Few people are fans of dental offices but knowing what to expect on your first dental visit can alleviate the anxiety and fear these appointments can cause.
As a new patient, you are most likely to be scheduled for a dental evaluation, radiographs, and a dental cleaning. First things first, there is going to be some paperwork you need to fill out before sitting down in the dental chair.
This paperwork is extremely important as it contains your medical history. The mouth is part of the body, and if there is a systemic condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or autoimmune disease such as Sjogren’s Disease, just to name a few, there are some precautions we might need to take care of. Many findings in the oral cavity are also related to systemic conditions.
Besides medical history, it is also important to disclose any medications, for example, those patients in anticoagulants and baby aspirin are more prone to severe bleeding. In some cases, stopping the medication temporarily might be needed, in other instances, a prophylactic medication before dental procedures must be taken.
Depending on your health complications, the dentist might need to get a medical clearance from your family doctor to proceed with some dental procedures. Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, also known as HIPPA, all medical-related information the patient chooses to disclose is private and cannot be shared with anyone unless a release form is signed by the patient.
Once all the paperwork is filled out, now it is time to proceed to the dental chair. Your appointment will start by meeting the hygienist or assistant, who will take some pictures of your teeth and a full set of radiographs.
Dental Pictures provide a record of the state of the teeth on your first appointment and are used as an educational tool to show the patient any areas that might require attention.
Radiographs help detect hard-to-see cavities, defective restorations, and even infections on the tooth pulp or bone. A dental exam should always include radiographs, it is the equivalent of doing blood work at a doctor’s office and an indispensable tool for adequate diagnosis. At Hq Dontics, we take digital radiographs with a portable x-ray machine called Nomad.
Nomad emits little radiation compared to wall-mounted x-rays machines, the images are of superior quality and can be seen within seconds of being taken. The number of radiographs needed to be taken will be determined by your dental condition and practitioner discretion. Some patients might need 18 small x-rays, or 4 small x-rays, and a panoramic radiograph or CT scan.
The second step in your first dental visit is either meeting the doctor or having the dental hygienist clean your teeth. Some offices prefer to have the dental cleaning done before the exam, therefore once the doctor sits down on the chair to start the evaluation, there is no food debris, stains, or plaque blocking areas that need to be seen for an accurate diagnosis.
If the dental cleaning is done first, the hygienist will use different instruments, such as power scalers and dental picks. Your teeth will also be polished and flossed. Besides dental cleaning, the hygienist will evaluate your gums to determine if gum disease is present. Oral hygiene instructions are also given at this time. Once your teeth are all done and clean, the exam will follow.
A comprehensive dental exam includes a head and neck exam, soft tissue exam, cancer screening, and hard tissue exam. A Head and neck exam involves palpating the muscles of the head and neck to fill for inflamed lymph nodes or tender muscles.
Inflamed lymph nodes are related to infections and tense muscles are a sign of clenching and grinding which could lead to TMJ problems. A soft tissue exam includes looking for bumps or color changes in the lips, gums, throat, and tongue.
Some changes in soft tissue could be a sign of oral cancer, and if present, a referral to a specialist is made. A hard tissue exam involves evaluating the teeth and the surrounding bone.
Once the doctor has completed the exam and looked at your radiographs, a treatment plan can be created if needed. And that concludes the first visit to a new dental office.
Now you are considered a patient of record, and the clinic will keep track of when your next appointments are due to make sure you do not fall off schedule with your dental health.
Your first dental visit with HQ Dontics!
The American Dental Association recommends dental exams and radiographs to be done once a year and dental cleanings at least twice a year, depending on your oral hygiene habits.
Don’t wait anymore and come experience your first dental visit with us!
Jennifer Pettit, CRDH.
HQ DONTICS Team.
If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact us!
