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Patients

Orthodontic Treatment

Patients seeking orthodontic treatment have options of where to be treated. Patients can be seen in the Dental Faculty Practice, which is a standard dental office where our faculty orthodontists practice, or for a reduced cost, they can be treated in our orthodontic clinic which is where they are treated by orthodontic residents. Treatment provided by residents is under the close supervision of faculty members in the Division of Orthodontics. The Orthodontic Clinic at The Ohio State University (OSU) is located within the College of Dentistry on the first floor of Postle Hall (see directions located on our OSU College of Dentistry site). There are day time and evening hours available.

Orthodontic training at OSU is provided in a three-year program accredited by the American Dental Association.  The orthodontic residents are dentists who are being trained as specialists in orthodontics.  Orthodontic faculty are experienced dentists who have completed specialty training in an accredited orthodontic residency program and have achieved in a way that has qualified them to now teach orthodontic dentistry.

How do I become a patient at the OSU Orthodontic Clinic?

Those interested in seeking orthodontic treatment at OSU College of Dentistry should contact the Orthodontic Clinic at (614) 292-9100.

The Screening Examination

Free Orthodontic Screening Examinations are offered by appointment. Please call (614) 292-9100 for updates about specific dates and times. The purpose of the screening examination is to evaluate what best meets the patient's needs and to see if the patient is appropriate for the teaching of graduate students. Thus, eligibility for becoming a patient of the Orthodontic Division depends on the type and severity of the patient’s orthodontic needs.

Each patient (and family, if applicable) accepted for treatment is asked to select a day of the week that would be most convenient for him/her to receive care. The patient is then assigned to an orthodontic resident and faculty supervisor according to the selected day.  Each faculty supervisor is assigned a specific day to provide care, thus, the day of the week selected by the patient will remain the same throughout the duration of orthodontic treatment, possibly 2-3 years, e.g., Tuesday afternoon.  Maintaining the same day of the week for each appointment will ensure coverage by the same faculty at each appointment, and thus, continuity of care.

The Records Appointment

Following the Screening Examination, the next step for the patient is to be scheduled for a Records Appointment.  At the Records Appointment, the resident acquires information that will be used in developing a treatment plan for the patient and documents the orthodontic problem prior to treatment.  The resident examines the patient clinically, obtains x-rays, takes photographs and makes impressions of the teeth for study models.  A $407 fee for the Records Appointment is due at this appointment.  This fee represents part of the total fee for orthodontic treatment. (See the fee schedule below).  If the patient elects not to be treated at the OSU Orthodontic Clinic after records are taken, this fee is not refundable.

Formulation of the Treatment Plan

Following the Records Appointment, the resident evaluates the patient’s needs based on information gathered and presents the case to the faculty supervisor.  Together, they formulate a treatment plan that is presented to the patient at the Consultation Appointment.

Consultation Appointment

At the Consultation Appointment, the resident presents the treatment options to the patient (and family, if applicable). Following discussion of the options, the patient (and family, if applicable) and resident determine a final treatment plan. The resident explains clinical procedures and patient compliance issues, e.g., oral hygiene, elastic wear, headgear wear, etc. The consent forms for treatment are also reviewed and signed.  Arrangements for fee payment are agreed upon, the down payment is made and, if the payment plan is chosen, a contract is signed.  In addition, treatment may be initiated at this appointment providing that the fee is paid in full or the payment plan has been initiated.

Separators

Most patients are ready to start treatment on the same day as the Consultation Appointment by the placement of separators.  Separators are small rubber O-rings or metal springs that are placed between specific teeth to create space for orthodontic bands to be placed.  This takes only a few minutes.  Patients typically come in one week later to have their braces placed.

Now that I have braces...

Patients are typically expected to be seen in the clinic at four to six week intervals. Although residents are treating patients in the clinic everyday, some instructors are present in the clinic only several days per month. Therefore, it is critical that patients do not miss appointments. Patients may only be seen on days when their faculty supervisor is present.  Missed appointments result in unnecessary extended treatment time!

Fees and Payments

Typical fees for full orthodontic treatment at the clinic are $3,713 for children, adolescents and adults (the $407 records fee is additional). These costs do not include the cost for extractions, periodontal surgery, orthognathic surgery or other adjunctive dental procedures requested by the orthodontists. Your insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Please contact them for more information. Payment options include cash, check, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), money order or a payment plan.

Payment Plan Schedule for 2012-2013

Diagnostic Records/Treatment Planning	$407.00
Full Treatment Cost	$3713.00
Down Payment	- $600.00
Subtotal	= $3113.00
Management Fee (10%)	+ $311.00
Total Financed Amount	= $3424.00
Monthly Payment for 19 Months  ($175.00 per month)	- $3325.00
Monthly Payment for the 20th Month	$99.00

NOTE: These fees are applicable for patients beginning comprehensive orthodontic treatment between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013.


Frequently Asked Questions

Comments and Complaints - ADA Accreditation Review

The Commission on Dental Accreditation will review complaints that relate to a program's compliance with accreditation standards.  The Commission is interested in the sustained quality and continued improvement of dental and dental-related education programs but does not intervene on behalf of individuals or acts as a court of appeal for treatment received by patients or individuals in matters of admission, appointment, promotion or dismissal of faculty, staff or students.  A copy of the appropriate accreditation standards and/or the Commission's policy and procedure for submission of complaints may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611-2678 or by calling 1-800-621-8099 extension 4653.