Glendale, Arizona
Dental Insurance & Financing
in Glendale, AZ
SmileScience Dental Spa is in-network with most major PPO dental plans. We verify your benefits before your appointment, file claims on your behalf, and help you understand exactly what your insurance covers -- and what it does not.
The Reality
How Dental Insurance
Actually Works
Dental insurance behaves very differently from medical insurance. Understanding how it actually works helps you use it more effectively and avoid surprises at the checkout desk.
Annual Maximum
Most dental plans have an annual maximum benefit of $1,000 to $2,000 per person per calendar year. Unlike medical insurance, this is not a deductible you hit before coverage kicks in -- it is a cap on how much your insurer will pay total. Once you reach the cap, you pay 100% until January 1.
Coverage Tiers
Dental plans typically sort procedures into three tiers: preventive (cleanings, exams, X-rays) covered at 100%; basic restorative (fillings, extractions) covered at 70 to 80%; and major restorative (crowns, bridges, implants) covered at 50%. Cosmetic procedures are usually not covered at all.
Waiting Periods
Many dental plans impose waiting periods of 6 to 12 months before major restorative benefits kick in. This is particularly common for plans purchased on your own rather than through an employer. Preventive care is usually covered immediately.
Insurance Does Not Mean Free
Dental insurance is designed to offset costs, not eliminate them. Even with good coverage, you will nearly always have some out-of-pocket cost for restorative work. That is normal and expected. What we do is make sure you know what that number is before treatment starts.
Deductible
Most plans have an annual deductible of $50 to $100 that you must pay before insurance starts contributing. Preventive care is often exempt from the deductible -- you get cleanings and exams even if you have not met it yet.
Orthodontic Rider
Orthodontic coverage (for Invisalign or braces) is not automatically included in most dental plans. It requires a separate rider, typically with a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $2,500 per person. Check your benefits summary to confirm whether your plan includes orthodontic coverage.
In-Network Plans
Accepted Insurance
Networks
We are in-network with most major PPO dental insurance carriers. HMO plans are generally not accepted. Call us to confirm your specific plan before your appointment.
Don't see your plan? Call us at (480) 530-3663 -- we work with many additional carriers and can verify your specific coverage before your appointment.
Understanding Your Benefits
In-Network vs.
Out-of-Network -- What Changes?
Exact coverage percentages vary by plan. We verify your specific benefits before your appointment so you know your actual out-of-pocket estimate before treatment.
Hassle-Free Process
How We Handle Your
Insurance
We Verify Your Benefits
Before your appointment, our team calls your insurance carrier to confirm your current benefit levels, annual maximum, deductible status, and what percentage is covered for the specific procedures you need.
We Estimate Your Cost
You receive a written treatment plan that shows the full procedure fee, what your insurance is expected to pay, and your estimated out-of-pocket cost. No surprises at checkout. If we are uncertain about coverage, we note that and explain the range.
We File on Your Behalf
We submit all claims directly to your insurer. You pay only your estimated patient portion at the time of service. We handle the paperwork, coding, and submission so you do not have to.
We Handle Denials
If your insurer denies a claim, we review the reason, gather supporting documentation (X-rays, clinical notes, photographs), and submit an appeal. You will never be left to navigate an insurance dispute on your own.
Before Treatment
Predetermination
for Major Work
For larger procedures like crowns, implants, or orthodontic treatment, we can request a predetermination (also called a pre-authorization or pre-estimate) from your insurer before treatment begins. This is not a guarantee of payment, but it gives you the insurer's advance opinion on what they will cover so you can plan financially with confidence.
Predeterminations typically take 2 to 4 weeks. If timing is not urgent, this step can significantly reduce financial uncertainty before a major procedure. For urgent treatment such as tooth pain or infection, we will do our best to provide accurate estimates from our experience with your specific plan.
Ask our team about predetermination if you are considering implants, full-arch treatment, or orthodontic work.
Your First Visit
What to Bring
to Your Appointment
Having the right information ready speeds up benefits verification and makes your first visit smoother.
- Your insurance card (front and back)
- Subscriber name, member ID, and group number
- The insurance carrier's phone number for providers (listed on the card)
- X-rays from your previous dentist (we can request these directly if needed)
- Photo ID
Not sure what your benefits are? Call us at (480) 530-3663 with your insurance card and we will look up your benefits for you before you even come in.
Combining Resources
Insurance Plus Financing:
The Smartest Combination
Insurance and financing are not mutually exclusive. For larger cases, most patients reduce their out-of-pocket cost significantly by stacking both.
Real Example: A $1,800 Crown
Full Cost
$1,800
Crown procedure
Insurance Pays
$850
50% after deductible
FSA / HSA
$300
Pre-tax dollars
You Finance
$54/mo
$650 / 12 months, 0%
Our treatment coordinators run this analysis for every patient with a significant balance. You never have to figure it out on your own -- we do it before treatment begins.
See All Financing OptionsDental Insurance Glossary
Frequently Asked Questions
In-network means SmileScience has a contract with your insurer to accept agreed-upon fee schedules, which typically results in lower out-of-pocket costs for you. Out-of-network means we do not have a direct contract with your plan -- your insurer may still pay a portion of the bill, but your costs are generally higher. We can estimate both scenarios before your appointment.
We generally do not accept HMO dental plans. HMO plans require you to use only providers within the HMO network and typically limit specialist access. PPO plans give you more flexibility to choose your provider. If you are unsure which type of plan you have, look at your insurance card or call us -- we can help you identify your plan type.
Preventive care (cleanings, exams, X-rays) is typically covered at 100% by most PPO plans. Basic restorative work like fillings is usually covered at 70 to 80% after your deductible. Major restorative work like crowns is commonly covered at 50%. Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered. There is also an annual maximum of $1,000 to $2,000 that caps how much your insurer pays in total per year.
Your deductible is the amount you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts contributing to costs. Most dental plans have a deductible of $50 to $100 per year. Preventive care like cleanings is often exempt from the deductible, so you receive those benefits regardless. The deductible typically resets on January 1 each year.
We handle appeals on your behalf. Common denial reasons include frequency limitations (a second cleaning scheduled too early in the benefit year), missing documentation, or a procedure coded differently than the insurer expected. We submit clinical notes, photographs, and X-rays to support the appeal. If the denial is upheld after appeal, we will explain your options including financing the remaining balance.
Yes. Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts can be used for most dental services including cleanings, fillings, crowns, implants, Invisalign, and more. We accept FSA and HSA debit cards directly. If you have FSA funds expiring at year end, contact us early -- we can often schedule eligible treatment before the use-it-or-lose-it deadline.
We do not currently accept AHCCCS (Arizona's Medicaid program). If cost is a concern, our in-house dental membership plan offers preventive care for a flat monthly fee and meaningful discounts on other treatment without requiring insurance. Call us to discuss what options make sense for your situation.
Some plans do cover implants, often at the major restorative rate of 50%, though coverage varies widely by plan. Many older plans classify implants as cosmetic and do not cover them. We verify implant coverage specifically when preparing estimates for implant consultations. Even with coverage, the annual maximum often limits how much the plan will contribute in a single year, which is why many implant patients use a combination of insurance, FSA/HSA, and financing.
No. SmileScience is 100% owned by Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke -- two practicing dentists who see patients here every day. There are no outside investors and no management company directing clinical decisions. Treatment recommendations come from the doctors, not from production quotas or investor returns.
No Insurance? You Still Have Options.
Dental insurance is one way to pay for care -- not the only way. Our in-house membership plan and four financing partners give uninsured patients access to the same quality care without monthly insurance premiums.
4.9 (437 reviews)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Smile Science Dental Spa, and I couldn't be more impressed with the level of care and service provided by the entire team. Dr. Dawson and Dr. Turke are both incredibly skilled and made me feel completely at ease throughout my procedures. Their professionalism, combined with their gentle approach, made me feel comfortable and well-informed every step of the way. I was especially impressed that I was able to get a same-day crown(apparently their first ever!), which exceeded my expectations. I couldn’t believe how quick and seamless the process was. It really saved me time and made the experience even more convenient. Cindiray and Angeles, the dental assistants, were equally wonderful. They were not only friendly and attentive but also thorough in explaining everything and made sure I was relaxed during each phase of my visit. Lastly, a big thank you to Litzy at the front desk, who greeted me with a smile and helped with scheduling and any questions I had. She made the entire check-in process a breeze. From start to finish, my experience at Smile Science Dental Spa was exceptional. I'll be returning for sure. I highly, highly, highly recommend them for anyone looking for high-quality dental care.
View Full Review on GoogleDusty
Honestly I’ve never been so happy to go to the dentist. I came in (late due to Lyft) and was still taken care of and treated with care. Even without insurance (kicking in within the next month) prices for an extraction on my infected tooth were more than reasonable. I was able to get more than expected done in the same visit. Dr. Dawson and his team made me feel so comfortable and taken care of. Won’t go anywhere else.
View Full Review on GoogleCherish B
I recently started as a patient after leaving our long-time family Dentist and couldn’t be happier! Marcela is AMAZING and a FANTASTIC hygienist!!!! 😃 Dr Dawson is great too! Every time I visit, they make me feel like family.
View Full Review on GoogleTJ Winzeler
Myself and my family had previously gone to Dr. Turk at another dental office that he worked at. He had relocated and we did not know where he had gone to until this week. Today I got in with Dr. Turk and he took the time to look at my x-rays carefully . I was having pain from a tooth and some other issues. The previous Dentist I went to that I saw just a few days earlier, he did not find any issues with my tooth which I had pain in. Dr. Turk identified infection and referred me to an endodontist. He is very gentle as a wonderful disposition and my self and my family are thrilled to be able to get back with him. The office is lovely, relaxing music, heat and massage chair.I have always been very nervous and some anxiety going to dentist as I have had bad reactions with the anesthesia. I am confident that Dr. Kirk will help me get through my next appointment just fine. “The staff are very kind and attentive. I am looking forward as I have quite a bit of work to be done, and I know I’m in good hands with Dr. Turk and his staff. Five stars!⭐️ Sherry
View Full Review on GoogleSherry Redmond
I recently moved to Arizona and had an issue with a tooth repair from 15 years back. Not knowing anyone here in my new home, I searched dentists close to me. I chose Smile Science much like pinning the tail on the donkey and my selection couldn't have been better! What a terrific staff! Dr. Turke was concerned the tooth would need to be extracted, but said he wanted to take a shot at saving it..and that's just what he did! After setting a temporary crown, I was on my way with an appointment to install the permanent crown in the following two weeks. That evening I received a call I've never received from a dentist. Dr. Turke had taken the time to follow up with me to make sure I wasn't in any discomfort..I was completely caught off guard by this kind of attention to detail and caring for my well being. The permanent crown is now in place, it fits and feels fantastic, the job and treatment are first class! Thank you, Dr. Turke and staff for taking in this stray and giving me a home dentist! I'd like to say that I'm just good at selecting blindly, but the truth is I am very lucky..and I'll take lucky over being good any day of the week! Thank you, again and Happiest of New Year's in 2026, Science Smile!!
View Full Review on GoogleEddy
Questions About Your Coverage?
Our team can verify your benefits and estimate your out-of-pocket cost before you come in. Give us a call or book online -- no obligation, no pressure.