Download WE WELCOME YOU AS A PATIENT

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 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. We offer comprehensive, restorative, cosmetic, surgical and preventive
dental services.
OFFICE HOURS, APPOINTMENTS AND CANCELLATIONS OF APPOINTMENTS
Our office is open to see patients on the following schedule:
Monday
8AM – 12PM and 1:30PM – 5PM
Tuesday
8AM – 12PM and 1:30PM – 5PM
Wednesday
8AM – 12PM and 1:30PM – 5PM
Thursday
8AM – 12PM and 1:30PM – 5PM
The office is closed on weekends and major holidays. It is also closed at times when we are away attending
continuing education programs to increase our skills and maintain our knowledge of the latest developments
to serve you better.
We see patients on an appointment basis and request that you call in advance so that we can reserve time for
you. The office telephone number is 251-639-1853. The office fax number is 251-639-1122. 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 as soon as possible. We ask that you please give us 48
hours notice. This courtesy makes it possible to give your appointment time to another patient who desires to
see the doctor or hygienist.
EMERGENCY CARE
We recognize that you may have an emergency situation arise and we will do our best to respond to your
problem, please call us as early in the day as possible. If the problem arises when the office is closed, the
answering service will page Dr. Stiegler or the doctor on call.
TELEPHONE CALLS
All patients are encouraged to call with any questions they have concerning dental problems. However, it
would be most unfair for the doctor to leave a patient in treatment to answer every telephone call. Our office
staff is also well qualified to answer most questions. If the call requires the doctor to speak with you, he will
return your call at the earliest opportunity.
FEES AND PAYMENTS
We make every effort to keep down the cost of your dental care. You can help by paying at the time of your
visit. If your treatment program requires several visits, you will be given an estimate and asked to discuss
definite financial arrangements with our business staff. Please remember that insurance is considered a
method of reimbursing the patient for fees paid to the doctor and is not a substitute for payment.
RECALL VISITS
We hope you share in our belief that regular preventive dental health care is a sound investment. While the
responsibility for returning for this treatment rests primarily with you, we will provide the service of sending you
a written reminder when it is time to return. If you are unable to keep your appointment please give us at least
48 hours notice so we can accommodate another patient. Please understand that this time has been reserved
for you and that any change affects many patients. At the time of your recall visit, please advise the
receptionist or hygienist of any changes in the following areas: New address or telephone number, changes in
your health history or medications, marital status, employment, and/or insurance coverage.
INSURANCE
If you have dental insurance we will be happy to assist you in filing your claims. We will expect payment in full
for services rendered and your insurance will reimburse you according to your individual policy benefits.
Please remember that no insurance company attempts to cover all dental costs. Some companies pay fixed
allowances for certain procedures and others pay a percentage of the charge.
We know questions can arise on insurance matters. We encourage you to discuss such questions with our
business office staff. We will be happy to help you receive the maximum benefits; however, the agreement of
the insurance company to pay for your dental care is a contract between you and the insurance company.
INFECTION CONTROL
You and your family are valued patients, and we want to assure you that we take every precaution to control
and prevent the spread of diseases and infections in this office. If you have any questions regarding infection
control measures used in this office, please ask the doctor or any of the staff members. We will be happy to
explain all procedures and safeguards we use to protect your health.
COSMETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SERVICES
We offer a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive dental procedures including bleaching, bonded veneers,
esthetic crowns, bridges, implant prosthetics, and various other fixed and removable dental therapies.
DOES DENTAL TREATMENT MAKE YOU NERVOUS?
If you fear going to the dentist of if you are concerned about discomfort during dental treatment let us know.
We want to help you have a comfortable and relaxed experience in our office.
We have a number of methods for controlling discomfort and no matter how severe your anxiety level is we
can make you comfortable during your dental visit.
If necessary, we can provide intravenous sedation.
TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT (TMJ) DISORDERS
Symptoms of popping or locking jaws, headaches, ear pain, tenderness of the muscles of the face and other
facial pains may result from various temporomandibular disorders. TMJ disorders have a number of causes,
which often occur when the chewing muscles and the jaw joints are not functioning properly.
We can diagnose and treat many of these problems after obtaining a thorough history, examination and
appropriate x-rays.
ONE FINAL NOTE- NO SMOKING PLEASE
We
ask
that
you
please
refrain
from
smoking
while
in
this
office.