Care that answers to you, not to an insurance company.
At Magnolia Smiles, treatment is planned around what your mouth needs and what you decide to do. No third party sets the pace, the price, or the ceiling on your care.
What direct pay dentistry actually means
Direct pay is a simple idea. You pay Magnolia Smiles directly for the care you receive, without an insurance company deciding what is covered, when it is covered, or how much your dentist should earn for doing the work. The result is a practice built around clinical judgment and patient time, not around a benefits table.
Dr. Finnegan runs the practice this way on purpose. It is how he can spend real time at the chair, put every cost in writing before anything begins, and recommend the option he would choose for his own family instead of the option a plan happens to reimburse.
Why we practice this way
Insurance-driven dentistry pushes offices toward shorter visits, faster turnover, and treatment that fits inside a reimbursement code. That model can work. It is not the practice Dr. Finnegan wanted to run.
Time to actually look
Exams include the intraoral camera. You see what your dentist sees before you hear what he thinks.
Options, not orders
The trade offs of each treatment choice explained in plain language, including the option to wait and monitor when that is reasonable.
Cost in writing first
Every recommended treatment comes with a written estimate before you decide. No surprise balances after the fact.
One team, start to finish
Care is coordinated inside the practice by people who know your history. No call centers, no claims departments.
How you actually pay at Magnolia Smiles
Straightforward, in four steps.
Written estimate first
You receive the fee for each procedure before we schedule it. You decide with the full picture in view.
Pay at the time of service
All major cards accepted. HSA and FSA funds welcome for eligible care.
Financing for larger cases
Third party financing available so major treatment can be spread over manageable payments.
Membership if you want it
Our in-house membership plan makes routine care predictable and adds a built-in discount on additional treatment.
No claim forms to chase. No pre-authorizations to wait on. No benefits calendar dictating the pace of your care.
What about my insurance?
You can still be seen at Magnolia Smiles if you have dental insurance. Being out of network does not mean you cannot use your plan. It means your plan pays you back instead of paying us.
Out of network reimbursement
We provide the paperwork your plan needs so you can submit for reimbursement. Many PPO plans reimburse out of network care at a meaningful percentage.
HSA & FSA welcome
Dental care at Magnolia Smiles is generally eligible for HSA and FSA spending. If you carry a high deductible plan with an HSA, direct pay pairs cleanly.
No surprise “not covered” bills
Because your estimate is written up front, there is no back-end coverage dispute weeks after your appointment.
Not sure how your plan handles out of network dental care? Call the number on the back of your card and ask what percentage they reimburse for out of network dental services. We are happy to walk through the answer with you at your first visit.
The Magnolia Smiles Membership Plan
For patients who want to skip the insurance company altogether, our membership plan is the direct pay mechanism for routine care. One simple annual fee paid directly to the practice. Preventive care included. Join today, use it today.
- Comprehensive or new patient exam
- Two professional cleanings
- Two routine exams & oral cancer screening
- Diagnostic x-rays & two fluoride treatments
- 10% off basic & major dentistry
- 5% off cosmetic dentistry
- Same preventive schedule as adult plan
- Emergency exam included
- 10% off basic & major dentistry
- 50% off initial deep cleaning
- One periodontal exam
- Three periodontal maintenance cleanings
- 50% off initial deep cleaning
- One periodontal exam
- Four periodontal maintenance cleanings
No deductibles. No waiting periods. No claim forms. See full membership details and enroll →
Is direct pay right for you?
Direct pay dentistry tends to fit well when:
You do not have dental insurance and want a straightforward way to budget for care.
You have insurance but are tired of a plan dictating what your dentist can recommend.
You carry a high deductible medical plan paired with an HSA.
You value time, transparency, and continuity more than the lowest possible copay.
You want your dentist to plan long term care with you, not year to year around a benefits reset.
You are looking for a dental home in Woodstock built around clear options and honest guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Do you accept dental insurance?
Magnolia Smiles is out of network with all plans by design. You can still use your insurance. We provide the paperwork for out of network reimbursement, and many PPO plans pay meaningfully for care received here.
Can I use my HSA or FSA?
Yes. Dental care at Magnolia Smiles is generally HSA and FSA eligible. Bring the card you use for those accounts.
Do I have to enroll in the membership plan to be seen?
No. Many patients pay per visit. The membership plan is for people who want predictable pricing on preventive care and a built-in discount on treatment.
Can I add my whole family to the membership plan?
Yes. Each family member enrolls on the plan that fits their age and dental needs, and preventive care is included for each enrolled member.
Why not just take insurance?
Because taking insurance means letting a third party set the pace, the price, and the treatment ceiling for your care. Direct pay lets Dr. Finnegan recommend what he would recommend for his own family, in the time it actually takes to do it well.
What if I need a specialist?
When outside expertise is the right call, Dr. Finnegan will tell you directly and refer you to a trusted specialist. The recommendation is based on what your case needs, not on what a network directory contains.
Meet Dr. Finnegan and schedule your visit
A dental home in Woodstock built around clear options, honest guidance, and time to hear your story.