What to Expect at Your First Appointment with a New Dentist
By Edward Farajzadeh | Published on June 16, 2010 | 0 Comments
Whether you’ve moved to a new city, your dentist has retired, or you’ve been unhappy with your previous dentist, establishing a relationship with a new dentist is something many people dread. Once you’ve found a practice that appeals to you, what can you expect at your first appointment? According to Edward Farajzadeh, DDS, a dentist in Poway, California, your first appointment with a new dentist serves two purposes – to familiarize you with the dental office and staff, and to allow your dentist to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Getting Acquainted
“The first visit,” he says, “is all about getting acquainted with the dentist and his staff.” Because trips to the dentist office can sometimes be stressful, Farajzadeh believes it’s important for you to feel at ease with the people to whom you’re entrusting your dental care. This will help to build a trusting, cooperative relationship.
Farajzadeh says that when you visit his office for the first time, you can expect the staff to spend some extra time with you, introducing themselves and what they do, and helping to make you feel more at home. When you meet with Dr. Farajzadeh, you will have a chance to ask questions about his practice and his philosophy to ensure that you’re on the same page when it comes to your dental care. “We’re going to be working very closely together,” he says. “I want to make sure we’re going to be comfortable with one another.”
Developing a Treatment Plan
Developing an individualized treatment plan, says Farajzadeh, involves several steps. First, he says, your new dentist will probably want to take x-rays of your teeth. Although some patients balk at them, x-rays, Farajzadeh says, are an extremely important diagnostic tool. Without them, it may be impossible to identify and treat minor problems that are occurring beneath the tooth’s surface until they’ve become major problems.
In addition to reviewing your x-rays, your new dentist will also perform a visual exam to check for outward signs of decay and gum disease. He will also check your bite and your jaw to ensure proper alignment and function, and will inspect all existing fillings and dental work to see whether anything needs to be replaced. During this exam, Farajzadeh says, most dentists generally also screen for early signs of oral cancer. This includes a visual exam of all of the soft tissues of mouth, throat and surrounding structures and, if any abnormalities are detected, a “brush” test to collect a sample for analysis.
According to Farajzadeh, a good dentist will also ask you about your own concerns and treatment goals as he’s developing a plan for your dental care. What is the primary reason you’re visiting the dentist? Are you experiencing any other problems? Do you find visiting the dentist particularly stressful? Are you interested in orthodontics? Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? These are all issues that should be incorporated into your long-term treatment plan.
Included in your long-term treatment plan, says Farajzadeh, will be both corrective and preventive measures. “Of course, our primary goal will be to treat whatever problem you’re experiencing now,” he says, “but we will also want to put a plan in place to prevent future problems and address any other concerns you may have about the function or appearance of your teeth.” The first step, once initial corrective measures have been taken, he says, will probably be to schedule a cleaning.
According to Farajzadeh, the type and frequency of your cleanings should be determined by the results of your oral exam. While some individuals may require only surface cleanings, others may need deeper cleanings to address gum disease and prevent future decay. Your cleaning schedule is one of the most important elements of your long-term dental care, says Farajzadeh, and it’s critical that each of your teeth gets exactly the kind of attention it needs.
Of course, says Farajzadeh, one important part of working with a new dentist to develop a treatment plan is discussing your insurance coverage, outlining any out-of-pocket costs, and making sure you can afford the procedures your dentist has recommended. At Farajzadeh’s dental group, “Our front desk staff spends as much time with each patient as is necessary to ensure that he is completely comfortable with the costs associated with his treatment plan. We even offer financing plans to help make proper dental care affordable for anyone.”
*Disclaimer: The information on this website is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.