Patient Info/FAQ

Welcome! The office is a paperless office. You will receive your questionaire forms prior to your appointment. You can save time by filling out the online forms ahead of time. We hope to provide you with all of the information you need before you come visit us. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email us at info@adrdentalnyc.com New patients please arrive 15 minutes early.

Missed/Cancelled Appointment Policy: We reserve specific time slots for each and every patient and we kindly request a notice of at least 48 hours should you need to reschedule your appointment. If you are running more than 20 minutes late, we reserve the right to reschedule your visit. As a courtesy to you and your child, we will contact you via phone, email, and/or text to confirm your child’s appointment. Please let the front staff know your preference, and we will make the appropriate arrangements.

The office is dedicated to making your appointment as smooth and stress-free as possible, including the payment process. We are considered in-network with Delta Dental and other major dental insurances through the Careington network. For out-of- network benefits, the office will submit a claim to your insurance provider as a courtesy. Dental insurance is a contract between you, your employer, and the insurance company. We are not a party in that contract and the insurance portion of the treatment plan is an estimate and not a guarantee of coverage. Every effort will be made to provide a treatment plan which fits your timetable and budget, and gives your child the best possible care.

A parent or legal guardian should be present during the first visit in order to sign all legal documents and consent to treatment. With these appropriate forms, grandparents, au pairs, and caretakers are permitted to accompany children for subsequent appointments. It would be our pleasure to meet your extended family so that we may provide home care instructions to all of your child’s caretakers.

Children should visit a dentist by their first birthday. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The American Dental Association, and The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends visiting a pediatric dentist when your child’s first tooth becomes visible, usually between 6 to 12 months of age. This visit establishes a dental home for your child. Just as you would visit your child’s pediatrician to address concerns about a cold or flu, establishing a relationship with a pediatric dentist at an early age provides parents a place to address concerns about a child’s oral health and development in a caring environment.

Prior to the appointment, parents can help prepare children by acting in a natural and relaxed manner when telling the child about the visit. Please let your child know that he/she will meet some new people who want to help him/her stay healthy. Always focus on the positive. Please avoid using words such as “pain, needle, pull, or cry”. Pediatric specialists carefully try to use words that do not cause a negative reaction from children. If you are unsure how to answer your child’s question, please say that you do not know the answer and that your child should ask the dentist. We will be happy to answer any of your child’s questions.

The chewing surface of molars is uneven, making it an easy place for leftover food to adhere. Brushing and flossing are the best methods to prevent decay. However, when food becomes lodged in the grooves of molars, and cavity-causing bacteria produce acid, this combination can create holes in the teeth. A sealant, which is a thin protective resin coating, seals the chewing surfaces and has been shown to reduce the risk of decay by nearly 80% in molars, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

When protecting your child's mouth from dental and jaw injury during sports, a sports guard is an essential piece of athletic gear that should be part of your standard equipment from an early age. Custom fit sports guards ensures superior protection, comfort, and retention compared to boil and bite mouthguards.

Find the tooth and hold it by the crown. Try not to hold the root. If the tooth did not fall on the floor and did not get soiled, rinse under room temperature water. Do not attempt to rub or clean the tooth by any other means. If it is a permanent tooth, you may try to reinsert the tooth back into its original position in the socket and have your child hold it in place with a clean cloth. If it is a baby or primary tooth, do not reinsert the tooth. If you cannot reinsert the permanent tooth, transport the tooth in a cup of milk, saliva, or water along with your child to a dentist immediately. Time is critical in trying to save the tooth. If this occurs late at night and you are unable to reach your dentist, follow the same instructions but go to your local hospital immediately.

Rinse any debris from the injured area with water. Try to locate the broken tooth fragment and also rinse with water. Place the broken piece in a cup of saliva or water and contact or visit a dentist as quickly as possible.

If a broken appliance can be removed, take it out. If you cannot remove it, place a cotton ball over the area or wire causing discomfort. If there is continued discomfort, take your child to a dentist immediately. If the appliance is broken but not causing discomfort, the child usually does not need emergency treatment. Call your dentist for an appointment as soon as possible.

This is a concern of many parents and is our office’s #1 emergency visit. There are times when the permanent (adult) teeth erupt before the primary (baby) teeth exfolliate (fall out). The adult tooth mostly erupts behind the baby tooth, making it appear as "train tracks" or a double row of teeth. The baby teeth fall out eventually in the majority of cases; however, in some instances the baby teeth need some help "wiggling out."