Glen Valley Dentistry is able to bill most dental insurance plans. Because coverage details vary, feel free to give us a call at (616) 891-8931 to ask us about your particular insurance plan. Your insurance company will encourage you to visit an office that’s in their network of providers. We will encourage you to find a dental home that takes great care of you regardless of your insurance plan.

Dental insurance often helps patients pay for needed care, but it’s not a requirement to be a patient in our office. We’re happy to provide excellent care to patients who don’t have dental insurance for themselves or their family members. Call our office at (616) 891-8931 to find out how easy it is to be a patient at Glen Valley Dentistry regardless of your insurance coverage.

At Glen Valley Dentistry, we put our patients first. We would like to get to know you and understand what your dental concerns, needs, or questions may be. Here’s what to expect at your first visit to our Caledonia office.

• Your new patient forms will be sent you ahead of time so that you can complete them all electronically.  If you are looking to complete your forms in the office, please arrive 15 minutes early.
• The Glen Valley Dentistry team will gather information to help with your first appointment, including tracking down any x-rays you already have.
• A personalized photo arrangement will be made of your teeth.
• Our hygienist will guide you through a tour of our office.
• You and your hygienist will speak about your dental needs and history.
• Your hygienist will be able to answer any questions you have about oral health.
• An exam will be taken of your mouth, gathering important information about your gums, teeth and overall health.
• You will meet the dentist and spend time going over any concerns you may have, as well as discussing your medical and dental histories to help personalize your care.
• After a thorough assessment of your mouth, the dentist will create a personalized treatment plan to bring your mouth to its healthiest possible state.
• Your hygienist will clean your teeth at this appointment unless your dental needs require another visit.

We recommend that your child’s first appointment be around their first birthday, or when their first tooth erupts, whichever comes first. This first visit is called a “happy visit” and there is no fee. We take this opportunity to look in the child’s mouth and also share helpful information and tips on keeping your child’s mouth healthy right from the start. This is also a great opportunity to ask us any questions that you have.

Every stage of development has its own set of challenges when it comes to keeping an eye on your child’s oral health. We have a few tips to keep your child’s smile bright and healthy no matter their age. 

• Age 0-2: to avoid early oral developmental problems and decay, it is always good to wean children from a bottle and/or pacifier by the time they’re a year old. It is also important to never allow them to fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup still in their mouth, as this is the leading cause of early decay in young children.
• Age 2-4: We recommend to see your child once a year until they turn 4, at which time, we begin the regular six month interval. If certain conditions are identified in the early visits we may recommend they be seen every six months.
• Age 4-18: If your child is a new patient between these ages, they will see the dental hygienist and the dentist for their initial visit and typically will have their teeth cleaned at this appointment. In this age group we recommend your child be seen twice a year for routine preventive health appointments. We may also recommend further preventive measures like dental sealants.