Thursday, July 13, 2017

The Dreaded Information Update Sheet

The Importance of Updated Information

We are hyper aware that our information update sheet is something most parents wish they could skip.  We totally understand, and work really hard to make it a pain free experience.  We have structured it to avoid requesting information you have already provided.  At the same time, a lot can change between dental visits every six months, especially when it comes to growing children. We like to make sure we have up-to-date information regarding your child's health, habits, and insurance in order to provide the best care for your child and the most convenience for you.

Our office is happy to submit claims directly to your insurance as a courtesy to you.  Our hope is that by doing this on your behalf using our software specifically designed for the task and applying our expertise if the company raises a question, we relieve you from involvement in the claims process with your insurance company.  To do this we need the most up to date information.  When we do have the correct information we typically receive determination and/or payment within 2-3 weeks. In most cases our office will submit to your dental insurance for reimbursement, but in some situations, such as accidental injuries we may be able to bill to your medical plan if we are provided with the information needed. Correct information also prevents claim rejection which can result in unnecessary billing being sent to our patient families, which is never a pleasant surprise.

Some insurers like North East Delta Dental provide additional benefits for patients who are at high risk for dental caries or periodontal disease under a number of their plans. In cases where this wonderful benefit is available, we complete a Caries Risk Information Survey for your child to try to obtain any additional services available to help them achieve optimal health.  You can help us work with your insurer to determine whether your child is eligible for these additional preventive services by providing the updated information we request.  The answers you provide may qualify your child for services such as more frequent cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants per benefit period. Even if your insurer does not provide additional benefits, completing this information also guides your child's hygienist to focus their oral health education to the targeted areas where your child may need added encouragement and give us prompts to praise the wonderful work they are putting into their smiles. This also allows us to track your child's progress toward optimal nutritional and home hygienic habits.

In addition to nutrition and home health habits, we request information on your child's general well-being. Dental health can affect the whole child, and conversely, many factors outside the mouth can affect dental health. Stress, certain medical diagnoses, and changes to family structure, school behavior, and medication can all have an adverse effect on how teeth are cared for. Having insight into your child's well-being can help Dr. Scholl trouble shoot what may be causing a dental concern which will enable her to suggest the most conservative treatments and routines to best care for your child's oral health.


We look forward to seeing each and every patient in our practice, and we appreciate the time you put into your child's dental healthcare- including making sure we have the most up-to-date information.

Jess - Treatment Coordinator