We would like to thank you for the opportunity to apply our care, skill, and judgment to your oral health needs. 
Since you are new to our office we would like to tell you a few things about our practice.
DOCTOR AND STAFF: We have acquired a very personable staff, all of whom are dedicated to the concept of Preventive Dentistry, that is, to bring the mouth to a 100% healthy condition and then prevent new dental disease through regular cleanings and check-ups. This has proven to be the most economical route to a healthy mouth. Our goal is to provide you, your family and your friends with the very finest dental care available, and to deliver that care as comfortably as possible. We have found that it is not possible for us to participate in "managed care" insurance programs and provide you with the quality of care you deserve.
YOUR INITIAL VISIT: Your first visit is usually dedicated to the determination of your present dental condition through a well-planned series of X-rays and other diagnostic aids. You will then be informed of our findings and we will outline our treatment recommendations to you. It is very important to us that you understand your dental needs before the initiation of treatment. You will be asked to sign a form which states what your treatment needs are and that these needs have been explained to you. This form does not obligate you to having the treatments performed, it simply relates that those treatments which you need have been presented to you, and that you are aware and understand them. If you have some particular need which you would like to address first, then please let us know and every effort will be made to accommodate your request.
RADIOGRAPHS: Our office is dedicated to providing patients with the highest quality dental care available. As part of that commitment to excellence, it may be necessary to make different types of X-rays to assure our patients that all 
aspects of their dental health have been thoroughly diagnosed and evaluated. One particular type of X-ray that may be taken is known as the panorex, which is recommended by the American Dental Association every three to five years. The importance of this X-ray is that it will allow us to see and diagnose possible abnormal conditions that could otherwise go unseen and thus create problems for our patients. Bitewing X-rays and anterior periapicals are taken on a yearly basis to assist us in the detection of dental decay or possible bone loss. A full mouth series of X-rays including periapicals of all teeth, is taken every three to five years to provide us with the ability to diagnose possible conditions which may be occurring on an individual tooth, or in a generalized fashion.
PERIODONTAL TREATMENT: At the initial prophylaxis visit and at all subsequent cleaning visits, a periodontal screening exam will be performed on all patients. When periodontal conditions or gum disease is found, the patient will be immediately informed. Those patients for whom we suggest periodontal treatment should be advised that the net, long-term result of untreated gum disease will be the loss of teeth and this consequence can be painful and disfiguring. Additionally, periodontal treatments are just that - treatments, not cures. Periodontal problems can recur, and may require regularly scheduled office visits in conjunction with patient oral hygiene compliance at home, in order to stop the disease process from redeveloping.
PAYMENT POLICIES: Full payment is due when services are rendered. Patients may submit their own insurance claims or as a courtesy to our patients we will prepare and submit the insurance claim to your insurance company. Patients should be aware that they are personally responsible for payment of their account with our office, regardless of any estimated coverage. This office assumes no responsibility for an insurance company's failure to pay a claim either due to acts by our office or any error or omission either by this office or by an agent utilized by this office in the processing and submission of those claims. Before crowns, bridges, partials, or dentures can be delivered, the account balance must be cleared, even when insurance payments are pending. It is the responsibility of the patient to be aware of the status and disposition of any insurance claims and the impact of those claims on their account.
INFECTION CONTROL: Rest assured, this office takes infection control seriously. That is why we have adopted the very latest in prevention techniques, including 1) Barrier techniques: We wear disposable masks and gloves changing them between each patient. 2) Disinfectant Wipe-Down: We thoroughly clean and sterilize all operator surfaces prior to each patient. 3) Instrument Sterilization: We use the most effective system (the IMS cassettes) available in the world today to assure the sterility of our instruments. Instruments are placed in a special resin or metal individual container, ultrasonically cleaned, wrapped with a special paper to maintain isolation and separation and autoclaved under heat and pressure to assure sterility. 4) Handpieces: Our handpieces are cleaned, sealed and autoclaved at 250 degrees centigrade for twenty minutes before use on each patient. 5) Disposable supplies are used wherever possible to prevent any possibility of cross-contamination, and 6) Spore tests are a means by which the sterilization proficiency of the office can be measured. The spore test results are kept in a log and are available for your inspection.
PROTOCOL: Due to sterilization and safety requirements, family members or friends of the patient may not be allowed in the operatory environment with the patient when treatments are being rendered. We hope that our patients appreciate that aside from safety and sterilization considerations, that dentistry can be a private experience for many individuals. We will not allow children, adults, salespeople, or others to roam the office or hallways, as this may impinge upon a patient's wish to confidentiality and privacy. As a parent, should you desire to be present during any treatments rendered to your child, please discuss this prior to the child's visit. This office cannot be child proofed, so please be attentive to your child's whereabouts and activities. In order to safeguard your privacy, this office will not discuss your treatments or conditions with other individuals, a spouse or other health care provider without a signed medical release. Treatments on minors will be discussed with parents or those who act as legal guardians. This policy may be a nuisance to you at times, but please understand it is for your protection.