Author Archives: TJ Thompson

Why won’t dentists give me prices or quotes over the phone?

| August 22, 2018

The short answer is they don’t want to give the impression of a “Bait and Switch”. Here is the long answer: If you do receive a quote over the phone, the prices given are usually for the most common procedures. However, during your exam, the doctor may see something that would dictate the necessity of a different procedure and associated cost. So what you may see as a simple procedure, may be complicated by other factors. Most dentists use a … Continue reading →

More Frequently Asked Questions

| August 22, 2018

Q.  Are dentists affiliated with insurance companies? No, you are their customer. Your dentist will request the estimated coverage on your policy (the % your insurance covers of a particular treatment) and calculate your out of pocket cost accordingly. Estimates are not a guarantee of payment by your insurance. Dentists cannot accurately know in advance what your insurance company will actually cover or not, until after the insurance company receives the billing information. So as the patient, you are responsible for … Continue reading →

Saving Your Tooth: A Smart Investment

| August 22, 2018

Root Canal or Extraction – Weighing Your Options Root canal treatment to save your tooth is almost always a better option than extraction. It’s a good investment in the long run for several reasons. Long term complications that result from extractions include: Bite Misalignment Drifting Adjacent Teeth Bone Loss at the Extraction Site Bone loss over time reduces the likelihood of qualifying for future implant treatment in many cases. In addition, the cost to have a future bridge or implant … Continue reading →

Dental Insurance: How does it work and who can you trust?

| August 22, 2018

Many people mistakenly believe when they go to their dentist who is contracted (or in network) with an insurance company, (say Delta Dental), the dentist represents the insurance company. Not True. Your dentist receives a fee schedule, the insurance company’s fee schedule, at the time they contract. This gives the dentist a right to be advertised on the insurance company’s list of in network providers. Being “In Network” dictates the maximum fee the dentist may charge for treatment procedures allowed … Continue reading →

How to Read an EOB

| December 13, 2017

Sections: What is an EOB? The Anatomy of an EOB Dissecting an EOB Why Check an EOB? Top Errors on EOBs Dental Insurance Provider Refuses Payment References and Additional Resources « Back to Resources What is an EOB? An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is NOT a bill. It is a summary sent by a health insurance company every time a patient receives treatment from a medical professional. It outlines the dates and types of treatment received, and the costs the … Continue reading →

Emergency Dental Care USA Opens Newest Location in North Texas

| December 12, 2017

(Denton, TX) Emergency Dental Care USA, a dental practice aimed at providing same-day care to patients with dental emergencies has opened their newest location in Denton, Texas. It is the fifth office Texas, and one of three in North Texas. Other offices are located in Fort Worth, Farmers Branch, Houston and San Antonio. Emergency Dental Care can be found just south of University Drive on North Elm Street. The office was previously occupied by Lloyd Ridenour, DDS Family Dentistry, and … Continue reading →

Emergency Dental Care collects treats for Offutt AFB troops

| December 7, 2017

Emergency Dental Care USA will be collecting candy for two units of Offutt Air Force Base personnel during its third annual Halloween Candy Buy Back. The event will take place from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at the Central Omaha Emergency Dental Care office located at 2605 S. 84th Street. It is sponsored by Michael Obeng, DDS. “We are honored to partner with Offutt Air Force Base for this candy buy back,” Dr. Obeng said. “We are proud … Continue reading →

Diabeties & Root Canals

| December 7, 2017

In recognition of National Diabetes Month in November, Emergency Dental Care USA reminds diabetic patients that they should pay special attention to their oral health care, and address potential problems as quickly as possible. Diabetics who properly manage and treat periodontal disease could save an average of $1,477 on pharmacy costs and an average of $1,814 on medical care costs per year. Diabetics are more susceptible to abscesses, gum disease and oral health issues because diabetes reduces the body’s resistance … Continue reading →

Why to avoid the ER for Dental Emergencies

| December 7, 2017

This year, over 800,000 Americans will end up in the ER for a dental emergency. That number continues to rise each year, and it’s costing a fortune. Florida alone charged $88 million for the 115,000 dental-related emergency room visits in 2010. That averages to $765 per visit, and in a vast majority of cases, they were not able treat the cause of the problem. So on top of a $765 ER bill, the patient was referred to a dentist, where … Continue reading →

Afraid of going to the Dentist?

| December 7, 2017

Fear can be a vicious cycle. So avoiding the dentist can make your dental visits more painful, costly and contribute to your fear of going to the dentist. Dental problems often start as minor issues that can be easily and painlessly resolved; but when left unchecked, minor problems turn into major ones that are costly, unpleasant and sometimes, painful to deal with. When you wait until you can’t stand the pain any longer, your fear of the dentist always be … Continue reading →