Patient Bill of Rights

Our practice is dedidcated to providing a wide range of excellent dental services in a warm and compassiontate environment.  As a patient, you have rights in our practice:

  • You have a right to quality dental care that utilizes the latest scientific advances, materials and procedures.

  • You have a right to be treated courteously and with respect.

  • You have a right to schedule and appointment in a timely manner.

  • You have a right to know in advance the type and expected cost of treatment.

  • You have a right to ask us to explain all the treatment options regarless of coverage or cost.

  • You have a right to have all your questions answered to your satisfaction before any treatment begins.

We are a patient-centered practice.  Please do not hesitate to ask us questions so we may serve you in the best way possible. 

Levels of Dental Care

There are various levels of dental care available to you.  We believe that you have the right to be as healthy as you choose to be.  We recommend that you review the various levels of care to determine which level is appropriate for you.  The primary focus of our office is to be a provider of optimal dental care.

1. Fine Dentistry and Prevention...

This type of dentistry is dedicated to achieving Optimum Health and Optimum Repair of the oral health system.  A thorough examination is completed and goal setting is instituted to create a Master Plan that has as its goal, maximum protection and preservation of oral structures.  Crucial to the continuation of Optimum Health are good daily oral hygiene habits and a strict regimen of professional examinations and assistance to prevent decay, gum disease and bite disorders.

2. Maintenance Dentistry...

The quality of care is good, and preventive measures are fairly effective, but the patient is not dedicated to achieving Optimum Repair.  Optimum Repair of the natural teeth has as its goal the restoration of teeth to, beauty, function, comfort and longevity.  Usually maintenance dentistry is intermediate care such as a silver and/or plastic fillings, which last 3-10 years.  Maintenance dentistry includes removable partial dentures rather than fixed bridges or implant bridges.

3. Repair Oriented Dentistry...

No long term thought is given to either prevention of decay, gum disease or bite problems.  Teeth are filled as they break, and when gums bleed badly enough, the patients have their teeth "cleaned."  This level represents 70% of the dental practices in America today.  The interesting thing about the patients who go to this kind of practice is that they generally don't like the low level of care model, but they have essentially given up on dentistry and what it can do for them.

4. Emergency Dentistry...

Patients are seen for emergency treatment only.  The majority of patients in this type of practice usually lose many of their teeth by age 40, depending on their genetic background.