Your First Visit
The doctors and staff at Piedmont Dental look forward to meeting you and doing everything possible to make your first visit both pleasant and valuable. We take great pride in our work, and we will do everything in our power to help you achieve a smile that is both functional and beautiful.
Registration forms
When you first arrive, you will be greeted by our staff and asked to fill out registration forms. These forms help us get to know you better and provide you the best possible care. Part of this form is a list of medications you are currently prescribed. We encourage you to bring in your medications or a list from your physician if you are unsure what medications you are taking. It is a good idea to arrive 15 minutes early to provide enough time to fill out these forms before your scheduled appointment time.
Charting and Digital X-rays
During your initial appointment, we will take a series of x-rays to get a better look at your entire mouth. X-rays allow us to see in areas that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to in a general exam. We use digital x-rays which greatly reduce your radiation compared to traditional x-rays. We will chart your existing filings and the health of your gums. Improving the health of your gums and bone that support your teeth is just as important as fixing the teeth themselves. The hygienist will discuss the health of your gums and how to improve your at-home-care.
Develop a Comprehensive Plan
The dentist will discuss your dental and medical history along with the reason for your visit. Based on the information the dentist gathers from your exam, the x-rays, and the recommendations from the hygienist, a comprehensive treatment plan will be suggested that best addresses your specific dental needs. Seeing the full picture of your dental health allows us to make the best decisions to maximize your long-term oral health. This involves taking care of immediate problems and addressing small issues before they become larger and more expensive.
Insurance and Payment Options
At Piedmont Dental, we understand that dental insurance and payment options can become confusing. That is why we have a dedicated treatment coordinator that helps walk you through your treatment plan and discuss payment options that work best for you.
After your first appointment, you will leave our office with a better understanding of your dental needs. You will be provided with a specific treatment plan, the cost of that plan, and a date for your follow-up appointment. Due to the amount of information we gather in your first appointment and your specific cleaning needs, there is no guarantee that we will be able to complete your cleaning at your initial visit to our office.
Emergency Appointment
Sometimes our first meeting doesn’t fall under the best of circumstances. Our doctors see a wide range of emergencies and are well trained at dealing with them. Most emergencies can be handled in our office, however, we also refer to specialists when it is in your best interest.
Your emergency exam will be problem focused and usually involves an x-ray to aid with diagnosis. We will encourage you to return for a more comprehensive exam to take care of any other dental issues you may have before they turn into another emergency situation.