Our patients travel many miles to reach us: some come from Indiana, Kentucky, and northern Ohio. Often, those fearful of dentistry are embarrassed about their mouth and fear being criticized. My staff and I want to assure you that you will not be criticized. For those traveling from a long distance, we are conveniently located near I-75 and I-275.

We want your first visit to our office to be as comfortable as possible. Our goals are to provide you with the best dental care that you have ever received and to do it in a gentle manner.   We want you to feel relaxed, confident, and safe. We promise to give you personalized attention. We have modern technology, yet we have a gentle, human touch. We take many hours of continuing education to keep up-to-date.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Simply call (513) 771-2230. For your convenience, we have early morning appointments. We are closed on Friday. We also accept most insurance plans. Our business assistant will answer any questions and will send you a Welcome Brochure as well as the following forms:

• Your medical history
• Your dental history
• Patient registration form

By taking the time to complete these questionnaires we will be able to provide for a thorough examination.

WHAT YOUR FIRST VISIT WILL BE LIKE

UPON ARRIVAL IN THE OFFICE
When you arrive, our staff will make every effort to make you feel welcome. We strive to treat you as an individual, not as a number. Our goal is to be prompt and not keep you waiting. Dr. Franz will interview you about your health and your dental history and he will answer any preliminary concerns you may have. We believe that each person deserves an individualized approach to his or her particular dental condition. We will take whatever time is necessary to get to know you and your feelings about your oral health. After this interview, we normally will take X-rays: a panoramic film that scans your entire jawbone and close-ups (called bitewings) for a more detailed view of your teeth and bone level. The bitewings will be taken on a digital X-ray computer that reduces radiation by 90%. We will then begin our exam.

YOUR EXAMINATION INCLUDES
We pride ourselves in performing a comprehensive oral examination that includes an oral cancer screening. Although rare, this condition can be successfully treated if detected early. We also do a detailed survey of the gums. We feel the chewing muscles for any soreness and check for any signs of TMJ problems. We look for tooth wear and evaluate the way the teeth bite together (occlusion). We also examine for cavities, cracks, and weak teeth. Finally we look at the smile and will advise you of what can be done to achieve an attractive dental appearance. If needed, we will use our intra-oral camera to display magnified pictures of your teeth or gums on our computer screen. This helps you to see and understand any problems. After the exam, Dr.Franz will study your findings and your X-rays and develop a plan of treatment best suited for your needs. Normally, you will be scheduled for a consultation appointment when we can discuss this plan with you. If your treatment needs are fairly simple, the business staff will explain the recommended treatment to you at this first visit.

The next visit will be for a cleaning.  If you have gum disease, it is our job to spot it and explain it to you so that we can eliminate it together. If you have your teeth cleaned, it is usually done by our dental hygienist, a qualified professional with a license to practice dental hygiene in Ohio. Your initial cleaning will include the removal of tartar, demonstration of flossing and brushing methods, polishing, cleaning of any existing dentures or partials, and a free preventive kit including floss and a toothbrush.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS AND INSURANCE INFORMATION

FINANCIAL POLICY

• For your convenience, we offer several payment plans. We also accept MC, VISA, Discover, and American Express. We offer Care Credit, a health care financing program where we pay the interest and you can have as much as up to 12 months same as cash.
• If the charges for treatment are under $200, we expect payment on the day of service.
• All accounts are expected to be paid within 30 days of billing.
• If your dental insurance has not paid us within 60 days, you will be asked to pay the full balance.

DENTAL INSURANCE

• We plan all treatment based on your dental conditions, not based on your insurance.  We understand the value of your dental insurance and will help you to obtain your maximum benefit.

APPOINTMENT POLICY

• We request that you be on time or early for your appointment. We reserve time especially for you and we try hard not to keep you waiting. If you are late for your appointment, that means we run behind and cause others to have to wait. Please be considerate.