New Patients Forms and FAQ

New Patients Forms and Frequently Asked Questions

Has it been a while since you saw a dentist visit? Are you or your family just getting established in central Iowa? Are you studying at Iowa State and finding yourself in need of dental services while away from home? Are you looking for the best services for teeth whitening, full or partial dentures, TMJ, or other services? Our Ames Family Dental team is here to help!

When you or your family member first come to our dental office, you will be welcomed and will feel at ease by the calming atmosphere our office provides. Our team will offer you a tour of our space and answer any questions you may have. We ask that you fill out our online forms as a new patient prior to your first appointment.

We love new patients and referrals from our current patients. If someone refers a new patient to us, we enter their name in a drawing when the new patient comes for their first dental appointment. Every quarter we give a prize as a token of our appreciation.

How much does ______ cost?

It depends! We perform over 200 different procedures at our office. In fact, there are over 10 different kinds of crowns alone! In order to give you an accurate estimate, we will need to schedule an appointment to see what is best for your oral health.

What types of dental insurance do you accept?

Dental insurance questions can often be confusing, even to us!! The bottom line is that we "accept" payment from most insurance carriers which means they can send us a check directly and we can "accept" it as payment toward the treatment provided. However, this is different than being "in-network" with a specific insurance plan. Dr. Patten is an in-network provider for Delta Dental Premier and Wellmark Blue Dental.

Do you take my insurance?

Generally, we “accept” payments from most insurance carriers. This question is a variation of the previous question and is answered there as well.

Are you accepting new patients?

OF COURSE! We are always happy to welcome new patients to the practice and help them improve their dental health. Please fill out our new patient forms prior to your first appointment.

Do you provide pediatric dental services? Can children visit the dentist?

Yes, we enjoy seeing children in our practice and would love to be your pediatric dentist of choice.

How young of children will you see?

Some of our favorite smiles are often the smallest! We will see patients as early as 1 year of age for consultation and what we call a ‘Happy Visit’. We usually begin cleanings around the age of three.

How soon can I get in for an appointment?

We make every effort to accommodate your schedule as soon as possible. We have emergency times reserved each day and new patient cleaning appointments each week. Dental emergencies are seen the same day – we know that a severe toothache can’t wait.

How long will the appointment take?

It depends! Some appointments are very short and only 20-30 minutes, while others are longer if more work is being done at one time, such as root canal treatment or diagnosing an abscess. Most routine dental check-ups are about an hour in length.

Where are you located?

We are conveniently located two blocks south of HWY 30 on University Boulevard near the junction of Airport Road and Oakwood Road. Our address is 2625 South University Blvd in Ames, Iowa. Our phone number is 515-233-2898 if you need directions.

Are there other ways to contact you?

Yes! We love hearing from our patients and encourage you to contact us when you have an interest or concern about dental hygiene or dentistry procedures! You are welcome to visit us at the address above, call our office, connect with us on Facebook, or fill out the convenient form online and we will be happy to get back to you!