Frequently Asked Questions

We accept all forms of insurance. However, not all insurance companies will pay us directly. If your insurance company does not pay us directly, you will be asked to pay for your treatment the day it is received and our front desk staff will assist you in completing the necessary paperwork for you to submit to your insurance company. If your insurance company does pay us directly, you will be responsible for paying your annual deductible and the percentage of the treatment that the insurance does not pay for.

The “Drug card” is the subsidized dental coverage provided through the Newfoundland and Labrador government. Due to recent changes in this policy, we may request for you to pay for your treatment up front and assist you in completing the appropriate paperwork to permit you to be reimbursed for your care. If we are able, we will bill as much treatment as we are able directly to the government plan to minimize yours costs on the day of treatment. This will be discussed with you on the day of your dental visit.

Due to the lack of compliance in the past, we are no longer able to offer payment plans for treatment. We do, however, encourage you to make smaller payments prior to receiving your treatment in order to make the payment needed the day that you receive your treatment more manageable. We can also provide cost estimates prior to receiving your treatment, once a proper assessment had been conducted, to prepare you for the payments that will be required at your next visit.

There are many different insurance companies and policies, therefore there are many different amounts of coverage available for your dental treatment. It is your responsibility to understand your own insurance policy. We can assist you if we are familiar with your plan, but we are not able to call your insurance company to acquire that information for you as the companies will only provide that information directly to you for confidentiality reasons.

Without the proper assessment by one of our dentists, the cost of your dental treatment is impossible to determine. Estimates may be able to be provided over the phone in very specific cases, but a proper examination will be required to allow a full discussion of possible costs and treatment options. It is the policy Regatta Dental to follow the fee guide provided by the Newfoundland and Labrador Dental Association. When possible, we will directly bill your insurance company to help offset the costs of your treatment.

The cost of a debridement (“cleaning”) will depend on your needs. The cost is dependent on the amount of time that the dental hygienist or dentist will need to complete a proper debridement. Therefore, the cost can only be determined after an examination by your dentist or dental hygienist.

We do our very best to make your treatment a comfortable experience. Let us know about your anxiety and fears before starting your treatment so we can cater your care specific to your needs. We offer a variety of different techniques to provide you with comfort, ranging from a caring compassionate approach to mild sedation with medications to general anesthesia in the operating room.

Our principle dentist, Dr. Neil Power, has hospital privileges at both the Janeway and at St. Clare’s. He generally has access to the operating room one morning a month. If you are interested in receiving treatment in the operating room under general anesthetic, please let one of our providers know at the time of your visit so the proper paperwork can be initiated. Certain dental treatments (i.e. crown and bride work, root canals) are not recommended in the OR.

The general office hours are from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm. The hours vary slightly for each of the dental service providers. Our front desk staff can assist you in finding an appointment time which works for your schedule and the treatment provider of your preference.

Our office does provide services two evenings each week and for one Saturday each month. Not all of our dental care providers work these hours so speak to our front desk staff members to see if the provider you would like to work with works these additional hours.

It is very helpful if you are able to bring a copy of your old dental records and x-rays from your previous dentist. This allows us to have a thorough understanding of your past dental experiences and dental needs. As well, please bring a complete list of the medications, herbal medications and supplements that you are currently taking. Knowing this information, as well as the list of your medical specialists, allows us to be able to provide you the safest and most effective dental treatment.

Most patients come to us every 6 months for an examination and for a dental debridement (“cleaning”). However, the frequency of your dental visits will depend on your dental needs and your risk of both periodontal (“gum”) disease and cavities. A thorough assessment by both the dentist and dental hygienist will allow us to determine the best treatment frequency for your needs.

Nationally, we are advocating to start seeing children at the age of one or within 6 months of receiving their first tooth. Our provincial MCP government program covers children’s dental treatment very well, but generally only covers emergency visits before the age of 3. We have to bill your personal insurance company before we can bill the MCP children’s program. We enjoy meeting you children at a very young age to allow them to have their first dental experience under calm, relaxed circumstances. This allows them to be familiar with the environment should more invasive treatments become necessary in the future. As well, we are able to identify developmental and habitual challenges earlier when we are able to see a child when they are younger allowing more preventative treatment options.