When it comes to dental care, you want to make sure that everyone in the whole family gets highly-skilled, gentle and compassionate care at every appointment. And if you’ve scheduled a visit with a new dentist soon, it’s understandable that you might be wondering what to expect! Although each dentist is unique, you can count on your first checkup at any office to include many of the same basic steps. If you’d like to know more about what your first visit will be like, keep reading for more information about the typical new patient experience!
What Will Your First Visit Be Like?
Everything that happens at your first visit is done with one goal in mind: to make sure you get thorough, comprehensive dental care. When you first arrive, you’ll get several forms to fill out, including a medical and dental history and a dental insurance questionnaire.
Once you’ve been brought back to a room, your exam will include all of the following to help your dentist evaluate every aspect of your oral health:
- X-rays and images will be taken to look for cavities in areas that can’t be seen with the naked eye, including underneath crowns and in between the back teeth. These images are also used to make sure your jaws and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are healthy.
- You’ll get a gentle assessment of your gums to check for gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss.
- Both the dentist and hygienist will closely inspect all the soft tissues in your mouth and throat as part of the oral cancer screening.
- A dental exam to make sure your existing dental work is still functioning well and check for any tooth decay, fractures or other issues with your teeth.
- Time permitting, a professional cleaning and polishing will be done. If you have gum disease, your dentist may recommend a special type of cleaning or other treatments to better serve you.
If you need any additional dental work, your dentist will take various factors into account like your lifestyle, budget, diet and age so they can recommend the best treatment. They’ll also ask about your goals so that your treatment plan can be as collaborative as possible.
What Should You Look For To Make Sure You’re Getting High-Quality Care?
One of the main things to look for during a first visit is that your dentist and their staff take a little time to get to know you. Hopefully, you’ll be with them for a long time, so you want to make sure you trust them and feel comfortable asking questions.
Here are a few other things to keep an eye out for:
- A modern office with new technology like digital X-rays and an intraoral camera.
- An extensive service menu that includes sleep apnea and TMJ treatment.
- Sedation options, including nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”)
Many people feel a bit anxious about their first appointment. But now that you know what to expect, you can rest easy and feel great about getting the care you need to have a healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. Ramandeep Badhan is a general, restorative and cosmetic dentist who creates long-term relationships with his patients based on trust, one-on-one care, and a great overall dental experience. Every day, he and his staff enjoy getting to know their patients and treat them like family. If you have any other questions about your initial dental appointment, he can be reached via his website or at (805) 927-4811.