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22 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2022 Ask the Expert a sk t h e e x p e rt INTERVIEWED BY EMILY FREEHLING As families face higher costs for food, gas and other necessities, paying for orthodontics can be stressful. As a mother of four who has practiced in the Fredericksburg community for 17 years, Dr. Diana Almy of Fredericksburg Orthodontics has always wanted to make high-quality orthodontic treatment accessible to as many families as possible. As our August Expert, Dr. Almy talks about programs she has built into her business to take some of the sticker shock out of orthodontic treatment, and to make it accessible to as many families as possible. Making It Easier To Afford the Perfect Smile Q: Many parents know that orthodontics can be a big out-of-pocket expense. When treatment is needed, what are some ways you can help families access treatment at Fredericksburg Orthodontics? A: We are really proud of our in-office payment plan here at Fredericksburg Orthodontics. Because we have become such a trusted resource for orthodontic treatment for families in this region since we opened in 2005, we are able as a business to offer payment plans that are an alternative to the third-party financing options patients may encounter at other practices. Some of the benefits of these plans are: • Low down payment. • No interest. • Flexible monthly payments on a sliding scale, based on the length of the plan. • No credit check. • No need to pre-qualify. For patients, the experience is seamless, as we present monthly payments based on individual needs. We also bill insurance directly and deduct insurance payments from what a patient owes. We are all parents ourselves here, and we know that every time we can eliminate that one extra call—whether to a third-party financing company or to an insurer—accessing ortho- dontics becomes that much more convenient for our patients. Q: Are you ever able to offer a discount? We do offer a discount to patients who pay in full for their treatment. We also want to honor the contribu- tions of professionals who are essen- tial to keeping our community run- ning, but whose pay doesn't always reflect the huge role they play. We offer Hero Discounts to first respond- ers including fire, police and EMTs. We offer teacher discounts for our educators, pastoral discounts for those who lead our communities of faith, and we offer military discounts for those who sacrifice to serve our country. We also have a family discount, for households who come back to us with multiple children. We love treat- ing siblings!