Franklin Periodontics
Don D. Franklin, D.D.S., M.S.
Patient Information
Welcome to Franklin Periodontics
Welcome to our practice website. We congratulate you on taking the first step toward better periodontal health. Please utilize this website as a resource. It will help you better understand your course of treatment and answer any questions related to periodontal therapy.
Dr. Franklin is a specialist in periodontics and implantology. We specialize in conservative and surgical treatment of gum disease including laser periodontal therapy, cosmetic procedures to aesthetically enhance your smile, as well as dental implants that can replace single or multiple missing teeth.
Although no one likes to go to the doctor or dentist, we strive to make your visits with us as comfortable and pleasant as possible.
We strongly believe that our patient’s comfort is an important part of quality dental care.
Dr. Franklin believes that your right to choose a dentist is an important freedom. We work closely with your dentist, but a referral by a dentist is not required to visit our office. We also welcome referrals from patients and friends of the practice.
We are extraordinarily proud of our staff, which is comprised of caring and dedicated professionals. They ensure that the patient's surgical and administrative needs are met as efficiently and smoothly as possible.
Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. We are here to listen to your questions and concerns and to help provide solutions leading to your better health. Please don't hesitate to e-mail us if you have any questions regarding your care, or call us at (704) 841-2802. Our fax number is (704) 841-9503
What Is A Periodontist?
A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal (gum) disease and in the placement and maintenance of dental implants. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school.
By choosing a specialist you will benefit from the latest procedures for treating periodontal disease and placing dental implants tailored to your needs. In addition, they can perform cosmetic periodontal procedures to help you achieve the smile you desire.
First Visit
Please assist us at the time of your initial visit to the office by providing the following information:
- Your referral slip and x-rays from your referring dentist.
- A list of medications you are currently taking (please note that you can fill out your patient registration and medical history form on our website.)
- If you have dental insurance, please bring any forms or insurance cards with you to the appointment.
Please Note: All patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation appointment. - Please notify the office if you have a medical condition or concern prior to surgery (e.g. artificial heart valves or joints, heart murmurs requiring pre-medication, severe diabetes, or hypertension).
We will complete an in-depth medical and dental health history and a thorough examination to measure for bone loss, loose teeth, bite, oral cancer screening, TMJ, and other signs of periodontal disease.
Will It Hurt?
We will be as gentle as possible. The periodontal exam can be completed with little or no discomfort.
Do I Need X-Rays?
We will need current periodontal x-rays in order to see disease not otherwise visible. If your referring dentist has taken x-rays, you may request that they be forwarded to us.
What Will It Cost?
Since all patients are different, your periodontist must complete your examination before establishing your treatment plan and the fee for care. The fee for periodontal treatment can vary considerably depending on the type of problems and the complexity and length of treatment. An approximate fee can usually be determined at the initial visit; but on occasion, some initial treatment or further diagnostics must be completed before the final treatment plan can be established. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain optimum treatment goals.
Will My Insurance Cover The Cost?
Dental insurance policies often cover periodontal treatment. Please bring all medical and dental benefit information and cards to your examination appointment. Upon request, we will submit a claim to predetermine your insurance benefits; however, this is not required by most treatment plans.
Will I Need Surgery?
Not everyone needs periodontal surgery. If treated early, gum disease can be controlled without surgery. We will make recommendations based on your individual situation. Our philosophy of practice is to treat as conservatively as possible to attain treatment goals.
Can My Teeth Be Saved?
The recent advances in periodontal treatment allow us to successfully treat most teeth.
When Will I Go Back To My General Dentist?
Our office and your dentist will work closely together. If crowns and fillings are needed your dentist will provide them. Regular visits to your dentist are an important part of periodontal maintenance.
What If I Don't Have Gum Treatment?
Periodontal disease is a progressive, usually painless infection. Delay can cause you further bone loss and more expense. If your teeth are lost, dentures are never as effective as your own teeth.
Scheduling
Dr. Franklin is available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We will schedule your appointment as promptly as possible. Please allow approximately (60) minutes for your initial visit. If you have pain or an emergency situation, every attempt will be made to see you that day.
We try to stay on schedule to minimize waiting at the time of your appointment. Referral of emergency patients can cause delays to the schedule, and your understanding and patience are very much appreciated.
Financial Information
Our doctor and staff are proud to be a team whose primary mission is to deliver the finest and most comprehensive periodontal services available today. We are concerned about your dental care and want to ensure you that it is performed in the most responsible manner. In order to assist you with the investment in your dental health, we have outlined our payment policy.
Payment is due in full at the time of service. For your convenience, we accept cash, personal checks, and Debit/ATM, VISA, MasterCard, Discover Card, and American Express.
For those individuals desiring a more flexible payment plan after the initial visit, we offer financing through CareCredit.
If you have any problems or questions, please ask our staff. They are well informed and up-to-date. They can be reached by phone at (704) 841-2802 or by fax at (704) 841-9503. Our office location is 1408-A Orchard Lake Drive, Charlotte, NC 28270. Please call if you have any questions or concerns regarding your initial visit.
Insurance Information
In order to better serve our patients we are currently in network with the following insurance plans: Ameritas, Delta Dental, Guardian, Humana, Met Life, and Principal.
Our insurance coordinator deals with many different insurance companies both in and out of network. Some companies offer many different dental plans. These companies can change benefits, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles many times throughout the year. We do our best to provide you with accurate coverage estimates based on information available to us. At times, it is almost impossible to accurately estimate a patient’s insurance benefits. As a courtesy, we ask that you keep us informed of any change to your dental insurance. It is very important that all information about you and your insurance is current.
For our patients that participate in the above mentioned insurance plans:
If we are given your insurance information at least one day before your appointment, we can estimate your exam and x-ray benefits before your first appointment with us. Any further treatment needs discussed during this initial appointment that are over $300.00 or are not part of our fee schedule will need to be sent to your insurance company for a pre-treatment estimate. This process usually takes between one and two weeks. Once we receive a response from your insurance company, we will contact you to discuss the payment breakdown of the estimate and set up an appointment for treatment. Please remember that this is only an estimate and your insurance company ultimately decides the benefit amount. If for some reason your pre-treatment estimate was denied our insurance coordinator will be happy to discuss payment options with you.
For our patients that do not participate in the above mentioned plans:
We do not always have access to out of network fee schedules and assignment of benefit polices for insurance companies out of our network. In this case we ask that the patient be responsible for their initial visit. We will provide an insurance claim for the patient to file or in some cases we can file the claim electronically and the insurance payment will go directly to the patient. Any further treatment needs discussed during this initial appointment that are over $300.00: As a courtesy we will accept the estimated coinsurance and will be happy to bill the insurance company for the remainder however any remaining balance not paid by the insurance becomes the patient’s responsibility and method of payment must be secured with our insurance coordinator before treatment can begin.
For our patients without insurance:
We do offer payment arrangements. This requires a credit card which is kept securely on file in our office that will be billed according to the monthly arrangement mutually agreed upon. The maximum time not exceed 4 months. For our patients that would like more flexibility, we offer the “Care Credit” program that allows patients to make payments between 6 and twelve months. Patients can apply over the phone, internet or by mail. At this time the program is offering a zero percent incentive. (Please see the Care Credit link on the home page).
Privacy Policy
This form, Patient Privacy Practices, presents the information that federal law requires us to give our patients regarding our privacy practices.
This notice is a pdf document which requires the Adobe Reader software. You most likely already have this software on your computer. However, if you have difficulty reading the notice, please click here to install Acrobat Reader.
1408-A Orchard Lake Dr. • Charlotte, NC 28270
704-841-2802 • Fax: 704-841-9503