Here you'll find frequently asked questions, financial information, and
links to some of our favorite websites. If there is anything else you'd
like to know,
please call us at (614) 878-1397.
Frequently Asked Questions
I've always dreamed of having whiter teeth. Can you help
me?
 Yes,
in fact we've noticed that all of our patients want whiter teeth
and have concluded it's a universal desire. Who wouldn’t
want whiter teeth? Teeth whitening removes stains from the teeth
caused by coffee, tea, tobacco, food and plaque. We've been using
tooth whitening systems for many years and know that they are
safe and effective. With our different teeth whitening procedures,
we can help your teeth become up to eight shades lighter.
Back to Top
What is Dr. Dixon’s opinion on silver (amalgam)
fillings?
Amalgam is an alloy of approximately 50% mercury and 50% other metals
including silver, tin and copper. It is a unique compound in that it
is the only metal alloy that can be mixed at room temperature - and since
it sets hard within a few minutes, it is ideal for restoring teeth. It
has been used for over 100 years.
Amalgam has never been shown to be unsafe by any credible research. The
American Medical Association (AMA) recently published findings that showed
no negative health consequence of any kind to having amalgam fillings.
However, there has been and always will be controversy –
mercury is one of the most toxic substances on earth.
Knowing that, why not use a safer and better looking alternative? Why
use a material that turns black and discolors teeth when you can have
a natural tooth-colored resin or porcelain restoration?
Back to Top
When should my children first see a dentist?
The best time is around three years of age, unless you suspect a problem
earlier. Morning appointments are best for children – they feel
more relaxed and easy-going then. To better prepare your children, let
them come to the office and observe Mom or Dad having their preventive
care visit. Let them come in each time a family member has a preventive
care visit. Familiarity builds comfort.
Preventive home care is important from the day your child is born. Following
are a few suggestions:
- Always clean your baby’s gums with a damp cloth.
- Start brushing the teeth as soon as they start coming in. Use
a pediatric, soft-bristled toothbrush, and very little toothpaste.
- Never let your infant go to bed or take a nap with a bottle or
sippy-cup of juice or milk. This will prevent “Baby-Bottle
Decay.”
- Develop good home care habits as soon as possible. We suggest a
good family night-time routine.
Back to Top
My friend just told me about a Smile Makeover. What exactly
is that?
 Cosmetic
dentistry is the art and science of designing wonderful smiles.
It involves all aspects of general dentistry with a special emphasis
on individual teeth and their overall harmony and balance in
your smile. Look carefully at your smile. If you feel it could
be better, consider having a smile makeover. A beautiful smile
can increase your confidence and self-esteem, giving you an edge
in your everyday activities by improving your professional and
personal image. In short, a smile makeover is a complete reconstruction
of your smile, from the inside out with a comprehensive analysis
and redesign of your gum tissue and teeth.
Back to Top
How can I replace missing teeth?
Having a full set of teeth improves your confidence, appearance, nutritional
health, and your self-esteem. It also increases the longevity of your
other natural teeth by removing the stress placed on lone-standing individual
teeth. A full set of teeth all work together to share in the chewing
forces applied to them. They wear less, break less, hurt less, and last
longer. Quite simply, a half set of teeth will not last as long as a
full set, no matter how hard you take care of them. We have several procedures
to help replace missing teeth, including implants, bridges, natural looking
partial dentures or complete dentures. It is not necessary to live with
missing teeth any longer – there is always a way to replace a tooth
that is lost.
Back to Top
Will it hurt?
If you haven't been to a dental office in a while, we think you'll be
pleasantly surprised. Today's dentistry is faster than ever before, and
procedures are virtually discomfort-free. All of our staff members understand
how you feel and will do whatever is in their ability to make each of
your visits as pleasant and comfortable as possible. We have been able
to relax and calm even the most phobic dental patient.
Back to Top
What happens if the office is closed and I have an emergency?
Call our regular office number and leave a message detailing the nature
of your emergency. We will call you back as soon as possible, provide
you with helpful information and determine if you need to be seen immediately.
Our voice-mail service has several options available for immediate after-hours
care.
Back to Top
Is everything sterilized?
Yes. Our staff is highly trained in the proper methods of instrument
sterilization and disinfection of treatment room surfaces. All instruments
and handpieces (drills) are sterilized after every use, as is required
by law. Instruments that can withstand high temperatures are sterilized
in a heat pressure autoclave. Plastic instruments that can't be autoclaved
are sterilized in chemical solutions. These methods of sterilization
kill the viruses and microscopic organisms capable of transmitting every
known disease. All water that is used during your treatment comes from
a self-contained, water purification system. This system creates water
that is cleaner and safer than tap water.
We guarantee that you will not find a cleaner, safer, more spotless
dental office anywhere.
Back to Top
What will happen when I get a dental implant?
 The
implant is inserted into the jawbone in the area of a missing tooth,
and a "crown" is constructed and attached to the top of the implant to
act as the visible portion of the tooth. Dental implant surgery is generally
less painful than having a tooth surgically extracted, and often takes
less than 45 minutes. Local anesthetic is usually all that is required
to prevent discomfort. We will have our oral surgeon place the implant
into the jawbone and then cover it with gum tissue, allowing it to heal
and "osseointegrate," meaning that it will bond to the surrounding bone
in the next two to four months. While the healing process takes place,
the patient wears a temporary replacement tooth. Once the implant has
bonded to, or integrated with, the surrounding bone, we will uncover
it and attach a post to the implant protruding through the gum. At this
point, we can build a permanent crown to fit on the implant post. The
final result is a replacement tooth that looks, feels and acts like a
natural tooth.
Back to Top
Do you accept new patient referrals?
Yes. We very much appreciate the referral of our patients’ friends,
neighbors, co-workers, and family members. Our dental practice continues
to grow by the trust, confidence, and positive word-of-mouth of those
patients. A vote of confidence or a word of praise is something that
means a lot to each one of us. We are proud of our reputation, and even
more proud that our patients help support it.
Back to Top
What is your appointment cancellation policy?
As a patient of our office, we are dedicated to providing you quality
care and are happy to reserve appointment time exclusively for you. We
understand that your time is just as important as ours and we will try
to make every effort to remain on schedule. However, some visits are
more complicated than initially anticipated, and there are emergencies
that arise everyday that could delay us. If we are running significantly
behind schedule, every effort will be made to notify you so you may choose
to either come in later or reschedule. Likewise, if you are going to
be late, we ask for the same courtesy. If you arrive significantly late,
your scheduled appointment may be modified or you may be asked to reschedule.
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours notice if you are unable to keep
your appointment. When a patient misses an appointment time that was
reserved specifically for them, or cancels at the last minute, other
patients in need of treatment cannot be seen.
Therefore, if we do not have adequate notice of a change in plans regarding
your scheduled appointment - and if we are unable to use that appointment
time for someone else – we will bill you for an office visit, which
is only $35. This is our minimum charge for using office time when no
other service is provided. We feel that this fair for everyone.
Back to Top
Financial Policy Questions
Can I finance my dental treatment?
CareCredit, a special patient financing program, is available for those
who wish to finance their dental treatment. Ask someone on our staff
for details. An easy credit application is available and approval can
be given within a few minutes. We are even able to offer a 90-days interest-free
option. The benefits of financing through CareCredit include:
- There are no annual fees.
- There is no money upfront.
- You can start your dental care immediately.
- Low monthly payments.
- You can finance your entire treatment plan.
- Select from several options, including 90-days interest-free.
- You can also apply for CareCredit online at www.carecredit.com
Back to Top What are my payment options?
For your convenience, we offer several payment options. We accept cash,
personal checks, money orders, certified checks, and debit cards, as
well as Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express. All payments
made in full, at the time services are provided, will receive a 5% courtesy
or a 10% Golden Buckeye Card senior discount. Monthly billing is only
done for those patients who have made prior financial arrangements.
Back to Top
When are payments due?
All payments for services at our office are due at the time the actual
services are provided. If you choose to have your insurance company pay
its share of the cost directly to our office, you are only responsible
for paying your estimated portion or co-payment at the time services
are rendered. Any balance remaining after the final insurance payment
is your responsibility, regardless of how small the balance is. It is
a violation of the Ohio Dental Practice Act and the ADA Code of Ethics
for a dentist to waive all or part of a deductible, co-payment or patient
balance after an insurance company has paid its share of the covered
service. If you choose to have your insurance company send payments to
you, then you are responsible for the entire balance each time services
are provided.
Back to Top
Is there a discount for payment in full at the time
of service?
Yes. All payments made in full, at the time services are provided, will
receive a 5% courtesy or 10% Golden Buckeye Card senior discount.
Back to Top
Will dental insurance pay for everything?
Your insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and the insurance
company. We are not a party to that contract. We cannot be expected to
know every condition and requirement for your particular insurance plan.
Dental insurance is not meant to be a "pay-all"; it is only meant to
help share the cost of your dental care, and, many routine dental services
are not always covered.
Back to Top
What is a Usual and Customary rate?
Our fees are considered average, and fall into the same middle range
as most other dental offices in central Ohio. Therefore, they are acceptable
by most insurance companies and are covered up to the "allowable fee" determined
by each company. This applies to companies using the term “UCR” (Usual
and Customary Rates). Our fees and the insurance company's "allowable
fees" are frequently different, however. And many insurance companies
unfairly imply that “your doctor's fees are above the usual and
customary fees" rather than more truthfully saying
"your insurance benefits are low." The fact is that every insurance plan
has a different UCR! It has nothing to do with what doctors charge, but
only with the plan will allow. The amount your plan pays, or allows,
for your dental care is determined by how much you or your employer paid
for the plan. If someone were willing to pay more for their dental plan,
they would have a higher “allowable amount” and less to spend
out-of-pocket. Therefore, the less you pay for your insurance, the less
you'll receive in benefits.
Back to Top
Do you accept my insurance?
We accept all private insurance plans. That is, plans that do not require
you to select a dental office from a list or require our office to accept
reduced fees or limit what we can and can’t do. Simply, we will
accept every insurance plan there is, but the question is whether the
insurance plan will accept us! We make every effort to provide the same
treatment options and the same quality of care to everyone regardless
of their means, or whether or not they have insurance, or whether it
is good insurance or not. It is only after we know you and your dental
needs that we start to look at insurance coverages and costs. We can
estimate your coverages and limits based on our database of past claims
payments, but it will only be an estimate. If you would like to know
your exact insurance benefits, we will gladly submit a “pre-determination
of benefits” to your insurance plan. This will delay your dental
care, but it will give you the exact out-of-pocket figures you may require.
Back to Top
Will you process my insurance claims?
Yes, we'd be happy to process your claims. However, as your dental health
care providers, our relationship is with you, not your insurance company.
We will gladly process your insurance claims as a courtesy, not an obligation;
however, all charges remain your responsibility from the date services
are provided. As always, please speak with our business staff if you
ever have any questions about the management of your account or the handling
of your insurance. We will do our best to maximize your insurance benefit
and will gladly appeal any unfavorable decisions.
Back
to Top
Links
Dr. David Dixon is a member of several dental organizations so that he
can stay up-to-date on the latest advances in dentistry. Feel free to
visit each of these organizations to learn more about what dentistry
has to offer you.
Back to Top
|
