Family dentistry in Ankeny, for every smile in the house

Yes. We're accepting new patients of every age at our Ankeny office. Call (515) 965-1653 to schedule, or request an appointment online and we'll call you back. You can save time at your first visit by downloading and filling out our new patient paperwork before you come in.

Yes, we accept all three: Iowa Medicaid, Hawk-I, and the Dental Wellness Plan (also called Iowa Health and Wellness). We also accept all major private plans, including MetLife, Delta Dental, Cigna, Guardian and Humana. Our staff will look up your benefits and explain your coverage before treatment.

Payment is due on the day of service. We accept cash, checks, major credit cards and CareCredit financing. If you'd like a price estimate before your visit, call our office. We make sure you know what your treatment will cost, and why we recommend it, before it begins.

Call us at (515) 965-1653 as soon as you can. We attend to most emergency needs within hours of receiving your call during office hours, Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm. Tell us what happened and where it hurts so we can get you in quickly. For a life-threatening emergency, call 911.

Yes. Most of our staff is fluent in both English and Spanish, and Dr. Hintz speaks Spanish after living in Santiago, Chile for two years. You can explain your concerns, ask questions and go over treatment in the language you're most comfortable with.

At least twice a year, though your dentist or hygienist may recommend more frequent visits. At each visit your teeth are cleaned and checked for cavities, and we monitor your gums and other areas that help us catch problems early and keep your teeth and gums healthy.

By their first birthday. An early visit lets the dentist spot any special conditions and makes the first trip a positive one. Tell your child about the visit without going into detail; our team is trained to explain everything in kid-friendly terms so it's pleasant, not scary.

Brush every morning and night, and floss once a day. Brushing and flossing control the plaque and bacteria that cause dental disease. Flossing matters because a toothbrush can't reach between teeth or under the gum line, where decay and gum disease often start.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums and bone that hold your teeth in place. It starts as gingivitis. Left untreated, gums pull away from the teeth and form infected pockets, and the bone and tissue that support the teeth break down. Teeth can eventually loosen and need to be removed.

We're at 309 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50023, across the street from Hy-Vee. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00am to 5:00pm; we're closed Saturday and Sunday. Our early 7:00am start makes it easier to fit a visit in before work or school.