The first appointment is an information gathering session. After touring the office and meeting some of our team members, we will review your medical and dental history, and ask you a number of questions about your mouth and your oral health. We also want to know how you feel about your teeth and your smile.
During this time we will get a feel for your attitudes towards oral health, discover what your concerns are, and what goals you have. Then, we will begin a detailed exam that includes:
comprehensive charting of your mouth including restorations, recession, mobility, missing or broken teeth, occlusion, contacts, etc
jaw joint analysis
evaluation of your bite
oral cancer exam
state-of-the-art digital x-rays (as required) – if you have had x-rays taken within the last year, we may be able to retrieve them from your previous dentist
live video tour with our digital intra-oral camera (get ready to see your teeth as never before)
smile analysis
photographs (as required)
blood pressure screening
Because of our attention to detail, this first exam may just over an hour. (depending on individual need). If necessary, we will invite you to return for a second appointment , so that we will have had sufficient time to fully consider all of the information collected at the first appointment and we will have prepared a comprehensive and personalized treatment plan. If your needs are more simple – we can likely discuss your treatment right then and there.
A Few Things You Should Know
Please plan to arrive 10 – 15 minutes early for your first appointment to allow sufficient time for us to enter your personal information into our computer system. This will help us to stay on time with other patients.
For those with dental insurance – please bring your insurance card to the first appointment.
The fee for this examination will be between $125 and $230 depending on the number of x-rays and the complexity of your comprehensive exam.
As a courtesy, we accept assignment of payment from your dental insurance. We do our best to estimate the patient vs. insurance portions through submitting a pre-authorization to your insurance provider. In the event that your insurance company does not pay what we expected, it is your responsibility to pay the balance. Learn more about how Oaklands Dental works with your dental plan.
Automated reminders
We utilize automated text reminders and e-mail which easily allows you to confirm your appointment from any location at any time.
Will I be charged for missed or short-notice cancellation of appointments?
Yes. So that we are able to care for all of our patients in a timely fashion, we request advance notice of at least 2 business days should you need to change or cancel any appointment. This hopefully allows us the time required to refill that time period that we had originally reserved exclusively for you. Please be aware that Fridays and weekends are not business days in our office.
We reserve time in our schedule for you in order to accommodate your busy schedule. We ask that you give us the same consideration should you need to cancel or change any appointment.
Thank you for understanding and honoring our policy
The consultation
If the treatment plan is simple, it can usually be presented during your first visit. However, sometimes a second appointment or “consultation” is required for us to present our summary of findings and discuss various treatment options with you. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
During this session, we will present you with a comprehensive diagnosis that will address any concerns that you may have as well as other problems we might have discovered during the initial exam. Also, we will provide thoughtful treatment options for you and discuss the pros and cons of each.
We will also provide you with a rough estimate for the cost of each of the options presented.
Our job is to provide as much information as needed to enable you to make the decision that is right for you.
You decide how we proceed
Your job will be to decide how you would like us to proceed. Consider us as consultants who provide options and recommendations. You can choose to do nothing or do part of what we discuss. Or, you can choose to do everything. You’re always in complete control of how we proceed. If there is anyone you would like to bring along to either appointment to help you make decisions, they are most welcome.
Once we have narrowed down the options and have a better idea of how you would like to proceed, we will provide you with a more accurate estimate of the cost. If you have dental insurance, we will work on your behalf to maximize any benefits to which you are entitled.
The treatment
We will proceed to the actual treatment phase only when you are ready. Once you are ready and all these details are in place, we can begin booking appointments as needed.
Our job will be to carry out the type of treatment that you desire. We will complete this as efficiently and carefully as possible remembering that your comfort and safety are paramount.
For your comfort and safety
● home-like reception area with comfortable seating and a beverage centre
● all instruments sterilized in a state-of-the-art autoclave that exceeds current sterilization requirements
● operatories completely disinfected between patients
● HDTV with wireless headphones
● the most comfortable dental chairs available
● blankets and pillows to keep you cozy