Q:
How does the doctor keep up-to-date on all of the current
techniques and materials?
A: Our doctor subscribes to the latest industry journals
to keep tabs on research and development in the dental
industry. He also take time on a regular basis for continuing
education classes and seminars and ensures that the staff
does the same. As a team and as individuals, our office
makes it our responsibility to be familiar with the latest
techniques and materials available.
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Q: What precautions do you take to
ensure patient safety?
A: Our entire practice team is well-trained in state-of-the-art
sanitation techniques designed to ensure patient safety.
This goes beyond wearing gloves and facemasks to prevent
passing germs, and includes a specialized sterilization
center and a water line cleaning system. The office also
subscribes to a monthly monitoring service which ensures
that our sterilization units are performing optimally.
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Q: What do I do if I have an emergency
when the office is closed?
A: In case of a true dental emergency, please call our
office as soon as possible. If we are closed, there will
be a message stating the phone number of the doctor on
call. The doctor on call will speak with you over the
phone and determine if you need to be seen immediately.
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Q: At what age should my children first
see a dentist?
A: Believe it or not, children should have their first
dental visit about six months after their primary teeth
have erupted, or generally around their first birthday.
This examination provides the dentist an opportunity to
spot and prevent any potential oral health/dental problems
and review good habits for oral hygiene with the parents.
Children usually are brought in for their first dental
cleaning at around three years of age. We recommend children
come into the office to observe a routine visit before
their initial cleaning- either that of a parent or an
older sibling.
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Q: How can I ask the doctor questions
directly?
A: We encourage our patients to have open, direct communication
with the doctor. Therefore, he is available daily to answer
your questions either over the phone or via email. Depending
on office traffic and the complexity of your questions,
he strives to respond within 24 hours.
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Q: My child has had an accident and
his / her tooth has been entirely knocked out. What do
I do?
A: If your child has an imminent medical emergency such
as uncontrolled bleeding, unconsciousness, or other bodily
injury, seek medical help immediately. Otherwise, contact
our office; describe the situation over the phone and
our office staff will help you determine the safest and
most appropriate plan of action.
Do not attempt to clean or wash the tooth. If possible,
reinsert the tooth in your child's mouth, or place the
tooth under the tongue. If neither is possible, place
the tooth in a small glass of milk and bring to the office
with you.
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Q: My gums bleed after I brush. Is
this something to be concerned about?
A: It is certainly not desirable to have bleeding gums
following brushing. Bleeding gums can be caused by of
the following: improper, rough, "scrubbing"
instead of gentle, circular brushing motions; using a
hard-bristled toothbrush instead of a soft one; plaque
and/or tartar build-up below the gum line; or gum sensitivity
due to gingivitis or periodontal disease. If this problem
persists despite correct brushing and flossing methods
or occurs every time you brush, contact our office to
set up an evaluation appointment.
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Q: I brush everyday, but my breath
is just not fresh. Is there anything I can do?
A: Millions of people struggle with halitosis, or bad
breath, despite daily teeth brushing. Here is a checklist
of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily
brushing, daily flossing, and tongue cleaning; regular
professional cleanings, and careful cleaning of any dentures
or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene
is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several
solutions.
First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper
that cleans away bacterial buildup on your tongue and
can significantly alleviate odor. Or, we can recommend
a specially prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually
break the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath.
Finally, we may also suspect a systemic or internal problem
such as an infection or underlying condition, in which
case we may recommend a visit with your family physician
or specialist to identify the cause.
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Q: My spouse snores and keeps me up
at night. I have heard a dentist might be able to prescribe
an appliance that prevents snoring. Can you help?
A: Snoring is tough on any relationship! And, since it
can be caused by a number of factors, we encourage you
to have your spouse come in for a consultation and analysis
with your dentist to determine the cause.
In some cases, a person may actually stop breathing for
short periods during the night- a condition called sleep
apnea, which we would recommend you see a medical doctor
for. In other cases, snoring can be caused by enlarged
anatomical structures within the mouth and throat. During
sleep, the throat area relaxes, allowing these structures
to collapse against one another and obstruct airflow.
In the latter situation, we can prescribe and fit a special
appliance called a "snore-guard," which gently
holds the mouth and throat in an open position during
relaxed sleep and thus prevents snoring.
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Q: Do you accept referrals?
A: We are happy to accept referrals from other dental
offices as well as from recommendations by our patients
to their family and friends. Your referrals truly are
our best compliments!
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Q: Where can I learn more about dental
problems and procedures?
A: We think the following sites are very helpful. They
provide key information about a variety of important dental
health topics.
back to topQ: What is your policy on payment for dental appointments?
A: Payment for dental procedures is due at the time services are performed unless previous arrangements have been made with our staff. For your convenience we accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover.
As a patient courtesy, if you have dental insurance coverage, we will be happy to file your claim for your reimbursement. By supplying us with your most recent information, we can expedite your reimbursement from the insurance company. Since insurance coverage varies from plan to plan, if you have any questions regarding your covered benefits, we encourage you to contact your insurance carrier or your employer for details.
For extensive treatment we offer a partnership with CareCredit. It is a trusted source for patient financing and offer no-interest and low-interest loans, as well as extended payment plans.
If you have additional questions regarding our payment policies, please contact our Office Manager, Patricia, at 404.325.1221 or patricia.dr.hanna@gmail.com.
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