Check Up
How often should I schedule a check up?
The American Dental Association recommend to visit your dentist twice a year, even though you are not feeling or seeing any problem. Some people with oral health concerns should visit your dentist more frequently. After each check up, Dr. Pham will advice you of your next visit.
I received a postcard, is it an appointment?
The postcard is a reminder that your next visit is due. The date mentioned on your postcard is not an appointment. You should call our office (770) 409-9559 to schedule an appointment.
But I just had my check up or already made an appointment, why you send a reminder now?
The postcard could be sent out while your appointment is already scheduled. In that case, simply discard it.
The American Dental Association recommend to visit your dentist twice a year, even though you are not feeling or seeing any problem. Some people with oral health concerns should visit your dentist more frequently. After each check up, Dr. Pham will advice you of your next visit.
I received a postcard, is it an appointment?
The postcard is a reminder that your next visit is due. The date mentioned on your postcard is not an appointment. You should call our office (770) 409-9559 to schedule an appointment.
But I just had my check up or already made an appointment, why you send a reminder now?
The postcard could be sent out while your appointment is already scheduled. In that case, simply discard it.
Xrays
Why do you take x-rays?
Dental x-rays are important diagnostic tool for your doctor to "see" inside your teeth. Without it, your doctor could only check visually or with probing instruments, and may miss small carries, especially between teeth. For children, x-rays permit seeing dental development. For treatments such as extraction or root-canal treatment, x-rays permit seeing the part of the tooth inside the bone.
I heard x-rays may increase my risk of cancer, is it true? Should i skip dental check up?
The American Dental Association has information about safety of dental x-rays and also publishes guidelines to dentists on frequency and what type of x-rays used. You should not skip your dental check-up. If you have concern about dental x-rays' safety, please let Dr. Pham know instead.
What precautions are taken?
We minimize exposures to radiation by:
Dental x-rays are important diagnostic tool for your doctor to "see" inside your teeth. Without it, your doctor could only check visually or with probing instruments, and may miss small carries, especially between teeth. For children, x-rays permit seeing dental development. For treatments such as extraction or root-canal treatment, x-rays permit seeing the part of the tooth inside the bone.
I heard x-rays may increase my risk of cancer, is it true? Should i skip dental check up?
The American Dental Association has information about safety of dental x-rays and also publishes guidelines to dentists on frequency and what type of x-rays used. You should not skip your dental check-up. If you have concern about dental x-rays' safety, please let Dr. Pham know instead.
What precautions are taken?
We minimize exposures to radiation by:
- Use lower dosage setting. Our newer generation x-ray machines permit taking x-rays with shorter exposure time, therefore minimize total exposure to radiation.
- Fewer x-rays. We take fewer x-rays per visit and sometimes taking x-rays less frequently once the patient has established good oral health.
- Safer type of x-rays. We don't use panorex x-rays since it has higher dose of radiation and longer duration. Such type of x-rays are required by specialists for different diagnostic purpose.
- Protective layers. Patient is protected by a lead-lined apron.
- X-rays are taken by trained personel. Our staff is trained to take x-rays. The majority of x-rays are taken by Dr. Pham herself.
Financial Concerns
I don't have insurance, do you have payment plan?
We don't have a payment plan. However, Dr. Pham will work with you to define a treatment plan that is both affordable and manageable depending on your financial situation.
Statement from Insurance says that I owe you more money. Sometimes insurance underpaid, due to various rules according to the insurance plans. We try our best to estimate correctly your co-payment and deductible portion. We only rarely send you a bill to collect the difference and in those cases, we would advise you at date of service.
We don't have a payment plan. However, Dr. Pham will work with you to define a treatment plan that is both affordable and manageable depending on your financial situation.
Statement from Insurance says that I owe you more money. Sometimes insurance underpaid, due to various rules according to the insurance plans. We try our best to estimate correctly your co-payment and deductible portion. We only rarely send you a bill to collect the difference and in those cases, we would advise you at date of service.