Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Patient FAQs

Choosing a new dental office comes with a lot of questions, and we want you to feel confident before you ever sit in the chair. Whether you are curious about what to expect at your first appointment, wondering about insurance, or just want to know a little more about our team, our team at Imagine Dentistry is here to give you clear answers.

We believe that a comfortable patient is an informed patient. If you don’t see your specific question answered here, feel free to reach out to our team directly. We are always happy to walk you through anything on your mind before your visit.

We designed our office to feel warm and welcoming from the moment you walk in. You will find a modern, comfortable space with free Wi-Fi throughout, along with digital X-ray images that let us capture clear pictures of your teeth quickly and comfortably. We also use a digital camera to show you exactly what we see during your exam, so you can better understand any indicators of concern and feel involved in your own care.

Please complete all new patient paperwork at least two business days before your scheduled appointment. Forms are available on our New Patients page, and filling them out ahead of time helps your first visit move smoothly.

If you have had X-ray images taken within the past year, we recommend requesting them from your previous dental office before your appointment with us. On our New Patients page, you can find a Dental Records Request form to print, sign, and bring to your previous provider so they can send your records directly to our office. Keep in mind that if the X-ray images we receive are outdated or of poor quality, we may need to take new ones, and fees may apply.

Yes! You are welcome to have coffee or a meal before your visit. If you have recently eaten, we hand you a disposable toothbrush before we get started, just so you feel fresh and comfortable for your exam. If your mouth is still numb after treatment, avoid hot beverages so you do not accidentally burn your lip or tongue.

We file dental insurance electronically with most major carriers, including MetLife, Cigna, Humana, and several Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated plans, and we also accept coverage through state employee programs like NCFlex. Network status and benefits can vary quite a bit from plan to plan, so we encourage you to call your insurance company to verify our network status with your plan, and then call our office before your appointment. That way, we can walk through your specific coverage together and help you make the most of your benefits.

Many patients still choose to see Dr. Coambs even if we are out of network for their particular plan. If you have questions about your coverage, you are always welcome to schedule a complimentary Meet & Greet appointment if you would like to ask questions in person first.

We accept most major forms of payment, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, HSA funds, FSA funds, and cash. If you would like to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, in addition to our Membership Plan. You can find full details on our Financial Information page.

Yes! Our Membership Plan was created with patients without traditional dental insurance in mind. It provides access to preventive care, including routine checkups, cleanings, and digital X-ray images, along with discounts on additional treatments – all without a waiting period. We have plans available for adults, children, and patients who need periodontal maintenance, and our team is happy to help you find the plan that fits your needs during your visit.

Insurance & Financial Questions

We know that navigating insurance and payment options can feel overwhelming, so we have gathered a few of the most common financial questions we hear from patients. Our goal is to make the financial side of your care just as clear and comfortable as the clinical side.

Yes. We file your dental insurance electronically with most major carriers as a courtesy, after each of your appointments. Because coverage and benefits differ from company to company, we recommend calling our office before your appointment so we can talk about your specific plan and help you make the most of what benefits are available to you.

Not quite. Our membership plan is not dental insurance. Instead, it is a program that lets you prepay for preventive services at a set rate, while also receiving discounts on additional treatments. With insurance, patients are often responsible for a percentage of restorative treatments such as fillings, crowns, and dental implants, and coverage often comes with caps or maximums. Our plan works a little differently because it focuses on straightforward, transparent  pricing without an insurance company setting the terms.

Yes! You can add family members when you first enroll, or at any time after that. Enrollment simply requires each person’s full name, phone number, email address, and date of birth. If you are curious whether the plan makes sense for your household, our Membership Plan page walks through pricing and coverage in more detail.

We are open Tuesday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. We typically close when the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school district closes due to inclement weather, so please check with us if severe weather is in the forecast.

For new adult patients, we recommend requesting an appointment start time between 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. For new patients under the age of eighteen, we recommend a start time between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Appointments can be requested online or by calling our office.

This is one of the most important decisions you can make for your long-term oral health, and it is worth taking your time. Dental care is a personal service, and a good relationship between you and your dentist makes a real difference. During your first visit, pay attention to how comfortable you feel and whether the team takes time to answer your questions and explain your options clearly.

Yes! Dr. Coambs has received a Charlotte Magazine Top Dentists Award every year since 2016. She has also earned her Fellowship designation from the Academy of General Dentistry, an honor held by fewer than six percent of general dentists in North Carolina, reflecting her ongoing commitment to continuing education.

What Special Training Does Dr. Coambs Have?

Dr. Coambs has completed advanced dental training from The Dawson Academy to help assess and treat TMJ pain (jaw joint pain) and headaches. She takes a comprehensive approach to issues associated with the temporomandibular joint, with a deep understanding of how it affects your overall dental health. 

Choosing the right dental home matters, and we hope these answers help you feel prepared for your first visit with us. If you still have questions we have not covered here, our team would love to hear from you. Reach out to us today to request an appointment and get the information you need to make the best decision for your oral health.

Imagine Dentistry at the Arboretum

Dental Insurance

We accept most dental insurances, and we will always work to get the most out of your benefits. If it would help to break up the cost of your care into smaller monthly payments, we are prepared to discuss payment plan options with you. We offer an excellent Membership Plan with our office, as well as financing with Care Credit. If you are looking for a dentist in Charlotte, NC, our team will be delighted to assist you in scheduling an appointment today.

Insurances & Financing
CareCredit payment logo with teal and green swoosh design
No Insurance? No Problem!

Dental Membership Plan

We offer an excellent Membership Plan designed specifically for patients without traditional insurance coverage. Our “Love.Your.Smile.” plans provide access to preventive care, including regular checkups, cleanings, and x-rays, along with valuable discounts on additional treatments. If you’re looking for transparent pricing and quality dental care without the hassle of insurance claims, our membership plan may be the perfect solution for you and your family. Our team will be happy to discuss which plan best fits your needs during your visit!

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