First Visit
At Crossroads Family Dental, we absolutely love meeting new people and new families! Your first welcome appointment at our office will feel different than your other dental visits you may have had in the past. As a small business, we value you, our patient above all else. We want you to feel welcome and comfortable when you are here. We also want you to be heard. We take the time to get to know you as a person first and a dental patient second. We listen to your desires and work as partners towards whatever level of dental health you are seeking.
Paperwork
We get it, no one likes a large stack of new paperwork. It’s just that it’s legally necessary to inform you of certain things and collect health history to treat you safely and insurance information so you can use your benefits. We get that it’s still not fun to complete. At our office, you have the option of having your new patient paperwork texted to you and completely it digitally at your convenience before your visit. You can also download and print the forms from our website. Then again, if you would be a little sad without the physical stack of papers, please arrive 15-20 minutes early for your new patient visit to complete it. Thank you!
Your First Appointment
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by one of our friendly Patient Care Coordinators who will get you checked in and registered. We will review your dental and medical histories. During this time, we will also discuss if you have any fears, anxieties, or other oral health concerns that you will want to be addressed during your visit.
How your appointment proceeds from there will be based on your goals for the visit:
Emergency Only Appointment: This 30 minute appointment with the doctor and team will involve limited X-Rays, photographs, a limited oral exam, and whatever tests needed to diagnose your condition and come up with a plan for that specific tooth or area. This appointment is intended for someone looking to get out of pain or to solve a specific dental issue.
New Patient Exam: This 60 minute appointment will involve X-Rays and photographs of your entire mouth, a periodontal (gum) health assessment, oral cancer screening, and time spent with the dentist reviewing conditions, your goals, and possible recommended treatments for your teeth and gums. This appointment is intended for someone looking to get established as a patient at our office who is unaware of any significant dental issues. We typically set up a second appointment for a dental cleaning, but would clean if time allows.
Comprehensive New Patient Exam: This 2 hour appointment will involve full X-Rays, full photography, a periodontal (gum) health assessment, oral cancer screening, and time spent with the dentist to take you on a full tour of your mouth. Plan to discuss your goals, conditions, and possible treatments for your teeth and gums. This detailed diagnosis of your mouth is intended for patients who feel they have significant dental issues they would like discussed. We will try to complete a dental cleaning at this visit as time allows and depending on the severity of your specific gum health needs.
Second Opinion Exam: We are proud to offer a second opinion for any patients who have questions or concerns about treatment recommended with another provider. This may involve limited X-Rays or diagnostic tests depending on your questions or concerns. The appointment is 20-30 minutes with the dentist depending on your concerns.
Digital X-Rays
As a first-time patient, we will need to take some digital X-rays. Digital X-Rays use 1/3 the radiation of traditional film X-Rays with significantly higher resolution and clarity. These images are essential for showing us the hidden structures of your mouth, including the areas in between your teeth, the roots of your teeth, and your bone. We can see damage, infections, impacted teeth and other issues. Your digital X-rays complete the picture of your current oral health. We are happy to accept X-Rays sent over from previous dental offices, but depending on the resolution we may request our own to aid in providing a thorough diagnosis.
Reviewing Your Dental Treatment
Our dental team has a passion for education. We take the time to discuss any dental findings, conditions, concerns, and treatment options with you. Be assured that we are here to make sure all of your questions are answered and that you feel comfortable with any of the dental treatment options that you choose.
For the majority of treatment options, you will leave with a full understanding of all recommended treatment and a written estimate of your financial investment towards your oral health. We will submit to most dental benefit plans and assist you with any claims issues.
Payment arrangements (including interest-free plans) are available so that financial concerns don’t get in the way of you achieving your optimal oral health and being proud of your white, bright smile! Your first visit to Crossroads Family Dental is designed for us to get to know you and for you to get to know us. It also gives us an opportunity to fully understand your needs and design a customized treatment plan that will optimize your oral health. If you are ready to schedule your first appointment, please call Crossroads Family Dental today at 219-865-4095.