COMMON QUESTIONS

When you have questions about our services or procedures, Dr. Ridd is always happy to answer them before, during, or after your appointment. If you’re not yet a patient, you can view our list of common questions and their answers below. You can also call our office at 570-226-1919 for more information.

How does Dr. Ridd keep up to date on all of the current techniques and materials?

Dr. Ridd has studied dentistry extensively. After attending over 1100 continuing education courses in 16 different dental disciplines, he has earned his Fellow (FAGD) and Master in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD). Less than one percent of the nation’s dentists have the qualifications to earn this award.

Since dentistry is always evolving, he continues to enroll in continuing education courses, attend seminars and conferences on research and advances, and participate in local study groups. He is always happy to answer any questions you may have about your dental health.

Do you accept my insurance plan?

We accept and participate directly with most popular dental insurance plans; United Concordia, Delta Dental, Guardian, Cigna and MetLife. For those of you that have an alternative dental insurance plan, we will gladly submit all claims for you and make sure that whatever benefits your are entitled to are maximized.

What do I do if I have an emergency when the office is closed?

If you have an emergency, please call our office at 570-226-1919 and follow the instructions to contact Dr. Ridd. He is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week to help you. In the event that Dr. Ridd is out of town, we will happily refer you to another local dental clinic which will handle your emergency

What different payment options do you provide?

The cost of dental treatments can vary widely, depending on your needs. We know that each case is unique and we are very flexible. We accept several different methods of payment, including cash, check, and credit cards, and will also work with you to give you the maximum benefits of your insurance plan. We may also be able to assist you with CareCredit, which is an outside financing company.

No matter how extensive your treatment plan, we will do everything we can to fit the treatment you need into your budget. We encourage you to call our office today to discuss possible payment options with our financial coordinator.

What precautions do you take to ensure patient safety?

We take several precautions to ensure your safety as our patient. We keep within the guidelines established by the American Dental Association and Centers for Disease Control. We follow the latest recommendations and guidelines in our practice and amend our procedures with new guidelines as they become available.

We also follow several barrier techniques. These are designed to prevent the possible spread of contamination and safeguard your health. Throughout your appointment, we wear protective glasses, masks, and gloves. We use disposable products whenever possible and heat sterilization on all instruments used in patient care. Between patients, we use approved, hospital-grade disinfectant to thoroughly scrub and sanitize treatment room surfaces.

We know you may have further questions about our barrier techniques. Dr. Ridd and anyone on our team are happy to discuss or demonstrate our sterilization procedures.

What makes you different than any other dental practice I can visit?

Many things make us different. We are a cutting edge dental practice that uses modern materials and up to date knowledge yet relies on old-fashioned trust and honesty. When you have an appointment, Dr. Ridd will see you immediately and throughout your visit, you will be the only patient he sees.

Dr. Ridd will only recommend the treatments and services you need. He won’t rush you through an appointment. In fact, he’ll take the time to make sure you understand the benefits of a procedure. He works with a gentle touch and takes the time to perform a procedure right.

Dr. Ridd is literally a master at what he does. He belongs to a select group of dentists (less than 1% in the United States) who have completed 1100 credits of continuing education courses and earned a Master Award in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD).

Most importantly, Dr. Ridd is a friendly, personable dentist. He and his wonderful team of professionals enjoy meeting you, improving your dental health, and helping you have a great smile.

My gums bleed after I brush. Is this something to be concerned about?

Bleeding gums can be an indication of several things, including rough tooth-brushing and gum disease. Left untreated, gum disease can cause teeth to loosen and even fall out. Recent studies have also linked gum disease to other health issues, including diabetes and heart disease.

We want to protect your natural teeth and restore your smile to its maximum potential, and diligently work to detect and treat issues such as gum disease. We encourage you to call our office at {570) 226-1919 to schedule an appointment with Dr, RIdd so that he can determine the cause of your bleeding gums. If he does find evidence of gum disease, Dr. Ridd will discuss with you the options available to improve the health of your teeth and gums.

Crowns, veneers, onlays, inlays and partials…where can I learn more about these procedures?

We are pleased to offer our patients these procedures, which Dr. Ridd utilizes to give you a strong, durable, long-lasting smile. We always welcome your questions about any of these procedures. We will provide you with information that will help you make informed decisions before undergoing any treatment of these dental options. As a Master In the Academy of General Dentistry, Dr. Ridd has extensive knowledge and experience on all of these procedures. He Is more than happy to talk to you about these and any other service he recommends.

I want my front teeth to look better, but I do not want to wear braces. What would you recommend?

Many of our patients ask this questions when they come to our office. For some people, Dr. Ridd may suggest porcelain veneers to change the size, shape, or color of your teeth. For others, he may recommend crowns to change and protect your teeth. Sometimes, cosmetic bonding or even bleaching is all that is necessary.

If you would like to enhance the appearance of your smile, call us at 570-226-1919 so we can schedule an appointment for you. After listening to your goals and concerns, Dr. Ridd can suggest the best possible methods to help you straighten your smile.

What is Smile Design?

Smile Design is when we put all of the possibilities, analysis and other information we have collected into the creation of your new, improved smile. We offer a variety of dental procedures, including cosmetic bonding and bleaching, so that we can use what will achieve the appropriate results for you. The smile design process looks at all aspects of your smile, taking into consideration your facial structure, the shape and size of your smile, and your own goals. We also make sure that every part of your new smile functions with every other part, resulting in a unified, high-quality appearance. The results are often astounding, and many patients achieve a smile they never dreamed possible. If you are interested in rejuvenating your smile and your overall appearance, we encourage you to talk to Dr. Ridd today about the exciting options available to you.

We provide state of the art dental care including cosmetic, reconstructive, and implant dentistry. We remain dedicated to the advancement of dental science and medicine, and our practice has a reputation for providing our patients with personal attention in a uniquely comfortable atmosphere.