Terms & Policy

Trust is a major reason behind our success as a dental practice. Visiting a dentist can be an anxious experience, and we ensure you feel comfortable during your visits. Our doctors will discuss your individual oral care priorities with you in an environment that is relaxed and non-judgemental. Together, you and the doctor will develop a custom treatment plan to help you achieve the smile you desire.

Safety comes first. Preventing infections is very important to us. We protect patients and ourselves by maintaining sterilization and cross contamination processes by the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OHSA), and the Center pertaining to Disease Control (CDC).

We strive to supply preventive vs. reactionary care. We focus on regular hygiene maintenance and recall exams as preventive measures to dental problems and disease. Our doctors provide individualized instruction to help you care for your smile at home and promote long-term oral health care.

Dr. Fong has a team of highly-trained and skilled clinicians. We are committed to continual education and attend dental seminars to stay informed of new techniques, the latest products, and equipment that a modern dental office can utilize to provide state-of-the-art dental care.

For those patients who are transferring from another practice, it is helpful for the clinical staff to have access to your previous records and radiographs before your first appointment. This way, we will not need to re take any additional x rays if you have current ones (usually within the last year). Please complete the enclosed records release form and submit t o your previous dental office as soon as possible. We are glad to do it on your behalf, as well, if you return the release form to us.

Appointments are scheduled carefully so we can provide you the most efficient care. We make every effort to honour time commitments and we appreciate patients extending the same consideration to us. Patients are reminded of their appointments as a courtesy two weeks and one day in advance.

We understand that, occasionally appointments need to be rescheduled. In these cases, we kindly ask for 48 hours notice so that we are able to offer the reserved time to another patient in need of dental treatment. If an appointment is missed, a fee may be charged to your account. Under reasonable circumstances, this fee may be waived. We appreciate your understanding of and cooperation with this policy.

At your first visit, the doctor will sit privately with you and thoroughly review your medical and dental history, as well as your dental goals. Following, you will be given a clinical examination where the doctor checks for tooth decay, missing teeth, restored teeth, fractured teeth, periodontal and gum health, and oral cancer. Any necessary radiographs will also be taken to keep your records up
to date. The doctor will ensure that the appointment wraps up with both of you on the same page and will ensure that you understand all the findings and the treatment plan.

After your clinical exam, you will book your hygiene appointment with our patient care coordinator, who will make every effort to schedule your visit at a time most convenient for you. If any treatment needs to be done, such as fillings, crowns, etc., those appointments can be booked then as well.

For your convenience, we accept cheques, cash, and all major credit and debit cards, with the exception of American Express. Full payment is expected at the time services are rendered, regardless of the estimated benefit from your insurance provider.

We understand dental costs can be high, which is why we do offer payment plans under certain circumstances. Please speak with our patient care coordinator if you are interested in utilizing a payment plan.

As a courtesy to you, we will submit your dental claims on your behalf to your insurance provider following all your appointments. We do not directly bill to your insurance however, and the patient is responsible for full payment of fees at date of service. Your insurance provider will reimburse you the amount estimated in your plan. Not all dental services are necessarily covered under your dental insurance plan. It is essential that you read and understand your coverage and pay special attention to any pre determination requirements, exclusions, deductibles, and waiting periods. If your coverage changes for any reason, please notify the office so we can update our records.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of our patients’ personal information and to utilizing all personal information in a responsible and professional manner. This document summarizes some of the personal information that we collect, use, and disclose. In addition to the circumstances described in this form, we also collect, use, and disclose personal information when permitted or required by law. In this consent form, we have outlined what our office is doing to ensure that only necessary information is collected about you, we only share your information with your consent, and storage, retention, and destruction of your personal information complies with existing legislation and privacy protocols of our regulatory body and law. We collect information from our patients such as names, home addresses, work addresses, home telephone numbers, work telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. (Collectively referred to us “Contact Information”). Contact Information is collected and used for the following purposes:

• To open and update patient files
• To invoice patients for dental services, to process credit card payments, or to collect unpaid accounts
• To maintain communication with patients and with other treating health-care providers, including specialists and referring doctors
• To process claims for payment or reimbursement from third-party health benefit providers and insurance companies
• To send reminders to the patients concerning the need for further dental examination or treatment
• To send patients informational material about our dental practice.

Contact Information is disclosed to third party health benefit providers and insurance companies where the patient has submitted a claim for reimbursement or payment of all or part of the cost of dental treatment or has asked us to submit a claim on the patient’s behalf. Financial information is collected for payment processing purposes. It is not shared with third parties without your consent, unless permitted by law for outstanding bill collection purposes. We collect information from our patients about their health history, their family health history, physical condition, and dental treatments. Patients’ Medical Information is collected and used for the purpose of diagnosing dental conditions and providing dental treatment. Patients’ Medical Information is disclosed:

• To third party health benefit providers and insurance companies where the patient has submitted a claim for reimbursement or payment of all or part of the cost of dental treatment or has asked us to submit a claim on the patient’s behalf
• With the consent of the patient, to other treating health-care providers, including specialists and referring doctors
• If we are ever considering selling all or part of our dental practice, qualified potential purchasers may be granted access as part of the due diligence process to patient information in order to verify information important to the potential sale. If this occurs, we will take steps to ensure that the prospective purchaser safeguards all personal information

Dentists are regulated by the Ontario Dental Association and College which may inspect our records and interview our staff as part of its regulatory activities in the public interest.

You may withdraw your consent for use or disclosure of your personal information at any time.