E2 Burlingame Dental | A Dental Office You Can Trust

Meet Dr. Thay Lay

It is with great pleasure that I write to introduce myself and express my gratitude and excitement at having the opportunity to provide dental services for you and your family in the beautiful city of Burlingame.

I am from sunny Phoenix, Arizona, where I received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Arizona. I later earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of the Pacific, Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. After graduation, I pursued further training by completing a post-doctoral residency program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at UCSF where I gained experience in all aspects of dentistry. Thereafter, I worked as an associate in a private practice in South San Francisco.

I enjoy spending personal time with my family – my wife, Diane, and our two wonderful sons (Evan-3; Elon-5). If I'm not on the soccer field with the boys, you can find me enjoying the many perks the Bay Area has to offer.

Finally, I am committed to providing you and your family with the most excellent dental health care in a professional and friendly manner, so you and your loved ones have lifetimes of healthy smiles.

Read Article - On the Path to Changing the World: From Volunteer to Dentist Read Letter from Drs. Eileen and Tim McCarthy

Helpful Insurance Information

E2 Burlingame Dental accepts all PPO dental insurance plans as an out-of-network provider.

Please notify us of insurance changes at least 1 week prior to your appointment

All payments and co-payments are expected at the time of service

We submit all claims electronically as a courtesy on your behalf

Our team is here to help you maximize your benefits

Patients with Delta Dental

We accept Delta Dental PPO and Premier plans as an out-of-network provider. Payment in full is collected at the time of service. As a courtesy, our staff electronically submits your Delta Dental claim on your behalf. Delta Dental will then send reimbursement directly to the subscriber on the plan.

How Delta Dental Is Different from Other Out-of-Network Plans

With Delta Dental PPO plans:

Delta Dental does not allow assignment of benefits to our office as an out-of-network provider
Payment in full is required at the time services are rendered
We electronically submit your claim as a courtesy
Delta Dental processes the claim and mails the benefit check directly to the subscriber within 2–4 weeks
A very small minority of Delta Dental plans allow reimbursement directly to the provider — we verify this in advance of your appointment

Patients with Other PPO Plans

Most other PPO insurance companies allow assignment of benefits directly to our office as an out-of-network provider.

Prior to your scheduled appointment, we:

Contact your insurance plan to verify active coverage
Review your benefits in detail to estimate anticipated payment
Collect any applicable co-payment at the time of service
Submit your insurance claim electronically
Receive the benefit check from the insurance company within 2–4 weeks

If there is any overpayment or underpayment, we will send a refund or statement accordingly.

Insurance FAQ

Can I still come to you if you are out-of-network?

Yes! We accept all PPO plans. Many of our patients use out-of-network benefits. PPO insurance gives you the freedom to choose your dentist without being limited to in-network providers.

Will I need to pay everything out-of-pocket?

No. PPO plans (except most Delta Dental plans) allow assignment of benefits directly to our office. This means your insurance company reimburses us directly for covered services, and you are responsible only for your estimated patient portion.

After your appointment, we electronically submit your claim as a courtesy. You remain responsible only for your estimated portion once insurance payment is received.

How does my co-pay work when E2 Burlingame Dental is out-of-network?

For preventive and diagnostic services — exams, cleanings, fluoride, and x-rays — there is often little to no out-of-pocket cost depending on your plan.

If you are out-of-network, you may be responsible for the difference (if any) between our fee and your insurance company's "Allowed Fee." Our fees are based on Usual and Customary Rates (UCR) for our local geographic region. Some plans base reimbursement on UCR, while others may use a Fee Schedule determined between your employer and insurance company.

What Is a Pre-Treatment Determination?

A pre-treatment estimate (or determination) is when we electronically submit your proposed treatment plan to your insurance company before your appointment as a courtesy.

The insurance company reviews your benefits and mails an estimate to both the subscriber and our office. This typically takes at least two weeks for most plans.

Even with preauthorization, insurance companies never guarantee payment. Final benefit determination occurs only when a claim is processed. You are responsible for any unpaid amount not covered by your insurance.

What If My Employer Uses a Fee Schedule?

If your employer's plan bases out-of-network coverage on a Fee Schedule, the insurance company pays a designated percentage up to an agreed-upon "Allowed Fee," which is often lower than UCR.

In these cases:

Benefit estimates may require additional research
We can submit a pre-treatment authorization at least two weeks before your appointment
Final payment amounts are determined when the claim is processed
If a balance remains after insurance processing, a statement will be mailed to you and you will be responsible for the remaining amount

McCarthy Dentistry

Dear Patients, Friends and Family,

We are writing to share exciting news with you all. After 40-years of having the great honor and pleasure to serve as your dentists, we have decided to retire. We have immeasurable gratitude towards each and every one of you for your loyalty and support throughout the years. The life stories shared, the kindness received, and the friendships formed remain the most cherished and rewarding aspects of our careers.

In the search for our successor, it was of utmost importance to find a dentist we felt confident would provide the highest level of dental skill, as well as bring compassion to every patient interaction. We are fortunate to introduce Dr. Thay Lay as our successor. Dr. Lay is personable, experienced, and will continue the dental care you expect from our practice.

Thank you for entrusting us with your dental care. We invite you to support this caring and talented dentist as you have supported us through the decades.

With gratitude and best wishes,
Eileen McCarthy D.D.S and Timothy McCarthy D.D.S

A Dental Office You Can Trust

Phone

Email

Hours

Location

Meet Dr. Thay Lay

Our Values

Trust

Responsibility

Care & Service

Commitment

Our Services

Restorative Dentistry

Periodontal Services

General Dentistry

Minimally Invasive Dentistry

Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental Surgery

Helpful Insurance Information

Patients with Delta Dental

How Delta Dental Is Different from Other Out-of-Network Plans

Patients with Other PPO Plans

Insurance FAQ

Can I still come to you if you are out-of-network?

Will I need to pay everything out-of-pocket?

How does my co-pay work when E2 Burlingame Dental is out-of-network?

What Is a Pre-Treatment Determination?

What If My Employer Uses a Fee Schedule?

Additional Questions?

New Patient Forms

McCarthy Dentistry

Contact Us

Get in Touch

Office Hours