December 29th, 2011
Our Newest Hygienist
Dr. Kotre and the rest of our staff are thrilled to announce the latest addition to the office -- our new hygienist, Annie! She is a very experienced oral health care specialist, and we know you'll love her as much as we do. Welcome to our practice, Annie!
"Unaccompanied Minors"
During the busy holiday season, it's easy to forget that minors cannot be seen at the practice without permission from a parent or guardian -- it's actually illegal! Although we are happy that our patients trust us enough to see to their children's dental needs even without their supervision, if you cannot bring your children yourself or your child is driving to their appointment alone, you must call ahead of time or send a signed note giving us permission to treat them, or we will be unable to do so.
Co-Pays Due At Appointment
In order to keep our costs down, we will now be requiring co-pays for restorative treatment at the time of service. If you need to be billed, we will do so electronically to your email address. If you are having a large procedure done, we are always happy to break the co-pay into several payments to help manage costs for our patients. CareCredit is also available for those who wish to use a line of credit to make payments.
Insurance Issues
It's the time of year where insurance policies start to change over to new plans. Please remember to check your benefits to be certain of exactly what is covered under your plan. Although we can check your insurance to see what your out-of-pocket costs will be, insurance companies often do not give us the detailed information they would to a plan holder. Unfortunately, this means any information we gather regarding your costs are only estimated, not guaranteed. We are glad to give our patients the code numbers for any procedure in order to make inquiries to the insurance company easier. Please give us a call at 734-677-2156 for more information or to obtain any needed codes.
November 30th, 2011
Time Is Running Out
Time is running out to schedule an appointment for 2011. Very few slots are still open, but we do have a few available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is an excellent way to use up any funds you may still have available in your FSA account. We are also holding a few slots for emergencies. Give us a call today at 734-677-2156 so we can get you in before the end of the year!
$46 Whitening Special Extended
Due to popular demand, we've extended our November whitening special into December! For a very limited time, we are offering the Venus White Ultra In-Home Whitening Kit for only $46. That's a savings of $54 off the $100 retail price. This kit features pre-filled, disposable whitening trays that make it easy and convenient to achieve a brighter, whiter smile in just seven days. Venus White makes a great gift for the holidays, or for yourself. Only a few kits remain -- give us a call at 734-677-2156 to reserve yours before they're all gone!
Kids and Tooth Decay
As we approach the holiday season, here are a few reminders about how to minimize the effect of carbohydrates on your and your family's teeth:
-- Eat high-carbohydrate foods as part of a meal, rather than as a snack. This helps minimize the impact of sugars on your teeth.
-- Avoiding sticky foods, such as toffee or dried fruit, will also help. These types of sugary foods stick to the teeth, making it hard for saliva or water to wash them away.
-- Don't allow your child to sip on juice, milk, or smoothies throughout the day. Have them consume them in one sitting, instead of prolonging the contact of these foods with their teeth.
-- If your child does eat something sugary or high in carbs, make sure they brush their teeth after they are finished. If they are under the age of 6, brush their teeth for them.
Interested in learning more? Check out our blog for additional information...
Holiday Office Hours
The office will be closed from December 25th until January 2nd, reopening on the 3rd. Please call the office if you have an emergency and a contact number will be available on our voicemail for emergency situations.
October 27th, 2011
2011 Hygiene Appointments
November and December are highly sought after for appointments, as many people are trying to use their benefits before the end of the year. We wanted to let our patients know that we have fewer than 20 hygiene appointments left in November, and fewer than 20 in December. Additionally, we have no appointments available after 3pm and no Saturday appointments left for either month (though we can put you on a cancellation list by request). If you need to make a hygiene appointment, be sure to call the office ASAP at 734-611-2156 so we can get you on the schedule before year's end.
In-Home Whitening for $46
Our November special is the Venus White Ultra In-Home Whitening Kit, which we're offering for only $46! That's a savings of $54 off the $100 retail price. This kit features pre-filled, disposable whitening trays that make it easy and convenient to achieve a brighter, whiter smile in just seven days. These kits make a great gift for the holidays, or for yourself. Give us a call at 734-677-2156 to reserve your kit before time runs out!
Insurance Cards Required
For your own protection, insurance cards are now required in order to process dental claims. Therefore, card information must be provided to our office or we cannot send claims through to be processed. Insurance companies will no longer accept social security numbers in place of your insurance ID number for security reasons. Please bring in your card or call us with your insurance information so we have it on file.
Additionally, If you are at all concerned about an upcoming appointment and unsure of what exactly is covered, please call your insuance company and have them give you the facts directly. You can always contact our office ahead of time and ask what procedures are planned and we will give you their code numbers to report to the insurance company for additional information regarding cost.
Appointment Confirmations
Please be sure to note your appointment date when it is made. Although we try our best to be sure patients receive reminder calls before an appointment, due to time constraints, we are not always able to get to every patient. We understand emergencies come up, but we would appreciate a 24 hour notice to reschedule in non-emergency situations.
September 29th, 2011
Extended -- Oral-B Brushes $40 Off
Oral B has extended their offer of ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 electric toothbrushes at the amazing price of $40 off -- that's just a $60 final cost to our patients. We only have six more of these brushes available with the $40 rebate before the deal will be sold out! The first six went quickly and we had a lot of disappointed patients calling in. We're thrilled to be able to offer this great deal a little longer, so call now before they're gone!
Teeth Whitening $99 -- One Day Only!
Dr. Kotre had so much success with a recent Living Social deal on teeth whitening that she's decided to run her own special just for her patients. For $99, you will receive professional, in-office whitening, but you mustcall or come into the office on October 4th between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. The deal must be paid for at the time the deal is purchased, either via credit card (via phone or in-office), or by cash or check (in-office). This deal can be purchased for personal use, or as a gift (a maximum of two can be purchased in any combination). The deal expires 6 months from the date of purchase.
Open Enrollment
Fall is in the air, and that means cider mills, crunching leaves, pumpkins, and of course...open enrollment. The last one may not be as fun to think about as the other three, but with all the excitement fall and the holiday season bring, it's easy to forget how important insurance benefit enrollment is for the coming year. If you have questions regarding the different dental plans you are being offered, please feel free to contact our office. We will do our best to help you choose a plan that is right for you and your family.
Low-Cost Dental Care
We all know the economic environment is a challenging one right now. If you or someone you know does not have dental insurance and is in need of dental treatment that appears to be unaffordable, the Michigan Dental Association's website Smile Michigan is an excellent resource for county and community dental programs and resources that may help those in need get the treatment they need at a cost they can mange.
August 25th, 2011
Insurance Cards Required
Most dental insurers now require your insurance card ID number in order to process claims -- social security numbers have been phased out as an identifier. Please be sure to bring your card to your next appointment so we can file your claim in a timely manner. This is also a great time to confirm we have your correct address, phone numbers, and email addresses.
Charity Drive Results
Our Christmas in July charity drive to benefit theSalvation Army has come to an end. It was a great success, raising over $250 (that's more than 50 contributions!). We'd like to congratulate the winners of our gift basket drawing, Jessica and Kayla. Thank you to everyone who contributed to such a worthy cause!
Hurry! $40 Off Oral-B Brush
Oral-B has offered us a special discount on their ProfessionalCare SmartSeries 5000 electric toothbrush, but this promotion won't last long --we've only been given six $40-off rebate coupons! This brush normally sells at our office for $100; with the rebate, this makes your cost only $60. Also included in this promotion as an added bonus is a tote bag, a full-sized tube of Crest Pro Health toothpaste, and a Pro Health mouthwash.
Oral-B offered a similar package last year, and our patients took advantage of it so quickly that several people were disappointed they missed this great opportunity to save. If you are interested, please let us know immediately so we can reserve your brush for pick up!
$500 Off Invisible Braces
For the month of September, we are offering $500 off invisible braces! Contact the office to find out how you can give yourself or someone you love the gift of a beautiful smile this fall.
Yes, We Are BPA Free!
We receive many inquiries as to the content of the composite fillings used in the office, and we want to let our patients know they may rest assured that the composite material is, in fact, BPA free.
July 28th, 2011
How White is Too White?
Recently, Good Morning America featured a story on "Bleachorexia," compulsive over-whitening of teeth. Many people may not realize that bleaching teeth too often can cause major damage. Teeth may appear white, but really be slowly eroding, extremely sensitive, and very unhealthy.
Whitening, when done under the supervision of a dentist, is generally quite safe. But most any dental professional will tell you that it should never be done more than once every six months. Tooth enamel should be closely monitored to ensure that there is no erosion or other damage being done to the tooth's structure.
If you are interested in whitening and would like more information on how this can be done safely, contact our office at 734-677-2156.
The Cost of Dental Care
There have been a number of stories recently regarding the cost of dental care, and how it much it can vary between regions and even between practices. A new website, called Fair Health Consumer, is seeking to address these differences.
At the Fair Health Consumer website, you can check the average cost of any dental procedure by zip code. Besides total cost, it also provides the average insurance coverage and average out of pocket cost.
Dr. Kotre and her staff are always happy to answer any questions patients may have about the cost of all procedures offered. Please feel free to call 734-677-2156 for more information.
The Kotres' New Addition
Dr. Kotre is excited to announce the latest addition to their family -- two rescue kittens from the Friends of MI Animal Rescue in Belleville! The two-month-old kittens are a brother and sister pair named Smokey and Madison. The entire family is thrilled to have kittens in the house again, and they can safely say they are already in love with their new little buddies!
June 30th, 2011
Christmas in July Salvation Army Charity Drive
As many of our patients know, the Salvation Army is one of Dr. Kotre's favorite charities. We've become aware of a high level of need at the Ann Arbor Salvation Army Corps, so instead of waiting until the holiday season to hold a drive, we are instead holding a Christmas in July event at our office to support them beginning July 5th, through the end of the month.
For a $5 donation of either cash or non-perishable food items ($5 value based on the honor system), you will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket full of amazing treats perfect for summer, including:
-- A Starbucks gift card
-- Sunglasses
-- Handmade organic body cream
-- Bath and Body Works products
-- Scented candles
-- U of M apparel
...and other items which are still being added!
The basket is already valued at over $400, and we are so thankful to everyone who donated to create a basket with such an amazing assortment of goodies for a great cause. The drawing for the basket will be held at the beginning of August.
Please note that anyone can participate in this event, not just current patients of Dr. Kotre. Please feel free to forward this email to friends and family -- we would love to have them come by and be entered for our grand prize while helping the Salvation Army and our community.
Dash Professional Whitening
Dr. Kotre is pleased to now offer Dash professional in-office whitening to her patients. Dash is the latest professional whitening offering from ZOOM dental, one of the most trusted names in cosmetic dentistry.
Dash whitening doesn't require a light or laser to activate the whitening process, and whitening can be accomplished in under an hour.
For those who have experienced increased sensitivity after a whitening procedure, each treatment also comes with a sensitivity-relief gel.
For more information or to schedule an appointment for professional whitening, give us a call today at 734-677-2156.
Gum Disease = Breast Cancer?
Does poor oral health lead to an increased risk of breast cancer?
A study by Sweden's Karorlinska Institute demonstrated that women with periodontal disease, including gingivitis and missing teeth (molars in particular), may be up to 11 times more likely to develop breast cancer.
Although more research is needed in order to establish if poor oral health does in fact increase the risk for breast cancer, this new correlation will hopefully be enough to get more women on the path to healthy teeth and gums. Once gum disease becomes irreversible, tooth loss becomes more common. If this study is any indication, missing teeth could be more than just a concern of oral health, but one of cancer risk as well.
Dr. Kotre's 2011 Dental eNewsletters
May 26th, 2011
Free Wedding and Grad Polish
It's summer, and that means it's graduation and wedding season! We offer a free polish to all grads and brides-/grooms-to-be who are current patients. Call us ASAP at 734-677-2156 for details or to schedule your appointment so we can be sure to get you in before your big day.
Christmas in July
As many of our patients know, the Salvation Army is one of our favorite charities. We will be holding our Christmas in July event in support of them beginning July 5th, through the end of the month. For a $5 donation, you will be entered into a drawing for a gift basket full of amazing treats, such as a Starbucks gift card, sunglasses, locally-made
handmade organic body cream, plus much more! You can also donate $5 worth of food (on the honor system) to be entered into the giveaway. The drawing will be held on August 2nd. Stay tuned for more details as they become available!
Oral Cancer Screenings
In June, we are offering the Trimira oral cancer screening for a discounted price of $50 (regularly $80) to our patients, as well as their friends and family. This is an important screening and is not generally covered by insurance. The Trimira screening is done via a small, hand-held device that shines a non-invasive, high-energy light on the soft tissues of the mouth to help detect abnormalities. The screening also includes a comprehensive visual examination.
When diagnosed early, the survival rate for oral cancer increases dramatically. Give our office a call at 734-677-2156 to schedule your appointment for an oral cancer screening today.

April 27th, 2011
Dexter adds fluoride
Beginning May 2nd, the Village of Dexter will begin adding fluoride to their water in order to bring their levels up to current Center for Disease Control standards (0.7 ppm). If you've been supplementing with fluoride tablets, after 5/2, it will no longer be necessary to do so.
Save on Invisalign
If you've been thinking about coming in for a free Invisalign consultation, now is the time to do it. Although our cost for Invisalign has gone up, we are keeping our pricing for the entire treatment flat through the end of August which will save our patients hundreds of dollars. Most other dental offices have already raised their prices to reflect the new cost.
Don't forget, we offer payment plans for Invisalign, and Invisalign treatment is also FSA eligible! Give us a call today at 734-677-2156 to schedule your free consultation.
Tobacco and your health
Tobacco usage of all types, including smokeless tobacco or "chew," is a primary cause of many preventable diseases, including those which affect your oral health, such as severe periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss, and even oral cancer. Unfortunately, the latest trend, flavored tobacco, is geared towards young people in order to make it more palatable to those who may otherwise reject it. This is just one more way tobacco companies hook users at an early age.
To find out more about how tobacco negatively affects your oral health, or for help in finding resources to help you or a loved one quit, please see our blog for details.

March 31st, 2011
Half off mouth guards
Spring sports often require mouth guards. Mouth guards are extremely important to protect teeth from damage that may be incurred as a result of sports injuries. We are now offering half off all sports mouth guards during the month of April. Usually $30, you can now purchase a sport mouth guard for only $15! Hurry in, this offer is only good until April 30th.
Dental emergencies
Although we always hope our patients can avoid a true dental emergency, it's an unfortunate fact that many people will experience at least one dental emergency in their lifetime. If you find that you must deal with a dental emergency, Dr. Kotre is available 24/7 for all patients of record. Please read more about how we handle dental emergencies and what you can do to help yourself before professional help is obtained...
Staying on schedule
We love making our patients happy, and one of the ways we try to do this is by keeping appointments running on schedule throughout the day. You can help us by being on time for your appointment, and notifying us in advance if you are running late or are unable to make your scheduled time. We very much appreciate your help in keeping the office running smoothly for everyone!
Whitening special
We are offering our in-home whitening gel for the amazing price of $7.50 -- that's half off the regular price of $15. Please call for details.

February 24th, 2011
Dinner is on us!
Whenever one of our current patients refers a new patient to us, they receive a $10 Starbucks gift card. But during the month of March, we invite you to win dinner on us! For every new patient you refer, you'll not only receive the $10 Starbucks card, but you'll also be entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card for Darden Restaurants, which include Capital Grille, Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Longhorn Steakhouse. We will hold the drawing on April 4th, and the winner will be notified by phone. Happy eating!
Birthday treats!
March 1st is Dr. Kotre's birthday, and we're celebrating by giving away a yummy treat to all of our patients who have appointments with us on March 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. And of course, you'll also receive a complimentary toothbrush to brush away all of the sugary goodness once you're finished! If you'd like to wish Dr. Kotre a happy birthday, visit our Facebook page and post a greeting on our wall.
Importance of periodontal care
For our patients who have had gum disease and been treated via scaling/root planing, periodontal maintenance therapy is extremely important. These regular follow-up treatments keep gum disease under control, along with proper at-home care. If you are due for periodontal maintenance therapy but have not made an appointment, or if you suspect you may have gum disease and require periodontal care, please contact our office as soon as possible to schedule an appointment at 734-677-2156.
CPR certifications renewed
Our staff recently renewed their Professional Rescuer CPR certifications. Although we hope to never have to use this particular knowledge set, we want all of our patients to feel confident that we are fully prepared to respond to any medical emergencies with lifesaving care.

January 27th, 2011
February is Children's Dental Health Month
In honor of National Children's Dental Health Month, we are featuring a great promotion! All month, kids ages 3-12 can bring in a drawing showing why healthy teeth are important, and they'll be entered to win a $20 Toys R Us gift card. The winner will be drawn on March 1st, and all of the drawings will be proudly displayed on our office walls.
For more dental health fun, visit the American Dental Association's website, which features games and other activities emphasizing good oral health in children.
Free children's dental clinic
On Wednesday, February 16th, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. we will be holding a free children's dental clinic. The clinic is by appointment only, and we have only seven one-hour appointments available for children who are not eligible for Medicaid Dental or do not currently have dental insurance.
If you know a child or family in need, please call as soon as possible since appointments will fill up fast and be made on a first-come, first-served basis. We will do an exam, two x-rays, fluoride treatment, and any emergency dental work that is needed and can be completed in that hour.
We are latex free!
As of February 1st, we will be a latex-free office. Severe latex allergies are becoming more common every year. It is estimated that as many as 17 million Americans have an allergy to latex. In response, we have made the decision to remove all latex products from our practice, and will be officially latex free on the first of the month.
Pet Dental Health Month
February is Pet Dental Health MonthIn addition to February being Children's Dental Health Month, it's also Pet Dental Health Month! For all of our pet-loving patients, you can get some great information on your pet's dental health at the website of the American Veterinary Medical Association, including videos and even a great podcast.
New insurers accepted
We are excited to announce that we now participate with several new providers, including Delta Dental, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Guardian, and Cigna Dental.