Much of the fear we experience in life is toward the unknown. The same can be said for much of the fear and anxiety someone may experience before their first dental visit, either as a new patient at a dental practice, or the first dental visit as a child. In this post, we're going to set you up for success by giving you a rundown of some common things you can expect if you're swapping practices, getting regular dental care for the first time, or taking your child to a dentist for their first visit.
Arrive Early
Do yourself a favor and try to arrive about 15 minutes early for your first dental appointment. This will give you a chance to ask any questions, clear up any clerical questions the staff may have, and fill out any new patient forms if you aren't able to access and complete them before you arrive.
New Patient Forms
Dental practices tend to use a variety of intake forms to gather information about your oral health, insurance, and relevant medical information. If you're scheduling your first appointment with a dental practice, ask if the forms can be accessed online, or if they can be mailed so you can prepare them ahead of time. This will save you a few minutes, especially if you're running late to that first appointment.
Consultation with the Office Staff
The front office staff does a lot more than greet you with a smile when you arrive at your new dental home. They handle the details of your payments, insurance benefits, and patient financing. Expect to have a brief chat with them before or after your appointment to ensure all your financial records are up to date and any payments are collected.
Dental X-Rays
Many dental practices begin your first appointment by taking dental X-rays. Technology can vary widely for X-rays, ranging from digital to panoramic to 3D, for example. This helps your dentist get a clear picture of your entire mouth, past dental work, decay, and emerging trouble spots in the gums and support structures.
Initial Dental Exam
Your first dental exam likely won't include too much work within your mouth unless you're in pain. Your dentist may go over your X-rays, ask you questions about your medical health, and examine any areas of interest that may need addressed in your treatment plan. Treatments and cleaning generally start during your second appointment.
A Custom Treatment Plan
At the conclusion of your first appointment, your dentist will go over your individualized treatment plan. This will be your roadmap to getting you back to regular cleanings and maintenance. Your dentist should cover average costs and do what they can to mitigate surprises down the road. You should also be given contact information for the practice in case you have any questions after you leave.
Thanks for Reading!
We hope our blog post helps you go into your first dental appointment with confidence. If you enjoy our dental news, facts, and articles, please consider dropping by and liking our Facebook page to see when we publish new posts.