At Last. Some Dental Information You Can Really Sink Your Teeth Into.

Dr. Herbert H. Bonnie  Dr. Marshall S. Bonnie  Dr. Andrew I. Horowitz

WHO ARE DOCTORS BONNIE, BONNIE AND HOROWITZ?

Our professional Dental Group actually had its origins in post-war Norfolk in the late forties. During World War II, Herbert H. Bonnie served as a Captain in the Army Dental Corps. When his hitch was up in 1946, he opened his own practice in Norfolk.

Today, nearly five decades later, this practice has grown into a highly professional dental group with Herbert Bonnie working closely with the other two members of our group. Marshall Bonnie joined his father's practice in 1974 after graduating from the Medical College of Virginia. Andrew Horowitz, a Georgetown University graduate, joined in 1982.

WHAT DOES A REGULAR VISIT INVOLVE?

Our dental hygienist will examine and clean your teeth, making note of problem areas as she works. This oral exam includes a comprehensive check of your teeth and gums, the tongue, palate, tissues and facial muscles of the oral cavity. A blood pressure test may also be given as needed. Once completed, one of our dentists will re-examine your teeth and oral cavity and make the necessary recommendations.

HOW SOON DO YOU THINK CHILDREN SHOULD BEGIN REGULAR DENTAL VISITS?

We recommend a first dental exam and cleaning as soon as all the baby teeth (deciduous) have erupted, usually by the age of 3 to 4 years old. We stress the importance of making your child's first dental experience a pleasant, painless adventure.

DO YOU ACCEPT DENTAL INSURANCE PLANS?

Yes. We will even process the claims for you through our office. If your insurance company is new to us, you should bring the necessary forms with you. You will be responsible for all amounts not covered by your insurance. We also participate with several managed care plans.

DOES DENTAL CARE HAVE TO HURT?

No. Dental neglect causes pain not dental care. You should experience no discomfort during a regular check-up and cleaning unless there's an existing dental problem. Dentistry today can be relatively pain-free if the proper techniques are offered and used.

If a patient comes to us in pain, or with a problem that requires extensive treatment, we alleviate the discomfort first through local anesthetics, nitrous oxide and other techniques including electronic anesthesia. Then we treat the problem in the most skillful and painless manner possible.

DO YOU SPECIALIZE IN ANY SPECIFIC TYPES OF DENTAL TREATMENT?

Our group offers you dentists with a diverse variety of dental skills and interests. These skills are continually enhanced through on-going education within our "interest" fields of dentistry. It is this diversity that enables us to offer you almost every kind of dental treatment you can name. Some of the more common ones are: fluoride treatment, treatment for decay including today's more improved silver fillings, crowns and posts, head and jaw pain (TMJ), root canals, bridge work, dentures, extractions, gum infections, abscesses and periodontal disease.

We also offer an exciting new cosmetic technique called "bonding" that involves restoring stained or flawed teeth with a long lasting substance that can give you an almost perfect smile. We'd be delighted to discuss any of our treatments with you in detail before any work is done.

HOW DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR CARE?

Our fees are fair and competitive in this area, and are based upon the complexity of services rendered. Generally, payment is due upon completion of therapy. However, we'll be happy to discuss our fees and payment procedures with you in advance. A payment schedule can be arranged to suit your budget.

DO YOU HAVE A GUARANTEE?

In a manner of speaking, yes. Specifically, we offer a three-year, no charge replacement policy for all our silver filings provided you come for the recommended recall visits set up by our office for that period of time. Accidents are excluded, of course. Basically, you'll find we stand behind all the work we do.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS?

Our offices are open from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday. We're also open evenings by appointment. We also make our hours flexible for urgent cases, which are always seen immediately. We also have a voice mail system, which is available at all times.

WHAT ABOUT APPOINTMENTS?

Appointments are required as a general rule, and we do appreciate at least 24 hours notice if an appointment must be changed. We usually set aside the proper amount of time for each scheduled patient, depending upon the treatment. We also try to schedule extra time for potential emergencies everyday. We help people in pain as quickly as possible.