Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to the questions parents ask most—so you can feel informed, supported, and confident in your next steps.
Newborns 0-1
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At health:latch, a Discovery Visit is much more than a typical exam — it’s the first step in truly understanding your child’s unique story.
We believe every child and every family has a story to tell. That’s why, before you even arrive, we carefully review your intake forms and encourage you to share as much detail as possible about your concerns, experiences, and intuition. The more we understand, the better we can support you.
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For infants, we always start with therapy first.
Your baby will see a highly trained functional occupational therapist who focuses on:
Feeding and positioning
Oral function and muscle coordination
Reflexes and early development
This stage is all about building a strong foundation.
You’ll receive hands-on guidance, practical techniques, and real-time support to help your baby thrive.If needed, a pediatric dentist may also be involved — but therapy leads the process.
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Absolutely.
Infants are always a priority because:
Feeding support cannot wait.
Our team works hard to ensure babies are seen efficiently and as soon as possible, without unnecessary delays.
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We don’t rush to intervene.
Instead, we:
Take time to fully understand your child
Use therapy as a guide for decision-making
Only recommend procedures when they truly add value
Our goal is to maximize outcomes — not just perform procedures.
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No — and we want to be very clear about that.
At health:latch, we take a transparent, function-first approach. While many families come to us concerned about things like tongue ties or oral restrictions, a procedure is not always necessary.
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We don’t make decisions based on what we see — we make decisions based on how your child is functioning.
During your Discovery Visit, we look at:
Feeding and oral function
Growth and development
Symptoms at home
Your child’s overall ability to thrive
Even if a visible restriction (like a tongue tie) is present, if your baby is feeding well, growing, and functioning properly, we may not recommend any procedure at all.
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We always prioritize functional therapy first.
Your child is assessed by a functional therapist who looks beyond structure and focuses on:
How your child uses their mouth
Muscle coordination and strength
Feeding patterns and reflexes
In many cases:
Some babies don’t need a procedure right now
Some babies don’t need one at all
Some simply need targeted therapy and support
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We’ve seen that when care starts with a procedure alone, outcomes can be limited.
But when therapy is layered:
Before a procedure
After a procedure
That’s when real transformation happens.
Families feel more supported, children improve more consistently, and results are more meaningful and lasting.
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You don’t have to — we encourage you to be present and engaged during your appointment.
If you’d like to remember specific techniques (especially for babies), we recommend:
Taking quick videos on your phone
Capturing hands-on guidance shown during therapy
This makes it easier to continue supporting your child at home.
Older Children 1-10
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At health:latch, a Discovery Visit is much more than a typical exam — it’s the first step in truly understanding your child’s unique story.
We believe every child and every family has a story to tell. That’s why, before you even arrive, we carefully review your intake forms and encourage you to share as much detail as possible about your concerns, experiences, and intuition. The more we understand, the better we can support you.
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Just like with younger patients, everything starts with your child’s story.
From the moment you first contact us, we begin gathering details — because sometimes the smallest pieces of information lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
During the visit, we:
Review your child’s history and concerns
Assess their oral health, airway, and development
Look at any previous diagnoses or treatment plans
Connect the dots to create a clearer, more complete picture
Many families come to us for a second opinion, especially when they’ve received multiple or conflicting recommendations.
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A traditional exam often focuses on whether there are cavities or visible concerns.
A Discovery Visit goes much deeper.
We look at:
Your child’s symptoms and challenges at home
Feeding, breathing, and oral function
Developmental patterns and root causes
Your concerns, intuition, and lived experience as a parent
Our goal is not just to say “everything looks fine,” but to connect the dots and help you understand what’s really going on — and what can be done about it.
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Many families come to us after being told “nothing can be done.”
We believe otherwise.
By combining functional therapy and pediatric dental expertise, we create a built-in safety net — ensuring that:
No procedure is done unnecessarily
Every concern is fully explored
You feel informed, supported, and empowered to advocate for your child
Our philosophy remains the same:
Less invasive, more thoughtful, and always function-first.
We lean toward a more:
Biological and holistic approach
Therapy-first model
Conservative use of appliances, medications, and interventions
Just because something can be done doesn’t always mean it should be done — especially when children are still growing and developing.
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Yes — very much so.
Even for older children, therapy plays a critical role in:
Improving airway and breathing
Supporting proper oral function
Enhancing long-term outcomes
In many cases, we prioritize less invasive, therapy-based solutions before considering more advanced treatments.
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Earlier is always better.
As children get older (around ages 8–10), we may be working against more established patterns. While we can still help, starting sooner allows for simpler, more effective, and less invasive support.
That said — it’s never too late to begin.
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We don’t rush to intervene.
Instead, we:
Take time to fully understand your child
Use therapy as a guide for decision-making
Only recommend procedures when they truly add value
Our goal is to maximize outcomes — not just perform procedures.
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One of the most unique parts of our process is long-term planning.
For children (even as young as age 2), we help you map out:
Dental development and cavity prevention
Airway and breathing support
Growth and check-in timelines
You leave with a clear, structured plan for your child’s development — often spanning years — so nothing is overlooked and you’re never left wondering what’s next.
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You don’t have to — we encourage you to be present and engaged during your appointment.
If you’d like to remember specific techniques (especially for babies), we recommend:
Taking quick videos on your phone
Capturing hands-on guidance shown during therapy
This makes it easier to continue supporting your child at home.
Before your visit
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We guide families through three key steps:
Intuition – You sense something isn’t right
Awareness – You begin to understand why
Advocacy – You feel confident taking the next steps
Our role is to help you move from uncertainty to clear, empowered decision-making.
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We encourage you to:
Share your full story in your intake forms
Use voice-to-text if it’s easier — just speak freely
Trust your instincts as a parent
Your insights are incredibly valuable, and they help us provide the most meaningful care possible.
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Before your visit, you’ll receive our detailed Story Form through our secure system, Jane App.
This form allows you to:
Share your child’s full history and your concerns
Tell us what you’re noticing at home
Provide details that might otherwise get missed
We encourage you to be as detailed as possible — even the smallest insight can be incredibly important.
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We review your entire story before you arrive.
This means:
No time is wasted on paperwork during your visit
You’re not juggling forms while caring for your child
We can ask thoughtful, personalized questions right away
Instead of starting from scratch, we begin your visit already understanding your child — allowing for a much more efficient, educational, and meaningful experience.
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Getting started is simple — and designed to be as smooth and stress-free as possible.
The easiest way to begin is to send us a text.
Our team is quick to respond, and your message comes directly to us. If it’s after hours, we’ll follow up first thing in the morning.
You can also email us, but texting is the fastest and most preferred way to connect.
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Once you text us, we’ll:
Connect with you directly
Send helpful information and educational videos tailored to your child’s age
Walk you through what to expect from our process
When you’re ready to move forward, we’ll guide you to the next step.
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We’ve intentionally built our communication around texting because:
It’s faster and more convenient for families
It allows us to respond thoughtfully and efficiently
It helps us keep track of every detail you share
Every message you send becomes part of your child’s story — and sometimes, the smallest detail can make the biggest difference.
From your very first text, our goal is to:
Gather meaningful information
Understand your child’s full picture
Prepare thoroughly before you even walk through our doors
So when you arrive, the focus is exactly where it should be:
on your child, your concerns, and creating a clear plan forward.
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No — we are a fully out-of-network clinic, and this is a very intentional decision.
Our model of care is built around time, depth, and true collaboration — and that simply isn’t possible within a traditional insurance-based system.
At health:latch, we:
Spend significant time reviewing your child’s story before you arrive
Provide in-depth, one-on-one Discovery Visits (often much longer than standard appointments)
Collaborate in real-time with other providers when needed
Offer continued support through follow-ups and communication after your visit
This level of care often goes far beyond what insurance models allow, where visits can be limited to just a few minutes.
We’ve chosen not to compromise the quality of care your family receives.
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Because we are out-of-network:
Payment is made directly to our office at the time of service
We provide you with a medical superbill after your visit
You can submit this to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement
Many families do receive partial reimbursement, but it depends entirely on your individual insurance plan.
While we hope you receive reimbursement:
We cannot guarantee coverage or payment from your insurance provider.
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Whether you come to health:latch or not, we encourage every family to:
Seek a therapy-first approach.
Because in our experience:
Therapy is where the real progress happens
Therapy is where children truly grow and improve
Therapy is where the “magic” happens
After your visit or you still have questions?
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After your Discovery Visit, we create a personalized plan based on your child’s specific needs, symptoms, and development.
Our goal is to give you clarity, direction, and ongoing support — not just a one-time visit.
Your plan may include:
Therapy recommendations (always a core focus)
Oral motor support or feeding guidance (especially for babies)
Bodywork or developmental support if needed
Follow-up timelines and check-ins
Product recommendations, if applicable
Every plan is tailored — no two children are the same.
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Your full evaluation and recommendations will be sent to you through Jane App.
You’ll be able to:
Review detailed notes from your visit
See your child’s customized plan
Access any recommended resources or products
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Yes.
We send detailed reports to your child’s care team when appropriate, helping:
Align everyone involved in your child’s care
Create a more cohesive, collaborative approach
Provide clarity on next steps and recommendations
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Absolutely — this is one of the most valuable parts of our process.
Many families leave with a clear developmental roadmap, which may include:
When to check in next
What milestones to monitor
When to involve other providers
Some parents even keep this plan on their fridge or phone as a guide.
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Yes.
Our admin team will:
Review your plan behind the scenes
Reach out via text if anything needs to be scheduled or coordinated
Support you every step of the way
We simply ask that you respond to messages, as this helps us keep your child’s care moving forward smoothly.
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That’s completely normal — and you’re not alone.
Many families come to health:latch after receiving mixed messages or conflicting advice from different providers. It can feel confusing, frustrating, and overwhelming.
Our goal is to give you something different:
Clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward.
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That’s okay.
If you leave your visit with:
Greater understanding
Clear answers
Confidence in your instincts
…that is a win.
We respect your decisions and will never pressure you into treatment.
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We’ll tell you — honestly.
If your child would benefit more from another provider, we will:
Guide you in the right direction
Connect you with trusted professionals
Ensure you still leave with a clear plan