Dental FAQs — Rabel Family Dentistry, Baton Rouge, LA
If you're deciding whether to book with us, you probably want to know three things: whether we take your insurance, how soon we can see you, and what actually happens when you walk in. Those are the questions below — along with Medicaid, our hours, and what to do in an emergency. Rabel Family Dentistry has been treating Baton Rouge families since 1961, out of the same Baker office. Treatment-specific questions are answered on the implants, crowns, dentures, and children's dentistry pages.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Rabel Family Dentistry, Baton Rouge, LA
When Is Rabel Family Dentistry Open?
We're open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The early weekday start and the Saturday hours exist because most of our patients work — you shouldn't have to give up a day's pay for a cleaning. Same-day appointments are often available. Call (225) 775-0160 and we'll tell you what's open today.
Do You Accept My Dental Insurance?
We accept most major PPO dental plans, and we verify your specific benefits before your appointment rather than after. Bring your card, or call us with the details ahead of time, and we'll tell you what your plan covers and what your out-of-pocket cost will be before any treatment starts. We also take cash, check, credit card and CareCredit.
Do You Accept Medicaid in Louisiana?
Yes. Rabel Family Dentistry accepts Louisiana Medicaid. Adult dental benefits under Louisiana Medicaid are limited and vary by plan, so we check your eligibility and coverage before your appointment and tell you exactly what's included and what isn't. Coverage for children is generally broader. Call (225) 775-0160 with your Medicaid ID and we'll look it up for you.
What Should I Expect at My First Visit?
Your first visit is an exam, digital X-rays, and a conversation. Dr. Brett Rabel or Dr. Michael Rabel will pull your X-rays up on screen, walk you through anything they find, and give you a written treatment plan with costs before you agree to anything. Plan on about an hour. If you're due for a cleaning and the schedule allows, we'll usually do it the same visit.
What Should I Do if I Have a Dental Emergency?
Call us first at (225) 775-0160 — don't wait to see whether it settles down. We hold time each day for same-day emergencies. If a tooth has been knocked out, keep it moist in milk or saliva and try to reach us within the hour, which is the window where putting it back has the best chance. For a cracked tooth, an abscess or a lost crown, rinse with warm salt water and call. If you have heavy bleeding, or facial swelling that affects your breathing or your vision, go to the emergency room.
What if I Don't Have Dental Insurance?
You get the same written cost estimate before treatment that an insured patient gets. We accept CareCredit and offer interest-free payment plans on larger treatment, so implants or dentures can be spread out instead of paid up front. Bring it up at your consultation, we would rather build a plan you can afford than have you put the work off.
Do You Treat Both Adults and Children?
Yes, we're a family practice, which is the point of the name. The same office that places your implants sees your six-year-old for a checkup. Most families here book back-to-back appointments so everyone is seen in one trip. We recommend a child's first visit by their first birthday, or within six months of their first tooth coming in.
Where Are You Located, and Do You Serve Baton Rouge?
Our office is at 3114 Groom Road in Baker, LA 70714 — roughly 12 miles north of downtown Baton Rouge. We've treated Baton Rouge families from this location since 1961, along with patients from Zachary and Central.
