Special Report The Top Ten Things To Know Before Choosing Your Orthodontist by Dr. Thomas Bowen Bowen Orthodontics 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com
Table of Contents Introductory Letter from Dr. Thomas Bowen 2 1. Do They Have Extensive Experience? 3 2. Have They Been Recognized by Their Peers? 4 3. Do They Offer a Free New Patient Exam? 5 4. Do They Follow a Consultative Approach to Treatment? 6 5. Has the Staff Gone Through Extensive Customer Service Training? 7 6. Do They Respect Your Time? 8 7. Do They Give Back to Their Community? 9 8. Do They Accept Most Insurances? 10 9. Are Retainers Included in the Cost of Treatment? 11 10. Do They Offer Any Discounts? 12 11. Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options? 13 Closing Letter from Dr. Thomas Bowen 14 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 1
Introductory Letter From Dr. Thomas Bowen Dear Friend, My team and I at Bowen Orthodontics fi rmly believe that a patient s comfort and health is paramount to everything else. We also realize that what is right for one patient isn t necessarily the best choice for another. If you are currently searching for an orthodontist for yourself, your child, or another loved one, I hope this report helps you to identify your own priorities and questions to ask a potential new doctor. The authority and expertise that Bowen Orthodontics provides are signifi cant benefi ts of our practice, but what really sets us apart from other orthodontic offices is our passion for helping people. We provide our patients not only with reliable and top-quality orthodontics, but also with exceptional and honest care in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. In writing this report, I considered the advice I would give my own family if they lived too far for me to treat them myself. The questions I recommend asking are the ten most important characteristics to look for in a new orthodontist. When you fi nd an orthodontic offi ce that can provide everything I ve listed here, then you have likely found a care provider who can help you obtain your healthiest smile without straining your budget or causing you unnecessary discomfort. If you would like to know more about any of the information I ve included here, feel free to call my friendly and knowledgeable team at 573.240.9297. We are here for you! To Your Healthiest Smile, Dr. Thomas Bowen P.S. When you have finished this report, I invite you to schedule your free Bowen Orthodontics Smile Assessment, which includes a complete exam and comprehensive treatment consultation, by calling 573.240.9297 or visiting my website at www. BowenOrtho.com. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 2
Do They Have Extensive Experience? Your orthodontist s experience should top the list when it comes to finding a new care provider. When you choose a doctor who has already seen a wide variety of orthodontic needs, that means your orthodontist will likely have already treated a case similar to your own. That prior experience can help your orthodontist to foresee any potential risks or complications. With this knowledge and foresight, you can feel assured that your treatment recommendation is truly the best one for your situation. Dr. Thomas Bowen s significant knowledge and expertise has allowed him to obtain consistently successful results for his patients over the years. With Dr. Bowen overseeing your treatment, you not only gain the benefit of a fully trained and experienced orthodontist, but you also get the expertise of a doctor whose orthodontic training was informed by his prior years of practicing dentistry both in the military and in private practice. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 3
Have They Been Recognized by Their Peers? It s one thing for an orthodontist to be recommended by patients in the community. It s quite another if they come recommended by other orthodontists! After all, only someone who understands the intricacies of orthodontic medicine can truly appreciate the difference between a doctor who provides basic braces treatment and a doctor who can handle complex cases. Therefore, if you find a care provider whose expertise, talent, and experience has been recognized by other orthodontic experts, then you have found something special. Dr. Bowen is proud to be recognized by the national organization, Excellence in Orthodontics (EIO). EIO was founded to address the worrisome lack of guidance for people seeking quality orthodontic care. In addition to providing extensive educational materials on braces, Invisalign, and other orthodontic treatments, EIO offers free access to their elite database of recommended orthodontists throughout the country. This database includes only one orthodontist in any geographic region, and each orthodontist is selected to comply with the highest standards of clinical care and customer service. Dr. Bowen has the honor of being included in this highly selective list of the best orthodontists in the United States. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 4
Do They Offer a Free New Patient Exam? Many orthodontists offer new patients a complimentary examination and consultation, so you and your family can get expert advice about treatment needs, options, and timing before making this important investment. During your first free exam, make sure all your questions are being answered and your concerns addressed. You should be educated thoroughly about all of your treatment options. If an orthodontist only recommends one treatment, they should be able to explain why that is the only option and their answer shouldn t simply be because a treatment isn t available at their office. At Bowen Orthodontics, we happily offer all new patients our free initial Bowen Orthodontics Smile Assessment, which offers a comprehensive look at the health of your or your child s teeth while also evaluating your smile goals. During your assessment, Dr. Bowen will perform a thorough orthodontic exam and make some recommendations, but not without answering all of your questions first. Together, you and Dr. Bowen can decide on the course of action best suited to your or your loved one s unique needs. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 5
Do They Follow a Consultative Approach to Treatment? Sometimes when patients visit their healthcare provider, the doctor simply dictates to them what their treatment will be. This should not be your experience when you visit your orthodontist for braces, Invisalign, early intervention, or any other orthodontic treatment. During your initial exam and consultation with a new orthodontist, you should feel free to ask any question without being rushed through the process. In addition, your orthodontist should be able to provide you with a variety of treatment options to choose from and if there is only one available treatment, your provider should be able to explain the medical reason for that limitation. If you leave a new orthodontist s office with any lingering questions or doubts, then take the time to see another orthodontist for a second opinion. At our Rolla and St. Robert, MO, orthodontic offices, Dr. Thomas Bowen believes in taking a consultative approach with his patients. During your complimentary Bowen Orthodontics Smile Assessment and throughout the rest of your or your loved one s orthodontic treatment, Dr. Bowen will take the time to educate you on your treatment options. Then you will work together to choose the best path for your individual needs and wishes. At Bowen Orthodontics, we want you to feel confident that the treatment you and Dr. Bowen decide upon is truly the best option for you. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 6
Has the Staff Gone Through Extensive Customer Service Training? In any orthodontic practice, a well-educated team is important to the success of treatment and patient satisfaction. The staff s ability to relate to patients is critical, especially when it comes to children. As one of your initial questions about a potential practice, ask whether the staff undergoes customer service training regularly. Also take note of the staff during your initial visit. Are they happy and polite? Do they make you feel welcome? Do they appear to interact well with each other? When your orthodontist s team works well together, this can go a long way toward making the entire process fun, easy, and smooth for you. At Bowen Orthodontics, our team consists of highly-trained individuals who love to work together as much as they love helping you! Every team member undergoes extensive customer service training, as well. This allows us to offer a comfortable environment and provide you with friendly and professional service throughout your treatment. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 7
Do They Respect Your Time? When you find an orthodontic office that leaves you feeling cared for and at ease, that doesn t mean you want to spend all your time there! In researching a new orthodontist, therefore, consider how long a typical appointment time slot is and whether it leaves enough time for a thorough exam and any follow up questions you may have. When an orthodontist doesn t reserve enough time for each patient, appointments can end up running late. That translates to you having to stay in the waiting room for as long as an extra hour! Also ask your potential orthodontic office whether they offer treatment starts on the same day as your initial exam. The initial appointments reserved by some orthodontic offices offices are sometimes only long enough for the exam. Once you and the orthodontist decide upon a treatment, they then send you back to the front desk to schedule a new appointment on another day for the actual treatment start. Not only does this waste your time, it also means you have to pay for two appointments instead of just one. Our team at Bowen Orthodontics respects your time and your money. When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Thomas Bowen, you can count on virtually no wait times. We also reserve enough time in your appointment to start treatment on the same day as your initial exam, if that is what you choose. 573.364.0700 www.bowenortho.com 8
Do They Give Back to Their Community? When you choose a new orthodontic office, pay attention to whether they do anything to support their community as a whole. Community support can range from monetary donations to supporting local sports teams to providing free orthodontic care and more. By opting for treatment with a community-minded orthodontist, you don t only indirectly support your community yourself; you can also enjoy the added benefit of receiving treatment from an orthodontics provider who genuinely cares about other people. Our Bowen Orthodontics team loves to help our community as much as we enjoy taking care of our patients! That s why we frequently share our time and our resources with a variety of charitable causes. Here are some of the programs and organizations supported by our Rolla and St. Robert orthodontic offices: Smiles Change Lives Heart to Heart program at Phelps County Regional Hospital Local students and local school districts Rolla Chamber of Commerce In addition to the above, we also offer a $1000 scholarship to a high-performing student every year. Our Bowen Orthodontics Scholarship helps students offset the rising cost of college tuition. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 9
Do They Accept Most Insurances? Many people simply ask whether their potential orthodontist accepts their current insurance and stops there. Unfortunately, insurance coverage can easily change every few years. Perhaps your employer decides to go with a different insurance plan, or maybe you decide to change plans yourself. When this happens, it can be a hassle to suddenly discover that your orthodontic office doesn t accept your new insurance. At Bowen Orthodontics, we accept most insurances and will gladly file all insurance paperwork on your behalf. We will also work closely with your insurance company to ensure that you get the maximum benefits for your orthodontic care. We understand how frustrating insurance can be. Our goal is to simplify the process so that you can focus on what really matters your smile! At Bowen Orthodontics, we accept most insurances and will gladly file all insurance paperwork on your behalf. We will also work closely with your insurance company to ensure that you get the maximum benefits for your orthodontic care. We understand how frustrating insurance can be. Our goal is to simplify the process so that you can focus on what really matters your smile! 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 10
Are Retainers Included in the Cost of Treatment? Every orthodontic office has its own fee schedule, and doctors often charge differently for certain procedures. If you are pursuing braces or Invisalign treatment to straighten your teeth, always make sure your contract clearly states ALL treatment expenses before you begin. It is important to know exactly what you will be paying and exactly what it covers. One common cost that doesn t always get addressed at the beginning is the cost of your retainer. Since retainers are sometimes viewed as after-treatment care, you may not find out about retainer fees until the end of your treatment. Ask your potential braces or Invisalign provider what your retainer will cost, so you won t be caught off guard with another bill later. At Bowen Orthodontics, we know that retainers are an integral part of braces or Invisalign treatment, and we want you to maintain your newly straightened smile for years to come. That s why we include your retainer with the cost of your braces or Invisalign treatment. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 11
Do They Offer Any Discounts? Let s face it: orthodontic treatment can be costly. To help offset the cost of care, ask your potential orthodontist whether they offer any discounts on treatment. Discounts on orthodontic treatment can be particularly helpful if you have more than one family member who may be undergoing treatment within the next few years! Our Rolla and St. Robert orthodontic offices have numerous discounts to help make treatment more affordable. Here are some examples of the ways we help our patients save money Military Discount First Responder Discount Payment in Full Discount Discount for Multiple Family Members in Treatment Feel free to call our office and ask any of our friendly team members for more information on our orthodontic treatment discounts. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 12
Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options? Even though this report was titled The Top Ten Things You Should Know, I simply can t omit the importance of flexible payment options when you re seeking an orthodontist. That s why I ve included this here as a bonus question to ask while you do your research. While you certainly should never prioritize cost over quality when it comes to orthodontic care, this doesn t mean you shouldn t seek out an orthodontic office who is willing to help you make quality treatment affordable. Ask your potential orthodontic office whether they offer flexible payment plans with low or even no interest. Payment plans can make the difference between being able to afford treatment or not if you don t have insurance, or they can help you manage any remaining balance that your insurance company may not cover. At Bowen Orthodontics, we understand the importance of making care affordable. In addition to keeping our prices reasonable, accepting most insurances, and providing multiple discount options, we also offer in-house financing, including 0% interest monthly payment plans. The health of your smile is our priority when you come to see us, and we will do our best to ensure that you can afford the treatment you and your loved ones deserve. 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 13
Closing Letter from Dr. Thomas Bowen Dear Friend, I hope this report was informative! If you ve already seen another orthodontist, I encourage you to follow up with them with any new questions or concerns based on what you ve learned today. Additionally, I invite you to take advantage of our complimentary Bowen Orthodontics Smile Assessment whether it s for your first consultation or for a second opinion. At Bowen Orthodontics, we understand that there is much to consider when choosing an orthodontist. In fact, I m sure I could have doubled the length of this report! I m confident, however, that the information you have now will help you choose the right orthodontist for your needs. More importantly, please know that I and my staff are available to answer your questions and help you find the best options for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions for me or my team in Rolla or St. Robert, MO, feel free to call us at 573.240.9297, and we will be glad to answer any questions you may have. Sincerely, Dr. Thomas Bowen P.S. When you are ready, call 573.240.9297 to schedule your complimentary Bowen Orthodontics Smile Assessment, which includes a comprehensive exam and a personalized, educational treatment consultation with me a $250 value, yours free! 573.240.9297 www.bowenortho.com 14
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