Our Philosophy & Appointment Policies

All appointments MUST be confirmed via phone call, text, or email at least two business days prior to the appointment. Failure to confirm your child’s appointment will result in cancellation of the appointment and another child being scheduled in their place. Please note that if you arrive for an unconfirmed appointment, your child will not be seen that day, and the visit will need to be rescheduled. To avoid any interruptions in care, please be sure to confirm every appointment for your child.

Parents and legal guardians have an affirmative duty to disclose any custody, guardianship, or care agreements that may affect consent for their child’s dental care. In the absence of such documentation, our office will operate under the assumption that the accompanying parent or guardian has full legal authority to consent to evaluation and treatment on behalf of the child. By signing our consent forms, you affirm that you have this authority and that no additional consent from another parent or guardian is required.

If someone other than a parent or legal guardian will be bringing your child, they MUST be listed as an approved adult on the authorization form provided before your appointment. In some cases, you may provide a signed note giving permission for that person to bring your child to their appointment, with the date of treatment clearly noted. The adult must have a photo ID to be scanned into your child’s chart. We cannot legally see your child if these conditions are not met.

All dental insurance information must be provided and verified at least two business days prior to the appointment. We are unable to verify insurance on the day of the appointment. If your coverage cannot be verified in advance, you will be responsible for paying all costs out-of-pocket, and we will reimburse you once your insurance has been confirmed and claims submitted.

ALL anticipated copays must be paid before the start of the appointment unless other arrangements have been made in advance with a treatment coordinator. If there is a change in a copay due to a change in treatment, the balance must be paid at the end of the appointment.

We allow a 10-minute grace period for all appointments. Arriving more than 10 minutes late is considered a “no show.” Frequent missed or late appointments can impact your child’s continuity of care, and more than two missed appointments may result in dismissal from our office.

If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, we may need to reschedule your child’s appointment. This helps us maintain a calm and organized environment for all patients and ensures each child receives the full attention they deserve.

We understand that life happens—many of us are parents too! Communication is key, so if you anticipate being late or need to reschedule, please contact our office as soon as possible.

Vulgar, obscene, or threatening language/behavior towards any member of our team is not tolerated and will result in immediate dismissal from our office. We reserve the right to dismiss any family if we deem them not a good fit for our practice culture and philosophy.

At Little Red Pediatric Dentistry, we believe that a positive, trusting relationship between families and our team is essential. While we are a great fit for many families, we recognize that every child and family has unique needs—and our office may not be the best fit for everyone.

There are many wonderful dental care providers in Ottawa County, each with their own approach. Families, children, and our team all benefit when everyone chooses a clinic that is the best fit for them, even if that clinic isn’t ours.

If you ever feel unhappy with the quality of care, our policies, or any part of your experience at our office, please let us know. We are committed to resolving concerns and, if needed, helping you find a clinic that better meets your family’s needs and expectations.

Similarly, if we feel we are not the best fit for your family, we reserve the right to end the patient-provider relationship, always with your child’s best interest in mind.