Patient Information
Visit Tips
Follow these tips from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) to help make your child’s first visit a happy and positive one:
- Don’t tell your child scary stories about dental visits.
- Schedule a morning appointment when children tend to be rested and cooperative.
- Don’t relay any anxiety that you might feel about dental visits.
- Never use the visit as a punishment or threat!
At our practice, we use “child-friendly” terminology when discussing dental visits with your child. We recommend that parents avoid using words such as “drill”, “needle”, and “shot” because they cause unnecessary anxiety in some children. We want our patients to feel as comfortable as possible coming to our practice and will gladly offer suggestions to help make that possible for your child.
One of the best gifts a parent can give their child is long-term comprehensive dental care, and we welcome the opportunity to be a partner in providing that care.
Appointments
Patients are seen on an appointment basis and we ask that you call in advance so we can reserve the appropriate amount of time for your child. Our office is typically open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. However, as a courtesy to our school-age patients, we often make adjustments to our schedule to add additional days to coincide with our community’s school closings and early dismissals.
Your Child’s First Visit
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends scheduling your child’s first visit between the ages of six months and one year. This visit is more educational than treatment-related and gives parents an opportunity to learn proper cleaning techniques, discuss fluoride needs, and preventive dental care. Dr. Rob will look for any existing problems such as thumb or finger-sucking habits, “baby bottle” tooth decay, and any oral abnormalities.
Your child’s first “official” visit, around the age of 2-2 1/2 years of age, will include a dental cleaning and fluoride treatment by our hygienist and a comprehensive oral health examination by Dr. Rob. The hygienist and Dr. Rob will patiently explain each step to your child, using “kid-friendly” terminology and demonstrations. You are welcome to stay with your child during this visit to share in their experience.
Dental Emergency Appointments
Dr. Riesenberger is available or has coverage to handle Pediatric Dental emergencies 24 hours a day/seven days a week.
Please call our Doylestown, PA office if a pediatric dental emergency occurs, and be sure to save any teeth that have been dislodged. If a permanent tooth has been knocked out, it should be rinsed in water and either replaced in the socket or placed in a container of milk or the patient’s own saliva. The tooth and any fractured pieces should be brought to our emergency pediatric dentist with your child as soon as possible.
Helpful Information
Lunch Bunch Program:
During the school year, schedule your child’s checkup or treatment appointment between the hours of 10 am and Noon, and save $25 off your visit 😀 (This credit is not valid for Saturdays, Holidays, or days off from school when our schedule is more heavily booked). Don’t forget, you must mention the Lunch Bunch Program when scheduling the appointment to receive the $25 courtesy.
Educational Seminars:
Dr. Rob enjoys hosting educational seminars at his office for Mom’s groups. Moms and their children view a fun and educational video and listen to Dr. Rob discuss age-specific dental issues. The kids always ask such great questions! Then they have a tour of our office, eat a healthy snack AND the kids get to take a “ride” in the hygiene chair!
Children enjoy our informal environment and love meeting Dr. Rob. For those children new to a dental office, this introduction helps to reduce their fear of a first-time visit. A child’s overall well-being is dependent on good oral health, and an informed parent contributes in a very positive way to their child’s oral health. We welcome the opportunity to host a fun education session for your organization.
New Patient Referrals:
We love to thank those who refer new patients to our office. If you do refer a new family to us, be sure they know your last name so we can send a gift card to you with our thanks!
Lost & Found:
Missing a jacket, coffee mug, or book? Give us a call 🙂
First Aid For Dental Emergencies:
Toothache: Clean the area around the sore tooth thoroughly. Carefully brush and floss the area and then rinse to dislodge trapped food or debris. DO NOT place aspirin on the gum or aching tooth. If face is swollen, apply a cold compress. Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain. Contact Dr. Rob for an appointment as soon as possible.
Cut or Bitten Tongue, Lip, or Cheek: Apply ice to bruised area(s). If there is bleeding, apply firm but gentle pressure with a clean gauze or cloth. If bleeding does not stop after 15 minutes or cannot be controlled by simple pressure, take the child to a hospital emergency room.
Knocked-Out Permanent Tooth: Find the tooth and rinse it gently in cool water. (Do not scrub or clean it with soap – use only water!) If possible, replace the tooth in the socket immediately and hold it there with clean gauze or a washcloth. If you can’t put the tooth back in the socket, place the tooth in a clean container with cold milk, saliva, or water. Get to the pediatric dental office immediately. The faster you act, the better your chances of saving the tooth.
Broken Braces or Orthodontic Appliances: If a broken appliance can be removed easily, take it out. If it cannot, cover the sharp or protruding portion with dental wax, cotton balls, gauze, or chewing gum. If a wire is stuck in the gums, cheek, or tongue, DO NOT remove it. Take the child to Dr. Rob’s office immediately. Loose or broken appliances which do not bother the child do not usually require emergency attention.
Broken Tooth: Rinse dirt from the injured area with warm water. Place a cold compress over the face in the area of the injury. Locate and save any tooth fragments. Contact a dentist as soon as possible as immediate dental attention may be necessary.
Our Policies
HIPAA Notice Of Privacy
Please review our Notice of Privacy as required for HIPAA compliance. This document describes how health information is or can be shared on behalf of our patients.
Financial Policy
Payment is taken at the time of service and can be made by cash, check, or credit card. We also participate with CareCredit®, a third-party financing program. CareCredit® has a full range of payment plans, including no-interest and low-interest payment options, and is a great way to manage healthcare expenses not covered by insurance. Click on the “CareCredit” logo for more information or to submit an application.
If you already have a CareCredit® account, you can make a payment by clicking the logo.
Dental Insurance
Dental insurance benefits are selected by the employer and reimbursement varies from plan to plan. Dr. Rob is not contracted with any insurance carriers, HOWEVER, our fees are competitive and typically fall within, and often below, what most insurance companies consider to be “usual, customary, and reasonable”. Payment is taken at the time of service, and reimbursement is made directly from the insurer to the subscriber. We submit claims electronically for you which typically expedites reimbursement of covered services.