Appointment Policy
Fitting Orthodontics into Your Schedule
We understand that orthodontic treatment can interfere with important obligations that you have during the day, including work and school. We have tried to design treatment methods in order to minimize our appointment times and intervals between visits to allow fewer conflicts with your schedule.
Our Approach to Minimizing Conflicts
During your orthodontic care, there will be different types of appointments that are needed. Depending on which type of appointment is needed, a different appointment length will be required. THE MAJORITY OF YOUR APPOINTMENTS CAN BE SCHEDULED AT TIMES WHICH ARE MORE CONVIENIENT TO YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE: AFTER WORK OR AFTER SCHOOL. Longer appointments which involve putting braces on, repairing braces, delivering growth appliances, re-cementing braces, and removing braces are scheduled in the earlier morning hours. This allows us to offer the majority of your appointments at the most popular times. Some appointments may need to be scheduled during school hours. These appointments can be rotated within the day so that the same class will not need to be missed. We may ask that you alternate your appointments during school months between morning and afternoon. We are always happy to provide a school excuse slip.
Arrive on Time
Our schedule is carefully crafted to allow our patients the time needed to continually progress with treatment. In fairness to other patients, we need you to arrive on time for your appointment. We want to have adequate time during each appointment to do the necessary procedures and to answer questions about your treatment progress. In the rare circumstance that you would arrive late, we may find it necessary to reschedule your appointment in order to give you the time that you deserve for your appointment.
Dr. Petrol and her staff utilize state of the art technology and treatment methods to straighten teeth efficiently and require fewer visits to our office. For that reason we see our patients every 8-12 weeks. We are committed to providing you with the best orthodontic service and to making your treatment as convenient as possible.
High-Tech Appointment Reminders
Dr. Petrol uses technology to make your treatment convenient. A computerized appointment reminder is sent two days prior via your email. Through our website, you can make payments, check your balance, look up your next appointment… even refer your friends and family!
Rescheduling Appointments
We reserve time just for you. If you are running late we ask that you call us to see if we can complete the necessary work in the time that remains. If you should have to reschedule an appointment we ask that you give us 48 hours advanced notice. Keep in mind that appointments are scheduled out as far as 8-12 weeks. Rescheduling your appointment or missing an appointment may require that you be scheduled out 4-6 weeks. If your schedule is flexible we may be able to get you in sooner. Our goal is to continually progress with your treatment. Missed appointments or numerous appointment changes will inevitably result in an extension of your treatment time and additional charges.