Parent Resources

Information on Dental Care at East Texas Children’s Dentistry

At East Texas Children’s Dentistry, we provide pediatric preventative and pediatric restorative care for children. Our dental office is located in Mt. Pleasant, TX, but we provide care to children from far and wide since we are the only pediatric dentist in the area. With a unique waiting room and movies available for kids to watch during their exams, we make visiting the dentist a pain-free experience. Learn more about our policies and read the FAQs below for more information, and call to schedule an appointment

A young boy in a blue tank top brushes his teeth with a green toothbrush in front of a mirror

Office Policies

Do I stay with my child during the visit?

Studies and experience have shown that most children over the age of three react more positively when permitted to experience the dental visit on their own and in an environment designed for children. Therefore, we ask that you allow your child to experience the dentist independently, with the exception of the first visit. Our team is highly experienced in working with pediatric patients and helping them overcome their anxiety.

Appointment Scheduling

Our office attempts to schedule appointments at your convenience. However, preschool-aged children should be seen in the morning because they are fresh, and we can work more slowly with them for their comfort. School-aged children with large treatment plans should also be treated in the morning.

With regular dental care, missing school can be kept to a minimum, and doctor’s visits are usually an excused absence. Because we limit our practice to treating children and adolescents, not every appointment can be scheduled during after-school hours. Please be considerate of others and do not request every appointment to be made “after school.”

Missed Appointments

Our office will reschedule the first missed appointment for an established patient because we understand that life sometimes disrupts our plans. However, after three missed appointments, we will terminate our professional relationship and recommend you find another office where you can work cooperatively for your child’s dental health. Please remember when you miss your scheduled appointments, we have denied another child the opportunity to be cared for in your place.

Dental Insurance

We will file your dental insurance as a courtesy to you, but please keep in mind that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance carrier, and our office is not a party to that contract. You will be responsible for the amount estimated NOT to be covered by your insurance company when service is rendered.

Your total out-of-pocket expense may differ from our estimation once your insurance company processes the claim. This means you may owe more, or we may owe you a refund. It is your responsibility to be aware of and understand your insurance policy, but we will help answer any questions you may have.

With regular dental care, missing school can be kept to a minimum, and doctor’s visits are usually an excused absence. Because we limit our practice to treating children and adolescents, not every appointment can be scheduled during after-school hours. Please be considerate of others and do not request every appointment to be made “after school.”

Finances

We accept cash, MasterCard®, Visa®, and CareCredit® credit cards for payment. We will also accept checks with proper identification. The person who signs the paperwork for our office will be responsible for the account.

East Texas Children’s Dentistry does not get involved with divorce disputes. If you need to make other payment arrangements, please speak to a staff member, and we will try to assist you.

Call to Schedule an Appointment

FAQ’s

FAQ’s

Does your office accept my insurance?

Please understand that your insurance policy is a contract between you and your insurance company, not our office. However, our office will file your claim for you as a courtesy. You will be responsible for any difference in our fees and what your insurance company does not cover.

What type of payment options do I have?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, CareCredit, checks (with proper identification), and cash. Payment is required at the time of service, but if you need to make other arrangements, please speak to a member of our business staff. We will be happy to assist you!

What happens if I forget my insurance or Texas Medicaid card?

There are several pieces of information that are required for our office to file your dental claims for you. We must know the name of the employee (insured), the insured’s date of birth, the insured’s social security number or identification number, their employer, the name of the dental insurance carrier (ex., MetLife), and the carrier’s telephone number. If your child is covered by Texas Medicaid and you do not have a card with you, don’t panic! Our office has a direct link to the Medicaid website, so we can verify your coverage and print out a temporary card for you.

I am a divorced parent, and my ex-spouse carries dental insurance on my child. Who is responsible for the bill?

The parent or legal guardian who brings the child to our office for the appointment is the person we consider responsible for the account. We do not attempt to resolve financial disputes between divorced parents. The divorce decree is an agreement between you and your ex-spouse, and we are not a party to that agreement.

What types of insurance do you accept?

Currently, our office only works with Medicaid. We will be considered out of network for all other insurance carriers. Your out-of-pocket expense may be slightly higher than if you use a dentist in your network. We will be happy to submit a pre-treatment estimate to your insurance company for you.

What can I do for a toothache?

Clean the area of the affected tooth. Rinse your mouth thoroughly with warm water or use dental floss to dislodge any food that may be impacted. If the pain persists, contact our office. DO NOT place aspirin or heat near the gum or tooth. If the face is swollen, use a cold compress and contact our office immediately.

What should I do if my child knocks out a permanent tooth?

If possible, find the tooth! Handle the tooth by the crown, not the root. The tooth may be rinsed with water only. Call our office  immediately. If the tooth is re-implanted within the first hour after the accident, there is a much greater chance that the tooth will survive. Transport the tooth to our office in a glass of milk. Remember, time is a critical factor in saving the tooth.

What should I do if my child knocks out a baby tooth?

Call our office as soon as possible. This is usually not an emergency. Most of the time, no treatment is necessary other than keeping the area clean and free from infection.

Why does my child appear to have two rows of teeth?

Sometimes, when a permanent tooth erupts behind a baby tooth, the baby tooth does not get loose like it normally would and falls out on its own. This is not a dental emergency! It is a common phenomenon that our office sees regularly. The baby tooth may need to be extracted in our office if you are not able to remove the tooth at home.

What should I do if my child loses a stainless steel crown?

Find the stainless steel crown if possible. The crown can easily be re-cemented in our office if you bring the crown with you. If you cannot find the crown, don’t panic! When you arrive, we can fit your child for a new stainless steel crown in our office.

Children’s Dentistry in East Texas

Forms

Please have forms printed, filled out, and ready upon arrival. You only need these forms for your child’s first visit to the office. Our office will hold them in our records while your child is in treatment.

For more information, get in touch with us at
903-577-9900.

East Texas Children's Dentistry | 401 W. 19th Street | Mt. Pleasant, TX 75455

Business Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Friday
8:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Phone: 903-577-9900

Fax: 903-577-9901

Email: etcd203@yahoo.com