WHAT TO EXPECT SERIES:
“I HAVEN’T BEEN TO THE DENTIST IN YEARS.”
We get it, life happens. A pandemic, home schooling, juggling working from home while the dogs bark as you give a Zoom presentation to your colleagues…sound familiar? Making yourself a priority is tough but a global pandemic makes it nearly impossible.
Has it been awhile since you last visited the dentist? We meet so many people just like you every day! More often than not, these individuals want to get their dental health back on track, but feel afraid, anxious, or ashamed of how much time they’ve let go by. Time truly does fly… This can easily overpower your desire to take control of your health, leading to even more years passing by without proper dental hygiene and care.
We’ve found that knowing what to expect during this first visit back can help alleviate some of the worries you may have. It can also provide the extra courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. At Advanced Park Dental and MJDental, we guarantee to provide you with kind, gentle, and judgement-free care.
Allow about an hour for your appointment
Your entire appointment will be focused on getting to know you, your mouth, and your dental health needs and goals. When you first walk through our doors, you’ll be greeted by our amazing team as if you were one of the family. Some information that you will need to complete our forms include: dental insurance (if applicable), health history, your contact details and emergency contact information.
It’s time to take high-tech dental x-rays
Once your paperwork is taken care of, we will walk you back to take a digital x-ray of your mouth. These x-rays help give us a behind-the-scenes look to reveal tooth decay, jaw/bone issues, and other dental and health concerns. Though some people may find this process a little awkward, it’s quite fast and not at all painful.
We’ll conduct a comprehensive mouth examination
Dr. Jivan will come in and you’ll spend a few minutes talking about what brought you into our office before taking a peek in your mouth. Our exams involve taking a comprehensive look at your teeth, gums, and jaw structure while discussing your x-ray findings. Dr. Jivan will review your bite and evaluate your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. We’ll also do an oral cancer screening by checking your tongue and gums.
You’ll have many opportunities to ask questions
We have a 100% transparency protocol. You will be welcomed to interrupt and ask questions and express concerns to Dr. Jivan. Common questions include: How can I prevent cavities and gum disease? What cosmetic treatments will improve the appearance of my smile? What are my options for replacing missing teeth?
We’ll outline our dental cleaning recommendation & care plan
For new patients, we typically schedule exams and cleanings as two separate visits. After your exam, Dr. Jivan will provide the recommended path forward and outline what type of cleaning we suggest and why, plus any other follow-up appointments and treatments that may be necessary.
You’ll end your appointment by talking with our patient coordinator
Before you leave, our patient coordinator and front desk team will work with you to schedule your next cleaning and any follow-up appointments. We’ll also cover the cost of these treatments and financing options. For those without insurance, we will discuss our in-house Dental Savings Plan options. You’ll leave our office feeling good about the care you received and confident in the future of your dental health!