Your First Visit: What to Expect
Setting the Foundation for Your Lifelong Healthy Smile
Welcome to Lakota Premier Dental. We understand that your first visit to a new dentist can be filled with questions, and we are here to make your experience as comfortable and transparent as possible. Your initial appointment is a dedicated time for us to get to know you, understand your medical history, and perform a comprehensive assessment of your oral health. Below, you’ll find everything you need to prepare for your visit and a detailed look at how we care for our new patients.
Follow these steps if this is your first time visiting our office.
Please bring to your first dental exam appointment:
- Complete new patient forms online or arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to fill out required paperwork
- Insurance card/information
- List of current medications and medical conditions
- X-rays taken in the last 6 months (if available)
Comprehensive Evaluation
Your first dental exam visit includes a comprehensive dental exam in which our doctor will talk to you about your dental and medical history and note any questions or concerns you may have. Many health conditions are indicated in the mouth and can affect oral health, so your medical information is very important in diagnosing issues with your teeth, gums and mouth.
During your first visit, we will:
- Take full mouth x-rays to identify any current problems and to use as a baseline on future visits to detect early signs of problems. The American Dental Association recommends getting a full series every three years.
- Assess gum condition and health.
- Examine teeth for cavities and condition of old dental restorations.
- Perform a head and neck exam, including salivary glands and lymph nodes, for swelling or other abnormalities.
- Screen for oral cancer and TMJ (jaw joint).
- Clean and polish your teeth.
Diagnosis and Treatment Plan
After completing the dental checkup and teeth cleaning, our doctor will talk to you about the findings, discuss a regular dental checkup schedule and dental treatment plan (if needed), so we can answer any questions or concerns you may have. If treatments require a specialist, we’ll give you a referral.
Patients Under 18 Years of Age:
Please note that patients under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all visits. We want to meet with both of you to discuss the dental exam findings and treatments, and to address your questions and concerns.
Your first dental exam at Lakota Premier Dental will be a comprehensive dental checkup in which our dentist will talk to you about your dental and medical history.
