Frequently Asked Questions

Monday – Thursday: 8AM – 4PM

One Friday per month: 8AM – 4PM

Please call our office at 250-595-3377 or e-mail us at reception@drbjornson.com to schedule your appointment today.

New patients are welcome. Our dental team always strives for a warm and welcoming experience. In fact, the majority of our new patients find us through referral by our existing patients. It is the greatest compliment when a patient extends an invitation to our office to friends and family, as this demonstrates the assurance that they had a great experience with us. Most importantly, it reflects trust in the dental care we provide.
To enable our New Patient Coordinator the opportunity to schedule your new patient appointment, please complete the New Patient Form and scan and e-mail it to us drbjornson@drbjornson.com , fax it to 250.595.4884 or hand deliver the form to our office.
To ensure patient care remains premiere, there are a limited number of new patient appointments available in our Practice. If we are not able to accommodate you, as an alternative option please click on bcdental.org/YourDentalHealth , the BC Dental Association, and click on “Find A Dentist” to identify all Dentist’s in Victoria that are accepting new patients.

As a new guest of our practice we would like to reserve 1 hour of time with each patient in order for a comprehensive exam of your mouth to be completed and ensure any questions or concerns are addressed regarding your oral health.
A separate appointment will be scheduled for you to be seen by a member of our Hygiene Team and your teeth will be cleaned in addition to x-rays being updated. Teeth cleaning is the removal of dental plaque and tartar from teeth to prevent cavities (dental caries), gingivitis, and periodontitis. X-rays and teeth cleaning are part of a complete program of oral hygiene that is required in order to become a new patient at our Practice.
We look forward to welcoming you to our practice and being given the opportunity to exceed your expectations of what a dental experience is all about!
NOTE: As courtesy to our new patients, we would like to communicate that each New Patient Exam is subject to a $50.00 – $85.00 consultation fee. We like to pro-actively provide this information as the fee is not covered under most insurance plans.

With your comfort in mind we suggest arriving at our office 15 minutes prior to your appointment. You may be asked to complete or update a medical history form or update your insurance information. Out of respect for our patients we do our very best to run on-time and a late-arrival will lessen treatment benefits.

If you are an existing patient of Dr. John’s please call our office as soon as you determine that you have a dental emergency. We will be glad to work you in to our schedule if you have a dental emergency during regular business hours. After hours, over the weekend and during holidays please call our office for instructions at 250-595-3377.

If you are not an existing patient of Dr. John’s please click on bcdental.org the BC Dental Association and then click on “Find A Dentist” – then click on Dental Emergencies to obtain information relating to Dental Emergencies.

A missed dental appointment presents problems for us both. For you, a missed dental appointment causes a delay in treatment that was recommended to help improve your dental health. If you need to cancel an appointment please call our office two full business days’ in advance at 250.595.3377 or e-mail us at reception@drbjornson.com.
Failure to cancel or re-schedule the appointment within 2 full business days of the scheduled appointment time will result in a fee for a missed appointment. This fee will not be submitted to the health plan; it will be charged to the patient. There will be a charge of $37.50 per 30 minutes of scheduled time for a broken appointment or cancellation with less than two business days’ notice of your appointment.
_____________
A “missed appointment” is an occurrence where someone does not show up for an appointment and does not cancel the appointment in advance of the scheduled date and time. If you do not show up for your appointment and you do not cancel the appointment two business days in advance, we will record this in the dental record as a “missed appointment” and a fee will be applied to the account.
A fee of $37.50 per 30 minutes based on the scheduled appointment time will be applied for missed or cancelled appointments without two full business days’ notice. Our office business hours are Monday -Thursday 8am-4pm and Friday’s as scheduled. Please be advised that some fees for appointments missed or cancelled are higher based on the length and nature of the appointment, where treatment is complex or involves laboratory work a charge will be made as detailed on the treatment plan.

A “missed appointment” is an occurrence where someone does not show up for an appointment and does not cancel the appointment in advance of the scheduled date and time. If you do not show up for your appointment and you do not cancel the appointment 2 business days in advance, we will record this in the dental record as a “missed appointment” and a fee will be applied to the account.

Please be advised that some fees for appointments missed or cancelled are higher based on the length and nature of the appointment, where treatment is complex or involves laboratory work a charge will be made as detailed on the treatment plan.

Most importantly, to prevent serious health problems. New research indicates that tooth decay and gum disease are related to much more serious health issues such as heart disease, oral cancer, and diabetes. Through scheduled visits, we will assess and track the changes in your oral health so that you will always have the peace of mind of a clean and healthy mouth. A few other things to consider:

Whiter teeth: We all want that beautiful white smile. Preventative oral exams and cleanings will ensure that you maintain the brightness of your teeth.

Stronger teeth: Diligent care of your teeth means that they will be less susceptible to tooth decay and suffer from fewer cavities, which in turn means fewer fillings in your future. We find that this always makes our patients happy!

Avoid tooth loss: Early diagnosis increases your options for avoiding serious tooth decay problems and decreases the risk of bone and tooth loss. Left too long, the only treatment solution for a tooth ache may be a root canal or extraction! Our hope is to address the problem while they are still small and easy to fix, saving you the grief of dental pain and the costs of bridges or dental implants to lost teeth.

Fresh Breath: Bad breath (Halitosis) is embarrassing and can make you severely self-conscious. Good dental hygiene and regular check-ups can help eliminate this frustrating problem and has been found to assist in career advancement and success in social situations.
Whether it is a specific exam to address a specific tooth or concern, a consultation with regards to smile improvements, or a comprehensive evaluation to explore and plan the reconstruction of your bite, a check-up with Dr. John is the cornerstone of predictable and comfortable dentistry.

If we catch the problem early, we can minimize the damage to your tooth, to your heath, to your smile, and to your wallet.

Dental x-rays are important diagnostic and preventative tools that provide valuable information about your oral health. Many problems cannot be seen seen in a regular dental examination. Digital (or electronic) radiographs help us safely and accurately detect hidden problems and propose an accurate treatment plan. For example, a cavity can be detected before it reaches the nerve and causes pain. This can eliminate the need for a root canal.

Compared to traditional dental x-rays, digital x-rays produce a significantly lower level of radiation. In addition to reducing your time in the dental chair, they are safer, faster and more comfortable to take. We follow universal precautions by only taking those x-rays that are necessary, and using lead apron shields to protect the body.

DENTAL X-RAYS MAY REVEAL:
• Decay (cavities) between the teeth
• Abscess and infection
• Bone loss leading to periodontal disease
• Poor tooth and root positions
• Inner tooth and below-the-gum problems
• Tumors and developmental defects

Contrary to popular belief, our dental team does not know which dental procedures are covered under your plan, and which are not. Your dental plan is a contract between you and your insurance carrier. You, the patient, are responsible for educating yourself about such things as –

+ procedures that are covered by your plan

+ to what extent or percentage of the actual cost they are covered

+ annual maximums in your plan

Dental insurance carriers consider the details of your plan to be private since the Privacy Act was introduced in 2004, and will no longer release information about your plan to a dentist or our dental office staff.

In order to avoid gum disease Dr. John can perform your regular exam and our Hygiene Team clean your teeth to remove plaque, the disease-causing biofilm that builds up on your teeth and can harden into tartar. Brushing and flossing instruction and explanations about your oral health needs will also be provided during your visit.

The brightest pearl of wisdom we can offer is to “floss first” (BEFORE you brush) and floss gently with unwaxed floss that resists shredding.

There are implements available to help you reach back teeth. After flossing, brush and rinse thoroughly so bacteria can’t enjoy any leftovers caught between your teeth while you sleep. This will make bacteria less likely to secrete acids that cause decay.

Bone loss in the jaw will always follow the loss of a tooth and can cause facial changes, speech changes and diet changes. Successfully placed dental implants cause the bone to grow around the anchor and firmly hold it in place. Dental implants can restore normal eating and speaking abilities, increase denture retention and enhance facial appearance.

Why do I have to pay at the time of service?

As a courtesy to our patients, we will gladly process your insurance claim forms. Our responsibility is to provide you with the treatment that best meets your needs, not to try to match your care to insurance plan limitations. Therefore, when a service has been provided, it is the patient’s responsibility to pay estimated portions at the time of service. Patients without insurance must pay in full at time of service.

CEREC is a method used by thousands of dentists worldwide since 1987 not only to replace fillings, but also to restore any tooth that is decayed, weakened, broken, etc. to its natural strength and beauty. Better yet, it’s done with all-ceramic materials that are tooth colored in a single appointment!

What is CEREC? CEREC is an acronym…

• Chairside: The technology is in the dental operatory and used while you are in the chair.

• Economical: The procedure is economical for both dentist and patient.

• Restorations: The procedure restores your tooth to its natural beauty, function, and strength.

• Esthetic: The restorations are metal-free and tooth-colored.

• Ceramic: High-strength ceramics are used that are close in composition to your natural tooth structure.

Yes. We accept many types of dental insurance and will process your claim for you upon receipt of your co-payment. We accept cash, most major credit cards, including Visa, Master Card, American Express, debit cards and offer Dental Card financing. (www.dentalcard.ca)

Yes! For Dr. John’s 23 years in practice the office has consistently offered Friday’s as a scheduling option. Based on patient feedback, Dr. John’s current Friday schedule is one Friday a month.