Office Policies:
We do not want you to have any surprises. Every effort is made to ensure you are aware of standard office policies, limitations and risks of treatment, and all reasonable treatment choices.
General
Our practice philosophy is centered on achieving the most ideal relationship between the dentition and the face - not just straightening teeth. We recognize that no two people are exactly alike and that there are significant differences between children and adults in terms of orthodontic treatment possibilities. Since each new patient is unique it is imperative that time is invested in the creation of a custom-tailored treatment plan that addresses all their concerns. We are committed to excellence of treatment quality and providing the best possible experience for patients of all ages.
Covid-19
In accordance with BC College of Oral Health Professionals' guidelines we have implemented numerous protocols to ensure your safety:
-Hand sanitizing stations
-Increased sanitization for high touch surfaces
-Reduced office traffic / exposure through limiting friends and family in waiting room and reduced appointment volume through virtual appointments where possible
-Non-contact payment and scheduling options
-Reduced aerosols during dental procedures
-Plexiglass droplet barriers
-Safety glasses for patients and staff
-For reference: Island Orthodontics Worksafe Covid-19 plan
Your oral health is important to us and we look forward to taking care of you.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your participation in helping us keep our patients and staff, as well as their families, as safe as possible.
Customer Service
Customer service and satisfaction is our primary goal. We are confident that you will not only love your new smile, but enjoy the entire treatment experience and feel relaxed in the care of our highly skilled team members. Perhaps the greatest compliment is the countless friends and family members that our existing patients refer each year. Our whole team takes great pleasure in meeting your needs and providing a superior orthodontic experience. Our practice depends on your satisfaction and ongoing recommendations to friends and family. Therefore, in an effort to help us better meet your needs, please fill out an online suggestion form.
Financial
Our fees are quoted after a thorough examination, to allow an accurate estimation of treatment complexity, duration, and an informative discussion of treatment options. The treatment fees are then spread over the course of active treatment, significantly easing the financial burden. Cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Interac payments as well as cheques are accepted. Please note we do not bill dental insurance companies or third parties on patients' behalf. Accordingly, we will expect that payment be received directly from patients as services are provided. We will be pleased to prepare reports and claims for you to submit to insurance companies or other third parties upon receipt of payment for services rendered.
Scheduling
During active orthodontic therapy, appointments are scheduled every 5-8 weeks allowing customization of the appliances. Following active therapy retention visits are required at the 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 month marks. Every attempt will be made to accommodate your scheduling requests for the relatively short visits however some may conflict with work or school hours. Rescheduling with less than a full 24 hour notice period is extremely disruptive to practice efficiency and ultimately results in added overall costs to patients as we have set aside staff and doctor time as well as resources for each visit. Please avoid short notice cancellations. At our discretion, a small fee for missed or cancelled visits may be assessed. In an effort to help remind you of your upcoming appointments, an attempt will be made to contact you at least one day before your next visit.
Transfer patients
Transfer patients from other offices are welcomed. An exam is conducted, after which an estimation of treatment needs remaining is made and a quotation of fees required to complete and retain the case is given.
Patients moving to other parts of the world while in active orthodontic therapy will be provided with transfer records and released from any further financial obligations.
Risks and Limitations of Orthodontic treatment
All orthodontic treatment caries some risk just as walking down a city sidewalk involves some risk. Potential harm in the form of accidental tissue injury with intraoral appliances or dental tools is possible. Allergic reactions to latex or other intraoral materials is rare but possible. Radiographic records may be necessary which subject the patient to radiation. Cumulative effects of radiation exposure are know risk factors for cancer therefore radiographs are only requested when necessary for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. Unfavorable gingival changes or recession and decalcification adjacent to braces leaving white marks on teeth are possible if inadequate hygiene is persistent during orthodontic treatment.
Limitations in treatment outcome relate to compromised treatment plans that may be elected to avoid orthognathic surgery but result in less than ideal tooth positions or fit. In addition, it is not always possible to provide every patient with a Hollywood style smile due to individual variations in tooth shape and size as well as gum characteristics. Even with near perfect variable every patient will have some degree of imperfection when braces are removed. Limitation in post-treatment stability is mitigated with compliant use of retainers, however some degree of post-treatment settling is expected and is, in fact, a natural part of human aging. For example, even patients who have never been orthodontically treated will experience significant dental changes over their lifetime typically including lower crowding and bite depth increase.
Temporomandibular joint and myofacial pain disorders are common among patients as well as non orthodontic patients with reports as high as 25% of the population suffering some degree of dysfunction. This is most prevalent with females and often appears in adolescence. It may be associated with an unfavorable occlusion but more commonly is associated with overuse due to parafunctional habit such as grinding and clenching. These habits can also lead to dramatic tooth wear sometimes requiring extensive restorative dental work.
For a more extensive list of Risks and Limitations please refer to the downloadable form.
We do not want you to have any surprises. Every effort is made to ensure you are aware of standard office policies, limitations and risks of treatment, and all reasonable treatment choices.
General
Our practice philosophy is centered on achieving the most ideal relationship between the dentition and the face - not just straightening teeth. We recognize that no two people are exactly alike and that there are significant differences between children and adults in terms of orthodontic treatment possibilities. Since each new patient is unique it is imperative that time is invested in the creation of a custom-tailored treatment plan that addresses all their concerns. We are committed to excellence of treatment quality and providing the best possible experience for patients of all ages.
Covid-19
In accordance with BC College of Oral Health Professionals' guidelines we have implemented numerous protocols to ensure your safety:
-Hand sanitizing stations
-Increased sanitization for high touch surfaces
-Reduced office traffic / exposure through limiting friends and family in waiting room and reduced appointment volume through virtual appointments where possible
-Non-contact payment and scheduling options
-Reduced aerosols during dental procedures
-Plexiglass droplet barriers
-Safety glasses for patients and staff
-For reference: Island Orthodontics Worksafe Covid-19 plan
Your oral health is important to us and we look forward to taking care of you.
We appreciate your understanding and thank you for your participation in helping us keep our patients and staff, as well as their families, as safe as possible.
Customer Service
Customer service and satisfaction is our primary goal. We are confident that you will not only love your new smile, but enjoy the entire treatment experience and feel relaxed in the care of our highly skilled team members. Perhaps the greatest compliment is the countless friends and family members that our existing patients refer each year. Our whole team takes great pleasure in meeting your needs and providing a superior orthodontic experience. Our practice depends on your satisfaction and ongoing recommendations to friends and family. Therefore, in an effort to help us better meet your needs, please fill out an online suggestion form.
Financial
Our fees are quoted after a thorough examination, to allow an accurate estimation of treatment complexity, duration, and an informative discussion of treatment options. The treatment fees are then spread over the course of active treatment, significantly easing the financial burden. Cash, Visa, MasterCard, and Interac payments as well as cheques are accepted. Please note we do not bill dental insurance companies or third parties on patients' behalf. Accordingly, we will expect that payment be received directly from patients as services are provided. We will be pleased to prepare reports and claims for you to submit to insurance companies or other third parties upon receipt of payment for services rendered.
Scheduling
During active orthodontic therapy, appointments are scheduled every 5-8 weeks allowing customization of the appliances. Following active therapy retention visits are required at the 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24 month marks. Every attempt will be made to accommodate your scheduling requests for the relatively short visits however some may conflict with work or school hours. Rescheduling with less than a full 24 hour notice period is extremely disruptive to practice efficiency and ultimately results in added overall costs to patients as we have set aside staff and doctor time as well as resources for each visit. Please avoid short notice cancellations. At our discretion, a small fee for missed or cancelled visits may be assessed. In an effort to help remind you of your upcoming appointments, an attempt will be made to contact you at least one day before your next visit.
Transfer patients
Transfer patients from other offices are welcomed. An exam is conducted, after which an estimation of treatment needs remaining is made and a quotation of fees required to complete and retain the case is given.
Patients moving to other parts of the world while in active orthodontic therapy will be provided with transfer records and released from any further financial obligations.
Risks and Limitations of Orthodontic treatment
All orthodontic treatment caries some risk just as walking down a city sidewalk involves some risk. Potential harm in the form of accidental tissue injury with intraoral appliances or dental tools is possible. Allergic reactions to latex or other intraoral materials is rare but possible. Radiographic records may be necessary which subject the patient to radiation. Cumulative effects of radiation exposure are know risk factors for cancer therefore radiographs are only requested when necessary for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. Unfavorable gingival changes or recession and decalcification adjacent to braces leaving white marks on teeth are possible if inadequate hygiene is persistent during orthodontic treatment.
Limitations in treatment outcome relate to compromised treatment plans that may be elected to avoid orthognathic surgery but result in less than ideal tooth positions or fit. In addition, it is not always possible to provide every patient with a Hollywood style smile due to individual variations in tooth shape and size as well as gum characteristics. Even with near perfect variable every patient will have some degree of imperfection when braces are removed. Limitation in post-treatment stability is mitigated with compliant use of retainers, however some degree of post-treatment settling is expected and is, in fact, a natural part of human aging. For example, even patients who have never been orthodontically treated will experience significant dental changes over their lifetime typically including lower crowding and bite depth increase.
Temporomandibular joint and myofacial pain disorders are common among patients as well as non orthodontic patients with reports as high as 25% of the population suffering some degree of dysfunction. This is most prevalent with females and often appears in adolescence. It may be associated with an unfavorable occlusion but more commonly is associated with overuse due to parafunctional habit such as grinding and clenching. These habits can also lead to dramatic tooth wear sometimes requiring extensive restorative dental work.
For a more extensive list of Risks and Limitations please refer to the downloadable form.