Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes! We are currently accepting new patients and would be honoured to serve your dental needs.
What is the process for switching over to Headon Dental?
Your first visit will typically involve a new patient exam and a cleaning if you are due for one. We will also update your dental x-rays at this visit. If you recently had your dental x-rays updated at your previous dental office, please let us know in advance and we can arrange to have them transferred over before your exam. Keep in mind that if these x-rays are out of date or the dentist has specific concerns, we may still need to update certain x-rays at this visit.
If you would like more information before booking your new patient exam, we would be happy to see you for a free consultation to show you our clinic and further discuss your needs.
Can you bill my insurance company directly?
Yes, we can do direct billing. This means that you will only be responsible for paying any fees or portion of fees that your insurance does not cover. If you have dual insurance we can also process the secondary submission for you, so you won’t have to mail or submit anything yourself.
How do you determine your fees?
Our fees are determined by the Ontario Dental Association Fee Guide.
Can I choose which dentist and hygienist I see?
Absolutely. In general, we will typically book you back with the same hygienist and dentist as your last visit. Depending on the timing or changes in the schedule, it’s possible you may see someone different from time to time. However, if you prefer to only see certain providers (or never see certain providers), just let us know and we will make note of that to ensure we book you correctly!
When should my child first visit the dentist?
We love kids and are happy to see children, toddlers and babies of all ages! If you have specific concerns or would just like to confirm that everything looks ok in your child’s mouth, please feel free to book a visit.
Otherwise, we typically recommend booking the first visit around 3 years of age when the child is old enough to understand what is happening and is more likely to have a positive experience. This recommendation is assuming your child meets the following criteria: regular brushing with toothpaste at least twice a day (including before bed), regular fluoride exposure (either from tap water or toothpaste, but ideally both!), and little or no added sugar in the diet. If your child does not meet these criteria, then they may be at higher risk for developing tooth decay and it would be beneficial to book a quick exam with the dentist to ensure there are no concerns.
What is your infection control policy?
Our top priority is the health and safety of our patients and staff. We follow strict infection control protocols as outlined by Public Health Ontario, the College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, and the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario. We conduct regular audits to ensure that we are performing at or above the standard, and to stay on top of any changes in the guidelines. In addition to our stringent sterilization, and infection protection and control, we also have surgical grade air purifiers in every room.
Will you be participating as a Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) provider?
We will most likely be participating as a CDCP provider. However, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) has strong concerns with the program and has urged dentists to hold off on making any decisions about their participation until more details are provided by the government.
At this time it is important for patients to understand that the CDCP is not a free program.
Family income levels will determine what percentage of coverage of the CDCP fee guide each patient will receive.
– Below $70,000 net income: eligible for 100% of CDCP fee
-$70,000 to $79,999 net income: eligible for 60% of CDCP fee
-$80,000 to $89,999 net income: eligible for 40% of CDCP fee
It is very important to understand that the CDCP fee coverage grid is NOT the same as the provincial fee guide, and all fees are slightly lower than the true ODA fee. So even if you are eligible for 100% of the CDCP fee, that will still leave a balance to be paid out of pocket.
For example, the 2024 ODA fee for a single surface filling on a front tooth is $200, but the CDCP fee guide will only cover $161.50. So even if you are eligible for 100% CDCP coverage this still leaves a fee of $38.50 that will be out of pocket.
There are also many limits on the frequency of services eligible, and many of these limits remain unclear or undefined by the program at this time.
It is very important for patients to gather all the information before they make decisions about whether to participate in the program or make any changes to their private dental insurance coverage. Patients may end up paying more for copays and balancing fee guides than they would by just continuing to pay into their private dental plans.
We will continue to look into this matter and will keep our patients informed as more information is released by the government and the ODA. If you would like to know more about the plan please visit the Government of Canada website at canada.ca/dental.
For more information on our dental services or to book an appointment, please give us a call at 905-332-6433.