General FAQ

When should I call to schedule a well appointment (yearly physical)?

A good rule of thumb is to call 4-6 months in advance. If you would like an appointment the week of a school break (ie: spring break, fall break, winter break), call at least six months in advance because those appointments fill up fast!

How do I reach a nurse or doctor outside business hours?

If you need to reach us after business hours, call our main office line 865.687.1940. You will reach an automated system that will provide you with a list of options to direct your call. It is important to listen to each menu item in full.

In the case of an emergency dial 911.

To speak with a nurse:

Dial 865.687.1940.
Do not leave a message, as they are not checked until the next business day and are for routine prescription refills only.
Choose the menu option that connects you to Children’s Hospital, where a nurse is ready to take your call.
If necessary, that nurse will contact a doctor from Black and Benton. The doctor will then call you back at the number you provide. Most matters do not require the nurse to contact one of our doctors.

My child has a license - can they attend an appointment by themselves?

We allow patients to have unaccompanied appointments when they are 17. If you have a copay or a balance, please arrange prior to the appointment how you will provide payment, whether by calling to pay over the phone or giving your child your preferred payment method. It is customary to collect a copay at the time of the appointment, whether or not you accompany your child. It is helpful if you are available by cell phone during the appointment if needed.

I have a Conference visit scheduled - should my child attend?

Unless expressly told by the doctor that the child should not attend, it is always a good idea for them to be there as you discuss topics and issues. It is important for the doctor to know the child's perspective in experiences relevant to the concern at hand.

Why do I have to fill out new forms each year?

The Patient Information and Consent to Treat forms provide us with information that we are required to update annually in accordance with government and industry guidelines.

Can I shadow a doctor or nurse at Black & Benton for clinical hours?

While we believe in continuing education and mentoring the next generation of healthcare providers, we rarely have the resources and time available to allow students to shadow us. If you need clinical hours and would like for us to consider if your needs are a good fit for us, please submit a resume and letter with your expectations by email to BlackAndBentonPeds@gmail.com. The letter should include who you are hoping to shadow, what days/hours you would need to shadow and how many hours you need. We recommend you pursue other locations for your clinical hours while you wait to hear from us. We will only contact you if we believe we might be able to accommodate you. No response from us is, unfortunately, a no. Please do not call the office to ask about job shadowing. At no time will a student have patient care duties of any kind in our office. We allow shadowing (watching) only and only with patient consent.