Welcome, New Patients!
Thank you for choosing Birchwood Dental! We are excited to begin the process of becoming your partner in dental health.
** If you are looking for our New Patient Forms, they are now available through a different platform to make it easier and more convenient for you to fill out your forms. Please see your appointment confirmation text for a link to your forms. If you did not receive the link, please contact our office at 208-228-5499 (call or text) and we'll be happy to resend the link.**
Find Answers to Common Questions Below
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS:
I don't have dental insurance. Can you help?
Yes we can! We have recently launched our in-house Direct Primary Care Membership Plan to accommodate patients who do not have insurance. Our program is also great for those who may be interested in dropping the standard insurance model in favor of a direct care approach. For more information and to sign up, click below.
Do you take my insurance plan?
We are in network with most major dental PPO plans and are also able to accept most other insurances policies as out-of-network providers. We are unable to accept any HMO plans at this time. Also, at this time, we are accepting new patients with Medicaid (MCNA/Idaho Smiles) insurance for children or adults, however, this status is subject to change. Please contact our office at 208-228-5499 to find out if we accept your insurance plan.
Do you offer payment plans?
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer payment plans. Payment for services rendered is due in full on the date of service.
TREATMENT QUESTIONS:
Do you offer sedation?
At our office, we use local anesthetic to make areas of your mouth numb during procedures. We are not able to offer general anesthesia (going to sleep) or nitrous oxide treatments (laughing gas) at this time.
Are you a holistic practice?
We are not an official holistic practice, but we do have some holistic tendencies. For example, we do not use dental amalgam for fillings and we offer fluoride-free options. We feel it is important to allow for and respect patients' choices whenever possible regarding their own oral health.
Do I really need x-rays?
Yes! X-rays are an important tool that help the doctor evaluate areas of the tooth that cannot be seen with the naked eye. We usually recommend having x-rays taken once a year in order to best keep track of changes happening in your mouth.
Many patients wonder about the safety of dental x-rays. At Birchwood Dental, we use digital radiographic imaging. This type of x-ray imaging emits about 80% less radiation than traditional x-rays and does not require any harsh chemicals to process, which makes it safer for the environment. Digital x-rays provide clear images that can be enlarged and viewed on screen in our treatment rooms so the doctor can more accurately detect any problem areas and discuss with you any issues he sees right away.
If I don't feel any pain in my tooth, do I still need treatment?
The answer to this question is an unequivocal "Yes!"
In the dentistry world, pain is a terrible indicator of oral health issues. Many conditions such as cavities or gum disease do not typically cause much pain early on. That doesn't mean, however, that they should be ignored!
In fact, in many cases, by the time you do feel pain, the decay or infection has progressed enough to cause deeper and more costly damage. Treating these issues in their earliest stages gives your teeth the best chance of successful recovery with the least invasive treatment measures, which is better for you all around.
SCHEDULING QUESTIONS:
When should my child first see the dentist?
We recommend that children first see the dentist at the age of three, unless parents have concerns earlier. It is important to establish good oral health practices early in a child's life. Here are some ways you can help protect your children’s teeth from decay:
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Begin brushing habits as soon as the first teeth erupt.
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Start flossing as soon as two teeth have grown close enough to touch each other.
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Never put your child to bed with a bottle of milk, juice or other sugary drink. Stick with water if they need a drink during the night.
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Avoid sticky or sugary snacks such as dried fruit or candy between meals.
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Avoid sugary drinks or milk between meals. Water is the best beverage for your teeth at snack time.
My family member has an appointment scheduled at your office. Can I come in his or her place for my dental work instead?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no. There are many variables to take into consideration when finding an appointment time on the schedule which preclude us from being able to substitute another patient in an appointment slot. Each appointment is scheduled based on the specific needs of the procedure set to be performed and the availability of the providers who can perform the procedure. Thank you for understanding.