FAQs
Some questions come up more often than others. For your convenience, we've answered some of those here. We're also happy to answer your questions by phone, email or in-person.
Is Tao's Dentistry accepting new patients?
Yes! We are happy to welcome new patients. Please give us a call
and make an appointment.
This first appointment may be a bit longer than others as we'll be collecting your information
and learning a bit about your dental history - but after that,
you can expect your visits to be prompt.
When should a child have his or her first dental visit?
Children should begin regularly-scheduled dental examinations at about two years of age.
Dr. Tao and her staff are especially great with kids - bring them to your next appointment
and see this for yourself.
This is my child's first visit to the dentist. What can we expect?
The first stop is our waiting room where your child
can be entertained with toys, books, and G-rated films that we provide.
A friendly staff member will then bring you both to our dental operatory to settle in
and meet Dr. Tao, who has a wonderful way with children. If your child is 2.5 years old or younger,
we have him or her open up wide and we gently take a look at his or her teeth, gums, tongue,
jaw and mouth. After this oral examination is performed, we give you and your child
some instructions on oral hygiene so that good brushing and flossing habits are started early.
For children over 2.5 years of age, a complete oral examination is tenderly performed.
If a treatment is necessary, we talk you and your child through it and
then re-emphasize good hygiene techniques to take on at home. At the end of every appointment,
our pediatric patients are welcome to choose a special treat from Dr. Tao's treasure drawer
(and no, it's never candy!).
I'm very nervous about going to the dentist. What do you offer for patients with a lot of anxiety about dental procedures?
Many fears about dentistry are caused by the unknowns...
or the opposite from searching through too many pictures on Google!
Let us talk to you about your situation and exactly what's involved for you.
We will take the extra time to keep you informed and to make you comfortable.
Dr. Tao is known for her exceptionally gentle techniques
and will use them to her fullest during your appointment.
You can also discuss with us whether you'll require some form of sedation
that you can possibly take before you arrive for your appointment.
Each person is unique, so please speak directly with us about your concerns and situation.
It's been a long time since I've seen a dentist. You won't chastise me about it or the state of my teeth, will you?
When you come to our practice, it's our goal that you leave feeling better
- in less pain, healthier, happier about your teeth, and in overall good spirits.
That means that we don't spend your appointment shaming you or making you feel guilty.
We will, however, follow up with you to book cleaning appointments every three to nine months.
Regular dental appointments give you the best chance to keep tooth decay and gingivitis at bay
and allow us to spot small issues before they become big (painful and costly) issues.
Plus, we love seeing our patients!
What should I do if I have an emergency outside of business hours?
Dr. Tao and a number of other dentists in the Kitchener-Waterloo area
are part of a rotating on-call system for after-hour emergencies.
Call our office at 519.576.0480 and listen to the message for
emergency instructions. This message is regularly updated with timely information.
What kind of insurance do you accept?
We accept most insurance plans and process claims electronically when possible.
We can also submit estimates to your insurance when major dental service are required.
Will I have to pay the entire balance upfront and then have my insurance provider reimburse me, or can my insurance provider be billed directly?
For the most part, patients pay the entire balance upfront
and then are repaid by their insurance provider. We help patients submit
dental claims electronically during their visit so that they are repaid as quickly as possible.
We have been able to make special arrangements for clients with financial difficulties.
You can speak to our receptionist about these options.
Does the office know what my plan will cover?
In general, dental offices do not have access to insurance company's information
therefore we request that each patient bring in the details of their benefits that we then keep on file.
If there are any changes to your plan please inform the office. The staff can help direct you to how
to access your benefits information and what information is required.
What payment options do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, debit (Interac), and cash.
How often should I change my toothbrush?
Generally, toothbrushes should be replaced every three months
or when the bristles begin to bend over. For electric toothbrushes,
please refer to the manufacturer's instruction for changing the brush heads.
What's the best way to clean and store a toothbrush?
After you're done brushing your teeth, rinse the toothbrush out with hot water.
Store it in a dry and clean place - a clean toothbrush holder is usually fine.
Be sure to replace your brush regularly (see above).