arrive more than 20 minutes late for an appointment, you may also be subject to the cancellation charge.
Membership plans
No insurance? No problem!
Our patients are our top priority and it is our hope to accommodate your every need. We already offer evening and weekend hours, state of the art technology, a comfortable environment, and an amazing Smile team. With the addition of an In-Office Dental Membership Plan we hope to offer you an affordable way to achieve and maintain the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve even if you do not have dental insurance. With just one low annual enrollment fee, you will get a significant number of benefits and discounts.
Unlike traditional insurance, our membership plan offers:
- No annual deductibles or maximums
- No pre-authorizations
- No waiting period
- No claim or coverage denials
- No exclusions due to pre-existing conditions
- Coverage regardless of employer and employment status
Membership benefits include:
- 2 Preventive care appointments which includes:
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- Examination and checkup radiographs
- Intraoral photographs
- Periodontal evaluation
- Professional dental cleaning*
- Oral cancer screening
- Oral hygiene instructions
- Professional fluoride treatment
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- 30% Savings on all dental treatment, including cosmetic smile transformations
- 2 Complimentary emergency examinations and necessary radiographs
- Complimentary sealants for permanent molars (for children only)
- $200 savings on ZOOM Whitening (regular fee $500)
- ***Additional services may be required in the presence of persistent gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease and will be provided at a 30% savings for maintenance and 50% savings for SRP (deep cleaning) per quadrant.
Call us with any questions or concerns you may have and to review specific membership guidelines and enrollment fees.