The short answer
Choose a Dansville family dentist who is accepting new patients, takes your insurance, sees adults and children, and can see you quickly for emergencies. Then check the dentist’s credentials, recent Google reviews, office hours, and how easy it is to schedule a visit.
What should I look for in a family dentist?
- Accepting new patients, with a first visit available in a reasonable time
- Insurance help: the office checks your benefits and explains costs before treatment
- Care for all ages, so children and adults can see the same team
- Emergency access: time saved for toothaches and broken teeth
- Credentials you can verify, plus continuing education
- Reviews that describe how patients felt, not just a star rating
- Office hours that fit your schedule, plus an easy way to request a visit
How do I check whether a dentist takes my insurance?
- Find your plan name and member ID on your insurance card.
- Call the office or check its insurance page and ask how your specific plan works there.
- Ask whether the office is in-network with your plan or files claims as out-of-network, and request an estimate before treatment.
In-network means the office has a contract with your insurance company. Out-of-network means it does not, although your plan may still pay part of the cost. See insurance and payment at A Smile By Design.
What dental credentials matter?
| Credential | What it means | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) | A dental degree from an accredited dental school | New York State Office of the Professions license verification |
| DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine) | The same degree under a different name; DDS and DMD dentists have equal training | New York State Office of the Professions license verification |
| FAGD (Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry) | A general dentist who completed hundreds of hours of continuing education and passed a comprehensive exam | Academy of General Dentistry |
Dr. James C. Vogler, DDS, FAGD earned his DDS from SUNY Buffalo in 1990, is a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, and has completed more than 1,500 hours of continuing education. Meet Dr. Vogler and the team.
How quickly can a new patient be seen?
For a dental emergency, call first: many offices save time each week for urgent problems. A Smile By Design saves appointments each week for toothaches, broken teeth, and lost fillings or crowns. For a routine first visit, call or send an appointment request and the office will find a time that works. What to do in a dental emergency.
Do family dentists treat children?
Yes. A family dentist cares for patients of all ages. A children’s checkup usually includes:
- A cleaning and an exam of the teeth and gums
- X-rays when needed
- Tips for brushing and flossing at home
- A check of how the bite and new teeth are coming in
How do I compare dental offices in Dansville?
Compare offices on the same points. Here is how A Smile By Design answers them:
| What to compare | A Smile By Design |
|---|---|
| Accepting new patients | Yes, all ages |
| Scheduling | Call (585) 335-2120 or send a request online |
| Hours | Mon to Thu 8 AM to 5 PM, Fri 8 AM to 2 PM |
| Insurance help | Most major plans; benefits checked for you; CareCredit with approved credit |
| Emergencies | Appointments saved each week |
| Children | Yes |
| Location | 64 Elizabeth Street, Dansville, NY 14437, about 20 miles south of Geneseo on I-390 |
| Google rating | 5.0 from more than 300 reviews |
What happens at the first visit?
- Call or send an appointment request, and share your insurance details.
- Arrive a few minutes early with your insurance card and a list of medications.
- Have a complete exam and X-rays if needed.
- Hear a clear explanation of what was found and your options, with costs, before any treatment.
- Schedule your next cleaning or treatment.
See what to expect at your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental visit cost without insurance?
It depends on what the exam and X-rays show. Call A Smile By Design at (585) 335-2120 and the team will explain what to expect for cost before your visit, and CareCredit financing is available with approved credit.
How do I switch dentists?
Pick your new office, then sign a records release there. The new office requests your X-rays and charts from your old dentist, so you do not have to collect them yourself.
Can a family dentist see my kids and me at the same office?
Yes. A family dentist sees adults and children, so a whole family can book with the same team and often on the same day.
I’m nervous about the dentist. What should I look for?
Look for an office that explains each step before it starts and lets you ask questions. Tell the team when you book, and look for reviews that mention feeling at ease.
Is A Smile By Design open on Saturdays?
No. The office is open Monday to Thursday from 8 AM to 5 PM and Friday from 8 AM to 2 PM, and you can send an appointment request any time.
Next step: Request an appointment or call (585) 335-2120 to see Dr. Vogler at A Smile By Design in Dansville, NY.