What a first visit is.

An examination, the X-rays you need, and a written plan with costs before you agree to anything.

Your first appointment

In order, and how long each part takes.

01
At the desk
About five minutes. Your health card, your insurance card if you have one, and your form — or five minutes to fill one in if you did not bring it.
02
X-rays
About ten minutes. Usually a small set, and each one is explained before it is taken.
03
The examination
Around fifteen minutes. Teeth, gums, bite and the soft tissue in your mouth and neck.
04
Your plan, on paper
What needs doing, what can wait, and what each part costs. You take the sheet home; nobody asks you to decide that day.

Before you come

Your health card
Your dental insurance card, or the insurer's name with your policy and ID numbers
A list of the medicines you take — the pharmacy printout is fine
What dental work you have had and roughly when: crowns, root canals, implants, braces, surgery
Recent X-rays from another office, if you have them — they can save taking new ones
The name of your previous dentist, if you would like your records requested
Your new-patient form, filled in — get the form
Under 18: a parent or legal guardian comes to the first appointment