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Getting Started
A welcoming first experience designed to understand your dental health, answer your questions, and build a personalized care plan.
A new patient visit is a comprehensive dental evaluation designed to establish a full picture of your oral health and build a personalized care plan. It is also an opportunity to meet the team, ask questions, and get comfortable with the office before any treatment begins.
Before your appointment, you will fill out a health history form — either online or on paper when you arrive. This covers your current medications, any medical conditions, known allergies, and your dental history including past treatments, current concerns, and any discomfort you are experiencing. Being thorough here helps your dentist make better, safer decisions. Bring a photo ID and your insurance card if you have coverage. If you have recent dental X-rays from a previous provider, those can be transferred or emailed ahead to reduce the number of new images needed.
The visit itself typically begins with a review of your health history and a conversation about your dental goals, concerns, and any past experiences that may have been difficult. Your dentist will then perform a thorough clinical examination, which includes evaluating each tooth individually for decay, fractures, wear, and existing restorations; assessing the health of your gums and the depth of the space between gum and tooth at several points around each tooth (a periodontal screening); checking your bite and jaw function; and examining the soft tissues of your mouth, tongue, and throat for any abnormalities. An oral cancer screening is a routine part of this exam.
Digital X-rays are typically taken at a first visit to show areas the clinical exam cannot reach — cavities forming between teeth, the condition of tooth roots and the surrounding bone, and the position of any teeth still developing or impacted below the gumline. If you have recent X-rays from another provider that are current and complete, some or all new X-rays may not be necessary. Your dentist will discuss which images are needed and why.
After the exam, your dentist will walk you through the findings in plain language, show you relevant images, and outline any recommended treatment. Nothing is done without your knowledge and consent. If multiple treatments are recommended, your dentist can help you prioritize by urgency — what needs attention soon, what can wait, and what is preventive for the future. Payment options, insurance coverage, and phased treatment plans can be discussed with the front desk at the same visit.
If you have not been to a dentist in a long time, there is no judgment here. The goal of a first visit is to understand where things stand today and build a practical path forward, not to dwell on the past. Many patients come in after years away and find that things are not as bad as they feared — and for those who do have significant dental needs, an honest first visit is still the most useful starting point.
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Common Questions
“As a new patient, I liked that I could read what to bring, verify my insurance, and know what to expect before I came in.”
Preventive Care
Routine dental exams and professional cleanings to maintain oral health, catch issues early, and build a clear treatment plan.
Preventive Care
Cavity fillings and preventive dental treatments to protect and preserve your natural teeth.
Family Care
Gentle, kid-friendly dental visits from the first tooth through the teen years, with preventive care, sealants, and fluoride -- and the same office for the rest of the family.
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