Pediatric Dental Services in Mt Airy MD

At Mt. Airy Children’s Dental Associates, we strive to be a healthcare partner in the growth and development of your child and teen. While we do offer orthodontic services for adults, our pediatric dental services offer customized care for babies, children, and teens.

Pediatric dentistry helps younger patients care for their smiles and treat developing dental problems. From dental cleanings and sealants to dental emergencies and orthodontics, our office has the right evidence-based dental treatments to target various oral health issues utilizing the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry guidelines. We welcome parents to explore our services to learn more about our practice.

Dental Services

We offer complete dental services for young patients:

Pediatric Dentistry FAQs

Learn more about children’s dentistry with answers to these commonly asked questions:

What is the youngest age to go to the dentist?

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit within six months of the eruption of their first tooth or by their first birthday first. Early dental visits will allow the dentist to examine your child’s oral health and address any concerns you may have.

Does nitrous oxide help with dental pain?

Yes, nitrous oxide can help with dental pain. Many dental professionals refer to it as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide helps patients relax during dental procedures. When properly administered by a dentist, it is a safe and effective method for managing anxiety and easing pain. It works by calming the body and blocking the sensation of pain.

Is conscious sedation safer than general anesthesia?

Yes, dental professionals consider conscious sedation safer than general anesthesia. With conscious sedation, you remain awake and can respond to commands. You are not in a deep, relaxed state. The risk of complications is lower. In contrast, general anesthesia puts you in a deep sleep. It carries a higher risk of complications. Both methods have risks and benefits.

What is oral health prevention?

Oral health prevention focuses on keeping your mouth healthy to avoid dental issues before they occur. It involves practices and routines that maintain good dental health. Some of these practices include the use of fluoride treatments and dental sealants. Regular dental check-ups and brushing and flossing techniques are important aspects of preventive oral care.

How safe is IV sedation for dental work?

IV sedation for dental work is generally safe when administered by a dentist or anesthesiologist. It allows patients to relax during dental procedures while being able to respond to verbal prompts. The dentist or anesthesiologist closely monitors the sedation levels throughout the treatment. As a result, risks and complications are minimal when they follow proper protocols and guidelines.

What are the side effects of tooth extraction in children?

Tooth extraction in children can lead to a few side effects. Children might experience swelling and discomfort in the extraction area. It’s common for them to have a little bleeding right after the procedure. Sometimes, they may feel numbness or tingling due to the local anesthesia. This wears off after a few hours. It’s also possible a child could develop dry socket. However, this condition is less common in children than in adults.

Financial and Insurance

Payment Options Include the Following:

Cash
Checks
Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
Online Bill Payment through PayPal

Insurance

The Pediatric Dental office is currently participating with the following PPO insurance companies:

Aetna PPO
BlueCross BlueShield PPO (in-state only unless it is a Grid policy)
CIGNA Total DPPO (we do not participate with DPPO-Advantage unless a savings plan is attached.)
Coventry Healthcare PPO
Delta Dental PPO
Denex Dental PPO
Dental Health Centers (Local 639 & 730)
Guardian (Dentalguard Preferred Select)
Lincoln PPO
Sun Life (includes DHA, Assurant & Mutual of Omaha Patients)
United Concordia (Elite Plus)
United Healthcare PPO
Wellpoint Dental Blue

We DO NOT participate with HMOs or DHMOs. We DO NOT file for Medical Insurance.

All other open-plan dental insurances are accepted on an out-of-network basis. If you choose to schedule with an out-of-network provider, you are responsible for all fees not covered by your insurance.

If we have received all of your insurance information on the day of the appointment, we will be happy to file your claim for you The insurance contract is between you, your employer, and the insurance company.

We can only estimate your coverage in good faith but cannot guarantee coverage due to the complexities of insurance contracts. We file all insurance promptly, so your insurance company will receive each claim within days of the treatment. Your insurance processes the claim and sends you a notice of the result (estimation of benefits, or “EOB”).

Insurance will typically process claims within 30 days. You will be responsible for any deductibles, co-payments, or balances not covered by insurance. You are responsible for any balance on your account after 45 days, whether insurance has been paid or not. We will be glad to send a refund to you if your insurance pays us.

Although rare, some insurance carriers will not reimburse our office directly. In such instances, you will be responsible for the full cost of each visit at the time services are provided, and your insurance company will send you the reimbursement check directly.

Insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and the insurance company. We are not a party to that contract. We cannot be responsible for keeping up with the ever-changing policies of each individual insurance plan. Depending on your individual plan, all services may not be covered.

Please understand that we file dental claims as a courtesy to our patients. Claims are filed promptly to expedite communication with your insurance company. It is important for you to keep us informed of any insurance changes such as policy name, group, and id number, or a change of employment. We are not, however, responsible for how your insurance company processes the claims or for what benefits are ultimately paid on a claim.

Our office bases treatment on your child’s needs, not what your insurance will pay. Insurance payments are determined by the benefit package that your employer purchased. We have no way of knowing if or what your insurance company will pay until the actual claim is submitted. Therefore, all account balances which have not been paid are the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Separated or Divorced Parents

For separated or divorced parents, the parent who brings the child to the office is legally responsible for the payment of fees charged for that child’s care. If another agrees to payment responsibility, that person must provide a notarized acknowledgment in writing of their desire to pay for care. It is the responsibility of the person bringing the child to the office to obtain a written agreement and to inform the other person of the care being provided.

Your understanding and cooperation with this matter are greatly appreciated. You are helping to keep our overhead expenses, in the form of direct and labor costs, down. In addition, you are helping keep your fees as low as possible. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our business office staff.

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about our financial policy. We want you to be comfortable in dealing with these matters. If you have any questions regarding your insurance, we ask that you contact your company regarding the specifics and details of your plan.

Pediatric Dental Services Mt Airy MD