Makeovers and Neuromuscular Dentistry

Greetings to our friends. We hope you had a fabulous summer. As fall fast approaches, we invite you to drop by our office and see our newly improved, contemporary clinic. What a makeover! With the new surroundings, guests will enjoy a relaxing and refreshing dental experience.

Speaking of makeovers, our dental team can transform your worn and faded teeth into the youthful and attractive smile you once had, or always wanted. A healthy smile means more than “just looking pretty”. Our neuromuscular training may also help those who suffer from chronic migraines, temporomandibular disorders (TMD), muscle aches and pains, tingling and numbness of the nerves (in face or hands), ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and depression. if you or someone you know suffers from one or more of these symptoms and would like to know how neuromuscular dentistry can help you, call us for a consultation.

Also, visit the following websites for more information: www.leadingdentists.com www.migrainedentistry.com   I hope you enjoy your autumn and winter and look forward to seeing you at your next appointment. Dr. Phil Nasralla

Comings and Goings

Like many offices, there are always changes. As we are sad to say goodbye to two team members we are also excited to welcome two new fresh faces to our team. Becca has found her passion in orthodontics and she is now working at an orthodontic office in the Comox Valley. We are proud and sad to say goodbye to Krista as she embarks on her new journey into hygiene school. We wish Krista all the best and hope to see her again in the future.

We would like to welcome Erin, our full-time hygienist who has moved here from Ontario. In her spare time, Erin likes to read, cook and is an avid Buffy fan. We have two new CDAs: Joelle, who was hired from her practicum in the summer. Joelle has lived in the Valley the majority of her life and is now married and mother of a young son. Deborah, our freshest face, has moved here from Ottawa and is extremely happy to be living in the Valley again near her family.

We can’t forget about our team members Tracie and Carmen who are still with us and are happy to help you and give you a hand with any of your dental concerns.

Gingivitis is Preventable and Reversible

Gingivitis, inflammation of the gums, is caused by plaque build-up in the mouth. Left untreated, it may lead to serious periodontal disease and eventually tooth loss.

Oral health and oral inflammation are linked to overall health. Specific associations have been made to: poor blood sugar control in diabetics, a variety of heart diseases, pre-term low birth weight of babies and certain lung diseases.

Good oral hygiene care reduces and prevents the progression of gingivitis. The following steps are recommended for maintaining good oral health as part of your overall health: brushing, flossing and regular visits to your dental hygienist for specialized oral health care.

Information provided by the Canadian Dental Hygienist Association.

Office Requirements

As we’ve mentioned in the last newsletter, our office no longer sends a bill after each appointment and payment must be made at the date of service. We still offer our third party financing and we accept all major credit cards.

For all patients, if you must reschedule your appointment we request at least 2 business days notice or a fee may be levied. We ask this so as to better serve those in need of urgent attention who would gladly accept your appointment time. Please be considerate of our time as well as other patients.

Optimal Dental Health vs. Insurance-Driven Care

We commonly hear the words: Will my plan cover this?” Our office strives to give our patients optimal dental care as diagnosed by Dr. Nasralla. We do not allow insurance companies to dictate the type of treatment that you can and cannot receive. Insurance companies are refusing to pay for many services thus making it harder for patients to receive the quality dentistry we have to offer. With the Canadian Privacy Act of 2004, most insurance companies will no longer disclose vital information relevant to your policy which we require to answer questions you have regarding your coverage. In short, patients are responsible for their dental policies and if you have any pressing questions about your plan(s), you should contact them directly. We can continue to submit treatment plans for major work (eg. Implants, crowns and bridges, veneers) but the insurance companies are demanding much more detailed clinical information to base their decision on whether to pay. The costs for these extra procedures eg, study models, photographs, reports etc… may not be covered my your plan and would become your financial responsibility.

Below is a an example of a notice sent from the PBC dental insurance.

Should your insurance company decline to pay for any proposed treatment, do not let this discourage you from getting the necessary dentistry for optimal health.

Finally, many insurance companies fail to pay our current fees as noted when we received payment from a plan paying according to a 1988 dental fee guide. We will continue to provide the best dental care but we hope you understand the obstacles we face with dental insurances on a daily basis. Dr. Nasralla’s treatment co-coordinators will gladly help you in whatever capacity they can so you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy smile.

4 – 1841 Comox Ave Comox, BC V9M 3M3
250-339-2252 ~ www.drphilthedentist.com