Going to the new dental office can be scary, even if you have been to a dentist before. New faces, new paperwork, a new chair. Even though you have been to the dentist in Atlanta before, there are many questions that come to mind. To make your first visit to a Blueprint Smiles as smooth as possible.
Before Your Visit What to Prepare
A little prep work goes a long way in making your first appointment smooth and quick. Here’s what most dental offices ask for:
- Your ID and insurance card, if you have dental insurance
- A list of any medications you’re currently taking
- Your medical history, including any past surgeries or health conditions
- Records from your last dentist, if you’re switching offices and have them available
- A list of any questions or concerns you want to bring up
Step 1 – Check-in Registration
Upon arrival, your check-in will be handled by the front desk staff, who will verify and confirm your insurance and that your paperwork is correctly filed. If you complete forms on-line, check-in should take only a few moments. If not, you will be given a brief form covering your dental health history, current medications, and any reasons for coming that relate to your oral health.
Step 2 – Meeting the hygienist
Typically, even before you get settled in the dental chair, you’ll get to meet the dental hygienist or assistant who will explain what you can expect to happen during the visit. In many Atlanta dental practices, it will be a dental hygienist who you develop the best relationship with since you will see them the most during your periodic checkups and cleanings. Your dental hygiene visit is an optimal time to point out if you are uneasy or nervous about seeing the dentist. Typically, a dental practice will be more than happy to go at your pace, walk you through the process, or provide a blanket if you get a cold. An effective dental team is one that wants to make you feel at ease.
Step 3 – X-Rays and Initial Exam
For most people, the core goal of the dentist during a person’s first dental visit is to fully understand their oral health status. The first examination arranged is dental X-ray imaging, which can detect issues that are invisible to the naked eye, such as interproximal caries, alveolar bone resorption, and abnormalities under the gums. There is no need to worry about radiation risks at all: the radiation dose of dental X-rays is extremely low, and its safety has long been widely recognized. After the X-ray is taken, the dentist or dental hygienist will also conduct a visual examination of your teeth, gums, and the entire oral cavity to screen for abnormalities such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and tooth damage caused by bruxism.
Step 4 – Professional Dental Cleaning
Your very first dental cleaning will probably include a full professional cleaning from a hygienist, who will remove accumulated tartar (that hardened form of plaque that gets in hard to reach places) and other deposits. He or she may then buff or polish your teeth, or may even do a quick floss in some areas. It is quite normal to experience some temporary sensitivities to heat and cold if it’s been some time since your last routine cleaning.
Step 5 – Review the exam results
Once the exam and cleaning are done, your dentist will sit down with you to go over what they found. This is the part where you get real answers, not just a quick “looks good” on your way out. A good oral dentist in Atlanta will explain:
- Any cavities, cracks, or areas of concern
- The health of your gums
- Whether you need any additional dental procedures
- What a treatment plan and timeline might look like, if needed
- Approximate costs, especially if treatment isn’t covered by dental insurance
No Question is Too Silly Don’t feel embarrassed asking questions during this stage. Have your dentist explain complicated concepts in simple terminology if they’re not easy for you to grasp. Reputable dental practices won’t pressure you to rush out of their office, having never gotten a definitive understanding of recommended procedures.
Step 6 – Schedule follow-up arrangements
Just before you go, the front desk person will arrange your next regular cleaning (which we recommend roughly every six months), make sure you schedule any follow up visit that you discussed with our hygienist or doctor during your appointment, and provide you with the information regarding insurance for our patients with dental insurance in Atlanta.
How Long Does a First Visit Take?
Your first appointment generally will run 45-60 minutes – possibly longer if it involves X-rays, a cleaning and a comprehensive exam combined in one visit. Complex cases might require a second appointment to space your treatment out more appropriately.
Finding the Right Fit
This initial visit is not merely for checking the box on a form. It is your opportunity to determine if the practice is the right one for you. Observe how the team interacts with each other and with other patients. Consider whether their explanations are comprehensive and whether you feel you can readily ask them questions. No matter whether you are searching for family dental care in Atlanta or are looking for a general dentist for yourself, finding your dental home should be about feeling listened to rather than being hurried through.
Conclusion
At Blueprint Smiles, our partner clinics span the entire city of Atlanta, providing general family dental services that fully deliver this kind of visit experience: starting from your first appointment, our team takes time to explain your situation and answer your questions openly, making dental care in Atlanta approachable and stress-free.
Our experienced dental team is proud to care for patients from the following nearby communities. Whether you’re looking for routine dental care or want to improve your smile, we’re here to help:
We are committed to providing high-quality dental care and helping patients throughout these communities achieve and maintain healthy, confident smiles.
FAQ
How do I pay if I don’t have dental insurance?
Our offices are very accustomed to helping our patients in ways that accommodate their budgetary concerns and we have payment plan options, as well as dental membership plans, and a list of lending services with special dental financing.
Can I get the same dentist or hygienist?
After your initial visit and your subsequent appointments, our staff will try our very best to schedule you with the same caring professional so that you don’t have to explain what’s over again with a different dentist and you can ensure a continuation of care with your primary dentist for your child.
What should I bring for my child’s first visit?
Your first appointment should allow about 45-60 minutes for your appointment time – maybe 75 minutes if we complete the full exam and cleaning plus X-rays. Certain more complex case studies may require a secondary appointment to facilitate a schedule which may in this case allow our team to space your appointments for optimum success.
How are a general dentist and a family dentist different in Atlanta?
A general dentist takes care of adults whereas a family dentist accepts patients from the young to the old. Most Smiles Dental Atlanta offices practice family dentistry. This means the entire family can attend one practice.
Are x-rays a separate appointment?
Typically, no. X-rays are a part of the initial visit exam which takes place at the same appointment as cleaning and check-up unless your dentist considers it a better course to spread these actions out over separate appointments.
How do I know if a dental office is accepting new patients?
The best way to figure this out is to search for this information online on a particular dental office’s website, however it does not hurt to make a phone call before attempting to make an appointment. Most Atlanta dental offices, including some partner practices of Blueprint Smiles, updated information online regarding whether or not they have a great deal of new patients or not.
About the Author
Dr. Ray Cornay is a general and cosmetic dentist and practice owner at Marietta Dental Professionals, which is associated with Blueprint Smiles. He received his training from the Dental College of Georgia. Dr. Cornay’s expertise includes root canals, implants, restorative procedures, and sedation.
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Phone: 678-288-4928