Finding a dentist

Dental care is not offered on campus. Students and their families need to identify a dentist in the greater Ithaca area to provide this service.

When looking for a dentist, a good starting point is to ask friends, classmates, and neighbors what dentists they recommend.  Another source of information is the NY State Dental Association’s list of members in the Ithaca area. 

If you are a member of the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP), and you purchased the optional dental plan provided by First Ameritas Insurance, you can find a list of their preferred “in network” providers online. With this dental plan, you can also choose a dentist who is not on this list, but keep in mind their fees may be above the negotiated fees contracted by First Ameritas. In that case, if the dentist’s fee is above the negotiated fee set by the insurance plan, you will need to pay the difference.

Questions to ask

Once you have identified potential dentists, call their offices to learn more about the services they provide, and ask if they are currently taking new patients. Here are some questions to guide that discussion:

• Tell the dentist about yourself, any special needs you have, and the services you would like.
• What are their office hours? How is emergency dental care provided outside those hours?
• What is their policy about canceling appointments or missing an appointment?
• Will the dentist offer multiple treatment options for your dental care and explain their costs, benefits, and limitations so you can make informed choices? 
• What fees are charged for services you might need, such as tooth cleaning, dental x-rays, sealants or fluoride (for children), routine fillings, root canals, crowns, caps and bridges? 
• When is payment required? Some dentists may be willing to set up a payment plan when the bill is over a certain amount so that dental expenses can be paid over a period of time instead of in one lump sum. While it may be tempting to use a credit card for payment of dental bills, the interest charges associated with this method of “borrowing money” may lead to a greater financial burden later—especially if you are on a very tight budget.
• If you have a dental insurance plan, is the dentist a participating provider in the dental plan you have? If not, will you need to submit claim forms to your insurance plan for reimbursement?

What to expect

In the US, dentists emphasize services and practices that prevent dental problems or enable their early detection. Dentists may recommend:

• Teeth be cleaned by a dental hygienist on a routine basis (every 6 or 12 months)
• X-rays of teeth be taken for early detection of tooth decay, infections, or gum disease (frequency will depend on your individual health needs)
• For pre-school children, the possible use of fluoride to build stronger tooth enamel to prevent decay.
  
• If dental decay is discovered during an exam, most dentists will recommend that it be treated promptly rather than delaying treatment. Again, their emphasis is on treating the decay early to prevent further tooth damage.
  

As a patient, you have the right to:

• considerate and respectful care
• be informed about the procedures that will be will be used, the expected benefits and drawbacks of available treatment options
• be given an estimate of fees involved with each option
  

Feel free to ask your dentist questions if you need more information, and to ask again if you don’t understand the explanation you were given. As with medical care, you and your dentist share responsibility in making decisions about your treatment options. 

For complex or expensive procedures, you may want to have a second opinion from another dentist before making a decision. You also can refuse treatment, but you should be aware of what effect this may have on your dental health.

If you are dissatisfied with the services you receive or have a complaint about your dental care, you can voice your concerns to the dentist, call the state or local dental association or contact your insurance office to resolve the issue. Remember, you also can select another dentist for your care.

“Taking care of your mouth, teeth and gums isn’t just a matter of good grooming. It can prevent infections, and maybe even diseases, throughout your body,” according to the Mayo Clinic website, a good source of information about dental care.

For additional guidance

Contact: Janis Talbot
Health Educator and International Student Health Advocate
607 255-4782

Review our Fact Sheet (pdf) on this topic.