New Patient Information
Welcome to Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry! We are a premier dental practice serving Ponte Vedra Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, Palm Valley, and Atlantic Beach. We understand that choosing a dentist is a decision that requires much consideration. We are conveniently located near the corner of A1A and Solana Rd. in Ponte Vedra Beach, and our office has plenty of parking for your convenience.
We would love to have the opportunity to serve the dental needs of you and your family. We encourage you to contact us here on our website or call us at (904) 285-7711.
Your First Visit
When attending your first appointment here in Ponte Vedra Beach, you will be greeted as you walk through the door and provided with a tour of our office. Feel free to help yourself to our coffee bar or use our Wi-Fi connection! We try to mail you forms ahead of time so that you may fill them out at your convenience. We respect your time and do everything possible to make this a smooth and efficient appointment.
Our initial appointment may be more thorough than what you have experienced in the past. We practice complete dentistry and that care begins with an understanding of your individual needs and wants. Your first meeting with Dr. Harth or Dr. Townsend will include a review of your dental and general health history and a thorough examination of your teeth, oral health, head, and neck. It is our philosophy that a very thorough exam is necessary in order for us to take care of your dental health. You are entrusting us with your health and we take the trust you place in us very seriously. It is not uncommon for us to perform this exam and find that no dental treatment is needed; we just don't know until we look.
After gathering all of this information, we will bring you back for a consultation to discuss your oral health as well as address any concerns you may have raised during your exam. If dental treatment is indicated, we will take as much time as you like to discuss your options including timing and finances. It is extremely important to us that you are well informed and we make every effort to ensure this is the case. Understanding the sequences and aligning expectations provides for relaxation during appointments. We will provide you copies of your records and any recommended treatment. Our team are experts in helping you to schedule appointments and answer questions regarding insurance and financing.
Insurance
We are an insurance friendly office. The majority of our patients have dental insurance. As a courtesy to our patients, we file dental insurance. Most insurance claims are filed electronically on the day services are rendered. Dental insurance plans vary greatly from company to company and plan to plan. Most insurance companies offer numerous different plans, all of which change on a regular basis.
Dental Insurance vs. Medical Insurance
There is often much confusion regarding dental insurance. This may be best explained by comparing and contrasting dental insurance with medical insurance. Medical insurance, like many other types of insurance, pays for "catastrophic" claims. The benefit of having many of these plans is that if something like a major surgery is required, the plan participant is not financially broken as a result. Similarly, homeowner's insurance can be of significant benefit if the home burns down or is destroyed by natural disaster.
Dental benefits, by contrast, do not generally pay for these "catastrophic" problems. Dental insurance plans may be better described as dental benefits. They usually pay a maximum of $1500 towards the care you need in a given year, leaving you responsible for the rest.These benefits essentially act as cost savings plans. The dental benefit companies generally pay 100% (after an annual deductible) for preventive care, which includes cleanings. If the dentist finds that there are cavities, the dental benefit plans sometimes will pay 80% of the fee for treatment. Crowns are often paid at 50% of the fee.
It is nice to have dental benefits. They can help cover some of your dental fees if treatment is needed. You do not, however, need dental benefits to obtain care from Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry. If you would like more information about covering your fees, feel free to visit our payment options section below.
We understand that dental benefits are complex and that it can be challenging to predict what will be paid. If you have specific questions about your insurance benefits, we would be more than happy to provide a personalized insurance analysis. Feel free to call (904) 285-7711. We are happy to help over the phone, by email, or in person.
Payment & Financing Options
It is our mission to provide you with affordable and high-quality treatment that fits your budget! We offer many payment options to meet your needs. Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry accepts payments by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit cards.
We offer several different methods to manage your treatment fees. If you would like to discuss which of the following programs may best suit your needs, feel free to contact us!
We offer no-interest financing options through the 5/3 Bank and a variety of financing options are available through CareCredit, Community First Credit Union, and Citi as well to help with any out-of-pocket expenses. Full payments for the uninsured or full co-payments for the insured are due at the time of service. As a courtesy to you, we will be happy to file your insurance claims for you. If you have any questions about financing or payment, ask us! We will thoroughly explain your choices and work hard to accommodate your needs.