Whether you’re a new patient or a returning patient, here is where you’ll find the information you need to get the most out of your visit.
To us, being a dentist in San Bruno means being a pillar of health in the community. To achieve that, we want to be as clear as possible about what you can expect & what we provide. Every patient is different, so this is by no means an exhaustive list of what you might want to know when visiting our office, but it’s a start. Please feel free to call us if you have questions about these topics or anything else.
Please view the pages below to see what sets us apart from any other dentist in San Bruno. We look forward to your visit & showing you the difference that caring & compassionate dental care can make in your life.
We don’t want there to be any obstacles between you & your family & great dental care. We have great hours & we are proud to offer our patients convenient appointments that fit even the busiest schedules. We offer a variety of convenient ways to schedule your appointment:
Online
Convenient Appointments
We understand that many of our patients work or go to school full time. Our friendly staff always strives to provide appointment times that don’t require time off or missing class. To help you stay on top of your preventive care, we will pre-appoint you for your next appointment at each teeth cleaning visit. Reminders are sent ahead of your appointment so you don’t miss it!
Saturday Appointments
It seems like our patients are busier & busier lately. With all the running around that comes with modern life, it’s easy to let your obligation to your smile fall through the cracks. That’s why we’re committed to making dental care as convenient & accessible as possible by being a dentist that’s open on Saturdays.
We believe that dentists that are open on weekends offer better access to preventive care, such as cleanings & exams. Better access to preventive care means fewer big dental problems in the future, which means less discomfort, pain & expense. We don’t want you to have to choose between work or school & keeping your smile healthy.
While most insured families receive the majority of preventive services for FREE, we offer many different payment options so uninsured patients can still receive the dental care they need & in a manner that fits their budget.
Financial Options
Insured & uninsured patients alike have a number of financing options available to them, including:
- Convenient Payment Plans
- 0% Financing
- Senior Discounts
CareCredit Financing Available*
*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payment required. See CareCredit provider for details.
We stand behind the idea that affordable dental care should be a right for everyone & you can rest assured that we will work with you to ensure you pay as little out of pocket as possible for all services.
Your Cleaning Could Cost You Nothing!
Insured patients pay nothing for preventive dentistry:
$0 for Teeth Cleanings
$0 for Dental Exams
What Is Dental Insurance & How Does it Work?
Dental insurance can be confusing, but it can also be very helpful in making dental care affordable for patients. Most patients get their insurance through their employer, who sometimes chips in some of the cost, making it even more affordable.
Essentially, patients with dental insurance pay a certain amount each month to their insurance provider to stay enrolled & in exchange get free or discounted dental services, depending on the specific insurance plan. Most plans cover preventive care at 100%, including two teeth cleanings per year as well as exams & x-rays. After that, basic care & major procedures are covered at different percentages, with the patient paying a greater portion for major procedures.
In-Network vs. Out-of-Network
Many patients get confused about whether a dental practice is in-network or out-of-network with their dental insurance provider & what that means. While “out-of-network” sounds like the practice wouldn’t take your insurance, that’s not always the case & depends on the type of insurance plan you have.
HMO Plans
HMO plans only cover dental work done by dentists that are in-network, & referrals to specialists must be provided by that dentist. If you have an HMO plan, be sure to look for a dentist in their network.
PPO Plans
PPO plans are much more flexible & the distinction between in-network & out-of-network is much less limiting. When a dental practice is in-network with a PPO insurance provider, it just means they have a deal where the practice can charge the patient a smaller portion of the total cost for treatment services. However, even out-of-network costs are often quite reasonable.
We Accept All Major Insurance
Once you are enrolled, it’s easy to use your dental insurance. Simply choose a dentist & make an appointment! At San Bruno Dental Excellence, we accept all major insurance provider plans, so you don’t have to worry about whether your insurance works here: It works great!
How to Choose a Dentist
Regardless of insurance considerations, we encourage you to select your dentist based on other important factors, such as availability around your busy schedule & accommodation by the dentist & staff.
If you have any questions about your insurance or how we would handle it, please give us a call today. We’re happy to answer any questions you might have & to schedule an appointment for you during our great office hours.