Waterview Dental FAQ: Dental Care & Insurance!

We welcome you! We want you to know how pleased we are that you’re considering becoming a patient at Waterview Dental Clinic. We recommend that all first-time patients schedule a comprehensive oral examination with one of our dentists. It’s a complete exam that includes x-rays. This exam provides our team with a thorough understanding of your dental situation and needs. Typically a 1-hour comprehensive dental exam, this appointment helps the dentist assess the health of your teeth and gums. With this information, the dentist is better equipped to make recommendations for a cleaning schedule or any necessary treatment. We are committed to transparency and openness. In that spirit, our dentists take their time to explain in detail the rationale behind any of their treatment recommendations.

I’ve already recently had a comprehensive exam by my previous dentist.

That’s great! But, as you don’t yet have a history with our office, we still need an initial exam to assess your current and future needs, if any. If you have dental insurance, we recommend that you confirm with your provider that you have coverage for another new patient exam BEFORE your appointment.

Is cleaning included in initial exams for new patients?

No. Cleanings are scheduled separately from new patient exams and are conducted by our expert hygienists, not the dentist. When you contact Waterview Dental for an appointment, our friendly and helpful team wants to identify accurately your dental care needs. When booking your appointment, we always encourage you to ask questions of our administrators. We want you to rest easy in the knowledge that you are scheduling the appropriate dental appointment and treatment for your needs.

What if I only have a problem with one tooth?

You can always book an exam to address a specific dental issue, including a problem with one tooth, if it’s sore or broken, for instance. A specific exam like this focuses on the tooth of concern. Depending on the issue, it may require an x-ray to determine the inner health of the tooth or its status below the gum line.

X-rays from my previous clinic – can I bring or forward them to you?

Yes. We encourage you to transfer previous x-rays before your first exam with Waterview Dental. It’s important to understand that those x-rays that are older than 9 months probably don’t offer an accurate representation of the current state of your teeth, mouth, and bone, which often change over time. To provide the most current and accurate perspective, your dentist may have to take new x-rays.

​​It’s not unusual to be afraid to go to the dentist – we get it! That’s why we go the extra mile to provide you with the most understanding and empathetic, and friendliest dentists and staff. We will do as much as we can to make every aspect of your appointment as easy and comfortable as possible. 

To help you feel less anxious, we encourage you to take advantage of a free consultation before your appointment. This visit is your opportunity to talk about the Waterview Dental experience as well as your treatment with your dentist. This is a great time to ask questions about our office and our procedures to get a better feel for the clinic. 

For more help managing fear and anxiety, please click HERE!

Still hesitant? We encourage you to read our online reviews and explore which of our dentists might be a good fit for your needs.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us a message through our website!

For a dental cleaning, prepare to be here for about an hour. The cleaning appointment usually includes scaling, polishing, and/or a fluoride application. If you haven’t had a recent cleaning (i.e. it’s been a year or more), your tootcleaning may require more than one visit to the hygienist. If you are a new patient, your cleaning appointment will include the cleaning only. You book an examination or check-up separate from your cleaning appointment. If you’re already a Waterview Dental patient, the cleaning might include a check-up or x-rays.

Yes! Waterview Dental has a periodontal specialist – Dr. Michael Landzberg. He works in our clinic on select days every month. Our group of offices also has an oral surgeon working from our Waterview Dental location. 

The goal of our clinic is to provide you with the most customized care possible. To do so, we have the distinct advantage of offering access to a range of specialists. With your records stored in one place, we can offer the best treatment, coordinating more effectively between your dentist and the specialist.

If your dentist finds you need more specialized treatment, your dentist will set up the referral.

Yes! Waterview Dental is one of the few clinics in downtown Toronto that allow direct billing – for your convenience! If yours is a Canadian provider, please inform our office before your appointment so we can prepare to direct bill after your appointment.

If your plan allows the assignment of benefits, we can direct bill your insurance. Your provider will cover you at your eligible coverage amount – you pay the difference. If your insurance does not allow the assignment of benefits, you have to pay the total amount for your treatment on the day. After your appointment, we can help submit your claim so you get reimbursed by your insurance. To avoid any unpleasant surprises, have familiarity with your dental insurance before your appointment!

For more detail, click here to read more about dental insurance.

If I’m not a patient, can you submit a dental treatment estimate for me?

 if you’re not a patient of Waterview Dental, due to reasons of privacy, we cannot submit a dental estimate. What we can do is provide the procedure codes for some dental treatments, i.e. new patient exams, cleanings, and x-rays. Contact your insurance company to confirm if you have coverage for those procedures.

Would you like to become a patient of Waterview Dental but want to check your dental insurance first? Give us a call, and we’ll provide you with some procedure codes to get you started!

If you have secondary insurance beyond your primary coverage, let us know when you check in for your dental appointment. To invoice your secondary insurance provider successfully, we require the name of the carrier, group/plan number, ID/subscriber number, and the full name and date of birth of the secondary policyholder.

What is secondary dental insurance?

A secondary dental insurance policy often covers the remaining amount not paid out by the primary dental coverage. For example, if your primary plan covers 80% of your procedure, the secondary plan covers the remaining 20%.

If you have secondary dental coverage, you can get listed under a spouse or parent's insurance plan or even a second plan under your own name. 

Do you have questions relating to your insurance plan and what it covers? Contact your dental insurance provider to confirm.2

No. We can’t direct bill to travel insurance, health spending accounts, or insurance companies based outside of Canada. You will need to pay our clinic in full on the day of your treatment. We will provide you with a receipt to submit for reimbursement.

Whitening treatment is considered a cosmetic procedure. As such, dental insurance plans often exclude it from coverage. If you want to confirm this, you should contact your dental insurance provider.

What is tooth discolouration?

Tooth discolouration refers to staining and comes in two forms: extrinsic (stains on the outside of the tooth) and intrinsic (stains discolouring the tooth from the inside).

External staining is caused by various substances that come in contact with your teeth frequently – coffee and tea, red wine, and tobacco, for example. On the other hand, if the discolouration comes from inside the tooth, it’s a reflection of the condition of the tooth. It’s often the result of treatment procedures or of excessive amounts of fluoride (fluorosis) and certain antibiotics.

There are a variety of whitening methods to manage and resolve discolouration. Some staining requires more advanced procedures, such as veneers, bonding, or other restorative solutions. Concerns about the colour of your teeth? Make an appointment with us to learn more about the staining you have. Our dentists will discuss the whitening options best for you. 

Read more about whitening HERE.

It is widely recommended that regular dental examinations and cleanings are critical to maintaining healthy teeth and gums and preventing dental problems. We recommend you visit us at least twice a year for check-ups and cleaning to maintain the best dental health. Depending on the condition of your oral health, your dentist or hygienist might suggest visiting more frequently. 

In addition to checking for cavities and cleanings, our dental professionals perform a variety of other important steps to maintain your oral health, including:

• Review of medical history: Committed to caring for and protecting your dental health, our team keeps up-to-date records on any medical conditions, new medications, and your overall health.

• Examination of diagnostic x-rays: Current x-rays are essential to detectig tooth decay, bone loss, tumours, and cysts and can help to examine tooth and root positions.

• Examination of tooth decay: With the help of specialized dental instruments, we will check all of your tooth surfaces for decay.

• Gum disease evaluation: We check the health of your gums. We also assess the bone around your teeth for any signs of periodontal disease.

• Plaque removal: Nearly invisible, the substance called plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth. It develops from saliva, food debris, and living bacteria. Bacteria continually grow and produce toxins that inflame the gums and can eventually cause periodontal disease.

• Tartar removal: Harmful tartar (or calculus) forms above and below the gum line.  It’s a plaque that has remained on a tooth’s surface so long it’s firmly attached and hardened. Tartar is difficult to remove, requiring special dental instruments.

• Teeth polishing: Through polishing, we take care of the plaque and stains not removed during teeth brushing and scaling.

• Recommendations for oral hygiene: We review your oral hygiene habits and the options that are most appropriate for your case (i.e. electric toothbrush, fluoride, special cleaning aids, rinses, etc.)

• Examine existing restorations: We check your existing fillings, crowns, bridges, etc.

• Oral cancer screening: Waterview Dental dentists check your face, lips, gums, tongue, throat, neck, and tissues for any signs of oral cancer.

• Review of dietary habits: Your dental health is connected to your eating habits. We help you to make the best dietary choices to support your oral health.

Your visit to our dental clinic includes much more than simply checking for cavities and teeth cleaning. Schedule regular check-ups to ensure you get the best care possible!

Yes! We currently offer a discount for our patients aged 65 and over.

Waterview Dental adheres to the fee guide outlined by the Ontario Dental Association. 

We do everything we can to provide our patients with the highest quality dental care at an affordable rate. To know what you can expect regarding future dental needs and treatment and associated costs, we encourage you to ask questions about your treatment and the related pricing.

We know how tempting it is to hunt for a bargain. But, when it comes to something as important as your dental care, or that of your family, it can be dangerous. As it pertains to your oral health, the most vital concern is always your dentist’s range of knowledge and expertise, experience and technological competency and capabilities. It’s about quality of care over cost.

Take no chances with your dental care. Visit our clinic and experience firsthand why we’re so different from the others.

We accept various types of payment: Cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. 

If you need to pay an outstanding balance, we invite you to pay in person or over the phone. Please note you can only use a credit card for telephone payments.

Yes. From the moment you walk through our doors, we strive to exceed your expectations. That said, the time we reserve for your appointment with your dentist or hygienist is yours alone. 

So, we ask that you respect the dental professional’s time and their busy schedule. Please provide us with at least two (2) business days’ notice if you have to make changes or if you need to cancel. Giving us two days lets us accommodate other patients in a timely manner. We thank you for your understanding and appreciate your consideration and cooperation.

When you leave a dental problem untreated, it can cause a lot of discomfort and significant pain, or worse. We do our best to accommodate our patients by providing longer evening and Saturday office hours. An extended schedule helps us aid our patients in the event of a dental emergency – usually within an hour of their call!

No matter if you are an existing patient, brand new, or visiting from out of town – call or message us if you have an emergency during office hours. Our team will do its best to address and provide emergency dental care that day, and in most cases, within an hour.  If we cannot see you at our location on a specific day, we will triage you to one of our sister clinics at Parkview Dental, Urbanview Dental, Cityview Dental, or The Richmond Dental Centre.

No time to talk? Please message us through our website! Click the blue icon on the bottom right of your screen and send a message. It’s instantly received by our receptionist desk during our office hours.

If you’re one of our patients with an emergency after office hours, leave a message on our emergency hotline. Typically, the dentist on call will return your call within 30 minutes.

We are committed to serving you in an emergency – our office will take care of you! 

Click HERE to learn more about what to do if you have a dental emergency.