Ask us anything.
Really.
The questions people whisper, or are too embarrassed to say out loud. Here they are — answered as plainly and honestly as we can manage.
Being scared
No. Truly. Most of our patients hadn't been to a dentist in a long time before they found us — that's the entire reason this practice exists. There's no lecture, no raised eyebrow, and no note in a file that says you should have come sooner.
It's not a problem, it's useful information. Tell us on the first call and we'll plan around it — a quiet time of day, sedation ready to go, extra minutes booked. We've never met a fear we had to turn away.
Then we stop. You raise a hand and everything pauses — no questions, no talking you out of it. You can sit up, leave the room, come back tomorrow, or not come back at all. Panicking is allowed here.
It's incredibly common and nothing to apologise for. There are positions, techniques, and a little sedation that turn it into a non-issue. We'll quietly find what works for you.
Money & insurance
You'll know every price before anything happens, and “nothing today” is always on the menu. For larger work we offer payment plans, and we'll always be straight about what's genuinely urgent versus what can safely wait.
We work with most PPO plans and file the claims for you. Bring your card to the first visit — or just tell us the carrier on the phone and we’ll check it before you ever come in.
Plenty of our patients don’t. Ask about our in-house membership: a flat yearly fee that covers your cleanings and check-ups and takes a meaningful cut off everything else. No networks, no paperwork.
No. The number you agree to is the number you pay. We don't do after-the-fact charges, and we never start anything that wasn't in the written estimate without asking you first.
The visits
We talk — sitting up, fully clothed, no instruments in sight. We learn your history and what worries you, then plan the next step together, only if you want one. It’s free, and it takes about 45 minutes. Read the full walk-through
For most people, twice a year — but we'll talk about your mouth specifically rather than reciting a rule at you. If once a year is what you can manage, we'll work with that.
Just yourself. A list of any medications is helpful if it’s handy, and your insurance card if you have one — but please don’t turn the house over looking. We can sort the rest.
We're set up specifically for nervous adults, so we don't see young children — but we're glad to recommend a gentle family practice nearby.
Comfort & sedation
Three, broadly: laughing gas to take the edge off (you drive yourself home fine), a calming pill for deeper relaxation, and IV sedation where you’ll remember almost nothing. We walk through the trade-offs and the cost of each.
We take real trouble over this part — numbing gel first, then the slowest, steadiest hand we can manage. Most people are surprised they missed it. It's the bit we're quietly proudest of.
Yes — every single time. A raised hand pauses everything instantly. Knowing you can stop is very often the thing that lets people start.
Getting here & logistics
148 Birch Row, in Southeast Portland. There’s street parking right on Birch, and the 15 bus stops a block away on Belmont.
Monday through Thursday, 8am to 4pm. We keep Fridays for the free community clinic and for emergencies.
Call us at (503) 555-0142. We hold same-week slots for pain and emergencies, and we’ll talk you through what to do in the meantime.
Just book — you don't need to do anything beforehand. With your okay, we'll request your records and X-rays from your previous office, so you never have to make that awkward call yourself.
Didn't see your question?
Ask us directly — there's no such thing as a silly one, and you'll always reach a real person.