Patient Information
New Patients
Welcome to Seaview Dental at Stafford! We look forward to providing you with exceptional dental service, outstanding care and superior results. Your initial appointment with our dental team will include reviewing your medical and dental history.
If you would like to print and fill out your new patient registration form you can download the form here. Or complete the online form before your first visit.
Please bring a list of all medications you are presently taking and let our dentist know if you have any medical conditions (diabetes, high blood pressure, artificial heart valves or joints, rheumatic fever, etc.)
If you have medical or dental insurance, please bring the necessary cards and/or completed forms, as well as any x-rays if applicable.
All Patients
IMPORTANT: All patients under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
In order to provide our patients with the best dental care possible, our entire team follows procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Some of these measures include:
- Sterilization of all equipment before every use
- Disinfectant hand soap
- Gloves, eye protection and face masks
- Disposable materials
- Chemical disinfection of countertops and surfaces
Emergency Dentist Treatment
If you have a dental problem requiring emergency treatment, please call any of our offices immediately. If an emergency arises at a time other than our regular office hours, you will be directed to our answering service, which is in direct contact with a dentist on call. We will arrange for treatment as quickly as possible. Some examples that would warrant an immediate phone call to an emergency dentist include a knocked out tooth, a suddenly loose tooth, chipped or broken tooth, or any sort of severe infection. The sooner you get in, the more likely it is that we can save the tooth, so call us right away.
Financials and Privacy
INSURANCE INFORMATION
As a courtesy, we will complete and file insurance forms relative to your dental services. However, unlike medical insurance, dental insurance usually does not cover 100% of the charges incurred.
We will be happy to estimate the benefits allowable under your policy to the best of our knowledge. Whenever insurance requires a predetermination of benefits before the work is started, we will submit to the insurance company a treatment sequence with charges so that you will be completely aware of your coverage.
Please note that you need to provide us with an insurance card and/or form along with all subscriber and patient information for each family member.
During the course of treatment, you will receive monthly statements regardless of your insurance coverage. You will be expected to begin payment on the projected balance at the time treatment begins.
If you have any questions, please call any of our offices.
INSURANCE PARTICIPATION (PPO ONLY)
Insurance Name
In/Out of Network
- AETNA MEDICARE
- AETNA PPO
In Network
In Network
In Network
- ALL STATES
- PPO
In Network
In Network
In Network
In Network
- HORIZON DENTAL OPTION
- HORIZON FAMILY GRINS
- BRAVEN HEALTH
- ANY HORIZON PPO
In Network
We do not participate in HORIZON DENTAL CHOICE
In Network (Medicare Only)
In Network
In Network
In Network
In Network
In Network
In Network
In Network
FINANCIAL POLICY
Payment is expected at the time of service. We accept cash, check, VISA, American Express, MasterCard or Discover Card. Monthly billed accounts are payable in full upon receipt.
All three offices are participating members of Care Credit, Horizon BCBS, Delta Dental of NJ, and MetLife. In addition, Aetna, Guardian, and Sun Life insurance are accepted at Century Dental and Seaview Dental Stafford. Some Cigna plans are accepted at Century Dental. United Concordia and Principal are accepted at Seaview Dental Stafford.
Pre- and Post- Op Patient Instructions
PRE-OP PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS
Please eat a full breakfast if your appointment is in the morning. If you are taking blood thinners, please be sure to inform our dentist office. Also, if you have been advised by your physician or dentist to use antibiotic premedication because of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), heart murmur, hip or cardiac prosthesis, or rheumatic heart disease, please call our dentist office for instructions before the day of your scheduled visit.
Please bring a list of all medications you are taking. At each visit to one of our New Jersey dental clinics, report any changes in your health status.
POST-OP PATIENT INSTRUCTIONS
(Care of the Mouth after Extractions, Implants and Other Surgical Procedures)
PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY AND FOLLOW THEM CLOSELY
Following your dental treatment procedure, our goal is to help you through the healing period with as little discomfort as possible. If needed, your dentist will outline additional post-op care instructions. But in general, most patients should do as follows:
1. BLEEDING
Some bleeding is to be expected on the first or second day following a surgical procedure. Blood may ooze and mix with saliva and look like a lot of bleeding. It is not. It is important not to spit or rinse the day of surgery.
To help control bleeding, keep a wet gauze pad over the area with biting pressure. Change the gauze pad every 30 minutes until there are no signs of bleeding.
2. RINSING
On the day following surgery, gently rinse your mouth with 2 teaspoons of baking soda dissolved in a glass of warm water. You may also use Peridex mouthwash dissolved in warm water. Repeat this up to 5 times a day. Resume brushing your teeth the day after surgery. Be careful in the area of the operation.
3. SWELLING
Swelling around the surgical area may follow certain procedures. This is the body’s normal reaction. Apply ice to the area on and off for the first 24 hours. Ice can also be applied by sucking on some ice chips 15 minutes on and 15 minutes off for the first 24 hours.
4. TRISMUS
Trismus is muscle stiffness and soreness that limits movement of the jaw. It can be minimized by gently stretching your mouth every hour or so, trying to open a little further each time. You can begin opening and closing 2 hours after surgery.
5. DIET AND REST
Rest and nourishment are essential for normal healing. Avoid all strenuous activity for the first day. Elevate your head on two pillows when lying down. Drink plenty of liquids; eat a soft diet at first and more solid food as tolerated. Avoid chewing in the surgical area. Small but frequent meals may be easier to handle than a few larger meals. Since you will be taking medication, it is very important that you eat to prevent nausea. Avoid smoking for one week, and do not drink alcoholic beverages while on medications.
6. NAUSEA
Some patients may experience nausea or vomiting following surgery. This may be due to taking medications on an empty stomach or a normal reaction to the anesthetics used during surgery. Drinking small amounts of ginger ale or cola can be helpful.
7. PAIN CONTROL
For mild discomfort take the usual dosage of over-the-counter pain medication. For more severe pain take the prescribed medication following the directions on the label. Take all medications with food unless instructed otherwise. If you experience incredibly severe pain or nausea following treatment, be sure to get in contact with your local dentist or a medical professional.
8. SKIN DISCOLORATION
Some black and blue skin discoloration may occur at the surgical site. This is a normal reaction and will resolve of its own accord in a week or so.
9. STITCHES
Dissolving sutures may have been placed to minimize postoperative discomfort. Please do not forcefully pull your lips or cheeks away to inspect the surgical site.
10. PARASTHESIA
Occasionally after extractions of lower teeth, some numbness of the lower jaw or tongue may occur for a variable period of time. This almost always disappears over time.
11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Three to five days following an extraction you may develop a bad taste, sore throat, earache, and/or severe pain. If these symptoms continue for more than one day, please notify the dentist’s office.
Occasionally after oral surgery, a tiny bone sliver works its way through the gums. This may cause a sharp sensation at the site of your surgery. If this becomes a problem, please call the office.
Your other teeth may ache temporarily. This is called sympathetic pain and goes away.
If the corners of your mouth are stretched they may dry and crack. Keep your lips moist with Vaseline or ointment.
You may have a slight elevation of temperature for 24 to 48 hours. This is especially true if there was an infection present. If the temperature continues, notify the dentist’s office.
12. SOFT DIET SUGGESTIONS
Eggs, Yogurt, Fruit Juices, Applesauce, Pastina, Mashed Potatoes, Cottage Cheese, Pancakes, Broiled Fish, Jell-O, Bananas, Pudding, Tuna, Oatmeal.