Like every other doctor, choosing an orthodontist requires time and planning. According to a small survey here are the top 10 reasons for choosing the best orthodontist near you.
#1 Doctor’s Credentials
This was the number one in the survey and it should be. Make sure you are going to an orthodontic specialist. An orthodontic specialist is a dentist who has gone two to three years of extra training after dental school. They receive their Masters of Science in orthodontics. In the United States, a good source to find an orthodontist in your area is by searching the American Association of Orthodontists’ website (Click Here). A dentist is similar to your family doctor — great for check-ups and filling cavities.
Dr. Kaplin is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), which has 16,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad.
He is an Invisalign Premier Preferred Provider, which gives him the expertise in Invisalign to give you the confidence of a great smile.
Dr. Kaplin has been a state licensed dentist since 1988 and a state licensed specialist in orthodontics since 1990.
He has been practicing in Arlington Heights, Illinois since 1996.
#2 Flexible Financing
Most orthodontic offices offer many ways to pay for treatment with credit cards, third party credit, in-house payment plans and pay as you go. Some offer a discount if the fee is paid in full at the beginning of treatment. Most patients/parents opt to use an in-house payment plan where the cost of treatment is spread out over several months.
At Kaplin Orthodontics the cost of orthodontic treatment will depend on many factors, including the severity of the problem, its complexity and length of treatment. The cost of treatment can also be influenced by the insurance plan. Dr. Kaplin will be glad to discuss the cost of treatment and your financing options before treatment begins.
It is our mission to provide you with affordable, high-quality treatment that fits your budget! We offer payment options to meet your needs. Our office accepts payments by cash, checks, and major credit cards. Our patients can choose to pay in full with a discount, or to set up a payment plan. We can also set up auto credit and debit card payment plans.
If your insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. Many insurance policies have a lifetime orthodontic benefit that is distinct from regular dental insurance. Remember that insurance policies vary, and we will review your insurance to determine the appropriate course of action. Once treatment has started, we will file your claims.
#3 Year’s of Experience
You can ask your orthodontist or a staff member over the phone how long the doctor has been in practice. It is true that the skill sets of diagnosing and perfecting treatment is mastered over time. In a multi-group practice, where there is more than one orthodontist at that location, you may need to ask if are you going to see the same doctor throughout treatment. Continuity of care can suffer if you see different doctors throughout treatment.
Dr. Kaplin has been practicing orthodontics since 1990. He is the only doctor in the office and his philosophy is to treat each patient as an individual and with respect.
#4 Doctor Communicates Well
Communication is very important in the process of providing orthodontic treatment. There should be a consultation at the beginning of treatment and progress reports throughout the treatment process. The orthodontist has to get Informed Consent from the patient or legal guardian. Informed Consent is when an orthodontist explains the treatment in layman’s terms so the patient can decide to consent to treatment or decline. The doctor has to give all aspects and outcomes of treatment so that the patient can make an informed decision.
Dr. Kaplin takes ample time to personally explain important issues and fully explore all options for treatment. He maintains a professional, calm, and accommodating approach with patients and families. We offer consultations in the morning at 10 and 11 and in the afternoon after 5 pm. You can complete the form below to request a free consultation http://www.kaplinortho.com/schedule-a-free-consultation and one of our staff member will get back to you as soon as possible.
#5 Office Location / Convenience
This is a big factor for a lot of parents. Most orthodontists have multiple office locations for this reason. The orthodontist usually places their office in a location next to large suburbs so that the drive will not be far for their parents.
Kaplin Orthodontics is conveniently located near downtown Arlington Heights area. The address is 311 S Arlington Heights Rd, Arlington Heights, IL, 60005. The office is located in the Village Bank & Trust towards the back of the building. http://www.kaplinortho.com/contact-us
#6 Friendly Staff
It is true that the staff takes on the personality of the orthodontist. If the orthodontist is smug, uppity and looks down on people, the staff will think this is acceptable and will do the same. Most orthodontic staff are very extrovert and pleasant to be around.
Dr. Kaplin and staff are courteous and well trained. You can be sure of caring and professional treatment and the most up-to-date products and techniques, for general maintenance or for the wide range of orthodontic services available in our practice.
#7 References from Friends, Co-Workers, etc,
Coming in at #7 is referrals from friends and co-workers. Potential consumers of orthodontic treatment look at all factors and sometimes rely on experiences people have at their orthodontic offices. This is important because the treatment is usually over a long period of time.
Visit our testimonials page and see what our patients have to say about us http://www.kaplinortho.com/testimonials
#8 Flexible Office Schedule
Find out what times the office is open. This can change during the year and most offices are closed on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday. They usually work four days a week. Some offices open early or have evening hours. If the office is not a main office and is a satellite office, it may have a very limited time that it is open, maybe just one day a week.
Starting in September our schedule will change. We’ll be open from Monday to Friday with once a month Saturdays.
We understand how busy your schedule is and that your child can’t miss any activities. For this we customized our schedule so it can fit yours. The following is our new schedule:
Monday and Thursday 8:15 – 6:00
Tuesday 10:30 – 6:00
Wednesday and Friday 1:00 – 6:00
Besides our regular hours from Monday to Friday, we also offer one Saturday a month from 8:15 to 12:00
#9 Office Décor
How the office looks can be a factor in choosing an orthodontist. Most orthodontic offices are very well kept and modern. Over time, an orthodontist who has been in practice for a number of years can allow the office to become dated as certain color schemes go out of style.
#10 Community Involvement
A lot of good can be said for any orthodontist or business that is involved in their community and supports it.
Dr. Kaplin is involved in sponsoring a lot of high school sports, church bulletins and participates in local events like National Night Out and Mane Event in Arlington Heights.
For more information about Kaplin Orthodontics involvement in the community visit our blogs.
Conclusion
There are the top ten reasons a parent/patient chose their orthodontist. You may agree with some and maybe put them in a different order. The best thing to do when finding an orthodontist is go with your gut feelings. You need to be comfortable and feel confident in your orthodontist. If you have selected an orthodontist specialist who is very accessible, communicates well, referred by friends and has a friendly staff.
