Patient Info

Commitment to Excellence

Our dental practice is committed to providing superior oral health services to our patients. We foster patient relationships based on mutual trust, excellent customer service, and the best personalized patient care available. Our team is devoted to restoring, enhancing and maintaining your teeth using conservative, state-of-the-art dental procedures.

Prevention and Oral Health Maintenance

At our office, we believe preventative dental care and maintenance is vital to your dental health. Through regular scheduled exams we check the overall health of your teeth and gums, perform oral cancer screenings, and perform x-rays to detect problems before they worsen. Routine dental cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments help prevent cavities and dental disease. We review your medical history to assess your overall health and identify any illnesses that may have an impact on your dental health.

Office Sterilization and Safety Procedures

We want to ensure the health of our patients and our dental team. Our practice follows safety procedures recommended by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:

Using disinfectant hand soap

Wearing gloves, masks, glasses and/or face shields

Chemical disinfection of countertops and surfaces

Sterilization of all non-disposable instruments and equipment before every use

Use of disposable plastic coverings and sheath over surfaces with high contact such as the dental chair, equipment, air/water syringe and light handles.

As your dental health care provider, we want you to be confident knowing that we take the responsibility of your health and safety very seriously.

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Your First Visit

Upon scheduling we will email you our new patient forms. Please complete all forms prior to coming in for your first appointment. When you arrive for your first visit, please be prepared with your completed forms, insurance card and picture ID. If you are unable to print the forms you can arrive 20 minutes early and fill them out in the office.

Your initial exam will last approximately one hour. Oral hygiene instructions will be provided along with suggestions to help you care for your teeth. in most cases, we will also clean your teeth on this visit and provide an evaluation that will outline your existing dental problems and proposed treatment.

Financials / Insurance

Your treatment plan will include a breakdown of all applicable fees, and we will inform you of all costs, including expected insurance amounts, before treatment is administered. Depending on the scope and cost of treatment, charges may be payable at the time of service. Co-payments are due at the time of treatment.

Additionally, we will submit all insurance claims for you. We will fully attempt to help you receive full insurance benefits; however, you are personally responsible for your account, and we encourage you to contact us if your policy has not been paid within 30 days.

Please ask a member of our staff, and we will review our payment options to accommodate your financial needs. At White Marsh Family Dentistry, we accept all major credit cards. Zero-interest extended payment plans are available for all orthodontic services.

If special arrangements are needed, please talk to our office manager prior to receiving service.

FAQs

Q. How often should I see a dentist?

A. The American Dental Association (ADA) guidelines recommend visiting a dentist at least twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning. Our office also recommends a minimum of two visits per year.

Q. Why do I need to visit every six months if I don't have any problems?

A. Preventive care is less expensive than repairing damage. Certain problems, like gum disease and early signs of decay, offer few warning signs. Regular visits allow us to monitor your oral health and catch any issues before they become big trouble.

Q. What should I expect during my appointment?

A. One of our staff members will compile your medical and dental history during your first visit. We will then examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, make X-rays of your teeth as needed and complete a TMJ (temporomandibular or jaw joint) exam. After we review your dental profile, we will discuss a diagnosis with you. If treatment such as a root canal (endodontics), braces(orthodontics) or oral surgery is needed, we will plan to treat you in our office or refer you to a specialist. We will discuss your options for treatment and fee payment and help you determine the best plan to fit your needs.

During regular follow-up visits, we will examine your teeth and gums, screen you for oral cancer, clean your teeth and make plans for treatment, as needed. We will discuss any pain or problems you may be experiencing and answer any questions you may have.

Q. What does "painless dentistry" mean?

A. Painless dentistry is a means of ensuring your total experience in our office is as stress-free and pain-free as possible. We will discuss treatment options that may require no local anesthetic and whenever possible, alleviate pain by the means most comfortable to you.

Q. What if I have an emergency?

A. Please call our office at 410-931-7133 as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays, please call our office and our voicemail will direct you to the doctor’s emergency contact number. We try to the best of our ability to get an emergency in the same day.

Q. Are payment plans available for my dental treatment?

A. Yes, we work with most major dental insurance plans. We also contract with third-party vendors, such as Care Credit, that offers affordable payment plans. We also accept most major credit cards, including MasterCard and Visa, checks and cash.