Our Dental Philosophy: Care That Puts You First

At Dental West NYC, we believe in a patient-first approach to dentistry. Our philosophy is centered around treating you as a whole person, not just a set of teeth. We call this our “wholistic” approach—with a “W”—because we look at your complete oral health picture and how it connects to your overall wellbeing.

Located in the heart of the Upper West Side, our team led by Dr. Leora Walter provides preventive, restorative, and laser dentistry services designed to help you maintain your natural teeth for as long as possible. We don’t believe in unnecessary procedures or over-treatment—we believe in doing what’s right for you.

The Fee-for-Service Difference

You may wonder what “fee-for-service” means and why we’ve chosen this model. Unlike many dental practices, we don’t make treatment decisions based on what insurance will cover. Instead, we focus on what you actually need.

When you visit an insurance-based practice, they often maximize procedures that insurance will cover—taking yearly x-rays whether you need them or not, recommending treatments that might be premature, and potentially overlooking preventive approaches that could save your natural teeth.

At Dental West NYC, we:

• Tailor treatment plans to your specific needs, not insurance quotas
• Take x-rays only when clinically necessary (typically every 2-3 years for healthy patients, not annually)
• Focus on prevention to help you avoid more expensive treatments later
• Make honest recommendations about what treatment is truly needed
• Provide transparent pricing with no hidden fees

When treatment is recommended, we will give you an itemized treatment plan and our billing coordinator will review all costs before treatment is initiated. Our office accepts cash, check, and all major credit cards. We also offer various financial options tailored to your specific needs.

We understand dental work is an investment in your health. While we don’t participate in insurance networks, we do work with you to maximize your insurance benefits. We’ll submit claims on your behalf and help you receive the maximum reimbursement your plan allows.

Understanding Dental Insurance

Dental insurance differs significantly from medical insurance. Rather than covering most of your costs, dental insurance typically provides:

• A limited annual maximum benefit (often $1,000-2,000)
• Coverage for only a portion of procedure costs
• Many exclusions and waiting periods
• Emphasis on basic preventive care, with limited coverage for major work

Think of dental insurance as a discount coupon rather than comprehensive coverage. At Dental West NYC, we don’t let these limitations dictate your care. We recommend treatment based on what’s best for your long-term oral health, not what will maximize insurance payments to our practice.

For example, if you need a crown that costs $1,500 and your insurance covers $800, we’ll help you file the claim to get that $800 reimbursement. The difference is that we don’t push unnecessary treatments just because insurance will cover them, and we don’t compromise on quality materials or techniques to fit insurance parameters.

Our Commitment to Value

We believe quality dental care is an investment in your health and wellbeing. By focusing on prevention and addressing issues early, we help you avoid more extensive and expensive treatments down the road. A few hundred dollars for additional preventive care today can save thousands in major restorative work tomorrow.

Our patients appreciate our honest approach. They know when we recommend treatment, it’s because they truly need it—not because we’re trying to maximize insurance reimbursements or meet practice quotas.

Contact Dental West NYC Today

Dr. Walter and our team at Dental West NYC are committed to providing exceptional dental care that respects both your oral health and your dignity. With our advanced laser technology, preventive focus, and transparent pricing, we offer a dental experience unlike any other on the Upper West Side.

We are committed to going above and beyond for our NYC patients, providing top-of-the-line care using the latest technology and techniques. The first step in taking advantage of these services is scheduling an appointment. Schedule yours by calling (212) 580-4520 or filling out our contact form today.