Frequently Asked Questions
- Where are you located?
- Follow this link for a map and directions. Click here.
- What hours are you open?
- Monday through Thursday 8:15am-12:15pm and 1pm-5pm
- Fridays 8:15am - 1pm (Not open every Friday)
- Do you accept my insurance?
- Our patients have over 50 different insurance plans that we submit to. Even if we are not signed up as a 'preferred provider' for your insurance company, we can still submit to that company.
- You're not on my 'Preferred Provider'
list for my insurance.
- Not all dental insurance is created equally. Many plans that have preferred lists pay at fees at 50-70% of normal fees. Our fees are already in the lowest 25% in the nation even though we pay the same for all our supplies and technology as all other dentists in the US. To accept the low fees of many insurance companies would require us to either use old equipment and techniques or do lower quality dentistry by seeing more people in a shorter time. We are not willing to compromise our dentistry because an insurance company wants to make more money.
- Do you accept Medicaid, Title 19?
- Unfortunately no. We did for several years but stopped due to many reasons. The short of it is that it is a poorly run program that forces the dentist to provide low quality care and we are not willing to compromise quality care.
- What payment options do you offer?
- Your options include cash, check, credit card (Mastercard, Visa, Discover), and Care Credit (interest free financing for up to a year).
- We do not offer a true payment plan. Instead, we can spread payments over several months in the following ways. You can sign an authorization to have your credit card billed for an agreed amount over several months. You can also leave post dated checks to be deposited over several months.
- When should I bring my child in for their
first visit?
- There are differing opinions on this. Many dentists and organizations recommend at age one. We will see a child at this age with a quick exam and a discussion with the parents about baby teeth and care.
- Dr. Joiner recommends to schedule the first visit no later than age three if the parents are brushing twice daily and visually examining the teeth for dark spots or other abnormalities.
- Do you have laughing gas?
- Yes, due to demand we added nitrous oxide sedation (laughing gas) in 2002. Many patients and children find this a helpful aid in relaxation for their appointments. We know that dental visits can produce fear and anxiety and do what we can to relieve those fears.
- Do you offer Sleep Dentistry?
- The trend of general dentists using deep sedation is fairly new. Many regulations have been introduced and the topic is of great debate in the dental community. We do not offer this service because Dr. Joiner feels the risks out weigh the benefits. For those who truly need to be sedated for dental work, Dr. Joiner feels the safest method is in a hospital setting with proper life saving equipment and trained personnel.
- Can I be seen if I'm pregnant?
- Yes, pregnant women are encouraged to be seen for regular check-ups and cleanings because problems often arise due to the changes of pregnancy. Periodontal disease has been linked to premature delivery and low birth weight, so a healthy mouth is of high importance for a pregnant woman.
- The best time for a visit is the second trimester, but you can be seen at anytime if a you have pain or a suspected infection. During the third trimester only emergency treatment is allowed because the stress of treatment can lead to premature labor.
- Dental x-rays are not taken during pregnancy as a precaution. The risk is extremely small with dental x-rays, therefore we do take them in emergency situations where pain or infection occurs.
Do you have a question you would like answered here? Please email us by clicking here.