Practice Policies

These general policies help Gentle Dentistry of Poway provide safe, organized, and respectful care. A signed treatment plan, consent form, financial agreement, privacy notice, or other practice document may contain additional terms that apply to a specific patient or procedure.

Appointments and scheduling

Please arrive on time and provide accurate contact information. Appointment length is reserved based on the expected type of care. Tell the office in advance when the reason for the visit changes or when you have new pain, swelling, illness, medication changes, or other concerns.

If you need to reschedule, provide as much notice as possible. Late cancellations and missed appointments make it difficult to offer care to other patients.

Late arrivals

Late arrival may reduce the time available or require rescheduling when the planned treatment cannot be completed safely and properly. Call the office when you expect to be late.

Minors and consent

A parent or legal guardian must provide required consent for treatment of a minor. The practice may require the guardian to remain available during the appointment. Custody or authorization documents may be requested when relevant.

Medical and dental information

Patients are responsible for providing complete and accurate health history, medication, allergy, pregnancy, physician, and dental information. Notify the office when anything changes.

Treatment consent

The dentist explains the diagnosis, recommended treatment, reasonable alternatives, expected benefits, material risks, and likely consequences of no treatment. Patients are encouraged to ask questions before signing consent.

A treatment plan may change when new clinical information is discovered or the condition changes.

Insurance estimates

Insurance verification and pre-treatment estimates are not guarantees. The insurance company determines final benefits. Patients are responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, exclusions, limitations, non-covered services, and unpaid balances.

• Insurance & Financial Information

Payment

Payment expectations should be reviewed before treatment. Patients are responsible for understanding the estimate and asking questions.

Emergency care

Call the office for urgent dental concerns. Severe facial swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, uncontrolled bleeding, major facial trauma, or other life-threatening symptoms require immediate emergency services.

• Dental Emergencies

Prescriptions and medication requests

Prescriptions are provided only when clinically appropriate and legally permitted. The dentist may require an examination before prescribing or renewing medication. Take medication exactly as directed and report allergies or adverse reactions.

Records and privacy

Dental records are handled according to applicable privacy and record-retention requirements. Written authorization may be required to release records. Secure methods should be used for protected health information.

• Privacy Policy

Electronic communication

Email, text messages, voicemail, and online forms may have privacy limitations. Do not use the general website form for detailed medical information, urgent symptoms, or emergencies.

Patients may receive appointment reminders or other communications according to their consent and practice settings.

Photography and media

Clinical photographs may be used for diagnosis and treatment documentation. Separate written authorization is required before identifiable patient images or information are used for marketing, education, or social media.

Respectful environment

Patients, visitors, and staff are expected to communicate respectfully. Threatening, discriminatory, abusive, or unsafe conduct may lead to limits on non-emergency services, consistent with applicable ethical and legal obligations.