Frequently Asked Questions
We are out of network with all insurances. But we help our patients file for out-of-network benefits to make our biological dental care more affordable. Even when we take the full payment at the time of service, we are committed to helping our patients file claims to their insurance when they are in our office. Oftentimes, the insurance companies send reimbursement checks directly to patients. However, in case our office receives an insurance payment we reimburse a patient by mailing the check for the same amount the insurance paid us.
We noticed that patients oftentimes think of a dental insurance as a medical insurance with no coverage limit. In fact, all dental insurances have yearly coverage limits that usually fall between $1000 to $ 2000 and this is regardless of whether patients use dentists in or out-of-network. This coverage limit is quickly exhausted during a year when patients need major dental work done such as crowns, bridges, implants or dental appliances, the costs of which go into thousands of dollars. In this case, patients’ choice of our out-of-network practice comes down to a high quality of services that we offer and the demand for Dr. Hart’s unique specialization and skills in biological dentistry and her biological approach to dental care.
For out-of-pocket expenses, checks, cash, and credit cards are accepted. Additionally, financing is offered through CareCredit, which allows patients to enjoy no-interest financing and low minimum monthly payments that can make affording your dental care simple and attainable. If you are interested in learning more about our billing and assistance in your insurance claims for our services, please call our office at (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com for more details.
Unfortunately, we do not accept Medicaid. Our practice does not participate in Medicare.
Yes, except hygiene appointments. Virginia Biological Dentistry is an out of network provider and we want to ensure that our office time is entirely devoted to addressing patients’ oral concerns and providing best dental care as part of our biological practice. In order to reduce the admin time spent on collecting insurance payments and patients’ outstanding payments our office has the full-payment policy at the time of service.
The policy requires all new patients to pay in full for a dental procedure at the time the service is provided. The full-payment policy covers all treatment procedures except hygiene appointments. Upon their first meeting, all new patients undergo a comprehensive examination followed by an exhaustive consultation with Dr. Hart. This allows us to develop a detailed treatment plan for a new patient that includes a detailed breakdown of costs for each procedure and anticipated total costs. This means that prior to having the procedure scheduled and performed our patients have a very good understanding of the payment amount they are expected to make at the time of service.
Our policy to pay fully for dental services at the time they are delivered is, in fact, no different than the payment policies that all of us are subject to and familiar with when we seek legal representation or advice, have our cars fixed or our hair cut.
Even when we take the full payment, we are committed to helping our patients file claims to their insurance for out-of-network benefits to make our biological dental care more affordable. Oftentimes, the insurance companies send their reimbursement checks directly to patients. However, in case our office receives an insurance payment we reimburse a patient by mailing the check for the amount the insurance paid us.
We cannot determine how much you will need to spend to have your teeth taken care without seeing you and having Dr. Hart conduct comprehensive examination of your oral health. This type of evaluation is designed not only to treat your immediate symptoms but to address their causes. Based on that comprehensive examination we will develop appropriate treatment plan that will also include the full cost of the treatment. Please keep in mind, if you want to take care of your oral health and any dental issues that you might have in the cheapest possible way, we might not be your best practice. We aim to provide our patients the best care in the region. Dr. Hart continues devoting her time and makes considerable financial investments in her continued education and the newest dental technologies in her office. Please be mindful that the highest quality dentistry comes also with the equivalent fees. At the same time, our charges are comparable to other out-of-network dental practices that serve patients in the region.
Dr. Hart has put a lot of thought into the decision to opt-out of all dental insurance and it was not an easy decision. She took this step n order to be able to continue providing the best dental care to her patients. Insurance companies often do not have the patient’s best interests in mind. In fact, they may not even have specific knowledge regarding the treatment and why it is needed. Often, claims are denied based on the review of a “dental consultant” who may or may not be a dentist.
Insurance companies will pay for the most basic training and Dr. Hart’s training is far beyond basic. Dr. Hart spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars on continuing her education in the field of biological dentistry and beyond. This has meant lots of travel, time away from the office and time away from the family. The state of Virginia mandates that dentists take 15 hours of continuing education each year. Every year, Dr. Hart has exceeded that by more than 10 times. Dental insurance companies do not reward Dr. Hart for that. In fact, insurance companies impose an arbitrary cap on fees that have little to do with the market, skills development, expertise acquired and technology investments. In addition to her expansive continued education, Dr. Hart has chosen to purchase new technology each year which improves the care that she offers to her patients. Dr. Hart strives to offer the best care to her patients by giving them the very best professional care she can provide. That means that she aims to have the most up-to-date knowledge in the field, the most relevant and enhanced skills and the most advanced technologies and materials available.
Virginia Biological Dentistry staff does their very best to find workable financial solutions and accommodations for our patients. We continue to file patients’ insurance claims for out-of-network benefits and provide financing options through CareCredit, which allows patients to enjoy no-interest financing and low minimum monthly payments that can make affording your dental care simple and attainable. If you are interested in learning more about available financial solutions for our services, please call our office at (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com for more details.
Dr. Hart’s schedule is really busy. She usually sees her patients on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Please call us at (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com to schedule an appointment.
Dr Hart’s schedule and hygiene appointments at Virginia Biological Dentistry are booked well in advance. Please call us at (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com to schedule the earliest appointment available.
Yes, Dr. Hart sees children of all ages at her practice.
For all her new patients and to offer the best dental care possible, Dr. Hart designed and introduced a comprehensive oral health examination. This examination is needed for any new visitor to become an established patient of record at our office. The comprehensive examination consists of three distinct phases: a) comprehensive data gathering to establish a baseline of the patient’s oral health; b) in-depth examination of the collected data by Dr. Hart; c) meeting with Dr. Hart to discuss in detail a diagnosis and most appropriate and effective comprehensive treatment plan to address any and all oral health issues that the patient has. The comprehensive examination requires two visits at our office. To learn more about the comprehensive examination call (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com
Technology is an important part of a biological dental practice. Dr. Hart as a biological dentist pays a particular attention to a preventive oral care. Such care aims at uncovering oral issues before they become major dental problems. Earlier discovery of potential oral diseases helps with conservative treatment that focuses on preserving natural tooth structure. Such earlier discoveries cannot be done merely with a visual evaluation. Dr. Hart relies on CBCT or 3D imaging to help provide her patients with most effective preventive care possible and most conservative treatment as part of her biological approach to dentistry.
Even in emergencies we will want to schedule a comprehensive exam to evaluate your oral health. We do not see patients to treat only a single tooth. There is always an underlying cause for your tooth to experience pain or to break. Comprehensive exams will help Dr. Hart understand the root cause for your emergency and develop appropriate short and longer-time treatment plant to decrease the likelihood of or even eliminate future emergencies like the one you have right now. Please call us at (804) 381-6238 or email us at info@virginiabiologicaldentistry.com to talk about your emergency and we will do our utmost to assist you.
Yes. As the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) member, Dr. Hart is trained and experienced in a safe technique for removal of mercury fillings in accordance with the IAOMT strict guidelines. Read more about the safe mercury removal and safeguards Dr. Hart uses at her office.
We use BPA-free composite, bio-compatible and non-metal materials, including porcelain inlays and Onlays, ceramic crowns and ceramic implants.
Dr. Hart uses ozonated water in multiple procedures. Please keep in mind that in the state of Virginia, dental offices are not allowed to perform ozone treatment/ ozone therapy.
Yes. We use FOTONA laser to remove decay from the tooth painlessly; disinfect the tooth; disinfect the extraction site. Dr. Hart also treats snoring with laser and uses laser in cosmetic dentistry, e.g. smoothlase to treat wrinkles or liplase to give lips a fuller appearance. Read more information about laser dentistry at our office.
Yes, Dr. Hart performs biological tooth extractions.
No, we do not perform root canals.
Dr. Hart places only ceramic implants as they are biocompatible and are part of a precautionary philosophy of her practice rooted in a belief that anything metal in a patient’s mouth is suspicious until science irrevocably states otherwise.