Please take a minute to print and fill out the patient information form before your first appointment:
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Smiles on Bristol Dentistry is at the forefront of patient care and always welcoming new patients to our family practice. We are dedicated to making your office visits as pleasant and smooth as possible, even for first time patients who may be wary at first. We know how scary it can be going to a new doctor for adults and children, so we try our best to make sure you leave confident and smiling!
First time patients will be given an exam consisting of x-rays and a discussion with our dentist. We ask new patients to bring completed dental and medical history forms so we may best treat you. New patients will have the chance to meet with a doctor and discuss your x-rays, treatment plans, and any questions you may have. Next time you come see us you will get a thorough cleaning from our hygienists who will clean and polish your teeth before checking your gums and teeth for signs of decay or disease.
Please bring these to your first appointment:
Your Insurance Card
Your Completed Patient Information Form
Your Smile!
Don’t Forget to Schedule your Regular Checkups
Most important in maintaining a healthy mouth and smile is scheduling regular checkup appointments. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests having dental checkups every six months to ensure your continued oral health.
Please be aware that appointments can take between 45-90 minutes and may cause interruptions in your busy schedules. We do our best to service everyone with gentle care and understanding, especially when it comes to scheduling your next appointment.
In Case of Emergency:
If you are experiencing a dental emergency, Smiles on Bristol Dentistry happily provides on call service 24-hours a day 7-days a week for your convenience. At our conveniently located office our dentists and hygienists are happy to accommodate your busy schedule.
Giving you a choice that is right for you.
Patients with Dental Insurance
Your initial office visit can be paid directly through you, but once you are eligible for pre-treatment authorization (PTA), deductibles and co-pays must be given at the time of service. Note: if we cannot confirm insurance or complete insurance eligibility, you will be responsible for the full amount of service.
We recommend you pre-authorize all major prosthetic restorations, including crown, bridge, denture, partial denture, with your insurance provider prior to your visit. We will receive an explanation of benefits (EOB) as soon as your are preauthorized, and final payment may come from your carrier. In the event that your insurance provider does not assign benefits for our services, you will be responsible for full payment. We do our best to work with every patient to find insurance benefits or payment plans that work to every budget, we want you to receive the best possible care!
Additional Payment Options
Payment for treatment is due at time of service. We accept cash, check, Visa and MasterCard. Payment plans for prosthetic services will be discussed and established on the day of your consultation with your doctor. 1/2 will be required at the beginning of treatment, and payment increments will be expected at each return visit (full payment must be in before completion of treatment).
Extensive cases may require different arrangements, which our staff will gladly discuss with you. Finance charges will accrue at 1.5% per month, $2.50 minimum, on balances over 30 days old
CitiHealth
Now there’s a smart, affordable way to pay for dental procedures with low monthly payment and NO INTEREST. Just use the Citi Health Card at our office to take advantage of no interest payment plans. The Citi Health Card makes treatments affordable right now, and the benefits really add up.
Dental Credit Card
We offer you the opportunity to pay your dental bills with CareCredit, a healthcare financing plan that assists our patients in paying for their treatment over time, without any up-front payment required. It’s ideal for co-payments, deductibles, and treatment not covered by insurance. With CareCredit, you can take care of the bill without another thought and focus on what’s most important – scheduling your appointment right away.
Using CareCredit for your healthcare expenses leaves your major credit cards available for other important purchases and unexpected expenses. CareCredit has interest free plans available with flexible payment terms. And if you’re looking for a way to stretch your payments out over a longer time period, they have low interest plans that give you a longer time to pay.
Emergency Care for New Patients
All emergency care patients are expected to pay 100% for their treatment at the end of their appointment. If you have dental insurance, we will submit this to your insurance company and we will have the payment sent to you.
We are happy to discuss payment plans and options specific to your needs before you have any major work done. We want you to know exactly what your options are dependent on your treatment plan so you can feel confident in our work and fees.
Affordable Payment Plans
At Smiles on Bristol Dentistry, we know how important it is to feel great about your smile, thats why we offer a range of affordable payment plans so you can get the best treatment you can.
Our Practice Accepts Most Major Credit Cards and Insurance Plans
Our staff makes it a priority to work with your insurance provider to assure you receive the care you need. We can help you file insurance claims and fill out any necessary paperwork.
Helpful Insurance Facts
Our goal is to provide any assistance our patients need in filing insurance claims, below are a lists of helpful truths and facts with the use of insurance:
Insurance plans are designed to aid in payment, and none pay all. Most plans have yearly deductibles that you will need to meet before insurance payments begin. No insurance plan pays 100% of treatment cost. The amount a plan pays is determined by the coverage purchased by your employer. The less your employer pays for the coverage, the less there is in benefits for you.
Unfortunately, some routine dental services are not covered by insurance plans. We always inform our patients prior to treatment if we are aware of a service which is not a covered expense. We believe it is our duty to “inform before we perform.” If your insurance company informs you that a procedure’s cost is “above usual customary and reasonable fees (UCR)”, remember that this is not a reflection on our costs, but on the amount paid by your employer toward your benefits plan.
PPOs and HMOs offer lists of participating doctors but this doesn’t always mean that you are required to choose a doctor from the list. You may still have the freedom to choose your practice of choice. We aim to provide the best care and the most positive experience we can for all our patients and that includes attention to insurance plans and payment plans designed to fit your budget.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns about insurance or payments.
We accept Medi-Cal / Denti-Cal
