Patient Information

New Patient Information

Your first visit to our office is our first chance to evaluate your dental needs. This is a very comprehensive exam and is the basis for your treatment.

Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your reserved treatment time to fill out the necessary paperwork and to provide insurance information.

  • New Patient Information / Medical History Form
  • Notice of HIPAA Privacy policy
  • Privacy Notice Acknowledgement

Radiography

Your hygienist will escort you to a treatment room and review your health and dental history. Please make your hygienist aware of any dental concerns you want to discuss with Dr. Camarata.

She will then take the necessary radiographs (X-rays) to help diagnose. Radiographs are an important part of our exam because they allow us to see areas of the mouth we cannot see by vision alone. We use digital radiography, which allows us to dramatically decrease the amount of radiation exposure to less than 50% of traditional radiography.

The hygienist will then enter the restorations and conditions found in your mouth into your medical chart. This includes a periodontal exam in which the health of the gums is evaluated. Periodontal disease is characterized by deep pockets found between teeth and the gums and easily bleeding gums.

Cleaning

We offer different types of cleanings. Based on the health of your gums, the hygienist will proceed with the appropriate type of cleaning.

Treatment Options

After your teeth and gums have been thoroughly cleaned, Dr. Camarata will sit down with you to discuss any dental needs you have. This is the time to discuss treatment options and formulate a comprehensive treatment plan.

Your involvement in decisions about your treatment is important to us. We base treatment on your needs and expectations.

Do you take my insurance?

What appears to be a “yes” or “no” question actually requires a more involved answer.

While Insurance companies portray dental insurance as a valuable product, benefits and coverage can be very confusing and care must be taken to make sure you are getting the most from your plan.

Types of Plans

The most common types of insurances are PPO and DMO/DHMO.

A dental PPO plan typically allows you to choose your own provider and the insurance company will pay for services provided.

A dental HMO plan typically requires you to choose from a list or can even assign a provider to you.  The insurance company will only pay for services provided with the assigned provider.

DMO or DHMO plan requires you to choose from a specific list of providers. They WILL NOT cover services provided by anyone who is not on the list.

Please call our office at 281-440-1050 to determine if we are Out-Of-Network or In-Network with your particular insurance plan, as each plan is unique.

What does “Out of Network” mean?

Out of Network means that there is no contractual obligation between the provider and the insurance company. It only means the insurance company cannot dictate the fees charged by the provider.  In the case of a PPO plan, insurance companies WILL PAY FOR SERVICES PROVIDED AT AN OUT OF NETWORK OFFICE. The extent of insurance coverage is determined by the particular plan your employer or personal insurance provider offers.

What does “In-Network” mean?

In Network means there is a contract between the provider and the insurance company.  The provider has agreed to accept lower than normal fees for the benefit of the insurance company funneling a higher volume of patients to that provider.

Why are you “Out of Network” with most insurances?

Being out of network allows our office to better manage patient care.  It allows us to see a lower volume of patients and be able to customize patient care plans, spend time discussing conditions, treatments and options with patients and to allow for adequate treatment time, resulting in better patient care and better treatment outcomes.

Alternatives to Dental Insurance

If you or someone you know does not have dental insurance or may be losing their dental insurance, our office now offers an alternative to dental insurance. The Quality Dental Plan (QDP) is a membership program that provides preventive services (exam, cleanings, x-rays) and offers a discount for needed treatment. Please call our office at 281-440-1050 for more details.

The Quality Dental Plan, or QDP, is a membership with our office that is an alternative to dental insurance.

Unlike insurance, QDP has:
  • No monthly premiums
  • No waiting period
  • No yearly maximum
  • No chance benefits will be denied or downgraded
A yearly membership includes:
  • Two Simple Cleanings per year
  • Two exams and any necessary diagnostic x-rays
  • Free bleaching trays
  • $50 emergency exams ($23 savings)
  • 15% SAVINGS ON ALL NECESSARY DENTAL PROCEDURES

Please call our office at 281-440-1050 for more information on how QDP can save your family on all their dental needs.

We accept cash, check and all major credit cards. Payment is due at the time service is rendered.

If you have insurance, benefits will be verified and we will submit the proper paperwork to your insurance carrier.

If you do not have insurance, find more information about our in-house membership plan, QDP.

*Verification of dental insurance benefits does not guarantee insurance payment. Insurance payments are estimated at the time of service and cannot be guaranteed. A Pre-treatment Estimate may be submitted before work is performed, but can take several weeks to process.