Dalvir Pannu DDS Blog

Deciding on a cosmetic dentist is your first and possibly most important step in getting the wonderful smile you’ve always wanted. 96% of Americans feel an attractive smile makes a person more appealing to a member of the opposite sex, according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. With every dentist out there claiming that they perform cosmetic dentistry, it’s difficult to determine who is right for you. Here are some things to think about when choosing your “cosmetic” dentist.

1. SPECIALTY / EXPERTISE
     – Look for a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry in their practice. Obviously, the more cases a dentist has done, the more likely he or she will deliver excellent results for you.

2. SMILE MAKEOVERS /  BEFORE & AFTER GALLERY
     – Photos are crucial. Make sure that the dentist you are considering has a lot of photography of their work. Before and after pictures are essential for evaluating the level of performance you can expect from that dentists’ work. Here is an example of a Smile Makeover Gallery

3. EDUCATION
     –  Scant amounts of cosmetic dentistry are actually taught by dental schools. Make sure to ask for and view post-graduate credentials when selecting your cosmetic dentist. Have they obtained credentials through post-graduate institutions? Which ones? Find out and research those institutions if possible.  What membership affiliations do they have? What is the focus of their continuing education?

4. TESTIMONIALS
     – Testimonials on a website are great, but it’s even better to have patients you could call and discuss their dental experience. Other patients can sometimes give you a better idea of what to expect before, during and after treatment. The dentist should be proud to give you a list of his “raving fans” to call.

5. FACILITIES / TECHNOLOGY / OVERALL CUSTOMER SERVICE
     – Have a look around the office. This is your opportunity to see the equipment, ask questions about available technology and procedures, and check out the sterilization areas. This is also your opportunity to assess the environment, and the people who will be working with you. While hygiene obviously comes first, it’s all the better if the environment is pleasant and relaxing, and the staff are calm and cheerful as well.

6. COMFORT & CONVENIENCE
     – It is important that you get a sense of honesty and be able to have a frank and candid conversation with your cosmetic dentist. You will be spending some time with the dentist you choose, so you need to feel very comfortable with and confident in them.

7. SPECIALIZED DENTAL TEAM:
     – If you are seeking the best cosmetic dentistry possible, make sure your dentist has an experienced master ceramist and anesthesiologist for dental implant procedures. The level of training of these people is equally as important as that of the cosmetic dentist. They will work as a team to create the smile you’ve been dreaming of.

8. PAYMENT / TREATMENT PLANS
     – You should expect to see and hear of a variety of options when consulting with a cosmetic dentist. During that consultation a dentist may explain or propose to you their “ideal” treatment and then suggest a variety of other possible options. Options are important because ultimately you know yourself best, and are responsible for your own decisions. Information should be provided about fees and payment plans before treatment is scheduled.

9. POST OPERATIVE CARE
     – Make sure that there are special arrangements made for handling post operative care and/or emergencies outside of office hours. Most dentists make arrangements with a colleague or emergency referral service if they are unable to tend to emergencies.

10.  ACCREDITED BY THE ADA
     – All ADA member dentists voluntarily agree to abide by the high ethical standards reflected in the ADA Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct as a condition of their membership.

If you’re interested in learning how cosmetic dentistry can give you a new, natural-looking smile, call our office at (408)272-3330 and (510) 792-9292 or email us at info@pannudental.com for a consultation! We’d love nothing more than to help you discover a confidence in your smile that you’ve never known before.

A health savings account (HSA), is a tax-advantaged medical savings account available to taxpayers in the United States who are enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). The funds contributed to the account are not subject to federal income tax at the time of deposit. Unlike a flexible spending account (FSA), funds roll over and accumulate year over year if not spent. HSAs are owned by the individual, which differentiates them from the company-owned Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) that is an alternate tax-deductible source of funds paired with HDHPs. Funds may be used to pay for qualified medical expenses at any time without federal tax liability. Withdrawals for non-medical expenses are treated very similarly to those in an IRA in that they may provide tax advantages if taken after retirement age, and they incur penalties if taken earlier. These accounts are a component of consumer driven health care.

Proponents of HSAs believe that they are an important reform that will help reduce the growth of health care costs and increase the efficiency of the health care system. According to proponents, HSAs encourage saving for future health care expenses, allow the patient to receive needed care without a gate keeper to determine what benefits are allowed and make consumers more responsible for their own health care choices through the required High-Deductible Health Plan.

A flexible spending arrangement (FSA), or Flexible Spending Account, as they are commonly called, is one of a number of tax-advantaged financial accounts that can be set up through a cafeteria plan of an employer in the United States. An FSA allows an employee to set aside a portion of his or her earnings to pay for qualified expenses as established in the cafeteria plan, most commonly for medical expenses but often for dependent care or other expenses. Money deducted from an employee’s pay into an FSA is not subject to payroll taxes, resulting in a substantial payroll tax savings.

The most common FSA, the medical expense FSA (also medical FSA or health FSA), is similar to a health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement account (HRA). However, while HSAs and HRAs are almost exclusively used as components of a consumer driven health care plan, medical FSAs are commonly offered with more traditional health plans as well. An FSA may be utilized by paper claims or an FSA debit card also known as a Flexcard.