Office Policies
Patient Forms
Please help us be prepared for your first appointment by completing this Patient Information and Medical History form. Download the form below (in either Word DOC or Acrobat PDF format) to your computer, print it out, complete the form, and bring it with you to your first appointment.
New Patient Form (Adult) [Acrobat PDF format]
New Patient Form (Child) [Acrobat PDF format]
If you're unable to read PDF files, you can download Acrobat Reader free from Adobe.
Your First Visit
At the first visit with Dr. Chang, diagnostic records may be taken to determine the best course of treatment. Complete diagnostic records typically include a medical/dental history, clinical examination, digital models of the teeth, photos of your face and teeth, and X-rays. This information is used to develop a custom treatment plan for each patient. These records are also helpful in tracking the progress of treatment as the teeth move under Dr. Chang's care.
Consultation
After the doctor has evaluated your records, we discuss your treatment with you in detail, including the cost for your particular case.
Regular Appointments
The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from one to two hours. You'll then see us at regular intervals 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment, which takes 20 to 40 minutes. Our regular office hours are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 8-5, Tuesdays 7-5, and Fridays 8-4. Patients are seen by appointment only. Please call in advance so that we may reserve a time for you. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency. If possible, please give us 24 hours notice. It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.
Payment & Office Policies
Cost
Dr. Chang creates a customized treatment program that uniquely addresses each patient’s individual needs. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit different budgets, including a no-down-payment option. We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
Fees
In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established this financial policy:
- If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount. (If you have insurance, we will offer a discount for payment of your portion of the fee that will not be covered by insurance.)
- To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months following an appropriate down payment.
- For your convenience, we accept payment by VISA and MASTERCARD.
- In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties.
Insurance
If you have insurance, we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. The balance will be arranged for you to pay (see above). Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf.
Emergency Care
We reserve a limited amount of time each day so that emergency patients may be scheduled quickly. If you have a problem requiring emergency treatment, please call us as early in the day as possible. Should you have an emergency after hours or on weekends, our 24-hour paging service can be reached by calling (661) 510-0546.