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Your health and safety are, and have always been, our top priority. In accordance, and in following all current CDC, OSHA, and ADA guidelines, we are continuing to adapt to the changing nature of Covid-19. We regularly monitor the Covid-19 Community Level as part of CDC public indoor guidance. Revised indoor public guidelines issued on February 25, 2022 indicated that indoor masking is no longer necessary for most individuals in areas with low Covid-19 community levels. The new recommendations take into account three different metrics, including Covid-19 hospitalizations, hospital capacity, and new Covid-19 cases in an area. Recommendations regarding masking in our waiting room are made on a weekly basis, and these recommendations will be made clear in our pre-appointment communications and signage upon entry into the office.
While these recommendations may change rapidly, our practice’s strict adherence to Covid-19 safety protocols during your exam or procedure will not change. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and dental team members will continue to wear all proper personal protective equipment (PPE), follow enhanced cleaning protocols, and more.
Please reach out to Dr. Price or any team member if you have questions or concerns!
We accept most dental insurance! We are happy to submit claims to any insurance company. Simply provide our office manager or receptionist with your insurance company and we will be happy to file for you in electronic format.
Your insurance is a contract between you, the insurance company, and your employer (if applicable). We are not a party to this contract and therefore cannot make guarantees as to what services or fees may be covered or not covered under your insurance. Further, no two insurances are the same, and covered benefits may change from year to year.
We are not currently a preferred provider (sometimes called PPO Dentist or in-network provider) for any insurance. This decision has not come lightly; however, through an extensive search of multiple benefit plans, we have not found one that we feel completely provides the level of service and care our patients need and deserve. We are simply not comfortable with insurance companies dictating treatment options for our patients. Further, we have made a commitment to scheduling ample amounts of time for our patients and to using the highest quality dental materials and only FDA-approved American dental laboratories. Unfortunately, the PPO model does not always fall in line with these commitments, especially in a small practice like ours. This does not mean that your insurance will not pay our office—it simply means that you are responsible for any portion that they do not cover. Please let us know if you have more questions—we are here to help!
New patient paperwork—be sure to either fill it out and submit it securely through our online portal ahead of your scheduled time or come 10-15 minutes early to fill out new patient papers in the office.
Dental insurance card (if applicable)
Identification, such as driver’s license, military ID, or passport
Appointment length varies, and we promise to take enough time to do our best, while being respectful of your schedule! Generally, new patient exams take 45-60 minutes. If you are having your teeth cleaned in the same day, plan at least 1.5 hours. Please let us know if you have time concerns or schedule constraints. We are happy to help!
Many people choose not to see a dentist on a regular basis, instead going in only when the have a problem. This “crisis treatment” approach circumvents preventive maintenance—it can be likened to skipping oil changes and tire rotations and only servicing your car when the engine is smoking or the tires are flat! Not only does this approach often result in more pain and a greater likelihood of tooth loss or infection, but it also often costs more.
Preventive maintenance and regular checkups lend themselves to early detection of problems. Often, tooth decay or periodontal disease do not hurt until they are quite advanced in nature but can be detected and treated much sooner. Let us know if you have questions about preventive maintenance or want to discuss a schedule that works for you!
Dental radiographs (commonly called dental x-rays) allow Dr. Price to find issues and that may not be readily visible during an exam. Additionally, our hygienists want to do a thorough job of cleaning your teeth, and radiographs allow them to find small pieces of tartar between the teeth and below the gums. This leads to a more thorough cleaning and better overall outcome. Dental radiographs are important because they allow us to see many issues that cannot be detected with the naked eye. These include:
We feel, and scientific research supports, that dental radiographs are very safe. They use much less radiation than other medical imaging. We also carefully select only the images that each patient needs, and we use the smallest dose of radiation possible to achieve the needed outcome. We use appropriate shielding of other body parts, including the thyroid. Most patients should have a full mouth series of radiographs (which allows us to see all the teeth, including their roots, as well as the jawbone and associated structures) every three to five years. Checkup radiographs (a smaller series that shows us between the teeth) are usually taken every twelve to twenty-four months, depending on a patient’s particular risk for decay and periodontal disease.
We strongly feel that our patients only deserve the best, and we work diligently to keep costs affordable and to make this type of care possible for everyone. If you have concerns about the cost of your care, please let us know. We are happy to suggest a treatment sequence and make a plan that works for you! We accept all major credit cards, (and we do not charge a convenience fee for their use) as well as cash and in-area personal checks. Additionally, we are pleased to accept CareCredit. CareCredit is operated by a third-party financing company, and it can be used to pay for health and wellness care at more than 225,000 locations nationwide. Many times, CareCredit financing is interest-free, if all payments are made on-time and within the agreed upon promotional period. Apply online prior to your appointment or pick up an application in the office.
Our office is in the Bigfork Professional Center at 8289 MT Hwy 35, Bigfork, MT. We are on the top floor of the building and we share an outside entrance with Bigfork Medical Clinic. From Highway 35, turn east at the stoplight on Grand Avenue, then turn left on Grand Drive. Come straight north past the firehall and into our parking lot. Parking is free! **Please let us know if you need handicapped access. The ramp is at the east end of the building and we’ll help coordinate your entry!
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Office Manager
Joyce has been with Bigfork Dental Center since 1984! She is a wealth of knowledge, and is well versed in topics from insurance to treatment options, and everything in between! Joyce has called Montana home for more than 40 years, but her roots are in Ohio (Go Buckeyes!). When she isn’t in the office, she is helping her husband run their bed and breakfast in Troy or spending time with her children or grandchildren. Count on Joyce to help with any questions you may have!
