Our Philosophy of Care
Passion for Excellence
Every procedure performed in this office will be accomplished to the very best of our ability, and we promise that our abilities will never cease to grow and to improve with our continuous quest for excellence. All our staff members are motivated and enthusiastic about dentistry, and all exhibit a passion for their work and for the care of our patients. Skill and tender loving care¬– combined with our knowledge of dentistry, ensures both excellent dental care and a positive dental experience for the entire family.
Relationship Based Care
We practice in a relationship-based way, caring about you as an individual and whole person. We strive to always take a personalized approach to addressing your needs and supporting your goals. Because no two mouths are the same, treatment plans will be thoughtfully individualized, based on your needs, desires, and circumstances. Carefully customized treatment plans will not only help your teeth look better, feel better and last longer, they will enable you to have optimal experiences during your treatment appointments.
We are more than individualized in our approach. We are truly patient-centered. This means we schedule ample time for you and are eager to answer your questions and discuss all aspects of oral health and the appearance of your smile. We want you to not only feel comfortable sharing your wishes and concerns, but also to feel in control. We want you to be fully informed about your oral health and treatment choices so you can make the choices that are best for you. Diagnosis of complex problems isn’t hurried. Dental records and models are made with digital technology, for precise treatment planning. Treatment plans are carefully developed, and you are a partner in choosing the optional methods and materials that may be used. You will not be hurried to make choices, and Dr. Hagood will guide you in a genuinely caring way with his significant experience and renowned expertise.
Our Commitments to You
We believe successful relationships begin with mutual trust and understanding. Therefore, we feel it is important that you know we make the following commitments to you.
We are committed to patient comfort and care. The setting for our dental office typifies the care and comfort provided to our patients. Our patients say it is more like someone’s home than a medical office, with a family room style reception area adorned with water fountains, live orchids, and Dr. Hagood’s artwork. Each treatment room is private and quiet–and, with today’s dentistry, there is no reason for you to experience discomfort during any of your treatment procedures.
Visiting Vero Beach Art of Dentistry might even be considered a relaxing luxury retreat. Some amenities you should expect include Tempurpedic pillows and blankets, virtual reality DVD goggles with over 100 DVD movies to choose from, disposable earphones, disposable safety eyewear, complimentary lunch for patients with long appointments, warm washcloths, cold bottled water, coffee, tea, and hygiene supplies – including disposable toothbrushes.
We are committed to making it easy for you to have conscious oral or IV sedation during procedures. For longer appointments, complimentary Town Car service is provided, allowing Dr. Hagood to administer mild sedating drugs during your appointment. Intravenous (IV) sedation can also be arranged with our anesthesiologist.
We are committed to full communication. We take time to know you as a person so we can better understand your dental needs. No decision is made for your care until you understand all your treatment options and associated fees.
We are committed to empowering you to own your oral health and make healthy choices. Dr. Hagood and his team will always strive to help you learn about your status and needs in such a way that you will have all the information needed to confidently participate in the decision-making process. We will help you make the choices that are most appropriate for you, whether for major full-mouth rehabilitation or for the frequency of regular dental cleanings and checkups.
We are committed to treating you according to the Golden Rule.
- We shall strive to keep your needs and desires foremost in our minds and never let a third party negatively influence the quality of the care or advice we provide.
- There should be no surprises. We shall always strive to inform you of what to expect regarding any course of action we choose to pursue together. This includes a commitment to keep your abreast of financial and other obligations associated with those choices.
- We shall always honor the fact that you are the expert regarding the priorities in your life, and not put pressure on you.
We are committed to your safety. Our practice meets or exceeds all OSHA and HIPAA guidelines to ensure that your procedures take place in a healthy, sterile environment. All instruments are heat sterilized for your protection. Each treatment area is thoroughly disinfected between patients. We provide safety glasses to be worn during your appointment.
Continuing education is a priority for the entire dental team at Vero Beach Art of Dentistry. We are committed to learning all the latest technologies, techniques, and aspects of restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, practice management, and preventive hygiene care. Dr. Hagood is committed to providing the greatest value to our patients by seeking the highest level of dental education in both functional and esthetic dentistry. He has accumulated over 2000 hours of advanced study and is recognized as one of fewer than 300 dentists worldwide to be accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the world’s largest association of cosmetic dentists.
We are committed to the highest quality dentistry, and we offer a World-Class Warranty. We shall strive to stay abreast of the latest advancements in dentistry, as well as make available to you the most appropriate materials and pain-free techniques.
Our office believes that excellent dental work should last a very long time. We also believe that our dental work is some of the best available in the world. Composite or plastic bonded restorations are warranted for a period of one year. Porcelain restorations are warranted for ten years as follows:
- All repairs or replacement of porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, porcelain onlays, and porcelain bridges are warranted against breakage for a period of ten years, with the following conditions:
- The patient has adhered to the treatment and recare recommendations of Dr. Hagood, including the use of an acrylic bite appliance.
Yearly examinations by Dr. Hagood are needed, so he can monitor the condition of your restorations. - The restorations must not have been damaged or lost due to additional dental treatment, trauma, bone disease, or gum disease.
- There can be no outstanding balance on account.
- Dr. Hagood reserves the right to replace the failed restoration with a different material or procedure, as he deems necessary.