What to Expect During Your First Visit With a Family Dentist

You should consider seeing a family dentist if you have children. This allows your entire household to get their dental needs met at the same time instead of driving all over town to drop each member of your family off at their dentist.

A family dentist is a general dentist who spends most of their time treating patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. Their practices are designed to handle the dental needs of every member of your family.

What goes on during your first appointment with a family dentist

Some of the things patients should expect during their first visit include:

1. Background information

Most people’s first appointment with a family dentist starts with a conversation about their dental and medical history. Many dentists have specific forms patients have to fill out going over topics like the patient’s history and their insurance provider.

The dentist’s office will typically inform patients about things they need to bring with them for their first appointment. Patients are encouraged to arrive early so they have enough time to fill out any forms provided by the dentist.

Patients will also have to fill out forms regarding their insurance provider. Dental clinics work with most insurance providers, but it is the patient's responsibility to ensure their insurance covers any treatment they receive.

2. Goals

The next portion of the first appointment with a family dentist typically involves the dentist talking to patients about their concerns and goals. This is the time to let the dentist know any concerns they have about their dental health or treatments they are interested in.

The dentist will also talk to the patient about any fears they have regarding getting dental treatments. Many children and adults have some form of dental anxiety or phobias, but family dentists have various ways of helping them overcome their fears like dental sedatives.

3. First routine check-up

Family dentists typically perform routine checkups once they have gotten all the information they need from their patients. The first check-up with a new dentist typically involves a thorough examination of the patient's tongue, gums, and teeth.

X-rays might also be ordered to record the current state of the patient’s mouth. Any issues detected during this evaluation will be discussed with the patient so treatment options can be explored. Depending on the family dentist’s availability, treatments for discovered issues might be performed on the same day.

4. Preventative treatments

Family dentists spend most of their time performing preventative treatments. These treatments are effective ways to prevent dental issues like tooth decay and gum disease. Some of the preventative treatments family dentists perform often include:

• Teeth cleaning: This involves removing plaque and tartar from teeth surfaces. It protects against tooth decay and gum disease.
• Dental sealants: This involves coating the biting surfaces of teeth with a composite resin that prevents the acids made by oral bacteria from damaging them.
• Fluoride treatments: This protects against tooth decay. It takes less than a minute and involves a mouth filled with a fluoride solution or gel.