General Dentistry

At Smile Designs of Long Island, one of the tenets of our practice is the importance of patient education. We understand that sometimes treatment recommendations can seem scary, confusing, or complicated. We encourage our patients to ask questions, and we always allow enough time to go over every possibility.

When we recommend a specific treatment to you, we will provide a full discussion of advantages and any disadvantages. We will take our time to explain not only the treatment under discussion but other options, if they are available. We will never force a specific treatment; the final decision is yours and yours alone.

It is important to us that you make an informed decision that you feel completely comfortable with.

If cost of treatment is a concern, we can also go over your insurance benefits to find out what kind of coverage you can expect. We are also happy to offer payment options, including third-party financing, and we can discuss that with you as well.

It is important that our patients receive needed treatment to protect their oral health, and our goal is to work with you so that you can receive it—and feel confident that it is the right treatment for you!

“Will my procedure hurt?” is a question we hear all the time.

We understand! We don’t particularly enjoy the time when we have to sit in the dental chair either. That is foremost in our minds when we are treating patients, and you will be pleasantly surprised to discover that we have a few tricks up our sleeves when it comes to making sure you are comfortable in the chair.

We want your visit to be comfortable, and that means we do what we can to ensure that your time in the dental chair is as free of stress and pain as possible. If you are getting a local anesthetic, we will apply a numbing agent to your gums beforehand so you won’t feel it. This will ensure you are comfortable for the entire procedure. The only thing you will experience is a bit of noise, perhaps some pressure, and a little spray from the water.

Another thing we find that is helpful for our patients is that we are very clear on exactly what your treatment will entail. Knowledge is power—and we do what we can to make sure you are educated on any procedures before they happen.

When we recommend a specific treatment to you, we will go over all the financial ramifications of that treatment at the same time. We will take our time to explain not only the treatment but also your options in paying for it. It is important to us that our patients keep healthy smiles for life. We want to help protect your oral health, so we will work with you to help you get the treatment you need.

Depending on the extent of treatment you need, we offer in-house financing as well as third-party financing via CareCredit. Our staff will work with you on both of these.

We accept most dental insurances, including Aetna, Ameritas, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, CSEA, Daniel H. Cook, Delta Dental, Eastern Dental Plan, Emblem Health, Empire, Fitzharris, GHI, Guardian, Healthplex, JJ Stanis, Liberty, Metlife, Newman, Oxford, Principal, Prudential, SIDS, Sun Life, United Concordia, and United Healthcare.

Insurance can be complicated! Trying to figure out the red tape involved while you are also feeling anxious about the dental treatment you need can be stressful. Our knowledgeable staff is happy to answer any questions you might have as well as to go over your benefits and help figure out what kind of coverage you’ll receive.

We also accept cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express for all treatment.

We usually start seeing children around the age of two. Even though baby teeth are temporary, keeping them healthy throughout childhood is important.

One of the most important aspects of having children come to the dentist at such an early age is that they can become familiar with the sights and sounds of the dentist's office. When they grow accustomed to visiting the dentist when they are very young, children tend to have little or no anxiety about visiting the dentist later in life when they are adults.

We also encourage parents to bring their little ones into the dentist when they come in for their own teeth cleaning and examinations. Again, this serves to help make the dental office a familiar place for children. We spend time introducing children to the staff, the hygienists, and the dentists so they can get comfortable.

We enjoy ensuring your child has a fun, pleasant experience. We also offer small prizes and stickers that are a favorite among our youngest patients!

Our goal is to create good oral health habits in your children that will serve them well for the rest of their lives!