We hope you find answers to your questions in the following section. If you would like further information or have another question, please give us a call or ask during your next visit. We are always ready to help our patients in any way we can.
What is your policy on payment for dental appointments?
Payment for dental procedures is due at the time services are performed unless previous arrangements have been made with our staff. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
As a patient courtesy, if you have dental insurance coverage, we will be happy to file your claim for your reimbursement. By supplying us with your most recent information, we can expedite your reimbursement from the insurance company. Since insurance coverage varies from plan to plan, if you have any questions regarding your covered benefits, we encourage you to contact your insurance carrier or your employer for details.
For extensive treatment we offer a partnership with Care Credit financing. They provide interest-free and long-term payment plans. For additional information, you can visit their website at www.carecredit.com or call them at (800) 677-0718.
If you have additional questions regarding our payment policies, please contact our Financial Coordinator, Stephanie Kokabi, at (404) 266-1300.
Do you accept referrals?
We are happy to accept referrals from other dental offices as well as from recommendations by our patients to their family and friends. Your referrals truly are our best compliments!
"Share A Smile" Referral Program
Our office offers a unique referral program. Those patients who encourage their friends and family to try our practice pay us the highest compliment. Your confidence creates an opportunity for us to serve more patients. For that, we are deeply grateful. In appreciation, the existing patient and the new patient will be rewarded. Ask us about this exciting program when you visit us!
What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?
In case of a true dental emergency, please call our office as soon as possible. If we are closed, there will be a message stating the phone number of the doctor on call. The doctor on call will speak with you over the phone and determine if you need to be seen immediately.
How do the doctors keep up to date on all of the current dental technologies?
Our doctors subscribe to the latest industry journals to keep tabs on research and development in the dental industry. They also take time on a regular basis for continuing education classes and seminars and ensure the staff does the same. As a team and as individuals, our office makes it our responsibility to be familiar with the latest techniques and materials available.
How can I ask the doctor questions directly?
We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication with our doctors. Therefore, they are available daily to answer your questions either over the phone or via email. Simply call the office and one of our front desk ladies will put you in touch with your doctor.
What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?
Our entire practice team is well-trained in state-of-the-art sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety. This goes beyond wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent passing germs, and includes a specialized sterilization center and a water line cleaning system. The office also subscribes to Emory University's Autocheck system which ensures that our sterilization units are performing optimally.
At what age should my children first see a dentist?
Children should have their first dental visit about six months after their primary teeth have erupted, or generally around their first birthday. This examination provides the dentist an opportunity to spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems and review good habits for oral hygiene with the parents.
Children usually are brought in for their first dental cleaning at around three years of age. We recommend children come into the office to observe a routine visit before their initial cleaning- either that of a parent or an older sibling.
My child has had an accident and his/her tooth has been completely knocked out. What do I do?
If your child has an imminent medical emergency such as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness, or other bodily injury, seek medical help immediately. Otherwise, contact our office; describe the situation over the phone and our office staff will help you determine the safest and most appropriate plan of action.
Do not attempt to clean or wash the tooth. If possible, reinsert the tooth in your child's mouth, or place the tooth under the tongue. If neither is possible, place the tooth in a small glass of milk and bring to the office with you.
I brush everyday but my breath is still not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning, regular professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue and can significantly alleviate odor. Or, we can recommend a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or underlying condition, in which case we may recommend a visit with your family physician or specialist to identify the cause.
My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something I should be concerned about?
It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums following brushing. Bleeding gums can be caused by of the following: improper, rough, "scrubbing" instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a hard-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft one; plaque and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to set up an evaluation appointment.
My spouse snores and keeps me up at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
Snoring is tough on any relationship! And, since it can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis with your dentist to determine the cause.
In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for short periods during the night - a condition called sleep apnea, which we would recommend you see a medical doctor for. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged anatomical structures within the mouth and throat. During sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing these structures to collapse against one another and obstruct airflow. In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special appliance called a "snore-guard," which gently holds the mouth and throat in an open position during relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.
Where can I learn more about dental problems and procedures?
We think the following sites are very helpful. They provide key information about a variety of important dental health topics.
