Preferred Providers

Foothills Oral Surgery is the Preferred Provider of oral surgery, wisdom teeth and dental implants for many area employers. No matter where you live or work, we’re close to one of our convenient offices in Hickory, Lincolnton and Statesville.

Practice Information

Your First Visit

Our practice has grown because of our patient’s kind referrals. We encourage you to recommend our practice to your family and friends. We always have time to care for a new patient. If you have been referred by your dentist, he or she will promptly receive a letter outlining our findings and the course of treatment. We encourage you to return to your dentist after our specialized care is complete.

During your initial visit, the doctor will conduct a thorough examination of your mouth, teeth and jaws. A special panoramic x-ray will be made. This x-ray may not be necessary if you have had x-rays made within the last six months. Please check with your dentist and bring any x-rays with you. Afterward, your doctor will explain your diagnosis and treatment options. Occasionally, some surgery can be done the same day as your initial visit. However if you have a complex medical history or treatment plan then you will require an evaluation and a second appointment to provide appropriate treatment on another day.

Please assist us by providing the following information at the time of your first visit:

• Your surgical referral form from your primary doctor and any X-rays that are appropriate.
• A list of any medications you may be taking.
• If you have dental insurance, bring evidence of current coverage, a card with group and policy numbers, and necessary employer information.

*Please alert the office if you have any medical condition that may be of concern prior to surgery, (i.e. high blood pressure, diabetes, artificial heart valve, asthma, blood thinner, orthopedic joint prosthesis, recent stroke or heart attack, etc.)

IMPORTANT: All patients under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at the consultation visit.

Financial/Insurance Information

Payment-in-full for services may be made by cash or check, payment options (available for qualified accounts), or by Visa or MasterCard. Healthcare financing is also available through CareCredit™. If you have dental insurance, we will help you determine the coverage available. Payment of deductibles, co-insurance, non-covered services, exclusions, etc., is required at the time of your visit. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. We will process and file your insurance surgery claim(s). Any remaining balance, after insurance, is payable in full within 10 days of your statement date. Please bring your insurance information with you to your initial visit so that we can expedite reimbursement. If you would like our staff to check your insurance benefits prior to your appointment, we must receive all necessary information at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment time. If you have any problems or questions, please ask our office staff.

Appointments

Patients are seen by appointment only. We make every effort to be on time for our patients and ask that you extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment, please give 24 hours notice, if possible. This courtesy allows us to give your appointment to another patient and helps keep costs down for all of our patients.Because circumstances or emergencies may extend the time allocated to a given procedure, it is sometimes difficult to maintain an exact appointment schedule. We try to minimize delays, but we appreciate your understanding and patience when they do occur.

X-Rays

If your dentist or physician has taken x-rays, you may request that they forward them to our office. If there is not enough time for them to do that before your appointment with us, please pick them up and bring them to your appointment. If additional films are necessary, they can be taken at our office.

Office Hours

Our regular office hours in Hickory are Monday through Thursday 8:00 AM until 5:00 PM. Patients are seen on Friday by appointment only. Our Lincolnton and Statesville offices are by appointment only, also. In case of inclement weather, tune to WSOC-TV Channel 9 for any delays in our schedule. Our offices are closed on weekends and major holidays.

In Case of Emergency

A vital part of our service is being available for your emergency needs. In case of an emergency, one of our physicians is available by calling the office nearest you. If our office is closed, go directly to the Emergency Department of the hospital nearest you where the ER physician will begin treatment and contact our physician-on-call as necessary.