 
over a number of years, experienced both the advantages and disadvantages of third party coverage - dental insurance. We would like to briefly address the issue of insurance coverage, and how it relates to the Doctor-Patient relationship and the concept of obtaining and maintaining Optimal Dental health.
Traditionally, the Doctor-Patient relationship has been intimately personal and full of trust. In its purest form, we believe this provides the optimal level of dental care to the patient. Dental insurance coverage is most definitely a benefit financially, and allows many patients to pursue treatment that they otherwise could not have pursued at all, or at the same pace.
However, there is a negative aspect to dental insurance, at least in our view. The insurance company's primary interest or concern is their financial well-being. The welfare of the patient is not. The professional opinion of the Doctor is not always considered. It is a fact that a third party, with little or no interest in the clinical well being of the patient, has then inserted themselves into the Doctor-Patient relationship.
Our treatment recommendations are based on professional training, expertise, and experience. The treatment we recommend to you is that which we consider to be in your best interest, regardless of whether insurance is involved or not, and also regardless of whether the insurance company is willing to pay on that particular procedure or not.
Insurance companies pay on dental services based on premiums, contracts, and exclusions. These are important business considerations for them, but have nothing at all to do with quality dental care.
Lack of insurance coverage for a given service is in no way an indicator of the value of appropriateness of the treatment!
We are committed to aiding you in obtaining whatever insurance benefits are available to you from your dental carrier. But we hasten to stress that the relationship, personal understanding, and dental contract is between Doctor and Patient. The insurance company should indeed remain a distant observer. It is also important to keep in mind that insurance estimates of coverage are simply that... estimates that are often times very accurate but are occasionally erroneous. The financial obligation is yours personally; with the insurance company assisting to the degree they are able. If you have conflicts concerning insurance coverage, please take them up with your insurance carrier directly.
At Adlard Dental, we have chosen to not associate ourselves with Managed Care, HMO, or other insurance options that are becoming more prevalent today. We are currently Preferred Providers for some of the largest PPO organizations but are considering limiting our
participation with them over the next few years. It is our personal opinion that these plans tend to limit treatment and treatment options, restrict discussions between Doctor and patient, and otherwise decrease your ability to pursue quality dental care and Optimum Dental Health. If you, as our patient, ever have a question about your dental insurance plan, or a new plan that is being offered to you, please do not hesitate to ask for our personal opinion as to its effect on our relationship and common goals.
Your personal dental well being, your happiness as you progress into your senior years, and your personal Optimal Dental Health for Life Strategy are our sole focus. Let's strive to meet the challenge of those goals together!
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