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Office Policies

Your First Visit To Dr. Black's Office

At your first visit to Dr. Black’s office, diagnostic records are taken to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records typically include a medical/dental history, clinical examination, plaster study models of the teeth, digital photos of the patient's face and teeth, and digital orthodontic X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under orthodontic care.
 


Consultation

After Dr. Black has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost for your particular case.

Regular Appointments

The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 6 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday to Thursday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. It is difficult to immediately reschedule your appointment since most appointments are made 6 to 8 weeks in advance.

Payment & Office Policies

Cost
Patient Forms

  • Welcome – Adult Form
  • Welcome – Child Form

    Forms are in PDF format. You can download Acrobat Reader free from Adobe.

    • The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have many flexible payment plans to suit different budgets. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable for you.


    Fees

    In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:

    • If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
    • To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months.
    • For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA, MASTERCARD, and DISCOVER.

    In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.

     

     

    Insurance

    If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.

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    Wooden Nickel Rewards Program

    The wooden nickel program is a motivational reward system used to encourage patient cooperation and better oral hygiene. The success of orthodontic treatment relies greatly on the cooperation of the patient. Good oral hygiene prevents decalcification (white marks on the teeth), puffy gums and bad breath.
     

    You will be competing against yourself for some Super Prizes.  Here’s how our contest works:  At each REGULAR  treatment visit you can earn up to 5 Wooden Nickels by following these simple rules:

    (1)  Keeping your scheduled appointment (no broken, canceled, or re-scheduled appointments)

    (2)  You are not late for your present appointment.

    (3)  Your tooth brushing grade is a “B” or better.

    (4)  You have worn your neck gear, rubber bands, or appliances as requested by Dr. Black.

    (5)   (5)  Nothing is loose or broken.

    (6    (6)  Wear your Dr. Black T-shirt to your office visit*

                 *If one of us sees you wearing your shirt outside the office, you will get 10 nickels.

     

    As an added bonus, you will earn (10) Wooden Nickels if you refer a friend to our office.

     

    You will NOT receive a Wooden Nickel if:

    (1)  You missed your last appointment or you are late for your present appointment.

    (2)  Your appointment is NOT your regular scheduled visit, for example, an emergency,

           an extra banding or bonding appointment, or tooth brushing instruction.

    (3)  A brushing grade of “C” or lower.

    (4)  Something is loose or broken.

     

    Also, you will not receive Wooden Nickels once your braces are removed and you are wearing retainers.

     

    The following is our current prize list:

    McDONALD’S Gift Certificate                                 10 Wooden Nickels

    $5 STARBUCKS Gift Certificate                            40 Wooden Nickels

    $5 IN/OUT Gift Certificate                                       30 Wooden Nickels

    $5 HOLLYWOOD VIDEO Gift Certificate             30 Wooden Nickels

    (1) Movie Pass                                                         40 Wooden Nickels

    (2) Movie Passes                                                     75 Wooden Nickels                                                             Certificate                                                                 50 Wooden Nickels

    $10 Tilly’s Gift Certificate                                       50 Wooden Nickels

    $10 K-5 Gift Certificate                                           50 Wooden Nickels

    $10. TARGET Gift                                                    50 Wooden Nickels

    WALKMAN CD Player                                            170 Wooden Nickels

     

    You may redeem your Wooden Nickels at any time during treatment. 

    Remember that your cooperation during treatment is the essential factor in achieving a super result.

     

     

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    Dr. Richard M. Black, Orthodontics   |   317 N. El Camino Real - Suite 203, Encinitas CA. 92024  |   760-942-4040