Are you about to go to your dental appointment? First of all, we want to say a good job! The dentist and your oral health can end up being neglected by a lot of people. Perhaps you are unsure of what to expect at your first appointment or you are feeling a little bit nervous. Don’t worry, the experts at Bayville Dental Arts are here to explain exactly how to expect at your first dental appointment. Keep reading to learn more.
Send your records ahead of time
If you would like, you can send all your records from your last dental office. This means the dentist knows exactly what is going on in your mouth even before you get there. This makes it almost like you have been there potentially for years. This will also allow the dentist to see if there have been any issues in your mouth so they can look at them before starting to look around your mouth. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while or you are unsure of the dentist office you used to go to, that’s okay, you can always start new at your new dentist.
Show up early
It’s important that you show up early. Firstly, because you want to be there on time so that you don’t hold anyone up. The other reason is that you will need to fill out new paperwork before seeing the dentist. Although you most likely won’t be paying until after, you want to be able to have all the paperwork out of the way before seeing the dentist.
Bring your insurance and identification
If you have insurance, make sure that you bring your identification card with you. This will allow the receptionist at the dental office to work with your insurance to get you the best rate possible. If you have any questions about your insurance and what it will cover, make sure that you ask it at this time. If you do not have insurance, make sure you let the dental office know ahead of time so they can let you know about any discounts they could offer if you use a specific card or a payment plan that you could join.
Write down any questions or concerns you have for the dentist
If you have had a tooth that is bothering you since your last dental appointment or you have any specific questions for the dentist or any of the staff, make sure you write them down so that you don’t forget. You can also write down the answer so you fully understand what is going on or if you need to look up anything further and may forget the name by that time. Don’t be afraid to take notes at all or feel like you are looking silly. The dentist will be impressed by how much you care!
Expect a tour
Since it is your first time, you can expect a tour of the office. The receptionist or the dental assistant will typically bring you into each area and tell you what they do in that specific area or room. This will allow you to feel more comfortable with the entire office.
X-rays being taken
If you have not had x-rays within the last year or you did not transfer your previous x-rays, the dental assistant will then take your x-rays at this time. This process is very simple and typically takes about 10-15 minutes.
Speaking with the dentist
The next part of your appointment is to speak with the dentist. You can expect them to look at your x-rays along with your teeth and discuss anything that you could do better in the future or any issues that are occurring in your mouth.
Getting a cleaning by the hygienist
It’s time to get your teeth cleaned by the hygienist. They will give your teeth a great cleaning for about 45 minutes. You will just sit back and at the end, your teeth will feel so much smoother. If you have any questions for them, you can also ask them at this time.
Booking your next appointment
The final part of your first dental appointment is to book your next appointment. If you had any issues arise such as needing a filling, you will book that at this time. If you did not have any, you will simply book your next dental appointment that will happen approximately 6 months from that date.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes on during your first dental appointment at a new location. You can always send your records from another office to your new office if you want beforehand. If you had x-rays done there in the past year they may just skip the x-rays this time with you., If you are feeling uncomfortable, it’s okay to communicate that to the dentist and anyone you are working with there.
At the end of your appointment, you are going to leave with much healthier teeth that even feel cleaner. For more information on your first dental appointment, contact us today.