Dentist Appointments: What to Expect

Don't wait until there are problems before making an appointment with the dentist. Routine cleanings and checkups are a good idea at least two times a year. Being a consistent patient makes it more likely that an issues will be addressed before it turns into a toothache.

Make an Appointment

When making an appointment, be sure to call in advance. It might be a good idea to schedule the next visit at the end of each appointment. If you are having any type of problems with your teeth, you want to let them know so they can try to get you in as soon as possible.

Arrival

If this is your first time seeing the dentist, arrive to your appointment a little early. You will need to fill out forms to give your contact information, dental and health history, and person to contact in case of emergency. Also, if you have dental insurance, be sure to bring your id card or a copy of the card to make accessing your account easier. Look through your insurance paperwork or make a call to see if you will have a copay. You will be expected to pay the copay before you leave.

Examination

When it is your turn, a dental assistant will take you back to the examination room. Based on your history, he or she will determine whether or not you need x-rays. X-rays are usually required for new patients, or patients that haven't been in for a while. This will take a little bit of extra time at the beginning and may or may not be done in the examination room. Depending on the type of machine, multiple shots may be taken from different angles or a complete e-ray around the entire mouth may occur. There will be a short wait as the x-rays are developed and then, it will be time to talk with the dentist.

If you are going in for a routine cleaning, it may not be necessary to see the dentist. All of the work can be completed by a hygienist. If you are seeing the dentist, he will usually come in, look through your information, and perform a general assessment. Because there is time in between different procedure and people coming into the room, it might be a good idea to bring a book or magazine so you have something to do.

Next, you will find out what work you need done. You may be given a clean bill of health for you mouth, or you could need a few fillings or a root canal. Regardless of the outcome, feel free to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure. You may also want to ask about what you can do to prevent problems in the future. You may walk out with a toothbrush and floss to sample at home.

If you do need some work done, set the appointment before you leave. Then call the insurance company to get an estimate on how much it will cost.