Smile Imaging Available

We've all seen them, those "try it before you buy it" products. They're a great way to really know what you're getting before you cough up the cash. Even high-end hair salons can take a quick picture of you and with the help of a fancy computer program, show your head with the hippest hairstyle so you can test-drive the look for yourself.

Wouldn't it be great if the dentist could do that for you?
Now, we can!

Here's how it works. Lets say you have chips on your front teeth and your smile just looks crooked.  Dr. Dooley has recommended you get 4 crowns but suggests 6 crowns and a special surgery that could completely even out your grin and help you ditch that "gummy" look. Done! But we know your only consideration isn't just appearance, it's cost, too, and you want to make sure you'll look your best.

Enter our new "smile imaging" program that will allow you to see what your restored smile will look like!

We take a picture of your current smile, and with the help of the experts at Bayview Dental Laboratories, use dental imaging software to show you exactly where Dr. Dooley will contour your existing features to create a new, more beautiful smile. The final result can show you with new crowns, whitening, gum surgery, a new denture, you name it! Visit our website for a complete list of services to learn just what we can do for you!

We're sure you'll love this amazing new feature! It's like seeing yourself in the future! This new technology will help you picture yourself with your new smile. Call us at 757-486-4880 or schedule online to find out how we can help make your dream results a reality!

Practice Points

Happy Monday!
Here are a few special notes for our patients this week:

We hope you made it through Hurricane Sandy safe and sound. In her wake, our offices closed Monday, October 29th. We want to say thank you to our patients who have been understanding and willing to reschedule. We know the storm caused many inconveniences and appreciate your patience!

Are you needing to schedule your next dental appointment? Call now! Keep in mind our office is closed every other Tuesday and Thursday so that we may share the space with Scott Orthodontics.

Closed: November 6,8,9,22,23

December 4,6,18,20

Closing early at 1pm Dec. 24-January 2

 

Give the gift of oral health! We’re proud to announce Total Care Dentistry is offering gift certificates for the holidays! Gift certificates are available for exam/cleaning/xray packages, in office and take home whitening packages, and “account dollars” that allow the recipient to choose how to use your gift. Call 757-486-4880 today  and ask for details!

 

 

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!

You've probably noticed some of the many changes that have been taking place here in our office.  Today's blog post aims at getting everyone caught up on what we've been doing!

Our office is now located at 114 S. Witchduck Road,
Virginia Beach. The building is also home to
Scott Orthodontics and Shall We Dance Studios.

The biggest change this summer, our office moved. June 1st we moved from Great Neck Road, to Witchduck Road. The office is right next to the 264WB ramp to Witchduck Road, near the Sears Home Central building.

A new white sign with a toothbrush can be found at the building marquee, and that's where you'll see our new name! Because Dr. Dooley is like one-stop-shopping for all of your dental needs, we have updated the practice name to now be Total Care Dentistry, Mary T. Dooley, DDS. We think the name sounds pretty nifty! You will also notice the reappearance of Dr. Dooley's green sign from our previous location soon facing Witchduck Road.



We are also happy to display a new logo featuring the new practice name. Thank to all of our patients who took part in either in-office or Facebook voting for the design! Your input is greatly appreciated!

We are very excited to present a new name and
logo! The design speaks to our strong ties to our
area's military families!

We are in the process of redesigning our website to feature services growing in popularity, such as dentures, implants and cosmetic procedures. Never fear, we are always happy to take care of your basic oral hygiene needs to keep you smiling! The site includes videos and testimonials from real patients. You'll also find links to news releases we think you'll want to read, and publish our monthly newsletters!

Don't forget to take advantage of our appointment scheduler, you can send us requests 24/7. The new look will appear at the URL http://www.dooleytotalcaredentistry.com in the coming weeks!



Use your smart phone app to scan this QR code for
instant access to our site at any time. Forms, scheduling
information, and more are at your fingertips!

As you know Dr. Dooley is always on the cutting edge of digital dentistry, and we've added another advancement to the list of offerings. You can now use your smart phone to connect to our website anytime with our new QR code. You'll find it on our Facebook page, on our new business cards and on our google places page. Use it at will! You never know when you might find a special offer along the way!

As we've mentioned in the past, we are still looking for our permanent new home, we will make an announcement when we have this information. Meanwhile, thank you for your patience and understanding!

Your FAQ's: "What does my insurance cover?"

The Your FAQ's titled posts are truly inspired by our patients and prospective patients. Please take the time to read these thorough explanations of the most common questions we hear in our practice.

Q: "What does my insurance cover?"               

A: This is a very common question, asked by nearly every patient before every visit! If you have dental insurance this is a very important question, because not all policies are created equally! The typical insurance plan we see covers 100% of preventative and diagnostic care, 80% of basic care (fillings & extractions) & restorations, and 50% of major care (crowns, periodontal) and reconstruction. That said, your plan could be very different. Some plans have deductibles, ranging from $50.00-$200.00.

It is the patient's responsibility to understand their benefits. To find out exactly what your plan covers, ask your employer or benefits administrator to give you this information. It should also be available to you online. At Mary T. Dooley, DDS we perform a benefits check before every appointment, so we are always able  to tell you what your copay will be. We are also able to ask for a preauthorization from your insurance company to give you a better idea of what your insurance may pay towards any larger dollar work! As an extra perk, we are also happy to give you a benefit report, just ask for a copy at your next scheduled appointment.

Finally, don't let the words "out of network" scare you. Contrary to what your insurance company may lead you to believe, you may have more coverage than you think if you go out of network. Some plans coverage is up to 100% regardless of provider participation for diagnostic and preventative care. (Diagnostic & preventative means your yearly visits with exam, x-rays and cleaning.) Remember, regular care is your best insurance! Most big problems are preventable with regular care!


Do you have a question you'd like us to answer? Submit your questions in the "reply" section here or email us at office@drdooleydental.com.  We hope you've found this questions helpful. Be sure to check our website for a list of other frequently asked questions!

Why Dentists Offer Free Consultations

In today's blog post, we'll take a  few minutes to address one question we get quite often. It boils down to this: "Why do I need to come for a (free) consultation?"

The answer isn't because we want to convince you to have more "work" done. Believe it or not, most insurance companies request estimates be submitted for treatment that could cost in excess of $300. For us to meet this request, patients need to be seen face to face. Truth be told, if you're calling to make an appointment, we know you're aware your oral health is important, and that's terrific! But your mouth is unique and dentistry is not an exact science, it is individualized. Looking deeper at the question, "Why do I need to come for a (free) consultation," consider this example:

Sample email to our office:
Dear Office, Could you tell me how much a (crown, root canal, implant, et cetera) will cost me? My dentist/specialist said it would cost a lot of money and I want a second opinion. Please call me.

Sample response:
While you have given us some information about your case, it is difficult to give a clear, valid opinion from the details we have here. We believe our doctor, Dr Mary Dooley, would actually need to see what the situation is herself. We do have openings for consultations available in the coming weeks and
would accomodate your schedule to the best of our abilities. I have left a message on the phone number you submitted, please return my call. I would like to help schedule an appointment to get you smiling!

A second opinion is truely different from a cost comparison. However, both need to be addressed with an appointment.

A free consultation is important because:
1. We get a chance to understand what YOU really want.
2. You get personalized case by case details about what YOU really need.
3. We include an evaluation of any insurance benefits so the cost can be explained more clearly.
4. It allows us to document your case in the event of any changes in your status.
5. Its FREE! What do you have to lose?

During your consultation, we'll show examples of your potential outcome that will help you understand how you will benefit from the services done in our office. We've heard people say "I don't want to take up all of your time," and we don't want to take up yours either. We strive to find solutions to evey case that you'll be able to handle in every sense of the word.

So, the next time you hear you need some serious work done, consider scheduling that consultation.
You'll be a more informed patient for it, and your dentist really does want to make you smile!

Announcing Free Cost Reviews!

We've just begun a new year, and for many people that means its a new insurance benefit year also. Insurance benefits change on the first of January in many cases. And while yours may vary, now is a good time to take a second look at what you have available to use now.

But what if you're one of the nearly 46 million Americans (according to a 2009 US Census Bureau report) that do not have insurance? Does the cost of out of pocket dental care scare you? You're not alone if you answer "yes."

Many factors can play into the lack of dental insurance these days. It is not offered by every employer and in some cases employers pass on the cost to those who need it the most. We want to make sure you get the dental care you need. Did you know that poor oral health has been linked to heart disease, diabetes, low birth weight babies and many more serious and potentially life threatening conditions? As a free service to new and existing patients, our office is now offering complimentary cost comparisons and consultations. This service allows you to understand all of your insurance and out of pocket costs up front. It gives you the convenience of fewer hassles when services come into question, and peace of mind, knowing you are taking control of your overall health.

Call our office today at 757-486-4880 to schedule your appointment. Read our online reviews to see what other patients are saying. We want you to smile!