If you’re visiting a new dentist, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. At Falmouth Dental Arts, our comprehensive exam is designed to help us get to know you, understand your oral health needs, and create a personalized plan for your smile.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through your first visit so you know exactly what to expect.
What Do I Need to Know Before I Go?
Before you head to Falmouth Dental Arts, it’s a good idea to plan on arriving ten to fifteen minutes early. This gives you time to finish any paperwork before your appointment begins. Initial exam appointments can be made via the New Patient Appointments webpage or by phone. Our practice gives patients the option to complete necessary forms on paper or digitally.
What Should I Expect When I Arrive?
When you arrive at Falmouth Dental Arts, you’ll be greeted by our friendly front office team and guided through each step of your visit. After checking in, the wait is typically minimal before your clinician brings you to the treatment room.
What Happens at the Start of a Comprehensive Exam?
The first part of your visit helps us learn more about you and your oral health. Your dental hygienist will introduce themselves, learn about you, take your blood pressure, and review your medical history. They will then gather important information about your oral health.
This process includes:
- Taking any necessary X-rays
- Creating your digital dental chart, curating the “map to the mouth” that tracks your dental history and current conditions
- Performing oral cancer screenings
- Assessing your gum health
- Photographing your teeth and smile
Gathering all of this information helps us to provide the most complete picture of your oral health and allows us to make the best recommendations for your care. Our team is committed to providing thorough, high-quality dental care.
What Happens Towards the End of My Appointment?
A comprehensive exam at Falmouth Dental Arts typically takes about two hours. This allows our team to gather a complete picture of your oral health, discuss your concerns, and develop personalized recommendations for your care. Depending on your individual needs, some portions of the initial appointment may be completed over multiple visits to accommodate scheduling preferences or treatment priorities.
As your appointment progresses, your dental hygienist and the doctor will review the information gathered during the exam, assess your oral health needs, and discuss any concerns you may have. Based on their findings, treatment may include:
- A preventive dental cleaning
- Gingival therapy
- Supportive periodontal therapy
- Recommendations for future periodontal treatment with our hygiene team or dental treatment with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos
You’ll also spend time with Dr. Brunacini or Dr. Karagiorgos during your visit. They will review your records, discuss your oral health goals, answer your questions, and get to know you. This time helps us answer your questions, learn more about your goals and concerns, and create a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Now That the Appointment Is Over, What Do I Do?
After your appointment, you will be escorted back to the waiting room. There, one of our friendly front office team members will take over and assist you with checking out.
While Falmouth Dental Arts is out of network with all insurance companies, we work with most plans. If you do have insurance, Falmouth Dental Arts will bill your insurance company on your behalf and send a bill for the remainder, if any. Patients can pay balances via the Falmouth Dental Arts website, mail, phone call, or text-to-pay technology. For those without insurance, payment is asked for at time of service.
Future appointment scheduling is based on individual dental health needs. Most patients come in every six months for their recare appointment, but recommended frequency is determined by your individual needs. FDA prioritizes convenience by sending out automated text reminders for appointments two weeks, forty-eight hours and the day of your visit. Patients can make their next appointment at their initial comprehensive exam checkout for seamless scheduling.
Initial Comprehensive Exams With FDA
Everyone’s teeth and needs are different, so while FDA’s personalized care plans aim to address the specific dental health concerns patients may have, we also seek to educate patients about our in-office procedures.
FDA’s initial exam process maps the past and present of your oral health to ensure a bright future for you and your teeth. Between in-office treatments and at-home care, FDA works with you to create and maintain a healthy smile you’re happy to show off.
Whether you’re looking to schedule an initial comprehensive exam or have questions about what Falmouth Dental Arts can do for you, we’re always here to help.
