Our goal in our dental center is to give you a healthy, happy smile for life, and we’re glad you’ve taken the first step. Seeing your dentist regularly is essential to keep your overall health and well-being.
Here’s What You Can Expect On Your First Visit To The Dentist
When you get there, a Patient Coordinator will check you in, let the team know you’re there, check your insurance, if necessary, and help you fill out any new patient paperwork. You can save time if you fill out the new patient forms in the email that confirms your appointment before you go. You can also find a link to the new patient forms on the page for the office you are going to.
Once this is done, a team member will walk you from the waiting room to a treatment room, where they will go over your dental history, medical history, and any dental health concerns or issues. Talk to your dentist or their assistant for more information.
Your All-Inclusive Test
As a new patient, the dentist will do a complete exam on you the first time you see them. During this exam, the dentist will discuss your health history and any worries you might have. They may also check your blood pressure to make sure you are healthy. Let us know now if you are nervous about your appointment. Your comfort is important to us, and we will do our best to ensure that your work goes as smoothly and comfortably as possible. During your exam, your dentist will look at your dental x-rays and check for oral cancer by looking at your jaw, neck, tongue, and mouth. This test is essential and should be done once a year.
This first exam will take about an hour and is very important so your dentist can find any problems, such as gum disease or cavities. After examining you, your dentist will make a personalized treatment plan and discuss your options. All Dental offices have specialists on staff, so you don’t need a referral to see one if you need dental care. Invariably it doesn’t cost anything to talk to a specialist.
Your teeth may need to be cleaned on your first visit. After the doctor ensures that cleaning is the proper treatment for oral health, it can be done. There are some situations in which cleaning is not the first best thing to do. Once your oral health is stable, you can expect to have your exam and cleaning/hygiene appointments simultaneously.
Your Hygiene Visit
During your visit, the dental hygienist will talk to you about your dental history and answer any questions about brushing and flossing, signs of gum disease, or how to take care of your teeth. You can talk about any worries, feelings, or problems you have right now.
The dentist will look at your mouth and gums, check for oral cancer, and then clean and polish your teeth. Your hygienist may clean your teeth by hand with old-fashioned tools or with a modern water-powered tool, depending on what will work best for you. The ADA recommends fluoride treatments for children and adults, and your dental hygienist may suggest a remedy.
Lastly, your hygienists will talk to you about taking care of your teeth and avoiding gum disease. Your hygiene exam should take about 45 minutes, and you’ll leave with a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste to help you keep up with your home health routine.
What Comes Next?
After you and the dentist talk about your treatment plan, a patient coordinator will meet with you to set up any follow-up appointments, go over payment options, and answer any questions you have about whether your insurance will cover the services the dentist recommends. For each service, you will get a full breakdown of how much it will cost and what insurance will cover. We aim to bring you the care you need as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Before you leave, remember to set up your next cleaning and exam. It’s a great way to ensure your dental health stays on track. When you give us your cell phone number and email address, we’ll send you text messages and emails to remind you of your appointments.
