Patient Resources

A Comprehensive Exam

During your comprehensive exam, your dentist will take time to explain what’s happening, answer any questions, and educate you along the way. Your dentist will evaluate your teeth, soft tissues, chewing muscles, jaw, face, and neck. In addition to looking for cracked teeth and cavities, your dentist is also looking for sores or lumps on the floor and roof of your mouth, lesions on your tongue, problems with the jaw joint and muscles, signs of traumatic occlusion such as tooth wear or fracture, and abnormalities in the lymph nodes of the head and neck. This examination includes an important and routine screening for oral cancer. If you wear dentures or other removable appliances, your dentist will evaluate the fit, function, and comfort of the appliance.

Diagnostic Images

Your dentist can tell a lot about your oral health just by looking in your mouth, but there are important areas that require diagnostic images, like dental X-rays, to fully evaluate. Examples include the areas in between your teeth, the bone of your jaw, and the roots of your teeth.

If you have seen another dental care provider and have recent dental X-rays on file, we can help you to arrange for the X-rays to be sent to our office before your appointment. Discuss this with our business staff when you are scheduling your first appointment. Any diagnostic images received from outside providers will be reviewed by your dentist, and the need for any additional images will be determined during your exam.

Required X-rays are determined by your dentist based on clinical necessity, and not by your insurance provider.

If you have concerns about what your insurance will or will not pay for, we encourage you to contact your insurance provider prior to your appointment to fully understand your dental benefit. If diagnostic imaging is needed at your exam, it is important to know that you are responsible for any charges that your insurance provider chooses not to pay for.

Radiation from dental x-rays is very low, and our dentists follow the ALARA Principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) to minimize the patient’s exposure. This limits radiographs to what an individual patient needs to meet our standard of care. If you have questions for your dentist about why certain imaging is necessary, you are encouraged to ask! If you decline necessary diagnostic imaging, it is possible that we may not be able to responsibly proceed with examination and treatment.

The specific treatment you require is based entirely on the condition of your teeth and gums. The buildup on your teeth and under your gums harbors infectious bacteria. Especially if it has been several years since your last dental visit, you may need a more specialized professional dental cleaning to get your teeth, gums, and supporting bone healthy again. The type of professional dental cleaning you need can only be determined by your dentist as part of your examination. We have to look in your mouth before we know what you need!

Common types of cleanings include prophylaxis, periodontal scaling and root planing, and periodontal maintenance. Learn more about different types of dental cleanings by clicking here.

Every smile is unique, and our next steps will be tailored to yours.

We may find that your dentition is mostly stable and your treatment needs are minimal. In this case, we will discuss our clinical findings and recommendations, answer any questions that you have, and will most likely schedule your professional dental cleaning as a next step.

If we determine that you have more complex treatment needs (such as advanced gum disease, failing teeth in need of larger restorations, replacement of missing teeth, or cosmetic transformations), we will schedule a complimentary treatment review appointment with your doctor to fully discuss a comprehensive treatment plan. This appointment is dedicated time with your doctor to discuss the state of your oral health, your ideal and alternative treatment options, phasing and sequencing of treatment, possible specialist referrals, and treatment financing.

Your dental treatment needs are determined by your dental healthcare provider, based on your individual needs, and not by your insurance provider.

It is important to understand that dental insurance plans can be much different than medical insurance plans. Dental insurance plans often are not designed to cover all of the treatment you may need. This may be due to a limited maximum benefit, or limitations on the types of procedures covered.  It is important to understand your individual benefit plan.

Your smile is important to us, and your provider will inform you of the risks of declining or delaying treatment based on insurance coverage. Know that there are other resources to help pay for your care. 

In order to best serve our patients, we accept plans from most major dental insurance providers, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Medica, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Premier Dental Group, HealthPartners, PreferredOne, and many more. However, just because we accept plans from a certain company, that does not necessarily mean we accept your specific plan. Contact your dental insurance provider to confirm that we are in your network. This will help assure that you can fully utilize your dental insurance benefits. You are welcome to contact our business staff for additional questions and assistance.

We will help in every way we can to file a claim on your behalf and assist you in understanding your coverage. Your insurance may cover all, a portion of, or none of your dental visit. Please understand that Cameo Dental does not decide whether or not a service is covered by insurance. Your individual insurance provider makes those decisions. Coverage depends on many things, as determined by your insurance provider, including your deductible, your yearly maximum, and any applicable waiting periods. Cameo Dental is always happy to submit a preauthorization to your insurance company at your request when possible. Keep in mind that a preauthorization is not a guarantee that an insurance provider will pay for your treatment, and it can often take some time, which may delay necessary treatment. If you have questions regarding your benefits or why your care wasn’t covered, please contact your insurance provider directly. 

It is a common misunderstanding that you need dental insurance in order to see a dentist. We have many patients who receive care without dental insurance coverage, and we work with each patient individually to help make it affordable. Depending on the extent of dental care needed, we can help to develop individualized payment plans to spread out the cost of necessary dental care over several months.

Health Savings Accounts (or Flex Spending Accounts) are a great way to help cover the cost of care. Patients can often use money set aside in these accounts to help pay for dental services. We are happy to help you by providing the documentation needed for reimbursement.

For patients that need a third-party financing option, we do accept Care Credit, a healthcare credit card that can be used for preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dental services for you and your family. Visit CareCredit.com for more information.

Dental Insurance & Benefit Plans

Our team is here to help you fully utilize your dental insurance and benefit plans. This starts with a careful determination of your dental care needs. We develop treatment plans that reflect what is necessary and appropriate to keep your mouth healthy and for you to achieve your oral health care goals, and we work with most major dental insurance companies. As a service to you, we will submit claims on your behalf, whether you are in or out of network.

In order to best serve our patients, we accept plans from most major dental insurance providers, including Delta Dental, MetLife, Medica, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Premier Dental Group, HealthPartners, PreferredOne, and many more. However, just because we accept plans from a certain company, that does not necessarily mean we accept your specific plan. Contact your dental insurance provider to confirm that we are in your network. This will help assure that you can fully utilize your dental insurance benefits. You are welcome to contact our business staff for additional questions and assistance.

What is a deductible? A yearly maximum? A waiting period? An explanation of benefits? Will my insurance cover my care?

Dental insurance can be a challenge to understand and navigate. We’re here to help you through it!

Below we have answered many of the most common questions surrounding dental insurance coverage. We encourage you to contact the Cameo Dental team if you need further assistance in understanding your individual coverage and care. We can help you answer many general questions, and we may direct you to your insurance provider for more specific questions about your policy.

Dental Insurance Terminology

You’ll hear a lot of special terminologies when it comes to your dental insurance plan. Some of it can be very confusing! Here are a few basic definitions to help you along the way. Please know you’re always welcome to contact the Cameo Dental team for assistance in understanding your insurance benefits.

Deductible – A set dollar amount that a person must pay for covered services in a set period of time (usually a calendar year) before a dental plan pays benefits.

Waiting Period – A period of time that a person must wait from a plan’s effective date before a dental plan’s benefits become active.

Maximum Benefit – A maximum dollar amount that a dental plan will pay toward the cost of covered services in a given period of time (usually a calendar year).

Explanation of Benefits (EOB) – A document detailing the portion of dental services that will be paid by the insurance plan and the patient’s out-of-pocket responsibility (if applicable). The EOB is not a bill.

Preauthorization – A statement from the dental benefit provider outlining what services may be covered under the terms of the individual benefit contract.

Copay – An arrangement with a dental benefits provider in which a person pays a specified amount at the time of service.

An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a document detailing the portion of dental services that will be paid by the insurance plan and the patient’s out-of-pocket responsibility (if applicable). Once a claim is submitted, it often takes 6-8 weeks before an EOB is received. The EOB is not a bill, it simply outlines what you may owe above and beyond what was covered by your insurance benefits. Cameo Dental will contact you directly regarding payments due to the practice. We can work with you to develop an individualized payment plan to help spread out larger payments over several months if needed.

Payments due to the practice can be made in person or over the phone. We accept cash, checks, and most major credit cards as forms of payment, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.

Your dental treatment needs are determined by your dental healthcare provider, based on your individual needs, and not by your insurance provider.

It is important to understand that dental insurance plans can be much different than medical insurance plans. Dental insurance plans often are not designed to cover all of the treatment you may need. This may be due to a limited maximum benefit, or limitations on the types of procedures covered.  It is important to understand your individual benefit plan.

Your smile is important to us, and your provider will inform you of the risks of declining or delaying treatment based on insurance coverage. Know that there are other resources, like flexible spending accounts or Care Credit, to help pay for your care.

We will help in every way we can to file a claim on your behalf and assist you in understanding your coverage. Your insurance may cover all, a portion of, or none of your dental visits. Please understand that Cameo Dental does not decide whether or not a service is covered by insurance. Your individual insurance provider makes those decisions.

Coverage depends on many things, as determined by your insurance provider, including your deductible, your yearly maximum, and any applicable waiting periods. Cameo Dental is always happy to submit a preauthorization to your insurance company at your request when possible. Keep in mind that a preauthorization is not a guarantee that an insurance provider will pay for your treatment, and it can often take some time, which may delay necessary treatment. If you have questions regarding your benefits or why your care wasn’t covered, please contact your insurance provider directly.

Patients may have dental anxiety for a wide variety of reasons. Many of our patients have had a difficult childhood experience at the dentist that has prevented them from seeking care. It may be that you suffer from a generalized anxiety or mood disorder, and dental anxiety is just an unpleasant extension of your condition. Or it may simply stem from a feeling that you are not in control of what’s happening.

Fortunately, we have extensive experience working with fearful patients. There are a wide variety of methods and treatments available to help alleviate dental anxiety and reduce pain.

Effective Pain Management

Especially for those who have had traumatic childhood dental experiences, it is important to remember that management of dental pain has come a long way. We will recommend an individually tailored combination of local anesthetics and pain medications to keep you comfortable and virtually pain-free before, during, and after your dental procedure.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

We offer nitrous oxide sedation in each of our treatment rooms. Nitrous oxide (sometimes referred to as “laughing gas”) is a safe and effective sedative gas that is mixed with oxygen. The patient inhales the gas through a small mask that fits over their nose. Nitrous oxide sedation helps many patients to feel calm and comfortable during dental treatment. While it’s okay if you’d like to take a snooze, nitrous oxide sedation is not intended to put you to sleep. You will still be able to hear and respond to your dentist’s instructions. While its effects are slightly different for everyone, patient’s typically feel a little “floaty”, and some patients experience a slight tingling or heaviness in their arms and legs. Ultimately it should make you feel relaxed and at-ease. The effects of the gas wear off quickly once it is turned off and the mask is removed. Since it is eliminated from your body within a few minutes, you are able to drive home after nitrous oxide sedation.

Prescription Medications

For some patients with severe anxiety, we may consider a prescription medication. This will be determined after a careful review of your medical history and dental treatment needs. Note that some prescription medications may require that you have someone to drive you to and from your dental appointment.

The Little Things

At your request, we can also provide headphones, chapstick, sunglasses, a comfy pillow, or a warm blanket. Whatever it takes to keep you comfortable.