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Online Office Guide
We Welcome You as a Patient... and appreciate the opportunity to provide you with dental services. The information that follows is designed to answer many questions that most patients have. We want you to know about our policies and methods of practice. The more you know, the more we can be of service. If there are any questions, however, please ask since we do want to be of help. Everyone in this practice operates as a team member. All have been trained as professionals and we take pride in our professional capability. Office Philosophy & Goals Our office is a practice of Family and General Dentistry. We provide professional services most often needed by the entire family in an environment of care and concern for our patients as individuals. Personal attention in a prompt and professional manner is emphasized. We strive to satisfy our patients in every way. Professional Services The procedures we provide include; cosmetic dentistry, implants, caps, crowns, fixed and removable bridgework, preventive care such as cleanings and sealants, whitening, fillings, extractions, root canal treatment, and dentures. Our experienced and educated staff assist the doctors in their goal of providing the best care modern dentistry has to offer. For those situations where specialty care is needed, our office works with specialists in the Gainesville, Ocala and Palatka areas. Sterilization We approach the sterilization of our equipment, treatment rooms and supplies very seriously. We use disposables whenever possible. Gloves, masks, and coats are worn by all clinical personnel. We use two different types of sterilizers, which are both monitored weekly for effectiveness by and outside company. Our patients deserve and can see all the effort! Office Hours The office is closed on weekends, major holidays and on some days when we are away attending continuing education programs. These programs are necessary to increase our skills and to expand our knowledge of the latest developments in Dentistry, in order to offer you the best in care. We see patients on an appointment basis. Please call our office at (352)481-2741 during normal business hours to schedule an appointment, or E-mail us at smile@gatordental.com. We make every effort to honor all time commitments and request that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us by phone immediately. We require at least 24 hours notice for changing or canceling appointments. This courtesy makes it possible to give your reservation for care, to another patient who desires to see our staff. Patient Information Your dental treatment needs, appointments, medical history and account information are stored on computer. Current information is very important to your proper care. Make sure to call and inform us anytime you have a change of:
Emergency Care We realize that you may have an emergency situation arise. We will do our best to respond to the problem promptly. If you have such a problem, please call us as early in the business day as possible. If the problem occurs after hours, call our office phone number of (352) 481-2741. We make ourselves available to our regular patients for after hour emergencies wherever possible. Follow the instructions for emergencies when calling. New patients are not seen after hours. Telephone Calls (352) 481-2741 [Local From Gainesville] All patients are encouraged to call with any questions they have concerning dental care. However, it would be unfair to the patients being seen, if the doctors would leave the treatment room to accept telephone calls. Our office staff is well qualified to answer most questions. If the call requires the doctor to speak to you, they will return your call at the earliest opportunity. For E-mail inquiries write us at smile@gatordental.com Recare Visits We hope that you share in our belief that regular preventive dental health care is a sound investment. While we require your commitment to returning, we track your due date and make every effort to contact you prior to this date for your convenience in making an appointment. Coming in when you are due for care, maximizes your health and minimizes your costs. The best dental insurance is your great home care and regular professional ReCare (cleanings, exams and necessary x-rays). Fees & Payments We make every effort to keep our fees as low as possible. Our effective staff, efficient building design, and proper office policies are intended to help us reach our goals of minimal fees. Excellent dental care does require a financial commitment on your part, as the cost of dentistry does include such items as meticulous equipment sterilization, quality dental lab work, modern professional equipment, supplies and all the other components that make for a quality and effective environment for your care. Payment for professional services is required at the time of service. We do accept MasterCard/Visa for your convenience. In those situations where an extensive treatment plan exists, requiring many visits, fees and financial options become more flexible, and are discussed in detail before treatment initiates. Options include pre-payment discounts and six months interest free payment plans (for extensive treatment). Insurance Claims Our office makes every effort to accept insurance assignments and to estimate benefits payable for our patients, for their professional services. Insurance information must be provided so that we may enter the details into our computer system. Policies, their rules, and exclusions, differ greatly and are subject to detailed written contracts which are negotiated by employers and insurance companies. We can only estimate coverage since our office and patients are not supplied with all the details! To avoid disappointment, we strongly suggest that patients check their employee handbook or with their personnel office, to make sure that your dental insurance assumptions are correct. As you know, insurance companies only pay a portion of the dental investment. Realize that professional services are rendered to you, the patient, not the insurance company. The patient is responsible to the dental office for payment. We will accept insurance assignment, to be applied toward your dental investment, with a signed agreement. The patient is responsible for any unpaid estimated claims. One Final Note Thank you for not smoking or using tobacco products. Smoking, dipping and tobacco chewing is hazardous to your health and effects our treatment result. These products contribute to gum problems, often hasten decay and the breakdown of our well planned and provided dental work. |
