New Dental Patient Information State College
Welcome to Centre Smiles
It can be a little nerve-wracking to visit any new dentist for the first time, but doing some prep work ahead of time will help make sure everything goes smoothly and that you do not have to spend any extra time waiting. Below, we have provided new patient forms and outlined some helpful financial information. If you have additional questions leading up to your appointment at our State College dental office, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Your First Visit
A new patient visit includes a comprehensive exam in which we screen and do risk assessments for oral cancer, periodontal disease, and decay, as well as check your bite and jaw for functional irregularities. This will take about an hour. We are better prepared for your visit if we have a chance to review your medical and dental history at our morning team meeting.
Our dental office provides online forms for you to complete in advance of your appointment, which you will find below. We upload these forms into your electronic chart. If you are unable to complete the online forms, please come in about 15 minutes early for your first appointment.
Patient Forms
In order to provide you with the most excellent dental care, we need a full picture of your oral and overall health. New patient forms help to provide that. Before you come into our dental office for your first visit, we invite you to take a few moments to fill out your new patient forms online. Doing so will help to ensure that we can get started without any unnecessary delays.
Dental Insurance
We want to maintain your comfort and peace of mind throughout your entire experience with us, including handling financial obligations. If you have specific questions about payment options, your bill, or dental benefits coverage, don't hesitate to contact our State College dental office.
We will gladly file your dental benefits claim for you electronically on the day of your visit, whether our office is in- or out-of-network with your plan. We’re in-network with a number of major insurance plans, including United Concordia, Cigna, and Guardian.
Our team is trained to work with your dental benefits company to ensure maximum reimbursement. Most dental plans are designed to decrease out-of-pocket costs and rarely cover 100% of treatment. Any out-of-pocket expense or copayment is due at the time of your appointment and can be paid via credit card, cash, check, or CareCredit.
Not sure if your dental benefits will pay for your visit? Centre Smiles provides a complimentary dental benefits analysis upon request, prior to your visit. Our expert administrative team will be able to give you a breakdown of your plans reported benefits and any expected out-of-pocket expenses.
CareCredit Financing
Third-party financing makes cosmetic or elective procedures fit within virtually any budget. We partner with CareCredit, a trusted third-party financer, to make these procedures more accessible, allowing you to split up the overall cost of your procedure into smaller, easy-to-manage payments.
In-House Dental Savings Plan
We understand that dental insurance premiums can be expensive, and that benefits are extremely limited on most plans. Did you know that we offer an in-house dental savings plan right here in our dental office for both new and existing patients? We sat down and looked at the expense our dental office incurs in claims processing and realized we can pass along the savings of in-house administration of our Quality Dental Plan right to you.
The good news is that as a member of our Quality Dental Plan, all of your preventive care (including cleanings, X-rays and exams) is 100% covered in our dental office, and you’ll also receive valuable member benefits on restorative care like fillings, crowns and implants – even cosmetic dentistry!
New Dental Patient FAQs
What if it’s been a long time since I visited the dentist?
Even if it’s been years since you had a checkup and cleaning, we hope you will feel comfortable calling to schedule an appointment with Dr. Starostik and our team. We will never make you feel bad or guilty for letting your dental care slide — the important thing is that you are taking care of it right now.
How can Dr. Starostik help my migraines?
Oftentimes, migraines result from an improper alignment of the temporomandibular joints. We can help! Learn more about TMJ therapy and how it can help you improve your quality of life.
What is metal-free dentistry?
Although the American Dental Association’s official stance is that amalgam fillings are safe, we take no chances with your health. Our State College dental office uses composite resin fillings that contain no mercury to treat cavities. Not only does Dr. Starostik feel that these tooth-colored fillings are safer and stronger because they bond directly to your existing tooth, but they also offer aesthetic advantages over their metal counterparts.
I want to straighten my teeth, but I don’t want to wear braces. Do I have another choice?
In some cases, you have a choice to straighten your teeth that doesn’t involve braces. Patients who visit Centre Smiles can opt for veneers. Sometimes referred to as instant braces, veneers take two to three visits to prepare, fit, and bond to the teeth.
Do you offer children’s dentistry?
Yes, we provide dental checkups and age-appropriate hygiene treatments for children as young as two. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a "well visit" with a parent by age one to make sure that your little one’s teeth are erupting as they should. There are early interventions for dental developmental problems!
What can you do to help my snoring?
Oral appliance therapy for snoring/obstructive sleep apnea can improve breathing during sleep by keeping the tongue and jaw in a slightly forward position during nighttime hours. Oral appliance therapy has effectively treated countless patients. We work closely with primary care physicians, ENTs and other specialists to deliver the best care for your case.
A dental appliance may be useful when a CPAP has little to no effect. In addition, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine now reports that the oral appliance is the first line of treatment for patients with mild to moderate sleep apnea.
Do you take dental benefits?
Yes! We are happy to accept a number of dental benefits. Please get in touch with our dental office to learn the details.