PRINEVILLE.ORG
Family Dental Clinic Dr. James Petersen
WE HAVE PROVIDEDTHE HIGHEST QUALITY DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS SINCE 1978.
Welcome to the website of Dr. James Petersen and his associate, Dr. Jessica Henderson. We invite you to take a moment to meet Dr. Petersen, Dr. Henderson, and the staff by touring our website. Together, we can make a difference in your dental needs.
In the heart of Central Oregon, below the rim rocks, you will find the oldest city in the High Desert – Prineville, Oregon – home of Dr. James Petersen’s Family Dental Clinic. Dr. Petersen has been serving his small-town community since 1978 and is a supporter of Prineville’s local community products and events. Dr. Petersen has pursued the highest standards of general dentistry for more than 36 years meanwhile attending the most advanced contintinuing education classes. Dr. Petersen’s repertoire of procedures is among the most advanced of all general dentists, and Dr. Petersen provides comprehensive treatment plans which rarely require sending patients to outside specialty offices. In a small town like Prineville, it would be difficult to find an office with more advanced technology and equiptment – with 3-dimensional digital x-rays, WaterLase laser therapy, and other cutting-edge technology. Recently, Dr. Jessica Henderson has joined the practice, a graduateof Oregon’s prestigious Oregon Health Science University with honors. Together, they plan on treating their patients with the most current research and contemporary methods with the background of 36 years of clinical experience.
In addition to clinical excellence, a main focus of our practice is patient comfort. We use the most advanced anesthesia techniques, and we tailor our plan to each individual patient. We believe that fear shouldn’t stop anyone from receiving quality dental care. You’ll find our staff is friendly and upbeat, and we’ll do our best to make your visit comfortable and fun! Our staff is one of our best assests – they are licensed professionals with years of experience. They have the highest standards of quality and integrity, and they are motivated to achieve the best results for our family of patients. Our sterilization techniques and infection control are up-to-date and exceed the standards set forth by the Oregon Board of Dentistry. We go the extra mile to make sure that you are treated in the most sterile environment possible. Your safety is our top priority.
We hope that you find on our website all of the information that you need to choose our practice, but if you can’t, please call us. You will find our staff is the most friendly around.
Dr. James Petersen
Dr. Petersen has been in dental practice since 1978. He holds a dental degree from Oregon Health Sciences University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Oregon State University. He graduated at the top of his class at both universities with honors. Continuing education has always been an integral part in his dedication to excellence, including courses in implant dentistry, oral surgery, IV sedation and hospital care. He was born in 1950 in Myrtle Point, Oregon and grew up on the coast in Brooking, Oregon. Dr. Petersen enjoys the great outdoors which includes aviation and hunting, especially with his bird dogs, Mae and Izzy. He has been married for 33 years to his wife, Peg, our office manager. He has a son, Scott, and daughter-in-law, Chrissy, who reside in Portland.
Dr. Jessica Henderson
Jessica grew-up in Florida where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering. Seeking adventure in the American West, Jessica moved to Central Oregon in 2002 after school and hasn’t thought about moving back since. She worked a variety of jobs to support herself while she was a self-proclaimed “ski-bum” at Mt. Bachelor, eventually becoming a volunteer for the Mt. Bachelor National Ski Patrol. She says that it was then that she realized that she enjoyed helping people, and she was set on becoming a doctor. Jessica was inspired by a dental hygienist, who planted the idea of becoming a dentist in her mind, and she was fascinated by the idea of being a doctor and an artist.
Since then, Jessica attended Oregon Health Science University and received her doctoral degree with honors. She received a number of awards during school including winning the Howard Memorial Award Competition sponsored by the Academy of General Dentistry for clinical excellence and a $10,000 scholarship from Willamette Dental for her volunteer service and compassion.
After graduating, Jessica continues to enjoy the outdoors of Central Oregon with her long-term boyfriend of 14 years and her four Newfoundland dogs. She can usually be found at Mt. Bachelor on her days off, still snowboarding the Cascade powder. She also continues to volunteer for Medical Teams International vans as she did during school, and she has provided free dental care for the 2013 & 2014 Central Oregon Project Connect events.
Our Local Dental Lab
We don’t send our crowns to China to be made like some other dentists do. Our dental restorations are made by a highly skilled local craftsman right here in Prineville. In addition to his beautiful crown & bridge restorations, Kyle Twiss, owner and head lab technition puts a priority on getting our orders done quickly so that you can get your crown sooner! Kyle can come to the office to do custom shade matching too! Having a local dental lab in Prineville makes getting dental work a breeze.
Our Mission
We are committed to making dental care a pleasant and memorable experience, and enhancing the lives and smiles of our patients. Using proven state-of-the-art technology to enhance your experience, we maintain the most advanced procedures and equipment to ensure that every patient achieves a healthy and beautiful smile.
Appointments
We kindly ask that patients give us a 24-hour notice if they are unable to keep an appointment. The length of time reserved and the number of prior failed appointments determines your charge. We will not offer appointments to patients who miss multiple appointments without having given us proper notice. You may leave a message on our after-hours message phone if you find out that you are unable to honor an appointment after our office has closed for the day.
Estimates and Fees
After x-rays and an examination, you are entitled to (and should) ask for an estimate of fees to cover your treatment. All estimates are based upon conditions viewed at the time of diagnosis; unforeseen circumstances, such as pulpal therapy or cracked teeth, could alter an estimated fee.
It is customary to pay for dental services when they are rendered. Except in extreme emergencies, financial arrangements are made before treatment is rendered. (There is a service charge on all unpaid accounts.)
Delinquent Accounts
Delinquent accounts, which have to be turned over to a credit reporting collection agency, will have their balances increased 40-50% to cover the expenses associated with the collection agency. In addition to these collection agency expenses, delinquent accounts are also liable for attorney fees and court costs associated with the collection of the debt.
Patient Privacy
A laminated copy of our office Notice of Privacy Practices (HIPAA) is attached to the New Patient paperwork that you are asked to complete on your initial visit. Upon your request, we will be happy to provide you with your own personal copy of our Privacy Practices.
FINANCIAL & INSURANCE
In the interest of good dental care practice, it is desirable to establish a credit policy to avoid misunderstandings. Our primary responsibility is to help our patients enjoy good dental health, and we wish to spend our time and energy toward that end.
To assist our patients, we offer the following methods for taking care of their account at our office.
Payment In Full
We offer a 5% discount, when you pay by cash or check on the day of service.
Credit Cards
We accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard and Discover), but no discount will be given, as we pay a credit card user fee.
Insurance
As a courtesy, we will gladly bill your insurance when you provide us with the current information and any necessary forms. Oftentimes we are able to contact your insurance provider prior to your appointment and estimate your portion of the bill. We ask that you either pay your portion of the bill at the time of service or that a suitable written financial agreement be reached at the time of service. Even though you may have an insurance claim pending, you will receive a monthly statement for the outstanding balance on your account. We cannot accept responsibility for collecting an insurance claim after 60 days or for negotiating a disputed claim. Insurance policies are a contract between you, your employer and the insurance carrier. You are ultimately responsible for payment of your account.
Third-Party Financing
For patients who qualify, we offer various payment plans through a third-party financing company. There are numerous payment options that will fit comfortably in almost any monthly budget. These companies offer a revolving line of credit that can be used by the whole family for ongoing treatment without having to reapply. There are no upfront costs, pre-payment penalties or annual fees to our patients.
In-House Financing
We may offer a very simple payment plan to patients of record who have demonstrated a one to two year history of good credit at our office. We do charge interest (1.5% per month) similar to a credit card, on all accounts which we are asked to carry. The maximum amount of credit we may offer you is six (6) times the amount of your chosen monthly payment. For example, if you choose to make monthly payments of $100, we would offer you and your family treatment up to $600. We would need to halt treatment on a temporary basis when you come near or exceed the credit limit that you had set for yourself. On major restorative or cosmetic work such as crowns, veneers, bridges, implants or dentures, you would be asked to pay half the cost of the treatment at the time of service.
More About Financing and Insurance
A dental benefit plan helps you pay for the cost of your dental care. Generally, a dental benefit plan is a contract between your employer or plan sponsor and a third-party insurance company. These contracts vary widely.
There are many ways in which dental plans are designed and how reimbursement levels are determined. You need to know how your dental plan is designed and its limitations.
Your dental plan is designed to share in your dental care costs. In most cases, it does not cover the total cost of your bill. Most plans cover between 50-80% of dental services, so we have several different payment options for those of you that have insurance and those of you that have no dental insurance.
Capital One offers a convenient way to pay for your treatment plan with financing as low as 3%.
CareCredit is also a great way to pay for your treatment with plans as low as 0% financing up to 18 months.
TREATMENT
- Early Dental Care:
Teething
Normally the first tooth erupts between ages 6 to 12 months. Gums are sore, tender and sometimes irritable until the age of 3. Rubbing sore gums gently with a clean finger, the back of a cold spoon or a cold, wet cloth helps soothe the gums. Teething rings work well, but avoid teething biscuits—they contain sugar that is not good for baby teeth.While your baby is teething, it is important to monitor the teeth for signs of baby bottle decay. Examine the teeth, especially on the inside or the tongue side, every two weeks for dull spots (whiter than the tooth surface) or lines. A bottle containing anything other than water and left in an infant’s mouth while sleeping can cause decay. This happens because sugar in the liquid mixes with bacteria in dental plaque, forming acids that attack the tooth enamel. Each time a child drinks liquids containing sugar, acids attack the teeth for about 20 minutes. When awake, saliva carries away the liquid. During sleep, the saliva flow significantly decreases and liquids pool around the child’s teeth for long periods, covering the teeth in acids.
Infant’s New Teeth
The primary, or “baby,” teeth play a crucial role in dental development. Without them, a child cannot chew food properly and has difficulty speaking clearly. Primary teeth are vital to development of the jaws and for guiding the permanent (secondary) teeth into place when they replace the primary teeth around age 6.Since primary teeth guide the permanent teeth into place, infants with missing primary teeth or infants who prematurely lose primary teeth may require a space maintainer, a device used to hold the natural space open. Without a maintainer, the teeth can tilt toward the empty space and cause permanent teeth to come in crooked. Missing teeth should always be mentioned to your family dentist. The way your child cares for his/her primary teeth plays a critical role in how he/she treats the permanent teeth. Children and adults are equally susceptible to plaque and gum problems—hence, the need for regular care and dental checkups.
A Child’s First Dental Visit
A child’s first dental visit should be scheduled around his/her first birthday. The most important part of the visit is getting to know and becoming comfortable with a doctor and his staff. A pleasant, comfortable first visit builds trust and helps put the child at ease during future dental visits. If possible, allow the child to sit in a parent’s lap in the exam room. Children should be encouraged to discuss any fears or anxiety they feel.Why Primary Teeth Are Important
Primary teeth are important for several reasons. Foremost, good teeth allow a child to eat and maintain good nutrition. Healthy teeth allow for clear pronunciation and speech habits. The self-image that healthy teeth give a child is immeasurable. Primary teeth also guide eruption of the permanent teeth.Good Diet and Healthy Teeth
The teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize (and avoid) cavities and other dental problems. Most snacks that children eat cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods like vegetables, low-fat yogurt and cheeses, which promote strong teeth.Infant Tooth Eruption
A child’s teeth actually start forming before birth. As early as 4 months of age, the primary or “baby” teeth push through the gums—the lower central incisors are first, then the upper central incisors. The remainder of the 20 primary teeth typically erupt by age 3, but the place and order varies.Permanent teeth begin eruption around age 6, starting with the first molars and lower central incisors. This process continues until around age 21. Adults have 28 secondary (permanent) teeth—32 including the third molars (wisdom teeth).
Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
Tooth decay in infants can be minimized or totally prevented by not allowing sleeping infants to breast or bottle-feed. Infants that need a bottle to comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a pacifier. Our office is dedicated to fighting baby bottle tooth decay. Let us know if you notice any signs of decay or anything unusual in your child’s mouth. -
General Treatment:
Our dentists don’t just fix teeth, they provide a comprehensive examination of the entire head and neck with a holistic view of the masticatory system. At our practice, you will receive a comprehensive treatment plan focused on keeping your teeth, gums, joints, and muscles healthy. Our emphasis is on total preventive care for our patients – which begins with regular hygiene visits, regular checkups and continued homecare. We practice the most recent evidence-based methods of conservative dentistry – some methods require no drilling!
You may have stained teeth, cracked teeth, receeding gums, or TMJ pain. Our practice can provide a wide range of dental services that can treat many conditions. We can typically provide every type of dental service without having to refer you to other specialties, saving you time and money.
If you have been unhappy with your smile for a while, we can help you with that too. Our dentists are trained in clinical photography and provide comprehensive esthetic evaluations. Our dentists can customize a treatment plan including whitening, veneers, gum surgery, and other cosmetic or orthodontic procedures based on your individual esthetic evaluation. We understand that a beautiful smile is priceless.
We can provide the results you are looking for at an affordable small-town price. We understand our patients’ needs and will make every possible attempt to accommodate your schedule, concerns and financial needs. Don’t just smile in your dreams, make it a reality!
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Sedation Dentistry:
If you have been avoiding going to the dentist, sedation dentistry is the answer. Our dentists know that sometimes our patients are nervous about getting into our chairs, which is why our dentists are well trained on how to relax patients and empathize with how they might be feeling. Whereas in the past, dentists were perhaps more concerned with the dental treatment than with the patients themselves, our dentists have an understanding approach that includes many sedation options.
Sedation in our office can range from the use of nitrous oxide to calm a patient to a deeper state of sedation with more advanced procedures, sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry. Patients with dental phobia, low pain tolerance, major dental treatment, physical handicaps or strong gag reflexes may require sedation. Procedures like fillings, crowns, bridges, root canals, extractions, cosmetic procedures and periodontal treatments can all be performed under sedation; so there is no reason not to get the dental care that you need!
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas, is often used as a conscious sedative during a dental visit. The gas is administered with a mixture of oxygen and has a calming effect that helps phobic or anxious patients relax during their dental treatment. Because it is a mild sedative, patients are still conscious and can talk to their dentist during their visit. After treatment, the nitrous is turned off and oxygen is administered for five to 10 minutes to help flush any remaining gas. The effects wear off almost immediately. Your doctor will provide you with pre- and post-sedation instructions.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is the administration of an oral anti-anxiety medication and is extremely effective for most people with anxiety who have avoided going to the dentist. Your doctor will prescribe a medication for you to take the morning of the procedure, and you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Oral sedation can be combined with nitrous oxide for an even greater amount of sedation, but you will still be conscious and can talk to your dentist during the visit.
IV Sedation
IV sedation in dentistry is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry although the medications used do not make the person unconscious the way that general anesthesia is performed in the hospital. Instead, the sedation is used to induce a relaxed state to make them feel more comfortable. You can still breathe and function on your own and respond to direct verbal stimulation. On the day of the procedure, you will not eat breakfast before your appointment, and you will need someone to drive you to and from the procedure. IV sedation is perfect for longer and more complicated procedures which might otherwise be intolerable for those patients with high anxiety.
Sedation is endorsed by the American Dental Association and is extremely safe and effective. Before using a sedative or anesthetic, it is important to tell your dentist about any medications or medical treatments you are receiving. Before administering any sedative or anesthetic, your dentist will talk to you about the process and pre- and post-sedation instructions.
- Hospital Dentistry: Dr. Petersen is on staff at three local hospitals: Pioneer Memorial in Prineville, St. Charles in Redmond and Bend. Patients with special needs and extensive treatment now have options. Speak to us for more information about hospital dentistry.
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Crowns & Bridges
Veneers & Cosmetic Restorations
Dentures & Partials
Custom Whitening
Digital Low-Radiation X-Rays
3-Dimensional CT X-Rays
Nitrous Oxide & Oral Sedation
IV Conscious Sedation
Root Canals & Endodontic Surgeries
Implant Surgery & Restorations
Gingival & Soft Tissue Surgeries
Sinus Lifts & Bone Grafting
Waterlase™ Laser Treatments
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
Custom Nightguards & TMJ Treatments
Snoring & Sleep Apnea Devices
Children of All Ages Welcome
Handicapped Accessible
HOURS
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.