Virtual Appointment

Our Commitment to Ongoing Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

With the World at a Standstill, We’re Still Working Hard for You

The spread of the novel coronavirus, the root of COVID-19, has impacted the lives of people across the globe—practically overnight. Businesses remain closed. Health officials urge us to avoid going out. And our normal routines have come to a grinding halt since the outbreak. But even in a world on hold, dental problems can strike at any moment. We understand that putting your oral health at risk is not an option, despite this difficult situation. And for us, forsaking our patients, our communities, and our colleagues is never an option.

Innovation is the hallmark of our practice. Our mission has always been to champion unique services for people with unique needs. We’re continuing that tradition by taking bold steps to maintain the wellbeing and safety of our patients, without compromising the exceptional care they’ve come to expect. Together, we can create a healthy, productive, and thriving new normal during this unprecedented time.

Dental Solutions Tailored to Social Distancing and Stay-at-Home Orders

For over 30 years, we have pioneered a combined medical and dental practice that supports patients with unique challenges who struggle to receive treatment in traditional office settings. Now that so much of our society is homebound, we have refined and expanded our existing offerings to assist anyone in need of essential and emergency services, while doing our part to flatten the curve of infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 37.6% of U.S. adults have a higher risk of developing serious illness if they contract COVID-19, particularly seniors and those with underlying medical problems such as high blood pressure, heart problems, or diabetes. We can mitigate those risks while delivering exceptional care.

Virtual Appointments

Virtual dental care, also known as teledentistry, is no longer a niche service offering; in the era of COVID-19, it’s imperative. According to surveys conducted by DentaVox, nearly 80% of U.S. households expect to rely on it over the next five years. Once the pandemic has passed, it’s likely to become a new standard in all of dentistry.

Teledentistry is the remote delivery of dental care, consultation, follow-up care, and education through telecommunications. The idea is as old as the telephone itself. But with advances in video conferencing and online platforms, the systems have become incredibly robust. Video consults connect the patient’s laptop, tablet, or smartphone to a dentist who diagnoses the problem and accelerates treatment options, which may include electronic prescriptions. When follow-up care is required, next-day appointments can be booked.

Our Virtual Appointments are available during office hours: Monday – Friday 8:00AM – 5:00pm. Should you have a dental emergency outside of business hours, please contact 1-844-202-8250 and our team will be in contact with you.

Advantages

  • Enhancing the patient experience when physical visits aren’t possible through personal interaction with a dental provider by phone or video.
  • Minimizes the risk of exposure to the coronavirus for patients and dental professionals.
  • Significantly reduces the load on hospital emergency rooms related to dental problems.
  • Immediate online scheduling, expedited assessments and treatment recommendations, and faster access to a network of available dentists from the comfort of the patient’s home.
  • Private, secure, and fully compliant with information protection regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
  • Video interactions may improve the quality of diagnosis because patients can better describe their conditions using body language, pointing to problem areas, or even showing what’s happening inside their mouths.

How It Works

  • You can schedule a Virtual Appointment directly through our website using a simple form that requests your name, contact information, whether you’re a new or existing patient.
  • You’ll receive an email confirmation with the date and time of your Virtual Appointment, followed by instructions for launching the video or voice session.
  • After evaluating your condition, the dental provider will recommend treatment options, including referrals to a specialist (e.g., oral surgeon, endodontist, or periodontist), the dentist’s office, or a house call.
  • Our provider partners’ offices will remain open for urgent dental emergency visits for patients who have completed the virtual dental consultation.

Designed by Dental Professionals

Unlike providers who are promoting off-the-shelf video systems like Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger, we have partnered with CUSPID, a proprietary teledentistry platform that’s fully compliant with HIPAA and ADA requirements. CUSPID also integrates seamlessly with our backend patient systems to ensure privacy, security, accuracy, and ongoing maintenance of all patient records for superior care.

House Calls

House calls have always been core to our primary service offerings. Our unique approach extends beyond the home, as some dental procedures involve complex treatments, special medical considerations, or safety requirements. Our team is on staff at several local hospitals where treatment can be provided while the patient is sedated.

Let Us Come to You

  • Private residences
  • Residential care and assisted living communities
  • Patients in the hospital
  • Hotels and embassies

Your Safety is Our Priority

Our medical and dental teams have always incorporated hospital-grade sterilization techniques into our care. With the advent of COVID-19, we have strengthened those measures by exceeding all hospital standards of immunizations for transmissible diseases.

Our dentists and assistants are fully privileged at hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area and New York. This multidisciplinary team of nationally recognized dental specialists, anesthesiologists, and medical doctors allows us to offer the range of care unrivaled in the industry, from palliative care to emergency procedures, oral surgery, complex treatments, and full-mouth restoration.

House calls are available for emergency dental situations to patients who complete the brief Virtual Appointment. This helps us diagnose the problem rapidly and determine the best course of action during the outbreak, when safety is paramount.

What to Expect

Our team uses state-of-the-art mobile dental technologies to provide preventative, restorative, and emergency care in the comfort and safety of your home.

Exam

Exam

The dentist will conduct a visual examination and take diagnostic photographs of the patient’s mouth.
Digital X-Rays

Digital X-Rays

We will take the necessary x-rays through our portable technology, while providing patients with an x-ray shield to minimize radiation exposure. The images can be immediately reviewed by the dentist onsite.
Consultation

Consultation

Our dentist will consult with the decision maker to discuss the findings, review treatment options, and recommend action.
Emergency Care

Emergency Care

As needed, the dentist will provide emergency care to eliminate any discomfort.
Follow Up

Follow Up

If further treatment is required, the dentist will coordinate with the patient or the patient’s care provider to schedule the next appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you control the possibility of infection during in-person visits?

Our team adheres to and exceeds all health and safety mandates issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and local health officials.

How do you assess problems for people with disabilities?

Through Virtual Appointments and teledentistry, our dental professionals can interface directly with caregivers, relatives, social workers, and assisted living facilities directors to ensure that the patient’s needs are articulated clearly and addressed promptly.

How does teledentistry help during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Using telemedicine as an alternative to in-person visits protects the health and safety of patients, dentists, administrative staff, caregivers, and others who may otherwise risk exposure to infection during traditional office visits. Virtual Appointments also help state and local governments enforce stay-at-home orders without sacrificing exceptional patient care.

What if I need to visit an office or hospital?

Emergency medical and dental services are considered essential during the outbreak. Virtual Appointments help dentists better assess a patient’s condition to determine whether or not physical visits are necessary. This process benefits urgent care facilities by reducing the traffic of people showing up to receive a diagnosis for pain, which may be treated remotely through electronic prescriptions or house calls.

Is my health data protected?

Yes, absolutely. All of our digital technologies and teledentistry platforms have been designed by industry professionals in accordance with established privacy and data security guidelines from HIPAA, ADA, and other regulatory agencies.

What if I can’t use video for a Virtual Appointment?

While video can enhance the experience and diagnosis during a virtual appointment, a good old-fashioned phone call still works wonders. If you can’t access video, or choose not to, we are happy to schedule the appointment for a voice-only call.

Does my insurance cover this?

Once you’ve scheduled your Virtual Appointment, you will be prompted to pay a nominal fee of $225.00. After your Virtual Appointment, we will immediately submit an electronic claim on your behalf to your dental insurance carrier. Your insurance carrier typically reimburses you by check approximately 2 to 4 weeks after processing the claim. You must have a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) policy to receive this reimbursement. If you decide to continue with us for the recommended treatment options, we apply the Virtual appointment charge to reduce the overall cost of your care.

Is there a penalty for missing the appointment?

No. We are here to help during this difficult time. We will not charge you for missing a Virtual Appointment.